Oklahoma manufacturer, EMCO, dedicates its new 30,000-square-foot facility exclusively to heavy-duty trailer springs and adds a 35-year industry veteran to serve OEMs seeking domestic supply and predictable lead times.

TULSA, Okla., Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- EMCO Industries, a leading manufacturer of leaf springs for trailers, agricultural equipment, recreational vehicles and specialty vehicles, announced that its new 30,000-square-foot automated manufacturing facility in Claremore, Oklahoma, is online and in production. The plant is dedicated exclusively to the heavy-duty trailer market. The company also announced the appointment of Wayne Sornberger as director of business development.

The facility represents a multimillion-dollar investment in automation and more than doubles EMCO's production capacity. Twelve robots work in tandem across the line, taking raw bars of American steel through shearing, tapering, forming, heat treating and quenching. The plant is expected to support approximately 20 new jobs in Claremore and the surrounding area.

Roughly a dozen heavy-duty spring configurations are now being produced on the automated line, including the High-Performance Mono-Leaf Spring EMCO introduced in January. That 22,400-pound gross-axle-weight-rated spring reduced component weight 25 percent, from 53 pounds to 40 pounds, and exceeds Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association B-10 fatigue life requirements.

"Bringing this plant online and appointing Wayne to lead our HD sales efforts are two key components of our strategy," said Marcus Hester, president of EMCO Industries. "We built capacity specifically for heavy-duty trailer springs, and we brought in someone who has spent his career in that segment and knows what those buyers need. The plant gives us the room to grow. Wayne gives us the relationships to fill it."

Sornberger joined EMCO on July 13 after 35 years in the spring industry. He will cover the heavy-duty trailer market across North America and works from Alberta, Canada. Over three decades he has served many of North America's largest and most demanding trailer manufacturers.

"Customers stay with people who solve their problems, and that starts with getting product on the dock when you say you will," Sornberger said. "What EMCO gives me to sell is a spring built in Oklahoma from American steel, an eight-week lead time instead of 16 or 20, and a supply line that isn't exposed to import tariffs. Those are the three things buyers ask me about first."

EMCO's domestic manufacturing footprint has become a competitive advantage as trailer manufacturers work to reduce exposure to offshore supply. Because the company produces its springs in Oklahoma using domestic steel, customers avoid the tariff costs and the shipping variability attached to imported components. Lead times average eight weeks from order to delivery.

The company has expanded its share of business with leading OEMs, in a market that moved toward dual sourcing and domestic supply following the pandemic-era shortages that left mid-sized manufacturers waiting behind larger accounts. EMCO's focus on leaf springs allows the company to commit production capacity and engineering attention to those customers.

"Quality and price are table stakes in this business. If you can't deliver, none of it matters," Hester said. "That is what has earned us the business we have won over the last several years, and it is what the new facility protects as volume grows. We are not asking customers to take that on faith. Our record is on their receiving docks."

Every EMCO heavy-duty spring is manufactured to the company's proprietary steel specification and heat-treating process, then individually dipped and painted for corrosion resistance. The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified and has received multiple OEM Supplier of the Year awards. Its engineering team brings more than 120 years of combined leaf spring experience.

EMCO is accepting orders for its full heavy-duty trailer spring line.

To access a high-resolution image of Wayne Sornberger and the company's new manufacturing facility, please click here.

About EMCO Industries, LLC

For more than 35 years, EMCO Industries has manufactured leaf springs and heat-treated products for the trailer, agricultural and specialty vehicle industries. The company produces springs with capacities ranging from 250 pounds to 14,000 pounds, serving OEM and aftermarket customers globally from its facilities in Claremore, Oklahoma. As a U.S. manufacturer using American steel, EMCO has built its reputation on delivering quality products on time, every time. For more information, visit https://emcoind.com/.

All product and company names referenced are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Their use does not imply any affiliation with, endorsement by, or partnership with EMCO Industries.

SOURCE EMCO Industries

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- Agreement with North Carolina Public Staff, Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft and others enhances existing protections to further insulate customers from data center costs while delivering billions in long-term benefits

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy and stakeholders have reached an agreement that further protects existing customers from costs to serve data centers and other large-load customers in North Carolina.

Duke Energy proactively implemented substantial customer protections in 2024 to ensure that large-load customers pay the costs to serve them. The agreement memorializes and enhances those protections.

These changes are reflected in a new settlement between the company's two North Carolina utilities – Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress – and North Carolina Public Staff, the agency representing utility customers. Other parties to the agreement include Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Carolina Industrial Group for Fair Utility Rates and the U.S. Department of Defense.

Our view: "It's simple – data centers will pay upfront for all costs to connect to the grid," said Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy's North Carolina president. "We're shielding other customers from these costs in a way that protects reliability and ensures everyone benefits from the economic growth coming to North Carolina."

Agreement summary:

- Nonrefundable, upfront payment for electric grid facilities serving only that customer, such as a substation to connect to the grid.

- Upfront deposits and security guarantees for grid upgrades that serve all customers, such as transmission lines.

- New large-load customers, including new data centers, must take service under a High Load Factor rate schedule – a separate rate established for large loads.

Why it matters: Duke Energy had previously required data centers and other large loads (100 megawatts or more) to agree to contract terms that protect other customers from such costs. If approved by state regulators, this new agreement would apply to all large-load customers (50 megawatts or more with 80% load factor) that sign an electric service agreement (ESA) in North Carolina after June 1, 2026. ESAs signed prior to June 1 contain a full suite of similar customer protections.

In July, Duke Energy announced its Customer Protection Plus framework, outlining how data center growth will result in billions of dollars of future customer benefits, saving money for existing customers. This agreement adds to that framework in a way that specifically addresses issues raised by North Carolina regulators and customers. Learn more about Duke Energy's approach to data centers at duke-energy.com/DataCenters.

What's next: The agreement is subject to approval by the North Carolina Utilities Commission – a decision is expected by mid-November.

Duke Energy Carolinas serves about 2.3 million households and businesses in central and western North Carolina, including Charlotte, Durham and the Triad, while Duke Energy Progress serves about 1.6 million customers in central and eastern North Carolina and in the Asheville region. The two will be combined into a single utility as of Jan. 1, 2027.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric utilities serve 8.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,700 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an energy modernization strategy, keeping customer value at the forefront as it invests in electric grid upgrades and efficient generation resources to strengthen the system and serve growing energy needs.

More information is available at duke-energy.com. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook for stories about the people and innovations powering its communities.

24-hour media line: 800.559.3853

SOURCE Duke Energy

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Gong, Agentforce Sales, and Avoma Named 2026 Conversation Intelligence Champions by Info-Tech Research Group

Drawing on verified end-user feedback collected through Info-Tech Research Group's SoftwareReviews platform, the 2026 Conversation Intelligence Data Quadrant Report evaluates solutions that help organizations capture and analyze customer interactions, reduce manual effort, and improve visibility across teams. Champion recognition reflects strong product capabilities and overall user satisfaction.

ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 7, 2026 /CNW/ -- Info-Tech Research Group has named Gong, Agentforce Sales, and Avoma as Champions in its 2026 Conversation Intelligence Data Quadrant Report. The report recognizes the highest-rated software products in the category, helping organizations evaluate solutions to analyze customer conversations, improve sales coaching, and turn interactions into actionable insights.

Conversation intelligence solutions help organizations capture, transcribe, and analyze customer interactions across calls, meetings, and other communication channels. Features such as automated transcription, call recording, sentiment analysis, conversation summaries, keyword tracking, sales coaching, and CRM integration can help teams identify customer needs, improve employee performance, and make more informed business decisions.

Info-Tech's Data Quadrant is a comprehensive software evaluation tool that ranks products using verified end-user feedback across key dimensions, including likelihood to recommend, feature rankings, net emotional footprint score, and vendor capabilities. These inputs are aggregated into a Composite Score (CS), which reflects overall user satisfaction and determines placement within the Data Quadrant. The firm's methodology ensures that rankings are based entirely on authentic user reviews, free from analyst opinions or vendor influence.

The 2026 Conversation Intelligence Champions are as follows:

- Gong, 9.0 CS, rated highly for its call recording features.

- Agentforce Sales, 9.0 CS, rated highly for its conversation coaching capabilities.

- Avoma, 8.6 CS, ranked highly for its audio transcription features.

"Every customer conversation contains valuable information, but organizations need the right tools to capture and make sense of it," says Terra Higginson, Principal Research Director at Info-Tech Research Group. "Conversation intelligence platforms can make it easier to review large volumes of interactions and surface relevant information without adding to employee workloads. The best products fit smoothly into existing workflows, provide reliable analysis, reduce manual effort, and are easy for teams to use."

User assessments of software categories on SoftwareReviews provide an accurate and detailed view of the constantly changing market. Info-Tech's reports are informed by data from users and IT professionals with intimate experience with the software across the procurement, implementation, and maintenance processes.

Read the full report: 2026 Conversation Intelligence Champions

To learn more about Info-Tech's Vendor Awards, including how Data Quadrant and Emotional Footprint recognition is determined using verified end-user feedback and the underlying evaluation criteria, visit Info-Tech's Vendor Awards page, powered by SoftwareReviews.

About Info-Tech Research Group

Info-Tech Research Group is the "get things done" partner for over 30,000 IT, HR, and marketing leaders worldwide. The fastest growing research and advisory firm, Info-Tech enables leaders to make well-informed decisions and transform their organizations through AI, strategic foresight, step-by-step methodologies, practical tools, industry-leading advisory, and training programs. For nearly 30 years, tens of thousands of private and public organizations have trusted Info-Tech to lead their most important initiatives through periods of change and deliver outcomes that truly matter.

To learn more about Info-Tech's HR research and advisory services, visit McLean & Company, and for data-driven software buying insights and vendor evaluations, visit the firm's SoftwareReviews platform.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software, as well as hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected].

For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X.

SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group

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AGNC Investment Corp. Declares Monthly Common Stock Dividend of $0.12 per Common Share for October 2026

BETHESDA, Md., Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- AGNC Investment Corp. (Nasdaq: AGNC) announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.12 per share of common stock for October 2026. The dividend is payable on November 10, 2026 to common stockholders of record as of October 30, 2026.

For further information or questions, please contact Investor Relations at (301) 968-9300 or [email protected].

ABOUT AGNC INVESTMENT CORP.

Founded in 2008, AGNC Investment Corp. (Nasdaq: AGNC) is a leading investor in Agency residential mortgage-backed securities (Agency MBS), which benefit from a guarantee against credit losses by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or Ginnie Mae. We invest on a leveraged basis, financing our Agency MBS assets primarily through repurchase agreements, and utilize dynamic risk management strategies intended to protect the value of our portfolio from interest rate and other market risks.

AGNC has a track record of providing favorable long-term returns for our stockholders through substantial monthly dividend income, with over $16 billion of common stock dividends paid since inception. Our business is a significant source of private capital for the U.S. residential housing market, and our team has extensive experience managing mortgage assets across market cycles. AGNC is a member of many broad market indices, including the S&P MidCap 400, the S&P Composite 1500, the Russell 1000, the Russell 3000, and the Nasdaq Composite. To learn more about The Premier Agency Residential Mortgage REIT, please visit www.AGNC.com, follow us on LinkedIn and X, and sign up for Investor Alerts.

CONTACT:

Investor Relations - (301) 968-9300

SOURCE AGNC Investment Corp.

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In the news release, Cato Networks Appoints Former Palo Alto & Netskope Executive Chad Gardner as Chief Revenue Officer, issued 07-Oct-2026 by Cato Networks over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that additional information has been added to clarify the scope of Chad's role in the first paragraph. An additional quote from Alon Alter, Cato's CBO has also been added after the third paragraph. The complete, corrected release follows:

Cato Networks Appoints Former Palo Alto & Netskope Executive Chad Gardner as Chief Revenue Officer

Gardner brings more than two decades of global sales leadership across cybersecurity, cloud, networking, and enterprise technology

TEL AVIV, Israel, Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cato Networks, the converged network and security cloud for the AI era, today announced the appointment of Chad Gardner as chief revenue officer (CRO). Gardner will lead Cato's global sales organization and execution as enterprises modernize and converge their networking and security infrastructure, while securely adopting AI.

Gardner joins Cato from Blackfoot Communications, where he served as chief revenue officer, overseeing the company's wholesale, premier, and enterprise business units. He brings extensive experience building and leading high-performing sales organizations across enterprise infrastructure and cybersecurity. Previously, Gardner was vice president of sales for North America at SambaNova Systems and held several leadership roles at Palo Alto Networks, including vice president of global SASE sales and vice president of sales for West Majors. His experience also includes VP leadership positions at Netskope, as well as executive sales roles at Denali Advanced Integration, NetApp, and Cisco Systems.

"Chad has the experience, customer focus, and leadership ability to help Cato capitalize on the significant opportunity ahead," said Shlomo Kramer, co-founder and CEO of Cato Networks. "His experience leading global SASE sales gives him a clear understanding of why enterprises are moving to converged networking and security. He brings the sales leadership and customer focus we need to expand our business while staying focused on the customer experience that differentiates Cato."

"Chad is a proven sales leader who understands how to build high-performing teams, deepen customer relationships, and scale execution in fast-moving markets. His experience across SASE, cybersecurity, and enterprise technology makes him exceptionally well suited to lead Cato's sales organization," said Alon Alter, chief business officer, Cato Networks. "I'm excited to welcome him to the team as we help more organizations converge their network and security for today's AI era."

"I am excited to join Cato because it is uniquely positioned to define the future of networking and AI security. The company combines a compelling vision with its architecture to deliver meaningful outcomes for customers," said Gardner. "Cato's ability to simplify security while helping organizations adopt AI securely was a particularly important reason for me to join. I'm excited to partner with this team to scale the business, strengthen customer and partner relationships, and help organizations operate with the speed and confidence required in the AI era."

For more on Cato's leadership team, visit: https://www.catonetworks.com/company/

About Cato Networks

Cato Networks delivers the converged network and security cloud for the AI era. Cato unifies networking, security, and access to provide complete visibility across the enterprise, shared context across users, applications, data, and AI interactions, and unified control to act on that intelligence. Cato combines AI-powered security with autonomous protection to defend against evolving threats, secure AI adoption, and help organizations stay ahead of an increasingly AI-driven threat landscape. Trusted by thousands of organizations worldwide, Cato simplifies operations, strengthens resilience, and accelerates secure innovation.

Want to learn why thousands of organizations secure their future with Cato? Visit us at www.catonetworks.com

Media Contact

Cato Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Cato Networks

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AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Flex (NASDAQ: FLEX) will announce its second quarter fiscal year 2027 financial results before the market opens on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The company will hold a conference call to discuss the results that day at 7:30 AM CT / 8:30 AM ET.

The live webcast presentation will be available on the Flex investor relations website at investors.flex.com. A replay of the webcast, along with supporting materials, will be available on the investor relations website following the conclusion of the event.

About Flex

Flex (Reg. No. 199002645H) is the manufacturing partner of choice that helps leading brands design, build, and manage products that improve the world. With a global footprint spanning 30 countries, Flex delivers advanced manufacturing and supply chain solutions, innovative products and technology, and lifecycle services that support customers from concept to scale. In the AI era, Flex is helping customers accelerate data center deployment by solving power, heat, and scale challenges through cutting-edge power and cooling technology and scalable IT infrastructure solutions.

Media, Investors, & Analysts

Michelle Simmons

Senior Vice President, Global Investor Relations and Public Relations

(669) 242-6332

[email protected] 

SOURCE Flex

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Gusto highlights new updates to Gusto Pro and the Gusto Partner Program; Gusto also launches new multi-client Model Context Protocol to bring Gusto's context directly into the AI tools accountants already work in

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Gusto, the leading partner for small businesses and their accountants, today announced some of its most extensive updates for accountants – a rebuilt Gusto Pro, a new multi-client Model Context Protocol (MCP), and an expanded Gusto Partner Program, designed to bring Gusto's business context directly into accountants' AI tools.

The announcements were made at Gusto Next, Gusto's event for its accounting partners, and are designed to help firms move from transactional tasks toward higher-value advisory services for their small business clients.

The announcement comes as small businesses launch at near historic highs, while needing guidance around compliance, multi-state hiring, benefits, and financial planning. At the same time, AI is reshaping the accounting profession, just as small business clients are asking for more support. A recent Gusto Insights report found that nearly half of small businesses want strategic financial advice from their accountant, not just tax preparation and bookkeeping.

Gusto Pro is Gusto's platform for accounting firms, helping them manage clients' payroll, benefits, and advisory services from a single dashboard. Today's update is its most significant since 2021. The redesigned platform now includes AI-assisted workflows, a multi-client assistant, and a simplified dashboard built to free up accountants from manual tasks, empowering them to do the advisory work only they can do.

The updated Gusto Pro is now available in early access to eligible Gusto partners, with general availability coming later this year. New features include:

- AI-assisted workflows that automate core payroll tasks end-to-end, like extracting hours from emails, surfacing changes since last payroll, and delivering critical reports — so firms spend less time on manual prep, while still retaining visibility and control. Once AI completes the prep, accountants review and give final approvals.

- Automated reporting, where Gusto learns which reports accountants pull after every payroll and automatically generates them. These reports land in one centralized place across all clients, so accountants don't need to find reports client-by-client

- New connectors to wherever accountants complete their work, like Gmail and Outlook for drafting hours, reimbursements, and deductions. This frees up accountants from chasing clients for vital information that then needs to be inputted manually into Gusto

- Pro Gus, our AI assistant, purpose-built to give accountants faster answers to client questions, plus multi-client visibility across their entire book of business

In addition to redesigning Gusto Pro, Gusto launched its multi-client Model Context Protocol (MCP), which brings Gusto's business context directly into the AI tools accountants already work in, across every client they manage.

Until now, working with AI across a client book has meant connecting to one client at a time and disconnecting and reconnecting to switch. With the multi-client MCP, accountants connect Gusto once, choose which clients to include, and every Gusto tool works across them from a single conversation.

Accountants can ask questions across their book of business, prep payroll changes like hours, earnings, time off, and payment methods, and generate the reports they run every cycle. They can also set up recurring routines that run in the background. Every change still comes back to the accountant to review and approve before anything is updated in Gusto, and only the clients they've chosen are ever connected.

Gusto's multi-client MCP is now available to all accountant firms, with more capabilities coming soon.

Finally, Gusto announced major upgrades to the Gusto Partner Program, a free, tiered program that rewards firms with revenue share and deeper strategic support as they grow their practice on Gusto. New features include:

- Marketing Development Funds and the Partner Marketing Hub — Marketing support designed to help firms grow their books. This includes Marketing Development Funds designed to help firms drive new client acquisition through email campaigns, webinars, events, or paid social promotion, as well as a Partner Marketing Hub providing AI agents, campaign building, and ready-to-launch marketing resources

- Partner Development Funds – Built to help firms grow stronger from the inside with the support of Firm Business Consultants. Funds can go toward launching and improving AI adoption and implementation, pricing and strategy for client advisory services, operational efficiency, and marketing matching firms with the right expertise for where they want to grow

- Firm Business Consultants – An exclusive, pre-vetted network of consultants with deep accounting industry experience providing specialized support across key growth areas

- AI agents for growth – First introduced in June 2026 and built exclusively for Gusto Pro firms. These include a website audit agent, advisory positioning agent, expansion pitch agent, and pricing and margin target agent — all designed to help firms win new clients and deepen advisory revenue

In mid-November 2026, the Gusto Partner Program will also expand revenue share beyond payroll to include 401(k) plans at partners' matching tier rate. New firms that join will also get a free firm 401(k) plan for owners and employees for one year.

Accountants can learn more about today's announcements at gusto.com/partners/accountants.

Frequently Asked Questions

- What is Gusto Pro?

Gusto Pro is Gusto's platform for accounting firms to manage payroll, benefits, and advisory services for their clients from a single dashboard.

- What is the Gusto Partner Program?

The Gusto Partner Program is a free, tiered program that helps accounting firms grow their practice while unlocking rewards along the way. Partners can access revenue share, free firm payroll, marketing resources and a dedicated advisor.

- What updates is Gusto announcing to Gusto Pro?

As of Oct. 7, 2026, Gusto is introducing a redesigned version of Gusto Pro, its most significant update since 2021. Gusto Pro now includes AI-assisted workflows that automate core payroll tasks end-to-end, like extracting hours from emails, surfacing changes since last payroll, and delivering critical reports. It also features an AI assistant built for accountants called Pro Gus.

- What's new in the Gusto Partner Program?

As of November 2026, Gusto is updating the Partner Program with Marketing Development and Partner Development funds, a Partner Marketing Hub, and AI agents built to help firms win new clients and grow their advisory services.

- When will the newly redesigned Gusto Pro and expanded Partner Program become generally available?

The redesigned Gusto Pro and expanded Partner Program are currently available to eligible Gusto partners, with general availability coming later this year.

- What are Marketing Development Funds and Partner Development Funds?

Gusto accountant partners can use the new Marketing Development Funds to drive client acquisition through marketing activities, including email campaigns, webinars, events, and paid social promotion. With the support of Firm Business Consultants, accountant partners can use the new Partner Development funds to launch and improve AI adoption and implementation, pricing and strategy for client advisory services, and operational efficiencies.

- What is the multi-client MCP?

Gusto's multi-client Model Context Protocol (MCP) brings Gusto's business context directly into the AI tools accountants already work in, across every client they manage.

Until now, working with AI across a client book has meant connecting to one client at a time and disconnecting and reconnecting to switch. With the multi-client MCP, accountants connect Gusto once, choose which clients to include, and every Gusto tool works across that whole book from a single conversation.

Accountants can ask questions across their book of business, prep payroll changes like hours, earnings, time off, and payment methods, and generate the reports they run every cycle. Every change still comes back to the accountant to review and approve before anything is updated in Gusto, and only the clients they've chosen are ever connected.

- How many accounting firms use Gusto Pro?

More than 23,000 accounting firms currently use Gusto Pro to support small businesses.

About Gusto

Gusto is the leading partner for small businesses, helping them with a wide variety of critical tasks, including payroll, health benefits, tax credits, compliance, 401(k), HR, and much more. Gusto serves over 500,000 small businesses and more than 23,000 accounting firms across the US, and is on a multi-decade journey to grow the small business economy with technology and heart.

Media Contact:

Candice So

[email protected]

SOURCE Gusto, Inc.

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SAN LEANDRO, Calif., Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Fisica, Inc. ("Fisica"), a leading provider of aerospace and defense communications solutions, today announced it has been awarded a contract in support of the U.S. Space Force's Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) program.

The award supports the development of a global network of advanced ground-based sensors designed to enhance space domain awareness. Just one year after a trilateral agreement launched the program's first phase, construction is complete at the first site in Australia, and the program is now advancing to its second site in the United Kingdom.

Awarded through a competitive bid process, Fisica secured the contract based on its successful performance supporting the first DARC site in Australia. The company's proven execution helped reduce implementation risk and positioned it as a trusted partner for the program's next phase.

The work performed by Fisica will include the design, assembly, testing, and installation of advanced radar antenna systems, and further highlights the company's expertise in delivering complex antenna systems for mission-critical environments.

"This award validates our team's ability to execute highly complex programs at scale," said Mark Rayner, President of Fisica. "We are proud to support capabilities that strengthen global security, enhance space domain awareness, and help address evolving mission requirements for the U.S. and its allies."

This award further reinforces Fisica's role as a trusted provider of advanced communications, radar, and sensing infrastructure supporting U.S. and allied operations worldwide.

For additional information about Fisica, Inc., visit www.fisica.com or contact [email protected].

SOURCE Fisica, Inc.

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Atlantic Canadian companies to advance sovereign launch safety capability from Nova Scotia's growing space and defence ecosystem

HALIFAX, NS, Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Galaxia and Maritime Launch Services Inc. (CBOE: MAXQ) (OTCQB: MAXQF) (MLS) today announced that Galaxia will develop and supply an Autonomous Flight Safety System (AFSS) for Maritime Launch, supporting launch operations from Spaceport Nova Scotia and advancing Canada's sovereign space-launch capability.

The AFSS will be designed to process launch vehicle sensor data onboard and determine whether termination criteria have been met, reducing reliance on traditional ground-based range safety processes and enabling a more automated, resilient, and scalable approach to launch safety. Drawing on Galaxia's expertise in space-qualified computing, real-time data processing, and high-reliability spacecraft systems, the AFSS will be developed as a dedicated system for demanding and challenging launch environments. It will incorporate redundant radiation-hardened controllers, deterministic real-time signal processing, multi-sensor data fusion for vehicle health monitoring, and a space-grade independent power system to support reliable operation under mission-critical conditions.

Both companies are headquartered in Atlantic Canada and are contributing to Nova Scotia's position as Canada's defence capital. The partnership brings together Maritime Launch's launch infrastructure and operations expertise with Galaxia's flight computing, and mission-critical technology development capabilities, reinforcing the region's growing role in space, defence, and advanced manufacturing.

"This partnership demonstrates how Atlantic Canadian companies are building the technologies needed for Canada to launch, operate, and protect critical space assets from Canadian soil," said Lucas Rowlands, VP, Mission Operations at Galaxia. "By developing an autonomous flight termination capability here in Nova Scotia, Galaxia is helping deliver the resilient, sovereign systems Canada needs for the next era of space access."

The development program is being funded by Maritime Launch Services with support through the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). The investment supports the development of Canadian technology and domestic capability for safe and reliable launch operations.

"Maritime Launch is building the launch capability Canada needs to serve commercial, civil, and defence customers," said Melissa Quinn, VP, Spaceport Operations at Maritime Launch Services. "Working with Galaxia allows us to draw on world-class engineering talent from Atlantic Canada while strengthening the domestic supply chain that will support safe, reliable, and sovereign launch operations."

Atlantic Canada's space sector is emerging rapidly, with launch infrastructure, satellite manufacturing, mission operations, and enabling technologies developing across the region. Through this collaboration, Galaxia and MLS are helping position Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada as leaders in the next generation of Canadian space capability, creating high-skilled opportunities and supporting national security, economic resilience, and technological independence.

About Galaxia

Galaxia is a Canadian space technology company developing advanced satellite platforms and mission infrastructure for commercial, civil, and defence customers. Through its MissionOne program and next-generation spacecraft platforms, Galaxia is helping enable responsive and sovereign space capabilities for Canada and its allies.

About Maritime Launch Services

Maritime Launch Services Inc. (CBOE: MAXQ, OTCQB: MAXQF) is a Canadian-owned commercial space company based in Nova Scotia. Maritime Launch is developing Spaceport Nova Scotia, a dual-use spaceport designed to support both civil and defence-related space missions. Spaceport Nova Scotia will provide satellite launch services to the Government of Canada and domestic and international clients across the global commercial space market, supporting a wide range of orbital inclinations from a single location.

Spaceport Nova Scotia is Canada's first orbital launch complex, enabling small and medium launch vehicles to place satellites into low Earth orbit.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/maritimelaunch

SOURCE Maritime Launch Services Inc.

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The brand's 2026 Winter collection brings varsity influence, bold seasonal color and cold-weather performance to the course beginning October 7

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Winter doesn't mean slowing down, and it definitely doesn't mean blending in. Bad Birdie, the modern golf apparel brand redefining style and expression on and off the course, today unveiled its Winter 2026 Collection, kicking off a season of new drops with Class of Bad, a fresh mix of rich seasonal color, bold prints and nostalgic athletic influences designed to bring new energy to golf's coldest months.

Class of Bad builds on the collegiate energy introduced with Fall's Tailgate Edit, carrying the school spirit into winter through varsity-inspired graphics and athletic styling that feels just as at home at the clubhouse as it does fireside.

"With Winter, we wanted to build on the momentum of Fall without simply repeating it," said Melissa Agnew, Head of Product at Bad Birdie. "We pulled inspiration from collegiate style, pairing rich seasonal color and new prints with varsity graphics and nostalgic athletic influences, then brought those elements together in a way that still felt unmistakably Bad Birdie. There's a richness to the collection that feels right for winter, but it still has that unexpected energy and sense of fun we want every Bad Birdie collection to deliver."

WELCOME TO THE 'CLASS OF BAD'

At the center of the collection is a winter palette built to break from the season's usual neutrals. Bright teal delivers an energetic hit of color; bold red brings intensity; and dark navy keeps the collection grounded, clean and easy to wear.

Layered with new prints, graphics and silhouettes, the result feels rich without feeling heavy, nostalgic without feeling retro and seasonal without playing it safe.

Headlining Class of Bad is the new Collegiate Crewneck for men and women, an elevated take on the classic varsity staple. Made in Peru from premium 100% cotton French terry, the classic-fit crewneck features a double-layer rib collar and rib cuffs and is designed to layer easily with pants, skorts or shorts for a look that moves seamlessly from the course to wherever the day goes next.

For men, the collection expands Bad Birdie's performance polo lineup with new prints including The Blooming Back Nine and Salt Shaker, while the Ridge Polo brings a clean athletic silhouette together with custom ribbed details, engineered stretch, breathability and sweat-wicking performance.

New seasonal colors also arrive in the Velocity Hoodie, Bad Birdie's lightweight performance layer that reimagines the brand's fan-favorite Quarterzip fabric in a streamlined hooded silhouette. With 4-way stretch, UPF 50 protection, anti-odor technology and temperature regulation, it's built to provide lightweight protection without sacrificing mobility or comfort.

On the women's side, The Blooming Back Nine adds a new print to Bad Birdie's performance polo assortment, while the At Ease Quarterzip and Double Down Skort arrive in a vibrant red for easy head-to-toe outfitting that brings a jolt of color to cooler-weather rounds.

PLAY THROUGH ANYTHING.

The winter season continues October 14 with the latest drop from Bad Elements, Bad Birdie's limited-release performance outerwear collection built for golfers who aren't letting a less-than-perfect forecast call the round.

Designed for wind, rain and changing conditions, Bad Elements takes inspiration from the technical construction of extreme-sports outerwear and reengineers it specifically for golf, pairing serious weather protection with the mobility and personality Bad Birdie brings to the course.

Anchoring the drop are the Atmos Rain Anorak jacket and pant, a fully waterproof system designed to keep golfers moving when the forecast refuses to cooperate. The technical construction combines unrestricted mobility with strategically placed venting, adjustable cord-lock systems and a secure hood strap engineered to keep the hood in place on windy days.

The limited-release Bad Elements collection drops annually and has consistently sold out, reinforcing a simple Bad Birdie philosophy: bad weather doesn't have to mean bad golf… or boring outerwear.

THE MOCK IS BACK

On October 21, another cold-weather favorite returns as Bad Birdie restocks its sold-out Mock Neck.

Back by popular demand after selling out quickly last season, the Mock Neck gives golfers who missed it the first time another shot, and those who didn't, a reason to add another to the rotation.

The silhouette taps into the broader resurgence of mock necks as a modern alternative to the traditional golf polo, bringing a more contemporary, fashion-forward edge to a style that has increasingly appeared on Tour.

Across the season, Bad Birdie's Winter collection is built to keep going long after the round ends, pairing performance-first function with off-course versatility and style. From layering up for an early tee time to heading straight to the clubhouse - and wherever things go from there - winter isn't an excuse to slow down. It's just another reason to layer up.

The Bad Birdie 2026 Winter collection will be available beginning October 7 at BadBirdieGolf.com, Bad Birdie retail locations, and select retailers including Dicks Sporting Goods, Nordstrom, SCHEELS, and Golf Galaxy. Products range from $72–$120 USD.

About Bad Birdie

Bad Birdie is a modern golf apparel brand redefining the game through bold design, performance-driven benefits, and a more expressive approach to golf culture. Founded to challenge the sport's traditional style norms, Bad Birdie creates technical, course-ready apparel that blends function and personality built for how today's golfers play, socialize, and live. Through innovative products, community-driven events, and cultural partnerships, Bad Birdie is helping shape a more welcoming, energetic future for golf both on and off the course. Available online at BadBirdieGolf.com and at select retail locations.

SOURCE Bad Birdie Golf

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