AHRQ Announces National Challenge to Expand Healthcare Choice and Competition

Largest-ever challenge of its kind makes up to $11.8 million available to research healthcare market reforms that can make care more affordable and accessible

ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) today announced the AHRQ Healthcare Choice and Competition Challenge to Improve Quality, Lower Prices, and Expand Access, which will award up to $11.8 million for market-based solutions that will lower healthcare costs, improve quality, increase patient choice and expand access. Winning projects will provide the most promising ways to enhance competition through regulatory, financial, organizational or delivery reform.

In 2024, out-of-pocket healthcare expenses cost Americans a combined $556.6 billion, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. A March 2026 KFF analysis found that one or two health systems controlled the entire market for inpatient hospital care in nearly half of metropolitan areas in 2024. In 83% of metropolitan areas, one or two systems controlled more than 75% of the market.

"The Trump Administration is committed to finding the best ways to lower healthcare costs and improve quality and access for American families," said AHRQ Director Roger D. Klein, M.D., J.D. "This challenge asks America's best minds to provide practical evidence-based ways to improve healthcare for consumers by removing or circumventing current barriers to competition and patient choice. Our goal is to provide policymakers and healthcare leaders with workable solutions to issues that are of greatest concern to the American people."

The challenge includes two phases, with up to $3 million available in Phase 1 and up to $8.8 million in Phase 2. Phase 1 winners are invited to participate in Phase 2. Judges will review proposed research projects for feasibility, likely impact, novelty and team qualifications. Phase 1 applications are due October 26, 2026.

Through this challenge, the largest ever dedicated to research on healthcare market reform, AHRQ will identify reforms that can lower healthcare costs and improve quality, outcomes and patient choice for the American people. AHRQ encourages participation of individuals, teams, academic institutions and other U.S.-based entities. Participants should consult the official announcement for eligibility requirements, registration, submission instructions and prize terms. More information is available here.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, an agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, produces the evidence, tools and data needed to make healthcare safer, higher-quality and more effective. Follow the agency on Facebook, X and LinkedIn. Learn more at www.ahrq.gov.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services • Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

SOURCE Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

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Circuit Check Makes Strategic Investment in QualityLine, Bringing AI-Powered Factory Analytics to Every Circuit Check Test System

MAPLE GROVE, Minn., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Circuit Check, a leading provider of automated test systems, test fixtures, and test engineering solutions, today announced a strategic investment in QualityLine, a provider of AI-powered factory analytics for electronics manufacturers. Under the agreement, Circuit Check acquires a partial ownership position in QualityLine and the two companies will work together to integrate QualityLine analytics directly into CCI Test Partner.

CCI Test Partner is Circuit Check's premiere secure test automation and control toolset. Through the inclusion of Isolated Networks technology, CCI Test Partner allows automated test equipment to be securely connected online — including ATE running legacy operating systems that cannot be placed on conventional IT networks. This capability solves a long-standing problem on the manufacturing floor: the test systems holding the most valuable process data are frequently the ones IT cannot safely connect.

With QualityLine analytics added to CCI Test Partner, the securely captured test data becomes actionable. QualityLine combines test results with production, inspection, repair, MES, ERP, and sensor data in a single connected view, correlating results across stations, products, lines, and processes. The platform identifies the root cause of failures, recommends the corrective action, and warns of what is likely to fail next — moving manufacturing teams from reacting to defects toward preventing them.

Effective with the integration, every Circuit Check test system will include one year of analytics and security as a standard feature, included in the purchase price.

"Securely connecting the test environment was step one, and Isolated Networks solved this," said Joel Avrunin, Chief Commercial Officer of Circuit Check. "Step two is doing something with the data once it can safely move. Working closely with QualityLine, our teams will continue developing agentic AI that operates inside the manufacturing environment — agents that can see across the whole process, identify what is driving yield loss, and recommend the solution, all inside the digitally air-gapped environment Isolated Networks provides. This combination of security and intelligence is what our customers have been asking for."

"Circuit Check gives our factory-wide analytics access to the entire North American market through one of the deepest installed bases in electronics test," said Dr. Eyal Kaufman, the founder and CEO of QualityLine. "Circuit Check holds a unique position in North America as a leader in both In-Circuit Test and Functional Test, which makes this a natural collaboration — our analytics are end-to-end, and so is their coverage of the test floor. Partnering with them puts QualityLine in front of manufacturers we would have spent years reaching on our own, and it puts our analytics where the data originates."

The investment reflects Circuit Check's continued expansion beyond test hardware into the secure, data-driven infrastructure its customers rely on to improve quality and yield.

As part of the investment, Joel Avrunin, Chief Commercial Officer of Circuit Check, will join the QualityLine board of directors.

About Circuit Check

Circuit Check (www.circuitcheck.com) is a leading provider of custom automated test systems and fixtures for the electronics manufacturing industry. With over 45 years of experience, the company serves global customers in data center/artificial intelligence, military/aerospace, medical, energy/industrial, and transportation sectors.

About QualityLine

QualityLine (www.quality-line.com) provides AI-powered manufacturing analytics that unify test, production, inspection, repair, MES, ERP, and sensor data to identify root cause, recommend corrective action, and predict future failures. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Israel, QualityLine serves leading global contract manufacturers and OEMs.

About Isolated Networks

Isolated Networks (isolatednetworks.com) develops StealthFusion, an agentless, infrastructure-agnostic secure connectivity platform for people, machines, cloud workloads and AI agents. StealthFusion combines just-in-time authorization and connectivity to make protected resources reachable only when access is authorized.

Media Contact:

Amy Larson

Marketing Manager

Circuit Check Inc.

[email protected]

(763) 694-4100

SOURCE Circuit Check

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Washington State Expands No-Cost Support for Rural Family Caregivers Through Trualta

Through wacaregivingjourney.com, rural caregivers gain no-cost access to training and tools that reduce stress, improve communication, and strengthen family relationships

OLYMPIA, Wash., Oct. 6, 2026/PRNewswire/ -- Trualta, the leading learning, support, and community-building platform for caregivers, today announced a contract expansion with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to reach more caregivers in areas where clinical care and support services have steadily decreased. The aim is to deliver free, evidence-based caregiver training as part of the state's Rural Health Transformation initiative. This transformational investment increases access for caregivers across rural Washington, with a priority focus on dementia care and additional support for caregivers of older adults, people with disabilities, and others.

Through the expanded program, Washington will enroll hundreds of new rural caregivers over the next year, offering free online education, peer support that includes anonymous and condition-specific support and discussion groups, and practical tools through the state's caregiver portal: wacaregivingjourney.com, powered by Trualta.

"Rural caregivers are often navigating complex care needs with fewer resources, longer travel distances, and limited access to dementia-specific support," said Jonathan Davis, Founder of Trualta. "Washington's investment ensures caregivers—especially those in rural communities—have access to high-quality training, emotional support, and practical tools that help families stay safe, connected, and supported at home."

A growing number of rural families are caring for loved ones with dementia, often without nearby specialists or structured support. Many caregivers are spouses who are aging themselves, managing care alone while balancing their own health, household responsibilities, and relationships. Trualta's expanded program provides these caregivers with evidence-based dementia education, communication tools, stress-management strategies, and peer connection—resources proven to reduce burnout and improve care outcomes.

The program includes:

- No-cost access to Trualta's dementia education modules

- Condition specific skill-based learning and peer-support opportunities

- Tools for managing family dynamics, conflict, and care coordination

- Resources for spousal caregivers facing high levels of strain

- Practical guides for aging in place, safety, and daily care

The initiative also highlights the role of family caregivers as the "invisible healthcare workforce"—providing unpaid care that keeps loved ones out of hospitals and long-term care facilities. By equipping caregivers with structured training and emotional support, Washington aims to strengthen rural health outcomes and reduce avoidable crises.

Trualta's platform has been adopted by 33 states and across many health systems nationwide, delivering millions of minutes of caregiver learning each year. Washington's expanded partnership reflects growing recognition that caregiver education is a critical component of rural health transformation.

Please visit wacaregivingjourney.com to join at no cost.

About Trualta

Trualta is the leading caregiver education and support platform, helping caregivers in 33 states build skills, improve confidence, and feel less isolated. With over 7 million minutes of engagement on its platform, Trualta offers articles, videos, and peer support to improve care at home, and also certifies professional caregivers. Trualta partners with healthcare payers and providers, employers, and government and social service organizations to bring its evidence-based offering to families and professionals. Peer-reviewed research has shown that educated caregivers improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

This project is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through a subaward as part of a financial assistance award of $200,000, representing a portion of the total award of $181,257,515.06 made to the Washington State Health Care Authority with 62 percent funded by CMS/HHS and $124,513.00 and 38 percentages funded by other source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Cecile Fradkin

646.941.9139

[email protected]

SOURCE Trualta

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New 295,000-square-foot Illinois facility will add capacity across S&C's manufacturing network and create jobs in the Chicago area.

CHICAGO, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- S&C Electric Company today announced plans for a 295,000-square-foot facility in Glenview, Illinois, the latest in a series of investments to increase U.S. manufacturing capacity as utilities and critical infrastructure operators invest in a more resilient and reliable distribution grid.

The facility will serve as S&C's central warehouse, consolidating materials and inventory that support production across the company's manufacturing operations. Moving these operations to Glenview will create additional space for production at existing facilities, improve material movement across S&C's operations, and provide flexibility for future expansion of assembly operations. The investment is also expected to create new jobs in the Chicago area.

"For more than a century, S&C team members have done critical work to deliver proven solutions that help utilities and essential industries around the world keep the power on," said Anders Sjoelin, President and CEO of S&C Electric Company. "We are proud of that legacy, and we continue to build on it. As demand for electricity and a more resilient grid grows, we are investing in U.S. manufacturing, creating jobs and career opportunities, and increasing our capacity to serve customers for generations to come."

The Glenview facility is the latest in a series of investments S&C is making in its team members, products, and manufacturing capabilities. The company recently added manufacturing capacity in Palatine, Illinois, creating room for product-line growth, and introduced TripSaver® FXR, the newest addition to its TripSaver® Recloser portfolio. Additional expansion work is underway at S&C's Chicago headquarters to increase manufacturing capacity and support a growing workforce. Together, these investments increase S&C's ability to manufacture and deliver technologies for a more resilient grid.

Severe weather, electrification, and the growth of large loads, including data centers and advanced manufacturing facilities, are creating new challenges for the electric grid. These trends are increasing the need for technologies that help utilities and critical infrastructure operators strengthen the resilience and reliability of their distribution systems.

S&C expects work on the facility to begin in the third quarter of 2026, with central warehouse operations targeted to begin in early 2027.

About S&C Electric Company

For more than a century, S&C has helped transform electricity distribution, from pioneering the Liquid Power Fuse to advancing intelligent grid automation. Powered by team member expertise and precision engineering, S&C delivers field-proven technologies that strengthen resilience, enhance reliability, and provide greater visibility and control across the distribution grid. With solutions that keep the power on for utilities, critical power operators, and the communities they serve, S&C empowers people to transform the grid. Learn more at www.sandc.com.

Media Contact: Laura Patrick, S&C Electric Company, 585.953.0111, [email protected]

SOURCE S&C Electric Company

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92-year-old drive-in recommits to the classic and nostalgic burgers that shaped its legacy

AKRON, Ohio, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Swensons, the iconic Akron-based drive-in known for its mouthwatering burgers and sprinting Curb Servers™, announced the company-wide return of its original locally baked buns, buttered to perfection, and prepared in Swensons' classic toasters. The move signals a recommitment to doing what Swensons does best: listening to Guest feedback, focusing on core classics, and delivering the nostalgic taste profile that Swensons' Guests have loved for generations.

"At Swensons, our Akron roots made us who we are, and our Guests consistently make us better, telling us when things are working and when they are not," said Jeff Flowers, Swensons Drive-In CEO. "We recently tested some new buns and toasters, and the Swensons community made it clear that the change was not their favorite. The true magic of Swensons is rooted in the timeless flavors of our original products, starting with the flaky, fresh, hand-buttered, and toasted bun that is a cornerstone of our award-winning burgers."

To complement the fresh buns delivered from Akron multiple times a week, Swensons has also restored its original buttering method and classic vertical toasters. Together, these elements guarantee that signature fresh, toasted foundation for a Galley Boy, Double Cheeseburger, Fried Bologna, or any go-to Swensons favorite.

In addition to the buns, Guests delivered another message loud and clear: while they enjoyed recent menu collaborations, they want to see more of Swensons' original items, prepared to perfection. Moving forward, Swensons is dialing back its expansive list of monthly specials in favor of staying focused on the classics, while still making room to serve up longtime Guest-favorite seasonal treats, like the annual fall Pumpkin Pie Shake. Above all, the drive-in is doubling down on its single most important collaboration of the last 92 years—the one with its trusted Guests.

"We've had some amazing collaborations over the past two years, but when our Guests send us a message like this, we owe it to them to listen and take action," said Flowers.

Swensons' goal is to provide Guests the exact same signature experience every single time—from freshly baked Italian buns and perfectly made-to-order classics to sprinting Curb Server hospitality—regardless of the time or location.

For 92 years, Swensons burgers have reflected a commitment to sweating the small stuff: from using fresh, never frozen, beef to hand-slicing cheese and chopping fresh, whole produce on site. The drive-in is even particular about how toppings are placed, like building a Galley Boy with its special sauces in the exact places, and a signature pimento-stuffed green olive on top.

"Getting those little details right is the Swensons way," Flowers added.

As the drive-in continues its legacy across Ohio, it has not only recommitted to its classic menu, but it has also reinforced its defining drive-in service model. Where traditional drive-throughs rely on speakers and drive-through windows, Swensons Curb Servers sprint directly to cars, delivering genuine human connection, personal hospitality, and hot food served on car-side window trays.

For more information on Swensons ingredients, menu, or even how to share your own feedback, visit www.SwensonsDriveIns.com or connect on social media @SwensonsDriveIn.

About Swensons Drive-Ins

Founded in Akron, Ohio, in 1934, Swensons Drive-Ins has been bringing it for 92 years! We serve fresh-grilled burgers, handspun milkshakes, and crispy sides right to your car by an energetic team of smiling Curb Servers™ who literally sprint across our parking lots. This personal interaction between guests and Curb Servers has brought generations of "Swenatics" flocking to Swensons. We have 20 stand locations throughout Ohio and two food trucks. Swensons is a multi-year recipient of the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Award for Best Regional Fast-Food Chain and Signal Akron's Best Chain Dining in its Best of the City Award.

SOURCE Swensons

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The Beijing manufacturer of retro-styled plug-in hybrids will follow a path used by nearly every international automaker entering the U.S. market by starting in Los Angeles and will leverage AutoMobility LA's global media platform on Nov. 19 to seek U.S.-based investment, assembly and distribution partners.

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Los Angeles Auto Show®, presented this year by Chevron with Techron®, today announced that FullGood Motor, the Beijing manufacturer of retro-styled plug-in hybrid vehicles, will exhibit in the United States for the first time during November's 2026 show. Citing robust sales in the Chinese market, FullGood Motor is coming to AutoMobility LA®, the show's global media and industry day on Thursday, Nov. 19, to meet potential American manufacturing and distribution partners and to talk to investors. The brand will then showcase one of their flagship vehicles during the public days that follow at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Nov. 20 through 29.

Leveraging prime real estate to accelerate interest is the foundation of what AutoMobility LA has been delivering for decades. The industry gathering uniquely connects automakers, suppliers, industry professionals, tech firms, investors, analysts and government officials for one day in the nation's largest car market, all in one place. Transformed overnight, the event's ten public days that follow showcase the consumer-forward celebration of new model vehicles primed for consideration in front of the most influential car buying audience in the country. Southern California has been the entry point for nearly every international automaker that has come into this market. The region boasts a concentration of design studios, advanced development operations and potential capital that exists nowhere else in the United States. For companies that want to find out if they have an American future, the road often starts in Los Angeles.

"Companies do not fly halfway around the world to stand next to a car, they come because the people who could change their business are in the building," said Terri Toennies, president, Los Angeles Auto Show. "FullGood Motor is arriving with laser-focus to find an American partner who can provide final assembly and sell what they produce under a U.S. banner and to find investors to accelerate and diversify their product offerings. Our job is to make sure the right people are in the room to hear it. That is what this platform is for and the trust and company ambition we see year-after-year is a testament to that."

The strategy FullGood Motor is pursuing would export vehicles in component form for final assembly in the United States, to be sold and registered under an American partner's brand rather than through a retail network of its own. The company has also said it is seeking investment to develop more vintage-inspired futuristic hybrid models that draw on classic, mid-century American design.

"We build vehicles for people who feel something when they look at them, and we would like Americans to be able to own one without barriers or having to ship it across an ocean," said Erelly Cai, vice president, FullGood Motor. "If an American manufacturer builds and sells our designs under its own brand, that is good for their workers and good for our customers. We are coming to Los Angeles because this is where those conversations happen and because the people we need to meet with are already there."

FullGood Motor's announcement highlights storylines that will shape AutoMobility LA. Energy, the first of three content pillars developed this year, proceeds from the view that the energy question facing the industry remains genuinely open and that Los Angeles is the one market where solutions are pressure tested at full scale. FullGood Motor builds plug-in hybrids, the fastest growing powertrain category in this state, where hybrids took a record 22.1 percent of new registrations in the first half of the year according to the California New Car Dealers Association. The company is also a reminder that electrification is arriving in shapes the industry did not forecast and that the appetite for it may not be confined to traditional vehicle presentations.

The vehicle FullGood Motor will use to spark interest in Los Angeles is its Summer model, a 7-seat multi-door people mover whose proportions and detailing pay homage to 1950s van culture. Currently not offered for sale to the United States, FullGood Motor's American availability will solely depend on the partnerships the company finds in Los Angeles.

The official 2026 first look and debut vehicle list publishes in late October and the full press conference and main stage schedule for AutoMobility LA publishes in early November. Energy along with the show's Autonomy and Entertainment content pillars, will complement programming announcements throughout the fall.

Media registration for AutoMobility LA is open at Automobilityla.com and is complimentary for accredited and approved media. Early bird industry registration is $149 through Oct. 15 and $249 beginning Oct. 16.

Public day tickets for the 10-day consumer show are on sale at www.LAAutoShow.com.

About Los Angeles Auto Show

Founded in 1907, Los Angeles Auto Show® is one of the longest-running and most influential automotive events in the world and a leading consumer destination for car shoppers, enthusiasts, families, media, and the global industry. Held annually at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the show features global automakers, vehicle debuts, test drives, technology, lifestyle programming, and Southern California car culture in the most important vehicle market in the United States. The 2026 Los Angeles Auto Show runs Nov. 20 through 29, 2026. AutoMobility LA®, the show's media and industry day, takes place Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026, bringing together global debuts, industry announcements, and a conference program featuring leading voices from the automotive and technology sectors.

Media Contact

Los Angeles Auto Show

[email protected]

SOURCE Los Angeles Auto Show

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CALGARY, AB, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Borouge International (NOVA Chemicals)1, today announced that it has achieved its RC14001®:2023 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications for its Canadian manufacturing sites, research centres, and administration functions. These milestones confirm that Borouge International's Canadian environmental, health, safety, and security management system aligns with internationally recognized standards, incorporating ISO 14001 and Responsible Care (RC)® principles, and demonstrating the company's commitment to responsible operations across its footprint.

This achievement builds on the success of Borouge International's Geismar facility, which was first certified in 2020 and has since been recertified twice, serving as a model for broader site implementation.

"Implementing RC14001 represents a step change improvement in our management system, embedding risk-based prioritization into daily decision making within our organization and value chain," said James Baldwin, VP, Regional HSE – Americas, Borouge International. "These principles strengthen leadership and employee accountability, and reinforce the importance of strong governance, effective processes, and continuous Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSE) improvement and learning across our operations."

The company embarked on its RC14001 journey in 2017, and built its approach as a shared, enterprise-wide effort. This cross-functional and collaborative effort helped embed the management system into daily business activities, creating a more resilient, auditable, and continuously improving system.

"The RC14001 certification reinforces our commitment to HSE excellence and responsible operations, for the benefit of our people, communities and the environment," said Khaled Al Qaderi, Senior Vice President, Global HSE & Sustainability. "As we continue integrating our HSE management systems across Borouge International, this achievement provides a strong foundation for continued improvement."

The RC14001:2023 certification is the global standard for manufacturing facilities. It includes health, safety and environment requirements, as well as cyber security, communication frameworks, and raw material supplier relationships.

About Borouge International

Borouge Group International AG (Borouge International) is a global leader in polyolefins formed in 2026 through the combination of Borouge Plc, Borealis GmbH and NOVA Chemicals Corporation. Backed by long-term shareholders XRG, the international investment arm of ADNOC, and OMV, Borouge International brings together world-class assets, advantaged feedstock access and proprietary technology to deliver reliable high-performance polyolefin solutions across consumer products, infrastructure, energy, mobility and advanced products.

Borouge International combines a differentiated asset base, global reach and deep technical expertise to serve customers across key growth markets. The company is headquartered in Vienna, Austria, with a regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and corporate hubs in North America and Asia Pacific. Learn more about Borouge International: https://www.borougeinternational.com/

About NOVA Chemicals Corporation

In March 2026, NOVA Chemicals Corporation was acquired by Borouge Group International AG. NOVA Chemicals Corporation and all of its subsidiaries continue to operate legally under their registered names, with Borouge International serving as the brand name for the new global company. Our North American portfolio of polyethylene and recycled polyethylene enables the creation of monomaterial products and packaging that are suitable for a broad range of circular applications. Learn more about our North American markets and applications. Follow NOVA Chemicals and Borouge International on LinkedIn.

The Borouge International logo is a trademark of Borouge Group International AG. All other trademarks identified by the ® or ™ symbols in this document are trademarks of affiliated companies of Borouge Group International AG unless otherwise indicated.

Responsible Care® is a registered trademark of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada.

SOURCE Borouge International

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VeteranGovConexecutive brings extensive operating and growth leadership experience

TULSA, Okla., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cherokee Federal, the federal contracting division of Cherokee Nation Businesses, today announced that veteran federal contracting executive Terri Malone has been named Chief Growth Officer, effective Oct. 12.

Malone's appointment follows the recent naming of Tom Watson as President of Cherokee Federal and reflects the company's continued focus on competitive growth. Watson and Malone previously worked together at Serco, where Watson served as CEO of the company's $2 billion North American business and Malone led its growth organization.

"Terri understands growth from both sides of the business: what it takes to build a disciplined pipeline and what it takes to deliver once you win," Watson said. "I've seen firsthand how she combines customer focus, sound judgment and a direct operating style. She knows how to identify the right opportunities, bring teams together around them, and compete and win. I'm very excited to have her as part of the Cherokee Federal executive leadership team."

Malone will lead Cherokee Federal's enterprise growth strategy, including market intelligence, business development, capture, proposals and strategic market expansion. She will work closely with business and functional leaders to align growth priorities with customer needs and Cherokee Federal's capabilities.

"What attracted me to Cherokee Federal is the combination of talented people, strong capabilities and a purpose that goes beyond the business itself," Malone said. "There is tremendous opportunity to build on those strengths, deepen customer relationships and bring our capabilities to new markets and missions across the federal government. I'm excited to work with Tom again and get to know the teams and customers across Cherokee Federal."

Malone brings more than 25 years of federal contracting experience spanning growth, strategy, program management and operations. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President and Chief Growth Officer for Serco North America, where she led corporate growth strategy, business development, capture and proposals, market intelligence and mergers and acquisitions.

Before Serco, Malone spent two decades at Northrop Grumman in positions of increasing responsibility across business development, strategy and operations, including operating responsibility for a $700 million business and business-development leadership across a $4 billion portfolio.

Malone holds a Master of Business Administration from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Engineering from Southern Methodist University.

Cherokee Federal is a top 100 federal contractor with more than 5,000 employees supporting over 60 federal agencies. Its success contributes directly to the economic strength of the Cherokee Nation and helps support essential services and long-term opportunity for more than 470,000 Cherokee citizens.

About Cherokee Federal 

Cherokee Federal is the federal contracting division of Cherokee Nation Businesses — the economic engine of Cherokee Nation, the largest Native American tribe in the U.S. The mission of Cherokee Federal is to build a talented team that provides innovative solutions that solve America's greatest challenges and serves the Cherokee Nation with compassion and heart. For more information, please visit cherokee-federal.com or follow Cherokee Federal on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and YouTube. 

SOURCE Cherokee Federal

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Award recognizes NASA's leadership in demonstrating how intellectual property fuels innovation, discovery, and the future of space exploration.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation (IPOEF) today announced that NASA has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Inspiration Award in recognition of its leadership in advancing innovation through the strategic use of intellectual property and its enduring ability to inspire the next generation of inventors, explorers, scientists, and entrepreneurs. The Inspiration Award honors leaders whose work exemplifies the power of innovation and intellectual property to create meaningful impact and inspire future generations.

For decades, NASA has demonstrated how intellectual property serves as a catalyst for discovery, collaboration, and technological advancement. Through pioneering programs such as Artemis, NASA continues to push the boundaries of exploration while bringing together groundbreaking inventions that are protected, shared, and built upon to enable humanity's return to the Moon and future missions deeper into our solar system.

From advanced propulsion systems to cutting-edge materials and more, NASA's innovations have had far-reaching impact both in space and on Earth. Through partnerships with universities, research institutions, and private industry, NASA has shown how intellectual property can serve as the foundation for collaboration and commercialization, helping breakthrough technologies reach new applications and create broader societal benefit.

As the world prepares for a new era of exploration, intellectual property will continue to play a critical role in enabling future missions. The technologies needed to sustain human presence on the Moon, advance deep-space exploration, and support emerging commercial space activities require significant investment, collaboration, and innovation. Intellectual property systems provide the framework that allows inventors, researchers, government agencies, and private companies to protect, share, and build upon new discoveries.

Exploration demonstrates how innovation ecosystems thrive when creative ideas can be developed, protected, licensed, and transferred to create new opportunities for exploration and economic growth.

"Future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond will depend on innovations that have yet to be imagined," said Jessica Landacre, IPO Executive Director. "Intellectual property is more than a tool for protecting inventions; it is a catalyst for creating environments where innovators can solve humanity's greatest challenges and inspire the next generation to reach even further."

Daniel Lockney, Technology Transfer Program Executive, will accept the award on behalf of NASA at the IPO Education Foundation Awards Celebration on December 15, 2026 in Washington, D.C. The annual event brings together leaders from innovation, business, intellectual property, education, and public policy to celebrate individuals and organizations whose work demonstrates the power of intellectual property to drive progress and societal benefit. Additional awards presented during the evening include the Inventor of the Year and IP Champion.

About IPO Education Foundation

As a subsidiary of the Intellectual Property Owners Association, the Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation is a non-profit organization devoted to educational and charitable activities designed to teach, promote and understand the value of intellectual property rights and encourage innovation. To learn more visit www.ipoef.org.

Contacts:

Kristen Lurye

Deputy Executive Director

[email protected] 

202-507-4500

SOURCE Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation

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Moonbug and the Dove Self-Esteem Project are back with a new Meekah music video encouraging kids to move, express themselves and celebrate what their bodies can do.

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Get ready to move with Meekah! Moonbug Entertainment and the Dove Self-Esteem Project (DSEP) are partnering with Meekah for a new "My Body Is Amazing" music video celebrating movement, self-expression and the amazing things our bodies can do. Designed to protect body confidence1 from an early age, the music video encourages children to focus on everything their bodies help them experience, explore and enjoy, rather than how they look.

Premiering today, ahead of International Day of the Girl, "My Body Is Amazing" is set to protect body confidence1 in a way that feels fun, engaging and accessible for young children and their caregivers. Set to an energetic pop track, the song takes kids on a playful journey through the senses and the many ways we experience the world, from smelling and tasting to seeing, moving and expressing ourselves. Together, Meekah and her friends celebrate the unique ways each of them can move, play and experience the world around them.

The collaboration builds on Moonbug and Dove's partnership in 2024, when the two brands joined forces on a collection of Blippi episodes and music videos focused on body confidence and self-esteem, including the Blippi "Wonderful Talent Show" special. This time, the partnership brings Meekah's signature energy, creativity and love of movement to a song all about celebrating the incredible ways our bodies help us experience and explore the world.

"Meekah is all about encouraging kids to jump in, try something new and find their own way to experience the world," said Liz Katz, Associate General Manager of Blippi who leads the Meekah franchise at Moonbug Entertainment. "Movement and self-expression are such a natural part of who she is, and this partnership with Dove gives us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate that. We want kids to feel excited to move, try things, express themselves and, most importantly, have fun being exactly who they are."

"For more than 20 years, the Dove Self-Esteem Project has been helping young people build body confidence and self-esteem. And we know that work needs to start early. If we want to reach more children, we need to take body confidence education beyond the classroom and into the things they love to watch and listen to. 'My Body Is Amazing' with Meekah does exactly that, celebrating bodies for everything they can do, not simply how they look," said Marcela Melero, Chief Growth Marketing Officer, Dove.

The partnership builds on the Dove Self-Esteem Project's multi-decade mission to provide body confidence and self-esteem education so the next generation can grow up with a positive relationship with their bodies and reach their full potential. Research shows that body image concerns start to manifest as early as 4-years-old, with 1 in 4 girls aged 4-6 years disliking something about their appearance2. That's why it's never too early to start teaching kids about body confidence to help minimize self-esteem issues, now and in the future.

"My Body Is Amazing" is now available on YouTube.

About Meekah

Meekah makes learning about the world fun by inviting kids to jump in and try things for themselves. She ignites curiosity by doing, making and expressing herself, using creativity and movement to explore the world in her own way. With her signature big-sister energy, Meekah jumps in alongside kids, cheers them on and makes trying something new feel fun and achievable. As part of the Blippi franchise, Meekah brings a distinct point of view that complements Blippi: Blippi opens kids' eyes to what's out there, while Meekah encourages them to jump in.

The Blippi brand averages more than one billion monthly YouTube views and reaches more than 100 million fans worldwide, with Meekah related content averaging more than 200 million monthly YouTube views. Available in 25+ languages, including ASL, across 65+ distribution platforms, the franchise spans streaming, live experiences, products, music, publishing and gaming.

About Moonbug Entertainment

Moonbug is an award-winning global entertainment company inspiring kids everywhere to laugh, learn and grow. The company is behind some of the biggest kids' entertainment brands in the world, including CoComelon, Blippi and Little Angel. Moonbug believes every child should have access to entertaining and enriching content, making its shows available on more than 150 video platforms globally including Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer and YouTube Kids. The company is also a global leader in pre-school music and audio experiences, available on 100+ audio platforms globally. Moonbug brands extend far beyond the screen to include streaming music, games and interactive, consumer products, and live events.

Moonbug is part of Candle Media, an independent, creator-friendly home for cutting-edge, high-quality, category-defining brands and franchises. By bringing together elite talent operating at the intersection of content, community, and commerce, it helps to position leading entertainment businesses for accelerated, sustainable growth in the current market and beyond. Candle is run by its Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs, leading entertainment executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs, and backed by investment capital from funds managed by Blackstone's flagship private equity business.

About the Dove Self-Esteem Project

The Dove Self-Esteem Project (DSEP) is the world's largest provider of body confidence education. For more than 20 years, it has helped over 160 million young people across 150+ countries build body confidence and self-esteem through academically validated resources. DSEP's mission is to empower the next generation through body confidence education, helping young people reach their full potential.

About Dove

Dove started its life in 1957 in the US, with launch of the Beauty Bar, with its patented blend of mild cleansers and ¼ moisturising cream. Dove's heritage is rooted in care – proof, not promises grew Dove from a Beauty Bar into one of the world's most beloved beauty brands. 

Real women have always been our inspiration, and since the beginning, Dove has been wholly committed to providing superior care to all, and to championing real representations of beauty in our advertising, communications, and campaigns. Dove believes that beauty is for everyone, and the Dove mission is to ensure a positive experience with beauty is universally accessible to all.

For 69 years, Dove has been committed to broadening the narrow definition of beauty in the work they do. This includes the 'Dove Real Beauty Pledge,' and commitment to:

- Portray women as they are in real life with honesty, diversity, and respect. We feature women of different ages, sizes, ethnicities, hair colour, type, and style.

- Represent individuals with zero digital distortion, with all images approved by the women they feature.

- Help young people build body confidence and self-esteem through the Dove Self-Esteem Project, the biggest provider of self-esteem education in the world with a goal to educate 250 million young people by 2030.

1 Craddock, N., Garbett, K. M., Smith, H. G., Anquandah, J., White, P., & Williamson, H. (2025). "My body is amazing from the bottom to the top"-An RCT study testing two positive body image media micro-interventions for young children aged 4–6 years. Body Image, 52, 101851.

2Hayes, S., & Tantleff‐Dunn, S. (2010). Am I too fat to be a princess? Examining the effects of popular children's media on young girls' body image. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 28(2), 413-426.

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SOURCE Moonbug Entertainment

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