We're bringing the juice of McDonald's iconic pickles to runners, spectators and pickle lovers in Chicago October 9 – 11.

CHICAGO, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- McDonald's fans always go the extra mile for our pickles, and – in honor of marathon season – we're going 26.2 for you. Pickle juice has become a staple for athletes dealing with cramps mid-workout, and now, we're bottling up the salty, athlete-ready brine from the beloved ingredient for one of the biggest marathon weekends in the country in Chicago. Ready to test the rumored remedy with McDonald's Pickle Boost?

Runners can get their hands on Pickle Boost this race weekend across the city and along the race route, while supplies last. Here's how:

1. During your lakefront shakeout run on Friday, 10/9: Pickle Boost Preview

For pre-race shakeout runs along one of the most popular routes in the city, we're bringing Pickle Boost to the Lakefront Trail at 2401 N Lake Shore Drive on Friday, Oct. 9 from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CT. Fans can get a first taste and early access to race day MVP.

2. On race day this Sunday, 10/11: Pickle Boost Pit Stops

Fuel your race day with Pickle Boost at select McDonald's restaurants across Chicago on Sunday, Oct. 11 from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. CT. Whether you're a runner or a spectator, meet us at these locations and you can grab two bottles for a quick boost, pre-race perk or victory lap, on us:

- 2635 N Clark St

- 1563 N Wells St

- 600 N Clark St

- 203 N LaSalle St

- 207 E 35th St

When it comes to pickles, we'll always go the extra mile.

McDonald's USA

McDonald's USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. Ninety-five percent of McDonald's – approximately 13,500 U.S. restaurants – are owned and operated by independent franchisees. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, follow us on social: X, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

Media Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE McDonald's USA, LLC

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DENVER, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) announced a three-year partnership renewal with KeyBank (NYSE: KEY) – one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with more than 50 branches in Colorado – which includes a new designation for KeyBank as the exclusive Official Retail Bank Partner of the Colorado Avalanche.

Through the partnership, KeyBank will assume naming rights for what will now be known as the KeyBank Ice Deck – an exclusive, all-inclusive premium seating area on the glass – and a new KeyBank Small Business Spotlight program highlighting Colorado-based small businesses through segments on Altitude Sports television and radio, digital media, and in-game elements at Ball Arena. KeyBank also will serve as presenting sponsor of the next three regular-season home openers and the annual Avalanche Alumni Game at the University of Denver. The KeyBank logo will appear in center ice at Ball Arena, under the Avalanche logo, and on banners inside the Arena's Grand Atrium (west) entrance.

"KeyBank is proud to return as the Official Retail Bank of the Colorado Avalanche, building on a relationship that dates back to the team's first puck drop 30 years ago," said Chris Picardi, KeyBank Colorado Market President. "For three decades, we've been honored to serve Colorado families, businesses and communities while sharing in the excitement and pride Avs hockey brings to our state. This partnership reflects our deep roots in Colorado and our ongoing commitment to investing in the places where we live and work. We are excited to begin this next chapter with the Avalanche and look forward to all we can accomplish together."

As an original partner since the franchise came to Denver in 1995, KeyBank has been with the Avs through more than 1,428 wins and three Stanley Cup Championships. Last season, KeyBank was the presenting sponsor of the Avs Alley watch parties for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"KeyBank has been an exceptional partner of the Colorado Avalanche, sharing our commitment to excellence, innovation, and making a meaningful impact throughout our community," said Lacy Ekert, Chief Commercial Officer at Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. "As we continue this longstanding relationship, we are excited to build on the strong foundation we've created together and deliver memorable experiences for our fans while supporting initiatives that strengthen Colorado. We are proud to extend and expand our partnership with KeyBank and look forward to the continued success we will achieve together."

The KeyBank Ice Deck includes eight all-inclusive tickets on the glass in the corner of the Avs' attack-twice side. To check availability, visit AvalanchePremium.com.

About KeyBank

KeyCorp's roots trace back more than 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $191 billion at June 30, 2026. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 950 branches and approximately 1,100 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC. 

About Kroenke Sports & Entertainment

Denver-based Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) is one of the world's leading ownership, entertainment, and management groups. KSE's portfolio of professional sports teams and venues include Arsenal F.C. (EPL), Los Angeles Rams (NFL), Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Colorado Rapids (MLS), Colorado Mammoth (NLL), SoFi Stadium, Emirates Stadium, Ball Arena, DICK'S Sporting Goods Park, and the historic Paramount Theatre. Additional properties under KSE's umbrella include Altitude Sports & Entertainment, a 24-hour regional television network; Altitude+, the direct-to-consumer streaming service; KSE Radio, which includes Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM, MIX 100, KOOL 105 and Altitude Sports Radio 950 AM; and Outdoor Sportsman Group, the largest media company devoted to outdoor sports.

SOURCE KeyBank

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Off-the-shelf donor fat restores targeted volume, with no liposuction, for patients who have too little fat left to graft after major weight loss

HERNDON, Va., Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Patients who lose weight on GLP-1 medications often lose fat from the buttocks and hands faster than anywhere else. Many have too little fat left to harvest for grafting. Amir Mahan Ghaznavi, MD, MBA, FACS, a dual board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of AMG Plastic Surgery, uses alloClae® to restore that volume for patients in Northern Virginia. It is a donor-derived structural adipose tissue product.

alloClae is a sterile, hydrated adipose allograft composed of non-viable intact adipocytes, extracellular matrix, lipids, and connective tissue. It is intended to provide cushioning and support in localized areas of the body where adipose tissue naturally exists.

Unlike traditional autologous fat grafting, which requires harvesting a patient's own fat through liposuction, alloClae provides structural adipose tissue that is ready for placement. At AMG Plastic Surgery, it is placed in the office under local anesthesia, with no liposuction donor site and no general anesthesia. Most patients return to desk work in one to two days.

"When a patient has lost a lot of weight, there is often not enough fat left to move," said Dr. Ghaznavi. "alloClae lets me restore a modest amount of volume in an office visit, awake, with no liposuction and no donor site. The key is selecting the appropriate patient and placing the volume where it is best suited to their anatomy and goals."

A Different Approach to Targeted Body Contouring

At AMG Plastic Surgery, Dr. Ghaznavi considers alloClae for patients seeking targeted volume restoration in areas such as the hips, buttocks, hands, scars, and certain breast contour irregularities.

For example, additional volume may be considered to soften the appearance of hip dips, refine selected buttock contours, restore volume to aging hands, or improve certain depressions associated with scars or previous body-contouring procedures. After major weight loss, he stages alloClae alongside post-weight-loss body contouring surgery when loose skin is also present.

The amount of alloClae required depends on the treatment area, the degree of correction sought, and the patient's individual anatomy. Dr. Ghaznavi emphasizes that alloClae is not a substitute for every fat-transfer or body-contouring procedure. Patients seeking substantial volume increases may be better candidates for traditional autologous fat grafting or another surgical approach.

Dr. Ghaznavi's Experience in Fat Grafting and Body Contouring

Dr. Ghaznavi's published research on body contouring after major weight loss appeared in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal and discusses the benefits of body contouring and maintaining weight loss.

Dr. Ghaznavi has performed approximately 800 liposuction and fat-grafting procedures over his career, as well as many alloClae treatments.

"alloClae is a product. The result is the placement," said Dr. Ghaznavi. "Place it too deep, and you waste product. Place it too shallow and you risk visible lumps. Knowing where fat lives in each part of the body is what makes the difference."

What Patients Should Know About alloClae

alloClae is processed from screened donor fat tissue by Tiger Aesthetics, which distributes it as a human tissue product (HCT/P) under FDA tissue regulations. It is not an FDA-approved drug or device. Donor eligibility includes screening and testing intended to reduce the risk of transmitting relevant communicable diseases.

The processed tissue contains no living cells and has no systemic effect.

Dr. Ghaznavi tells patients to expect results to last 12 to 18 months, and some keep their results longer. alloClae has been available since 2024, so long-term data are still being collected, and he does not promise a duration beyond what he has seen.

As with any medical procedure, alloClae carries potential risks and is not appropriate for every patient. Potential complications identified in the product's safety information include cyst or nodule formation, pain, infection, hematoma, allergic or immune responses, anaphylaxis and skin discoloration at the treatment site. alloClae should not be used in patients with active infection, severe allergen sensitivities, or a history of anaphylaxis.

Individual results and duration can vary, and no specific aesthetic outcome can be guaranteed. A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon is necessary to determine whether alloClae or another body-contouring procedure is appropriate for an individual patient.

About Amir Mahan Ghaznavi, MD, MBA, FACS

Dr. Amir Mahan Ghaznavi is board-certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. He completed his general surgery training at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, followed by plastic surgery training at Henry Ford Hospital and advanced microsurgery fellowship training at Cleveland Clinic.

Dr. Ghaznavi later joined the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Cleveland Clinic, where he developed a multispecialty lymphedema program and led reconstructive surgical initiatives. He has authored research articles, abstracts, and book chapters. He has presented his work at medical conferences throughout the United States.

Dr. Ghaznavi currently serves as Vice-Chair of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Cosmetic Subcommittee and was named a Northern Virginia Magazine Top Doctor in 2026.

AMG Plastic Surgery specializes in breast and body contouring, including body contouring after major weight loss, as well as non-surgical aesthetic procedures for patients from Reston, Fairfax, Herndon, and communities throughout Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. region. The practice is located at 13454 Sunrise Valley Dr., Suite 130, Herndon, VA 20171.

For more information about alloClae body contouring or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ghaznavi, please visit amgplasticsurgery.com/alloclae-filler or call 703-239-3190.

Media Contact

Dr. Amir Ghaznavi

AMG Plastic Surgery

703-239-3190

[email protected]

AMGPlasticSurgery.com

SOURCE AMG Plastic Surgery

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New and expanded CE courses deliver deeper, interactive learning and exceptional value for healthcare professionals

PALMYRA, Wis., Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Wholistic Matters, powered by Standard Process, today announced the launch of an expanded continuing education (CE) course catalog featuring new courses and enhanced multi-credit learning experiences designed to help healthcare practitioners deepen their clinical knowledge while earning continuing education credits at a fraction of the typical industry cost.

All CE-accredited courses are approved across many practitioner boards, making the courses valuable to a wide range of healthcare practitioners including ND, DC, LAc, CNS, ACBN, BCHN, NTP, and California RN. *

As the cost of continuing education continues to rise—with many healthcare CE programs ranging from $30 to $50 per credit hour—Wholistic Matters is making evidence-based education more accessible. Courses are self-paced and on-demand, with pricing as follows:

- 1-credit courses at $29

- 3-credit courses at $59

- 4-credit courses at $69

- 5-credit courses at $79,

providing practitioners with an affordable way to maintain credentials while expanding their expertise.

The expanded catalog includes both brand-new educational offerings and enhanced learning experiences.

"Our goal is to make high-quality continuing education more accessible without compromising scientific rigor or clinical relevance," said Jason Bosley-Smith, Director of Scientific Affairs and Education at Standard Process. "These expanded courses give practitioners the opportunity to deepen their knowledge, earn meaningful CE credits, and immediately apply evidence-informed nutrition and lifestyle strategies to improve patient care."

New CE Courses Led by Expert Clinicians and Educators

Developed in collaboration with respected practitioners and subject matter experts, the expanded curriculum addresses emerging trends and real-world clinical applications across integrative and whole-person healthcare.

Featured Courses

Neuroprotective Adaptogens: Building Resilience in a Stressful World

Overview: Explore food-first methylation support through folate, BHMT, adaptogens, labs, and lifestyle strategies for personalized care.

The Motherhood Continuum: Nutrition and Holistic Care from Pregnancy to the Fourth Trimester Overview: This course explores maternal physiology, nutrition requirements, fetal development, epigenetics, lactation, and postpartum recovery through a whole-person approach. Clinicians gain practical nutrition and lifestyle strategies to support women and infants throughout pregnancy and the fourth trimester.

Botanical Allies for a Vibrant Life after Menopause Overview: This course explores how menopause affects hormonal balance, metabolism, bone health, mood, sleep, and overall wellness, with practical nutrition and lifestyle strategies to support women through this important life transition.

Nourishing the Pediatric Microbiome for Gut, Brain, and Immune Balance

Overview: Explore how the pediatric microbiome supports immune development, gut–brain communication, metabolism, and allergic resilience, with practical nutrition and lifestyle strategies for supporting children's health from birth through early life.

Additional Courses

- Cognitive Function: Optimizing Brain Health with Nutrition

- Neuroinflammation: Causes, Consequences, and Clinical Interventions Course

- Foundations of Herbal Support

- Optimizing the Glymphatic System for Improved Brain Health

- Radish, Brussels, and Beets: A Whole Food Approach to Detoxification

- Fueling Methylation with Whole Food Nutrition

- The Microbiome and Gut-Brain Axis Course

- Introduction to Dietary Supplements: From Raw Ingredients to Clinical Practice

- Functional Nutrition: A Whole Food Approach

The expanded Wholistic Matters CE curriculum combines current scientific evidence with practical clinical application, equipping healthcare practitioners with knowledge they can immediately incorporate into patient care. Topics span foundational nutrition, dietary supplements, the microbiome, women's health, herbal medicine, brain health, and whole-person care, delivering evidence-informed strategies that support better clinical decision-making while helping practitioners efficiently earn continuing education credits.

Enhanced Learning Platform Supports Practitioner Success

Supporting the expanded course catalog is a newly enhanced Wholistic Matters digital learning platform designed to create a more seamless educational experience.

Key platform enhancements include:

- Streamlined navigation and course discovery

- Personalized learning dashboards

- Progress tracking and credential management tools

- Multimedia learning formats, including video, audio, and interactive content

- Faster course completion workflows and certificate delivery

The platform enables practitioners to easily discover relevant content, complete coursework on their own schedule, track progress, and receive certificates promptly upon successful completion.

About Wholistic Matters

Wholistic Matters is an educational platform dedicated to advancing whole-person health through credible, evidence-based resources for healthcare practitioners and patients. Powered by Standard Process, the platform provides continuing education, clinical resources, research-based content, and expert insights that help practitioners confidently apply nutrition, lifestyle, and integrative health principles in clinical practice. To learn more visit www.wholisticmatters.com. The course catalog can be found here: Wholistic Matters Continuing Education.

* Please refer to the CEU Approvals by State page for information on specific approvals.

About Standard Process

Standard Process is a family-owned company that has been committed to whole food-based nutritional solutions, practitioner education, and whole-person health for nearly 100 years. The company partners with healthcare professionals to support patient health through high-quality nutritional products, clinical education, and science-backed resources. To learn more visit www.standardprocess.com.

Media Contact:

Amy Malek

[email protected]

SOURCE Standard Process Inc.

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- Mars will showcase new sweet and salty innovations at the 2026 NACS Show in Las Vegas from October 7 – 9.

- The latest Mars products from iconic brands SKITTLES®, Cheez-It®, Pringles®, M&M'S®, SNICKERS® and more will hit shelves nationwide next year.

NEWARK, N.J., Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Mars is paving the way for the future of snacking with bold sweet and salty innovations across its 2027 new product portfolio. National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Show attendees can experience a first taste of some of its latest innovations from October 7 – 9 in Las Vegas.

"Mars is at the forefront of evolving our iconic brands to meet modern tastes," said Tim LeBel, Chief Customer Officer, Mars Snacking North America. "Our research and development teams know what's next, and our 2027 lineup is built to capture cultural trends and help our retail partners maximize conversion opportunities storewide."

From new textures experiences to bold flavors and functional snacks, each new product is backed by consumer insights. Featured product innovations include:

- Cheez-It® Protein: Savory, sharp cheese flavor with a satisfying crunch, now with 7 grams of protein per serving.

- COMBOS® Honey Sriracha: A baked pretzel shell with a sweet-and-spicy honey sriracha filling—a crowd pleaser sure to go fast when shared.

- M&M'S® Peanut Butter Cinnamon Roll: A blend of smooth peanut butter with the cozy taste of cinnamon roll, all wrapped up in a coated candy shell.

- Pringles® Buffalo Wild Wings®: Featuring three iconic Buffalo Wild Wings' sauces—Parmesan Garlic, Medium Buffalo and Asian Zing®—the lineup delivers bold, sports bar-inspired wings flavors to Pringles' signature, stackable crisps.

- SKITTLES® Crystals: A playful combination of sweet, squishy gummies and the tangy crunch of edible crystals, available in two of the SKITTLES brand's most popular varieties: Original and Tropical Splash.

- SNICKERS® Almond Xtreme: Rich chocolate, caramel and, of course, extra almonds—chewy texture meets the ultimate nutty flavor.

- TWIX® Frosted Cookie: A shortbread base with a smooth, vanilla-flavored crème, coated in rich milk chocolate.

If you're attending the NACS Show Expo, stop by booth #N2605 to get a first taste of these innovations. NACS attendees will also be able to sample additional snacks from Mars brands including Nature's Bakery®, KIND®, RXBAR®, Pop-Tarts®, Rice Krispies Treats® and Nutri-Grain® at booth #N2904.

About Mars, Incorporated

Mars, Incorporated is driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. As a $65bn+ family-owned business, our diverse and expanding portfolio of leading pet care products and veterinary services support pets all around the world and our quality snacking and food products delight millions of people every day. We produce some of the world's best-loved brands including ROYAL CANIN®, PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, CESAR®, M&M'S®, SNICKERS®, Pringles®, Cheez-It® and BEN'S ORIGINAL™. Our international networks of pet hospitals, including BANFIELD™, BLUEPEARL™, VCA™ and ANICURA™ span preventive, general, specialty and emergency veterinary care, and our global veterinary diagnostics business ANTECH® offers breakthrough capabilities in pet diagnostics. The Mars Five Principles — Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom — inspire our more than 170,000 Associates to act every day to help create a better world for people, pets and the planet.

For more information about Mars, please visit www.mars.com. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Hannah Messinger

Mars Snacking North America

[email protected]

SOURCE Mars, Incorporated

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Part of Babilou Family US, First Chapters focuses on enabling joyful discovery with personalized learning experiences for children from infancy through Pre-K

ALLSTON, Mass., Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- First Chapters Preschool has opened its first, flagship location at the new Enterprise Research Campus (ERC) in Allston, Massachusetts. The expansive early childhood education center has been thoughtfully designed from ground-up, with classrooms tailored for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and Pre-K children, and has begun serving families living and working in the surrounding area. First Chapters Preschool is part of Babilou Family, a trusted provider of early education for more than 20 years, and joins Babilou's 40+ early education centers across New England, including Little Sprouts, Heartworks and Building Blocks.

A Strong Start Begins with Safety

Recent research by Babilou Family with parents of young children found that safety is paramount when parents are considering early childhood options. As Alexandra Loos, M. Ed., Vice President of Education for Babilou Family US, explains, a child's ability to learn and thrive is rooted in a strong foundation of safety. "There are multiple layers of safety that must be intentionally supported in early childhood environments," said Loos, who oversees educational strategy, program quality and professional development for First Chapters and Babilou's other early childhood centers in the US. "When children feel safe – physically, emotionally, and psychologically – they are free to explore, take healthy risks, and experience the joy of learning."

"First Chapters educators complete rigorous training at our Academy, learning to support children's growth in ways that nurture their curiosity and build their confidence. Important to that is respecting each child's rhythm and understanding how to follow and further the child's interests," added Loos.

What is Sustainable Education?

First Chapters' commitment to parents is supported by Babilou Family's Sustainable Education™ framework, which is comprised of six areas of focus informed by Babilou's Scientific Advisory Board and third-party child development and pedagogical research:

- Supporting the physical and emotional safety of young children

- Drawing on the child's natural curiosity and knowledge to support their development

- Integrating nature into learning experiences

- Allowing time to respect children's rhythms

- Promoting inclusion, open-mindedness, diversity, and multiculturalism

- Collaborating with families to build a harmonious educational pathway

"We recognize that education begins at birth and that investing in early childhood education is critical to laying the groundwork for sustained learning as children grow," said Lee Galbraith, President & CEO of Babilou Family US. "We're building something truly special with First Chapters – you can see and feel that from the moment you enter our classrooms and connect with our educators – and we're excited to welcome First Families as they begin to write their child's first chapters."

First Chapters Preschool Open House

The newly opened, flagship First Chapters Preschool in Allston, Mass., is an expansive, 8,000 square-foot space with eight age-based classrooms, a Discovery Room for STEAM exploration, and outdoor play space. All spaces have been designed to be fully inclusive and feature the highest quality furnishings, with a focus on natural wood and hands-on play and discovery. Children can engage in STEAM learning at light tables, explore dramatic play spaces that are transformed seasonally, settle into a reading nook with books thoughtfully curated to represent all children, and head outside to the covered play space for outdoor play every day. Supporting the school-home connection, First Chapters educators will partner with parents to understand and meet children where they are, from the very first months of development to toddler, preschool and Pre-K learning opportunities.

Parents interested in visiting First Chapters are invited to attend one of the preschool's weekly open houses, with an inaugural event planned for October 6. More details are available on First Chapters website: https://learn.babilou-family-us.com/first-chapters-open-house

About Babilou Family

Headquartered in France, Babilou Family has served families across the world since 2003 with its focus on sustainable education for children. In the US, Babilou Family is best known for its Little Sprouts (Massachusetts and New Hampshire), Building Blocks (Connecticut) and Heartworks (Massachusetts and Vermont) early childhood education centers. First Chapters Preschool (Massachusetts) is the newest addition to Babilou Family US. To learn more, visit https://firstchapters.com/.

SOURCE Babilou Family US

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Key Customer Deployments and Industry Award Prove Company's Customer2Grid™ Strategy Will Shape the Future of the Industry

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- SmartMark Communications, the global leader in smart grid customer engagement strategy and solutions, announced today that its customer-centric load flexibility solution has been successfully deployed and has received the platinum Pinnacle Award for Excellence in the category of Best Consumer IoT Product. This is the first time that a customer-focused IoT solution has been recognized for excellence in shaping the future of load flexibility in the energy industry.

The patented solution is the first of its kind to allow for a true balanced relationship between the utility and its customers in a grid-flexible model. Years of experience with designing customer-focused solutions has allowed SmartMark to achieve the ultimate goal of increased customer satisfaction and true two-way communications and engagement between the utility and the customer in today's resource-strained environment.

"As utilities and grid operators continue to seek resources that are currently unavailable to meet increasing grid constraints, customers must be put at the epicenter of the dialogue and the technology. SmartMark's Customer2Grid™ approach and experience with smart home energy management has put us in a unique position to lead the industry in technology innovation," said Juliet Shavit, President and CEO of SmartMark. "Yes, utilities can improve customer satisfaction and create a long-term sustainable and meaningful energy relationship with consumers."

The Pinnacle Award recognized SmartMark's recent deployment at a Tier one Investor-Owned utility. SmartMark continues to expand deployments across the United States. Learn more at www.smartmarkusa.com.

About SmartMark Communications 

For more than two decades, SmartMark Communications has been a world leader in utilizing consumer education and innovative technology selection to help organizations understand the role of consumers in industry transformation. They are renowned for helping utilities engage with their customers in matters related to smart grid—whether that is articulating the benefits around smart grid technology investments or developing real-world strategies to mitigate rising energy costs. SmartMark's unique understanding of this complex intersection has led them to advising policy makers, utilities, and the most influential product and technology companies in this area. Learn more at smartmarkglobal.com. 

Media Contact:

Emma Poling

SmartMark Communications, LLC

615-864-7841

[email protected]

SOURCE SmartMark Communications

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Authorization accelerates U.S. federal agencies' ability to maintain, verify, and secure resilient software systems

BOSTON and WASHINGTON, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Aikido Security, the company behind self-securing software for modern development teams, today announced it has achieved Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) Moderate Authorization in partnership with Knox Systems (Knox), the largest, longest-running federal managed cloud. A rigorous and exclusive U.S. government program, FedRAMP is designed to standardize security assessment and authorization for cloud service offerings to accelerate the adoption of government-grade cloud solutions by federal agencies.

Aikido secures code, cloud, and runtime environments, and pentests systems to uncover exploitable risk before attackers do. This includes protection against software supply chain attacks, securing developer devices, and addressing risks introduced by AI-generated code and threats increasingly targeting federal and enterprise systems alike. Aikido for Government is purpose-built for high-trust environments, and this authorization aligns with the company's priority to provide its customers with capabilities that meet the most stringent of compliance requirements. With Aikido, U.S. federal agencies are now able to maintain, verify, and secure resilient software systems.

Through its partnership with Knox, Aikido achieved this critical authorization in months rather than years. Knox's federal managed cloud provided Aikido with an expedited path that bypassed the traditional three-year, multi-million-dollar authorization cycle, and positioned the company to deliver its platform to federal customers at unmatched speed and scale. This is a significant milestone for Aikido, as the company recently accelerated its U.S. expansion to further scale its footprint and deliver its security platform to new customers across the country.

"Federal agencies need modern software security without compromising on the rigor their environments demand," said Johan de Keulenaer, Global Head of Partnerships at Aikido Security. "We partnered with Knox because it gave Aikido a pragmatic, accelerated path to FedRAMP while keeping our U.S. government environment purpose-built and isolated. Rather than spending years building the compliance foundation from scratch, we can focus on bringing developer-friendly security to agencies sooner."

"Aikido has made a substantial impact in Europe, and as it continues to break through the U.S. market, it is critical for federal agencies to have access to this level of continuous vulnerability management across the development lifecycle," said Irina Denisenko, CEO of Knox Systems. "By partnering with Knox, Aikido is able to support federal agencies in maintaining robust, cost-effective compliance and software resilience."

To learn more about Aikido's unified security platform, visit https://www.aikido.dev/, and to learn more about FedRAMP Authorization via Knox Systems, visit: https://knoxsystems.com/.

About Aikido Security

Founded in Ghent, Belgium, Aikido Security is building self-securing software for modern development teams. Aikido's unified security platform secures code, cloud and runtime, helping teams to reduce risk without slowing down development. Aikido is the fastest-ever European cybersecurity company to reach unicorn status and is trusted by over 100,000 teams, with a global customer base including Revolut, Kong, Specter Aerospace, Rollkall, Accela and SoundCloud.

About Knox Systems

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

Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE Knox Systems, Inc

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A quarter century after entering the pooled plan market, Transamerica is turning strong momentum into new opportunities to help employers and retirement savers

BALTIMORE, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Transamerica is marking 25 years of helping employers expand access to workplace retirement benefits through pooled plan solutions, a milestone that underscores the company's longstanding commitment to creating more opportunities for Americans to prepare for their future amid evolving retirement needs.

As pooled plan solutions become a popular and important option for employers seeking to offer retirement benefits, Transamerica is increasing its investment in the people, resources and capabilities that support its pooled plan business, strengthening the specialized support available to advisors, employers and distribution partners.

The company's 25 years of experience in pooled plans builds on a broader retirement business that has served employers and retirement plan participants for decades.

"Over the past 25 years, we've learned that the best pooled plan solutions are built around the needs of employers and the challenges they face," said Darren Zino, Head of Retirement Distribution at Transamerica. "In that time, we've built the resources, support and insights needed to help employers navigate the complexities of offering retirement benefits with confidence. We're carrying our experience forward through innovation and new ways to support employers as they navigate retirement plan complexity, making it easier for more employers to offer workplace retirement benefits and helping more Americans save for the future."

Experience Built to Meet Employers' Needs

Workplace retirement plans remain one of the most important ways Americans save for the future, yet many employers continue to face administrative, fiduciary and operational barriers to offering them. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 41% of private-sector employees at businesses with fewer than 100 employees lack access to retirement benefits.1 Pooled retirement plans can help address that gap by reducing many of the complexities associated with providing a workplace retirement plan.

For 25 years, Transamerica has enhanced its pooled retirement capabilities by listening to employers and their participants, collaborating across the retirement ecosystem and investing in solutions that respond to changing needs. Its offerings have expanded from Multiple Employer Plans (MEPs), Group Plan SolutionSM (GPS) and Retirement Plan Exchange® structures to Pooled Employer Plans (PEPs) introduced under the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of 2019, which helped reshape the pooled plan market following years of advocacy by Transamerica and industry peers.

Transamerica's pooled plan capabilities are supported by dedicated professionals across client engagement, fiduciary services, legal, marketing, operations, product, recordkeeping, and sales. The company also works with third-party administrators, advisors, fiduciaries and other retirement industry partners to understand the needs of employers and other stakeholders.

This experience and collaboration are reflected in the growth of Transamerica's pooled plan business. In PLANSPONSOR's 2026 Recordkeeping Survey, Transamerica ranked No. 1 in PEP adopting employers for the second consecutive year and was among the industry's leading recordkeepers across multiple pooled plan measures, including the most MEP and PEP contracts serviced and the most MEP participants serviced. The survey also showed that Transamerica achieved the highest year-over-year growth rates in pooled plan assets and participants.2

Over the past five years, Transamerica's pooled plan assets have grown nearly 61%, from $21.3 billion in 2021 to $34.2 billion in 2025, while the number of adopting employers has increased nearly 40%.

Building on Pooled Plan Momentum

To support the growing demand for pooled plans, Transamerica is deepening the integration of pooled plan solutions across its broader retirement business, connecting expertise across product, distribution, operations and client support to better serve employers and retirement plan partners. Under the leadership of Stanley Kim, Director and Pooled Plan Practice Leader at Transamerica, these efforts build on the company's existing capabilities and 25 years of experience in the market.

"Pooled plans can help simplify many of the challenges that come with offering a retirement plan, making them an important option for employers looking to provide retirement benefits," said Kim. "As demand for these solutions continues to grow, we're working alongside advisors, TPAs and other retirement plan partners to strengthen the support available to employers and expand access to retirement savings for more workers."

Employer demand underscores the opportunity ahead. According to 2026 research from the nonprofit Transamerica Institute, nearly half (48%) of employers that do not currently sponsor a standalone retirement plan say they would consider joining a PEP, MEP or defined contribution group as an alternative.3

To help broaden understanding of pooled plan solutions among employers and advisors, Transamerica is also highlighting these offerings through a new advertising campaign focused on the role pooled plans can play in expanding access to workplace retirement benefits. Additional information about Transamerica's pooled plan offerings is available on its pooled plans webpage.

As retirement needs evolve, Transamerica is combining its 25 years of pooled plan experience with new insights and innovation to help more employers offer workplace retirement benefits and expand access to retirement savings for more Americans.

1 Employee Benefits in the United States, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 2025

2 2026 Recordkeeping Survey, PLANSPONSOR, July 2026

3 Employers, Workers, and the New World of Work, Transamerica Institute, May 2026. Transamerica Institute is a nonprofit, private operating foundation.

About Transamerica

Transamerica believes everyone deserves the opportunity to live their best life. It's what inspires us to be a champion for helping everyday Americans thrive. As a leading provider of life insurance, retirement, and investment solutions for more than 10 million Americans, we help people make the most of what's important to them.

Supporting our customers' financial futures with innovative products and services has been our mission for more than 120 years. In 2025, Transamerica fulfilled its promises to customers, paying more than $52.6 billion in insurance, retirement, and annuity claims and benefits, including return of customer-paid annuity premiums.

Transamerica is part of the Aegon group of companies. Aegon is an international financial services holding company.

For more information, visit www.transamerica.com.

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Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Transamerica

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NYSE issues a pre-market daily advisory direct from the trading floor.

NEW YORK, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) provides a daily pre-market update directly from the NYSE Trading Floor. Access today's NYSE Pre-market update for market insights before trading begins.

Ashley Mastronardi delivers the pre-market update on October 5th

- The Estée Lauder Companies' Breast Cancer Campaign was founded in 1992.

- Evelyn Lauder founded the campaign and co-created the iconic Pink Ribbon to bring awareness to the disease and address stigmas in women's health.

- The Campaign and Estée Lauder Charitable Foundation have funded over $182 million for research, education, and medical services.

- Chairman William Lauder will speak with NYSE's Kristen Scholer in an interview that will be distributed across NYSE platforms in the coming weeks.

- The Ronald McDonald House NY's annual gala will take place on Tuesday.

- The theme of this year's event is 'The Next Chapter' in the organization's story of hope for families battling pediatric illness.

- The event will feature honorees, a family story, and the organization's expanding mission.

- Ronald McDonald House New York Chair Steven Bensinger will join NYSE Live to discuss the new ways the organization has been helping patients and families fight cancer.

- Investors are tracking the latest Treasury yield moves ahead of Wednesday.

- The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield is trading close to 5.3% as of 8 a.m. ET.

- Fed Minutes from September's meeting will come out on Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET.

- According to the latest data, about 80% of traders expect the Fed to leave interest rates unchanged later this month.

Opening Bell

Estée Lauder recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Closing Bell

Sony (NYSE: SONY) celebrates the 80th anniversary of its founding

For market insights, IPO activity, and today's opening bell, download the NYSE TV App and check out the NYSE YouTube: TV.NYSE.com and YouTube.com/@NYSEofficial

SOURCE New York Stock Exchange

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