New interactive map of Costa Rica showcases its cultural, natural and ocean heritage

- "Discover Costa Rica" is a free platform developed by essential COSTA RICA in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, CIMAR-UCR, and the UCR School of Geography

SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Costa Rica now has a new free digital platform that allows users to explore and learn more about the country and its territory. "Discover Costa Rica" is an interactive map developed by the Country Brand essential COSTA RICA, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, the University of Costa Rica's Center for Research in Marine Sciences and Limnology (CIMAR-UCR), and the UCR School of Geography.

The platform brings together geographic, oceanographic, cultural, historical, and scientific information about the country, making knowledge about Costa Rica more accessible to students, teachers, researchers, domestic and international tourists, media outlets, and the general public. The information is available in both Spanish and English.

The new interactive map allows users to explore iconic locations such as national parks, islands, waterfalls, and volcanoes, as well as ecosystems and protected areas, sites of cultural interest, biodiversity data, and other features. It also includes information about Costa Rica's maritime dimension — which accounts for 92% of its territory — and historical milestones, such as San José becoming the third city in the world and the first in Latin America to have electric public lighting, or Costa Rica becoming one of the first countries in the world to ban sport hunting.

"Discover Costa Rica is part of essential COSTA RICA's efforts to educate people about what makes our country unique. This platform provides an interactive way to learn about our diversity, culture, and historical facts that we, as Costa Ricans, should know and that help shape our collective identity, particularly that of younger generations," stated Adriana Acosta, Director of the Country Brand essential COSTA RICA.

All information and content available on the platform is supported by academic and scientific research, thanks to the collaboration of CIMAR-UCR and the UCR School of Geography. This also makes it a valuable research and reference tool for educational, tourism, and research purposes. Its design enables users to navigate dynamically and intuitively through different layers of information, offering a new way to discover Costa Rica from anywhere in the world.

"This platform provides information about marine biodiversity grounded in scientific evidence. Its images spark the curiosity of those who visit the site and invite them to learn more about the marine environment and the organisms that inhabit it — an entire world to discover and conserve," noted Dr. Eddy Gómez Ramírez, Director of CIMAR-UCR.

"Discover Costa Rica" is available on the essential COSTA RICA website and is part of the Country Brand's efforts to promote national pride, education, and greater awareness of Costa Rica's natural, cultural, and territorial heritage. The platform is also complemented by "Costa Rica Blue," another digital initiative by the Country Brand essential COSTA RICA designed to bring Costa Ricans closer to the ocean and increase awareness of its importance.

Share this article

Rice Biotech Launch Pad invents 'living pharmacy' designed to produce therapeutics inside the body

Durable implant to enter clinic in 2027 has multiple applications and represents new therapeutic approach that lasts full year

HOUSTON, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Biologic medicines can be powerful treatments for many diseases, but their cost can limit access. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, biologics account for just 5% of prescriptions but 51% of drug spending. Researchers at Rice University, with the support of the Rice Biotech Launch Pad, have developed an implantable "living pharmacy" using engineered protein producers (EPPs) that could one day deliver these medicines continuously for months or years from a single procedure.

According to the new study published in Science Advances titled "Once-yearly cell-based therapy for sustained and dose-tunable delivery of monoclonal antibodies," engineered cells enclosed within a specially modified biomaterial continuously produced therapeutic monoclonal antibodies for one year across multiple preclinical models. The retrievable system also allowed researchers to stop treatment or adjust dosing by removing or replacing the implant.

The work addresses a key challenge for implantable cell therapies. The body's foreign body response can cause inflammation and scar tissue to build up around an implant, restricting the movement of nutrients and therapeutic proteins and ultimately reducing cell survival and drug production.

"We have created an entirely new approach for the development and use of therapeutic antibodies," said Robert S. Langer, co-founder of Duracyte and professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "By combining engineered cells, biomaterials and an implantable device, this approach has the potential to create a living pharmacy that provides long-lasting production of biologic medicines while maintaining a level of control that is important for therapeutic use."

This platform is being developed by Duracyte, which is advancing the platform toward clinical development with the publication providing a foundation for further work on safety, biocompatibility, device design and therapeutic applications. The researchers also used human pharmacokinetic modeling to assess the potential for clinically relevant antibody levels and demonstrated a minimally invasive device designed to support dose adjustment and treatment cessation. Because EPPs can be engineered to produce different proteins, the platform could ultimately support a range of biologic medicines.

The platform was also designed to be adaptable across therapeutic targets. Researchers engineered the same human cell line to produce 13 different monoclonal antibodies spanning oncology, autoimmune disease and infectious disease, including ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, adalimumab, 3BNC117 and PGT121. The antibodies retained their intended biological activity, demonstrating the platform's potential as a modular approach to mAb delivery.

"The potential of this platform is similar in some ways to the promise of reusable rockets for space travel which significantly reduced cost and time to manufacture," said Omid Veiseh, professor of bioengineering at Rice University and corresponding author of the study. "Rather than repeatedly manufacturing and delivering a biologic from outside the body, EPPs could produce therapeutic proteins continuously inside the patient. If this approach can be successfully translated, it could offer a more efficient way to deliver biologics with the potential to reduce some of the costs associated with manufacturing and repeatedly administering these medicines."

The potential economic impact comes at a time of growing concern over the cost and accessibility of biologic medicines. A recent report highlighted by The Wall Street Journal found that 90% of major biologic drugs expected to lose exclusivity over the next decade have no lower-cost competitors in development, underscoring the need for new approaches to how these medicines are produced and delivered.

The study was led by co-first authors Cody Fell, Anthony E. Davis and Shalini Pandey of the Department of Bioengineering at Rice in Houston. This work was supported by the Gates Foundation (INV-051204) and the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Health (AY1AX000003 and 1047648-490467).

This news release can be found online at news.rice.edu.

Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews.

Peer-reviewed paper:

Once-yearly cell-based therapy for sustained and dose-tunable delivery of monoclonal antibodies | Science Advances | DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aej5440

Authors: Cody Fell, Anthony E Davis, Shalini Pandey, Michael T Guinn, Zeshi Wang, Jonathon DeBonis, Chancellor Smith, Nathan Brown, Danna Murungi, Yeonju Kim, Imaan Mohandessi, Patrick Bednarz, Amir Ardeshir, Erin M Haupt, Samuel I Cuevas, Christy L Lavine, Michael S Seaman, Oleg Igoshin, Ravi K Ghanta, Michael R Diehl, Omid Veiseh

About Rice:

Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of architecture, business, continuing studies, engineering and computing, humanities, music, natural sciences and social sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. Internationally, the university maintains the Rice Global Paris Center, a hub for innovative collaboration, research and inspired teaching located in the heart of Paris. With 4,776 undergraduates and 4,104 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for lots of race/class interaction and No. 7 for best-run colleges by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by the Wall Street Journal and is included on Forbes' exclusive list of "New Ivies."

If you do not wish to receive news releases from Rice University, reply to this email and write "unsubscribe" in the subject line. Office of News and Media Relations – MS 300, Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston, TX 77005.

About the Rice Biotech Launch Pad:

The Rice Biotech Launch Pad is a Houston-based accelerator focused on expediting the translation of Rice University's health and medical technology discoveries into cures. This initiative is designed to help advance internally discovered platform technologies from concept to clinical studies and commercialization. The Rice Biotech Launch Pad will identify and support highly differentiated projects while driving the expansion of Houston as a world-class medical innovation ecosystem. The accelerator will bring together local researchers with a network of industry executives. For more information, please visit https://biotechlaunchpad.rice.edu/.

Media Contact:

Russo Partners

David Schull or Liz Phillips

(347) 956-7697

[email protected] 

[email protected]

SOURCE Rice University

Share this article

BEYOND THE WALL A Collection of Rare Artwork Celebrating the Legacy of Pink Floyd For a Limited Time at Animazing Gallery in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pink Floyd fans and art collectors alike will soon have a rare opportunity to get a peek "Beyond the Wall" in Las Vegas.

Animazing Gallery at Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas announced plans today for a special exhibition and sale featuring an extraordinary collection of work celebrating the legacy of Pink Floyd. The show will run from October 16 through November 2 and will include work by acclaimed artist and sculptor Ginger Gilmour, the former wife of Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour; Gerald Scarfe, recognized for his work on The Wall and his long collaboration with the band and its members; Storm Thorgerson, who was responsible for many of the band's album covers including The Dark Side of the Moon, Meddle, Atom Heart Mother, and Wish You Were Here; and, many other featured artists.

Ginger Gilmour will be offering both original artwork and exclusive limited editions.

The show will also include an exclusive, signed limited edition print of Gerald Scarfe's Marching Hammers and The Scream featuring images from Pink Floyd's The Wall, as well as original production artwork from the animated film The Wall. He will also debut two new custom hand-painted guitars with artwork from The Wall that resulted from an exclusive arrangement between the artist and Animazing Gallery. The guitars were built in the famed Lynn Ellsworth custom shop and sent to Scarfe to hand paint for the show.

The exhibit will kick of with a private VIP collectors' event on Friday, October 16 from 6-9 p.m. The public opening is set for Saturday, October 17 from 4-7 p.m. Artists Ginger Gilmour, Mel Balatbat, Randy Martinez, Dale Benson, and Nancy Elhallak will be attending both events.

The full list of participating artists includes:

Ginger Gilmour

Gerald Scarfe

Storm Thorgerson

John Douglas

Mel Balatbat

Randy Martinez

Dale Benson

Nancy Elhallak

For more information about the "Beyond the Wall" exhibition and sale at Animazing Gallery, visit www.animazing.com or Instagram@animazinggallery, or call (702) 785-0061.

ABOUT GINGER GILMOUR

Ginger Gilmour, the former wife of Pink Floyd's guitarist David Gilmour, is an artist, sculptor, and visionary. On a perpetual quest for beauty, much of her work was inspired by Pink Floyd.

ABOUT GERALD SCARFE

Gerald Scarfe is an English satirical cartoonist and illustrator who also worked as a political cartoonist for The Sunday Times with his work appearing weekly. He is renowned for his lengthy collaboration with Pink Floyd, including creating the artwork for their 1982 "The Wall" album and its film adaptation and tour. He was also responsible for art for the band's "Welcome to the Machine" music video and much more. In 2010, he published The Making of Pink Floyd: The Wall, a book detailing his work with Pink Floyd and Roger Waters from 1974 to 2010.

ABOUT STORM THORGERSON

Storm Thorgerson is best known for his artwork that for four decades graced the covers of Pink Floyd albums. His more than four-decade relationship with members of the band goes back to his days attending school at Cambridge with Pink Floyd's founders Syd Barrett and Roger Waters.

For more information about the Beyond the Wall exhibit at Animazing Gallery, visit www.animazing.com or call (702) 785-0061.

ABOUT ANIMAZING GALLERY

Animazing Gallery began in 1984 as a gallery specializing in conceptual animation art. Over time, the collection expanded to include works by a wide range of renowned illustrators and pop culture artists. Animazing Gallery has become an industry stronghold for illustration art and contemporary art inspired by the masters of illustration.

Nicholas Leone, owner of Animazing Gallery, serves as a consultant for numerous auction houses and handles gallery sales and acquisitions. He curates and hosts pop up events throughout the United States to celebrate gallery artists and their works. The company has two galleries located in Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas featuring an abundant repertoire of work by classic illustrators and contemporary artists.

ABOUT GRAND CANAL SHOPPES

Located inside The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, the center boasts 160 specialty brands and world-class restaurants nestled around a charming and faithful reproduction of Venice's Grand Canal, complete with cobbled walkways, street-side cafes, and live entertainment. Signature brands including Burberry, Jimmy Choo, Michael Kors, Louis Vuitton, and Tory Burch create an unparalleled retail environment that includes a star-studded line-up of restaurants headed by famous celebrity chefs: Wolfgang Puck's CUT, Emeril Lagasse's Delmonico Steakhouse, Buddy Valastro's Buddy V's and Carlo's Bakery, Lorena Garcia's CHICA, as well as Mercato della Pescheria, SUGARCANE, SUSHISAMBA, and Smith & Wollensky. The center is also home to ATOMIC SALOON SHOW by Spiegelworld. For more information, visit www.grandcanalshoppes.com.

Media Contacts:

Terry Wills for Animazing Gallery

[email protected]

310-877-1458

SOURCE Animazing Gallery

Share this article

A portion of every ticket sold supports "Renew the Living Voices: The Kilgen Organ Campaign," helping preserve the Cathedral's musical legacy for generations to come.

"St. Patrick's Cathedral has held a special place in New York City for more than 160 years, and we're honored to bring its story to life through music and light, and storytelling," said Ben Samek, CEO of Banijay Americas. "Each glowing arch celebrates the hands that shaped it and the city that grew around it. Our hope is that everyone who experiences Luminiscence feels part of a story that has been unfolding for generations."

Since launching in 2023, LUMINISCENCE has welcomed more than two million visitors to more than 20 productions in eight countries: France, Spain, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Brazil and the United States. The New York engagement is part of Banijay Americas' growing international footprint. The company is bringing music, storytelling and digital artistry to some of the world's most remarkable sacred and historic spaces.

"We are eager to welcome guests to LUMINISCENCE to experience the ways technology and art can come together to illuminate the beauty, history, and faith that has filled St. Patrick's for generations. We hope that all who attend, regardless of their faith, allow them to encounter the Cathedral in a new and meaningful way", says Fr. Enrique Salvo, Rector of St. Patrick's Cathedral.

"St. Patrick's isn't just a spectacular venue. It's a place where generations of New Yorkers have gathered to celebrate and to hope," said Romain Sarfati, co-founder of LOTCHI and creator of LUMINISCENCE. "Every element of our show, from the choir and orchestra to projections mapped to the millimeter, is designed with that weight in mind. We're not adding light to St. Patrick's. We're helping it reveal what's already there."

St. Patrick's is the largest Gothic Revival Catholic cathedral in North America. It was the vision of Archbishop John Hughes, who wanted a cathedral worthy of New York's growing Catholic community. Critics dismissed the then-remote uptown site as "Hughes' Folly." The Civil War delayed construction, and the white-marble cathedral designed by James Renwick Jr. took two decades to complete, opening in 1878. Its twin spires, which rise more than 330 feet above Fifth Avenue, were added in 1888. Consecrated in 1910, St. Patrick's is the seat of the Archdiocese of New York, a designated New York City landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has welcomed popes, presidents and millions of visitors each year.

LUMINISCENCE opens to the public today, October 2, 2026, with performances on select dates through mid November with the possibility of extending into 2027. Guests can choose LUMINISCENCE Live+, which features a live choir and orchestra, or LUMINISCENCE, which uses recorded music and narration. Ticket prices vary by experience. Tickets and information are at luminiscence.com/new-york.

About LOTCHI - Lotchi, part of Banijay Live, creates immersive experiences designed to spark inspiration and wonder. By combining creativity, technology and innovative storytelling, the company produces shared, memorable moments that reconnect audiences with beauty, imagination and each other. Lotchi develops and delivers its own large-scale productions in exceptional venues worldwide. www.lotchi.live

Banijay Entertainment – Let's Show the World - Award-winning media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay Entertainment spans 25 territories and delivers an average 19,000 hours of content and 3,000 live events globally each year. An innovative leader, in 2025 alone, it collectively launched 315+ new non-scripted titles, 140+ scripted titles, 110+ shows on streaming platforms, and had 45 formats active in more than 3+ territories.

A home for today's storymakers, and the creative pioneers of tomorrow, the business puts creators first, uniting the best creative minds to shape the next generation of diversified entertainment. The masters of superbrands like MasterChef, Big Brother, Gogglebox, Survivor, Gold Rush, Race Across the World and The Traitors, scripted icons like Peaky Blinders, Fleabag, Call the Midwife, Shameless, Skins, The Tourist and Black Mirror, and live spectacles including the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies, the business nurtures ideas at-scale, defining culture and inspiring audiences worldwide. Its latest standout titles include Football Island, Legends, The Crash, The Buccaneers, A Gorilla Story: Told by David Attenborough, Fear Factor: House of Fear and The Circle.

Built on independence, creative freedom and pioneering entrepreneurialism, Banijay Entertainment merged with All3Media in July 2026 through a strategic partnership between RedBird IMI and Banijay Group. Jeff Zucker, CEO of RedBird IMI, is Chairman of the Board, Marco Bassetti serves as Chief Executive Officer, and Jane Turton as Deputy Chief Executive Officer.

Media Contact:

Lori Heiselman - [email protected]

Nicole Marostica - [email protected]

SOURCE LUMINISCENCE

Share this article

$100,000 grant from the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation will provide equipment and training for eight new schools growing the league to include 40 schools and over 450 participants.

New York Jets are expanding their NFL Jets Girls Flag League London through a partnership with Palace for Life.

Flag football is the non-contact version of American football, it is exciting and accessible, and the League aims to increase access and participation to sport.

To view photos and video from the event, please click here.

LONDON, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York Jets and Palace for Life, the official charity of Crystal Palace Football Club, today announced a new partnership which sees the Jets NFL Girls Flag League expand in London. At the direction of Woody Johnson and supported by a $100,000 grant from the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation, the Girls Flag League will expand to eight schools in the Crystal Palace area.

Woody Johnson, New York Jets Chairman, and Partner and Director of the Crystal Palace FC Club, said: "Sports have the power to bring people together, build confidence and create opportunities for young people. Through the Jets, Crystal Palace and Palace for Life, we can make sure more girls have the opportunity to participate, compete and be part of a team. We've seen how quickly girls flag football has grown, and we're proud to continue expanding our efforts internationally and creating new pathways for young women in South London and beyond."

To kick off the partnership, 90 representatives from the eight schools visited the Crystal Palace Academy for a special clinic hosted by the New York Jets. They all tried flag football for the first time and experienced the exciting, fun and accessible nature of the sport.

The attendees and their teachers will use their training to prepare for the wider league kick-off in the Spring 2027, growing the Jets London League to over 40 schools and 450+ girls. The League is the first of its kind in London and is designed to increase girls' access to and participation in sports through flag football.

Working with its existing network, Palace for Life identified eight local schools to join the league: Orchard Park, Langley Park School for Girls, Sedgehill Academy, Orion Eden Park, Hayes Park, Carshalton High School for Girls, Orion Ravensbourne, and La Retraite. Each school will receive Jets NFL Girls Flag League uniforms, practice jerseys and flag football equipment, as well as travel support to help pupils take part in games.

Mike Summers, Palace for Life CEO, said, "At Palace for Life, we use the power of sport to engage young people and help them find new opportunities. I'm delighted we're working with the New York Jets over the next year to introduce girls across south London schools to flag football, a non-contact version of American football. Offering something different from our usual football activities (soccer, as our new partners would say!) could inspire girls we might otherwise miss, helping them develop teamwork, leadership and resilience. With its Olympic debut at LA 2028 ahead, it's an exciting time to get involved. The partnership also celebrates the link between Crystal Palace FC and the Jets through our shared owner, Woody Johnson. A huge thank you to the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation for making this possible."

The initiative is of huge importance to the Jets, with the organisation's collective investment in Girls Flag football activities in London and Dublin now surpassing $1.5 million. The event was overseen by the Jets Flag Elite Team, the official girls flag football club travel team, another initiative brought from the US to the UK to provide a pathway for girls in London to elite level sport.

Flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, with over 20 million players across 100 countries, where women and girls are driving the fastest growth. The sport will officially be included in the LA 2028 Olympic Games, led by the efforts of the International Federation of American Football and supported by the NFL.

U.K. fans can stay updated on the latest news about the New York Jets and hear about their upcoming activities by visiting www.nyjetsinternational.com. Follow them on social platforms, @NYJetsinUKandIE on X and @newyorkjetsinuk on Instagram for more information.

About Betty Wold Johnson Foundation

The Betty Wold Johnson Foundation is dedicated to honoring the enduring legacy of Betty Wold Johnson — a visionary philanthropist and beloved matriarch of the Johnson family. Guided by her deep compassion, humility, and unwavering belief in the dignity of every individual, the Foundation supports initiatives that uplift communities and foster lasting impact across education, public service, arts and sports.

Rooted in Betty Wold Johnson's lifelong commitment to civic responsibility and the American experience, the Foundation champions access to essential resources such as food, shelter, education, and employment. It invests in innovative programs, scientific research, and cultural institutions that enrich the spirit and strengthen the fabric of society.

From her historic $11 million gift to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center — the largest individual donation in its history — to her steadfast support of the Liberty Science Center, McCarter Theatre, Princeton Hospital, and the Lupus Research Alliance, Ms. Johnson's philanthropy was as bold as it was personal. Her legacy is one of generosity, grace, and a belief that every life is worthy of dignity and opportunity.

The Foundation continues her work with thoughtful stewardship, cost-effective giving, and a commitment to reaching the greatest number of people with every dollar donated.

About New York Jets

The New York Jets were founded in 1959 as the New York Titans and served as a charter member of the American Football League. Following the 1968 season, the team made history by becoming the first AFL franchise to win a world championship, defeating the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III - a victory widely credited with validating the AFL ahead of its 1970 merger with the NFL. Today, as one of the league's flagship franchises in the nation's largest media market, the Jets represent the sport on one of its biggest global stages.

The Jets enhance the fan experience through innovation and storytelling, including 1JD Entertainment, a digital content platform that connects fans across social and digital channels. The organization is also committed to community impact, supporting youth football, girls' and women's flag football, and programs serving disadvantaged communities throughout the tri-state area.

The Jets play at MetLife Stadium, one of the world's most successful multi use venues, and are headquartered at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, New Jersey.

About New York Jets and flag football

The Jets support for Girls Flag Football began in 2011 with the launch of a league with the PSAL in New York City, becoming the first NFL Club to help launch Girls Flag Football at the varsity level. A decade later, in 2021, the Jets and Nike launched the first High School Girls Flag Football League in New Jersey. Launched with the intention of providing girls an equitable opportunity to play football compared to their male counterpart, the long-term goal of the Jets support was to have the sport adopted as an official high school statewide championship sport, which officially came to fruition last spring in New York and is imminent for New Jersey. In 2023, the Jets launched the first-ever NFL supported girls flag football league in the UK. The league started with 12 teams and has since expanded to 40 for the upcoming Spring season throughout the greater London area. Since 2011, the Jets have committed over $3.5 million to support Girls Flag and create opportunities for girls in football. In total, the Jets will support over 250 Girls Flag Football programs, both domestically and internationally, and over 7,000 participants in 2025.

About Palace for Life

Palace for Life is the official charity of Crystal Palace Football Club and has worked across South London for over 30 years. We use the power and pull of Crystal Palace F.C. to improve lives and strengthen communities, focusing on young people who need us most.

Each year, our coaches and mentors support more than 18,000 young people through education, employability, mentoring and physical activity programs. We focus on areas of deprivation, delivering free sport and community sessions alongside pastoral support that builds confidence, resilience and essential life skills.

We provide specialist one-to-one mentoring for those facing mental health challenges, and for young people in or at risk of entering the justice system and our employability programs create clear pathways into education, training and work.

Through our programs in and outside of football, we aim to strengthen ties between the club and its community, help grow its supporter base and offer talented footballers a path to the Crystal Palace boys' or girls' academies.

Palace for Life is a registered charity (No. 1125878).

SOURCE New York Jets

Share this article

Building Industry says SCAG-backed legislation could increase housing costs, undermine local decision-making and raises serious questions about regional accountability.

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC) today expressed strong disappointment with the enactment of Senate Bill 1087 (Cabaldon), legislation sponsored and advanced by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). Despite being designated as a "Housing Killer" bill by the statewide California Building Industry Association, the SCAG-sponsored bill was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday, September 30.

BIASC opposed the final version of the legislation because of concerns about housing affordability, local planning authority and the potential consequences of new regional transportation and land-use requirements.

The legislation comes as California continues to face a severe housing affordability and production challenge. BIASC believes SB 1087 will make that challenge more difficult by expanding the role of regional planning requirements tied to greenhouse-gas reduction and Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) targets.

"California cannot solve its housing affordability crisis by creating additional uncertainty around where and how housing can be built," said BIASC CEO Jeff Montejano. "SB 1087 may now be law, but the larger issue remains: Southern California deserves a regional planning system that is transparent, accountable to its member cities and counties, and aligned with the state's housing goals."

BIASC's September 28 letter opposing the bill pointed to research cited from UC Berkeley's Terner Center regarding the significant gap between California's existing housing plans and the state's Vehicle Miles Traveled reduction objectives. The letter argued that these competing policy mandates could have significant consequences for housing production and affordability.

LEGAL AND HOUSING CONCERNS

Jennifer Hernandez, who leads West Coast Land Use & Environmental Law with Holland & Knight and advised the industry on California housing and environmental law, emphasized the broader legal implications of the legislation.

"Sustainable Communities Strategies are not simply planning exercises," Hernandez stated. "They operate within a statewide legal and policy framework that can affect housing production, transportation funding and litigation. California should not impose new regional mandates without fully evaluating their consistency with existing housing laws and their affordability consequences."

That language reflects the legal arguments presented in BIASC's letter, which states that Sustainable Communities Strategies operate within a statewide framework that can be litigated and used in decisions involving transportation and affordable-housing funding.

MORE THAN HALF A MILLION EMAILS

Members of the public, BIASC members and coalition partners generated 510,723 emails voicing concerns to elected officials about SB 1087 — the largest grassroots advocacy effort in BIASC history.

The opposition effort also generated:

- Over 348,000 views of video demonstrating SB 1087 as a "Housing Killer" bill

- Over 28,000 social media likes

- Opposition from elected officials and regional stakeholders across Southern California

THE NEXT CHAPTER: SCAG REFORM

SB 1087's enactment does not end BIASC's involvement in regional policy.

BIASC will now focus on SCAG governance, transparency, accountability and the role of its 191 cities and six counties in major legislative and policy decisions.

"This is bigger than one bill," Montejano said. "The question now is how a regional organization representing millions of Southern Californians makes major policy decisions, how those decisions are communicated to its member agencies, and how elected representatives are given a meaningful voice in that process. Those are legitimate questions, and BIASC intends to pursue them."

BIASC will continue working with its members, local governments, elected officials and regional partners on reforms intended to strengthen transparency and accountability at SCAG.

About BIASC

The Building Industry Association of Southern California is the voice of the region's building industry, with five chapters offering localized services to building professionals from Ventura to the southern tip of Orange County. For more than a century, the association has served its builder and associate members by anticipating, protecting, and promoting their common interests through a wide range of programs, services, councils, and committees. For more information on the Building Industry Association of Southern California, visit biasc.org. Follow BIASC on social media for the latest industry news: LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Contact:

Shannon Widor, Chief Public Affairs Officer

Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC)

[email protected]

SOURCE Building Industry Association of Southern California, Inc.

Share this article

The Inner Circle acknowledges Dr. Miklos Toth, M.D., as a Life Achiever 2026

NEW YORK, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Miklos Toth, M.D. is acknowledged as a Life Achiever 2026 for his contributions to Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Dr. Miklos Toth, M.D., a distinguished expert in general obstetrics and gynecology, has dedicated more than 35 years to advancing women's health and supporting underserved communities worldwide. Alongside his wife, Elena Toth, Dr. Toth founded the Millennium Health Foundation and the Miklos and Elena Toth Health Center in Uganda, Africa, delivering essential medical care and empowering local populations through grassroots initiatives.

Located approximately 400 kilometers northeast of Kampala, the Toth Health Center provides general obstetrics and gynecology services with a special focus on infectious diseases and advanced 3-D Doppler ultrasound screening. The clinic operates on the first Saturday of each month and extends its reach by providing on-site screening services to neighboring parishes. The foundation's first community project, Elena's Boutique, opened in July 2012 as a women's clothing shop, fostering local economic opportunity and independence.

Dr. Toth's pioneering research has shaped new thinking about the role of infection in pregnancy complications and introduced innovative approaches to ovarian cancer screening. His extensive contributions include 16 peer-reviewed articles and six book chapters that have informed the global medical community.

Dr. Toth earned his first Doctor of Medicine degree in Hungary in 1959 before later earning his M.D. from Cornell University in New York in 1981. Throughout his distinguished career, he has served as an attending physician at Lenox Hospital and as an Assistant Professor at Hofstra University, where he participated in the medical school's admissions process, helping evaluate and mentor the next generation of physicians. He also maintains active memberships in the American Medical Association, the New York Academy of Medicine, and the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. His humanitarian work earned him the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

Demonstrating his lifelong commitment to medical innovation and continuing education, Dr. Toth completed the Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare program at Harvard Medical School in October and November 2025, graduating in the top 10 percent of his class. He plans to apply this advanced knowledge to his ongoing research into silent pelvic infections, further advancing diagnostic approaches and improving outcomes in women's healthcare.

When not practicing medicine, Dr. Toth enjoys reading, boating, and serving as a flight instructor. He remains devoted to his wife, Elena, with whom he has worked side by side to care for thousands of patients in Uganda's poorest regions. Looking ahead, they continue to support families and friends affected by cystic fibrosis while remaining committed to empowering communities through healthcare, education, and sustainable development initiatives that lay the groundwork for an ownership society.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE The Inner Circle

Share this article

DR Flavors & Ingredients: 100 years of expertise in botanical ingredients for the global market

With an international presence and a leading position in the Brazilian market, the company brings together a century of expertise and a portfolio of standardized extracts, including guarana, acerola, and yerba mate, for use in food, beverages, and supplements.

JARAGUÁ DO SUL, Brazil, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Demand for natural and functional ingredients is driving the industry to seek solutions that combine performance, quality, and consistency. In 2025, 41% of Americans said they look for "natural" claims when purchasing food and beverages, according to the International Food Information Council (IFIC). In this context, DR Flavors & Ingredients further strengthens its international presence with a portfolio of standardized extracts and dehydrated ingredients derived from a wide range of botanicals.

Highlights include guarana, acerola, and yerba mate—ingredients that reflect Brazil's biodiversity and the company's expertise in extraction, standardization, and developing solutions for the industry.

Native to the Amazon, guarana is naturally rich in methylxanthines such as caffeine and theobromine. DR has Brazil's largest installed capacity for producing liquid guarana extracts. It also offers powdered versions and ingredients with caffeine concentrations of up to 30%.

Acerola is the source of the Vitamin-Ace® portfolio, which includes extracts and dehydrated powders with concentrations of up to 40% natural vitamin C. With extensive control over the acerola supply chain, DR manages every stage, from sourcing through ingredient processing and standardization, ensuring traceability, supply security, and consistency from batch to batch. A highlight is Vitamin-Ace®40, the only ingredient in the world standardized at 40% natural vitamin C, available in carrier-free form.

Yerba mate has been part of the company's story for decades. A pioneer in developing technology to extract caffeine from the raw material, DR now offers the MateActive portfolio, with green and roasted extracts standardized for natural caffeine and chlorogenic acids.

Founded in Brazil in 1925 by German immigrants, DR Flavors & Ingredients combines supply chain expertise, innovation, extraction and standardization technologies to develop naturally derived ingredients with high standards of quality and consistency, as well as unique specifications. Today, the company has six R&D centers, six manufacturing facilities, and specialists in ingredients and sensory science. The company has sales offices in the United States, China, and Poland, serves customers in more than 70 markets, and operates under a global quality system with certifications including FSSC 22000, Kosher, Halal, and Organic.

CONTACT: [email protected]

SOURCE DR FLAVORS & INGREDIENTS

Share this article

The Article Outlines Training and Certification Paths for Mechanics, CDL Drivers, and Oil and Gas Support Roles.

MIDLAND, Texas, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- What does it take to become a mechanic or a CDL driver? A HelloNation article answers that question, breaking down the training, certifications, and hands-on experience needed to enter skilled trades careers.

The article notes that skilled trades careers offer steady work and competitive pay for people who enjoy hands-on problem solving. Industries such as transportation, equipment maintenance, and energy production rely on trained workers to keep daily operations running.

Demand for mechanics, CDL drivers, and equipment technicians remains strong nationwide, according to the article. Mechanics inspect, repair, and maintain vehicles and heavy equipment used across construction, agriculture, and energy production.

CDL drivers move goods between job sites, warehouses, and distribution centers, making them essential to nearly every supply chain, the article explains. Equipment technicians diagnose mechanical issues and help extend the life of expensive machinery.

In oil and gas production, equipment failure can halt operations, so qualified technicians play a critical role on site. The article adds that these roles offer more job stability than many people expect, even during economic slowdowns.

The article's insights come from Staffing Expert Samantha White of Express Employment Professionals in Midland, Texas. The article emphasizes that this consistent demand makes skilled trades careers an attractive option for workers seeking long-term job security.

Becoming a mechanic typically starts with classroom instruction paired with hands-on training, the article explains. Many mechanics complete a certificate or associate degree program through a technical school or community college, while others train as apprentices.

Employers typically look for candidates who understand basic mechanical systems and feel comfortable using diagnostic tools, the article notes. Physical stamina and attention to detail often separate strong candidates from the rest.

CDL driver qualifications differ from those of a mechanic, the article points out. Drivers must obtain a commercial driver license through their state, which involves passing written knowledge tests and a skills test behind the wheel.

Training programs for CDL drivers typically last several weeks and combine classroom learning with supervised driving practice. Many trucking companies offer training assistance or tuition reimbursement, the article notes, to help new drivers enter the field.

Oil and gas support roles extend well beyond the drilling rig, the article explains. Field service technicians maintain pumps and compressors, welders repair components, and logistics coordinators manage the movement of materials across job sites.

Safety training is a common thread across nearly every oil and gas support position, according to the article. Workers often complete certifications covering hazard recognition and emergency response before setting foot on site.

The article notes that a mechanic may advance into a lead technician or shop supervisor role after several years of experience. It adds that a CDL driver might move into dispatch, safety coordination, or fleet management over time.

Equipment technicians can specialize in a particular type of machinery, increasing their value to employers, the article notes. Pay in these fields often rises steadily with experience and certification level.

Job seekers should research state and industry requirements before choosing a path, the article advises. Speaking with people already working in the field can also provide useful insight into daily expectations and long-term opportunities.

The article notes that a staffing partner familiar with skilled trades can help connect job seekers with employers who value their certifications and experience. Staffing Expert Samantha White is featured in the article as a source of insight on skilled trades hiring in the Midland area.

How to Start a Career as a Mechanic or CDL Driver features insights from Samantha White, Staffing Expert of Midland, Texas, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

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

SOURCE HelloNation

Share this article

New report showcases customer assistance programs and energy-saving initiatives

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) released Powering Customer Savings: Helping Residential Customers Save on Energy Costs, a report showcasing how America's investor-owned electric companies are helping customers through bill assistance, energy-saving programs, and innovative affordability initiatives.

The report highlights how electric companies are putting affordability programs into action, providing immediate financial relief, helping customers lower and manage their energy use, and bringing assistance directly into the communities they serve.

"America's investor-owned electric companies are focused on keeping electricity reliable and as affordable as possible," said Drew Maloney, president and CEO of EEI. "We've heard from customers, and we understand the financial pressure many families are feeling right now. That's why our members are investing in programs — from bill assistance to energy efficiency — that make a real, measurable difference in their communities."

The report showcases efforts such as:

- Direct financial relief: Exelon's Customer Relief Fund, FPL's Saving Steps, PG&E's bill credits and discounts, Hawaiian Electric's disaster-related bill credits, Georgia Power's annual customer savings, and Duke Energy's Share the Light.

- Home upgrades and energy efficiency: Ameren's Efficiency is for Everyone campaign, Dominion Energy's EnergyShare, Duke Energy's weatherization services, and FPL's Community Energy Saver.

- Flexible bill management and customer education: Entergy's Bill Toolkit, Alabama Power's TempCheck and Energy Answers, American Electric Power subsidiary Indiana Michigan Power's Bill Support Center, APS' Let's Talk and Straight Talk, and personalized energy tools from SDG&E.

- Community-based access to assistance: Puget Sound Energy partners with libraries, food banks, Tribal communities, affordable housing providers, and other trusted local organizations while offering multilingual support, paper applications, and one-on-one enrollment assistance. Other efforts include National Grid's Consumer Advocacy team and Mississippi Power's benefits screener developed with Single Stop.

- Customer-driven energy savings: OG&E programs including SmartHours and Energy Insights, Portland General Electric's Flex Power campaign, Xcel Energy's assistance, efficiency, and customer education initiatives, and PG&E's Energy Action Guide and SmartRate program.

Addressing the Drivers of Rising Costs

The report also highlights how EEI and our member companies are working to address the underlying drivers of higher energy costs. These efforts include advocating for permitting reform to help bring new energy supply online more quickly, investing in a more resilient electric grid, and ensuring that large new electricity users contribute their fair share to the infrastructure needed to serve them.

Electric companies are also working to make bills more transparent and to reduce charges they don't control. In many states, taxes, fees, and government-set surcharges account for a significant portion of a customer's bill. Companies are responding by clarifying how bills are broken down and advocating to lower these charges, from PPL's push to repeal Pennsylvania's gross receipts tax (about $12/month in savings) to a recently approved reduction in Connecticut's public benefits charge (a projected $30–$34/month).

Supporting LIHEAP

For many families, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is also a vital source of aid. Each year, electric companies help eligible customers enroll in LIHEAP, contribute millions of dollars in direct support to energy assistance programs for vulnerable customers, and provide access to home weatherization programs.

The need for LIHEAP remains critical nationwide, and EEI, our member companies, and our industry partners are committed to helping policymakers recognize just how essential this program is to eligible Americans. Electricity customers looking for assistance can visit eei.org/affordability for more information about local resources that may be available in their community, including LIHEAP eligibility.

The report is available at https://www.eei.org/customer-programs.

EEI is the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. Our members provide safe, reliable electricity for nearly 250 million Americans, and operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Collectively, the electric power industry supports more than 7 million jobs in communities across the United States and drives economic growth and prosperity. EEI also includes hundreds of industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate Members.

SOURCE Edison Electric Institute

Share this article