New capabilities will help enterprises build and operate AI with greater control, flexibility and visibility

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kong Inc., the AI Connectivity Company, today at API + AI Summit, unveiled its roadmap for Kong Konnect, The AI Connectivity Platform, to help enterprises build, connect and govern AI applications, agents and models across increasingly complex technology environments.

The challenge enterprises are facing today goes beyond just building an agent that can reason or call a model, they need the ability to connect that agent to everything it needs to operate reliably in the real world. Every agent has a connectivity journey: it needs to be invoked, access the right tools, data and intelligence, get the right credentials, and be governed, observed and managed from end to end.

Kong's roadmap spans that journey, bringing solutions for each part of it under one platform and one governance model, with strategic portability that lets enterprises evolve their models, infrastructure, and deployment environments without rebuilding their governance layer.

"We believe enterprises shouldn't have to choose between innovation and control, or between flexibility and governance," said Augusto Marietti, CEO and co-founder, Kong Inc. "Whether you're running it on-premises, at the edge, or in your data platform, or choosing between proprietary models or open-weight models, enterprises need flexibility without compromising on consistent governance. Kong is helping to enable that strategic portability for customers while also providing the AI control tower."

A Roadmap Built for AI Connectivity

Kong's roadmap is designed around a simple premise: enterprises should not have to sacrifice flexibility in where or how they build in order to maintain governance and control. Upcoming solutions include:

- Webhook Engine: Aimed at making event-driven integration simple and cost-effective, with reliable event delivery to any destination, from SaaS platforms and partner systems to applications and AI agents.

- Registry & Catalog: Provides an AI management layer for agents and MCP assets, alongside a broader catalog experience for humans, giving organizations a unified way to discover and manage the components powering their AI environments.

- Token Vault: Securely broker downstream credentials on behalf of AI agents, enabling them to access authorized APIs, MCP servers, models, data and other enterprise resources without exposing downstream credentials directly to the agent.

- Context Mesh: Connects AI agents to enterprise tools and APIs at scale, dynamically discovering and providing the capabilities they need for each task while keeping context focused and efficient.

- AI Cost Management in AI Gateway: Helps organizations understand and control the cost of AI by showing not only how much they are spending, but where that spend originates and who or what is driving it, giving teams the visibility to optimize AI investments.

- Advanced AI Observability: Gives teams visibility across the interactions that make up an AI conversation, making it easier to understand, troubleshoot and optimize increasingly complex generative and agentic AI applications.

Together, these capabilities represent Kong's vision for a more unified journey through enterprise AI, replacing fragmented tooling and disconnected workflows with self-service, well-defined pathways for building and operating agentic applications.

To learn more about Kong Konnect, visit https://konghq.com/products/kong-konnect.

About Kong Inc.

Kong Inc., the AI Connectivity Company, is building the connectivity layer of AI. Trusted by the Fortune 500® and AI-native startups alike, Kong's unified API and AI platform enables organizations to secure, manage, accelerate, govern, and monetize the flow of intelligence across APIs and AI traffic — on any model, any cloud. For more information, visit www.konghq.com.

SOURCE Kong Inc.

Share this article

Annual event hosted by HFC Associates brings together a star-studded lineup of comedians, live music and community to benefit Alzheimer's education and caregiver support

NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hilarity for Charity (HFC), the nonprofit founded by filmmakers Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller Rogen, will bring its annual HFC Comedy Night back to New York City on Friday, October 2, bringing together a star-studded lineup of comedians, live music and special surprises in support of families impacted by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

The evening will be emceed by Desi Lydic and feature stand-up performances from Byron Bowers, Jay Jurden, Bryan Safi, Jo Sunday and Maddie Wiener, with live music from No Static Orchestra. The event will also feature special surprises throughout the evening.

Hosted by HFC's Associates, a community of passionate young leaders dedicated to advancing HFC's mission, the fifth annual event will raise awareness and funds for pioneering brain health education and essential resources for Alzheimer's caregivers, while creating an evening of laughter and connection.

The event is sponsored by "Headliner Hero" Sponsor Lorraine and Richard Schwarz Family Foundation; "Standing Ovation" Sponsor Acts 4 Artists; "Punchline Partner" Sponsor Dan Miller; and "Laugh Track Legend" Sponsors Robin and Roger Meltzer.

EVENT DETAILS:

What: HFC Comedy Night

When: Friday, October 2, 2026

VIP Reception: 6:00 PM

Doors for General Admission: 7:00 PM

Showtime: 8:00 PM

Where: Racket NYC, 431 W 16th St, New York, NY 10011 *Event is for ages 21 & over

TICKETS: Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available here: HFC Comedy Night 2026

MEDIA ASSETS & ACCESS: Media outlets interested in covering HFC Comedy Night are encouraged to contact the HFC press team in advance for potential pre-event and on-site coverage opportunities, photo opportunities and additional information.

About HFC:

Hilarity for Charity (HFC) was founded in 2012 by filmmakers Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller Rogen after Lauren's mother was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's at just 55 years old. A national non-profit organization, Hilarity for Charity's mission is to care for families impacted by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, inspire the next generation of Alzheimer's advocates, and be a leader in brain health research and education. Learn more at www.wearehfc.org and on social @wearehfc

SOURCE Hilarity For Charity

Share this article

Mountain Horse's warhead and Aeon's MERC ESAD flew together on top-performing drones. Available now and built for high-volume production.

AUSTIN, Texas and COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Aeon Industrial and Mountain Horse Solutions today announced that their integrated lethality package — a Mountain Horse warhead paired with MERC, Aeon's low-cost, high-voltage electronic safe-and-arm device (ESAD) — flew on drones from several of the top-performing companies in the recent Drone Dominance Gauntlet at Fort Carson, Colorado for one-way attack drones.

Multiple top competitors selected the Mountain Horse warhead and MERC for their Drone Dominance platforms, where the package performed reliably. Mountain Horse, a winner of the Drone Dominance Lethality Prize Challenge, supplied the warhead; Aeon supplied the fuze. MERC has been reviewed by fuze safety boards under the Drone Dominance lethality program, supports time, proximity and impact fuzing, and integrates across different drone types, from quadcopters to fixed-wing, as well as missiles and interceptors.

MERC is NDAA-compliant, available now, and priced at a fraction of the cost. It is already in volume production, delivering more than 10,000 units to U.S. programs and scaling output at Aeon's new 140,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. Together, Aeon and Mountain Horse provide drone manufacturers with an all-in-one, flight-proven warhead and fuze package.

As the Department of War moves to increase production of drones, missiles and other affordable weapons, the supply of critical components must scale with the platforms themselves. Building more drones does not solve the problem if manufacturers cannot get the warheads and fuzes required to complete them. Aeon and Mountain Horse pair the two so drone manufacturers can integrate a complete, flight-proven lethality package at the needed scale.

"Drone manufacturers are being asked to scale faster than their component suppliers can follow, and the lethality package has to scale with them," said Chris "Gus" Jennings, Director of Growth at Aeon. "Pairing MERC with Mountain Horse's warhead gives manufacturers a proven, lethal combination. MERC is NDAA-compliant, available now, and being produced at volume. Any manufacturer that needs a fuze can get one from us today."

"Drone manufacturers need lethality solutions that are proven, straightforward to integrate and available at the quantities their programs require," said Cameron Acorn, Program Manager sUAS Lethality at Mountain Horse Solutions. "Pairing our warhead with Aeon's fuze gives customers a complete package that has already flown together on leading platforms at Drone Dominance and is ready to support large production programs."

As a vertically integrated company, Aeon supplies rocket motors, fuzes and other critical subsystems to drone and missile manufacturers. Mountain Horse provides warheads and integrated lethality solutions for unmanned systems and other defense applications. By making these capabilities available to industry, the companies are helping remove critical supply constraints that stand in the way of affordable mass.

About Aeon Industrial

Aeon Industrial is a vertically integrated defense manufacturer developing and producing advanced strike systems and critical subsystems at industrial scale. From its 140,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, Aeon brings weapon design and production under one roof, including propulsion, fuzing, autonomy and other critical subsystems. Led by former special operators, senior government officials and experienced aerospace and defense engineers, Aeon is a trusted partner to U.S. government customers and industry.

www.aeonindustrial.com

About Mountain Horse Solutions

Mountain Horse Solutions provides warheads, unmanned systems and integrated defense solutions to U.S. and allied customers. A winner of the Drone Dominance Lethality Prize Challenge, Mountain Horse develops modular lethality solutions designed for rapid integration across unmanned and autonomous platforms.

Aeon: Wes Shover, [email protected]

SOURCE Aeon Industrial

Share this article

Senior leadership appointments strengthen USC's academic and communications leadership as the university looks toward its future

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Southern California today announced that David Madigan has been named provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. In addition, Megan Jordan has been named senior vice president and chief communications officer after having served in an interim capacity since January.

Together, the appointments strengthen USC's leadership at an important time for the university and position it to move forward with greater focus, collaboration, and ambition.

"During this consequential moment for higher education, USC is well positioned to extend our academic excellence, accelerate research and innovation, and prepare our students to lead in a rapidly changing world," said USC President Beong-Soo Kim. "David and Megan bring the experience and leadership we need to build on USC's extraordinary strengths, advance our academic mission, and help USC shape the future."

David Madigan

An accomplished academic leader and internationally respected scholar in the field of statistics, Madigan brings extensive experience leading complex institutions, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and advancing research and education. He will begin his new role on October 13.

Madigan will hold the Shelly and Ofer Nemirovsky Provost's Chair and will serve on the faculty as professor of data sciences and operations at the USC Marshall School of Business, with joint appointments in the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and the Department of Mathematics at the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.

Madigan joins USC after five years as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Northeastern University, where he oversaw 10 schools and colleges and the university's research enterprise. He helped recruit more than 350 faculty members, expand Northeastern's global reach, and accelerate interdisciplinary research in areas including cognitive health and artificial intelligence. Previously, he spent five years as executive vice president and dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Columbia University, overseeing five schools, 27 departments, and more than 50 research centers and institutes. Internationally recognized for his interdisciplinary work spanning Bayesian statistics and drug safety, Madigan previously chaired the Department of Statistics at Columbia and served as dean of Physical and Mathematical Sciences at Rutgers University.

"This is a moment of tremendous opportunity for higher education and America's great research universities. Few institutions combine USC's stature and breadth with its instinct to look ahead, embrace new ideas and find better ways to serve students and society. I'm excited to work with President Kim and the Trojan community to help lead that effort," said Madigan.

USC's Provost Search Committee unanimously recommended Madigan's appointment following a global search that attracted an exceptional group of candidates. He succeeds Andrew Guzman, who will return to the faculty at the USC Gould School of Law.

Megan Jordan

Jordan has served as USC's interim senior vice president and chief communications officer since January, bringing renewed strategic focus and alignment to how USC communicates within and beyond the university.

Jordan has brought together communications leaders from across USC to build a more unified, collaborative approach to telling the university's story—one that reflects the collective strength of its 23 schools and health system and advances a key institutional priority: elevating USC's academic excellence and impact.

"USC changed my life when I came here as a student decades ago, and I am honored to shape how the world perceives this extraordinary university and the transformative impact it has on its students and society," said Jordan. "Under President Kim's visionary leadership, I look forward to amplifying the incredible work of our world-class faculty and groundbreaking research, advancing USC's mission and future trajectory."

A USC alumna, Jordan earned her bachelor's degree in public relations from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, where she teaches as an adjunct professor and has served on its Center for Public Relations Board of Advisors since 2018. Before stepping into the interim role, she was USC's vice president of executive communications and strategic initiatives. Her previous leadership experience includes roles at Claremont McKenna College, Southern California Edison, Herbalife, and Kaiser Permanente, as well as global communications agencies.

About USC

Founded in 1880, the University of Southern California is one of the world's leading academic research institutions with 23 schools, a multi-billion-dollar health enterprise, and a vast research and development engine. The university enrolls 46,000 highly accomplished undergraduate and graduate students and employs 4,600 faculty who are members of major national academies, and MacArthur, Academy Award, and Pulitzer Prize winners, among many others. USC has a nationally recognized athletic program and a passionate global network of 500,000 alumni - the Trojan Family. Located in the heart of Los Angeles, USC is a powerhouse of innovation and impact with a global reach.

Media: [email protected]

SOURCE University of Southern California

Share this article

Boston Globe Media and Tufts Health Plan launch Sixth Season of "Turning Points," a popular Podcast Series Helping People Navigate Mental Health

BOSTON, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Boston Globe Media and Tufts Health Plan, a Point32Health company, have partnered once more to launch season six of Turning Points: Navigating Mental Health, an original podcast series focused on important conversations around mental health.

The five-episode series, created in collaboration with Boston Globe Media's branded content experts at Studio/B will feature stories from those who have reclaimed their emotional well-being by finding their "Turning Points." For its sixth season, Turning

Points: Navigating Mental Health will tackle topics such as parenting in the age of social media, starting over after loss, and navigating mental health in a constant news cycle, among other topics. New episodes will be launched every Wednesday, beginning October 7, 2026.

"We're privileged to continue our impactful partnership with Point32Health and Tufts Health Plan to help bring these meaningful stories to life," said Angus Macaulay, chief commercial officer of Boston Globe Media. "Past seasons of Turning Points peaked at #1 on Apple's mental health podcast charts and we were nominated for Webby and Shorty Awards alongside industry giants like Sanjay Gupta and Esther Perel. Both honors are an incredible testament to how conversations around mental health are important for a much broader audience than we ever imagined."

Renowned clinical social worker and accomplished writer and public speaker Frantzes Lys will return to host season six of Turning Points. Lys has dedicated her life's work to helping people heal by removing emotional blocks in their lives. In each episode, Lys digs into mental health journeys through conversations with various personalities who share unique perspectives of mental well-being.

"Mental health is just as important as physical health, but it can often feel harder to talk about," said Edward Walker, president of government markets for Tufts Health Plan, a Point32Health company. "The stories shared through Turning Points help normalize those conversations while offering listeners insight, hope and connection. We're excited to partner again with Boston Globe Media to continue elevating perspectives that encourage people to prioritize their emotional well-being."

Visit Globe.com/TurningPoints to learn more about Turning Points, and find episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcasting platforms.

Contact: Boston Globe Media Communications, [email protected]

About Boston Globe Media:

Boston Globe Media is a 154 year-old, locally owned and thriving independent media organization that includes The Boston Globe, Boston.com, Boston magazine, The

B-Side, InstaTrac, and STAT – a national life sciences publication. Its flagship publication, The Boston Globe, is a 27-time Pulitzer Prize-winning news organization with the largest digital subscriber base of any metro news organization in the United States and the largest newsroom in New England. Together, this media platform reaches, serves, and convenes smart audiences with world-class journalism, curated events, creative marketing services, data services, and original video storytelling.

About Tufts Health Plan:

Tufts Health Plan, a Point32Health company, is a local nonprofit organization that offers health plans for every stage of life. With a commitment to personal service, Tufts Health Plan provides quality coverage and dedicated support to help guide and empower healthier lives.

Branded content projects such as Turning Points are produced by Studio/B in collaboration with the advertiser. The news and editorial departments of The Boston Globe have no role in its production or display.

SOURCE Boston Globe Media

Share this article

In the news release, Tmrw Launches With a Clinically Dosed Alternative to the Daily Supplement Stack, issued 22-Sep-2026 by Tmrw over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that changes have been made. The complete, corrected release follows, with additional details at the end:

Tmrw Launches With a Clinically Dosed Alternative to the Daily Supplement Stack

The NSF Certified for Sport® Brand Combines 88 Science-backed Ingredients Across Longevity, Cellular Health, Gut Health, Cognition and Foundational Nutrition

NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Tmrw, an all-in-one daily longevity supplement designed to replace 20+ individual supplements with one scoop, officially launches today in the U.S. Developed over more than two years and 100+ formulation iterations, Tmrw brings together 88 science-backed ingredients across longevity, foundational nutrition, cellular health, gut health, cognition, stress and more in one clinically dosed daily formula.

Founded by Anthony Baxter and Stuart Vaughan—the entrepreneurs behind Simply Nootropics—Tmrw was created after years of seeing customers build increasingly complicated supplement routines, often taking ten or more products each day to cover different areas of health. For Baxter, the idea was also personal, after experiencing severe burnout while running a high-growth international digital agency that pushed him to take his own health more seriously. The Blue Zones, regions of the world known for exceptional longevity, offered early inspiration that shaped Tmrw's simplistic, signature blue brand and product design.

"People shouldn't need a medicine cabinet full of supplements to take their health seriously," says Anthony Baxter, Founder and CEO of Tmrw. "We had spent years watching customers add one product for energy, another for gut health, another for cognition and another for longevity. With Tmrw, we wanted to bring those systems together without cutting corners on the ingredients, dosages or quality standards that actually matter."

Following an extended beta period and early market rollout, Tmrw enters its official U.S. launch with more than 35,000 orders and one million servings consumed to date. The brand now serves customers across 57 countries, with the U.S. being its largest market.

Tmrw's formulation combines activated vitamins and minerals with longevity actives, cellular and mitochondrial support, pre- and probiotics, antioxidant and inflammation support, cognitive and stress support, and whole-food phytonutrients. Unlike many greens and reds powders on the market, Tmrw levels-up foundational nutrition with clinically-dosed longevity ingredients, including 500mg of NMN, 1000mg of CaAKG, 1,200mg of taurine and 100mg of Ubiquinol CoQ10, alongside a 10-strain probiotic blend, prebiotics, digestive enzymes, activated B vitamins and an adaptogen and nootropic complex. A cornerstone of its brand integrity, Tmrw intentionally discloses its ingredient dosages, with the focus on clinically relevant amounts rather than simply building a longer ingredient list.

From the beginning, Tmrw mandated independent verification and scientific oversight at its foundation. The brand is NSF Certified for Sport®, which verifies label accuracy, screens certified batches for 290+ banned substances and audits manufacturing facilities, while every batch is third-party tested and manufactured in New Zealand to pharmaceutical-grade GMP standards. Tmrw is also launching with a Science Advisory Board already in place to help guide the brand's formulation, research and future product development. The board includes Dr. Brian Ramos, PhD, a Yale-trained neurobiologist and Tmrw's Head of Research and Development; Dr. Kristen Holmes, PhD, whose work focuses on circadian health and recovery; Dr. Clay Moss, MD, focused on metabolic health and human performance; and Dr. Dan Giordano, PT, DPT, CSCS, a physical therapist and performance specialist.

"Tmrw just has the 'it' factor," says Dr. Ramos. "Anthony Baxter's ambition to develop a truly all-encompassing longevity formulation that follows the most stringent product standards in the industry is balanced against true care of the customer's needs and building whole health from within. We went the extra mile with rigorous NSF certification from day one alongside impeccable research and development that didn't cut corners.

Looking ahead, Tmrw plans to continue investing in research and product development, with additional observational studies and future clinical research on its roadmap. The brand will remain focused on its core formula as it builds its U.S. presence and continues expanding within the category.

Tmrw launches with Tmrw Daily, its signature blue, all-in-one longevity drink available exclusively at drinktmrw.com for $119 as a one-time purchase or $89 every four weeks with subscription. The founding product collection also includes Tmrw Omega-3, available for $34 on subscription, and the Longevity Bundle, which combines both products for $123 every four weeks. Travel Sachets are also available in 3 and 6-count packs starting at $11.

About Tmrw:

Tmrw is an all-in-one daily longevity drink designed to replace the complexity of a 20+ supplement stack with one scoop. Formulated with 88 science-backed ingredients, including NMN, CaAKG, spermidine, taurine, CoQ10, multivitamins, and a 10-strain probiotic blend, Tmrw brings together key nutrients to support cellular vitality, NAD+ production, mitochondrial function, gut health, immune health, and sustained energy. Tmrw's iconic blue packaging is a nod to the Blue Zones, the regions of the world where people live the longest.

Naturally flavored with real fruit and berries, Tmrw is vegan and gluten-free, with no artificial sweeteners, fillers or unnecessary additives. Made in New Zealand in GMP-certified facilities, every batch is third-party tested and NSF Certified for Sport®, with screening for 290+ banned substances and heavy metals.

Founded in 2026 by serial entrepreneur Anthony Baxter, Tmrw was created to make longevity science simpler, bringing a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to daily health into one premium drink. Tmrw is backed by an advisory board of leading scientists and health experts who guide the brand's approach to formulation, research and longevity science.

Tmrw is available exclusively at www.drinktmrw.com.

Contact: [email protected]

Correction:An earlier version of this release required an update to the sub-headline.

SOURCE Tmrw

Share this article

BlackArch is pleased to announce that Clean Team has received an investment from Blue Sage Capital to support the Company's continued growth.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- BlackArch Partners ("BlackArch") is pleased to announce that Clean Team (the "Company") has partnered with Blue Sage Capital ("Blue Sage").

Clean Team is a leading provider of recurring, essential facility cleaning and janitorial services to commercial customers across a diverse range of industries. Over its 30-year history, the Company has expanded beyond its headquarters in Toledo, Ohio, into a multi-regional facility services platform serving customers across more than a dozen states via 18 local branches across the Midwest and Southwest United States. Clean Team offers recurring, scheduled janitorial services, as well as specialty cleaning services and consumable hygiene products. The Company serves a variety of commercial facilities across attractive end markets, including healthcare, manufacturing, distribution/fulfillment, education, government and office environments. Clean Team has grown both organically and via strategic acquisitions, and the Company will continue to execute an M&A growth strategy under its partnership with Blue Sage.

BlackArch was retained by Clean Team to serve as the Company's exclusive financial advisor. The transaction builds upon BlackArch's deep experience in the facility services industry and the commercial cleaning sector, and it is another example of the firm's ability to deliver outstanding outcomes for market-leading, founder-owned and founder-led businesses.

Bob Armbruster, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Clean Team, stated, "Bringing on a partner was not a process we took lightly. From the beginning, I had a clear understanding of what I wanted and, just as importantly, what my non-negotiables were. We probably took the process to an extreme by interviewing many investment banking firms before ultimately selecting BlackArch. The other firms we interviewed were all very capable, but I often felt like they had their own agenda for how the process should unfold. BlackArch was different. They took the time to really listen to what we wanted, understand our priorities, and then deliver on them. They were a true partner throughout the entire process. I would highly recommend BlackArch to any business owner considering a transaction and looking for an investment banking firm that will listen, understand their objectives, and work hard to achieve them."

About Clean Team

Clean Team, Inc. was founded in 1996 in Toledo, Ohio, with a mission to provide top-tier commercial janitorial services. Under the leadership of Bob Armbruster, the Company has grown significantly, expanding through strategic acquisitions while maintaining a steadfast commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Today, Clean Team operates from 18 offices across 13 states, serving a diverse range of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, distribution/fulfillment, education, government and office environments. Clean Team's comprehensive service offerings include full janitorial services, hard floor care, carpet care and porter services. As a proud member of the Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI), Clean Team is dedicated to delivering healthy and cost-effective solutions that meet the unique needs of each client. For more information, visit www.cleanteamclean.com.

About Blue Sage Capital

Blue Sage Capital is an Austin, Texas-based private equity firm that has been investing in profitable, growing, lower middle-market companies since 2002. Blue Sage currently has over $1.2 billion of assets under management and seeks to partner with founders, families and management teams as the first round of institutional capital for businesses that enjoy leadership positions in niche manufacturing, environmental solutions or specialty services industries. Blue Sage typically invests $25 million to $60 million in control buyout investments and recapitalizations of companies with $25 million to $200 million of revenue. For more information, visit www.bluesage.com.

About BlackArch Partners

BlackArch is a leading middle-market investment bank offering a full spectrum of advisory services to financial sponsors, private companies and diversified corporations. BlackArch addresses the needs of companies with specialized services that include M&A advisory, strategic advisory and private capital solutions. Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, BlackArch features 10 industry-focused groups that cover all sectors of interest to middle-market investors; BlackArch professionals have closed more than 500 transactions in 16 countries on four continents. Please visit our website, www.blackarchpartners.com, for more details.

Securities offered through RF M&A Services LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. Testimonials may not be representative of the experience of all clients. Testimonials are not a guarantee of future performance or success.

Megan Kimmlingen, 704.414.6300

SOURCE BlackArch Partners

Share this article

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty-seven organizations that are strengthening the workforce, supporting business growth and fostering economic development in Florida just received a collective $326,500 from Duke Energy and the Duke Energy Foundation. From nonprofits to government entities, these grant recipients will use the funds to promote careers in emerging industries, attract high-potential companies and/or make it easier to do business in the state.

Our view

"Every day, more and more people are making beautiful, sunny Florida their home," said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. "By supporting strategic research, planning and investment, we're helping ensure the state's economy keeps up with this rapid growth and that it remains competitive both nationally and globally. Ultimately, our goal is to allow Floridians to continue pursuing promising opportunities, provide for themselves and their families and prosper now and into the future."

High-impact investments

Examples of how the grants will be used include:

- Updating Wakulla County's 2022 Economic Development Strategic Plan to address workforce needs stemming from new businesses in the area while also exploring ag-tech and aquaculture opportunities.

- Deploying an interactive online tool to share Orlando's new capability-led approach to economic development – focused on the city's specific strengths rather than traditional industry categories – with potential investors.

- Conducting an economic impact analysis to quantify the value of entrepreneurship and business retention, expansion and attraction efforts in Pasco County, providing data-driven insights to support future decision-making.

Positive response

- "Being from a small rural community, I know how important it is to have partners who see our potential and are willing to invest in our future," said Chelsea Morgan, North Florida Economic Development Partnership Foundation Board of Directors Lafayette County liaison. "Working with Duke Energy on this project means a lot to me because it gives Lafayette County resources, exposure and opportunities that can help us grow while still keeping the things that make our community special. I'm grateful for the relationship we've built and for Duke Energy's continued commitment to supporting rural communities like ours."

- "Strong partnerships help build strong communities," said Andria Herr, Seminole County Board of County Commissioners chair. "Duke Energy's support will help more entrepreneurs and small businesses discover the resources available to grow, create jobs and contribute to Seminole County's economy."

- "Duke Energy's investment will help Clearwater attract businesses, generate quality jobs, expand our economic base and strengthen our community's long-term economic competitiveness," said Christopher Edwards, City of Clearwater director of economic development and housing. "This partnership allows us to proactively position Clearwater for an urban renaissance of private investment."

All grant recipients

Statewide ($35,000)

- Florida Economic Development Council Research & Education Foundation ($20,000)

- FloridaMakes ($15,000)

North Florida ($104,000)

- City of Jasper ($10,000)

- Florida's Great Northwest ($10,000)

- Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners ($10,000)

- Lafayette County Board of County Commissioners ($10,000)

- Levy County Board of County Commissioners ($10,000)

- North Florida Economic Development Partnership Foundation ($15,000)

- Suwannee County Economic Development Office ($25,000)

- Taylor County Development Authority ($7,000)

- Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners ($7,000)

Central Florida ($67,500)

- City of DeBary ($10,000)

- Daytona Beach Community Foundation ($12,500)

- Foundation for Orlando's Future ($15,000)

- Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership Foundation ($10,000)

- Seminole County Board of County Commissioners ($5,000)

- Sumter County Economic Development ($15,000)

Greater Tampa Bay Area ($120,000)

- Citrus County Economic Development ($10,000)

- City of Clearwater ($16,000)

- City of Haines City ($15,000)

- City of Treasure Island ($5,000)

- City of Winter Haven ($9,000)

- Greater St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corporation Foundation ($20,000)

- Hernando County Office of Economic Development ($10,000)

- Highlands County Board of County Commissioners ($15,000)

- Lake Wales Area Foundation ($10,000)

- Pasco Economic Development Council ($10,000)

Duke Energy Foundation

The Duke Energy Foundation provides nearly $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida. 

Duke Energy

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

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

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

Contact: AlyRaschid

24-Hour: 800.559.3853

X: @DE_AlyRaschid

SOURCE Duke Energy

Share this article

New pump station is a milestone in the City's comprehensive strategy to reduce flooding across Windsor Woods, Princess Anne Plaza and The Lakes regions.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Arcadis, a global design and consultancy organization for natural and built assets, today joined the City of Virginia Beach and community stakeholders to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Windsor Woods Pump Station. This facility is a critical component of the City's ongoing efforts to reduce flood risk while strengthening long-term resilience in flood-prone neighborhoods in Virginia Beach.

The new pump station will serve as a cornerstone of the broader Windsor Woods, Princess Anne Plaza and The Lakes Drainage Improvements Program, helping protect residents from the combined impacts of heavy rainfall, high tides, and storm surge. The project is part of Virginia Beach's voter-supported Ripple Effect Flood Protection Program and builds on previous investments to create a coordinated, citywide flood resilience network.

Arcadis serves as the design partner on the progressive design-build team led by Flatiron-Dragados. Working alongside the City of Virginia Beach, Arcadis will deliver a series of integrated flood protection improvements across the watershed, building upon previous work supporting the design and construction of tide gates in the area.

The program incorporates advanced monitoring and operational technologies, including water level sensors, rain gauges, and supervisory control systems that allow operators to make informed decisions in real time. As these assets come online, they are expected to integrate with Virginia Beach's emerging Stormwater Operations Control Center, a digital platform being developed by Arcadis and the City to unify forecasts, sensor data, hydraulic models and operational decision-making into a single flood management framework.

LJ Hansen, VB Director of Public Works, said: "The residents and business owners of Virginia Beach find themselves at the forefront of our changing climate. It is such an honor and a privilege for this program to help shape strategic infrastructure and policy decisions that will protect this community for generations. I am especially thrilled because we have developed a truly collaborative relationship with the staff at Arcadis. The infrastructure they are designing and the tools that they are developing, combined with the innovative way that we are trying to use them, requires nothing less. I believe that we are doing something really special here, and that this work might serve as a springboard for many other communities."

Travis Davis, Resilience Water Market Leader, Mid-Atlantic for Arcadis, said: "For communities like Windsor Woods, flood resilience requires more than a single project. It requires connected, integrated solutions that address the full water system. The Windsor Woods Pump Station is a significant milestone because it will work alongside the recently completed tide gate and future system improvements to help Virginia Beach better manage both tidal and rainfall flooding while protecting homes, businesses and critical community access."

ABOUT ARCADIS

Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering data-driven sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets. We are around 34,000 architects, data analysts, designers, engineers, project planners, water management and sustainability experts, all driven by our passion for improving quality of life. As part of our commitment to accelerating a planet positive future, we work with our clients to make sustainable project choices, combining digital and human innovation, and embracing future-focused skills across the environment, energy and water, buildings, transport, and infrastructure sectors. We operate in over 30 countries, and reported €4.9 billion in gross revenues for 2025.

Learn more at www.arcadis.com

SOURCE Arcadis

Share this article

New deployment workflow helps organizations prepare managed Windows endpoints for IGEL Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery™

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- IGEL®, a global software company delivering the IGEL Adaptive Secure Endpoint Platform™, today announced it is working with Omnissa to validate a deployment workflow that will enable organizations to use Omnissa Workspace ONE UEM and Omnissa Freestyle Orchestrator to prepare supported Windows endpoints for IGEL Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery™ (IGEL BC&DR™). The announcement coincides with Omnissa ONE 2026, where IGEL and Omnissa are showcasing the integrated workflow for customers and partners.

Business continuity plans often focus on restoring applications, infrastructure, and data, but employees still need a working endpoint to reach those resources. The new deployment approach helps close that endpoint recovery gap by making IGEL BC&DR™ readiness easier to incorporate into everyday device-management operations. Using familiar Workspace ONE UEM workflows, IT teams can run pre-install checks and prepare supported endpoints for IGEL Dual Boot™, which installs IGEL OS alongside the existing Windows environment to provide an alternate operating path when a disruption occurs.

During a disruption, IGEL BC&DR™ with Emergency Mode can centrally move Dual Boot-enabled endpoints into IGEL OS and keep them there until administrators determine it is safe to return to normal operation. This helps users regain secure access to approved virtual desktops, digital workspaces, SaaS applications, and browser-based services while IT and security teams investigate and remediate the Windows environment.

"True resilience means helping people get back to work securely and quickly, not just bringing systems back online," said Sterling Wilson, Field CTO, Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery, IGEL. "By using automations within the Omnissa platform to operationalize IGEL BC&DR™ readiness, organizations can make endpoint recovery preparation a repeatable business process rather than a last-minute response."

Using Freestyle Orchestrator, organizations can run an IGEL pre-install check before deployment, allowing devices that meet defined prerequisites to move forward and identifying devices that require remediation before IGEL Dual Boot™ is installed. The approach is designed to add BC&DR readiness to existing Workspace ONE device-management operations while complementing existing investments in identity, virtual desktop, SaaS, security, and browser management.

"Freestyle Orchestrator gives organizations a flexible way to coordinate device workflows at scale," said Hemant Sahani, Vice President of Product Management. "Applied to IGEL BC&DR™ readiness, that same orchestration can help customers prepare more confidently for endpoint disruption."

The deployment workflow is currently being validated for supported environments using existing IGEL BC&DR™ and Omnissa Workspace ONE capabilities. Customers should validate hardware compatibility, storage requirements, firmware configuration, installer versions, and applicable security policies against current IGEL technical documentation before production deployment.

For additional information about the new deployment workflow and IGEL Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery™, explore:

- EHR Isolated Recovery Environments with IGEL and Omnissa Technologies

- Why Endpoint Recovery Readiness is Becoming a Critical Layer of Modern Digital Resilience

Attendees at Omnissa ONE 2026 can learn more by connecting with the IGEL and Omnissa teams onsite.

About IGEL

IGEL® is a global software company delivering the IGEL Adaptive Secure Endpoint Platform™, a trusted and governed endpoint platform for secure access to cloud, VDI, DaaS, SaaS, Secure Browsers, enterprise applications, as well as OT endpoints. At its foundation is IGEL OS, an immutable operating system that helps reduce endpoint attack surface, preserve a known-good endpoint state, and support secure access across distributed work environments. Through the IGEL Preventative Security Model®, the platform adds attested workload delivery, centralized governance, and contextual enforcement, aligning endpoint security with Zero Trust and SSE/SASE architectures from key IGEL Ready partners.

IGEL Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery™ (BC&DR) helps organizations restore secure access on Windows endpoints affected by ransomware, other cyberattacks, or outages. Founded in 2001, IGEL is headquartered in Germany with U.S. offices in San Francisco and Fort Lauderdale, working with an ecosystem of 130 leading technology brands. Learn more at www.igel.com.

Windows is a trademark of the Microsoft group of companies.

SOURCE IGEL

Share this article