Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian, General Motors President Mark Reuss, Carhartt President and CEO Linda Hubbard, Altria CEO Sal Mancuso, BlackRock's Claire Chamberlain, U.S. Chief Design Officer Joe Gebbia, and leaders from Arist, Boston Dynamics, Bristol Myers Squibb, Siemens USA, Space Cowboy Corporation, Detroit's own Big Sean, and more, join the prestigious speaker lineup

General Motors, Maker's Mark, Michigan Economic Development Corporation join as new Supporting Sponsors; Rocket Companies and Altria as new Premier Partners; Idealab joins as Partner; and Ford Foundation as new Impact Partner

"Fortune Daily" show will be on site in Detroit for sit-down interviews with Forum speakers and attendees

NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Fortune today announced an additional group of speakers for the Fortune 500 Innovation Forum, November 16–17, 2026, in Detroit, Michigan. The newly confirmed leaders will join CEOs, entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, and civic innovators from across the country for conversations about the forces reshaping American business, technology, work, manufacturing, and prosperity.

Set in Detroit—a city that launched the automotive age and continues to reinvent itself for a new era of mobility and advanced manufacturing—the Forum will convene leaders at a pivotal moment for the American economy. The program will examine the ideas, investments, talent, technologies, and partnerships helping companies and communities compete, grow, and build for the future.

"Fortune Daily," the new show available on Fortune.com and the "Fortune Daily" YouTube channel, will film on site in downtown Detroit at The Department at Hudson's. Ellie Austin, "Fortune Daily" show host, will lead interviews with Forum speakers and a selection of attendees on both days. Episodes that speak to the Forum's theme of innovation will air the week of the Detroit conference on the "Fortune Daily" YouTube channel, Fortune.com, Apple Music and Spotify.

Newly confirmed speakers drawn from the ranks of executives and representatives from Fortune 500 and leading companies spanning the U.S., include:

- Ed Bastian, Chief Executive Officer, Delta Air Lines

- Chris Boerner, Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Bristol Myers Squibb

- Baiju Bhatt, Founder, Space Cowboy Corporation

- Neil Bradley, Executive Vice President, Chief Policy Officer, and Head of Strategic Advocacy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

- Nando Cesarone, EVP and Chief Global Operations Officer, UPS

- Claire Chamberlain, Global Head of Social Impact, BlackRock; President, The BlackRock Foundation

- Roger Crandall, Chairman, President and CEO, MassMutual

- Ann Fairchild, President and CEO, Siemens USA

- Maria Flynn, President and CEO, Jobs for the Future

- Deja Foxx, Founder, GenZ Girl Gang

- Joe Gebbia, U.S. Chief Design Officer; Co-Founder, Airbnb and Samara

- Bill Gross, Chairman, Idealab

- Linda Hubbard, President and Chief Executive Officer, Carhartt

- Michael Ioffe, Co-Founder and CEO, Arist

- Jeff McElfresh, Chief Operating Officer, AT&T

- Sal Mancuso, Chief Executive Officer, Altria Group

- Amanda McMaster, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Boston Dynamics

- Jonathan Mildenhall, Chief Marketing Officer, Rocket Companies

- Kevin Mitchell, Chief Financial Officer, Phillips 66

- Zachariah Reitano, Co-Founder and CEO, Ro

- Mark Reuss, President, General Motors

- Michelle Rhee, Venture Partner, Equal Opportunity Ventures

- Fidelma Russo, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Hybrid Cloud and Chief Technology Officer, Hewlett Packard Enterprise.

- Brian Savoy, Executive Vice President and CFO, Duke Energy

- Big Sean, Multi-platinum Artist, Philanthropist, and Bestselling Author

They join an already announced roster that includes:

- Dan Gilbert, Founder and Chairman, Rocket Companies

- Michael Rhodes, Chief Executive Officer, Ally Financial

- Kevin Lobo, Chief Executive Officer, Stryker

- Lynn Martin, President, NYSE Group

- Mike Sicilia, Chief Executive Officer, Oracle

- Chris Christie, Managing Partner, Christie 55 Solutions; 55th Governor, State of New Jersey

- Patrick Conway, Chief Executive Officer, Optum, UnitedHealth Group

- Rahm Emanuel, Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan; 55th Mayor, City of Chicago

- Tate Reeves, 65th Governor, State of Mississippi

- Wendell P. Weeks, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Corning

- Vimal Kapur, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Honeywell Technologies

- Jason Hoff, Chief Executive Officer, Mercedes-Benz North America

- Mark Bertolini, Chief Executive Officer, Oscar Health

- Penny Pennington, Managing Partner, Edward Jones

- David Burritt, Chief Executive Officer, U. S. Steel

- John W. Rogers Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ariel Investments

- Jalen Rose, Former NBA Player; Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Same Page Entertainment

- The Honorable Kevin Stitt, 28th Governor, State of Oklahoma

Together, the speaker lineup reflects the broad national reach of innovation represented at the Forum—from Detroit's automotive and manufacturing heritage to the future of robotics, health care, finance, workforce development, design, social impact, and entrepreneurship.

Amongst the array of Fortune Forum sponsors and partners, General Motors, Maker's Mark, and Michigan Economic Development Corporation join as Supporting Sponsors. Altria, Arist, and Rocket Companies, respectively, have been added as new Premier Partners, joining Ecolab and Salesforce in that category. Indeed and Idealab are Partners. Other partners include McKinsey & Company as Knowledge Partner, Ford Foundation, Just Capital, and Points of Light as Impact Partners, APCO as a Strategic Partner, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as the Forum's Institutional Partner.

For more information and up-to-date program information on the Fortune 500 Innovation Forum, visit the Fortune website.Interested in attending? Please submit an application form here.

About Fortune:

Fortune is the premier global media company for global business leaders, built on a 96-year-old legacy of trusted, award-winning journalism. Independently owned, Fortune tells the story of business, spanning legacy companies to the world's new generation of innovators. Fortune measures corporate performance through rigorous benchmarks, and holds companies accountable, in regions around the world. Its iconic rankings includeFortune 500,Fortune Global 500,Most Powerful Women, andWorld's Most Admired Companies. Fortune builds world-class communities by convening industry thought leaders for exclusive summits and conferences, including theFortune Global Forum,Fortune Brainstorm Tech, andFortune Most Powerful Women. For more information, visitfortune.com.

Media Contacts:

Patrick Reilly 

Fortune  

[email protected] 

SOURCE Fortune Media (USA) Corporation

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GATLINBURG, Tenn., Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ghosal Luxury Lodging, a Smoky Mountain hospitality brand with more than 1,000 five-star reviews, has expanded into the wedding industry with the launch of Ghosal Experiences. The new collection brings ceremony and reception spaces, guest accommodations, and wedding-weekend amenities together across three scenic Smoky Mountain properties.

Ghosal Experiences is designed to offer more than a traditional wedding venue. Instead of gathering for only a few hours, couples and their guests can spend an entire weekend reconnecting and celebrating together. Keeping lodging and event spaces on the same property also reduces the challenges of coordinating separate venues, hotels, and transportation.

"We simplify wedding planning by bringing the venue, lodging, and event spaces together, so couples and their guests can spend more time together and enjoy the entire experience," said Saurav Ghosal, Venue Manager.

Ghosal Experiences is also a vetted venue member of the Smoky Mountain Wedding Association, connecting the brand with a network of established wedding professionals serving the region.

The collection includes three Smoky Mountain venues, each accommodating celebrations of up to 60 guests and offering scenic mountain views.

The Grand Haven features a mountaintop ceremony and reception space, plus two on-site cabins with nine bedrooms and accommodations for up to 24 overnight guests.

Elegant Elite Estate offers hillside and mountain views, outdoor ceremony and reception space for up to 60 guests, and a 12-bedroom luxury estate that sleeps up to 40.

The Grand Sojourn, offered in partnership with Sojourn Lodging, combines outdoor ceremony and indoor reception spaces with private tiny-home accommodations in a walkable mountain community.

More Than a Cabin Wedding Venue

Unlike a conventional vacation rental, Ghosal Experiences properties offer spacious layouts and flexible indoor and outdoor areas for ceremonies, receptions, dining, dancing, and group gatherings. Couples can host multiple parts of their wedding weekend on one property while keeping many of their closest friends and family nearby.

Each venue includes essential event elements such as tables, chairs, and a ceremony arch. The combination of large accommodations, dedicated gathering areas, and flexible event spaces creates a more seamless experience for couples, guests, and vendors.

Ghosal Experiences further simplifies destination wedding planning through virtual tours, property floor plans, maps, and curated vendor recommendations. Flexible vendor policies allow couples to select the professionals and services that best match their vision and budget. DIY-friendly options provide additional flexibility, allowing couples to invest in the wedding elements that matter most to them.

Ghosal Experiences is now booking weddings and events for 2026 and 2027. Couples can explore each venue, view wedding packages, and inquire about current rates and availability at ghosalexperiences.com.

Press and Media

Reporters, editors, and media professionals can access brand information, venue details, photography, and other press materials through the Ghosal Experiences Media Kit.

For interviews, additional information, or collaboration opportunities, please contact Ghosal Experiences.

SOURCE Ghosal Experiences

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Five weekly round trips to Dallas-Fort Worth begin November 12, while daily service to Charlotte continues

SMYRNA, Tenn., Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Contour Airlines is excited to announce new nonstop service between Northwest Alabama Regional Airport (MSL) in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), beginning November 12, 2026.

As part of the schedule update, Contour will reallocate five weekly flights from its existing Muscle Shoals–Charlotte service to Dallas-Fort Worth. Travelers in the Shoals region will continue to have daily nonstop service to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), while gaining new nonstop access to the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

The new MSL–DFW service will operate five times weekly, providing travelers throughout Northwest Alabama and the surrounding region with another option for business and leisure travel, as well as convenient connecting opportunities through Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

"Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) is a highly sought-after nonstop destination for local travelers, and Muscle Shoals (MSL) is pleased to offer this new service," said Barry Griffith, Airport Director at Northwest Alabama Regional Airport. "The route is expected to increase passenger traffic, provide seamless American Airlines connections, offer affordable fares for business and leisure travelers, and deliver significant economic benefits to the region."

"We are excited to expand the options available to travelers in the Shoals region by adding nonstop service to Dallas-Fort Worth while continuing to provide daily service to Charlotte," said Ben Munson, President of Contour Airlines. "This new service gives the community another convenient way to reach a major U.S. market and connect onward to destinations throughout the country. We appreciate the continued support of the Muscle Shoals community and Northwest Alabama Regional Airport as we work to strengthen the region's air service."

Beginning November 12, 2026, Contour's nonstop service between Muscle Shoals and Dallas-Fort Worth will operate five times weekly:

Contour will continue to operate daily nonstop service between Muscle Shoals and Charlotte:

The addition of Dallas-Fort Worth provides travelers in Northwest Alabama with nonstop access to one of the nation's major aviation hubs while maintaining daily service to Charlotte. The new service will provide convenient options for both business and leisure travelers throughout the Shoals region.

Flights will be operated with Contour's fleet of 30-seat regional jet aircraft, offering passengers extra legroom, complimentary snacks, and inflight service.

For further details, please visit www.contourairlines.com or contact Customer Service at (888) 332-6686.

About Contour:

Contour Airlines offers a premium airline product that includes a complimentary snack and beverage service on all flights. Contour operates a growing fleet of regional jets featuring leather seating with expanded legroom in every row. Tickets are available for purchase on Contour's website at contourairlines.com, by calling the Contour call center at (888) 332-6686, and through local and online travel agencies. Travelers can also book seamless connections with Contour's interline partners; Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, and United.

SOURCE Contour Airlines

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ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] will release its financial results for the third quarter of 2026 on Tuesday, October 27.

President and Chief Executive Officer Kelly Ortberg and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Jay Malave will discuss the results and company outlook during a conference call starting at 10:30 a.m. ET.

The event webcast, news release and presentation materials, as well as a subsequent transcript, can be accessed on the Events and Presentations section of www.boeing.com/investors. Participants are encouraged to verify access to the webcast and materials prior to the start of the event.

Contact

Investor Relations: [email protected]

Communications: [email protected]

SOURCE Boeing

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Waterfront hotel transformations, and a growing collection of dining, retail and wellness experiences give travelers more reasons to put L.A.'s Marina on the top of their 2027 travel lists

MARINA DEL REY, Calif., Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- With major hotel renovations, an expanding dining and retail scene, and more wellness experiences on the horizon, Marina del Rey is giving travelers plenty of reasons to add the coastal destination to their 2027 travel lists. Located just four miles from LAX, Marina del Rey offers seven waterfront hotels, year-round recreation on and off the water, shoreline dining, shopping and wellness experiences, while providing convenient access to major attractions and destinations throughout greater Los Angeles, including Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, SoFi Stadium - host to Super Bowl LXI in 2027, the newly opened Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, forthcoming Meow Wolf Picture Palace, and more.

Among the most significant projects for Marina del Rey are extensive renovations at two of its waterfront hotels: The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey and Marina del Rey Hotel. The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey is undergoing a floor-by-floor renovation of all 304 rooms and suites, with completion expected in time to welcome visitors for Super Bowl LXI in February. In partnership with Hirsch Bedner Associates, the hotel will introduce redesigned guest rooms that blend contemporary elegance with a relaxed coastal aesthetic inspired by the marina. Following the Super Bowl, renovations will continue throughout the reception area, lobby, corridors, public restrooms, and signature restaurant, Cast & Plow.

In 2027, Marina del Rey Hotel will unveil 164 refreshed guest rooms and suites inspired by its waterfront setting, featuring updated furnishings, finishes, and a contemporary coastal design.

"These developments, along with new and forthcoming openings are creating even more reasons to stay overnight and experience Marina del Rey in 2027," said Janet Zaldua, CEO of the Marina del Rey Tourism Board. "As Los Angeles continues its unprecedented run of hosting global sports events, visitors can make Marina del Rey their home base, experiencing a waterfront destination with deep ties to L.A.'s film and television history while remaining within easy reach of some of the region's biggest events and attractions."

Beyond its hotels, Marina del Rey continues to expand its dining, shopping and wellness offerings. Waterside, the 10-acre outdoor shopping center, recently welcomed Anthropologie and New Balance, adding to its collection of fashion, beauty and lifestyle retailers, gourmet and casual dining restaurants, and gathering spaces for locals and visitors alike. Upcoming additions include Wake & Late, Lululemon, Brooks Running, Brandy Melville and its Chill Since '93 cafe.

Nearby, Luna Bistro & Cafe is slated to open its third location in Marina del Rey in 2027. Originating from Bakersfield, the restaurant serves modern Latin and global fusion cuisine, blending Mexican-inspired flavors with Asian, Italian and American influences. Fire Pilates Club, a luxury oceanfront Pilates studio designed around structured, progressive training, is also set to open, while Nordstrom Rack will join Marina del Rey's growing retail offerings in spring 2027.

The Northwind Experience recently opened aboard a 130-foot historic yacht, transforming the storied vessel into a one-of-a-kind venue for dining, cocktails, entertainment, and private events all set against panoramic harbor views. Other recent dining additions include STOA Wine Bar & Market and Cafe Cache. For a more hands-on experience, Bitter Root Pottery Aqueous offers a meditative escape in a breathtaking waterfront studio overlooking the marina, where visitors can slow down, work with clay and create something of their own, whether visiting solo, as a couple, or group.

Also marking a milestone in 2027, the Marina del Rey Historical Society celebrates its 20th anniversary, offering visitors a look into the stories, images, and artifacts that trace the marina's evolution from wetlands to one of Southern California's signature waterfront destinations.

Pairing the quintessential Marina del Rey experiences visitors have come to know and love with exciting new additions on the horizon, the destination is poised to be a must-visit in 2027. For more information, please visit visitmdr.com.

About the Marina del Rey Tourism Board

The Marina del Rey Tourism Board is the official marketing organization that promotes L.A.'s Marina as a leisure and business travel destination. Located along the Los Angeles coastline and only four miles from LAX, Marina del Rey is the largest man-made small-craft harbor in North America. The Marina is the gateway to Southern California with hotels and year-round water recreation and waterfront dining all within a short drive to many of L.A.'s top attractions including Santa Monica, SoFi Stadium, and Hollywood. For more information about Marina del Rey and upcoming events, go to visitmdr.com.

SOURCE Marina del Rey Tourism Board

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Sikora will lead brand, marketing, sales, product, pricing and call center operations to drive market and revenue growth

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. , Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- WideOpenWest (WOW!), a leading provider of fiber-broadband internet services and advanced connectivity solutions, today announced the appointment of Christopher Sikora as chief commercial officer.

In a newly expanded role, Sikora will lead all brand, marketing, digital and sales functions, as well as pricing, product and call center operations, reporting to CEO Frank van der Post.

"Chris brings to WOW! a proven record of marketing and sales leadership, including scaling residential fiber businesses, building high-performing commercial teams, while integrating those with infrastructure and customer experience enhancements," said van der Post. "His experience driving customer growth and value creation makes him the ideal fit to lead WOW! into a new era of growth as we work together to execute on our ambitious transformation plans."

Sikora joins WOW! from Great Plains Communications, a Midwestern digital infrastructure and telecommunications provider, where he served as chief revenue officer overseeing go-to-market strategy across commercial, carrier, tower, public sector and residential segments in 13 states. He has also held senior leadership roles at CenturyLink, Level 3 Communications and TW Telecom.

"What I enjoy most about this business is bringing talented people together to do work that matters for our customers," Sikora said. "I'm excited to join WOW! and build strong teams and equip them with the tools and support to succeed. Whether we're helping a business grow or giving a family better ways to work, learn and stay connected, our success starts with making a difference for the people and communities we serve."

Sikora earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from New York University's Stern School of Business, with specializations in marketing and international business, and a Bachelor of Science in marketing and communications from King's College.

About WOW!

WideOpenWest (WOW!) is one of the nation's leading broadband providers, with a high-performing, fiber-rich network that passes nearly two million residential, business and wholesale customers. WOW! provides service in 20 markets, including Michigan, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. WOW!'s expansive portfolio of advanced services includes high-speed internet, all-fiber internet in multiple markets, TV, home phone, mobile phone, business data, voice and cloud services.

SOURCE WideOpenWest, Inc.

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Querit Search API Launches Code Search for AI Coding Agents

SINGAPORE, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Querit, a search infrastructure company purpose-built for AI, today announced the official launch of a dedicated Code Search capability for its core Querit Search API. By simply configuring a single parameter (Vertical=Code), developers can instantly pivot from general web search to a programming-focused search optimized for code generation, IDEs, and deep engineering workflows. Rather than layering a simple filter on top of general web search, Querit treats vertical retrieval as a first-class capability, giving AI coding agents verifiable technical context aligned with programming constraints and helping reduce failures caused by stale, incorrect, or mismatched information.

Querit Search API: A Real-Time Information Layer for AI Agents

The Querit Search API is a real-time information layer built for AI agents. It runs on Querit's proprietary web index, which covers hundreds of billions of pages, spans multilingual and cross-regional coverage, and draws on authoritative sources from regulatory bodies and standards organizations to technical documentation and professional communities. Unlike traditional link-by-link browsing designed for humans, Querit is built for an agent's end goal of task delivery. Rather than returning only a list of links, it delivers structured, model-ready search results and content designed to support reasoning, grounding, and verification. On FreshQA, a public benchmark for time-sensitive retrieval, the Querit Search API ranked #1 with 83.17% accuracy.

The Coding Vertical: Retrieval Rebuilt for Coding Agents

Many coding-agent failures come not from high-level reasoning, but from real-world engineering constraints, framework and dependency versions, runtime environments, complexity requirements, and long-tail errors. General-purpose search may surface results that are semantically relevant yet incompatible with those constraints, increasing the risk of incorrect code or failed execution. Querit rebuilt its coding vertical along three axes:

- High-quality source prioritization: prioritize official documentation, API references, SDK manuals, and trusted developer communities such as Stack Overflow, while reducing the weight of stale or low-quality secondary content.

- Constraint-aware retrieval: specialized models identify programming languages, framework versions, runtime environments, complexity requirements, and error signatures, filtering out results that are semantically relevant but incompatible with the task.

- Adaptive, structured output: granularity scales from a single API how-to to an end-to-end task, delivering high-density, clean text within a strict token budget while preserving code blocks and parameters.

In internal, programming-focused evaluations, 81% of the results Querit Search API returned were directly adoptable by coding agents across core tasks such as function generation, autocomplete, and debugging — scored under identical token budgets by an LLM-as-a-judge for intent and constraint satisfaction. Asked to "reverse a string in JavaScript without built-in methods or extra data structures, within a set complexity," for example, Querit prioritizes implementations that satisfy every constraint, where control-group results routinely do not.

Available Today, Completing the Real-Time Information Layer for AI

"The value of an AI agent is in what it can deliver," said Shawn Xu, Head of Global Product at Querit. "General search decides what an agent sees; deep, vertical retrieval decides how good its output is. We're building a real-time information layer that truly understands task intent — and coding is where that architecture proves itself."

The Querit Search API and its code vertical are generally available worldwide today. Existing Search API users can enable Code Search without changing endpoints or reworking their integration, simply by setting the code vertical parameter in the request. Beyond direct API access, Querit supports the Model Context Protocol (MCP) and is integrated with agent frameworks and platforms including LangChain, Dify, RAGFlow, CAMEL-AI, Cherry Studio, Eigent, EigenFlux, Continua, ModelOS, and Atlas Cloud, so developers can call it inside the toolchains they already use. Together with the Contents API and Monitors API, the Search API forms a real-time information layer for AI spanning web search, content extraction, and continuous monitoring. Next, coding coverage will expand to major open-source repositories. Read the docs and start a trial at www.querit.ai.

About Querit

Founded in 2025 and headquartered in Singapore, Querit is a search infrastructure company purpose-built for AI that empowers developers to build systems capable of efficiently searching, retrieving, and processing information from the Open Web.

For more information, please visit: www.querit.ai.

SOURCE Querit

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LIU to Host Army West Point, Ferris State and St. Lawrence

in Four-Team Division I Men's Hockey Tournament

Tickets On Sale Friday, October 2 at 10am via Ticketmaster

BELMONT PARK, N.Y. and BROOKVILLE, N.Y., Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Long Island University, in partnership with the New York Islanders and UBS Arena, are proud to announce the creation of the Empire State Holiday Invitational. This two-day tournament will bring four NCAA Division I men's ice hockey programs to Belmont Park on December 28–29, 2026, featuring LIU, Army West Point, Ferris State and St Lawrence competing on the home ice of the New York Islanders.

The tournament begins December 28, with St. Lawrence facing Ferris State at 3 p.m., followed by LIU taking on Army West Point at 7 p.m. The tournament will conclude December 29, with all four teams returning to the ice for the second day of competition.

"We are incredibly excited to host the first Empire State Holiday Invitational and bring college hockey to UBS Arena," said Brendan Riley, LIU Men's Hockey Head Coach. "For our players, having the opportunity to compete at a venue like UBS Arena is something special, and we are looking forward to welcoming three great programs to Long Island. We want this to become an event that our teams, fans and the hockey community look forward to every year."

Tickets for this year's tournament will go on sale Friday, October 2 at 10am via Ticketmaster.

The Empire State Holiday Invitational is a centerpiece of the strategic partnership between Long Island University, the New York Islanders and UBS Arena. LIU will serve as the host institution and compete in the tournament annually, creating a new holiday college hockey tradition on Long Island.

The partnership builds on LIU's growing presence within the Long Island hockey community. LIU's Division I men's and women's hockey programs play their home games at Northwell Health Ice Center, the official practice facility of the New York Islanders.

The relationship between LIU and the Islanders was recently celebrated on campus when New York Islanders Co-Owner Jon Ledecky visited LIU as part of the University's Centennial CEO Speaker Series. During the event, members of the LIU men's and women's hockey programs named Ledecky an Honorary Captain of LIU Hockey for the 2026–27 season and presented him with a customized LIU Hockey jersey.

The Empire State Holiday Invitational represents another exciting chapter in the partnership, bringing Division I college hockey to one of the region's premier sports venues and creating a new platform to showcase the sport across Long Island and the New York metropolitan area.

2026 Empire State Holiday Invitational

December 28–29, 2026

UBS Arena | Belmont Park, New York

Participating Teams:

Long Island University

Army West Point

Ferris State University

St. Lawrence University

December 28

3 p.m. – St. Lawrence vs. Ferris State

7 p.m. – LIU vs. Army West Point

December 29

Second-day matchups featuring all four participating teams.

Tickets

On Sale Friday, October 2 at 10am via Ticketmaster

About UBS Arena

Located in the heart of the expanding experiential destination of Belmont Park, UBS Arena is New York's newest premier live entertainment and sports venue. Proud home to the New York Islanders, the state-of-the-art arena was developed in partnership with Oak View Group, the New York Islanders and Jeff Wilpon, and has welcomed over 3 million guests and 350+ events with top artists from around the world since November 2021.

Built with fan-first amenities, inspired by the timeless elegance of New York and powered by state-of-the-art technology, the venue is made for music and built for hockey with clear sightlines and premier acoustics. UBS Arena is at the forefront of sustainability, achieving Zero Waste TRUE Silver certification in addition to its LEED Green Building Certification and carbon neutrality for operations.

UBS Arena is located just 30 minutes by LIRR from Grand Central or Penn Station and is easily accessible from across the region via mass transit or car. To plan your trip, please visit UBSArena.com/plan-your-trip. Keep in touch with us at UBSArena.com/updates or @UBSArena on Facebook, Instagram and X/Twitter.

About Long Island University

Long Island University, founded in 1926, is a leading research and teaching university that continues to redefine higher education by providing high-quality academic instruction by world-class faculty, serving more than 16,000 students from its Long Island and Brooklyn campuses. Recognized by Forbes for its emphasis on experiential learning and by the Brookings Institution for its "value added" to student outcomes, the University is ranked in the top 7% of national research universities. LIU has a network of over 200,000 alumni, including industry leaders and entrepreneurs around the globe. Visit www.liu.edu for more information.

SOURCE Long Island University; UBS Arena

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Building and testing the aircraft in the two states is projected to support about 9,800 American jobs by the early 2030s and add roughly $78 billion to the Newton and Seattle economies through 2046.

NEWTON, Kan. and DES MOINES, Wash., Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Shield AI today named the two sites that will build and test X-BAT, its AI-piloted fighter jet designed to take off and land vertically. X-Forge 2, at the Newton City-County Airport in Kansas, is the flight test and sustainment home for the aircraft. X-Forge 3, based in Des Moines, Washington, just south of Seattle, is the production home. Together with X-Forge 1 in Frisco, Texas, the three sites carry X-BAT from prototype through delivery and through the life of the fleet.

Every X-BAT will complete production acceptance testing in Newton before delivery, and customers will conduct their own acceptance flights there. Newton will also support development flight testing and serve as the center for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) for the fleet. Shield AI currently leases hangar and office space and approximately 10 acres at Newton City/County Airport and is working with the City of Newton and Harvey County to expand its footprint and develop a larger hangar.

South-central Kansas has built aircraft since the 1920s, and its training pipeline runs through Wichita State University, WSU Tech, the National Center for Aviation Training and Hutchinson Community College. Shield AI committed to Newton in 2025, when it first showed the X-BAT design to the public, and has been standing the site up since.

In Des Moines, Shield AI has signed its lease and is building the site out now. Hiring for the program has shifted to the region and is underway. Des Moines is the company's first Puget Sound site, and Shield AI expects its footprint in the region to grow as production rates climb. King County has more than 45,000 aerospace workers at more than 400 companies, and Washington's supplier base runs past 1,500 firms. Shield AI evaluated several regions and chose Washington for that workforce.

"Both these regions were building airplanes before Shield AI existed, and we went to them for that reason," said Armor Harris, senior vice president of aircraft at Shield AI. "Wichita's track record speaks for itself, with more than a hundred years of aircraft manufacturing and more than a third of all American general aviation airplanes built there. Flight test is where an airplane earns its way, and Kansas has the airspace, the hangars and the people who have spent their careers around airplanes. Puget Sound has been producing aircraft at rate for seventy years and has the engineers, technicians and suppliers that takes. X-BAT will be built in Washington and fly in Kansas before it goes to a customer, and Kansas will keep this fleet in the air for decades."

X-BAT is planned to enter production in 2029 and reach full rate in the early 2030s. An economic analysis of the program estimates what each region gains if it runs as planned, and the employment projections reflect the program at rate. In the Newton area, X-BAT supports about 1,800 jobs in the early 2030s and about 2,900 by 2046, adding roughly $5 billion to the regional economy over that period. In the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue region, it supports about 8,000 jobs in the early 2030s and about 27,000 by 2046, adding roughly $73 billion. The counts include people employed by Shield AI, people at suppliers, and the jobs that local spending by both groups sustains.

Frisco, Texas remains Shield AI's prototyping site and the home of V-BAT, and the company continues to build, operate and hire there. The analysis puts Frisco alone at about 600 jobs in the early 2030s and about 700 by 2046. Texas suppliers carry much of the rest of the program, including propulsion and mission systems work. Across the state, X-BAT is projected to support about 1,400 jobs in the early 2030s and about 7,900 by 2046, adding roughly $18.6 billion to the Texas economy.

Additional Quotes

Kansas

"Shield AI's decision to base maintenance, repair and overhaul and sustainment operations for its X-BAT aircraft in Newton is great news for our state," said Senator Jerry Moran. "Keeping advanced aircraft mission-ready is critical to our national security, and Kansas' long history in aviation makes our state a natural home for this work. Our aviation workforce and training institutions are ready to support this mission. I am confident this partnership will grow in the years ahead as we help make certain our warfighters have the capabilities they need, when they need them."

"Kansans have been building and flying airplanes for more than a hundred years, and Shield AI came to Newton because nobody does it better," said Senator Roger Marshall. "Every U.S.-built X-BAT will earn its wings in Kansas skies before it is delivered to a customer, and thousands of Kansas workers will help keep the fleet flying for decades. That's good news for our workforce and for our warfighters."

"As the representative of the Air Capital of the World, I take great pride in the Kansans who have been building and flying airplanes for more than a century," said Congressman Ron Estes. "Shield AI chose Newton as the flight test and sustainment home for X-BAT because of that experience. Every X-BAT will fly in Kansas before it goes into service, and the work to keep this fleet flying will happen here for years to come. Expanding their presence in Newton means good-paying jobs for Kansans and a lasting role for our state in America's national security. I look forward to seeing this program continue to grow in Kansas."

"Shield AI's decision to make Newton the flight test and sustainment home for X-BAT reinforces our state's leadership in aerospace," Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. "Every X-BAT aircraft will be tested in Kansas before delivery, and our state's aviation expertise will help keep the fleet flying for decades to come. From development through long-term operations, Kansas will play a critical role in the success of this next generation of American aerospace technology."

"We are proud that Shield AI chose Newton in 2025 for the X-BAT flight test facility, and we are excited that our role has expanded to include the ongoing maintenance, repair and overhaul functions for the entire X-BAT fleet," Mayor Rich Stinnett said. "It shows Newton has the talent, land and room to grow. Every X-BAT will prove itself here before it goes to a customer, and the work to keep the fleet flying will stay here for decades. That means long-term aviation jobs for Newton families. We look forward to a strong partnership as Shield AI continues its trajectory of incredible growth and innovation."

Washington

"Washington has always been a place where big ideas take flight," said Governor Bob Ferguson. "Our state brings together a world-leading aerospace industry, cutting-edge technology, and one of the most talented workforces anywhere in the world. Shield AI's decision to build its new X-BAT manufacturing facility here is another sign that the future of aerospace is being built in Washington. We welcome Shield AI and the thousands of good-paying jobs this investment will bring."

"King County continues to grow as a center for innovation and economic opportunity, and I look forward to welcoming Shield AI's new X-BAT manufacturing facility in Des Moines," said Congressman Adam Smith. "This hub will create high-quality jobs, strengthen Puget Sound's expanding technology and aerospace sectors, and further diversify our local economy. Reimagining aviation will have a rightful home here in Washington's Ninth District."

"I want to welcome Shield AI to our community as we take these first few steps together," said Yoshiko Grace Matsui, mayor of Des Moines, Washington. "Des Moines has long been home to families contributing to aerospace technology and operations. We are uniquely positioned to support a talented workforce in a new, burgeoning aerospace sector. Building a thriving business environment benefits all who live, work, and visit Des Moines."

About X-BAT

X-BAT is designed as a long-range, survivable, AI-piloted strike fighter that takes off and lands vertically, so it can operate from ships, islands or remote sites without a runway. It will carry weapons up to the 2,000-pound class in internal bays comparable in size to the F-35's, have an objective combat radius of 1,000 nautical miles and support power-intensive electronic warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance payloads. Powered by GE Aerospace's F110 engine, X-BAT will fly on Shield AI's Hivemind autonomy software, which enables operations without GPS or communications. Flight testing will begin later this year.

About Shield AI

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI's technology supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Media Contact: Lily Hinz; [email protected]

Economic impact source

IMPLAN® model, 2024 Data Year, projection years 2026 to 2046, for model regions including Wichita, Kansas; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Washington; and Texas. Inputs provided by Shield AI. IMPLAN Group LLC, IMPLAN System (data and software), 16905 Northcross Dr., Suite 120, Huntersville, NC 28078, www.IMPLAN.com.  

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The article outlines how life insurance needs change over time and how coverage should align with different life stages.

DENVER, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- How should individuals choose a life insurance policy as their financial needs evolve over time? HelloNation has published an article that provides the answer, featuring insights from Insurance Expert Jack Sughrue and explaining how life insurance decisions should adapt to different stages of life.

The HelloNation article explains that selecting the right life insurance policy is not a one-time decision. Instead, it is a process that should reflect changing financial responsibilities, income levels, and long-term goals. What works well early in life may not provide the same level of protection later, making regular evaluation an important part of maintaining effective coverage.

In early adulthood, the article describes how life insurance is often approached with a focus on affordability and simplicity. Many individuals at this stage are still building careers and may not yet have dependents. Term life insurance is commonly chosen because it provides coverage for a set period at a lower cost, allowing individuals to secure protection without committing to higher premiums.

As responsibilities increase, the role of life insurance becomes more significant. The article notes that marriage, children, and shared financial obligations create a greater need for dependable coverage. At this stage, a life insurance policy is often used to replace lost income, cover housing expenses, and provide financial stability for dependents. Term life insurance remains a practical option because it can offer higher coverage during peak earning years.

The article also explains that some individuals begin exploring permanent life insurance as their financial situation evolves. Unlike term life insurance, permanent life insurance does not expire as long as premiums are maintained. It may also include a cash value component that grows over time, offering additional financial flexibility, though typically at a higher cost.

Midlife is often a period of reassessment. The HelloNation article describes how individuals may review their existing life insurance policy to ensure it still aligns with their current needs. Changes such as reduced debt, increased savings, or shifting income levels can all influence the appropriate level of coverage. Some may combine term life insurance with permanent life insurance, while others adjust coverage amounts to reflect changing responsibilities.

Later in life, the purpose of life insurance often shifts again. The article explains that with fewer dependents and lower debt, the need for large coverage amounts may decline. Instead, life insurance is frequently used to cover final expenses, such as funeral costs and outstanding medical bills. A smaller life insurance policy may be sufficient to meet these needs while still providing support to beneficiaries.

Affordability remains a consistent consideration across all stages. The article emphasizes that a life insurance policy should fit within a broader financial plan and remain sustainable over time. Choosing coverage that is too costly can create financial strain, while insufficient coverage may leave important gaps.

Health and age also influence available options. The article notes that securing life insurance earlier can lead to lower premiums and more flexibility in policy selection. As health conditions change, costs may increase, and choices may become more limited, making timing an important factor in decision-making.

The article concludes that life insurance should evolve alongside a person's life circumstances. By reviewing a life insurance policy regularly and adjusting coverage as needed, individuals can maintain protection that aligns with their financial responsibilities and long-term goals.

How to Choose the Right Life Insurance Policy Based on Your Stage of Life features insights from Jack Sughrue, Insurance Expert of Denver, Colorado, 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.

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