Students in grades 4 through 9, across all 50 states and D.C., are encouraged to take action on hunger or food waste during Food Waste Prevention Week

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- At schools across the country, good food goes to waste every day, while some kids don't have enough to eat. Today, on the first day of Food Waste Prevention Week, Hunger Action Heroes Unite!, the youth education social enterprise of Feeding San Diego, is rallying kids to address hunger and food waste in their communities. Hunger Action Heroes Unite! launched a free National Challenge presented by Stoke Tracks and backed by a coalition that includes Let's Go Compost, Lunch Out of Landfills, ReFED, and World Wildlife Fund's Food Waste Warriors program, earlier this month. The challenge is open to students in grades four through nine who take action to rescue food to feed their neighbors.

Fourth and fifth-grade students at Creekside Elementary School in Poway Unified have already shown how kids can drive positive change. After reading the Hunger Action Heroes Unite! comic book and completing the curriculum, they ran a food drive, worked a volunteer shift, and ran a lemonade stand, together helping provide more than 9,100 meals for people facing hunger in their community. No adult told them to. There was no contest or prize. They just needed a reason to start, and that is what the National Challenge gives kids across the country.

Through the challenge, kids find out they can fix something. They can keep good food from going to waste to feed people who need it, and that is the part they remember. The prizes are real: a trip to Comic-Con 2027, a scholarship, and a grant for their school. But every kid who enters has already done something to rescue food or feed people in their own neighborhood before a judge ever sees their video. That does not depend on winning. Every student who participates walks away knowing they do not need a cape to be a hero.

The Hunger Action Heroes Unite! National Challenge is simple. A student identifies a real way to fight hunger or food waste, takes action, captures pictures and video, and reflects on their impact in three short questions. A guardian submits the entry on their behalf. It is open to students in grades four through nine in all 50 states and D.C., with entries accepted through March 12, 2027.

The need behind the Hunger Action Heroes Unite! National Challenge is significant. Food waste at schools is estimated to be $1.7 billion every year, according to World Wildlife Fund's Food Waste Warriors program, while Feeding America estimates that 1 in 5 kids in America face hunger, sometimes in the very cafeteria where that food gets thrown away.

"Food Waste Prevention Week and our National Challenge are asking kids the exact same question: what happens when you stop treating this as somebody else's problem, and kids step up to be the heroes," said Dana Williams, Director of Social Impact at Hunger Action Heroes Unite! and Feeding San Diego. "Once kids understand why this matters, it stops being a lesson and becomes their mission to rescue food to feed people and protect the planet."

A National Champion in each grade division, four through six and seven through nine, wins a paid trip to San Diego Comic-Con 2027 for them and a guardian, a $750 college scholarship, a $3,000 impact grant for their school, and $1,000 for a hunger relief or food rescue charity of their choice.

"Food Waste Prevention Week is about proving that everyday choices add up to real change," said Nate Clark, Senior Manager, Communications at ReFED. "Watching that message reach students directly through Hunger Action Heroes Unite! is exactly the kind of action we hope this week inspires."

Food Waste Prevention Week is September 28 through October 4, 2026. This year's theme is "Food Heroes in Your Neighborhood." Parents and guardians can submit entries for the Hunger Action Heroes Unite! National Challenge on behalf of their students at any point before entries close March 12, 2027, and are encouraged to use this week as a natural catalyst for taking action. Learn more and enter the Hunger Action Heroes Unite! National Challenge at hungeractionheroes.org/challenge.

OFFICIAL RULES: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Contest begins on September 1, 2026 at 12:01 a.m. PT and ends on March 12, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Open only to legal adult U.S. residents of the fifty (50) United States and D.C. whose child is enrolled in grades 4 through 9 at the time of entry. Entries must be submitted by a parent or legal guardian on behalf of the child. One prize per contest division: grades 4-6 and grades 7-9. Prize travel must be completed between July 21 and July 26, 2027. Many will enter, only two (2) will win. Limit one (1) entry per child. Void where prohibited. See Official Rules at hungeractionheroes.org/challenge, including additional eligibility restrictions, prize descriptions/restrictions/ARVs, and complete details. Sponsor: Feeding San Diego, 9477 Waples St., Ste 100, San Diego, CA, 92121.

ABOUT HUNGER ACTION HEROES UNITE!

Hunger Action Heroes Unite! (HAHU) is a social enterprise of Feeding San Diego, a partner food bank of Feeding America, equipping the next generation with the understanding, empathy, and confidence to care for people and the planet. Through an original comic book and a standards-aligned curriculum for upper elementary and middle school, Hunger Action Heroes Unite! teaches students about hunger, food waste, and the power of empathy in action, inviting them to become real-life Hunger Action Heroes through a hands-on, project-based learning experience. The comic book was written by Dr. Janina Scarlet, a licensed clinical psychologist and creator of Superhero Therapy®, and illustrated by Thom Zahler, known for Love and Capes. All proceeds support Feeding San Diego's hunger relief and food rescue programs. Learn more at hungeractionheroes.org.

SOURCE Hunger Action Heroes Unite

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Novogradac Conference to Explore How Housing Intersects with NMTC Strategy

Novogradac to Host 2026 Fall New Markets Tax Credit Conference, Oct. 22-23 in New Orleans

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Community development professionals will gather to take a focused look at how the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program is being leveraged to support housing-related development and more in today's evolving market at the Novogradac 2026 Fall New Markets Tax Credit Conference, Oct. 22-23 at The Roosevelt New Orleans.

The conference will bring together community development entities, investors, developers and advisors to explore how investments are structured, what capital sources are being used to finance development and what challenges are impacting execution. Sessions will also explore current policy and allocation trends, compliance expectations under increased scrutiny and how market participants are aligning strategies with evolving program priorities.

Planned sessions include discussions on the state of the NMTC; a panel of investors sharing their perspectives on the market; an overview of NMTC compliance; an exploration of how CDEs, investors and sponsors are positioning for current and future allocation cycles, and more. The full conference agenda can be found here.

"As market conditions shift, NMTCs will play an increasingly important role in financing developments that serve low-income communities," said Brad Elphick, a partner in Novogradac's metro Atlanta office and chair of the conference. "This conference is a great opportunity to connect with other industry professionals and explore new financing strategies and development opportunities, including housing-focused investments, and more."

The Novogradac 2026 Fall New Markets Tax Credit Conference is co-hosted by BakerHostetler, Capital One, Dudley Ventures, Fifth Third Bank, Jones Walker LLP, J.P. Morgan, Nixon Peabody LLP and U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance. Barnes & Thornburg LLP, Butler Snow LLP, Cherry Bekaert, Elkins PLC, Enterprise Community Partners, Ginsberg Jacobs LLC, Greenline Ventures, Husch Blackwell, National Trust Community Investment Corporation, Polsinelli, Smith NMTC, TD Bank, Travois and Truist are sponsoring the conference. Exhibitors will include Impact Marketplace, Klein Hornig LLP, Old National Bank, PNC Bank, Ryan, SDS Capital Group and Stinson.

Novogradac will host two pre-conference workshops Wednesday, Oct. 21. The NMTC Basics Workshop will cover the fundamentals of the NMTC incentive, including the background, roles of significant players, the alphabet soup of CDEs, QEIs, QLICIs and QALICBs, how to avoid recapture and more. The For-Sale Housing and NMTCs Workshop will provide insights on financing, structuring and other issues for those who want to use NMTCs to help finance for-sale housing. Separate registration fees apply for the pre-conference workshops.

About Novogradac

Novogradac, which has been in business for more than 35 years, has grown to more than 800 employees and partners with offices in more than 25 cities. Tax, audit and consulting specialty practice areas for Novogradac include affordable housing, community development, historic rehabilitation and renewable energy. For additional information on Novogradac's personnel and areas of expertise, visit www.novoco.com or call (415) 356-8000.

SOURCE Novogradac & Company LLP

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This recognition celebrates RS for building an exceptional PeopleFirst culture where employee wellbeing, inclusion, and business performance thrive.

FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- RS, a high-service global product and service solutions provider for industrial customers, has been named to the 2026 Global Top 100 Inspiring Places to Work list. This honor recognizes the 100 highest-scoring organizations from the 2026 Inspiring Workplaces Awards across the world and celebrates companies that demonstrate an unwavering commitment to creating PeopleFirst workplace cultures.

The 2026 Global Top 100 list represents the highest-performing workplace cultures across eight regional awards programs, including North America, Europe, the U.K. and Ireland, Asia, Australasia, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. Each honoree earned its placement through an independently judged, story-based assessment evaluating six fundamental culture elements: culture and purpose, leadership, wellbeing, inclusion and belonging, employee voice, and employee experience.

Earlier this year, RS earned a #27 ranking among the 2026 Top 100 North American Inspiring Workplaces — jumping 40 spots from its 2025 position.

"Throughout the year, we have the privilege of celebrating inspiring organizations across each of our regions, and the Global Top 100 is the moment we bring the very best together on a truly global stage," said Matt Manners, founder of the Inspiring Workplaces Group. "Different countries, industries, and sizes connect through one common thread: a demonstrated commitment to creating workplaces where people and performance thrive together. Every organization on this list has earned its place through evidence and real impact."

"Being named one of the 2026 Global Top 100 Inspiring Places to Work is an incredible honor for RS Americas and a reflection of the culture our teams bring to life every day," said D'Mar Phillips, Vice President of People and Culture at RS Americas. "Our people are the heart of our business, and we're committed to creating an environment where authenticity, inclusion, and connection are truly felt. When employees are supported, empowered, and heard, they deliver exceptional experiences for our customers. This recognition affirms our dedication to making belonging a core part of who we are and how we succeed together."

To learn more about RS careers in the Americas and beyond, or to view the full 2026 Global Top 100 Inspiring Places to Work list, please visit the embedded links.

About RS

RS is a high-service global product and service solutions provider for industrial customers, enabling them to operate efficiently and sustainably. We operate in 33 markets, stock over 875,000 industrial and specialist products, and list an additional five million relevant for our industrial customers, sourced from over 2,500 suppliers. This extensive range supports our customers across the industrial lifecycle of designing, building, and maintaining equipment and operations. We enhance their experience through a tailored service model, leveraging our efficient physical, digital, and process infrastructure sustainably. We combine a technically led and digitally enabled approach with an exceptional team of experts; ultimately, it's our people that make the difference. Our purpose, making amazing happen for a better world, reflects our focus on delivering results for people, planet, and profit. 

RS Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange with stock ticker RS1, and in the year ended March 31, 2026, reported revenue of $3,871.07 million. For more information, please visit https://www.rsgroup.com/ or connect with us on LinkedIn or X (Twitter).

About RS in the Americas 

In the Americas region, RS stocks more than 250,000 industrial and electronic products from more than 700 trusted suppliers. These solutions cover categories extending from automation and control equipment to interconnect, passive, active, and electromechanical components and include more than 90,000 high-quality, competitively priced RS PRO products. For more information, please visit https://us.rs-online.com or connect with us via social media on LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.

Editorial Contact & Media Inquiries:

Laurie Tortorello, Director of People & Culture Communications, RS Americas

[email protected]

SOURCE RS

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Green Science Alliance Developed Stable Rechargeable Aqueous Aluminum Ion Battery with Conductive Carbon Rubber Sheet as Cathode Current Collector

KAWANISHI, Japan, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In modern society, rechargeable batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), have become the most practical option for energy storage over the last twenty years because of their high energy density and reliability. However, the flammable LIBs raise safety concerns, while their limited storage capacity, high cost and rare metal scarcity (Li, Co, Ni etc…) which is necessary as raw materials, restricts their widespread application.

These limitations have driven the exploration of alternative rechargeable batteries based on sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn), and aluminum (Al). Among these alternatives, rechargeable aluminum (Al)-ion batteries are especially promising because of their low cost, safety, and high theoretical capacity. Al is inexpensive, chemically stable in air, relatively inert, and one of the most abundant metals in the Earth's crust, making it an ideal anode material for metal-ion batteries. The theoretical energy density of a standard LIBs is roughly 300 - 400 Wh/kg (practical commercial cells at 150 - 300 Wh/kg), whereas an aluminium-ion battery has a theoretical potential around 1,060 Wh/kg. These benefits make Al-based batteries promising candidates for next-generation energy storage technologies.

In spite of these advantages, many researchers have been applying AlCl3 based ionic liquids as electrolytes although this type of electrolyte cause a few problems. Because they are highly corrosive and moisture-sensitive, it requires battery assembly under inert atmospheres such as nitrogen or argon. These requirements increase manufacturing costs, complicate practical application, and accelerate corrosion of battery components, including connecting metals. Therefore, they have to use expensive corrosion resistance metal such as molybdenum (Mo), niobium (Nb) and tantalum (Ta) etc… for cathode current collector which obviously increase the battery cost.

In this regard, water based, aqueous electrolytes would be much better choice. Aqueous Al ion batteries (AAIBs) can be manufactured under normal atmospheric conditions without an inert gas environment, which greatly reduce manufacturing costs while offering superior safety through their nontoxic and nonflammable nature. On top of that, AAIBs do not have to use expensive corrosion resistance metal for cathode current collector.

Therefore, in 2025, Dr. Ryohei Mori at Green Science Alliance as an inventor of this AAIBs has wrote review article including a series of his works in one of British scientific academic journal, with the title "Aqueous rechargeable aluminum battery – a mini review". And made front cover of the journal.

Ryohei Mori, Aqueous rechargeable aluminum battery – a mini review,

Energy Adv., 2025, 4, 1321-1336

Journal Name: Energy Advances

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry

Author: Dr. Ryohei Mori

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D5YA00148J

However, battery performance of prepared AAIB was not sufficient at that stage. Capacity was approximately 103 mAhg-1 at the beginning which is lower than theoretical capacity, and capacity cycle stability was severely inefficient.

However, recently, Dr. Ryohei Mori has applied commercially cheap conductive carbon rubber sheet for AAIBs cathode current collector (substrate) and found highly stable battery performance. Under 0.025 C at room temperature, prepared AAIB demonstrated an initial capacity of at least 210 mAhg-1 which remained for at least 25 cycles and the measurement is still ongoing, and there is a high potential for further growth. Even voltage of prepared AAIB is 0.9 – 1.0 V which is lower than that of LIBs, although it can be solved by electrically connecting them in series. He also observed the redox peaks to confirm that the occurrence of charge-discharge processes in cyclic voltammetry experiments conducted below the theoretical water splitting voltage of 1.23 V (figure 1: In the figure, only first and 20 th data are shown). And these redox peaks were observed even after 100 cycles. In addition, importantly, conventional conductive carbon rubber sheet can replace expensive corrosion resistance metal, as cathode current collector.

Dr. Ryohei Mori hypothesizes that the improvement in AAIB performance was due to the following mechanism: since the conductive carbon rubber sheet was porous, the supported cathode active material penetrated into the pores to form a 3D composite structure. The conductive carbon in the rubber sheet successfully maintained 3D pathways for electrical conductivity, which enabled efficient and positive interactions with the cathode active material. Furthermore, conductive carbon which is the component of porous rubber sheet itself, is the cathode active materials. As a result, the entire structure—including the current collector—effectively functioned as a cathode. Moreover, porous structure accepted aqueous electrolyte to penetrate into the cathode and current collector which increased the surface area for electrochemical reaction (figure 2). This inference was drawn based on the fact that satisfactory battery performance was not achieved when a dense carbon board was applied as cathode current collector.

He used graphite as cathode active material, commercial cheap paper as separator, and high concentration of aqueous aluminum perchlorate hexahydrate (AlClO4)36H2O solution was applied as an electrolyte which enabled AAIBs to possess rechargeable ability. In addition, Al anode with special composition was used as an anode. Even Al anode has specific metal composition, he confirms that this type of Al is not expensive. As such, these components are obviously extremely cheap as rechargeable battery components. It is said that cost of LIBs is approximately $115 per kWh, while projected costs for Al-ion battery could drop to the $55 to $60 per kWh range at scale. Since manufacturing cost of AAIBs is expected to be even cheaper than ionic liquid type electrolyte based Al-ion battery for above mentioned reason, prepared AAIBs could be even much cheaper than $55 per kWh.

Part of the results will be presented in upcoming international conference (250 th ECS (The Electrochemical Society) Meeting) which will be held at Calgary, Canada, on October 2026.

Dr. Ryohei Mori will keep challenging to improve capacity and cycle stability to create AAIBs for real industrial usage.

Contact:

Ryohei Mori

81-90-8528-2305

[email protected]

SOURCE Green Science Alliance Co., Ltd.

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Ohio-based custom injection molder marks five decades of manufacturing, customer partnerships and continued investment in its future

DE GRAFF, Ohio, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- PCPI Plastics, LLC, a custom thermoplastic injection molding manufacturer, is proud to celebrate its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of manufacturing excellence since its founding in 1976.

For 50 years, PCPI has built its business around quality, reliability, customer service and long-term partnerships. Today, the company serves customers across a diverse range of industries, including aerospace and defense, medical devices and pharmaceutical, automotive, electronics, industrial and consumer markets.

"Reaching 50 years is an important milestone for PCPI and, most importantly, a testament to the people who have built this company over the decades," said Guilherme Bornholdt, President of PCPI Plastics. "We are proud of our history, but we are equally excited about what comes next. We continue to invest in our people, capabilities and customer relationships with the goal of making the next 50 years even stronger."

Based in De Graff, Ohio, PCPI provides custom injection molding and related manufacturing solutions, supporting customers from established production programs to new opportunities and mold transfers. The company continues to expand its capabilities while maintaining the responsiveness and flexibility that have defined PCPI for generations.

More recently the company have invested in new presses, new molds and automation to bring even more quality and competitiveness to its customers.

As PCPI celebrates this milestone, the company recognizes the employees, customers, suppliers and community partners who have contributed to its success.

Come join us and be part of the next 50 years of PCPI history.

About PCPI Plastics

Founded in 1976, PCPI Plastics, LLC is an Ohio-based custom thermoplastic injection molding manufacturer serving customers across aerospace and defense, medical and pharmaceutical, automotive, electronics, industrial and consumer markets. PCPI provides injection molding and related manufacturing solutions with a focus on quality, reliability, service and long-term customer partnerships.

SOURCE PCPI Plastics

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NAITRON Advances Granite PMMA/Composite Sink Manufacturing Through TMT Technology and Digitally Controlled Production

NAITRON integrates patented TMT molding with PLC-based controls, automated material dosing, and independent temperature management to produce granite composite sinks with greater consistency and scalable capacity.

HUBEI, China, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hubei Nature New Material Sanitary Appliance Co., Ltd. (NAITRON), a professional granite composite sink manufacturer, provides OEM and ODM manufacturing services for global distributors and wholesale customers. By integrating patented thermosetting molding technology (TMT) with digitally controlled production lines, the company supports consistent quality and scalable production while delivering high-quality granite composite sinks.

Upgrading Production with Intelligent Systems and TMT Technology

NAITRON has developed and innovatively integrated an intelligent molding system specifically for granite composite sinks. The production process is digitally controlled through a PLC system, featuring automated material dosing and an independent intelligent temperature management system. This automated production process helps reduce labor costs and human error while supporting stable product quality.

At the same time, the company has independently developed its patented TMT molding technology, the most advanced thermosetting composite material molding technology in the kitchen sink industry. The technology enables particles to be evenly distributed across both the surface and reverse side of the sink.

NAITRON also forms each sink as an integral whole through a single compression molding process. The entire sink is molded in one operation, with no joints or spliced sections, helping prevent deformation and cracking during normal use.

High-Performance Granite Composite Sinks

NAITRON's granite kitchen sinks are developed for everyday kitchen conditions, including heat, impact, food residue, and frequent cleaning. The products use quartz-based composite materials, while controlled molding, vacuum processing, and high-pressure production contribute to the surface density and structural continuity required in daily use.

The sinks achieve a surface hardness of no less than 60 Barcol and withstand the impact of a 225-gram steel ball in a one-meter free fall without cracking. They are designed to tolerate temperatures up to 280°C, including brief contact with hot cookware, boiling liquids, and hot oil.

The quartz-based composite material resists acid and alkali corrosion and does not rust. Color quartz sand treated through a high-temperature process is intended to retain its color over time. The resulting dense surface helps limit staining and oil residue, allowing routine cleaning without specialized detergents.

NAITRON's granite composite sinks have been recognized by China's National Center for Testing of Chemical Building Materials for their product performance. The sinks contain no toxic substances, radiation, or heavy metals. Silver-ion antibacterial agents are incorporated into the material to support a more hygienic kitchen environment.

Workstation Designs for Modern Kitchens

"The popularization of dishwashers has rewritten the usage scenario of kitchen sinks. Multi-functional workstation sinks that integrate washing, cutting, and draining will be the core mainstream of future kitchen hardware iteration," notes Anna, Brand Director at NAITRON.

As kitchen sinks take on more food preparation tasks beyond traditional post-meal washing, NAITRON has developed workstation designs that bring multiple functions into one integrated area. Its large single basins feature a platform step at the basin opening and are equipped with sliding cutting boards, drain baskets, and roll-up drainers for washing, cutting, and draining. By integrating these functions into one workstation, NAITRON responds to the changing role of kitchen sinks and the growing demand for more efficient food preparation.

Solar-Powered Production and Scalable Capacity

NAITRON operates a two-phase production base with a total construction area of 80,000 square meters. With a total investment of more than RMB 100 million, the production base includes nine standard factories, four production lines, and more than 200 production and testing machines. This infrastructure supports both flexible OEM and ODM manufacturing and large-scale production and delivery.

Across its production lines, NAITRON uses fully mechanized and automated equipment for mass production. This production model enables higher output and more stable quality control while reducing labor costs and the potential for human error. The combination of automated machinery and continuous production lines also supports consistent manufacturing efficiency for high-volume orders.

As part of its efforts to support low-carbon and sustainable development, NAITRON has built its own photovoltaic power system, with 80% of the electricity used for production coming from clean solar energy. The large-scale use of solar power helps reduce electricity costs, contributing to more competitive product pricing for customers.

About NAITRON

Hubei Nature New Material Sanitary Appliance Co., Ltd. is a professional granite composite sink manufacturer providing custom sink manufacturing solutions for international distributors, wholesalers, and brands in the kitchen and sanitary ware industry. Recognized as a National High-Tech Enterprise, NAITRON holds 53 patents and has an annual production capacity of 600,000 granite composite sinks.

Certified by ISO 9001, CE, and CUPC, and audited to BSCI and SEDEX (SMETA) standards, NAITRON serves as a trusted OEM and ODM partner for prominent home furnishing and sanitary ware brands. Its products are exported to more than 20 countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, the United States, and Japan, with markets spanning Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.

With its innovative material technology, patented TMT molding technology, digitally controlled production systems, and large-scale manufacturing facilities, NAITRON supports flexible production and large-scale delivery for international markets.

Media Contact

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.naitronsink.com/

Address: No. 4888, North Wuchu Avenue, Lingang Industrial Park, Xiaochi Town, Huangmei County, Huanggang City, Hubei Province, China

SOURCE Hubei Nature New Material Sanitary Appliance Co., Ltd.

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Frodio Marks Its Second Anniversary with "Frodio Loves You" and 1,000 Free Wigs

The tech-driven wig brand celebrates its community with a Veralux™-powered vision of effortless style, self-expression and giving back.

NEW YORK, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Frodio, a tech-driven wig brand on a mission to make style effortless, expressive and accessible for young women, is marking its second anniversary in October with "Frodio Loves You." Featuring the "1000 Free Wigs" giveaway, the celebration thanks the community growing alongside the brand and invites more people to share their beauty on their own terms.

At its heart is a simple message: Frodio listens. Frodio cares. Frodio gives back. The anniversary recognizes the individual styles, perspectives and experiences that bring the brand to life, while welcoming more voices into its community.

Technology in Service of Self-Expression

Powered by Veralux™ fiber-blend technology, Frodio puts freedom of expression at the center of its approach to style: the freedom to change a look, explore different sides of oneself and feel beautiful on one's own terms. Its brand philosophy brings technology and community together: "Powered by Veralux™. Shaped with our community. Made for every version of you."

The anniversary extends that philosophy into a shared celebration. Frodio encourages its community to exchange styling inspiration and share the looks, stories and everyday moments that make them feel beautiful. As the brand enters its third year, "1000 Free Wigs" turns its appreciation into a community giveback: 1,000 Wigs. 1,000 Ways to Be You.

How to Enter

Entries are open September 28–October 4, 2026, to eligible U.S. participants and close at 11:59 p.m. PDT on October 4.

To enter, follow Frodio on TikTok or Instagram, comment "1,000 Wigs. 1,000 Ways to Be You" on an official Frodio post, and tag one friend.

Entry Review and Winner Confirmation

From October 5–11, 2026, Frodio will review entries and remove duplicate, automated, invalid or otherwise ineligible submissions. On October 12, 2026, the brand will announce potential winners and begin contacting them through the official account on their entry platform: @frodio_official on TikTok or @frodiohair on Instagram.

Potential winners must respond and provide the required verification and contact information by October 15, 2026. Selection is provisional until the required response and verification are completed. If a potential winner misses the deadline, cannot be reached or does not meet the campaign requirements, the prize may be reassigned.

Redeeming a Free Wig

On October 16, 2026, confirmed winners will receive a redemption code to select one eligible wig at no cost from Frodio's designated Giveaway Collection. Available styles, colors and variations are subject to inventory at the time of redemption.

Prizes must be redeemed by January 31, 2027. Unredeemed prizes will be forfeited after the deadline. Giveaway wigs are not eligible for return or exchange.

No Fee to Claim a Prize

Frodio will never charge a fee to claim a giveaway prize. Winners will not be required to purchase another product, transfer money to a private account or provide payment information through an unofficial profile.

For full giveaway details, visit the link in Frodio's official social media bio. Follow #FrodioLovesYou for the anniversary celebration.

About Frodio

Frodio is a tech-driven wig brand on a mission to make style effortless, expressive and accessible for young women. Powered by Veralux™ fiber-blend technology and shaped with its community, the brand champions the freedom to explore personal style. Learn more at frodio.com.

SOURCE Frodio

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Based on more than 1,000 AI personas, the report finds 84% of wealth management firms acknowledge the need for an operating model reset, but less than 10% are prepared for the shift

NEW YORK and NOIDA, India, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- HCLTech (NSE: HCLTECH) (BSE: HCLTECH), a leading global technology company, today released a first-of-its-kind synthetic research report "Hidden In Pl(AI)n Sight," based on a survey of 1,066 representative AI personas modeled on senior wealth management industry decision-makers across 17 global markets.

The research reveals that 84% of global wealth management firms believe their operating models require fundamental redesign to fully realize the promise of AI, highlighting the fact that AI transformation is less about adoption and more about reimagining how businesses operate, compete and grow. It also revealed that while 98% of leadership teams in the industry are actively pursuing an AI agenda, only slightly more than 7% are actively building agentic AI capabilities.

The research identifies three critical blind spots that prevent wealth management firms from converting AI enthusiasm into measurable business outcomes.

- Ambition blind spot, where firms recognize the need for transformation but continue to fund AI for efficiency gains.

- Execution blind spot, where significant investments in technology are not mirrored by investments in the proprietary client data and insights that create real competitive advantage.

- Strategy blind spot, where firms track AI adoption but fail to measure its impact on growth, revenue and clients.

"The industry doesn't have an investment problem. It has a choices problem," said Srinivasan Seshadri, Chief Growth Officer and Global Head of Financial Services, HCLTech. "Nearly every wealth management firm is spending on AI. Far fewer can say which programs they are funding, how far AI actually reaches into the operating model, or whether they're measuring the outcomes that matter — new client value, growth and revenue models. Our research found that 84% of leaders want a fundamental redesign, yet just 12% are measuring the new revenue that the redesign should produce. That's the blind spot the winners will close first."

This research brings together AI's scale, speed, and analytical capabilities with deep human expertise at its core. Industry practitioners, researchers, and subject matter experts played an active role throughout the journey, challenging assumptions, enriching context and rigorously validating findings, ensuring the outcomes were both innovative and grounded in real-world industry experience.

"This study represents a new model for how we generate insights, one where AI gives us scale and speed while human expertise ensures every finding is credible and trustworthy," said Jill Kouri, Global Chief Marketing Officer, HCLTech. "It's a demonstration of what's possible when AI and human expertise work together and exactly the kind of capability we intend to build more in-house."

Firms creating lasting competitive advantage will be those that combine AI with their most unique asset: decades of proprietary client knowledge. Executives ranked first-party and behavioral data as a more valuable differentiator than technology infrastructure, cloud platforms or AI partnerships, while nearly 80% believe future industry leaders will be those that best orchestrate AI, human expertise and ecosystem partners. APAC (89%) and North America (84%) show the highest levels of confidence, while Europe lags at 38.3%, underscoring a markedly different pace of readiness and transformation across markets.

Note to the Editors: Pioneering a New Model of Research with AI

The report, conducted in partnership with Evidenza, represents one of the wealth management industry's most comprehensive applications of synthetic research to date.

The methodology reflects the very approach that HCLTech recommends to its clients: AI at Scale, Human judgment at critical moments. Rather than replacing traditional expertise, AI was used to enhance and scale it, with subject matter experts involved in persona design, research development and validation of findings.

The result is both a new approach to understanding complex industries and a practical example of responsible AI in action. By bringing together AI-driven analysis and human expertise, the study demonstrates how organizations can scale intelligence while maintaining trust, rigor and transparency.

The report ultimately suggests that the firms creating lasting competitive advantage will not necessarily be those deploying the most AI, but those that combine AI with their most unique assets: proprietary client knowledge, human expertise and strong ecosystem partnerships.

To access the full report, please visit: https://www.hcltech.com/financial-services/capital-market.

About HCLTech

HCLTech is a global technology company, home to more than 223,000 people across 60 countries, delivering industry-leading capabilities centered around AI, digital, engineering, cloud and software, powered by a broad portfolio of technology services and products. We work with clients across all major verticals, providing industry solutions for Financial Services, Manufacturing, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Technology & Services, Semiconductor, Telecom and Media, Retail and CPG, Mobility and Public Services. Consolidated revenues as of 12 months ending June 2026 totaled $14.8 billion. To learn how we can supercharge progress for you, visit hcltech.com.

For further details, please contact:

Meredith Bucaro, Americas - [email protected]  

Elka Ghudial, Europe - [email protected]  

James Galvin, APAC - [email protected]

Nitin Shukla, India, Middle East & Africa- [email protected]

SOURCE HCLTech

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Kodi works alongside contact center leaders to investigate problems, uncover opportunities, recommend what needs to happen, and put approved decisions into action.

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Balto today announced the general availability of Kodi, an AI coworker built specifically for contact center leaders that can investigate issues, determine what needs to happen next, and execute approved changes across the tools teams use to run the floor. Rather than stopping at an insight or recommendation, Kodi can carry the work through to action, turning contact center data into changes that can improve performance, revenue, quality, and compliance.

This changes what you can do with contact center data. When something needs to improve, you can have Kodi investigate the underlying interactions, identify the factors driving the outcome, show the evidence, determine what needs to change, and recommend where that change should happen. You review the recommendation, approve it, and Kodi can put it into action through Agent Assist, coaching, QA scorecards, compliance scorecards, Notes, dynamic prompts, checklists, dashboards, data fields, and other Balto capabilities.

"Most insights tools stop at the moment they show you the problem," said Kyle Jones, VP of Product at Balto. "Kodi is built for what happens next. It can investigate the issue, work through the evidence, determine what needs to change, and then go into Balto and make the approved change.

A new way to work with your contact center

For years, contact center technology has given leaders more dashboards, more reports, and more data. The challenge has been turning that data into decisions and then turning those decisions into changes on the floor. Kodi brings those steps together. It can work through the data required to understand what is happening, connect findings to the underlying interactions, identify the factors driving the result, and determine what action could improve the outcome. Because Kodi operates inside Balto, it can then move that decision into execution.

Kodi can also recognize when the original question is not enough. If additional data would produce a better answer, it can create what is needed, backfill the last 60 days, and begin tracking it going forward.

The result is not simply an answer to the question that was asked. Kodi can also surface related patterns and problems you did not think to ask about.

From insight to action without change management required

Execution is powered by a different way of working with your contact center. You can start with a question, a problem, an observation, or something you simply want to understand. You do not need to know exactly which report to run or which data field contains the answer.

The way you need information depends on what you are trying to understand or decide. Kodi can adapt its output to match. You can ask for a chart, change the visualization, compare time periods, break results down by team or location, see the interactions behind a number, summarize findings across conversations, or turn the result into a report or PDF you can share. The information is not locked inside a predefined dashboard. Kodi can work with you to shape the answer around the question, the evidence, and the decision in front of you.

You can ask Kodi to go deeper, change the timeframe, compare teams, investigate a pattern it surfaced, or show the calls behind a finding. The conversation gives you a way to direct the work while Kodi handles the investigation. The insight, the decision, and the tools needed to execute it are connected. Kodi has immediately closed the gap between what you know and what you can do.

Availability

Kodi begins rolling out today exclusively for all Balto customers. To see it in action, visit balto.ai/contact-center-insights/.

About Balto

Balto unifies the contact center by pairing human execution with the speed of agentic AI. Powering thousands of customer interactions daily across the globe, Balto's agent assist, automated QA, and agentic insights to empower contact centers to maximize revenue, eliminate compliance risk, and scale elite operational performance. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Balto is backed by premier venture capital firms and trusted by leading brands across financial services, healthcare, insurance, and retail operations. Learn more at balto.ai

SOURCE Balto Software, Inc.

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Workflow verifies coverage and pulls endorsement forms directly from the policy, extending automation Fulcrum already runs for policy checking and proposals.

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Fulcrum today launched a certificate workflow that returns a complete, endorsement-ready certificate from an emailed request in under a minute, built on the same policy data the platform already uses for policy checking and proposal generation.

Fulcrum automates the underwriting context the document depends on, reading the policy rather than filling a form the way most certificate tools do. The workflow reads the inbound request and any attached contract, compares what is being demanded against the coverage the client actually carries, and flags requests the policy cannot satisfy before an account manager commits to anything. It locates the supporting endorsement forms inside the policy, pulls them, sorts them by the situation they apply to, and attaches them. Description of operations language comes from wording the agency has already approved, shaped to each client's preferences. Account managers review and approve every certificate before it issues.

"When you track the lifecycle of a policy, from policy checking to proposals to servicing, certificates are such a major, tedious piece of that," said Albert Hu, Product Lead for certificates at Fulcrum. "They're also extremely hard to automate, because they require so much context about where a policy stands. We'd always wanted to build it, and once we'd proven ourselves with other workflows, we knew it was time."

Certificates are the latest, and most demanding, of the major workflow areas Fulcrum has taken on, following policy checking and proposal generation. The sequence was deliberate: both of those required the platform to read and reconcile policy data across carriers, forms, and lines of business, and certificates inherit that same foundation.

Renewals compound the gain: because each certificate is built from current policy data rather than a stored template, an entire account can be reissued in a single batch, work that can otherwise take agencies days or weeks each year. It is the largest single gain Fulcrum has delivered to date, doubling the time the platform returns to account managers. Endorsement handling drew the most scrutiny from early users but has been fully tested and proven.

"I am confident, based on what Fulcrum has built, that this new workflow is going to be a game changer for all of Foundation Risk Partners (FRP) We're really excited about the deployment of COIs," said Daniel Greene, Midwest Regional Vice President of P&C Operations at FRP.

"Certificate requests are one of the most repetitive, time-consuming parts of an account manager's day, not because the work is unimportant, but because it eats up hours that should go to higher-value client conversations," said Arjun Mangla, CEO and Co-founder at Fulcrum. "Getting that time back without losing turnaround is what changes for these teams."

Fulcrum is used by nearly half of the top 50 U.S. insurance brokerages and executes more than 2,500 hours of servicing work each day. The certificate workflow joins the company's agents for policy checking, coverage analysis, proposal preparation, and sales preparation.

About Fulcrum

Fulcrum is the leading AI platform for insurance brokerages, helping teams modernize workflows like policy checking, proposal generation, and certificate issuance. Trusted by top U.S. brokerages, Fulcrum's AI agents integrate directly with existing systems to deliver faster, more accurate service without adding headcount. Learn more at www.withfulcrum.com

Media Contact: Colleen O'Hara | [email protected]

SOURCE Fulcrum

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