Oktoberfest festivities, covered bridges, bacon festivals and pick-your-own pumpkins are just the beginning. This autumn, Lehigh Valley is daring visitors to out-adventure the season.

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Forget pumpkin spice everything. This fall, Discover Lehigh Valley®, the region's official destination marketing organization, is daring visitors to see just how much of the season they can pack into one trip. Between scenic drives through brilliant views, festivals devoted entirely to bacon and garlic, plus a corn maze big enough to get you (pleasantly) lost, Lehigh Valley is giving visitors plenty of reasons to take on the challenge.

"Each year, I am reminded just how much there is to experience here every fall," said Alex Michaels, President and CEO of Discover Lehigh Valley. "You can start the day picking pumpkins at Valley Fruits and Veggies, spend the afternoon exploring a festival or scenic trail, and end it with an autumn cocktail or mocktail at Eight Oaks Farm Distillery overlooking the stunning fall foliage. The real challenge isn't finding something to do; it's figuring out how much you can fit into one weekend."

Ready to take the challenge? Lehigh Valley has no shortage of ways to test just how much fun you can fit into one season. With peak foliage typically arriving in mid- to late October, there's no better time to take the dare and see how much you can check off your list, including:

The Great Outdoors

Scenic Drives & Covered Bridges: Take the long way through Lehigh Valley's countryside, where winding roads invite you to slow down and take in the views. Along the way, discover historic covered bridges and plenty of scenic spots to stop and enjoy the season.

Easton Farmers' Market: Visit one of the country's oldest continuously operating farmers' markets to browse fresh produce along with local specialties, while taking in the energy of downtown Easton.

Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley: Combine fall scenery with an afternoon of shopping and dining at this open-air destination surrounded by the rolling hills of Saucon Valley. Visitors can also check out seasonal events like Barktoberfest (Oct. 17–18), a dog-friendly celebration featuring activities, vendors and fun.

D&L RaceFest (Nov. 15): Lace up for an adventure along the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor at D&L RaceFest, where runners and walkers of every pace can experience Lehigh Valley's changing foliage, plus an entire weekend of deals at local participating businesses.

The Harvest Haul

Valley Fruits and Veggies: Head to the farm for a classic fall day filled with seasonal activities, including pumpkin picking, hayrides and more. Be sure to browse the farm market for fresh local produce and seasonal favorites, too!

Lehigh Valley Wineries: Spend an afternoon touring and tasting at local wineries like Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery and Franklin Hill Vineyards for locally produced wines alongside vineyard views and crisp autumn weather. For another taste of the season, rank pumpkin beers at breweries across the region,

Eight Oaks Farm Distillery: Visit this farm-based distillery for handcrafted spirits, cocktails and food made with locally sourced ingredients, all surrounded by Lehigh Valley's picturesque countryside.

The One-of-a-Kind

Celtic Classic (Sept. 25–27): Experience Scottish and Celtic traditions in Bethlehem, where highland athletics and pipe bands set the tone for a weekend filled with dancing, music and food the whole family can enjoy.

Oktoberfest at SteelStacks (Oct. 2–4 & 9–11): Celebrate German heritage at one of the region's signature festivals, featuring plenty of food, beer and live music throughout the weekend, plus crowd favorites like wiener dog races and the Pennsylvania State Stein Holding Championship.

Easton Garlic Fest (Oct. 3–4): Head to downtown Easton for a weekend celebrating the bold flavor of garlic, with plenty of opportunities to taste the beloved ingredient in unexpected ways while enjoying live entertainment.

PA Bacon Fest (Nov. 7–8): Return to Easton for PA Bacon Fest's 15th anniversary, including more than 100 vendors that turn bacon into everything from bacon on a stick to maple bacon cupcakes, backed by family-friendly activities for a full day of indulgence.

The Screams

Dorney Park's Halloween Haunt & Tricks and Treats: During the day, families can enjoy the park's Tricks and Treats (Sept. 19–Nov. 1) festivities before the atmosphere shifts after dark, when Halloween Haunt (Sept. 18–Oct. 31) turns the park into scare zones and haunted attractions built for an older crowd.

Boo at the Zoo at Lehigh Valley Zoo (Oct. 17–18, 24–25 & 31 – Nov. 1): Families can enjoy Halloween-themed activities and animal encounters at Lehigh Valley Zoo, making for a festive outing for visitors of all ages.

Screamin' Green Hauntoween at Crayola Experience (Sept. 19–Nov. 1): Enjoy a Halloween celebration with a colorful Crayola twist, featuring seasonal games, Halloween-themed crafts and plenty of hands-on fun for families.

Eerie Easton Walking Tour (Sept. 25–Nov. 8): Explore Easton after dark on a walking tour that dives into the city's spooky history, uncovering haunted places and local legends.

Think you can do it all? Take the dare and build your ultimate Lehigh Valley fall weekend using DiscoverLehighValley.com. Pick your must-do experiences, make your list and tag @LehighValleyPa as you check them off along the way.

About Discover Lehigh Valley:

Discover Lehigh Valley®, the official destination marketing organization of Pennsylvania's Lehigh and Northampton counties, is dedicated to driving economic growth and strengthening local pride through tourism to the region. Just 60 minutes north of Philadelphia and 90 minutes west of New York City, Lehigh Valley is home to must-see attractions and festivals, world-class sporting events, thrilling outdoor recreation, renowned colleges and universities, and historic sites, including Moravian Church Settlements – Bethlehem, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic Landmark District. Many of America's favorite brands, such as Crayola®, Peeps®, Mike & Ike®, Martin Guitars, Mack Trucks, and Olympus, originate from Lehigh Valley. Visit DiscoverLehighValley.com and follow @LehighValleyPa.

SOURCE Discover Lehigh Valley

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West Virginia personal injury law firm marks five years of giving back to the motorcycle community as 2026 participation grows nearly 540% compared with 2023

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va., Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- For the fifth consecutive year, Miley Legal Accident Injury Lawyers is bringing its annual Motorcycle Giveaway back to West Virginia, continuing a tradition created to celebrate and give back to the motorcycle community while recognizing the important role riders play in supporting local businesses, charitable organizations and communities throughout the state.

The 2026 Miley Legal Motorcycle Giveaway will take place Sunday, September 27, beginning at 1 p.m. at The Social Tap/The "O" by Oliverio's in Bridgeport. One eligible person will receive $15,000 toward the purchase of a new or used motorcycle from the dealership of their choice.

This year marks an important milestone for the program. What began five years ago as an opportunity to give back to West Virginia riders has grown into a statewide initiative connecting Miley Legal with thousands of members of the motorcycle community at events throughout the riding season.

In 2023, Miley Legal recorded 859 giveaway entries across 10 events. Through the 2026 season, that reach has grown to 5,496 entries across 81 motorcycle events, representing nearly 540% growth compared with 2023.

Giving Back to a Community That Gives Back

For Miley Legal, the annual Motorcycle Giveaway has always been about more than the grand prize. The firm created the program as a way to support a motorcycle community that spends much of the year supporting others.

Throughout West Virginia, riders regularly come together for charity rides, poker runs, bike nights, benefits and other events that raise money and awareness for local families, nonprofit organizations and community causes. These gatherings also bring riders into cities and towns across the state, generating business for locally owned restaurants, bars, dealerships, venues and other small businesses.

"The motorcycle community in West Virginia does an incredible amount to support the people, organizations and local businesses that make our communities special," said Tim Miley, founder of Miley Legal Accident Injury Lawyers. "Five years ago, we wanted to create something that would allow us to give something back to them. Seeing how much this has grown and how many riders we've had the opportunity to meet along the way has made it even more meaningful."

From 10 Events to 81 Across West Virginia

The growth of the program reflects Miley Legal's expanding involvement with the motorcycle community throughout the state.

During the 2023 season, approximately 720 people generated 859 entries across 10 events. By 2026, the program had expanded to 81 events generating 5,496 entries, an average of nearly 68 entries per event. The events included bike nights, charity rides, poker runs, community gatherings and other motorcycle-focused events at businesses and venues throughout the region.

The 2026 schedule also illustrates the breadth of Miley Legal's involvement in the motorcycle community. Giveaway entries were generated through events associated with local businesses and organizations including RG's Almost Heaven Harley-Davidson, Triple S Harley-Davidson and Miley Legal's own hosted events, as well as dozens of other gatherings throughout the season.

That growth reinforces the larger purpose behind the giveaway: showing up for the same motorcycle community that consistently shows up for West Virginia.

"We see riders supporting local businesses and coming together for great causes everywhere we go," Miley added. "Our goal is to recognize that community for their efforts, support the events and businesses that bring people together, and then end the season with a celebration that is all about the riders."

Fifth Annual Giveaway Continues the Tradition

The September 27 event will bring riders together in Bridgeport to celebrate another season and select the winner of the 2026 Miley Legal Motorcycle Giveaway.

One eligible participant will receive $15,000 toward the purchase of a new or used motorcycle from the dealership of their choice.

The giveaway is open to anyone who is at least 18 years old. No purchase is necessary to enter or win. Participants can enter online or through qualifying Miley Legal motorcycle events, and the selected winner must be present at the September 27 event to win.

2026 Miley Legal Motorcycle Giveaway

Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026

Time: 1 p.m.

Location: The Social Tap/The "O" by Oliverio's, Bridgeport, West Virginia

Address: 2036 Anmoore Rd, Bridgeport, WV 26330

Grand Prize: $15,000 toward the purchase of a new or used motorcycle from the dealership of their choice

Eligibility: Anyone age 18 or older; winner must be present to win

For giveaway information, entry details and complete Official Rules, visit the 2026 Motorcycle Giveaway page at MileyLegal.com.

About Miley Legal Accident Injury Lawyers

Miley Legal Accident Injury Lawyers is a West Virginia personal injury law firm dedicated to representing individuals and families who have been injured through no fault of their own. The firm represents clients in motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, workplace accidents and other serious personal injury matters throughout West Virginia.

In addition to advocating for injury victims, Miley Legal is committed to supporting the communities it serves and the people, organizations and local businesses that make a positive impact throughout the state.

For more information, visit MileyLegal.com.

Media Contact

Carrie Nielsen

Chief Marketing Officer

Miley Legal Accident Injury Lawyers

Phone: 304.326.1800

Email: [email protected]

Website: MileyLegal.com

SOURCE Miley Legal Accident Injury Lawyers

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Sandbox VR Expands to Spain with New Les Glòries Venue in Barcelona, Opening October 1

Sandbox VR brings the world's most advanced virtual reality experience to Les Glòries

BARCELONA, Spain, Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sandbox VR, the world's premier venue for virtual reality experiences, will open its first location in Spain on October 1, 2026 in Barcelona's Sant Martí district. The new location joins the vibrant Les Glòries area, where Barcelona's 22@ innovation district meets the city's design and cultural life amid new public spaces, businesses and creative institutions. The venue is operated by AVEVC VR1 SOCIEDAD LIMITADA. Guests can take advantage of a limited-time presale offer of 20% off through September 30 at https://sandboxvr.com/es/barcelona/glories. With over 150k players monthly, Sandbox VR continues to expand its global footprint through corporate-owned locations and a robust franchising program.

The Barcelona venue will feature three private holodecks, where groups of up to six guests suit up with headsets, haptic vests and motion sensors for full-body immersion. This technology allows players to see and physically interact with one another, creating the feeling of living inside the action together. The premium experience extends from arrival to exit, with personalized highlight videos allowing guests to relive and share their adventures. A café and bar inside the venue will serve specialty coffee, beer and snacks, giving groups a place to gather before or after their experience.

"Barcelona embraces technology, culture and shared experiences, making Les Glòries a natural home for Sandbox VR," said Alex Pique, owner of Sandbox VR Barcelona Glories. "We look forward to welcoming friends, families, colleagues and visitors to step into these worlds together, then continue the experience over coffee or a beer."

Sandbox VR operates both corporate-owned locations and a robust franchise program, and recently surpassed $300 million in lifetime sales while scaling to more than 90 global locations across five continents and 13 countries since launching in 2016. The company is redefining group entertainment with immersive experiences that transform any outing into lasting memories. Built by a team of veteran developers from EA, Sony and Ubisoft, Sandbox VR delivers full-body immersion through exclusive content and original experiences, including Stranger Things: Catalyst, in collaboration with Netflix, and Age of Dinosaurs, created in partnership with the Natural History Museum of London and leading dinosaur experts.

Sandbox VR provides an unparalleled entertainment experience with over 250,000 five-star reviews from guests worldwide. With over 6 million lifetime tickets sold across five continents, the company has established itself as the global leader in location-based virtual reality. Sandbox VR is backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Gobi Partners, Craft and Stanford University, along with individuals such as Kevin Durant, Justin Timberlake and Katy Perry.

To learn more about Sandbox VR Barcelona, visit https://sandboxvr.com/es/barcelona/glories.

ABOUT SANDBOX VR

Sandbox VR is the world's premier destination for location-based virtual reality experiences. Operating across more than 90 venues around the globe through a robust franchise and corporate-owned model, Sandbox VR attracts over 150,000 guests each month. Sandbox VR provides guests the opportunity to step out of everyday reality into unforgettable adventures through exhilarating, group-play immersive experiences. Using a proprietary full-body VR platform, the company develops original and licensed content, including exclusive experiences like Stranger Things: Catalyst and Squid Game Virtuals in collaboration with Netflix, and the Sandbox VR original Deadwood series. With over 6 million tickets sold worldwide, Sandbox VR has become the leader in immersive entertainment, combining premium technology with emotionally engaging storytelling. Recognized as one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies and a two-time honoree on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies, Sandbox VR is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Hong Kong and Vancouver. The company has raised over $70 million from investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Gobi Partners and Craft, with individual backers including Justin Timberlake, Kevin Durant and Will Smith.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE Sandbox VR

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A Lear Capital employee's report of suspicious transactions helped Antioch, California police uncover a scheme with victims in several states.

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A suspicious-transaction alert raised by an employee at Lear Capital, a Los Angeles-based precious metals company, led to the arrest of an Antioch, CA.man and the disruption of a multi-state identity theft operation, according to the Antioch Police Department.

On July 21, 2026, a Lear Capital employee flagged account activity they believed was fraudulent and contacted the Antioch Police Department. Detective Ryan Duff connected the transactions to victims across multiple states, with combined losses of nearly $30,000, police said.

Within days, detectives served a search warrant at an Antioch residence and recovered stolen property, including $9,000 in gold, along with check-printing equipment, card readers, personal identifying information belonging to numerous people, and two firearms. An Antioch man was arrested, and the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office filed felony identity theft and grand theft charges. The charges are allegations, and the man is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

In a public statement, the Antioch Police Department credited the company's employees for acting on what they noticed instead of ignoring it, noting that "alert businesses are often the first to spot" identity theft before victims realize they have been targeted.

"Our people handle transactions for customers across the country every day, and part of that responsibility is noticing when something doesn't add up," said John Ohanesian, Chief Executive Officer, Lear Capital. "In this case, one employee's decision to pick up the phone helped protect people in several states who had no idea they were being victimized. That's the standard we want every member of our team to hold."

Katya Askar, Senior Director of Sales at Lear Capital, said the outcome reflects habits the company tries to build into everyday account handling. "You develop an instinct for when a transaction doesn't fit the pattern, and the right response is always to slow down and ask questions," Askar said. "I'd rather our team pause a hundred routine orders than let one person lose their savings because nobody stopped to look."

The case reflects a broader rise in identity theft schemes that rely on stolen personal data, forged financial instruments, and fraudulent transactions. To reduce their exposure, the Antioch Police Department encouraged consumers to freeze their credit with the major credit bureaus, enroll in the U.S. Postal Service's Informed Delivery service, and review their credit reports regularly.

Lear Capital said it trains its representatives to watch for irregular activity as part of routine account handling and to escalate concerns to law enforcement when warranted.

This is not the first time the company's employees have helped stop fraud in progress. In July 2024, Lear Capital worked with the FBI and Oregon police to help disrupt a nationwide gold-bar scam aimed at older Americans — an effort the company credited with keeping roughly $8 million away from criminals over a two-month span and helping lead to an arrest.

Consumers can learn more about the company and its approach to precious metals at www.learcapital.com or by calling 800-576-9355.

About Lear Capital

Founded in 1997, Lear Capital is a Los Angeles-based precious metals company that helps investors diversify their portfolios with physical gold and silver, including precious metals individual retirement accounts. The company reports more than $3 billion in precious metals transactions over its history and provides pricing, education, and support to both first-time buyers and experienced investors. More information is available at www.learcapital.com.

Media Contact:

Debora Lima, [email protected]

SOURCE Lear Capital

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2027 Louisville Manufactured Housing Show Opens Attendee Registration

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Midwest Manufactured Housing Federation has announced that attendee registration is now open for the 2027 Louisville Manufactured Housing Show, returning to the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, KY. from Jan. 20-22.

The Louisville Show draws thousands of industry professionals to tour over 40 model homes from the nation's leading manufacturers, making it the largest indoor display of factory-built homes in the country. As the precursor to the spring and summer selling season, the Louisville Show provides manufactured housing professionals across the country the opportunities needed for a strong sales year.

"The Louisville Show has been an industry cornerstone for over 60 years and is definitely a must-attend event for any manufactured housing professional," MMHF President Eric Oaks said. "With the latest model homes on display and hundreds of exhibitors showing off the newest innovations, this is the event for anyone looking to gain a competitive edge in the industry."

Attendees can also learn from industry leaders as they share their insights for 2027 and beyond. Topics covered during the educational seminars at the 2026 show ranged from state of the industry, to builder/developer trends, to financing, to community management.

"Not only will this year continue the positive momentum for the Louisville Show, but we're excited to have more than 425,000 square feet of exhibit space," Byron Stroud, 2027 Louisville Show Chairman, said. "That means attendees will get to see even more innovations from our exhibitors, have more chances to connect with their peers, and of course see more model homes."

For information about attendee registration, sponsorship opportunities, hotel block announcements, and other updates regarding the Louisville Show, visit TheLouisvilleShow.com.

Those interested in exhibiting or becoming a sponsor are urged to visit TheLouisvilleShow.com/exhibitors or call (616) 888-8030 today, as exhibitor booths and sponsorships are quickly selling out.

The Louisville Show is an industry trade event not open to the general public. For more information, visit TheLouisvilleShow.com.

About The Midwest Manufactured Housing Federation

The Midwest Manufactured Housing Federation is a trade-association dedicated to the promotion and advancement of the manufactured housing industry throughout Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio. The Federation holds the Louisville Manufactured Housing Show annually in Louisville, Ky.

SOURCE Midwest Manufactured Housing Federation

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CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Forbes has named Farm Aid Co-Executive Director and Program Director Shorlette Ammons to its 2026 50 Over 50: Impact list, recognizing her leadership in strengthening family farmers, rural communities and the movement for a more just and resilient food and farm system. Ammons helps lead Farm Aid's work to keep family farmers on the land, amplify their voices and advance a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture.

Now in its sixth year, Forbes' 50 Over 50, produced in partnership with Mika Brzezinski's Know Your Value initiative, celebrates women creating their greatest impact at age 50 and beyond. Ammons' recognition reflects a career rooted in community and addressing barriers facing family farmers — particularly Black, Indigenous and other farmers of color — while building the power of farmers to shape the systems that affect their lives.

"Farm Aid has always understood that family farmers are essential to the health of our communities, our food system and our democracy," Ammons said. "This recognition reflects the company I've been fortunate to keep — farmers, advocates, organizers and culture keepers who are committed to truth-telling and to preserving the shared story of who we are and how we got here. At a time when that history and the institutions that help carry it forward are under threat, our work at Farm Aid is more important than ever. I'm honored by this recognition, but our eyes remain on the larger prize: building a just and equitable food and farm system in which family farmers can thrive and all of us recognize the collective power we hold to create change."

Ammons joined Farm Aid as program director in 2022, bringing decades of experience in community-based food systems, rural advocacy and strengthening historically underserved communities. She became Farm Aid's co-executive director in 2025, sharing leadership with Co-Executive Director and Communications Director Jennifer Fahy.

Before joining Farm Aid, Ammons worked with the Wayne Food Initiative to strengthen local food systems and served as a children's librarian at Wayne County Public Library. A native of Beautancus, North Carolina, she grew up in a family of farmworkers, cooks and storytellers — experiences that continue to shape her commitment to family farmers and rural communities. She currently serves on the board of the Land Loss Prevention Project, which works to preserve Black-owned family farmland in North Carolina.

Ammons will join farmers, artists, advocates and supporters for Farm Aid 2026 in Virginia Beach, Va., on Saturday, Sept. 26. Tickets, priced from $85 to $350, are available at farmaid.org/2026 and the amphitheater box office, open Mondays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Venue and festival information is available at farmaid.org/festival.

The celebration will extend beyond the concert stage this year through Farm Aid's partnership with Virginia Beach's Neptune Festival for the Farm Aid Family Reunion: "We the Farmers" Takeover on Friday, Sept. 25. The free Virginia Beach Oceanfront gathering will feature music, dance and stories from farmers leading into Farm Aid 2026.

Farm Aid's mission is to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Margo Price and Nathaniel Rateliff host an annual festival to raise funds to support Farm Aid's work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family farm food. Since 1985, Farm Aid, with the support of the artists who contribute their performances each year, has raised more than $90 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms.

SOURCE Farm Aid

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2026 Collegiate Inventors Competition Finalists Showcase Future of American Innovation

NORTH CANTON, Ohio, Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Collegiate Inventors Competition®, an annual competition that has rewarded innovations, discoveries and research by college and university students and their faculty advisers for more than 35 years, announced today its 2026 finalists.

This year's finalists and their inventions provide a glimpse into the future of American innovation and emerging technological trends — from emergency resuscitation to rapid pesticide monitoring. Through their research, these students have harnessed their "inner inventor" to make working prototypes that can positively change our world.

Each year, individuals representing a broad cross-section of technological fields serve as first-round judges, evaluating entries based on originality of the idea, process, level of student initiative, and potential value and usefulness to society. The finalists will present their inventions in the Washington, D.C., area on Oct. 15 to a panel of final-round judges composed of the most influential inventors and invention experts in the nation — National Inventors Hall of Fame® Inductees and United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) officials. Winning teams, which receive cash prizes and patent acceleration, also will be announced on Oct. 15.

"The USPTO is proud to host and sponsor the 2026 Collegiate Inventors Competition because these students represent exactly what America's Innovation Agency is here to support: the next generation of inventors turning curiosity into invention, and invention into better tomorrows," said John A. Squires, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO. "Their work is a powerful reminder that the spirit of American ingenuity is alive and well and accelerating. We are proud to celebrate these remarkable finalists, help them see the power of intellectual property, and support them as they turn bold ideas into the technologies, companies and solutions that will shape America's next great chapter of innovation."

Established in 1990, the Collegiate Inventors Competition is a program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame and is sponsored by the USPTO. Follow the National Inventors Hall of Fame on Facebook, LinkedIn, X and Instagram for updates and additional information.

UNDERGRADUATE FINALISTS

CPRight, University of Washington

Team Members: Shubham Bansal, Prisha Hemani, Deeya Sharma, Nikhita Vaddineni; Adviser: Tristan Jafari

Real-time guidance for emergency resuscitation: Each year, more than 350,000 Americans experience a heart attack outside a hospital, and about 90% of them die. Bystanders are often willing to help but are unable to deliver high-quality CPR. CPRight is a single-use, wallet-sized patch a rescuer places on a patient's sternum. Displaying simple LED cues, it shows the rescuer, in real time, whether compression depths and rates are effective. CPRight does not require any additional technology or equipment, making it accessible and easy to use when seconds count to save lives.

Flow-IO, University of Minnesota

Team Members: Anuk Dias, Shaliny Jadhav, Dilshan Rajan; Adviser: Gwenyth Fischer

A failsafe IO needle: Rapid intravenous (IV) access is essential in emergencies, and in pediatric patients, traditional IV access is often unsuccessful. Intraosseous (IO) needles provide a lifesaving alternative by delivering medications and fluids directly into the bone marrow space. Existing IO devices rely on clinicians' judgment to select needle lengths and determine insertion depth, introducing substantial risks. Flow-IO is a universal pediatric IO needle architecture designed to replace traditional variable-length needle kits with a single, anatomy-driven device. This invention simplifies emergency medical inventory while eliminating clinician guesswork during high-stress situations.

KAIRS (Knee Artificial Intelligence Rehabilitation Sleeve), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Team Members: Samanyu Dixit, Hieu Minh Doan, Sahaj Sapovadia, Chinmay Singh; Adviser: Devin Hubbard

A smart solution for knee recovery: After knee injuries and surgeries, patients follow months-long rehabilitation routines. The Knee Artificial Intelligence Rehabilitation Sleeve (KAIRS), a wearable rehab system, continuously monitors the range of knee motion and quality of movement during at-home exercises and everyday activities on the move. With a flexible, sensor-embedded sleeve, mobile app and cloud-based machine learning model, KAIRS delivers individualized progress tracking for patients and remote monitoring for clinicians. This invention could improve rehab adherence, support clinical decisions, enable personalized care plans and expand recovery guidance to patients with limited access to physical therapy.

Lighted Oral Optics for Kids, Rice University

Team Members: Ankitha Challa, Andy Corliss, Komal Talloo, Nahom Zerai; Adviser: Sabia Abidi

A modern approach to pediatric exams: Millions of families seek care annually for illnesses that require doctors to examine the back of a child's throat. The standard exam, using a tongue depressor and penlight, has remained largely unchanged in over a century. Team LOOK (Lighted Oral Optics for Kids) developed the Magic Wand, a child-centered system that combines a reusable handheld device, a disposable tongue-depressing attachment, and a secure digital platform for image capture and storage. Its wand-like design and interactive LEDs engage children while improving visualization, documentation and clinical efficiency.

Vaskular, Dartmouth College

Team Member: Victoria Makalah King; Adviser: Kwame Owusu

Individualized care for patients at risk: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) occurs when a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in a leg, travels to a lung and blocks an artery. VTE affects up to 900,000 Americans and causes up to 100,000 deaths annually. Vaskular is a wearable, battery-powered compression device that could prevent VTE through individualized therapy. Using synchronized ankle and knee photoplethysmography sensors to monitor blood flow and tissue oxygenation, it adjusts compression pressure, duration and sequencing in real time. Rechargeable and reusable, Vaskular could support patients both in the hospital and at home.

GRADUATE FINALISTS

BioAxis, New York University

Team Members: Rayan Bargouth, Asser El Ashwah; Adviser: Richard Stein

Supporting rotator cuff healing: Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears affect about 3 million Americans annually. Standard care includes rest, rehabilitation and pain management but does not repair structural damage. Many untreated tears progress to full-thickness rupture. Developed by Vitalis Regenerative Materials Inc., BioAxis is a single-use, point-of-care medical device that combines a patient's platelet-rich plasma with a prefilled bioresorbable polymer to form a tissue-adherent hydrogel. This closed sterile system combines scaffold reconstitution, controlled platelet activation, and injectable hydrogel delivery to support tendon preservation and repair for patients who don't meet the threshold for full surgical repair.

ClearView-Jaw, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Team Members: William McKay, Zachary Spears, Amogh Vellore; Advisers: Anish Ghodadra, Matthew Spector

Improving outcomes for head and neck cancer patients: Head and neck cancer patients often need mandibular reconstruction after jaw tumor removal, followed by high-dose radiation. The titanium plates used to secure the reconstructed jaw can distort radiation, shielding tumor cells and scattering the radiation into healing tissue, with about 60% of patients developing a complication within five years. The ClearView-Jaw device reduces harmful backscatter and shadowing while helping clinicians target tumors more precisely, lowering complications and improving patient outcomes.

CoFATE, University of Chicago

Team Member: Bryant Colin; Adviser: Aaron Esser-Kahn

A new perspective on drug discovery: Nine out of 10 drugs in clinical trials never reach patients. For immune drugs, that failure often begins with a test at the start. Existing tests use one cell type alone, measuring how strong a response is, but not what kind. CoFATE puts two immune cells in one tiny well, a dendritic cell that gives the instruction and a T cell that carries it out. It then reads which of five responses follows. Screening thousands of drugs this way could speed vaccines and treatments for autoimmune disease and cancer.

NeuTrode, University of South Florida

Team Members: Bridget Clift, Cristina Ramirez-Vargas, Addison Whitehead; Adviser: Nathan Schilaty

Reliable technology for neurological care: Electroencephalography (EEG) helps diagnose and monitor neurological conditions such as epilepsy, sleep disorders and brain injuries. Current EEG technologies consist of wet, semi-dry and dry electrodes, but each presents significant limitations. Providing an innovative alternative, NeuTrode is a flexible EEG electrode designed to maintain consistent scalp contact without the use of gels or liquids. Its soft, comfortable design adapts to different hair densities, skin conditions and head shapes, and it enables faster setup, improved patient comfort and steady, reliable signal acquisition.

SpectraSense, University of Washington

Team Members: Nathan Day-Holterhoff, Maxwell Mamishev, Rishi Sappidi, Maxwell Stafford; Adviser: Sep Makhsous

Rapid pesticide monitoring: Pesticides play an essential role in modern agriculture by protecting crops from insects, weeds and disease, but their widespread use has raised concerns about chemical residues entering the food supply. Combining fluorescence-based monitoring with embedded chemometric analysis in a compact, portable package, SpectraSense is designed to rapidly detect and classify pesticide residues at the point of inspection.

Second annual Social Connection in America™ survey measures the conditions that shape social connection and provides communities with data to guide action

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The second annual Social Connection in America™ survey continued to show troubling trends across several key indicators of social connection—including time spent with others, size of social networks, and social participation (clubs, religion or volunteering). Combined with continued gaps across other measures, these findings reveal a pattern from 2025 to 2026: the conditions that help people and communities thrive remain weak.

The findings come from the nation's first long-term effort to measure social connection comprehensively over 25 years, providing communities with annual national and state-level data to guide action.

"What concerns me is not any single finding, but the pattern of disconnection across the data, including too little time together, limited participation in community life and persistent loneliness," said Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University and Co-Director and Scientific Lead of the Social Connection in America™ initiative. "For a second year, we are seeing many of the conditions that support strong relationships, health and well-being remain weak. These are warning signs we should take very seriously."

Key findings from the second annual Social Connection in America™ survey provide the first year-over-year look at national trends in social connection, and show that many of the patterns identified in 2025 persist in 2026. Key findings from the 2026 survey include:

- For most Americans, time with people they care about is occasional rather than routine. Almost 70% get together no more than once or twice a month, while one in five do so only a few times a year or less often.

- Time is the greatest barrier to social connection (30.6%). Beyond busy schedules, Americans point to distance (14.8%), the effort it takes to get together (13.3%), and anxiety in social situations (11.1%) as the biggest reasons they don't spend more time with others.

- Loneliness remains a concern. Four in ten Americans report moderate to severe loneliness.

- Most Americans do not see virtual connection as an equal substitute for spending time together in person. Nearly twice as many disagree (43.9%) as agree (24.4%) that virtual interactions satisfy their need for connection as much as in-person interactions.

- AI companionship has not yet become mainstream. Most Americans (84.9%) rarely or never use an AI companion, though nearly 15% say they interact with one at least sometimes.

- Interacting across differences helps build the trust, understanding, and relationships that strengthen communities. More than one-third (37%) of Americans report interacting with people from different backgrounds or viewpoints often or all the time, while 44% do so sometimes and nearly one in five (19%) rarely or never.

- Opportunities to contribute to others and participate in community life remain critical ingredients of connection, but the study found that 57% of Americans do not belong to clubs or organizations, 58% did not volunteer, and close to half (49%) did not attend religious services in the last year.

State-level data helps leaders understand where social connection is strong and where action may be needed.

"Many of the forces weakening social connection are hiding in plain sight. We often interpret them as individual choices or modern conveniences, when they are also the result of broader social and structural conditions," said Dr. Anita Chandra, RAND Distinguished Chair in American Social Policy, Senior Principal Policy Researcher, and Co-Director and Practice Lead of the Social Connection in America™ initiative. "The goal isn't just better data; it's better decisions. Data makes social connection visible. When communities can measure it, they can move beyond assumptions and make more informed decisions about the policies, programs, partnerships and investments that strengthen it."

Despite these challenges, the survey identifies community strengths on which to build. Most Americans report feeling they belong in their neighborhood (70.6%), while many say neighbors are willing to help one another (58%) and can be trusted (49.9%). These strengths provide a foundation for strengthening social connection.

YMCA of the USA and United Way Worldwide, strategic partners of Social Connection in America™, are using the data to inform community strategies, evaluate impact and strengthen programs. The survey's platform continues to support local action by providing state-level findings and public-use data sets for 2025 and 2026, helping community organizations and local leaders consider social connection in decisions about programming, policy and funding.

"Bringing people together always has been part of the YMCA's mission," said Suzanne McCormick, President and CEO of YMCA of the USA. "These findings reinforce that connection doesn't happen by accident. That's why the Y's new 10-year strategic vision, Creating Connected Communities, focuses on intentionally designing experiences that help people reach their goals, build meaningful relationships, and contribute to something greater than themselves. This research gives us valuable insight into how we can deepen our impact and ensure more people get what they need to thrive."

"One of the strongest messages emerging from United Way's Resilient Communities Advisory Council is that strong communities are built on strong relationships," said Rosie Allen-Herring, Interim President and CEO of United Way Worldwide. "The work of Dr. Anita Chandra and the Social Connection in America™ initiative has elevated important conversations about how trusted relationships, community participation, and social connection contribute to resilience. Those insights are helping inform how United Way delivers on community resiliency as one of our key focus areas."

About Social Connection in America™

Social Connection in America™ is the nation's first comprehensive, 25-year effort to track social connection across the United States. Led by RAND and The Connection Institute with support from the catalyst and founding funder, the Barnes Family Foundation, the project provides annual national and state-level data, creating a shared measurement system to help community organizations, policymakers, businesses and funders better understand and strengthen social connection over time. The survey currently tracks American adults and will convene a youth survey using RAND's American Youth Panel, starting in Fall 2026.

About United Way Worldwide

United Way mobilizes communities to action so all can thrive. True to our founding spirit, whenever there is a need in our communities, United Way is there. We bring a comprehensive approach to every challenge, actively listening and responding to local needs. Our reach across tens of thousands of communities means we can share innovations and scale impact to improve lives around the world. From strengthening local resilience to advancing health, youth opportunity, and financial security, we're working towards a future where every person in every community can reach their full potential. To learn more, visit www.unitedway.org.

About YMCA of the USA

The YMCA is the leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community by empowering young people, improving the health and well-being of people of all ages, and inspiring action in and across communities. For 175 years, the Y has been a place where meaningful connections help build stronger communities.

The Y is a part of everyday life, with locations in more than 10,000 neighborhoods in the U.S., helping people achieve their goals, build relationships, and discover a true sense of belonging. The Y plays a distinct role in building social connections through its focus on fundamental programs and services, volunteerism, community development, and advocacy that strengthens community. To learn more, visit www.ymca.org

Media Contact: Ann Saybolt, [email protected], +1.703.969.2859

SOURCE Social Connection in America

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Strategic Collaboration | Sanyou Bio and NovoCodex Partner to Co-Develop Innovative Dual-Payload ADCs

SHANGHAI and SHAOXING, China, Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanyou Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. ("Sanyou Bio") and NovoCodex Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. ("NovoCodex") jointly announced that the two companies have formally entered into a strategic collaboration agreement. The partnership will focus on the joint development of innovative antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), leveraging Sanyou Bio's strengths in innovative ADC discovery powered by its AI-Super trillion antibody/molecule libraries (AI-STAL) and Sanyou AI-Drug Accelerator (SAI-DA), together with NovoCodex's extensive expertise in site-specific conjugation technology using unnatural amino acids. Through this collaboration, the two companies will jointly advance the development of innovative ADC therapeutics and work to deliver therapies with greater clinical value to cancer patients worldwide.

The core competitiveness of ADC therapeutics begins with the precision of antibody targeting and is realized through stable and controllable conjugation processes. NovoCodex's proprietary site-specific conjugation technology platform, NovoCode™, precisely incorporates unnatural amino acids into antibodies to achieve defined and controllable conjugation sites, ensuring a highly homogeneous ADC product rather than the heterogeneous mixtures generated by traditional random conjugation approaches. This technology has been validated in the pivotal Phase III clinical trial of ARX788, and has supported ARX305 in demonstrating a favorable safety window and durable antitumor activity in patients with advanced renal cancer with high CD70 expression.

Sanyou Bio's innovative ADC discovery platform was established in 2020 and has extensive experience in project design and process development, having successfully delivered more than 800 ADC conjugation projects. Particularly in the development of novel ADC molecular formats, Sanyou Bio has established capabilities in the discovery and design of dual-target ADCs and dual-payload ADCs. Dual-target ADCs enhance tumor selectivity by targeting two distinct antigen epitopes, while dual-payload ADCs expand the therapeutic window and help overcome drug resistance by incorporating two payloads with different mechanisms of action. These two innovative molecular formats are particularly well suited to have their design potential fully unlocked through NovoCodex's NovoCode™ platform.

The two companies' synergistic exploration in this area is expected to open up new technological possibilities for the development of next-generation ADC therapeutics.

The strategic collaboration will focus on the following key areas:

- Integration of Antibody Discovery and Site-Specific Conjugation:

Sanyou Bio will leverage the AI-STAL platform to screen antibody candidates with high internalization efficiency and high target specificity, while NovoCodex will use the NovoCode™ platform to develop site-specific conjugation processes, establishing a coordinated evaluation of antibody characteristics and conjugation strategies from the outset.

- Joint Exploration of Dual-Target and Dual-Payload ADCs:

Combining Sanyou Bio's molecular design capabilities with NovoCodex's site-specific conjugation platform, the two companies will advance the evaluation of target combinations for dual-target ADCs, the screening of payload pairs for dual-payload ADCs, and preclinical proof-of-concept studies.

- Building a Closed-Loop R&D Workflow:

The two companies will establish joint project teams to integrate the entire development process, from target research and antibody screening through conjugation process development and in vitro and in vivo evaluation, thereby accelerating the development of ADC candidates.

Dr. Xuejun Liang, Chairman and CEO of NovoCodex, said:

"The success of an ADC therapeutic depends, to a significant extent, on the degree of compatibility between the antibody molecule and the conjugation strategy. Sanyou Bio's AI-STAL and SAI-DA platforms can rapidly identify high-quality antibody candidates from massive molecular libraries, providing critical support for us to move upstream from process development toward the molecular design stage. At the same time, Sanyou Bio's capabilities in dual-target ADCs and dual-payload ADCs represent major directions in the development of innovative ADCs today. Through this collaboration, we look forward to jointly developing innovative ADC therapeutics with a wider safety window and more durable efficacy."

Dr. Guojun Lang, Founder and CEO of Sanyou Bio, said:

"NovoCodex's site-specific conjugation technology based on unnatural amino acids has been extensively validated in clinical development. NovoCodex's unnatural amino acid-based site-specific conjugation platform, NovoCode™, offers the key advantages of precise control over conjugation sites and a high degree of molecular homogeneity. The value of this collaboration lies in enabling Sanyou Bio's molecular discovery capabilities and innovative ADC R&D capabilities to directly serve an ADC technology platform already validated in clinical development. This means that we can rapidly translate the value of dual-payload ADC engineering into therapeutic candidates within a more predictable conjugation system. It represents an efficient integration of 'innovation at the source' and 'process validation,' and we look forward to the opportunities this collaboration will bring."

This strategic partnership marks a key milestone for Sanyou as it deepens industry-wide collaboration across the ADC landscape. Drawing on each party's complementary strengths in novel ADC development, Sanyou Bio and NovoCodex aim to streamline development of next-generation ADCs and build source-level innovation advantages for ADC drug discovery.

About Sanyou

Sanyou Biopharmaceuticals is a high-tech biopharmaceutical company driven by the mission of "To make it easy to develop new drugs worldwide". Guided by the vision "To become a front-runner in global innovative drug R&D", the company focuses on the R&D and commercialization of innovative drugs.

Built on its AI-STAL and Sanyou AI-Drug Accelerator (SAI-DA) platforms and driven by its innovative drug pipeline, Sanyou is committed to fundamentally addressing the key challenges at the source of innovative drug development.

Sanyou Bio has been dedicated to developing a world-class innovative biological drug R&D hub and to working collaboratively with partners worldwide to accelerate the development of innovative therapeutics. Headquartered in Shanghai, China, Sanyou has established global business centers across Asia, North America, and Europe, forming an international business network. The company currently operates and has planned over 20,000 square meters of R&D and GMP facilities.

Sanyou has established strong partnerships with more than 2,000 pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide. It has signed over 100 collaborative R&D agreements and completed more than 3,000 drug discovery and development projects. More than 10 CPO programs have entered clinical development, including four that have reached Phase III clinical trials.

The company has filed over 180 invention patents, with more than 30 granted. It has also obtained over 10 national and international qualifications and system certifications, including National High-Tech Enterprise, Shanghai "Specialized and Innovative" Enterprise, ISO9001, and ISO27001.

SOURCE Sanyou Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.

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As the first final expense insurance marketplace on ChatGPT, users can research, get quotes, and buy a policy from dozens of providers in minutes.

RENO, Nev., Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Choice Mutual, a leading digital insurance agency specializing in senior life and burial policies, has officially launched its new ChatGPT assistant plugin. The innovative tool brings the nation's largest final expense marketplace directly into the AI era, allowing users to research, quote, and compare plans from top-rated providers through natural conversation.

As consumers increasingly turn to AI for daily research, Choice Mutual's new plugin bridges the gap between cutting-edge technology and expert, consumer-focused guidance. It represents the only specialized ChatGPT tool designed to deliver exact final expense insurance premium calculations rather than broad estimates.

A Simplified, Form-Free Quoting Experience

Traditional online insurance shopping often requires navigating rigid, multi-screen web forms. The Choice Mutual ChatGPT assistant replaces that friction with a fluid dialogue. Users provide basic details—such as age, state of residence, and coverage needs—one step at a time, just as they would with a live agent. The tool doesn't require personal contact information such as a phone number or email.

"Our goal was to make understanding final expense options and price transparency completely seamless. This tool adapts entirely to the user. You can ask clarifying questions mid-stream, pause, or adjust coverage amounts without ever losing your progress or having to restart a form," said Anthony Martin, CEO of Choice Mutual.

Instant Accuracy and Deep Industry Expertise

The assistant's backend connects directly to Choice Mutual's internal platform and pulls real-time pricing from over 20 top-rated insurers, including Mutual of Omaha, Aflac, TruStage, Aetna, Transamerica, and many more. Because the prices generated are actual live rates, users can confidently and anonymously review policy costs with zero obligation.

Beyond generating quotes, the assistant functions as a comprehensive, interactive knowledge base. Trained on Choice Mutual's extensive library of expert resources, users can ask complex questions about policy types, pre-existing health conditions, or funeral costs and receive clear, immediate answers without digging through articles.

Learn more about the ChatGPT plugin on Choice Mutual's website.

About Choice Mutual

Based in Reno, Nevada, Choice Mutual is a highly rated independent digital insurance agency specializing in final expense and burial insurance for seniors. Partnering with dozens of the nation's leading carriers, Choice Mutual helps families find peace of mind by matching them with the highest-value, lowest-cost policies tailored to their unique needs. For more information, visit choicemutual.com.

Media Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Choice Mutual

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