LAS VEGAS, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), America's grocer, today outlined its artificial intelligence strategy at GroceryShop 2026, detailing how customer insights, operational data, retail expertise and a portfolio of proprietary models are already driving meaningful results. Kroger's AI initiatives are supported by privacy, security and responsible AI governance processes designed to help ensure appropriate use of data and human oversight.

Yael Cosset, executive vice president and Chief Digital Officer, described a strategy built on using AI to improve the customer experience, make work easier for associates and produce better business outcomes.

"This isn't new for Kroger," said Cosset. "We've long been using data science and artificial intelligence to serve our customers by precisely forecasting demand, connecting customers with the most relevant savings opportunities and helping them find and get the products they need. Our latest investments in AI allow us to connect relevant business and operational signals to make decisions and take action faster."

A foundation few retailers can match

Kroger's AI strategy begins with a data foundation built on a longstanding loyalty program and years of customer and operational insights and data science. The company expands its broad portfolio of proprietary models spanning from demand forecasting, to operational optimization, personalization and generative AI capabilities.

Kroger's combination of proprietary and third-party frontier models with shared infrastructure, including data, services, agentic capabilities and governance guardrails, enables the company to move faster on proven capabilities, better orchestrate agents across workflows and manage performance in a more disciplined, and reliable manner.

From assisted to autonomous, with discipline

Cosset described Kroger's AI journey in three stages: Assisted, augmented and autonomous.

"The goal is not autonomy everywhere," said Cosset. "The goal is using the right level of AI based on risk, repeatability and the need for human judgement. Different cases will sit at different stages, and strong governance remains at the center."

What AI is doing for customers today

Kroger's AI Shopping Assistant is helping customers plan meals for the week, find new recipes, and build a cart around budget and dietary needs as well as preferences. Conversational search helps customers plan meals, discover relevant products and find what they need more easily.

The company is also working on improving agents for frontline teams to cut through the noise of dozens of daily notifications and tasks and surface only the most important information. Additionally, Kroger is making AI literacy training and tools available to more than 400,000 associates across the enterprise.

"It's about more than simply granting access," said Cosset. "Teams need the skills and discernment to use AI responsibly, understanding where it is useful and redesign work around this new capability. At our core, the human connection to a customer or fellow associate will never be replaced by AI. Instead, AI will give our associates more time and insight to create that connection."

The next frontier: Grocery as a managed service

Cosset outlined a future in which grocery shopping becomes an outcome-based experience instead of a series of individual and functional transactions. In this model, customers may choose to share information relevant to their shopping needs and AI agents handle planning, shopping and fulfillment.

Rather than formulating a weekly shopping list, customers may choose to share their goals and preferences, allowing AI agents to assist with planning and completing their shopping.

Kroger's advantage in this future, Cosset argued, is the same as it is today: A deep knowledge of customer shopping patterns, visibility into product availability and fulfillment, making the customer experience better.

About Kroger

At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit™. We are, across our family of companies more than 400,000 associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through an eCommerce experience and retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.

SOURCE The Kroger Co.

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Drawing on verified end-user feedback collected through Info-Tech Research Group's SoftwareReviews platform, the 2026 Data Archiving Data Quadrant Report evaluates solutions that help organizations manage long-term retention, preserve access to historical information, and support more efficient data lifecycles. Google Vault, Bloomberg Vault, and Microsoft Exchange Online Archiving earned Champion placements for their product capabilities and overall user satisfaction.

ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Info-Tech Research Group has named Google Vault, Bloomberg Vault, and Microsoft Exchange Online Archiving as Champions in its 2026 Data Archiving Data Quadrant Report. The report recognizes the highest-rated products in the category as growing data volumes and complex retention requirements place greater pressure on organizations to control storage costs, maintain secure access to critical information, and support regulatory compliance.

Data archiving solutions help organizations move inactive or rarely accessed information from primary systems into long-term storage while preserving access for retention, compliance, and recovery needs. Features such as data encryption, retention and policy management, automation, e-discovery, storage optimization, access controls, and deletion controls can help IT teams improve system performance and respond more efficiently to legal and business requests.

Info-Tech's Data Quadrant is a comprehensive software evaluation tool that ranks products using verified end-user feedback across key dimensions, including likelihood to recommend, feature rankings, net emotional footprint score, and vendor capabilities. These inputs are aggregated into a Composite Score (CS), which reflects overall user satisfaction and determines placement within the Data Quadrant. The firm's methodology ensures that rankings are based entirely on authentic user reviews, free from analyst opinions or vendor influence.

The 2026 Data Archiving Champions are as follows:

- Google Vault, 8.9 CS, ranked high for quality features.

- Bloomberg Vault, 8.6 CS, rated highly for granularity.

- Microsoft Exchange Online Archiving, 8.5 CS, recognized for ease of data integration.

"Everyone's racing to log everything right now, including every prompt, every AI interaction, and every user session, without asking why," says Justin St-Maurice, technical counselor at Info-Tech Research Group. "That's not an archiving strategy; it's a liability waiting to happen. If you're going to retain that data, you need a real plan: what it's for, how long you keep it, and who can access it. Done well, those logs can even become an asset, such as fine-tuning a model on your own interaction data, but that only works if it's deliberate, not a byproduct of nobody wanting to make a deletion decision. Retention controls, secure access, and e-discovery aren't back-office checkboxes anymore; they determine whether an organization can actually use or defend the data it's sitting on."

User assessments of software categories on SoftwareReviews provide an accurate and detailed view of the constantly changing market. Info-Tech's reports are informed by data from users and IT professionals with intimate experience with the software across the procurement, implementation, and maintenance processes.

Read the full report: 2026 Data Archiving Data Quadrant Report.

To learn more about Info-Tech's Vendor Awards, including how Data Quadrant and Emotional Footprint recognition is determined using verified end-user feedback and the underlying evaluation criteria, visit Info-Tech's Vendor Awards page, powered by SoftwareReviews.

About Info-Tech Research Group

Info-Tech Research Group is the "get things done" partner for over 30,000 IT, HR, and marketing leaders worldwide. The fastest growing research and advisory firm, Info-Tech enables leaders to make well-informed decisions and transform their organizations through AI, strategic foresight, step-by-step methodologies, practical tools, industry-leading advisory, and training programs. For nearly 30 years, tens of thousands of private and public organizations have trusted Info-Tech to lead their most important initiatives through periods of change and deliver outcomes that truly matter.

To learn more about Info-Tech's HR research and advisory services, visit McLean & Company, and for data-driven software buying insights and vendor evaluations, visit the firm's SoftwareReviews platform.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software, as well as hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected].

For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X.

SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group

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LONDON, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CIS Security Limited ("CIS") and Symera Partners LLC ("Symera") today announced the acquisition of CIS by Symera in partnership with the company's management team.

Founded more than 57 years ago by the Palmer family, CIS has established a market-leading reputation for protecting complex, high-profile environments across over 300 public and private sector sites. As the UK's largest independent security specialist, the company provides premium security services, front-of-house and technology-enabled security solutions to major commercial properties, public bodies, cultural institutions and other critical sites throughout the UK.

Under the leadership of CEO Neill Catton, CIS has delivered significant growth while remaining true to its core values of service excellence and a people-first culture. These values have allowed the business to build decades-long customer relationships and become a trusted specialist security partner across the UK.

Eric Hauser, Managing Partner of Symera, said:

"We are thrilled to partner with Neill and what we believe is one of the strongest management teams in the security services industry. It became clear early on that CIS has built its reputation through exceptional service quality, deep customer relationships, and a culture that genuinely values its people. We are grateful to the Palmer family and management for their trust and are excited to support the continued growth of a truly outstanding business."

Symera will support CIS with strategic resources and capital as the company continues to invest in its people, technology, service capabilities, and broader UK growth. The partnership will build on the company's existing strengths while preserving the culture and customer focus that have been central to its success. CIS will continue to be led by Neill Catton and the existing senior leadership team, providing continuity for customers, employees and stakeholders.

Neill Catton, Chief Executive Officer of CIS Security, added:

"CIS has built an exceptional reputation over many decades by focusing on our people, our customers and the quality of service we deliver. As we look ahead, it was important to find a partner that shares our values and is committed to supporting the business for the long term. Symera's people-first approach, experience in supporting founder and family-owned businesses, and commitment to investing behind management made them the natural partner for CIS and its leadership team. This transaction enables us to build on the strong foundations already in place while creating exciting opportunities for further growth and development for our colleagues and customers."

The transaction marks an important milestone for CIS and provides an opportunity for the Palmer family to retire from ownership, whilst retaining the company's independence and preserving its legacy.

Carl Palmer, on behalf of the Palmer family, said:

"CIS has been an important part of our family's lives for more than five decades, and we are immensely proud of the business, the culture and the people who have helped make it what it is today. As we begin this next chapter, we are delighted that Neill and the wider management team will continue to lead the company with Symera's support. We are confident that CIS is in excellent hands and well positioned to build on its remarkable history while preserving the values that have always been at the heart of the business."

For more information about CIS Security, visit https://cis-security.co.uk/.

Media Contact:

Debora Lima

[email protected]

SOURCE Symera Partners

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Marquis Who's Who Recognizes Nerrissa Williams: Engineering a Career of Innovation and Leadership

UNIONDALE, N.Y., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Marquis Who's Who honors Nerrissa Williams for her distinguished leadership in business management and technology operations. Over more than two decades, she has built a career defined by initiative, innovation, and the ability to create opportunities where none existed before. Today, as manager of release and application operations at The Walt Disney Company, she helps ensure the reliable, disruption-free delivery of critical enterprise technology, enabling the systems that support hundreds of thousands of employees and the business behind one of the world's most recognized brands.

A Foundation Built on Engineering

Ms. Williams' journey began with a passion for solving complex problems. She first pursued mechanical engineering at the University of California Los Angeles before transferring to the University of California Berkeley, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering and operations research. Determined to deepen her expertise, she continued her education at Stanford University, earning a Master of Science in engineering economic systems—now known as management science and engineering.

The analytical mindset she developed through engineering would become the foundation for a career focused not only on technology, but on improving how organizations operate.

Discovering the World of Consulting

After graduating, Ms. Williams entered the consulting world with Price Waterhouse, where she advanced to senior consultant. When IBM acquired PricewaterhouseCoopers' management consulting and technology services division, she continued in that role, helping organizations navigate and deploy complex technology initiatives.

One consulting engagement, however, would permanently shape the course of her career. In 2001, she was assigned to work with The Walt Disney Company. What began as a client engagement introduced her to an organization whose culture of innovation and collaboration resonated deeply with her—a chapter she often describes as discovering "Disney Pixie Dust."

Creating Opportunities at Disney

A defining moment arrived in 2002 during Disney's global SAP implementation. Rather than simply filling an existing position, Williams was asked to create an entirely new role: SAP release manager for The Walt Disney Company. She embraced the challenge.

As she developed the role, Ms. Williams also built critical operational support systems that helped ensure the success of one of Disney's largest technology transformations. Among her accomplishments was establishing a call center that supported more than 50,000 cast members during the early phases of the SAP rollout, providing the operational stability needed for a successful enterprise-wide implementation.

Her ability to combine technical expertise with operational leadership quickly earned the confidence of senior executives. The impact of her work led Disney to offer her a permanent position in 2005, officially beginning her career as a Disney cast member.

Leading Mission-Critical Technology Operations

Over the years, Ms. Williams continued expanding both her responsibilities and the discipline of release management within the company. Eventually promoted to manager of release and application operations, she now leads a team responsible for coordinating major releases across Disney's most critical enterprise applications and platforms, including SAP, Workday, Coupa and Informatica.

One of the defining achievements of her career came in December 2023, when she successfully led a major SAP release that served as a critical dependency for two enterprise initiatives valued at approximately $100 million and $70 million. Because the success of both projects depended on that SAP release, its flawless execution became highly visible across Disney's technology leadership and demonstrated the importance of disciplined release management in enabling strategic business initiatives.

Investing in the Next Generation

Ms. Williams has always believed that success carries a responsibility to open doors for others.

While attending college, she was an active member of the National Society of Black Engineers, an organization committed to increasing representation and opportunity within engineering.

Today, Ms. Williams continues that commitment through volunteerism and STEM advocacy. She mentors students and participates in programs including Girls Build, Math, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA), Disney VoluntEARS, Stanford University's Beyond the Farm Children's Learning Fair, and A New Day Foundation's technology and financial literacy conference. Through these initiatives, she encourages young people to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and leadership, hoping to inspire the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.

Looking Ahead

Looking toward the future, Ms. Williams hopes to further establish release management as an enterprise-wide discipline leveraging AI where practical and the expertise gained through her certifications in ITIL, PMP and Product Management at The Walt Disney Company. She believes that strengthening this function will help ensure seamless, reliable technology operations across the organization while enabling faster and more effective business transformation.

As her career continues to evolve, she also looks forward to contributing at an even higher strategic level, advising executive leadership through the lens of enterprise operations and helping shape the future of technology delivery across the company.

For Ms. Williams, every chapter of her career has been driven by the same principle: combining engineering, leadership, and innovation to build systems—and opportunities—that make lasting impact.

About Marquis Who's Who®:

Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms worldwide. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

Marquis Who's Who

Uniondale, NY

(844) 394 - 6946

[email protected]

www.marquiswhoswho.com

SOURCE Marquis Who's Who

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NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York International Auto Show is heading into its 127th year with strong momentum following a highly successful 2026 Show. The 2027 Show will take place March 26–April 4 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, with Media & Industry Days March 23–25.

America's first auto show, which began in New York in 1900, continues to be one of the industry's most important places to connect automakers, media, dealers, and consumers.

The Show recently released its 2026 Auto Show Visitor Impact Report. The report found that 80% of visitors said attending the Show influenced their decision on their next vehicle, while 38% indicated that they plan to purchase or lease a new vehicle within 12 months. 42% of those 12-month purchase intenders added one or more brands to their consideration list.

In addition, 72% said the New York Auto Show was the only automotive event they had attended in the previous 12 months.

The Survey also confirmed that 92% of those who indicated that they planned to purchase a car in the next 12 months after visiting the Show did so! This information shows the importance of the New York Auto Show to new vehicle purchases.

Building on that momentum, the 2027 New York Auto Show is expected to deliver an expanded lineup of industry and consumer programs, including major new product announcements, a robust schedule of business-to-business events and new vehicle test-track experiences.

The Automotive Forum, a full-day B2B conference organized by J.D. Power, the Virginia-based National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), and the New York International Auto Show, will kick off the industry's pre-public days on Tuesday, March 23, followed by two days of media and industry programming featuring vehicle reveals, executive forums, industry insights, conferences and major automotive events.

The public Show will open Friday, March 26, with an expanded range of vehicles, technology, attractions and opportunities for consumers to get behind the wheel.

"The 2026 Show demonstrated the incredible connection between the automotive industry and New York consumers," said Mark Schienberg, President of the New York International Auto Show. "We're taking that momentum into 2027 and building an even bigger platform for automakers, media, industry, and consumers."

About the New York International Automobile Show Since 1900, New York has been the staging location of North America's oldest and largest-attended auto show. For over 125 years, the New York International Auto Show has continued to be the best place to experience and learn about new products the auto industry offers. Each year, the show provides the largest display of cars and trucks in one location to millions of car buyers in a unique experience. No other venue offers this kind of comprehensive and engaging forum, where new technology and designs can be viewed, explored, and enjoyed.

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New ready-to-use fluorescent imaging agent eliminates reconstitution at the point of care, giving surgical and imaging teams a differentiated option for fluorescence-guided procedures

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sagent Pharmaceuticals ("Sagent"), a leading provider of generic and specialty pharmaceuticals, today announced that Zyogreen® (indocyanine green injection), the first and only FDA-approved ready-to-use (RTU) indocyanine green (ICG) injection in the United States, is now commercially available. The U.S. market for indocyanine green was approximately $128 million for the twelve months ended July 2026 (IQVIA). Zyogreen is marketed and distributed in the U.S. by Sagent under an agreement with Provepharm, a global leader in medical and diagnostic dyes.

Zyogreen is an optical imaging agent used in fluorescence-guided procedures and diagnostic imaging. Surgeons performing vascular, gastrointestinal, organ transplant, plastic, and reconstructive procedures – including minimally invasive surgery – as well as those visualizing extrahepatic biliary ducts, gynecologic oncologists performing lymphatic mapping in cervical and uterine cancer, and ophthalmologists performing angiography now have access to a ready-to-use ICG formulation. Unlike conventional ICG products, which are supplied as a lyophilized powder that must be reconstituted before administration, Zyogreen is supplied as a sterile solution with no reconstitution required. For visualization of extrahepatic biliary ducts, Zyogreen is indicated in adults and in pediatric patients from birth to less than 1 year of age and 6 years of age and older.

"This launch represents another important milestone in Sagent's evolution as a specialty pharmaceutical company," said Vishy Chebrol, Chief Executive Officer of Sagent Pharmaceuticals. "Zyogreen brings the established clinical utility of indocyanine green together with the convenience of a ready-to-use formulation, and it adds another FDA-approved source of a product that surgical and imaging teams depend on. Through our partnership with Provepharm, we are working to strengthen the reliability of supply for the hospitals and health systems we serve and to support the growing use of fluorescence-guided imaging."

"Zyogreen is a true innovation emerging from Provepharm's research and development expertise, introducing a ready-to-use formulation to fluorescence imaging," said Michel Feraud, chairman and founder of Provepharm. "Partnering with Sagent brings that innovation to hospitals and surgical teams across the United States, and reflects our long-term commitment to supporting healthcare professionals and the patients in their care."

Zyogreen is the second Provepharm dye Sagent has brought to the U.S. market, joining Bludigo® (indigotindisulfonate sodium injection), the first and only FDA-approved injectable indigo carmine diagnostic dye. Together, the two products establish Sagent's growing presence in surgical and diagnostic visualization and provide a strong foundation for continued growth in this evolving field.

Zyogreen is available now through Sagent's nationwide distribution network.

Important Safety Information

Contraindications: Zyogreen is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to indocyanine green. Reactions have included anaphylaxis.

Warnings and Precautions: Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, urticaria, and deaths due to anaphylaxis, have been reported following intravenous administration of indocyanine green, the active ingredient in Zyogreen. Always have cardiopulmonary resuscitation personnel and equipment readily available and monitor all patients for hypersensitivity reactions. Because Zyogreen contains sodium iodine, the iodine-binding capacity of thyroid tissue may be reduced for at least one week following administration.

Drug Interactions: Do not perform radioactive iodine uptake studies for at least one week following administration of Zyogreen.

Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions reported are anaphylaxis and urticaria. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Sagent Pharmaceuticals at 1-800-625-1618 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Please see full Prescribing Information for complete indication and safety information.

About Zyogreen®

Zyogreen® (indocyanine green injection) is a sterile, ready-to-use optical imaging agent for intravenous or interstitial use. Zyogreen is indicated for fluorescence imaging of vessels, blood flow and tissue perfusion in adults and pediatric patients; fluorescence imaging of extrahepatic biliary ducts in adults and pediatric patients from birth to less than 1 year of age and 6 years of age and older; fluorescence imaging of lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels during lymphatic mapping in adults with cervical and uterine cancer; and ophthalmic angiography in adults and pediatric patients. Please see full Prescribing Information for complete indication and safety information.

About Sagent Pharmaceuticals

Sagent Pharmaceuticals is a leading provider of generic and specialty pharmaceuticals serving hospitals, health systems, and healthcare providers throughout the United States. Through strategic partnerships, advanced drug delivery technologies, and a growing portfolio of differentiated products, Sagent is committed to delivering high-quality medicines that support patient care and improve healthcare delivery. Sagent is headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois. For more information, visit www.sagentpharma.com.

About Provepharm

Provepharm is a pharmaceutical company specializing in the development of high-quality, effective and ready-to-use dyes designed to improve visualization and detection in clinical practice. With almost 30 years of expertise, our innovation is grounded in organic chemistry and advanced formulation technologies, ensuring the quality, performance and ease of use of our dyes in the operating room. www.provepharm.com

Zyogreen® and Bludigo® are registered trademarks of Provepharm SAS.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sagent Pharmaceuticals

Jeff Greve

EVP, Chief Financial Officer

(312) 331-0050

[email protected]

Jyothi Chaludavi

Vice President, Business Development and Strategic Initiatives

+91 73309-99114

[email protected]

SOURCE Sagent Pharmaceuticals

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In its annual review of the nation's best colleges and universities, U.S. News & World Report awarded Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University eight separate top-five rankings, including for aerospace engineering, overall quality, innovation and academic programs for student veterans.

"Embry-Riddle's priority is to prepare our students for success, so they can go on to secure influential, high-paying positions across aviation, science, aerospace, business, engineering, space exploration, cybersecurity, the military, government and other domains central to our mission," said Embry-Riddle President P. Barry Butler, Ph.D. "Our top rankings reflect that goal and the value of our degrees."

In their respective regions in the South and West, the Daytona Beach, Florida, campus and the Prescott, Arizona, campus both earned the No. 2 Overall Rank, according to the 2027 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings published online Sept. 22. Among colleges in the West, the Prescott Campus also earned the No. 1 rank in the Best for Veterans category for the sixth consecutive year.

Additionally, Embry-Riddle's undergraduate Aerospace Engineering program at the Daytona Beach Campus ranked No. 6 in the nation among programs with a doctoral option. And for the second year in a row, the undergraduate Aerospace Engineering program at the Prescott Campus ranked No. 1 nationally in the Best Undergraduate Aerospace Engineering Programs category for schools without a Ph.D. option.

U.S. News & World Report awarded Embry-Riddle a total of 11 separate top-10 honors.

Other regional highlights for the Daytona Beach Campus included the No. 1 ranking in the Top Private Colleges list and the No. 2 ranking in the Best Colleges for Veterans category. The campus also earned the No. 3 rank in the Most Innovative Schools category.

By earning the No. 6 national ranking among programs with a doctoral option in the Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical category, the Daytona Beach Campus held its place among the nation's elite engineering institutions.

"Our legacy of innovation is driven by the expertise of our accomplished faculty and the ingenuity of our students," said Dr. Jim Gregory, dean of the College of Engineering. "By collaborating across disciplines and providing advanced resources, we empower them to pursue breakthrough ideas."

Prescott Campus Earns Top Marks

The Prescott Campus was awarded four top-five honors, including the top ranking for non-doctoral granting programs in the Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical category.

In addition to earning the No. 2 Overall Rank among regional colleges in the West, the Prescott Campus ranked No. 2 in the Top Private Colleges list. Other highlights included the No. 8 rank in the Best Value Schools classification, which examines academic quality and cost after accounting for total expenses and financial aid.

"U.S. News & World Report's continued recognition of Embry-Riddle reflects the high caliber of education we provide," said Dr. Ken Witcher, chancellor of the Prescott Campus. "Our impact is evident in the success of our graduates, who enter the growing aerospace, aviation and space industries, ready to meet these sectors' need for highly-skilled professionals."

Earlier this year, U.S. News & World Report rated Embry‑Riddle's online undergraduate degree programs the highest among private institutions and No. 11 in the nation.

Media Contact:

Seth Robbins, executive director of news and media communications, 386-241-6060, [email protected]

About Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Reporters worldwide contact Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for content experts in all aspects of aviation, aviation business, aerospace, engineering and STEM-related fields. Our faculty experts specialize in uncrewed and autonomous systems, security and intelligence, air traffic and airport management, astronomy, human factors psychology, meteorology, spaceflight operations, urban air mobility and much more. Visit the Embry-Riddle Newsroom for story ideas.

Embry-Riddle educates over 31,000 aspiring aerospace and aviation professionals at its residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida and Prescott, Arizona, and across more than 115 Worldwide Campus locations and online degree programs. In 2024, U.S. News & World Report named Embry-Riddle Worldwide the nation's No. 1 provider of online bachelor's degree programs among private universities. Our residential campuses hold multiple Top 10 rankings. All of our campuses have been ranked Best for Veterans.

SOURCE Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

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THE 36TH ANNUAL TOMPKINS SQUARE HALLOWEEN DOG PARADE RETURNS ON OCTOBER 17

Something fluffy is coming to the East Village…

NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The 36th Annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade returns Saturday, October 17, 2026, as thousands of New Yorkers and their elaborately costumed dogs come together for one of the city's most joyful Halloween traditions.

Led by New York Dog Parade, the nonprofit dedicated to celebrating dog-human friendship, and presented by Kismet, a premium pet lifestyle and dog food brand, the celebration will once again transform the East Village into a spectacle of four-legged fashion.

"Yesterday, someone emailed us to say they were dressing their dog as frozen yogurt. So clearly, the competition this year is going to be stiff," said Fern Watt, founder of New York Dog Parade. "There's a lot that can feel heavy in the world right now, but somewhere in New York City, someone is crafting a frozen yogurt costume for their dog. We do find hope in that."

New York Dog Parade was founded to preserve this beloved tradition as it has grown and to ensure it can continue to thrive for the community. The organization was established by author and longtime dog advocate Fern Watt, whose work has centered for more than a decade on the relationship between dogs and humans. More than a single-day event, the organization envisions a year-round community that brings together dog lovers in New York City and beyond. Kismet, a dog food brand founded by John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, stepped in to help it achieve that vision.

"Kismet exists to celebrate the joy, weirdness and deep companionship of life with dogs, which is exactly what makes the New York Dog Parade so special. We're thrilled to support an event that brings together New Yorkers, their dogs and the city's incredible creative spirit in such a joyful, community-driven way," said Natalia Ruiz, Chief Brand & Creative Officer of Kismet.

The event will also feature a public festival block with special activations from Kismet and New York Dog Parade, including photo opportunities, giveaways, rescue initiatives, surprises and, of course, plenty of Kismet "Nugs" for the costumed canine marchers.

This year's parade is made possible by an incredible group of partners who share New York Dog Parade's commitment to celebrating dogs and the people who love them: Fetch Pet Insurance, Earth Rated, Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day for Pets, Allegra, the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) and VEG (Veterinary Emergency Group).

In celebration of Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, New York Dog Parade is partnering with the ASPCA and Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) to spotlight adoptable dogs throughout October and celebrate rescue dogs taking part in this year's parade.

Registration is required to march in the parade and opens September 25 at 12 p.m. ET at NYDogParade.org. Spots are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Due to the parade's popularity and limited capacity inside Tompkins Square Park, participation in the legendary Costume Competition will be limited to select registered participants. For the first time, New Yorkers and dog lovers everywhere will also be able to follow the high-stakes competition live. Additional judges, partners, programming, route and spectator details will be announced in the coming weeks.

Follow @NYDogParade for the latest updates and visit NYDogParade.org for registration and event information.

NEW YORK DOG PARADE

New York Dog Parade is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to building community and connection through dogs, celebrating dog-human friendship, and supporting the welfare of New York City's canine citizens and their best human friends.

KISMET

Kismet makes super premium food for dogs with gut health at its core. Made with real animal protein as the first ingredient, pre-and probiotics, and freeze-dried Nugs in every bowl, Kismet supports healthier guts, better digestion and steady energy. Founded by longtime dog parents Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, Kismet is for more good days together, from the everyday meals to the years we wish would last forever. Learn more at KismetPets.com.

SOURCE NY Dog Parade

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Lawmakers will join the Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) and Families and Friends of Gamblers (FFOG) in Washington, D.C., on September 23, 2026, at event launching a national movement to bring accountability and comprehensive federal and state regulation to the gambling industry and its sports and technology partners

BOSTON, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Paul Tonko (D-NY) will join the Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) and Families and Friends of Gamblers (FFOG) on September 23 in Washington, D.C., for the launch of Truth and Integrity: The Movement for Gambling Reform.

The event, in the Russell Senate Office Building, will bring together lawmakers, families, and advocates calling for meaningful action to address the continued expansion of the online gambling industry and its increasingly close financial ties to professional sports leagues, college athletics, prediction markets, and technology companies.

Senator Blumenthal and Representative Tonko are among the leading voices in Congress calling for stronger federal oversight of sports betting and greater consumer protections. Their participation comes as PHAI and FFOG push for action not only from lawmakers, but from the professional sports leagues and the NCAA, which have developed extensive financial ties to the gambling industry.

"We will continue to gain bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress. There is overwhelming evidence that we are in the midst of a mental-health and public-health crisis related to gambling addiction," said Dr. Harry Levant. "This movement is just the beginning. It is a cry from the nation that we've had enough."

Truth and Integrity: The Movement for Gambling Reform enjoys early support from lawmakers in states including Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Minnesota, Georgia, and Colorado.

A NATIONAL MOVEMENT FOR GAMBLING REFORM

PHAI and FFOG announced Truth and Integrity: The Movement for Gambling Reform on September 15th. The movement brings together families, advocates, policymakers, and members of the public to demand greater accountability from the gambling industry and the sports and technology companies that have helped fuel its expansion.

The movement will advance on three fronts: Congress, through investigative hearings, minimum federal safety standards, and legislation; state governments through stronger regulation and enforcement; and the American people, through advocacy and public pressure for reform.

EVENT DETAILS

The kickoff will take place from 4 PM to 5 PM on September 23rd in the Russell Senate Office Building. Families, advocates, policymakers, and members of the public are invited to join PHAI and FFOG for the September 23rd kickoff and become part of the broader Truth and Integrity: The Movement for Gambling Reform.

Join the event. Join the Movement.

About The Public Health Advocacy Institute

As a nonprofit legal research center focused on public health law, PHAI is uniquely suited to bring this lawsuit. PHAI was founded and is led by Dr. Richard Daynard, whose pioneering work on tobacco product liability litigation in the 1990s led to multibillion-dollar settlements with companies that had evaded liability for decades for selling dangerous tobacco products. In 2014, PHAI formed the Center for Public Health Litigation, a nonprofit law firm that uses the civil justice system to improve public health by focusing on litigation targeting tobacco industry products, unhealthy foods, deceptive health marketing, and deceptive gambling practices.

In March 2026, PHAI filed a landmark product liability lawsuit against DraftKings, FanDuel, Genius Sports, and the National Football League, alleging that the defendants developed, distributed, and profited from online sports betting platforms that relentlessly push addictive live in-game microbets. The case is Sage and Thompson v. DraftKings, Inc. et al.

For more information on PHAI and its work, visit phai.org

About Families and Friends of Gamblers

Families and Friends of Gamblers (FFOG) is a nonprofit membership organization representing families and friends impacted by gambling addiction. Founded in 2025 with the support of the Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI), FFOG was created to give voice to the countless families and friends of people struggling with gambling disorder and gambling-related harm.

Through advocacy, public education, and community organizing, FFOG works to raise awareness of gambling-related harm, demand accountability, and advance comprehensive public health reform and regulation of the gambling industry and its sports and technology partners.

For more information or to join FFOG, visit hurtbygambling.org

SOURCE Public Health Advocacy Institute

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New AI PODs at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and Sacramento State Expand Shared Capacity for Research and Education

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Internet2 is expanding its contributions to the National Research Platform (NRP) through its strategic relationship with Cisco, supporting the deployment of new Cisco AI PODs at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and Sacramento State. The AI PODs add GPU capacity that researchers across the platform can burst into when local resources run short.

As artificial intelligence transforms research, the NRP continues to grow the shared, AI-ready computing capacity being used by thousands of researchers and students across the country. Internet2 is now adding to that pool in a new way.

Cisco AI PODs introduce a more standardized approach to expanding the NRP's distributed infrastructure. They provide pre-validated compute, networking, and management capabilities that can be deployed as a unit, reducing the engineering and integration work required to add new resources to the platform. That creates a repeatable model for Internet2 and other NRP contributors as demand for AI computing continues to grow.

Pooling Capacity Instead of Centralizing It

As AI-enabled discovery reaches every discipline, research computing has grown significantly more complex. Cyberinfrastructure gaps between institutions are a growing concern, and budget pressures mean many institutions are being asked to do more with less.

That's why a shared model can help bridge the access gap.

Supported by the National Science Foundation and over 70 participating organizations, the NRP is a community-operated platform that pools computing, storage, performance measurement, and AI resources across the U.S. It enables organizations to contribute while giving researchers access to capabilities beyond what they have locally.

Rather than building one centralized supercomputer, the NRP scales by aggregating GPU and CPU capacity contributed by institutions into a single Kubernetes-based fabric called Nautilus. But that model creates a recurring hurdle for contributing organizations: standing up GPU nodes that are compatible enough in compute, networking, and management to slot cleanly into a shared, multi-region cluster.

Cisco AI PODs can address that hurdle. Each AI POD is pre-validated, full-stack, modular AI infrastructure based on Cisco Validated Designs. It pairs Cisco UCS servers and GPU nodes with Nexus high-bandwidth, low-latency networking and Cisco Intersight for centralized management. Instead of hand-assembling compute, storage, and networking from scratch, an institution contributing to the NRP can deploy a right-sized AI POD. Ultimately, this reduces the integration risk and setup time for each new node joining the platform.

"Today, these two new AI PODs provide researchers access to additional GPU capacity when local resources aren't enough," said James Deaton, vice president of Network Services and Research Engagement at Internet2. "Internet2's role was to connect the pieces: an NRP need, a Cisco solution, and two campuses ready to host it. Strategic relationships with industry are one way we reinvest resources in the whole research and education community."

Continuing to Invest in Shared Research Infrastructure

Internet2's contributions to the NRP continue to expand R&E access to shared computational resources across the U.S. A distributed platform requires more than GPUs, as data has to reach the compute, and paths between nodes have to be measurable. The Internet2 national network supports both.

Internet2 operates dedicated Open Science Data Federation nodes in Boise, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, and Kansas City. Connected through the national network, these caches function to keep datasets closer to the compute resources and the researchers using them.

In addition, 41 performance assurance service nodes on the network currently serve a hybrid NRP function. Alongside thousands of perfSONAR instances deployed worldwide, they provide the NRP with measurement points across Internet2's footprint, supporting cross-domain performance monitoring and troubleshooting between sites. Additionally, the nodes contribute 1,200 CPU cores, 6.4 terabytes of memory, and 80 terabytes of storage capacity.

Creating Value Through Industry Collaboration

Deploying the AI PODs to support the NRP is another example of how Internet2 creates community value through strategic relationships with its industry members. Internet2's industry relationship with Cisco helped direct resources to the NRP, supporting two campus deployments and validating a repeatable approach other contributors can use.

As AI reshapes research cyberinfrastructure requirements, the expertise and strategic relationships Internet2 builds to meet them will continue to benefit the broader R&E community.

About Internet2

Internet2® is a nonprofit, member-driven advanced technology community founded by the nation's leading higher education institutions in 1996. Internet2 serves 352 U.S. universities, 57 government agencies, 46 regional and state education networks and through them supports more than 80,000 community anchor institutions, over 1,000 InCommon participants, 61 leading corporations working with our community, and 70 national research and education network operators that represent more than 100 countries.

Internet2 delivers a diverse portfolio of technology solutions that leverages, integrates, and amplifies the strengths of its members and helps support their educational, research, and community service missions. Internet2's core infrastructure components include the nation's largest and fastest research and education network that was built to deliver advanced, customized services that are accessed and secured by the community-developed trust and identity framework. For more information: https://internet2.edu

SOURCE Internet2

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