New Platinum members include Nebius, Nscale and Shopify, deepening the PyTorch Foundation's role as the intelligence layer for open source AI development

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The PyTorch Foundation, a community-driven hub for open source AI under the Linux Foundation, today announced the addition of nine new members at PyTorch Conference North America 2026. Expansion of the PyTorch Foundation ecosystem signals increased advancements to come in open source AI, with the foundation serving as a compounding hub for innovation.

The Foundation welcomes the following new members:

- Platinum: Nebius, Nscale, and Shopify Inc.

- Silver: LightSeek Foundation and Lablup Inc.

- Associate: SKOPOS INDIA FOUNDATION, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan, Messiah University, and Valencia College

AI innovation now happens across all stack layers simultaneously, with research, models, infrastructure, hardware, and production continuously driving each other forward. The PyTorch Foundation serves as the central hub of this interconnected ecosystem, uniting researchers, developers, and companies building open AI. Membership growth advances PyTorch as the critical enabler of AI hardware, with the future of AI innovation built on projects like PyTorch, vLLM, DeepSpeed, Ray, Helion, and Safetensors.

"Open systems learn faster when more people, projects, and organizations are working together, creating compounding gains," said Mark Collier, executive director of the PyTorch Foundation. "Open source ecosystems let breakthroughs travel between organizations instead of staying locked inside one company. We are thrilled that these new members will share their advancements with the foundation in the pursuit of accelerated, open intelligence."

Ecosystem Growth: PyTorch Foundation Member News

Recent milestones across the PyTorch ecosystem highlight how AI itself is joining the learning loop to improve code, kernels, and research workflows. Updates include:

- Bringing ExecuTorch to Arm Cortex-M CPUs – ExecuTorch now provides a direct path from PyTorch training to on-device inference. The Cortex-M backend enables PyTorch models to run directly on Arm Cortex-M CPUs with Arm CMSIS-NN acceleration. It supports all capability tiers (Scalar, DSP, and MVE/Helium) from a single workflow.

- The announcement of TorchNeuron –TorchNeuron is an open source native PyTorch backend for AWS Trainium (and corresponding Amazon EC2 instances: Trn2 and Trn3), enabling AI researchers and practitioners to experiment and run PyTorch workloads with a single configuration change. With eager execution, torch.compile, and native support for PyTorch APIs (DTensor, torch.distributed) and libraries like TorchTitan, TorchNeuron enables workflows from research experimentation to production deployment.

- Native PyTorch is now publicly available for TPUs – Google is proud to announce TorchTPU, native PyTorch for TPU developers, enabling developers to deploy models on TPUs with minimal code changes and access popular ecosystem projects (vLLM, SGLang, Ray, LLM-d).

- Extending Inductor for the IBM Spyre Accelerator – In a recent blog, IBM's AI-native Spyre software stack extends PyTorch's Inductor compiler and native runtime, reducing Spyre-specific compiler code by 7x while maintaining performance parity on tested workloads. AI-assisted development enabled support for thousands of models with just 44 adapters and approximately 10,000 lines of code, complemented by hardware-agnostic vLLM integration and continuous testing against upstream PyTorch updates.

- A new case study in which Shopify built a continual learning loop with PyTorch and vLLM – Using a continual learning loop with PyTorch and vLLM, Shopify compresses production failures into model weights every day, beating frontier-model quality, and cutting serving costs by 96%.

The open source community is gathering in San Jose for PyTorch Conference North America this week. From bare-metal infrastructure to applications and agents, the conference covers the entire AI stack, exploring the interconnected system building AI in the open. The foundation brings together practitioners focused on training, inference, kernel engineering, and responsible AI work, creating a hub for the future of open intelligence.

To learn more about the next breakthrough in open source AI, visit https://pytorch.org/foundation.

Supporting Quotes

"Lablup has built Backend.AI as an open-source project from the beginning, and PyTorch workloads run on our platform every day. We have benefited greatly from the PyTorch ecosystem over the years. Joining the PyTorch Foundation is our way of supporting the community that has helped us grow and contributing what we have learned from operating AI infrastructure at scale."

– Jeongkyu Shin, Co-founder and CEO, Lablup Inc.

"Efficient inference is essential to making AI accessible at global scale, and we believe the infrastructure behind it must be open. PyTorch brings developers, researchers, and hardware innovators together around a shared foundation. Joining the PyTorch Foundation allows us to contribute directly to that ecosystem and help turn advances in models and hardware into practical improvements in performance, cost, and accessibility for the next generation of AI applications."

– Yineng Zhang, President and Governing Board, LightSeek Foundation

"At Nebius, we believe the future of AI depends on a strong, connected ecosystem, from training to deployment. Joining the PyTorch Foundation as a Platinum member allows us to collaborate more deeply with the community and contribute our expertise in high-performance infrastructure and applied AI. Together, we can help developers and enterprises move more easily from experimentation to production and scale their AI applications."

– Ryan Hanrui Wang, Senior Vice President, Applied AI, Nebius

"Most infrastructure providers treat the framework and the data center as two separate problems. We treat them as one. PyTorch has remained the base layer of AI because it kept the Pythonic style researchers know, while getting serious about performance. Ray, also part of the PyTorch Foundation, does something different: getting that work to run across thousands of GPUs. With Anyscale, the creators of Ray, set to join Nscale, we're not just using that ecosystem, we're building the infrastructure underneath it. Joining the PyTorch Foundation as a Platinum member is us backing that directly, not just benefiting from it."

– Nick Jones, VP of Cloud Native Platform Engineering, Nscale

About the PyTorch Foundation

The PyTorch Foundation is the vendor-neutral home for the open source intelligence layer developers use for training, optimizing, serving, and running models on any chip in any cloud for any agent. As a community-driven hub hosted by the Linux Foundation, the PyTorch Foundation supports the core PyTorch framework alongside a growing portfolio of innovative projects including vLLM, DeepSpeed, Ray, Helion, and Safetensors. Through open governance, strategic support, and a global contributor community, the PyTorch Foundation empowers developers, researchers, and enterprises to build and deploy AI at scale. Learn more at https://pytorch.org/foundation. 

About the Linux Foundation

The Linux Foundation is the world's leading home for collaboration on open source software, hardware, standards, and data. Linux Foundation projects, including Linux, Kubernetes, Model Context Protocol (MCP), OpenChain, OpenSearch, OpenSSF, OpenStack, PyTorch, Ray, RISC-V, SPDX and Zephyr, provide the foundation for global infrastructure. The Linux Foundation is focused on leveraging best practices and addressing the needs of contributors, users, and solution providers to create sustainable models for open collaboration. For more information, please visit us at linuxfoundation.org.

The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of The Linux Foundation, please see its trademark usage page: www.linuxfoundation.org/trademark-usage. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.

Media Contact

The Linux Foundation

[email protected] 

SOURCE PyTorch Foundation

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WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®), The Firearm Industry Trade Association, today filed a lawsuit seeking declaratory and injunctive relief against New Mexico Attorney General (AG) Raúl Torrez for the state's continued enforcement of New Mexico's seven-day "cooling off" period after a law-abiding New Mexican passes an FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) verification to purchase a firearm.

"New Mexico's Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Attorney General Raúl Torrez are blatantly and unconstitutionally enforcing New Mexico's seven-day waiting period law, despite it having twice been held to violate Second Amendment rights of law-abiding New Mexicans," stated Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF's Senior Vice President & General Counsel. "Criminals do not purchase firearms at retail and do not submit to a waiting period before illegally obtaining a gun. This unconstitutional law only impacts law-abiding citizens seeking to exercise their constitutional rights to purchase and possess a firearm for lawful purposes. Twice now federal courts have ruled this law is unconstitutional. It is outrageous that the governor and attorney general are still moving ahead to enforce an unconstitutional law. It is a grotesque misuse of government power, a waste of taxpayer money and puts law-abiding citizens at risk while doing nothing to punish criminals. NSSF is confident we will be victorious in court."

Last year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit ruled in an NSSF-supported challenge Ortega v. Grisham that New Mexico's seven-day waiting period for firearm purchases infringes on the Second Amendment by preventing the lawful acquisition of firearms by those who had already passed a NICS check. The case was remanded to the district court which, citing the Tenth Circuit's decision, granted summary judgment and entered a permanent injunction barring the state from enforcing the law as to the named plaintiffs. Despite these rulings, the state is appealing again and has said it will enforce this unconstitutional law. NSSF has been on the frontline of this legal challenge, funding the initial appeal and remand proceedings, as well as the opposition to the state's new appeal.

It is NSSF's position that the Tenth Circuit was clear that the law is unconstitutional as to all individuals who receive a "proceed" from NICS and strongly disagrees with the state's threat to enforce this unconstitutional law against federally licensed firearm retailers who are not a party to the original case. It is regrettable that NSSF and its litigation partners have no choice but to file a second lawsuit to ensure that its members are protected.

About NSSF

NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen's organizations and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org.

SOURCE NATIONAL SHOOTING SPORTS FOUNDATION

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WEST HARTFORD, Conn., Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Legrand, the global specialist in electrical and digital building infrastructures, today launched the Starline T5 DoubleBar track busway. Engineered specifically for high-density environments, the T5 DoubleBar offers the highest ampacity open-channel busway available on the market with the most pluggable space, addressing the exponential power demands of artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.

By featuring a configuration with two T5 bars in parallel, the system delivers up to 2000A, enabling robust power distribution for high-density environments. This hybrid busway design successfully combines open-channel flexibility with busduct-level ampacity for maximum adaptability.

"As AI workloads push rack densities past 100kW, data center operators have been forced into a clear trade-off: install heavy, rigid busducts to get high amperage, or use track busways to maintain operational flexibility," said Mark Swift, Vice President of Engineering for Starline, a brand of Legrand. "With the T5 DoubleBar, we've completely eliminated that compromise. By delivering 2000A in a continuous open-channel architecture, we give operators the raw power density of a traditional busduct without forcing them to clutter their white space with redundant busway runs or sacrifice the agility to reconfigure on the fly."

Key Features and Benefits of the Starline T5 DoubleBar

The T5 DoubleBar eliminates spacing constraints common in traditional busduct systems and minimizes the whitespace footprint in dense data center layouts.

- Unmatched AI & HPC Support: The system handles rack loads up to 150kW, meeting next-gen data center demands. It is also compatible with LVDC installations to 1000VDC.

- Increased Pluggable Space: The high-density double-bar architecture utilizes parallel conductors to increase amperage and pluggable space without increasing the system's footprint.

- Zero-Downtime Reconfiguration: Hot-pluggable tap-off capability allows for the safe, live installation and removal of tap-off units without a system shutdown, maximizing operational continuity.

- True Modularity and Scalability: The modular design supports multiple ratings without system redesign. Furthermore, it is designed for future expansion up to 5000A, protecting long-term capital investments.

- Complete T5 Ecosystem Compatibility: The system maintains open-channel plug-in access and full compatibility with all existing T5 plug-in units.

Launching Alongside High-Capacity Plug-in Unit (HCP)

To complete this end-to-end high-density power distribution system, Legrand is simultaneously launching a new High-Capacity Plug-in Unit (HCP) designed for seamless integration directly on T5 infrastructure, including the new DoubleBar.

These new plug-in units offer up to 250A capacity and multiple enclosure formats, delivering more power through a single unit. By powering high-density AI and HPC racks directly, the HCP reduces the need for multiple lower-amperage plug-ins, simplifying the overall power delivery architecture.

For more information on the Starline T5 DoubleBar and High-Capacity Plug-in Units, visit the Starline website.

About Legrand:

Legrand is the global specialist in electrical and digital building infrastructures. Its comprehensive offering of solutions for residential, commercial, and datacenter markets makes it a benchmark for customers worldwide. The Group harnesses technological and societal trends with lasting impacts on buildings with the purpose of improving life by transforming the spaces where people live, work and meet with electrical, digital infrastructures and connected solutions that are simple, innovative and sustainable. Drawing on an approach that involves all teams and stakeholders, Legrand is pursuing a strategy of profitable and responsible growth driven by acquisitions and innovation, with a steady flow of new offerings that include products with enhanced value in use. Legrand reported sales of €9.5 billion in 2025. The company is listed on Euronext Paris and is a component stock of the CAC 40, CAC 40 ESG and CAC Transition Climat indexes (code ISIN FR0010307819). www.legrand.us

Media Contact:

Jaymie Scotto & Associates

+1 866.695.3629 ext. 19

[email protected]

SOURCE Legrand DPC LLC

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SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- After 42 years of industry-defining design work, IA Interior Architects is evolving once more. Our firm, a global interior design and architecture powerhouse, has been strategically expanding its expertise and capabilities beyond corporate interiors and is now announcing an expansion of its services and practice areas. Along with this diversification comes a name change: our firm, IA Interior Architects, will now be known only as IA.

This evolution is both intentional and a natural next step. Our growth has always been strategic and client-driven, remaining true to who we are at our core. IA's name change and evolution will be accompanied by a new logo, one that signals our growth into a more expansive practice. We are thrilled to unveil the logo, which represents our ongoing commitment to thought-provoking design and architecture, reflects our consistent position as a global design leader, and nods to our adaptability and evolution.

It also signifies our continued dedication to a diversity of markets. Over the past decade, we have strategically invested in our hospitality and retail practices and expanded our commercial market sectors to include aviation, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing, all of which have seen tremendous organic growth. This, paired with our deliberate investment in talent with expertise in disciplines such as base-building architecture, sustainability, and strategy, augments our evolution. As our brand moves forward, so do our professionals, our project work, and our mission-driven focus.

In addition to our new logo, we're unveiling a brand-new website that reflects who we are today. This site gives us a refreshed digital presence, but it will continue to provide valuable insights and compelling research, and to showcase our impactful design work.

"This brand evolution is a culmination of multiple years of work and consideration, and we're thrilled to finally unveil it. One of the most exciting elements is that we're pushing IA's brand forward rather than standing still. This has always been a priority. We're pleased to share this evolved brand, which fully communicates our expanded services and effectively moves IA into the future," shared IA co-CEOs/Presidents Tom Powers, AIA, and David Bourke.

Ultimately, IA will always be committed to our foundational value of entrepreneurship, our clients, and our people. We will continue to chart our own course, remaining employee-owned through our ESOP. This brand evolution is a celebration, moving our firm into a new, expansive era of growth, one that is a natural fit for who IA is and has always been.

About IA: Design that Moves

IA's goal has always been to improve lives through visionary design and innovation. Since 1984, we have designed environments that move people forward, turning complexity into clarity through insight, imagination, and collaboration. Visit our new site, IA.design, for more information.

SOURCE IA

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This partnership targets a critical U.S. defense supply chain need for drone technologies, with domestic battery manufacturing starting early 2027

TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Ordnance Holdings, a U.S.-owned defense company delivering integrated munition systems, ordnance, energetics, UAS and counter UAS solutions to the United States and its allies, signed a Master Supply Agreement with Sparkz Inc. initially targeting 210,000 battery packs beginning early 2027 , partnering to strengthen the U.S. defense supply chain for high energy density batteries for drones. The agreement establishes the first fully domestic manufacturing for high-performance drone batteries as the U.S. Department of War directs more attention and funding to domestic drone technologies.

Signed during AUSA 2026, the agreement meets the need for a reliable supply of American-made batteries as the Pentagon expands its use of unmanned systems. The batteries will come from a fully U.S. supply chain, including all base materials and assembly, with 100% U.S. content. The companies will deliver NDAA-compliant batteries for U.S. defense applications, with batteries expected to be available in early 2027 and full manufacturing capacity expected to start in Q2 2027. Domestic demand for batteries is expected to rapidly grow as 2027 forecasts for the DoW will reach approximately one million drones with forecasted demand for 2028 and beyond expected to continue to grow rapidly.

Sparkz will manufacture and supply batteries, while Global Ordnance will lead sales and distribution through its defense market relationships and distribution network. The high-energy-density batteries will be configurable to meet the power output and operational requirements of different unmanned systems.

"Putting more drones into service requires a dependable supply of the components that keep them flying," said Jeffrey Brunozzi, president of Global Ordnance Holdings. "Batteries are central to that equation, and high energy density power supplies are critical for the missions they serve. This partnering agreement brings Sparkz U.S. battery manufacturing together with our understanding of defense customers' operational requirements to build a fully domestic source they can plan around."

The agreement comes as the Pentagon places greater emphasis on the origins of drone components and the industrial capacity needed to supply them. Its Drone Dominance Program supply chain framework calls for progressively tighter sourcing requirements, with the ultimate goal of a wholly domestic small-drone supply chain.

For military customers and unmanned systems manufacturers, the challenge extends beyond obtaining a finished aircraft. Sustaining deployment requires access to critical components that meet performance requirements and can be supplied reliably as operational needs change.

"Domestic battery production has to deliver the performance customers need for their specific systems," said Sanjiv Malhotra, CEO of Sparkz. "By combining our technology and manufacturing capabilities with Global Ordnance's defense market reach, we intend to give U.S. drone manufacturers and defense customers an American-made battery option tailored to their applications."

The initiative supports Global Ordnance Holdings' broader work in autonomy, unmanned systems, and mission-tailored defense solutions, connecting advanced technologies with the equipment and supply capabilities required to support operational readiness.

About Global Ordnance Holdings

Global Ordnance Holdings is a U.S.-owned defense company founded in 2013. Its businesses include Global Military Products (defense programs and international sales), Global Ordnance, LLC (commercial sales), Global Ordnance Trading, and Mountain Horse Solutions (unmanned and counter-unmanned systems), with international entities in the United Kingdom and Europe. The company supplies ammunition, energetics, and unmanned systems to the U.S. government and allied nations. Learn more at global-ordnance.com.

About Sparkz, Inc.

The only company succeeding in establishing the LFP battery ecosystem in the US. We are making high-performance material from scratch, made from abundant American materials, such as lithium, iron, phosphate, cells and the complete battery systems. Learn more at sparkz.energy.

PRESS CONTACTS:

Michelle Bandur,

Sparkz VP, Marketing and Communications

279-208-4672

[email protected] 

Abby Rodriguez

Sparkz VP, Corporate Development

202-743-3831

[email protected] 

Margit DeMarco,

Global Ordnance, Director of Marketing

941-431-7505

[email protected]

SOURCE Global Ordnance LLC

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In a dramatic Series finish, Sofía Gómez Villafañe and Keegan Swenson capture 2026 titles

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Life Time (NYSE: LTH), the nation's premier healthy way of life brand, brought professional athletes, recreational riders, industry leaders and fans together in Northwest Arkansas last week for the 2026 Life Time Big Sugar Classic.

Bookended by the Life Time Little Sugar MTB and Life Time Big Sugar Gravel presented by Kenetik, the weeklong celebration was hosted across Bentonville and Bella Vista, Arkansas as well as McDonald County, Missouri. More than 4,200 cyclists representing 46 states and 20 countries converged for the two marquee off-road cycling events, which also featured group rides, product demos, athlete engagements, industry gatherings and family-friendly activities.

"At Big Sugar, the racing is the centerpiece, but the experience around it is what makes it unique: bringing people together, introducing new generations to the sport and giving the cycling community the perfect platform to connect," said Kimo Seymour, Senior Vice President of Media and Events at Life Time. "Northwest Arkansas has built an incredible cycling culture, and we're thankful to be a part of it."

Life Time Big Sugar Gravel also marked the culmination of the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix, Life Time's professional off-road cycling series, with top athletes facing off for the final test. With the season-long competition coming down to the final race — and one of the tightest Series yet — Big Sugar Gravel delivered a hard-fought conclusion, with Sofía Gómez Villafañe and Keegan Swenson crowned the 2026 champions. To see the complete podium, visit lifetimegrandprix.com.

Now in its fifth season, the Grand Prix reflects Life Time's continued investment in growing professional off-road cycling in the U.S., including a record $590,000 prize purse for 2026, up 55% from the previous year. Live coverage on the Life Time Grand Prix YouTube channel further expanded the competition's reach and brought the race to more than 155,000 viewers.

Beyond the competition, the Life Time Big Sugar Classic celebrated Northwest Arkansas' vibrant cycling culture and strong community ties. Nearly 500 participants across Little Sugar MTB and Big Sugar Gravel called Bentonville or Bella Vista home, underscoring the event's local roots.

"The success of Life Time Big Sugar Classic is a success for every corner of our community," said Kalene Griffith, President and CEO of Visit Bentonville. "An estimated $9 million in economic impact over ten days means busy dining rooms, full hotels and real support for the small businesses that give Bentonville its character. Events like this are exactly why we're proud to be the Mountain Biking Capital of the World: they bring people here, and once they see these trails and this landscape, they keep coming back."

The Big Sugar Classic is one of 30 iconic athletic events owned and produced by Life Time, spanning disciplines including road running, trail running, mountain biking and gravel cycling. Across its event portfolio, Life Time creates experiences that unite competition, community and active living, welcoming people of different ages and abilities to pursue their goals and connect through movement.

For more information about Life Time's full portfolio of athletic events download the Life Time app or visit www.lifetime.life/athletic-events.

About Life Time

Life Time (NYSE: LTH) empowers people to live healthy, happy lives through its more than 195 athletic country clubs across the U.S. and Canada, the complimentary and comprehensive Life Time app featuring its L•AI•C™ AI-powered health companion, and 30 iconic athletic events. Serving people ages 90 days to 90+ years, the Life Time ecosystem uniquely delivers healthy living, healthy aging, and healthy entertainment experiences, a range of unique healthy way of life programs, highly trusted LTH nutritional supplements and more. Recognized as a Great Place to Work®, the company is committed to upholding an exceptional culture for its nearly 50,000 team members.

SOURCE Life Time, Inc.

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Nonprofit platform brings people affected by ALS together for connection, practical resources and support shaped by lived experience

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ALS.Community today announced the public launch of its free, patient-led nonprofit online platform, giving people affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly called ALS, a place to build friendships, share practical knowledge and find support. The mission of ALS.Community is to end ALS isolation by connecting people who understand life with the disease. Appromixately 200,000 people have ALS globally with that number expected to rise sharply over the next 15 years.

Developed with guidance from people living with ALS, the platform brings patients, caregivers, families and the broader ALS community together in one interactive space. Members help shape its direction through leadership, feedback and the creation of smaller communities centered on their needs. That approach puts the patients and family members navigating ALS at the center of decisions about the support available to them.

For founder Jeff Oppenheimer, the launch fulfills a deeply personal goal: helping others find the understanding his wife, Shelbie, often lacked during her 20 years with ALS.

"During my wife Shelbie's 20-year battle with ALS, she was surrounded by people who loved her, but rarely by people who understood what she was going through," Oppenheimer said. "It hurts me to this day. What I couldn't do for her, I'm working to create for people with ALS, as well as family and caregivers who are also isolated by ALS."

ALS.Community is designed to make those connections easier to find. Members can drop into a Connection Café, attend webinars and watch parties or explore a virtual library, bookstore, art gallery and movie theater. These shared spaces offer opportunities to exchange advice, pursue interests and spend time with people who need no explanation of the challenges ALS can bring.

At the heart of the platform are Communities, dedicated spaces for connection, information and support. Public Communities bring together the entire ALS ecosystem under one roof, with unique Communities for: Patients, Caregivers, Family Members, Friends, Veterans, Advocates, Researchers, Clinicians, Businesses and Nonprofits. Personal Communities offer more focused connections based on shared interests, experiences or geography.

Like-minded groups can create a Personal Community around needs such as navigating motherhood with ALS, caring for a spouse or finding others in close geographic proximity. A few pioneering Personal Communities have already formed at ALS.Community. Forever a Parent: A Gentle Space After ALS was established by parents bereaved by ALS. "Creating this community for other parents is a way to honor the grief and love I have for my daughter, Marissa," said member Lou Morentin. "I hope other parents will join us and share stories, laugh, cry and honor the children they have lost to this devastating disease." Marissa's ALS journey ended at age 32.

Practical learning is another core part of the platform. A reference library covers more than 230 topics across 11 subject areas, including financial health, caregiving, veterans, research and clinical care. In the spiritual health library, resources include psalms and prayers, perspectives from different faiths, guided meditation and gratitude exercises.

"Our tagline is Together We're Bigger Than ALS, but we think of it as a battle cry and rallying call for everyone touched by this disease to stand together, support one another, and make their voices heard," Oppenheimer said.

Membership is free. To join the community or donate, visit https://als.community. The platform is also available through iOS and Android app stores on the Mighty Networks app.

About ALS.Community

ALS.Community is a free, patient-led nonprofit online community dedicated to ending ALS isolation. Built on the belief that people living with ALS deserve not just a voice but a seat at the table, it connects patients, caregivers, families, clinicians, researchers and advocates through peer support, practical resources and shared experiences. Its mobility-friendly design supports participation in a community guided by the people it serves. Learn more at https://als.community.

For the complete statement: https://als.community/blog/als-community-launches-patient-led-community

Media contact

Caroline Mickus

Vault Communications

973-580-5185

[email protected]

SOURCE ALS.Community

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Award recognizes more than three decades of leadership and service in correctional behavioral healthcare

TOPEKA, Kan., Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- VitalCore today announced that Dr. Deborah Schult, deputy executive medical officer of behavioral health, received the 2026 People Helping People Award from the American Board of Correctional Psychology (ABCP), recognizing her longstanding contributions to behavioral healthcare within the nation's correctional systems.

Presented annually by the board's founder and president Dr. Dean Aufderheide during the American Correctional Association's Congress, the award honors a correctional psychologist whose professional career exemplifies a sustained commitment to serving others, advancing the profession and improving behavioral healthcare in correctional settings.

"'This award is at the heart of what we do in correctional behavioral health," said Schult. "Whether providing the services directly, or guiding, supporting and resourcing the staff who engage daily with our patients, it has always been clear to me that we have the greatest impact on the lives of people who are hurting by helping each other. It truly takes a multidisciplinary team to uplift others in our industry, and I am pleased and honored to be recognized as part of that helping spirit."

With more than 30 years of experience in correctional healthcare, Schult has dedicated her career to addressing the complex behavioral health needs of incarcerated individuals and strengthening the systems and professionals responsible for their care.

Prior to joining VitalCore, Schult held leadership positions with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, where she helped oversee the administration of healthcare services within the federal correctional system. Her experience across both jail and prison environments has provided her with extensive insight into the clinical, operational, and organizational challenges associated with delivering behavioral healthcare in correctional settings.

"What distinguishes Deb is not only the depth of her expertise, but her ability to translate that expertise into meaningful improvements in clinical practice, building stronger multidisciplinary teams and establishing advanced systems of care," said Dr. Lorelei Ammons, executive clinical advisor and co-founder of VitalCore. "This recognition is exceptionally well deserved, and we are so fortunate to have her leadership at VitalCore."

In her current role at VitalCore, Schult provides executive leadership and clinical guidance for behavioral health services, supporting multidisciplinary teams in the delivery of comprehensive, patient-centered care. Her work reflects VitalCore's commitment to strengthening behavioral health services and advancing the quality of healthcare available to individuals in correctional facilities.

"Throughout her career, she has shown a steadfast commitment to clinical best practices, professional integrity, and improving the lives of individuals entrusted to our care," said Ammons. "Dr. Schult represents the best of correctional behavioral healthcare leadership."

The American Board of Correctional Psychology promotes professional excellence in correctional psychology through certification and the establishment of standards for education, training, experience and ethical practice. The organization's People Helping People Award recognizes professionals whose contributions have made a meaningful impact on the field and the individuals it serves.

About VitalCore

VitalCore is a leading provider of comprehensive correctional healthcare services, delivering innovative, evidence-based care designed to improve outcomes for patients and strengthen the operations of correctional facilities. Through a commitment to clinical excellence, operational efficiency and compassionate care, VitalCore partners with correctional systems to build safe, healthier communities. For more information about VitalCore, visit the website at www.vitalcorehs.com.

SOURCE VitalCore

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ALMATY, Kazakhstan, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- World tennis star Andrey Rublev met with ten children from the Asyl Miras Autism Center during the Almaty Open ATP 250 tournament. The initiative, organised by the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation (KTF), continues a longstanding tradition of bringing professional players together with children from Asyl Miras center. The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation runs 13 autism centers across 12 cities in Kazakhstan, providing free, comprehensive support to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

"It is particularly important to us that children with ASD have the opportunity to participate in all aspects of life, including sports. Meetings like these help broaden the understanding of inclusion not only among children but also throughout society. Spending time with professional athletes is a meaningful experience for the children and another step toward creating a more open and inclusive environment," said Ainur Karbozova, CEO of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation.

On the court, Rublev and children took part in adapted ball-and-racket exercises, accuracy drills, and other activities designed by specialists from Asyl Miras and the KTF to ensure every child could discover tennis in a relaxed and engaging way. The event gave the children a chance to experience something new and take part in a shared sporting activity, while allowing Rublev to learn more about autism and how to interact with children with ASD.

"It was a great experience. First of all, it's always a pleasure to spend time with children. They teach you so much, and there's always something special about being part of that playful atmosphere. My mother is also a tennis coach, so I've been on the court since I was very young and grew up watching how coaches work with young children. Every charitable initiative is incredibly meaningful, and everyone connects with it in their own way. But the most important thing is simply to do something good," said Andrey Rublev.

Professional tennis players have supported the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation's initiatives on numerous occasions. Over the years, Asyl Miras Autism Centers have welcomed Novak Djokovic, Elena Rybakina, Carlos Alcaraz, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Alexander Bublik and many others. Continuing this tradition, Rublev presented the children with tennis rackets after the event so they could continue playing tennis and putting their newly acquired skills into practice.

SOURCE The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation

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The locally owned and operated cannabis company opens the third Garden experience in Greater Cincinnati, continuing its commitment to accessible, elevated cannabis retail experiences.

CINCINNATI, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- King City Gardens Group, a locally owned and operated Cincinnati cannabis company, is continuing its expansion with the opening of its newest The Garden Dispensary location in Colerain Township. This marks the company's third dispensary in the Greater Cincinnati area and further strengthens its commitment to high-quality cannabis products, competitive pricing, and an elevated retail experience for Ohio consumers.

The new Colerain Township dispensary builds on the success of The Garden's existing locations in Camp Washington and Sycamore Township. With Sycamore Township ranking among Ohio's top five dispensaries and Camp Washington among the top 20, the company aims to bring that same level of performance, customer service, and retail experience to its newest location.

Designed around convenience, education, and customer experience, The Garden Colerain offers a thoughtfully curated selection of Ohio cannabis products in a welcoming, modern retail environment. Customers can shop King City Gardens products alongside a diverse selection of respected brands from across Ohio's cannabis market.

"We're proud to be building The Garden experience right here in Cincinnati," said Caveh Azadeh, Co-Founder of King City Gardens. "As a locally owned and operated company, our goal has always been to create dispensaries that deliver quality products, competitive pricing, and exceptional customer service. The success of our Camp Washington and Sycamore Township locations has established a strong foundation, and we're excited to bring that same experience to the Colerain community."

Cincinnati Grown. Locally Owned. Community Focused.

The Garden's continued expansion builds on the foundation King City Gardens established as a Cincinnati-based, veteran-owned Level 1 cannabis cultivator with approximately 50,000 square feet of cultivation canopy.

With deep roots in Cincinnati, King City Gardens Group remains committed to investing in the local market, creating employment opportunities, and building lasting relationships within the communities it serves.

By connecting cultivation and retail, the organization has developed a vertically integrated approach that provides customers with direct access to King City Gardens products while maintaining a diverse menu featuring leading brands from throughout Ohio.

The Garden's retail experience emphasizes knowledgeable service, product education, competitive pricing, and an inviting environment designed to make cannabis shopping comfortable for both experienced consumers and first-time visitors.

Building on Success Across Greater Cincinnati

The opening of The Garden Colerain represents another milestone in the company's continued growth throughout the Cincinnati region.

Following the strong performance of its Camp Washington and Sycamore Township dispensaries, King City Gardens Group is focused on establishing Colerain as another leading retail destination within Ohio's cannabis market.

Each location is designed to serve its surrounding community while maintaining the brand's commitment to accessibility, hospitality, product quality, and an exceptional customer experience.

The Colerain location will also offer convenient shopping options, including online ordering and streamlined pickup, making it easier for customers to explore products and shop with confidence.

As The Garden continues to expand, the company remains focused on growing within its hometown market and building a retail brand that Cincinnati consumers can recognize and trust.

About The Garden

The Garden is a locally owned and operated Cincinnati cannabis dispensary brand dedicated to delivering high-quality cannabis products, competitive pricing, and an elevated customer experience. Developed by King City Gardens Group, The Garden combines modern retail environments, knowledgeable teams, convenient shopping options, and thoughtfully curated product selections to provide an accessible and welcoming experience for Ohio's adult-use and medical cannabis consumers.

With locations in Camp Washington, Sycamore Township, and Colerain Township, The Garden continues to expand throughout Greater Cincinnati while staying committed to its local roots and the communities it serves.

About King City Gardens

King City Gardens is a Cincinnati-based, veteran-owned Level 1 cannabis cultivator dedicated to producing high-quality cannabis products for Ohio consumers. With approximately 50,000 square feet of cultivation canopy, King City Gardens combines advanced cultivation practices with a commitment to quality, consistency, and its Cincinnati roots.

Media Contact

King City Gardens Group / The Garden

Marketing Department

[email protected] 

SOURCE King City Gardens

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