Hyde Park Capital Advises Braille Works on Its Sale to Allyant, a Portfolio Company of Thompson Street Capital Partners

TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyde Park Capital announced today that its client Braille Works, a provider of accessible alternative format communications, including braille, large print, audio, and accessible PDFs, has been acquired by Allyant, a portfolio company of Thompson Street Capital Partners ("TSCP"), a leading provider of accessible document, digital, and alternative format print communications solutions. Hyde Park Capital served as the exclusive investment banker to Braille Works for this transaction. Polsinelli served as legal counsel to Braille Works and Warren Averett served as Braille Works' accounting advisor.

"We are thrilled to partner with Joyce and Lou Fioritto on this transformational combination. Together, Braille Works and Allyant will deliver new value to our customers, new opportunities for our employees, and a better experience for the individuals and communities that benefit from best-in-class accessible communications," said Craig Albrecht, Managing Director at TSCP.

"We are blessed to have stewarded Braille Works for many years and couldn't be happier joining the Allyant family. Hyde Park Capital was a trusted advisor throughout this process. Luke, Matt, and the team understood our priorities and provided thoughtful guidance from beginning to end. We are thankful for their partnership and guidance to this successful outcome," noted Joyce Fioritto, Co-Founder of Braille Works.

"Joyce and Lou have built an exceptional company, and we couldn't be more thankful for the opportunity to advise them through this meaningful transaction." said Luke Horanski, Managing Director at Hyde Park Capital. "The synergistic solution offering and shared vision made Allyant a natural fit, and we are excited to watch the continued growth and success in their partnership."

"It has been a privilege to advise Joyce, Lou, and the Braille Works team throughout this process. Braille Works catalogue of accessibility solutions made a great match for the Allyant platform. We are pleased to have helped Braille Works achieve this outcome and are excited to see the business continue to grow," said Matthew Gladdish, Managing Director at Hyde Park Capital.

About Allyant

Allyant is the leading provider of accessible document, digital, and alternative format print communications solutions, helping organizations achieve compliance with accessibility standards. Allyant empowers businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and more with industry-leading software, tools, and expert guidance to create inclusive communications for all users. Learn more at www.Allyant.com.

About Braille Works

Founded in 1994, Braille Works is a trusted provider of accessible alternative format communications, including braille, large print, audio, and accessible PDF documents. Braille Works helps organizations across healthcare, financial services, government, and education, make information accessible to people who are blind or who have low vision. Learn more at www.BrailleWorks.com.

About Thompson Street Capital Partners

Thompson Street Capital Partners is a St. Louis-based private equity firm focused on investing in founder-owned middle market businesses in the life sciences and healthcare, software and technology, business and consumer services and products sectors. Founded in 2000, the firm has acquired more than 250 companies and had assets under management of over $4.5 billion as of June 30, 2026. TSCP partners with management teams to increase value by accelerating growth, both organically and via complementary acquisitions. Learn more at www.tscp.com.

About Hyde Park Capital

Hyde Park Capital is a boutique investment banking firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions of successful founder and family-owned companies. Hyde Park Capital's principals have extensive investment banking experience, including managing sell-side and buy-side transactions, recapitalizations, financial advisory assignments, fairness opinions, and raising growth and acquisition capital for companies, including equity, mezzanine, and senior debt. Hyde Park Capital has areas of focus across numerous industry sectors, including industrials, business services, technology, healthcare, and consumer. The Braille Works transaction represents another successful engagement closed by Hyde Park Capital within the business services sector. Hyde Park Capital is headquartered in Tampa, Florida, with additional offices in Nashville, Tennessee, and San Francisco, California, and is a member of FINRA and SIPC. For additional information, please visit www.hydeparkcapital.com.

Media Contacts:

Luke Horanski

Managing Director

[email protected]

813-574-1182

Matthew Gladdish

Managing Director

[email protected]

813-383-0203

SOURCE Hyde Park Capital

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Hip-hop icon Xzibit headlines an intimate 21+ experience featuring a live performance, meet & greet, vendor experiences, live glass blowing, gaming and more on October 9.

ORLAND HILLS, Ill., Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Xzibit is coming to Orland Hills. The legendary West Coast rapper, actor and entrepreneur will take over The Stash Room on Friday, October 9, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for The Secret Sesh, an intimate 21+ event centered around a live performance from Xzibit and a full night of music, art, brands and culture.

Unlike a traditional concert, The Secret Sesh will bring multiple experiences together throughout The Stash Room. Guests will have access to vendor experiences, a live DJ, live glass blowing, a dedicated gaming area, tattoo artists, barbershop activations and more leading into Xzibit's live performance.

Select ticket experiences will also give guests the opportunity to meet and take a photo with Xzibit, while additional upgraded access includes front-center stage viewing and dedicated high-top standing areas.

Known for records including "X," "Paparazzi" and "What U See Is What U Get," Xzibit has built a career extending beyond music into television, film and entrepreneurship. His appearance at The Stash Room brings that legacy into an intimate setting where fans can experience the artist closer than they would at a traditional large-scale concert.

"Bringing an icon like Xzibit to The Stash Room underscores our commitment to creating unforgettable, culture-first experiences in Orland Hills. The Secret Sesh isn't just about a great live performance—it's about bringing music, art, gaming, and community together in an intimate environment you simply can't get at a standard venue," said— Matthew Longo, Chief Executive Officer, Stash Dispensaries

The Secret Sesh continues The Stash Room's growing lineup of entertainment and cultural programming in Orland Hills. The venue has hosted brand showcases, live entertainment, watch parties, educational programming and community-driven events designed to create experiences beyond a traditional lounge environment.

The Secret Sesh featuring Xzibit takes place Friday, October 9, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Stash Room in Orland Hills, Illinois.

The event is 21+ only, and a valid government-issued ID is required for entry.

Tickets are available now at TheStashRoom.com.

ABOUT THE STASH ROOM

The Stash Room is a 21+ lounge and event space located in Orland Hills, Illinois. The venue brings together entertainment, culture, education, community and brand experiences through live events and programming throughout the year.

SOURCE The Stash Room

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MarketScape recognition highlights LogicGate's connected data architecture, agentic AI innovation, and low total cost of ownership for enterprise TPRM

CHICAGO, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LogicGate, the Leading AI GRC Platform for the Enterprise, today announced it has been named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Third-Party Risk Management Software 2026 Vendor Assessment. This recognition validates LogicGate's connected data architecture, agentic AI innovations, and low total cost of ownership—purpose-built to support complex enterprise Third-Party-Risk-Management (TPRM).

According to the report authored by IDC Research Director Philip D. Harris, CISSP, CCSK, the flexible architecture of LogicGate's Risk Cloud Platform equips organizations for operational agility: "LogicGate's no-code philosophy reduces professional services dependency, lowering total cost of ownership for self-sufficient risk teams."

"Governance, risk, and compliance works better at scale when everything is connected—and that idea has shaped LogicGate from day one," said Diego Panama, CEO of LogicGate. "Being recognized as a Leader by IDC validates what we hear from customers every day: when you break down silos, connect data, and harness agentic AI, teams view risk through a single pane of glass and act with confidence."

The report recognizes LogicGate's TPRM solution for its end-to-end functionality—including vendor onboarding, risk tiering, questionnaire management, and periodic reviews—as well as its native integrations with broader enterprise risk, controls, audit, and compliance applications. IDC notes this connected approach allows organizations to aggregate vendor findings into enterprise-wide risk registers and support portfolio-level, cross-domain risk reporting.

IDC calls out LogicGate's embedded AI as a key point of differentiation, including AI autofill for vendor intake and assessment responses—governable and togglable to match internal AI policy—and Automated Control Testing. As the report states, "AI Automated Control Testing uses agentic actions to immediately test vendor control evidence upon upload, providing pass/fail/incomplete results with testing rationale and observable outputs ready for human-in-the-loop validation—shifting vendor compliance evaluation from point-in-time to continuous, machine-speed review."

IDC's report cites several strengths driving LogicGate's position as a Leader, including:

- Connected risk architecture: Native integration of TPRM with enterprise risk, audit, and compliance functions for unified, cross-domain risk visibility.

- No-code flexibility: A no-code workflow builder that enables risk teams to build and modify TPRM processes independently, without IT or professional services dependency.

- AI innovation: AI autofill and agentic Automated Evidence Testing capabilities to speed the time it takes to intake and assess vendors.

IDC also points to LogicGate's innovative roadmap, which includes a new AI reporting Agent, as well as Agentic Applications spanning across Enterprise Risk Management, Business Continuity Management, AI Governance, Cyber Risk Management, Policy & Procedure Management, and Incident Management.

To learn more about LogicGate's recognition as a Leader in the IDC MarketScape for Worldwide Third-Party Risk Management Software 2026, visit The Report Page.

Footnote: "Worldwide Third Party Risk Management Software Vendors 2026 Vendor Assessment," September 2026, IDC # US53007725

About LogicGate

LogicGate® is the Leading AI GRC Platform for the Enterprise, helping governance, risk, and compliance teams limit surprises, strengthen resilience, augment program performance, and confidently quantify impact and business value. Built to provide a centralized view of risk and compliance, with AI intelligence woven into the platform's core, LogicGate delivers real-time insights and actionable data to help drive current business decisions, with the flexibility to scale alongside evolving business needs. Recognized as a Leader in the GRC Market, LogicGate continues to further solidify its position as a best-in-class agentic GRC platform. Learn more about LogicGate by visiting www.logicgate.ai or LinkedIn.

About IDC

About IDC MarketScape: IDC MarketScape vendor assessment model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of technology and service suppliers in a given market. The research utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each supplier's position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of technology suppliers can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective suppliers.

SOURCE LogicGate

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BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Foundation and MicroNuclear, LLC, today announced an agreement to collaborate on advancing MicroNuclear's Molten Salt Nuclear Battery© (MsNB), a compact molten salt microreactor concept designed to provide resilient power and process heat.

The collaboration will support the next phase of MsNB development, including detailed engineering, safety and licensing activities, prototype manufacturing, first-fission testing and development of a repeatable model for future deployment and commercialization. The agreement brings together complementary expertise across engineering, reactor technology, manufacturing, quality assurance, training, operations, and commercialization capabilities to support the next stage of MsNB development.

The team, comprised of INL Foundation, MicroNuclear, EXP, Premier Technology, Inc, and Porter House, will focus on accelerating technology maturation, documenting key design milestones, supporting applicable government review and regulatory pathways, and positioning the concept for future demonstration, deployment and commercial-scale adoption.

MicroNuclear is developing the cyber-protected MsNB, a compact, natural-circulation molten salt microreactor designed to support critical infrastructure, military and government facilities, remote or isolated grids, industrial process heat, and potential hydrogen production. The MsNB is envisioned as a safe, secure, sustainable, emissions-free, 20 MW thermal unit intended to operate at full power for an anticipated 10-year battery interval before returning to a centralized facility for fuel and salt recovery and recycling.

The INL Foundation will support early fundraising, help facilitate access to Idaho National Laboratory, and make information about the MsNB available through its investor events. Early contributions supporting MsNB testing may be eligible for tax-deductible treatment, subject to applicable requirements.

EXP, Premier Technology, Inc. and Porter House Inc. bring the integrated engineering, advanced manufacturing, nuclear quality assurance and deployment expertise needed to help advance MicroNuclear's Molten Salt Nuclear Battery from concept toward demonstration and commercial readiness.

"We are well positioned to move the Molten Salt Nuclear Battery from a promising technology to a disciplined path toward engineering, testing, licensing, and eventual development," CEO of MicroNuclear Paul Marotta said. "We've assembled an experienced team to deliver capabilities needed to advance the MsNB and help us achieve our goal of resilient, emissions-free power, and process heat where reliable energy is needed most."

Testing is expected to be carried out at Idaho National Laboratory or other U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories through separate agreements.

About the INL Foundation

The INL Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that supports the mission of the Idaho National Laboratory. It provides philanthropic investment to bridge the early costs of research and development in nuclear energy, national security, critical materials, and advanced energy. For more information, visit www.inlfoundation.org.

About Idaho National Laboratory

Battelle Energy Alliance manages INL for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy. INL is the nation's center for nuclear energy research and development, and also performs research in each of DOE's strategic goal areas: energy, national security, science and the environment. For more information, visit www.inl.gov.

About MicroNuclear

MicroNuclear LLC is results focused, solving today's energy problems with creative, market-relevant, emission-free, economical, cyber, physically and EMP protected microreactor solutions based on experience, engineering, and testing. For more information, visit www.MicroNuclear.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Adam Ruseling

Devon Blaine

SOURCE MicroNuclear LLC

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MARIANNA, Fla., Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Structural Difference Between Credit Unions and Banks Has a Direct Impact on Rates, Fees, and Savings Yields

How should a consumer in Marianna, Florida choose between a credit union and a bank? A HelloNation article examines the credit union vs bank question in detail, comparing the two on loan rates, fee structures, and savings yields to help readers make a decision that fits their financial goals.

The article explains that the most important distinction between the two comes down to organizational structure. Banks are for-profit corporations whose primary obligation is to shareholders. That orientation shapes how they price products, set fees, and develop services.

Credit unions operate under a different model entirely. They are member-owned, not-for-profit cooperatives, and because there are no outside shareholders to pay, earnings are returned to members in the form of lower loan rates, reduced fees, and higher yields on savings accounts. The article describes this as a structural advantage that affects nearly every financial product a member uses.

That difference has direct consequences for borrowers. The article notes that when applying for an auto loan, personal loan, or mortgage at a credit union, the interest rate offered is often lower than what a comparable bank would provide. Over the life of a loan, even a fraction of a percentage point in rate difference can amount to hundreds or thousands of dollars.

A Credit Union Expert would recognize that this is not simply a marketing claim. The article points out that credit unions are legally required to prioritize member benefit over profit, and that obligation is built into the framework governing how they operate under both state and federal law. When weighing the credit union vs bank question on borrowing costs, the member-owned structure gives credit unions a clear and measurable advantage.

On the savings side, credit unions typically offer higher dividend rates on savings accounts and share certificates than banks offer on comparable deposit products. The article explains that for anyone focused on building an emergency fund or growing long-term savings, that yield difference can be meaningful over time.

The article also acknowledges that banks often have broader product offerings. Large national banks may provide investment accounts, business banking, international wire transfers, and a wider range of credit card products. For consumers who need a comprehensive suite of financial services under one roof, a major bank may have more options available at a single institution.

Technology is another area the article addresses. While large banks have invested heavily in digital platforms, most credit unions now offer competitive mobile banking apps, online bill pay, and ATM access through shared networks. The gap between the two has narrowed considerably in recent years.

Fees are a meaningful factor for everyday account holders. The article describes how many banks charge monthly maintenance fees on checking accounts, along with overdraft fees and out-of-network ATM charges. A Credit Union Expert would affirm what the article reports: credit unions tend to charge fewer fees overall, and when fees do apply, they are typically lower than bank equivalents.

Loan approval standards are also worth noting. The article explains that credit unions often take a more flexible and personalized approach to evaluating applications, particularly for members who are rebuilding credit or have limited credit history. That individualized process can be a meaningful advantage for borrowers who may not meet the rigid criteria applied by larger banks.

How Credit Unions and Banks Compare on Loans, Fees, and Savings features insights from Valena Alexander, Credit Union Expert of Marianna, Florida, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America's Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused digital publications and innovative "edvertising" approach, HelloNation delivers expert-driven, good-news content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

SOURCE HelloNation

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Taking place at iconic venues across the country—including Fontainebleau Miami Beach in Miami, Florida; The Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois; Phoenix Zoo in Phoenix, Arizona; Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts; and California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, California—A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics reimagines some of the world's most haunting melodies through live performances by local string quartets.

Blending classical works with music from film, television and popular culture, the programme features pieces such as Michael Jackson's Thriller, Bernard Herrmann's Psycho, the theme from Stranger Things and selections from The Nightmare Before Christmas, alongside Saint-Saëns' Danse Macabre and Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain, all performed in the glow of thousands of candles.

Explore the full program and discover an event near you at: https://candlelightexperience.com/halloween-concerts/

About Fever:

Fever is the world's leading tech platform for discovering culture and live entertainment, inspiring over 300 million people last year to discover the best experiences in over 40 countries. With a mission to democratize access to culture and entertainment in real life, Fever inspires users to enjoy unique experiences and events —from immersive exhibitions and sports to interactive theatrical performances, concerts, and festivals— while empowering its partners with data and technology to develop and expand new experiences worldwide.

SOURCE Fever

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Longtime fan wins Alaska family adventure in national sweepstakes

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Captain D's, the nation's leading fast-casual seafood restaurant, has surprised a Scottsboro, Alabama, woman with the trip of a lifetime - a family cruise to Alaska!

Sandra Elmore has been going to Captain D's since the Scottsboro store opened in the late 1970s. This summer while she was there for her favorite fish dinner, she noticed a promotional sign for the "Captain D's and PepsiCo Alaska Family Cruise Sweepstakes," promoting the chain's wild caught fish from Alaska.

She scanned the QR code, submitted her receipt and forgot all about it. Weeks later when she received an email saying she was the winner, she was skeptical until she received the paperwork and a 32-pound box of cruise-themed merchandise from Captain D's. They sent six sets of spa robes and slippers, binoculars, beach towels, loads of Captain D's swag, and of course, Captain D's gift cards.

"We are just astonished and grateful," Elmore said. "We have always loved Captain D's, but this is just so over and above. Words fail me. I never expected it, but we're very excited!"

More than 5,000 Captain D's fans entered the five-week promotion before a winner and five guests were selected to win a seven-night Alaska cruise, three ocean-view rooms, roundtrip airfare to Seattle, two nights of hotel accommodations in Seattle and a $3,000 travel stipend.

Captain D's launched its Wild Caught Batter Dipped Fish from Alaska nationwide in June as part of the brand's continued focus on high quality seafood sourced from the United States. The fish comes from the cold waters of Alaska and is hand-battered fresh daily in Captain D's restaurants. The Alaska cruise was a way to give guests the opportunity to experience the place where the brand's fish is sourced.

"The Alaska Family Cruise Sweepstakes was a natural extension of what makes Captain D's special, which is bringing people together over great seafood and creating experiences that families can share," said Phil Greifeld, CEO of Captain D's. "Sandra's story is exactly the kind of connection we hoped this promotion would create. She has been a Captain D's guest for generations, and now she gets to experience Alaska with the people she loves most. We couldn't be happier for her and her family."

The timing was especially meaningful for Elmore. Just before she found out she won, Elmore was telling her husband how much she wanted to plan a family vacation with their two daughters and sons-in-law, but wasn't sure it could happen with everyone being in different states on different schedules.

"Then the next week, I found out I'd won an Alaska cruise from Captain D's," Elmore exclaimed. "It was like my wish came true! It was truly amazing! Everyone is so excited!"

That longtime connection made the news of her win even more special. For Elmore, Captain D's has long been a wholesome family meal and a source of familiar favorites, including the restaurant's classic fish and fries, fish tenders, green beans and baked potatoes.

"It is hard to beat just the original fish and fries," she said. "That's kind of my comfort food of just a fun thing to grab."

For Elmore, the trip will be a first. She has never visited Alaska and has never taken a cruise. The family is now looking toward next summer for their Alaska adventure, with Elmore particularly excited about seeing the Inside Passage and glaciers.

The Captain will be waiting when she returns, with fresh wild caught fish from Alaska.

ABOUT CAPTAIN D'S

Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Captain D's operates more than 500 restaurants across 23 states and three countries. The nation's leading fast-casual seafood restaurant, Captain D's has been ranked #1 in the seafood category for eight consecutive years in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 and was named the #1 seafood chain in the QSR 50 based on AUV. Founded in 1969, Captain D's has been serving high-quality seafood at accessible prices for more than 50 years. The menu features freshly prepared seafood, the brand's signature Wild Caught Alaska Batter Dipped Fish, premium grilled items like shrimp, salmon, and whitefish, plus hush puppies, desserts, and freshly brewed Southern-style sweet tea. For more information, visit www.captainds.com or www.captaindsfranchising.com, and follow Captain D's on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X.

Media Contact:

Jennifer Williams

Sr. Manager of Communications

[email protected]

(919)815-4979

SOURCE Captain D's

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79th annual International Aviation Safety Summit scheduled for Nov. 10-12 in Montreal

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar will deliver the opening keynote on Day 1 of Flight Safety Foundation's 79th annual International Aviation Safety Summit (IASS) on Nov. 10 in Montreal. In his remarks, Salazar will set the stage for the summit's theme: Is Aviation Really Ready to Scale Safely? Leadership for Growth, Complexity, and Disruption.

"Secretary General Salazar's perspective will be especially timely as aviation confronts rapid growth and increasingly complex operational challenges," said Dr. Hassan Shahidi, president and CEO of Flight Safety Foundation. "His keynote will challenge leaders across the aviation ecosystem to think boldly about how we scale while keeping safety at the center of every decision."

IASS 2026, which is scheduled for Nov. 10-12 at ICAO Headquarters in Montreal, is expected to bring together dozens of subject matter expert speakers and panelists and more than 350 attendees from across the global aviation ecosystem to explore what can be learned from the past and what needs to be reimagined for the future if aviation is to meet the challenges of rapid growth, increasing complexity, and frequent disruption.

The opening keynote will be followed by an executive panel of industry leaders who will discuss how senior leaders build trust, reinforce accountability, and make safety credible when growth, cost, schedule, and disruption compete for attention.

Other agenda highlights include panel discussions on scaling the workforce without shrinking safety margins, safely integrating advanced air mobility and uncrewed aircraft systems into the airspace, enhancing in-time safety management, and using artificial intelligence to detect weak signals and support faster safety-critical decisions without breaking the chain of accountability. Featured speakers will address subjects including how to turn data and information into trusted safety intelligence, how to manage the future airspace system, and how to coordinate more frequent commercial space operations in shared airspace.

Day 2 will feature three breakout sessions that will include panel discussions on breaking the cycle of recurring safety events, developing infrastructure and capabilities for tomorrow's airspace, and building resilience for safe recovery. In each track, the panel discussions will be followed by interactive workshop-like audience engagement sessions in which attendees and panelists will work to identify priorities and barriers to progress.

For more information on IASS 2026, including the latest agenda, speakers, and registration, please visit the IASS 2026 page on the Foundation's website.

About Flight Safety Foundation (flightsafety.org)

Flight Safety Foundation is an independent, nonprofit, international organization engaged in research, education, and communications to improve aviation safety. The Foundation's mission is to connect, influence, and lead global aviation safety.

Media Contact:

Frank Jackman

Director, Communications and Research

+1 703.739.6700, ext. 116

[email protected]

SOURCE Flight Safety Foundation

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Mapbox's agentic mapping engine and new services give AI applications, agents, and developer tools the location-grounded reasoning to deliver more accurate and actionable experiences.

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Mapbox, which provides location infrastructure for AI, today introduced a new set of services and capabilities designed to give AI applications, agents and developer tools a more accurate understanding of the physical world. Mapbox CEO Peter Sirota announced the new capabilities during the opening keynote at Mapbox BUILD.

AI struggles to understand location and often fails to provide useful location information, producing generic recommendations that ignore real surroundings and intent.

Mapbox closes the location gap by giving applications, agents, and developers access to current, precise location infrastructure built on an agentic mapping engine. The location infrastructure enables AI applications and agents to understand locations, proximity, routes, and changing real-world conditions so they can provide more relevant answers and take more useful actions.

"AI can explain almost anything, but it doesn't deeply understand physical location," said Peter Sirota, Mapbox CEO. "Mapbox delivers location infrastructure for AI that enables AI models, apps, and agents to move beyond generic responses and deliver recommendations and actions that reflect a user's surroundings, circumstances, and intent."

Location Infrastructure Built for AI

At the center of the announcement is the Mapbox agentic mapping engine, which uses autonomous agents to continuously process live inputs and anonymized movement data from over 45,000 applications to help Mapbox keep roads, traffic conditions, and map data current in near real time.

Mapbox released the public preview of the new Mapbox Places API, which gives developers access to rich, structured information about points of interest. Powered by the Mapbox agentic mapping engine, the API combines core business information with geographic details such as building footprints, operating hours, entrances, and visitation patterns, giving developers a comprehensive spatial dataset spanning over 250 million points of interest globally.

Mapbox also announced Mapbox Traffic 2.0, the next-generation traffic engine that delivers accurate estimated time of arrival (ETA) for 98 percent of trips, incorporates congestion at major maneuvers, and forecasts traffic up to 2.5 hours ahead. Powered by AI models that learn by comparing generated estimates with actual arrival times, Traffic 2.0 leverages the closed learning loop of the Mapbox agentic mapping engine that continuously incorporates live movement and historical patterns. The result is more precise and reliable traffic information for drivers and logistics systems.

"Location isn't just another data point for an AI model. It's the bridge between digital intelligence and physical action," Sirota added. "As AI transitions from generating answers to executing complex real-world workflows, Mapbox provides the foundational spatial engine that ensures every model response and automated action is grounded in the physical world."

Location infrastructure for applications

- Mapbox Natural Language Queries Search: An enhancement to the Mapbox Search Box API that interprets detailed conversational queries, such as "coffee shops near me with fast Wi-Fi and a quiet workspace," and translates them into relevant location results.

- Mapbox AI Mode for Static Images API: Building on the existing Mapbox Static Images API, AI Mode, restyles that image at request time with a prompt parameter - such as turning the same map into a summer afternoon full of tourists, or blanketing Paris in snow it rarely sees — all grounded in the real roads and buildings of the basemap.

Location infrastructure for agents

- Agent Toolkit for Maps and Navigation SDK: Lets agents read and modify context across more than 35 mapping and navigation controls: a driver can use voice commands to add a stop to a route or check the traffic impact on an upcoming meeting, and a chat agent can add points, control the map view, or get route summaries.

- Agent Integration with Notion Integration: Through a new Mapbox integration, Notion Agents can now use Mapbox tools to automate spatial workflows inside workspace documents — cleaning and standardizing customer addresses, tracking deliveries, coordinating field operations.

Location infrastructure for Builders

- Mapbox CLI: Lets developers and AI coding agents manage and deploy Mapbox services from the terminal, replacing manual work in the web console with command-line workflows.

- Demo Token: Enables developers and coding agents to start building immediately with just a verified email address. This allows teams to safely evaluate the platform and build location experiences without the risk of unexpected charges.

- Figma MCP connector: The new Mapbox connector for Figma places real maps in Figma designs, without screenshots or developer handoff. The connector allows a designer to describe a map in Figma's chat, such as "a map of central Copenhagen, dark theme", and the connector renders it at the requested location, zoom, style, and time of day, with routes, pins, and areas layered on top.

Developers can learn more by visiting: www.mapbox.com

About MapboxAbout Mapbox

Mapbox is the location platform for innovators. Headquartered in San Francisco, Mapbox provides developers and businesses with cloud-based APIs, SDKs, and data services for maps, navigation, and place and address search.

Founded in 2010, Mapbox leads development of the modern geospatial stack. Trusted by automakers, logistics providers, retailers, and app developers, Mapbox delivers scalable, highly customizable geospatial solutions that power billions of sophisticated location experiences worldwide. The platform is known for its built-in flexibility, elegant design, enterprise-grade security, strict data privacy, and developer-first documentation.

Learn more at www.mapbox.com.

SOURCE Mapbox

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PPA Campus at Arizona Athletic Grounds will become a national hub for pro tournaments, premier training for pros and junior, amateur programming and experiences and much more

MESA, Ariz. and DALLAS, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Arizona Athletic Grounds (AAG) and the Carvana PPA Tour announced today a multi-decade partnership, making the "PPA Campus at Arizona Athletic Grounds" a national home for the premier global professional and amateur pickleball organization. As the national destination for championship sports and live entertainment, attracting millions of visitors annually, AAG is already home to multiple annual Carvana PPA Tour events including the incredibly popular Carvana Mesa Cup in February and Veolia Arizona Open, which is currently taking place.

The Carvana PPA Tour will take over year-round operations of AAG's state-of-the-art pickleball facility that features 41 courts, including four medal courts with spectator stands and a covered Championship Stadium court with seating for up to 2,000 spectators. The newly named "PPA Campus at Arizona Athletic Grounds" will continue to host marquee Carvana PPA Tour events, while also introducing new tournaments and year-round pro and amateur training at AAG's best-in-class sports and training ecosystem.

"Our focus on partnering with the top sports organizations in the U.S. is unwavering. We have long admired the incredible organization that Connor Pardoe and the team at the PPA have built, and to execute this expansive, multi-decade partnership is a major win for both of our organizations", said Mike Burke, CEO of Arizona Athletic Grounds. "With the PPA's incredible growth and programming expertise, and AAG's state-of-the-art facilities and commitment to white-glove service, I firmly believe that the PPA Campus at Arizona Athletic Grounds will have an enormously positive impact on the local, regional, and national pickleball community."

As part of the new partnership, PPA will also fund a significant capital investment in the campus, including additional shade, seating, and other improvements to support year-round play. With the deal recently finalized, more information on the exciting evolution of the PPA Campus at Arizona Athletic Grounds will be forthcoming, with many new initiatives planned to launch in early 2027.

"Year after year, the success of Carvana PPA Tour events at Arizona Athletic Grounds underscores just how amazing the facility, its staff and the broader Mesa pickleball community are," said Connor Pardoe, Founder and CEO of the Carvana PPA Tour. "We are incredibly excited to be able to invest in the development of the new PPA Campus at Arizona Athletic Grounds not only from an infrastructure standpoint, but also from the perspective of programming and initiatives that grow the sport and our passionate community of pro and amateur players."

Already one of the nation's premier pickleball destinations, the PPA Campus at Arizona Athletic Grounds represents the long-term vision and commitment from both AAG and the Carvana PPA Tour to help elevate the fastest growing sport in the country. Further details regarding planned initiatives to follow.

About Arizona Athletic Grounds:

Arizona Athletic Grounds (AAG) is the national destination for championship sports and live entertainment, attracting millions of visitors annually. AAG has a 275-acre campus in Mesa, Ariz., with more than 150 playing surfaces, 500,000 indoor square feet, and year-round high-profile events. The campus hosts a wide range of youth, amateur, and professional events — including MLS NEXT, Tribe Basketball, Major League Pickleball, Nike EYBL, USA Basketball, and Special Olympics Arizona — providing a scalable platform for competition, community, and growth. AAG also served as 2026 FIFA World Cup Base Camp for the Türkiye Men's National Soccer Team, is the current home of Sports Academy's integrated training and recovery space across 50,000 square feet, and is newly the home of the PPA Tour on its 41-court pickleball complex. AAG continues to expand its integrated sports ecosystem through strategic partnerships focused on athlete performance, wellness, entertainment, and community engagement. For more information visit www.azgrounds.com or follow us on Instagram.

About Carvana PPA Tour:

The Carvana PPA Tour engages and amplifies fans, partners and pickleball communities worldwide by encouraging everyone to BE THE BEST. Founded in 2019, the Carvana PPA Tour is the only place to see pickleball's biggest names compete for the sport's most important championships and titles. The Carvana PPA Tour cements professional pickleball in the global sports ecosystem by attracting numerous multi-national partners, while consistently elevating the profile of pickleball globally via the sport's largest international footprint. With a steadfast commitment to the greatest community in sports, Carvana PPA Tour amateur divisions attract thousands of players competing in multiple alongside the elite professional athletes at each tour stop.

Action from all Carvana PPA Tour tournaments can be seen live on Pickleballtv. For more information, go to www.ppatour.com, and follow us on social: Twitter/X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn.

Media Contacts:

Ryan Woodcock

[email protected], (480) 766-1221

Jeff Watson, Carvana PPA Tour

[email protected]

SOURCE Arizona Athletic Grounds

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