Ram Powers a Season of College Football Through ESPN and University of Texas Football Collaborations

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ --

- Ram launches "Nothing Stops Football," a fully integrated campaign spanning TV, social media, digital, experiential, student-athlete influencers and branded content

- Ram is the Official Tailgate Truck Sponsor of ESPN College Football with a season-long presence across the sport's biggest moments, including the College Football Playoff (CFP)

- Ram becomes a proud sponsor of Texas Athletics, including student-athlete influencer opportunities with Longhorns football players Cam Coleman, Colin Simmons, Ryan Wingo, Jelani McDonald and Trevor Goosby

- Multicultural campaign supporting "Nothing Stops Football" to launch later this month

Ram moves the chains, deepening its connection to college football through its relationship with Disney Advertising and ESPN College Football, plus a new sponsorship of University of Texas Athletics, bringing the brand closer to fans, athletes and some of the sport's biggest moments throughout the 2026 season.

At the center of the effort is "Nothing Stops Football," Ram's new season-long marketing campaign celebrating the determination, resilience and drive shared by college football fans and Ram owners. The campaign will run across television, streaming, digital and social media platforms, supported by athlete-driven content, live experiences and creator partnerships.

"The strategy behind Ram's 'Nothing Stops Football' effort is simple: show up authentically in the moments that matter most to college football fans," said Nate Buelow, chief marketing officer, Stellantis North America. "With 'Nothing Stops Football,' we're building a fully integrated campaign that meets fans wherever they consume the game, from ESPN broadcasts and social feeds to tailgate lots, live experiences and athlete-driven content. By connecting these touchpoints, we're creating a season-long platform that keeps Ram at the center of college football culture."

As the official truck sponsor of the CFP, Ram will be prominently featured across ESPN College Football throughout the regular season, postseason and College Football Playoff, spanning live broadcasts, studio shows, digital content and championship coverage.

"From the tailgate to the final whistle, Ram is showing up where college football lives and connecting with one of the most passionate audiences in sports," said Matt VanDyke, CEO of Ram. "Our 'Nothing Stops Football' campaign reflects the never-quit attitude built into every Ram truck while celebrating the grit, pride and determination that unites football fans and truck owners alike."

Ram is also teaming up with the Longhorns through a sponsorship with Longhorn Sports Properties, a division of college sports media, and data leader Learfield, engaging one of college football's most passionate fan bases through the integration of Texas Athletics' intellectual property, iconic facilities and Longhorns Football student-athletes. The collaboration will come to life through original content, social storytelling, dealership activations and game-day experiences.

Ram's influencer agreements with Longhorns Football student-athletes include Cam Coleman, Colin Simmons, Ryan Wingo, Jelani McDonald and Trevor Goosby, who will appear across campaign creative, digital content and social media activations throughout the season. Their participation brings authentic voices to the campaign while extending Ram's reach across college football culture.

A multicultural component of Ram's "Nothing Stops Football" campaign, connecting the brand with a broader audience through culturally relevant storytelling and content, will launch later this month.

The campaign launches ahead of the 2026 college football season and runs through the College Football Playoff National Championship.

"Nothing Stops Football" was created by the Ram brand in partnership with Doner.

Ram Brand

Ram offers a full lineup of on- and off-road performance pickups and commercial vehicles, including the light-duty Ram 1500, heavy-duty 2500/3500, 3500/4500/5500 Chassis Cab trucks and ProMaster vans. Ram's segment-leading products include the 777-horsepower Ram 1500 TRX and the Ram 1500 Rumble Bee lineup - the first and only muscle trucks offering power from three distinct HEMI® V8 powertrains. In the commercial space, Ram Professional supports businesses of all sizes with pickups, chassis cab trucks and vans engineered to be work-ready and purpose-built for durability, capability and productivity. Globally, Ram offers a broad portfolio ranging from the Ram 700 and Rampage compact pickups to the midsize Ram 1200 and a full range of ProMaster vans.

Ram is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com.

Follow Ram and company news and video on:

Media website: media.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Ram Truck brand: ramtrucks.com

Facebook: facebook.com/RamTrucks

Instagram: @ramtrucks

X: @RamTrucks, @StellantisNA

YouTube: youtube.com/RamTrucks, youtube.com/StellantisNA

SOURCE Stellantis

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Topgolf Live will transform Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium into a Live Golf Experience for 6 days this Fall during the UGA Football Team's Bye Week

DALLAS, Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Topgolf, the global leader in sports entertainment and Glory Glory, University of Georgia's fan engagement platform, are teaming up to offer a one-of-a-kind fan experience as they transform Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia into the ultimate destination for Bulldog supporters during the football team's bye week in October.

"We are proud to work with Topgolf to bring this unique opportunity to Georgia fans," Glory Glory managing director Miles McCluskey said. "With Topgolf's experience as an industry leader in the sports entertainment space, they are the perfect partner to help put on an incredible experience."

Topgolf Live will convert the West End Zone of Sanford Stadium into an epicenter for fans during the week of October 20-25. It will become a hub for watching football games, enjoying food and beverage options and numerous other VIP opportunities. This will be the first-of-its-kind event combining golf and VIP hospitality with on-field access during the bye week of the fall football season, activities include:

- Topgolf Live Experience: Up to 22 hitting bays will be installed on the field in the West End Zone, allowing fans to take aim at interactive targets and enter for the chance to win prizes.

- Fanfest Central: The plaza under the scoreboard will serve as a place where ticketed guests can enjoy food and beverage options while watching football games on the stadium's videoboard.

- Recruiting Lounge Access: Fans will also be able to view games in the football recruiting lounge and hit golf balls on golf simulators.

- VIP UGA Locker Room Tour: The Georgia football locker room will be converted into a VIP lounge with photo opportunities and other fan-friendly experiences.

"Topgolf Live is about bringing the energy of live sports into environments where fans already gather to celebrate the moments that matter most," said David McKillips, CEO at Topgolf. "We can't wait for Bulldog Nation to experience Sanford Stadium in a whole new way."

MELT Atlanta has been named as the project's agency of record working with Topgolf on the Stadium Series for bay host and event execution.

More information regarding corporate opportunities and other experiences will be announced at a later date.

To submit a request to bring Topgolf Live to your stadium, visit: topgolf.com/stadiumseries.

About Topgolf

Topgolf is the ultimate instigator of play. Thanks to our 100+ venues around the globe, which are powered by industry-leading Toptracer technology, we're leading the charge of modern golf. We offer a variety of tech-driven games, a top-tier food and drink menu, space to host large events, and a vibe focused on more play for all. To learn more, plan an event or make plans to come play around, visit www.topgolf.com. 

About Glory Glory

Glory Glory is a fan engagement platform offering unique access to UGA athletic programs. Through its website gloryglorygeorgia.com, Glory Glory provides members exclusive content, events, and merchandise. 

About MELT

Founded in 2000 by Vince Thompson, MELT is an Atlanta-based, award-winning sports, event, and NIL marketing agency. For more than two decades, MELT has worked with leading brands and organizations to create memorable sports and entertainment experiences. MELT's longstanding relationship with The Coca-Cola Company spans 22 years and includes the joint creation of March Music Madness in 2003.

Contact: [email protected]

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CUAI-Copper Intelligence Inc awards Technical Advisory and Reporting Compliance Contract to Minxcon

JOHANNESBURG, Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Copper Intelligence is pleased to announce the appointment of Minxcon, a leading mining consultancy group, to provide technical advisory services and oversight for the Company's mineral project development activities.

Under the engagement, Minxcon will assist in guiding and coordinating the Company's technical programs while ensuring compliance with applicable stock exchange reporting requirements, including the S-K 1300 reporting framework. The firm will play a key role in supporting the Company's efforts to meet the highest standards of technical disclosure, transparency, and regulatory compliance, as it progresses to a potential uplist in the United States on a major exchange.

Minxcon has established a strong reputation within the mining industry, with decades of international consulting experience. The firm's team possesses significant operational and technical knowledge of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including many of the regions where Copper Intelligence intends to conduct its activities.

Richard Rice, Copper Intelligences' Head of Geology commented: "We are delighted to be working with Minxcon as we advance our projects. Their extensive experience in the DRC, combined with their deep understanding of international resource reporting standards and regulatory frameworks, will provide valuable guidance as we pursue our technical and corporate objectives."

Uwe Engelmann, Principal Geologist at Minxcon, said: "We are pleased to be partnering with Copper Intelligence Inc at this important stage of its development. Our team brings extensive experience in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in the preparation of technical disclosures that meet international reporting standards, including S-K 1300 requirements. We look forward to working closely with the Company's management and technical teams to support responsible project advancement, regulatory compliance, and the creation of long-term value for stakeholders."

About Minxcon

Minxcon is a multi-faceted South African advisory company offering an integrated team of internationally accredited experts to investigate and develop mineral projects offering geological, mining engineering, mineral resource estimation, due diligence, feasibility study, and technical reporting services to the mining industry. Minxcon provides services and advice from the project inception stage to the successful execution and management of the operation and closure, making Minxcon exceptionally diversified. New and existing mineral projects benefit from their comprehensive service offering through their one-stop firm.

About Copper Intelligence (CUAI)

Copper Intelligence is a U.S.-publicly traded copper exploration and development company focused on advancing high-potential copper assets in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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Media Contact: Maxine Gordon, [email protected]

SOURCE Copper Intelligence Inc.

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Understanding Contingency Deadlines and What Happens When They Pass Can Shape the Outcome of Any Home Purchase.

WOODBURY, Minn., Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- What should Woodbury buyers know about the protections built into a purchase agreement before submitting an offer? A HelloNation article examines home offer contingencies and the closing timelines that govern every Minnesota purchase agreement.

A contingency is a condition that must be satisfied before a sale can move forward. The article explains that if the condition is not met by the specified deadline, the buyer typically has the right to cancel the agreement and recover the earnest money deposit. The most common contingencies in a Minnesota purchase agreement are inspection, financing, and appraisal, and each carries its own timeline and set of consequences if deadlines pass without resolution.

The inspection contingency gives buyers the right to have the home professionally inspected within a defined window, generally five to ten days from the accepted offer date in the current Woodbury market. The HelloNation article notes that if an inspection reveals significant problems, the buyer can request repairs, negotiate a price adjustment, or walk away from the agreement. Once the inspection deadline passes without a formal response, that protection is generally gone.

The financing contingency protects buyers who are purchasing with a mortgage loan, allowing them to cancel without penalty if their lender cannot approve the loan under the agreed terms. This contingency typically remains active through most of the transaction, ending a few days before closing. The article cautions that buyers who waive this protection as a competitive strategy take on significant financial risk if their financing does not come through as expected.

The appraisal contingency addresses what happens if the home appraises below the agreed purchase price. In that scenario, a lender will generally only fund a loan based on the appraised value, leaving a gap between what the buyer agreed to pay and what the bank will finance. Without this contingency, the article explains, the buyer remains obligated to close at the agreed price regardless of the appraisal result.

Closing timelines in Woodbury typically run between 30 and 45 days from accepted offer to closing, though loan type and title complexity can affect that range. The article notes that VA and FHA loans sometimes require additional lead time because of specific appraisal and inspection standards tied to those programs. Buyers should discuss realistic timelines with their lender and agent before submitting an offer, since a proposed closing date that cannot be met can create friction with sellers.

Real Estate Experts point out that earnest money deposits in Minnesota are held in trust and commonly range from one to two percent of the purchase price in the Woodbury market. The article stresses that buyers should understand exactly when that money becomes at risk, under what conditions it can be recovered, and how each home offer contingency deadline affects their position in the transaction. Keeping a written timeline synced with both the agent and lender is one of the more practical steps a buyer can take early in the process.

Sellers in competitive markets sometimes push for shorter contingency windows or ask buyers to waive certain protections altogether. Real Estate Experts at RE/MAX Results recommend a clear conversation with a real estate agent about what risk each waiver carries before agreeing to any changes. Buyers who understand the terms of their home offer contingencies are better positioned to make confident decisions under pressure without giving up critical protections.

Offer Contingencies and Closing Timelines: What Woodbury Home Buyers Need to Know features insights from Lisa Olien, Real Estate Expert of Woodbury, Minnesota, 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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HOWARD, Ohio, Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- What makes the design build approach different from traditional home construction methods? A HelloNation article explores how working with a single team for both design and construction can improve results, especially for custom home projects in Knox County, Ohio. The article explains how this method simplifies home planning, supports budget management, and aligns long-term home needs with day-to-day construction coordination.

The article begins by describing how custom home projects can become complicated when handled through separate design and construction contracts. When homeowners work with a design build team, the process becomes more streamlined. The article notes that the team manages everything from the first sketch to the final build, helping homeowners make decisions with full awareness of both design and construction realities.

A key advantage outlined in the article is how the design build method improves communication. Traditional methods often separate architects and contractors, which can create misalignment between vision and execution. In contrast, a design build team integrates both sides of the process. The article explains that this integration allows for real-time problem-solving, better coordination, and fewer surprises during construction.

The HelloNation article also discusses how design build teams support more accurate budget management. Because both design and construction are handled by one group, cost estimates are developed with a full understanding of labor, materials, and timeline requirements. The article emphasizes that this approach reduces the likelihood of costly change orders or last-minute revisions. Design choices are evaluated early for both function and affordability, which helps ensure that the finished custom home stays within budget.

Scheduling is another area where the design build process shows strong advantages. According to the article, design build teams can more easily manage construction timelines because there are fewer delays caused by waiting for external approvals or scheduling multiple contractors. Homeowners benefit from a single point of contact who oversees all aspects of the build, giving them more confidence in the project's progress.

Design quality is also improved through the integrated nature of this method. The article explains that a design build team considers how each decision—from floor layout to lighting—will affect not just aesthetics, but also structural integrity and daily function. The team helps homeowners make informed choices based on their lifestyle, future plans, and budget, which leads to a more functional and lasting custom home.

Choosing the right design build partner is an important step. The article advises homeowners to research firms thoroughly by checking references, reviewing past work, and confirming credentials. As with any major project, clear communication and shared expectations play a critical role in success. When handled by experienced professionals, the article notes, the design build process offers a smoother, more predictable path from concept to completion.

The HelloNation article closes by noting that design build is gaining popularity in Ohio because it offers a practical solution for managing the challenges of custom home construction. Homeowners benefit from coordinated planning, efficient problem-solving, and a unified vision that supports both design goals and construction needs. By using the design build method, the path to a finished home becomes clearer, more cost-effective, and better aligned with long-term home planning.

Benefits of Using a Design Build Team for Custom Homes features insights from Bob Pack, Home Construction Expert of Howard, Ohio, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative "edvertising" approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

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Indy is the world's first medicinal chemistry agent. Indy outperforms Claude Opus 5 and GPT-5.6 Sol in head-to-head benchmarks that include QC'ing new assay data, analyzing SAR, and the design/triage of analogs.

NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Inductive Bio today launched Indy, an AI chemistry assistant, available to partners now. Inductive's medicinal chemists, computational chemists, and DMPK scientists built Indy for their work inside partner programs, where it has doubled the team's productivity. Indy gives every scientist an AI chemistry assistant that has been trained from some of the best drug hunters in the world to work with a program's data and computational tools (including Inductive's benchmark-winning ADMET and PK models) to increase the rigor of every decision made every day on every program.

The constraint on a discovery program is rarely how quickly scientists can come up with new ideas for molecules. It is the quality of the day-to-day analyses and decisions, big and small, that add up over years to the success or failure of a drug program. Do I trust the data from this assay? What does the new data tell us about SAR? What design strategies will get me closer to my TPP? Are my synthetic resources focused on the right targets? What's the fastest route to test my design hypothesis? Are any of our synthetic targets falling behind? Getting the right answers to these questions takes up the majority of medicinal chemists' time, while getting the wrong answers can waste months of a team's time.

Indy removes this operational bottleneck from drug discovery, increasing the rigor of every decision a medicinal chemist makes. Indy parses CRO reports, QCs every dose-response curve, interprets historical SAR to discern trends, runs generative chemistry algorithms, sets up FEP calculations, and generates project update slides for your next meeting. Scientists get more time for the high-impact work only they can do, enabling higher-quality program decisions with greater confidence.

In a head-to-head comparison published today, Indy outperformed Claude Opus 5 and GPT-5.6 Sol on 84 dose-response curves from real programs. Indy had an accuracy of 89%, compared to 39% for GPT-5.6 Sol and 48% for Claude Opus 5, even when Claude and GPT were told to use the highest levels of effort.

"We have incorporated Indy into a number of workflows, including data QC, SAR table construction and analysis, and synthesis queue management," said Nicholas Perl, PhD, head of chemistry at Anvia Therapeutics. "Indy surfaces patterns in the data that help us make better decisions, and it lets me spend less time maintaining slides and more time driving scientific strategy."

"We trained Indy on the tasks that take medicinal chemists' time but not their creativity," said Josh Haimson, co-founder and CEO of Inductive Bio. "The result is an assistant that can double a chemist's productivity while fitting seamlessly into their existing workflows."

Indy is available to Inductive's partners today.

About Inductive Bio

Inductive builds virtual chemistry labs that help drug hunters design higher quality molecules, faster. Inductive's virtual labs are designed to scale proven scientific best practices across medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry, DMPK, and safety, enabling teams to make higher-quality decisions consistently throughout discovery. Inside these virtual labs, AI chemistry assistants, predictive ADMET and PK models, and human-relevant digital organ technologies work together to help scientists evaluate more hypotheses in silico and surface key risks earlier. The most promising molecules move from the virtual lab to the wet lab in a tight feedback loop that accelerates the advancement of high-quality molecules. Inductive already powers dozens of active discovery programs, including collaborations with leading biopharma partners. For more information, please visit www.inductive.bio.

SOURCE Inductive Bio, Inc.

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Historic donation, the largest in the network's history and the largest of its kind in New Jersey healthcare, will expand Jersey Shore University Medical Center — and honor the late John K. Lloyd

ISELIN, N.J., Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH), New Jersey's largest and most comprehensive health network, today announced a transformational $125 million gift from an anonymous donor — the largest philanthropic commitment in the network's history, the largest gift of its kind in New Jersey healthcare, and among the largest donations to any hospital or health system in the United States.

The gift will advance HMH's mission to bring the best nationally ranked care closer to the people and communities it serves by expanding Jersey Shore University Medical Center. The donor, who has requested anonymity, has asked that the gift honor the legacy of the late John K. Lloyd by naming a pavilion at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune after him. A dedication ceremony will take place in the future. John K. Lloyd was a visionary leader who spent more than four decades building Jersey Shore University Medical Center into one of the nation's premier academic medical centers and served as co-CEO of HMH with Bob Garrett.

Nine-figure gifts to American hospitals remain rare, and nearly all of them carry the donor's name. Over the past year, the largest healthcare donations in the country have come from widely known benefactors. At $125 million, this gift ranks among the largest in the nation this year. It is also one of the very few made anonymously, and one of the rarest of all: a donor who declined to put their own name on the building, asking instead that it honor the hospital executive who spent four decades building it.

"In a year when the largest gifts in American healthcare have come from some of the most recognizable names in the country, someone chose to give $125 million and ask for nothing — no name on the building, no announcement, no recognition," said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, chief executive officer of Hackensack Meridian Health. "They asked us to honor John Lloyd instead. That tells you everything about what this gift is really about. As a not-for-profit network, we put every dollar we receive right back into caring for our communities. Hackensack Meridian Health is home to the #1 adult and children's hospitals in New Jersey and the #1 and only nationally ranked cancer center in the state. We save more lives than any other health network in New Jersey; our patients return home faster and are less likely to experience complications. This gift allows us to keep getting better, every single day, for the families who count on us. And naming the John K. Lloyd Pavilion is deeply personal for all of us — John's fingerprints are on everything we have built together."

The donor hopes this gift will inspire others to make philanthropy a priority. As a not-for-profit health network, Hackensack Meridian Health has no shareholders and no owners. Every dollar the network earns — and every dollar it receives — is reinvested directly into patient care: the doctors and nurses at the bedside, the technology that makes earlier diagnosis and less invasive treatment possible, the research that brings tomorrow's cures to patients today, and the community programs that reach people long before they ever need a hospital.

Not-for-profit hospitals also care for everyone who comes through their doors, regardless of ability to pay, while providing charity care, community health screenings, behavioral health services, and other essential programs that are rarely, if ever, fully reimbursed. Insurance and government reimbursement typically cover the cost of treating a patient — they do not cover the cost of building the next critical care tower, recruiting world-class specialists, opening a trauma bay, or funding the clinical trial that saves a life five years from now.

That gap is where philanthropy comes in. Charitable giving is what allows a not-for-profit hospital to move faster than its budget, to say yes to bold ideas, and to build capacity for a community before the need becomes a crisis. Gifts of every size — from a $25 tribute in honor of a nurse to a transformational commitment like this one — compound into better outcomes for New Jersey families.

This gift arrives in the midst of the most ambitious fundraising effort in New Jersey healthcare history. In 2021, the Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation launched Be the Difference, a transformative campaign to innovate healthcare with a goal of raising $1 billion — the largest campaign of its kind in the state. The campaign is built on four pillars: patient care; research; medical education and the nursing profession; and access to care. To donate, visit GiveHMH.org.

"Philanthropy changes what is possible," said Joyce Hendricks, president and chief development officer, Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation. "A gift of $125 million — the largest in our history and the largest of its kind ever made in New Jersey healthcare — reflects a donor's deep confidence in our doctors, nurses, and other clinicians. It will help us expand access, advance the most sophisticated treatments available anywhere in the country, and ensure that world-class care is not something families have to travel far to find. It's already in their backyard. When we launched Be the Difference, we set out to prove that New Jersey families should never have to leave this state for world-class care. A gift like this one moves us decisively toward that goal — and I hope it moves others to join us."

"John devoted his life to Jersey Shore and to the people of this community. He believed a hospital was more than a building — it was a promise to your neighbors," said Maureen Lloyd, wife of the late John Lloyd. "To see his name on this pavilion, and to know that a gift of this magnitude will care for patients here for generations, would have meant everything to him. Our family is profoundly grateful to this donor, and to the doctors, nurses, and team members who carry John's mission forward every day."

A Princeton graduate and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, John K. Lloyd entered health care in 1972 and was named president of Jersey Shore Medical Center in 1982, at a moment when the hospital stood at a crossroads. Working alongside physicians, nurses, trustees, and community leaders, he set it on a path that would make it one of New Jersey's leading academic medical centers — home to cardiac surgery, a regional trauma center, a comprehensive stroke center, and the region's first state-designated children's hospital. In 1997, he led the merger that created Meridian Health, which became the first health system in the country to earn Magnet designation for nursing excellence. In 2016, he helped bring together Hackensack University Health Network and Meridian Health to form Hackensack Meridian Health, serving as co-CEO until his retirement in 2018. He was later honored as the New Jersey Hospital Association's Healthcare Professional of the Year, received NJBIZ's Icon Award, and was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American College of Healthcare Executives of New Jersey. The pavilion that will bear his name continues the work he began in Neptune more than four decades ago.

Investing in Monmouth County

The gift comes as HMH continues an unprecedented period of investment in Monmouth County and throughout the region.

Jersey Shore University Medical Center is the #1 hospital in Monmouth and Ocean counties, according to U.S. News & World Report, and the only Level I adult and Level I pediatric trauma center in the area — the highest possible certification for trauma care. It is home to K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital, the #1 children's hospital in New Jersey, and to a Level III NICU, one of the highest levels of newborn intensive care.

As the fastest-growing hospital in New Jersey, Jersey Shore sees more than 100,000 emergency department visits each year and regularly operates at or near inpatient capacity. In response, HMH has committed more than $1 billion over 10 years through its Master Facility Plan for a new critical care tower, 24 new operating rooms, and expanded patient facilities — built right on the Neptune campus, just minutes from the medically underserved community of Asbury Park. The recently opened $45 million Cardiovascular Suite at Jersey Shore has already nearly tripled patient capacity for life-saving heart and stroke care.

Nearby, Riverview Medical Center — a staple in Red Bank for nearly 100 years, with a consistent "A" rating from Leapfrog for Hospital Safety — is undergoing a $56 million expansion that will completely redesign its emergency department and add a new 20-room private oncology unit. The redesigned ED, slated for completion in 2027, will include an in-unit CT scanner to cut wait times, a dedicated six-bed secured crisis unit for patients experiencing behavioral health emergencies, and expanded waiting areas designed to protect immunocompromised patients and visitors.

HMH has also invested heavily in bringing care directly into Monmouth County neighborhoods, with large, multi-specialty Health & Wellness Centers in Eatontown and Freehold, robust primary care in Howell, and an additional Health & Wellness Center opening in Red Bank soon. At HMH Health & Wellness Centers, patients can access urgent care, annual checkups, specialists, imaging, labs, and pharmacy — all in one visit. HMH now operates 12 Health & Wellness Centers across the state, with additional locations coming soon.

"These investments reflect a deliberate choice to stay rooted in the communities that depend on us," Garrett added. "Healthcare should strengthen communities — not weaken existing hospitals or abandon vulnerable patients.

KHLOÉ KARDASHIAN ANNOUNCES RETAIL EXPANSION INTO SEPHORA WITH HER GLOBALLY ACCLAIMED FRAGRANCE PORTFOLIO WITH LUXE BRANDS

The Entrepreneur Brings Her Fragrance Portfolio to the Premier Beauty Retailer This September

NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Global icon Khloé Kardashian is set to expand her rapidly growing fragrance empire with an official launch at Sephora on September 14, 2026. In partnership with Luxe Brands, this major retail expansion brings Khloé's luxurious scent portfolio — XO Khloé, Almost Always, and the newly debuted XO BLUE — to Sephora customers across the United States and Canada.

The launch marks a defining milestone for the brand, reinforcing Kardashian's position as a dominant force in the global beauty industry. The brand will be featured in 1,300 Sephora US and Sephora Kohl's doors across the US and will serve as the exclusive retailer for Khloé Kardashian Fragrances in the Canadian market.

This North American debut with Sephora serves as a strategic springboard for rapid international scaling, establishing a blueprint to seamlessly extend the fragrance portfolio into the world's most dynamic beauty hubs—including Mexico, Brazil, India, and key markets across Asia. By leveraging Sephora's elevated retail framework and high-visibility media presence across the US and Canada to validate consumer demand, LUXE Brands and Khloé Kardashian are positioned to capitalize on rising global appetite for prestige fragrances.

"Sephora is such an iconic destination for beauty discovery, and I am so excited to bring my fragrance collection to their community," says Khloé Kardashian. "Creating these scents has been a deeply personal journey for me. I wanted to build a portfolio that offers a transportive and memorable experience and Sephora is the perfect partner to help tell that story."

"The Sephora expansion for Khloe's fragrance portfolio will be supported with a comprehensive 360-degree media campaign across key consumer touchpoints—from paid social and digital to out-of-home and strategic media partnerships" says Noreen Dodge Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer for LUXE Brands. The campaign will also leverage high-impact entertainment adjacencies, including video placements surrounding the new season of Hulu's The Kardashians, reinforcing that Khloé's fragrances are now available at SEPHORA while driving awareness, discovery, and engagement at scale.

The collection will be available on Sephora.com and in-store starting September 14, 2026.

About Khloé Kardashian

Khloé Kardashian is an entrepreneur, executive producer, and one of the most widely recognized figures in digital media. She serves as an Executive Producer for her family's global Hulu hit, The Kardashians, as well as her new Hulu series focusing on her inner circle, The Girls. Her podcast, Khloé in Wonder Land, delivers candid, unfiltered conversations to a global audience.

Expanding her business empire into the lifestyle and food sectors, Khloé recently launched Khloud Foods, a health-conscious, protein-packed snack brand. This venture reflects her ongoing commitment to wellness and addresses a gap she identified for clean, family-friendly snack options. In addition to her business ventures, she debuted her first solo fragrance, XO KHLOÉ, followed by Almost Always and her latest scent, XO BLUE, which have quickly become celebrated milestones in her career.

About LUXE Brands, Inc.

LUXE Brands, Inc. is a global, prestige beauty company dedicated to developing world-class beauty brands that inspire consumers around the world. With its corporate office in Florida and a creative hub in New York, LUXE Brands has earned numerous awards for its innovative approach to design, marketing, and brand building with a digital-first ethos.

LUXE's portfolio includes Ariana Grande, Khloé Kardashian, Nicki Minaj, Eau de Juice by Cosmopolitan, and a licensing partnership with General Motors on the Hummer brand.

About Sephora

Sephora is the world's leading global prestige beauty retail brand. With a mission to create an inviting beauty shopping experience and inspire fearlessness in its community, Sephora operates over 2,700 stores in 35 countries worldwide.

CONTACT: Emily Beagen Full Picture [email protected]

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Multi-Unit Legacy Owner Recognized for Excellence in Business and Building a Strong Work Environment

HARTLAND, Wis., Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Franchise Association (IFA) today recognized Stephen Lutfi, owner of 17 Batteries Plus stores across Pheonix Arizona, as a 2026 Franchisee of the Year. Lutfi will be honored at the IFA Annual Convention in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 15. for being an outstanding franchise multi-unit owner. The IFA Franchisee of the Year awards are given to the top franchisees from IFA member brands across industries.

The Franchisee of the Year awards recognize leading franchise owners for their community involvement, fostering a strong workforce, assisting their fellow franchisees when called upon, and embodying the entrepreneurial spirit. Their outstanding performance and contributions help strengthen not only their business but also the entire franchise business model.

"Franchisees of the Year demonstrate what franchising is all about – individuals who have committed their lives and careers to the betterment of those around them, building something bigger than themselves," said Matt Haller, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association. "Through their leadership, they create jobs and build careers, give back to their communities, and support other franchisees, all while exemplifying the entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of franchising. We are proud to recognize Stephen Lutfi with IFA's highest honor for individual franchisees and celebrate his commitment to making a difference both within his business and beyond."

Some might say that Lutfi's franchising career began before he was born. With his father being well known in the QSR franchising space, his destiny was set at a very young age. Lutfi joined his father and family in 2012 and added Batteries Plus to his portfolio three years ago with an 11-unit purchase. They have since expanded to 17 locations with one more on the way. Lutfi's success can be attributed to his strong mentorship from his father who, in Lutfi's own words, "is a legend in the industry."

A big part of Lutfi's methodology is listening to his operators. With many of their locations being acquired rather than built, they have created a system reliant on the managers and operators that come with the purchase of the store. Lutfi prioritizes talking with all levels of employees, not just managers, in order to learn their goals on a personal level. This builds the environment where his team feels valued and supported, and they are encouraged to grow alongside him, which reinforces Batteries Plus's mission of service and quality. Lutfi exemplifies the very best in franchising, continuously standing out for his leadership, dedication to his team, and the strong culture he fosters within his stores.

"Lutfi represents everything we look for in our franchisees," said Joe Malmuth, CDO of Batteries Plus. "What sets him apart is his drive to build genuine relationships within every one of his locations, which strengthens their trust in his leadership decisions. We are proud to see his achievements recognized by the IFA."

There are approximately 832,000 franchise establishments across the U.S., providing nearly 8.8 million direct jobs and generating more than $907 billion in economic output. According to Oxford Economics, franchising on average provides higher wages and better benefits than non-franchised businesses, as well as greater entrepreneurial opportunities to minorities, women, veterans, and other underrepresented communities.

The recipients will be honored at a luncheon on Sept. 15, 2026, and throughout the IFA26 Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C.

With over 800 locations open and in development across all 50 states and Puerto Rico, Batteries Plus serves as America's go-to battery and service provider. To explore the full range of services offered to both consumers and businesses, or to find a convenient Batteries Plus location near you, visit: www.batteriesplus.com.

ABOUT BATTERIES PLUS:

Batteries Plus is the nation's leading battery and power solutions service center, offering a comprehensive selection of products, technical expertise, and customized services through a nationwide network of over 800 locations open and in development. Headquartered in Hartland, Wisconsin, and owned by Freeman Spogli, Batteries Plus is dedicated to providing reliable, commercial and residential power solutions – including batteries, lighting, and repair services – to help organizations and customers minimize downtime and maximize efficiency. For more information about Batteries Plus and its franchising opportunities visit batteriesplusfranchise.com.

Media Contact: Liv Ceithaml, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected]

SOURCE Batteries Plus

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Twenty-three scholars will receive financial awards for research in artificial intelligence, patient care, competency-based assessments, and physician burnout

CHICAGO, Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) has selected a record number of 23 outstanding physicians to participate in its 2026-2027 Scholars Program™. Established in 2014, the one-year, part-time program supports early-career physicians and researchers in scholarship and leadership development focusing on initial and continuing board certification. Each ABMS Scholar receives a $15,000 financial award.

"The increasing number of applicants and grant recipients are clear indicators of the growing significance of research that addresses issues in board certification and physician assessment," said Greg Ogrinc, MD, MS, ABMS Senior Vice President, Certification Standards and Programs. "The work of these talented Scholars will generate new insights that will advance certification programs and improve patient care."

ABMS Scholars are selected based on the quality of their proposed research project, the relevance of their research to the ABMS mission and the certification community, and the ability to make considerable progress on the research project during the scholar year. Program participants remain at their home institutions, collaborate with self-selected mentors, and participate in monthly virtual sessions with research project overviews and updates to peers, research mentors, co-sponsoring Member Board leaders, subject matter experts, and ABMS Scholar alumni.

This ABMS Scholars cohort will begin in September 2026, and their term will culminate at the ABMS Conference 2027, when they will present their research findings before a national audience.

The 2026-2027 ABMS Scholars co-sponsors include the ABMS Research and Education Foundation (ABMS-REF) and the following ABMS Member Boards: Allergy and Immunology, Anesthesiology, Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine (Foundation), Medical Genetics and Genomics, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedic Surgery, Pathology, Pediatrics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Radiology, Surgery, and Urology.

The following are the 2026-2027 ABMS Scholars and their co-sponsoring organizations:

American Board of Medical Specialties Research and Education Foundation (ABMS—REF)

- Erin Finn, MD – University of North Carolina

Project: Developing and Validating a Competency-Based Assessment Tool for Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) in Heart Failure: The Modified CLUE Clinical Evaluation Exercise (mCLUE-CEX)

- Sadia Ilyas, MD – University of California San Diego

Project: Burden or Meaning? The Structural Features of Quality Improvement

Participation that Shape Physician Well-Being and Sustained Engagement

- Adam Johnson, MD, MPH – Duke University School of Medicine

Project: Empowering Clinicians to Evaluate Local Patient-Centered Outcomes in Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia Using Electronic Health Record Data

- Hyunjoo Ko, MD – Mount Sinai Hospital

Project: AI-Administered Constructed-Response Assessment of Clinical Reasoning in Anesthesiology

American Board of Allergy and Immunology

- Sydney O'Malley, MD – Mayo Clinic

Project: The Allergist/Immunologist Workforce and Health Equity: Geographic Distribution and Specialist Shortages Across Socioeconomic Strata in the United States

American Board of Anesthesiology

- Morgan Graves, MD – Mayo Clinic

Project: Using Failure to Achieve Planned Same-Day Discharge to Develop Competency-Based Perioperative Assessment: An EHR-Derived Case-Finding Framework

American Board of Dermatology

- Elizabeth Bailey, MD, MPH – Stanford University School of Medicine

Project: Development of Entrustable Professional Activities for Dermatology Residency

- Drew Saylor, MD, MPH, FAAD, FACMS – University of California San Francisco

Project: Pathology Concordance as a Competency Milestone: Developing a Concordance Assessment Tool and EPA Framework for Frozen Section Interpretation in Mohs Surgery Fellowship

American Board of Emergency Medicine

- The J. David Barry, MD Scholar is Destiny Folk, MD – Indiana University School of Medicine

Project: A National Evaluation of Burnout, Mistreatment, and In-Training Examination Performance Among Emergency Medicine Residents

American Board of Internal Medicine (Foundation)

- Carl Drake, MD, MPH, MHPE – Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Project: From Practice to Performance: Leveraging the EHR to Explore Associations Between Medicine Residents' Clinical Experiences and Certification Outcomes

American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics

- Annie Niehaus, MD – Stanford University School of Medicine

Project: Development of a real-time assessment framework and feedback platform for medical genetics and genomics (MGG) residency and fellowship programs based on entrustable professional activities (EPAs)

American Board of Ophthalmology

- Amy Zhang, MD – University of Michigan

Project: Initial Certification Timing, Pass Rate and Preparation Experiences in Ophthalmology Board Certification

American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

- Tanio Dagher, MD – Johns Hopkins Hospital

Project: Assessing Orthopaedic Residents as Teachers: Development and Validation of an Instrument for Evaluating Intraoperative Teaching Skills

American Board of Pathology

- Robert Christian, MD – Oregon Health & Science University

Project: Feasibility and Efficacy Study of a Competency-Based Hospital Autopsy Assessment Tool

American Board of Pediatrics

- Georgina Pike Clegg, MD – University of Michigan

Project: Understanding Resident Experience with Workplace-Based Assessment Applications

American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

- Zachary Carter, MD – Duke University School of Medicine

Project: Advance-Spine: An Interdisciplinary Value-Based Curriculum to Train Physicians to Implement Biopsychosocial Care Models

American Board of Radiology

- Warren Campbell IV, MD, PhD – University of Virginia Medical Center

Project: Quantifying Diagnostic Excellence: Utilizing AI Consensus Models on Trainee Preliminary Reports to Optimize Diagnostic Quality and Clinical Feedback for Radiology Residents

- Kofi Deh, PhD, DABR – Howard University

Project: Measuring What Certification Misses: AI-Assisted Clinical Reasoning Assessment and Opportunity Analysis in Medical Physics Residency Training

- Mary Mahoney, MD – Fox Chase Cancer Center

Project: Building Radiation Oncology Resident Confidence and Competency with a Comprehensive Transition to Practice Rotation

- Daniel Veyg, DO – Northwell Health North Shore University Hospital

Project: Development and Validation of an AI-Driven Adaptive Curriculum for Interventional Radiology Residency: A Competency-Based Approach to Personalized IR Education

American Board of Surgery

- Jacob Reich, MD – Intraoperative Performance Analytics Laboratory - Lenox Hill Hospital

Project: Measuring Surgical Performance Improvement Using OPI-based Scoring Before and After Robotic Simulation Exercises

- Phillip Jenkins, MD – Oregon Health & Science University

Project: Operationalizing Surgical Informatics Training: Competency Framework Development and Dual-Certification Pathway Evaluation at a Single Academic Center

American Board of Urology

- Robert Wang, MD – Massachusetts General Brigham

Project: Aligning Core Urology EPAs with Real-World Training and Practice Patterns

About ABMS 

Established in 1933, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) is responsible for the creation of standards overseeing physician certification in the United States. Dedicated to improving the quality of care to the patients, families and communities they serve, the 24 ABMS Member Boards develop educational and professional standards and programs of assessment to certify physicians and medical specialists. More than one million physicians and medical specialists are certified by one or more of the ABMS Member Boards in one or more of 38 specialties and 89 subspecialties. For more information about ABMS, abms.org or call (312) 436-2600. 

SOURCE American Board of Medical Specialties

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