Bel Air-based Harford Mutual Insurance Group has secured a finalist spot in Ragan Communications’ 2026 CSR Awards while capturing two additional honors from the Insurance Marketing & Communications Association. These accolades highlight the firm’s recent initiatives in employee engagement, internal communication strategies, and professional recruitment efforts.
Seven organizations across six states will receive up to $50,000 each to bolster educator training in artificial intelligence. The 2026 Community Catalyst Program aims to reach 1,100 teachers and 30,000 students, focusing on regions often bypassed by national technology initiatives and infrastructure development.
“These sorts of irrelevant and ad hominem attacks are the predictable refuge of scoundrels, and not the tactics of honest men,” said Wafic Rida Saïd, owner of Al Shams Investments. The firm, Braemar Hotels & Resorts’ largest shareholder, is doubling down on its legal offensive against Chairman Monty Bennett regarding alleged self-dealing.
Can you ever truly outrun your past, or does grace find you when you finally stop running? This question anchors Abilene, a new original series from Great American Media starring Rose Reid, which explores the transformative power of a fresh start in the quiet, weathered town of Fair Haven, Ohio.
Gibson is expanding its retail footprint with the launch of Gibson Garage Miami, a massive 8,000-square-foot interactive space set to open on September 10, 2026. Located in the heart of the Wynwood Art District, the site marks the company’s third global flagship destination, following successful openings in Nashville and London.
Nearly three in four U.S. adults now view frozen treats as a more affordable alternative to dining out, signaling a shift in consumer habits toward year-round home consumption. A new survey from the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association reveals that shoppers are prioritizing convenience and snack-sized portions over traditional restaurant outings.
The U.S. Army has selected HDT Robotics, operating as BLADE, as one of five industry partners for the Project Sustainment initiative. The program aims to integrate autonomous ground systems into supply chains, effectively removing soldiers from high-risk logistics missions within contested tactical environments.
Small business owners often manage their operations from job sites and truck cabs rather than behind a desk. To bridge the gap between needing capital and securing it, lender Byzfunder has launched a new native app for iOS and Android, allowing customers to manage funding and renewals directly from their smartphones.
Entrepreneurs and independent rental operators worldwide can now join the Cloud of Goods marketplace, a platform designed to supply mobility, medical, and baby equipment to travelers and residents. By expanding its international reach, the company aims to bridge the gap in global accessibility for those needing specialized gear on the go.
Nashville-based pharmaceutical services platform Petauri has expanded its leadership team, appointing Elisa Boyle as Senior Vice President of Client Engagement and Michelle Jacobson as Senior Director of Value and Access. The move aims to bolster the company’s strategic capabilities in navigating complex payer landscapes and government programs.
The Lightning Link slot franchise, a staple of land-based casino floors for over a decade, has officially transitioned to the digital space. Aristocrat Interactive confirmed that Lightning Link High Stakes is now available across regulated online platforms in the United States and Canada, marking a significant expansion for the brand.
A bipartisan congressional resolution seeks to establish a National Day of Honor and Respect, aiming to bridge deep-seated partisan divisions across the country. Introduced by Representatives Pete Sessions and Tom Suozzi, the initiative calls for a dedicated moment to emphasize the shared values that define the American experience.
Owners of the Halo Collar GPS dog fence will gain unlimited, around-the-clock access to licensed veterinarians starting this week. By integrating the Pawp platform into existing membership tiers, the company aims to broaden its services beyond location tracking and boundary management into comprehensive, on-demand pet health support.
As higher education institutions grapple with diverse student backgrounds, University of Phoenix Vice Provost Marc Booker took center stage at the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) annual conference, The Assembly, to advocate for modernized approaches to transfer credits and prior learning recognition.
With temperatures peaking in Southern California, organizers are looking toward the snow-dusted horizon. Winter Fest OC is marking its 12th anniversary by launching its Christmas in July promotion this Friday, offering the lowest ticket prices of the season before the festival returns to the OC Fair & Event Center.
A compressed harvest season and unpredictable weather defined the 2025 vintage in Alto Adige, forcing producers to rely on precise timing and intensive vineyard management. Despite the logistical hurdles, the region reports exceptional quality, marked by high acidity, aromatic intensity, and a standout performance from indigenous grape varieties.
Fitness enthusiasts in Mesa, Arizona, gain a new training destination on July 27 as Amped Fitness debuts its latest facility. The location marks the brand’s second Arizona opening this year, consolidating varied wellness services—from reformer Pilates to specialized strength training—under a single, high-concept membership model.
A looming federal ban set for November threatens to wipe out 95% of the hemp marketplace, prompting industry leader Sunmed to throw its weight behind the Lawful Hemp Protection Act. Introduced by Representatives Andy Barr and Angie Craig, the bill seeks to replace imminent prohibition with science-based federal regulation.
Apertura Gene Therapy has secured a position in a new ARPA-H funded consortium tasked with accelerating treatments for rare childhood neurological disorders. The initiative, led by the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, aims to streamline the development of gene-editing therapies for hundreds of distinct genetic mutations affecting the central nervous system.
The Department of War has tapped Perry-based Sigma Defense to build the SUNet 2.0 prototype, a secure digital environment intended to accelerate machine learning and mission software development. This six-month initiative aims to provide a foundational platform for data collaboration and technology integration across defense operations.
Bensussen Deutsch & Associates has signed on as an official licensee for Harley-Davidson, tasked with designing and distributing custom apparel across the motorcycle manufacturer’s entire dealership network in the United States and Canada, effectively consolidating the brand’s merchandise supply chain under the Woodinville-based agency.
After a decade-long tenure at SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Kevin Martin is moving to Phoenix to take on the role of executive vice president at Desert Financial Credit Union, where he will oversee enterprise strategy and refine the member experience for one of Arizona's largest financial institutions.
Eric Yingling has stepped into the role of CEO at cloud infrastructure provider Synteq, succeeding co-founder Taras Kulyk. The appointment, effective July 1, 2026, signals a strategic pivot for the Wilmington-based firm as it seeks to transition from a hardware-focused operation into a category-defining enterprise cloud platform.
A 16.7% single-day stock plunge has triggered a formal investigation by Hagens Berman into Alignment Healthcare, following allegations that the firm manipulated its financial records. A former executive claims the company artificially inflated its 2024 and 2025 earnings by misclassifying operating expenses as capital expenditures.
Marriott International is deepening its partnership with Catalonia Hotels & Resorts, signing agreements to launch two new all-inclusive properties in Jamaica and Tanzania. The deal marks a strategic push to expand Marriott’s footprint in high-demand leisure markets by converting existing assets and developing new-build luxury sites.
Federal agencies facing the strict three-day remediation deadline of CISA's Binding Operational Directive 26-04 now have a new line of defense. CIQ has integrated its RLC Pro Hardened distribution with Ascender Pro, providing real-time kernel exploit detection and automated fleet-wide remediation to close critical security gaps before patches are even issued.
Vasiliki Petrou, the veteran architect behind Unilever Prestige, is moving to the board of MERIT following a new minority investment from SEMCAP Beauty & Wellness. The deal positions the minimalist cosmetics brand for a broader international expansion, leveraging Petrou’s decades of experience scaling global beauty portfolios.
The San Jose Earthquakes are leveraging a multiyear deal with Apollo to overhaul their commercial operations, marking the first time an AI-driven go-to-market platform has secured a jersey sleeve sponsorship in Major League Soccer. The partnership aims to convert surging national interest in soccer into concrete revenue growth.
The most dangerous aspect of artificial intelligence in business is not its potential for failure, but its ability to sound authoritative while being wrong. As companies rush to automate, many are mistakenly sidelining the very human expertise required to verify, contextualize, and ultimately validate the outputs generated by these machines.
Patients across Long Island will gain access to specialized eye care starting July 24, 2026, as Dr. Atul Kakkar joins the OCLI Vision network. The ophthalmologist, known for his expertise in pediatric surgery and complex refractive procedures, will begin seeing patients at the group’s Floral Park, Massapequa, and Woodbury locations.
