SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- National shareholder rights firm Hagens Berman is investigating potential violations of U.S. securities laws by blue chip company International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE: IBM) after its CEO Arvind Krishna previewed disastrous Q2 2026 financial results on July 14, 2026.

The market's immediate reaction was to send the price of IBM shares down a massive 25%, erasing over $68 billion of its market capitalization in one day. Among other matters, the CEO revealed in a letter to shareholders serious problems in the company's Z performance.

The firm urges IBM investors with substantial losses to submit your losses now and invites persons who may be able to assist in the investigation to contact its attorneys.

Visit: http://www.hbsslaw.com/ibm

Contact the Firm Now: [email protected]

                                        844-916-0895

Focus of HBSS' IBM Investigation:

The firm's focus is on the propriety of IBM's statements about IBM Z, a family of enterprise mainframe computers renowned for reliability, processing scale, and security. IBM has since early April 2025 touted the IBM z17 -- its flagship, enterprise-grade mainframe, engineered for real-time artificial intelligence processing at an unprecedented scale.

On April 22, 2026 IBM reported a strong start to 2026, with its quarterly Infrastructure, Hybrid Infrastructure, and IBM Z revenues up 15%, 28% and 51%, respectively.

During the earnings call that day, management assured investors that "[t]he strong start to the year drives our confidence in delivering constant currency revenue growth of 5-plus percent in 2026[]" and "[l]ooking into the second quarter, we expect our constant currency revenue growth rate to be similar to the full year."

Management also assured investors that 2026 was positioned for "continued growth" and "we're off to a tremendous start, record start in our new z17."

Investors' expectations for IBM's second quarter were crushed within three months. On July 14, 2026, the company announced that, in contrast to assurances of "5-plus" Q2 2026 revenue growth, total revenue was up a paltry 1% and Infrastructure revenue declined 7%.

CEO Krishna said "[w]hat played out was worse than our expectations, driven by a shortfall in our Z performance and the associated software stack, primarily in Transaction Processing." He blamed the shortfall on customers' "capex reprioritization" and further said "we did not adapt and move quickly enough[,]" and "numerous large deals failed to close[.]"

"Based in part on the abruptness of the bad news, we are looking into whether and when the Company may have had information raising the probability that large deals were unlikely to timely close during IBM's second quarter," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the firm's investigation.

If you invested in IBM and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that will assist the firm's investigation, submit your losses now »

If you'd like more information and answers to other frequently asked questions about the firm's IBM investigation, read more »

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding IBM should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email [email protected].

About Hagens Berman

Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Berman's team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case.

SOURCE Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP

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SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP alerts investors in Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: REGN) that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed after its surprising revelations concerning a Phase 3 clinical trial of a therapy intended to treat patients with melanoma.

The news that the trial failed drove the price of Regeneron shares sharply lower and, along with the severe market reaction ($11 billion market cap wipeout), triggered the lawsuit which seeks to represent investors who purchased or otherwise acquired shares of Regeneron common stock between August 1, 2025 and May 15, 2026.

National shareholder rights firm Hagens Berman is investigating the legal claims and urges Regeneron investors with substantial losses to submit your losses now. The firm also invites persons who may be able to assist in the investigation to contact its attorneys.

View our latest video summary of the allegations: youtu.be/rsW1-f8ARRs

Class Period: Aug. 1, 2025 – May 15, 2026

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Sept. 14, 2026

Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/regn  

Contact the Firm Now: [email protected]

                                         844-916-0895

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN) Securities Class Action:

The litigation is focused on the propriety of Regeneron's repeated optimism about the state of- (and changes to-) its Phase 3 trial of Fianlimab in combination with Libtayo as a first-line treatment for metastatic or locally advanced melanoma (the "Study").

The Study's primary endpoint was progression-free survival ("PFS") and Regeneron has characterized the combination as a "potential blockbuster." "Events" – disease progression or death – determined the timing and statistical power of the primary PFS analysis.

The complaint alleges that Regeneron made false and misleading statements while failing to disclose critical information to investors. In particular, the lawsuit accuses the company and its management of not informing investors that the Study's preliminary statistical assumptions were flawed, the active treatment arm was not achieving meaningful differentiation over standard therapies, and achievement of its primary endpoint was unlikely.

Throughout the Class Period, Regeneron and the other defendants assured investors of their confidence in the Trial's achieving its primary endpoint even when events were slowing down. At one point, management said the slowing event rates are "because the test arms are performing well."

The truth began to emerge on April 29, 2026, when Regeneron first revealed that it decided to alter the Trial protocol such that "t]he primary analysis of progression-free survival will now consider all patients enrolled in the study with a minimum follow-up of 6 months."

One prominent analyst reportedly questioned whether the decision was made because, in contrast to management's expressed confidence, the "underlying PFS benefit may be insufficient to show statistical significance."

Then, on May 12, 2026, Regeneron admitted that the decision to alter the Trial protocol was made in response to "slow event rates," occurred nearly six months ago, and was "submitted it to all the global regulatory authorities in November, December timeframe."

Three days later, the final blow came. On May 15, 2026, Regeneron abruptly reported the "trial did not reach statistical significance of the primary endpoint of improvement in progression-free survival (PFS)."

"We're focused on whether Regeneron altered the Trial protocol without timely telling investors to intentionally mislead them because the defendants knew so-called blockbuster potential for the combination wasn't really there," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the firm's investigation of the pending claims in the suit.

If you invested in Regeneron and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that will assist the firm's investigation, submit your losses now »

If you'd like more information and answers to other frequently asked questions about the Regeneron case and the firm's investigation, read more »

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Regeneron should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email [email protected].

About Hagens Berman

Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Berman's team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw. 

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case.

SOURCE Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP

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PAPENBURG, Germany, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Guests can now book Carnival Tropicale, Carnival Cruise Line's newest ship and the final addition to its Excel class. As bookings open, the cruise line is also celebrating the ship's progression from concept to reality at MEYER WERFT'S shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.

Setting Sail from Galveston

Everything is bigger in Texas, and beginning April 15, 2028, Carnival Tropicale will bring a whole new level of fun to Galveston. As the newest ship sailing from Texas, Carnival Tropicale will proudly display the Star of Texas on her bow, honoring her connection to the Lone Star State. The ship will offer four-, five-, six- and eight-day cruises to connect guests to Carnival's exclusive Paradise Collection destinations, including Celebration Key, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, Isla Tropicale and Puerta Maya, as well as popular Caribbean ports like Progreso and Nassau.

"Today marks an exciting day for Carnival Tropicale as guests can now begin planning their vacations aboard this incredible new ship," said Ben Clement, EVP of maritime and new builds at Carnival Cruise Line. "From innovative attractions and dining to unforgettable destinations throughout the Caribbean, The Bahamas and Mexico, Carnival Tropicale will bring an exciting new vacation option to Texas when she debuts in 2028."

Bringing Texas to Papenburg

As reservations opened for Carnival Tropicale, Carnival Cruise Line and MEYER WERFT hosted a western-themed celebration honoring the ship's future home and Carnival's longstanding connection to Texas. Carnival and MEYER WERFT leaders donned custom cowboy hard hats and western attire amid Texas-inspired décor while the shipyard team enjoyed Texas-style barbecue.

"I am delighted to experience my first construction celebration as the new CEO of MEYER WERFT," said André Walter, who has served as CEO of MEYER WERFT GmbH since July 1, 2026. "Carnival Tropicale is already the fifth Excel-class ship for Carnival Cruise Line, a successful and highly popular series that reflects our long-standing partnership with Carnival."

A New Take on Family Fun

Carnival Tropicale is the fifth and final ship in the Excel class, offering guests the class's newest features for experiencing Carnival's signature fun at sea. One of the ship's highlights will be Sunsation Point, a vibrant, multi-deck family fun zone designed to keep guests entertained from day to night. This area is anchored by Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, the most family-friendly water park at sea, featuring six waterslides, including SunSoaker, Turning Tides, Racing Currents and splash areas designed for younger cruisers.

Guests can also enjoy a variety of outdoor and indoor activities, including a redesigned Fairway 66 Mini Golf course inspired by Route 66, sports courts, the Treehouse Adventure Trail, featuring netted pathways and obstacles, and new arcade spaces, such as The Vault Retrocade, which blends classic favorites with modern gaming experiences. As the sun sets, the excitement continues with special evening activities and extended waterpark hours.

The fun continues at the table, where Carnival Tropicale will feature The Next Course of dining concepts, bringing flavors from around the world. Guests will be able to enjoy Uku Lei Lei, offering Hawaiian-inspired cuisine with Asian influences; Fetaccine, blending Greek and Italian flavors; and Emeril's Coastal Seafood, showcasing seafood dishes inspired by America's coastlines and created in partnership with Carnival's Chief Culinary Officer Chef Emeril Lagasse.

Inspired by the Golden Era of Show Businesses

Carnival Tropicale will also introduce new entertainment experiences and exclusive spaces inspired by the golden era of show business. Additional details about the ship's entertainment and other experiences will be revealed in the months ahead, giving guests more to look forward to.

Carnival Tropicale's newly available sailings can be found here. For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.

ABOUT CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE

Carnival Cruise Line, part of Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL), the world's largest cruise company with a portfolio of cruise lines operating in over 800 ports & destinations worldwide – and is proud to be known as America's Cruise Line and for carrying more Americans and serving more U.S. homeports than any other. Carnival sails more than six million guests annually and in 2023 was the first cruise line to sail more than 100 million guests in total. Operating from 13 U.S. and two Australian homeports, as well as seasonally from Europe, Carnival hosts more than 95,000 guests on its ships every day of the year and employs more than 50,000 team members, representing 120 nationalities.

Since its founding in 1972, Carnival has continually revolutionized the cruise industry and popularized the cruise vacation as an affordable and fun travel option. Carnival's fleet of 29 ships reflects an exciting period of growth that continues with the addition of five ships through 2033: a fourth and fifth Excel class ship scheduled for 2027 and 2028 respectively; followed by three additional new ships from an innovative new class currently under development. Carnival's newest guest offering is its all-new exclusive destination, Celebration Key on Grand Bahama, which debuted in 2025 to join the company's Paradise Collection of Caribbean gems.

SOURCE Carnival Cruise Line

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Fragmented Casino Systems Obscure the Full Value of Each Guest, Finds Info-Tech Research Group

Casino operators often rely on disconnected systems that make it difficult to recognize players and guests consistently across gaming, hospitality, and digital interactions. Info-Tech Research Group's new blueprint presents a two-phase approach to assess omnichannel maturity, define target guest journeys, and build a sequenced roadmap toward a unified guest identity and more consistent, personalized experiences.

ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Casino operators are under growing pressure to deliver a consistent experience as players and guests move between digital and physical touchpoints. However, many core systems were built to process isolated transactions rather than maintain a persistent identity across the full relationship. To help IT and business leaders address this disconnect, Info-Tech Research Group, a global IT research and advisory firm, has published its new blueprint, Design a Unified Guest Experience Strategy, which provides a structured path from fragmented channels to coordinated, context-aware experiences.

The firm's resource explains that the relationship with a player or guest is often distributed across casino management, loyalty, hotel, gaming, dining, entertainment, point-of-sale, and digital systems, as well as external partners. This fragmentation can create duplicated profiles, inconsistent interactions, and limited visibility into total value across gaming and nongaming activity. High modernization costs, dependence on external partners, and internal resistance can further slow progress and lead operators to pursue isolated channel improvements instead of enterprise-wide transformation.

"Omnichannel has long been an aspiration in hospitality, but achieving it historically required changes many organizations were not ready to undertake," says August Hummelbrunner, research analyst at Info-Tech Research Group. "Successful omnichannel transformation requires a shift in mindset, from treating physical and digital touchpoints as separate revenue drivers to maximizing total guest value across the entire experience."

Info-Tech defines omnichannel as a seamless and continuous experience across all touchpoints, enabled by a shared understanding of the guest. For casino operators, that means interactions across the casino floor, mobile app, loyalty program, hotel, dining, entertainment, and other digital and physical channels should be informed by consistent guest context. The firm's blueprint also clarifies that a digital experience platform is only one component of an omnichannel strategy and cannot replace the identity, integration, decisioning, and coordination capabilities required across the full journey.

Info-Tech's Four Stages for Advancing Beyond Siloed Casino Operations

The Design a Unified Guest Experience Strategy blueprint identifies four stages that can help casino operators progress beyond siloed operations toward an orchestrated experience. The four stages include:

Stage 1: Digitize – Establish a Multichannel Experience

Operators introduce digital and physical channels that give players and guests more ways to interact with the organization. Mobile apps, websites, loyalty platforms, and on-property systems may all be available, but each channel continues to operate independently. Guest profiles, data, and responsibilities remain separated, limiting continuity between interactions.

Stage 2: Integrate – Connect Channels and Core Systems

Core systems are connected to support data sharing and continuity across specific workflows. Information can begin to move between casino management, loyalty, point-of-sale, hotel, and digital platforms. However, guest views may remain fragmented, and staff may still have limited visibility into activity outside their own systems or departments.

Stage 3: Unify – Create a Context-Aware Experience

A shared identity enables operators to recognize the same player or guest across core systems and touchpoints. Preferences, history, loyalty activity, and relevant context can inform interactions across the property and digital channels. Experiences become more personalized and consistent, although coordination is primarily based on predefined rules rather than real-time decision-making.

Stage 4: Orchestrate – Coordinate Experiences in Real Time

Systems and teams operate as one ecosystem using real-time player and guest data. Context is continuously updated, actions are coordinated across channels, and experiences adapt based on current behavior and needs. Players and guests can move between physical and digital interactions without restarting their journey or repeating information.

The firm's resource advises leaders to begin by assessing their current maturity across five areas: identity, integration, decisioning, personalization, and coordination. Organizations can then define non-negotiable experience principles, map target-state player and guest journeys, identify capability gaps, and translate their requirements into prioritized people, process, and technology initiatives.

By grounding technology requirements in target-state journeys, Info-Tech's approach can help IT teams reduce integration complexity, technical debt, scope changes, and rework. A shared roadmap can also help casino leaders improve cross-functional alignment, strengthen loyalty, increase visibility into total player and guest value, and create more consistent experiences across gaming and nongaming channels.

For exclusive and timely commentary from Info-Tech's experts, including August Hummelbrunner, and access to the complete Design a Unified Guest Experience Strategy blueprint, please contact [email protected].

About Info-Tech Research Group

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

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

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

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

SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group

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Industry Pioneers Intermedia, Mitel, RingCentral, and Vonage validate the Convergence of UC, Contact Center, and Agentic AI into a Single Unified Framework.

PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Following Aragon Research's historic announcement defining the Intelligent Communications Experience (ICX) market—projected to surge to $251.83 billion by 2031—the world's leading communications, collaboration, and customer experience (CX) providers today issued strong statements of validation and strategic alignment.

The launch of the ICX category officially recognizes the dissolution of the historical silos between unified communications (UC) and contact center (CC) platforms, establishing a new framework where human employees and AI agents collaborate seamlessly. Industry leaders agree that the ICX model represents a massive paradigm shift, shifting the enterprise focus toward a unified "Agentic-Channel" and a pervasive "AI Fabric" that will orchestrate the future workforce.

Industry Leaders Respond to the ICX Category Launch

The following firms and their respective executives are quoted below:

Intermedia – Michael Gold, CEO

Mitel - Mike Robinson, CEO

RingCentral – Kira Makagon, President and COO

Vonage - Christophe Van de Weyer, CEO

Intermedia: Bringing ICX Capabilities to the Channel and Mid-Market

"For too long, advanced integration between internal collaboration and external customer engagement has been restricted to the largest enterprises," said Michael Gold, CEO of Intermedia. "Our mission has always been to simplify IT and empower our channel partners to deliver institutional-grade tools to businesses of all sizes. Aragon's ICX framework highlights the critical need for a unified control plane. With Intermedia Unite and our integrated Contact Center, we deliver a cohesive, easy-to-manage suite that allows mid-market organizations to run sophisticated, AI-driven customer interactions without complexity."

Mitel: Delivering One Foundation for Multi-Site and Hybrid Enterprises

"ICX confirms what our customers have been telling us for years," said Mike Robinson, CEO of Mitel. "They want an intelligent communications solution that adapts to the diversity of roles driving their business. A solution that addresses the increasing demand for control over the adoption of emerging technologies, digital sovereignty where required, and resiliency where it counts. A solution that only integrated hybrid solutions can deliver. Mitel's CX and forthcoming Mitel WX have been purpose-built to address these demands."

RingCentral: Driving the Agentic AI Revolution

"We are at the dawn of a new era of enterprise productivity driven by Agentic Voice AI, and Aragon's ICX framework puts a name to this inevitable convergence," said Kira Makagon, President & COO of RingCentral. "With our AI-driven RingEX and RingCX platforms, alongside the launch of autonomous digital agents like AIR Pro, RingCentral is already delivering on the core promise of the ICX AI Fabric. By putting AI at the center of voice, video, and messaging, we are helping organizations orchestrate a blended workforce of human and digital agents to unlock unprecedented customer outcomes."

Vonage: Unleashing the Power of Full-Stack programmable Communications

"This recognition validates what we have been building and delivering for our customers for years, said Christophe Van de Weyer, CEO of Vonage. At Vonage, we have built a comprehensive cloud communications platform that spans UCaaS, CCaaS, and CPaaS because we know that communication cannot exist in silos. By infusing conversational AI into our Intelligent Workspace contact center solution and partnering with Ericsson to deliver high-performance 5G network-powered APIs, we are enabling enterprises to seamlessly blend human and digital workflows. ICX provides the ideal industry blueprint for this integrated, high-performance future."

The Strategic Mandate for Intelligent Communications Experience

The rapid industry response to the ICX category signals that vendor consolidation is accelerating. As legacy systems are phased out, enterprise leaders are urged to transition from fragmented point solutions to holistic ICX architectures. Organizations that adopt ICX will be uniquely positioned to deploy autonomous digital agents, optimize customer journeys, and foster a highly productive, blended workforce.

For more information on the Intelligent Communications Experience (ICX), the full research note is available to Aragon Research clients.

About Aragon Research

Aragon Research is an independent research and advisory firm that provides business and IT executives with the actionable insights they need to navigate technology's ever-evolving impact on business. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Aragon Research delivers high-impact visual research, consulting, and advisory services to provide enterprises with the insight they need to make better technology and strategy decisions.

For more information, visit aragonresearch.com

About the Participating Providers

About Vonage: Vonage, a part of Ericsson, creates technology that empowers enterprises and equips developers to lead in the next era of digital transformation. Its AI-powered platforms and tools enable new value creation and innovative customer experiences across mobile networks and the cloud.

The company's technology portfolio includes Network APIs, CPaaS, CCaaS, and UCaaS solutions. Trusted by enterprises across industries and embraced by developers around the world, Vonage is committed to reimagining every digital interaction.

Vonage is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) and operates within Ericsson Group Business Area Global Communications Platform (BGCP).

For more information visit www.vonage.com and follow @Vonage.

About Mitel: Mitel is a global leader in business communications, serving more than 70 million users in over 100 countries. Mitel builds communications, collaboration and contact center solutions for the entire workforce — including frontline, mobile, and shift-based workers whose needs differ from those at a desk — and for organizations in critical industries where communication has to work in the moments that matter. With five decades of experience and deployment options spanning cloud, hybrid and on-premises, Mitel delivers communications without compromise.

For more information, visit Mitel.com.

About RingCentral:

RingCentral is a global leader in AI–powered customer engagement, delivering an integrated platform for business phone, SMS, contact center, workforce engagement management, video collaboration, and messaging. Powered by advanced AI capabilities, RingCentral delivers intelligence at every phase of the conversation journey — before, during, and after each human interaction. With RingCentral, businesses can work smarter, respond faster, and connect more meaningfully with their customers.

For more information, visit ringcentral.com,

About Intermedia:

Intermedia Intelligent Communications helps more than 150,000 business customers connect better, from wherever, through our AI-powered platform that includes voice, video conferencing, chat, SMS (where available), contact center, business email and productivity, file sharing and backup, security, archiving, and more. We strive to eliminate the need for multiple communications service providers with a seamlessly integrated portfolio of intelligent communications and collaboration solutions, including our flagship product, Intermedia Unite®, all delivered through one highly reliable and secure platform. With month-to-month contract options, one monthly bill, and one intuitive point of administrative control, and having been certified by J.D. Power nine times for excellence in assisted technical support, Intermedia is committed to providing enterprise-grade products to businesses of all sizes through a simple, Worry-Free Experience that includes financially backed 99.999% uptime SLAs.

As a partner-first company, Intermedia goes to work for over 7,500 channel partners by providing a comprehensive set of programs, resources, and support to help them grow their revenue and maximize their success. Programs include our Customer Ownership Reseller (CORE™) model – which enables partners to resell, package, and manage Intermedia's solutions as if they were their own, while benefiting from highly attractive economic terms and maintaining ownership of their customer relationships – as well as Advisor models.

For more information, visit Intermedia.com.

SOURCE Aragon Research

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First Franchise Opening in Cypress, Texas Marks Major Milestone as Brand Expands Across 16 States and Targets 25–30 New Schools in 2027

DALLAS, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Water Wings Swim School, a premier year-round swim school and part of youth enrichment platform Unleashed Brands, is celebrating a major milestone following the September 5 opening of its first franchised location in Cypress, TX. The opening marks a new chapter for Water Wings, just over a year after the brand launched its national franchise program in May 2025, and sets the pace for a development pipeline that now spans 16 states.

The new school, owned by experienced multi-unit entrepreneurs Arun and Kay Singh, brings Water Wings' proven curriculum and family-focused approach to a new community while marking an important milestone in the brand's national franchise expansion.

"We are honored to be the first franchisees to open a Water Wings location, and it marks an important next step in our growth as multi-unit, multi-brand operators," said Arun Singh. "Through our experience growing several children's enrichment concepts over the years, including Urban Air Adventure Park, Kay and I have seen the value of building businesses that serve families and become part of the communities where they operate. Water Wings is a natural addition to our portfolio, allowing us to diversify within the space while applying the operational experience we have gained as franchise owners."

First Opening Sets National Growth in Motion

The Cypress debut is the first of six franchised Water Wings Swim Schools expected to open in 2026. The next location, owned by Ali Robaei, is scheduled to open in Frisco, TX, on September 19. Additional schools are expected to open in Arlington, TX, Billings, MT, Brighton, MI and Marysville, WA by the end of the year.

Water Wings currently serves approximately 9,800 enrolled students across its system. Schools average roughly 900 students, with an average student tenure of 14 months. Its curriculum has demonstrated a success rate of more than 95%, reflecting the sustained demand for consistent, high-quality swim instruction.

The brand's growing development pipeline now includes:

- 54 franchise units awarded across 16 states

- Six franchised schools expected to open in 2026

- 25–30 openings projected for 2027

- Two five-unit development agreements for New York and New Jersey

- A nationwide goal of 100–150 locations over the next three to five years

"Since Water Wings became part of Unleashed Brands last year, the momentum behind this brand has been incredible," said Avi Shafshak, Founder and Brand President of Water Wings Swim School. "We are now helping our first wave of franchisees move toward opening day, building a strong pipeline of new locations and partnering with operators who share our passion for helping children become safer and more confident in and around the water."

Franchisees Bring Water Wings to New Communities

Water Wings' growing pipeline is attracting experienced operators from a range of professional and entrepreneurial backgrounds, driven by strong market demand, operational accessibility, and significant room for growth. For existing Unleashed Brands franchisees in particular, Water Wings provides an opportunity to diversify within a platform they already know and trust while continuing to serve children and families in a meaningful way.

Recent franchise signings include:

- Two five-unit agreements across New York and New Jersey: A local franchisee plans to bring 10 Water Wings locations to the Northeast over the next two years. His background spans banking, pharmaceuticals, computer programming and retail sales.

- First Ohio location planned for Broadview Heights: After seven years as a swim parent, first-time entrepreneur George Husary chose Water Wings for its accessible investment and market availability. He is transitioning from careers in law enforcement and transportation operations to bring the brand's first Ohio location to Broadview Heights.

Building Toward 100+ Locations Nationwide

Franchisee interest is being driven by strong consumer demand, significant open whitespace, lower startup costs than other swim school concepts and an average eight-month timeline from signing to opening. The model can also appeal to experienced multi-unit operators looking to diversify their portfolios while empowering their teams to manage day-to-day operations.

Priority development markets include Florida, Mississippi, Georgia and Arizona. Water Wings is targeting 100–150 locations nationwide over the next three to five years and seeking franchisees with strong leadership experience, business acumen and a passion for making an impact in their communities. To learn more about the Water Wings franchise opportunity, please visit WaterWingsFranchising.com.

About Water Wings Swim School

Founded in 2003, Water Wings Swim School provides year-round swim instruction for children and adults in a safe, fun, and engaging environment. With programs for all ages and skill levels, Water Wings offers group and private lessons, recreational swim teams, baby pool time, swim camps, and more. Currently operating indoor facilities across Nevada, California, Idaho, and Texas, Water Wings is dedicated to teaching lifesaving swim skills and fostering a lifelong love for swimming. For more information, visit WaterWingsSwimSchool.com.

About Unleashed Brands

Unleashed Brands currently includes portfolio brands Urban Air, The Little Gym, Sylvan Learning, Snapology, Class 101, Premier Martial Arts and Water Wings Swim School. The platform was founded to curate and grow a portfolio of the most innovative and profitable franchise brands that help kids learn, play, and grow. Over the last 15 years, the team at Unleashed Brands has built a proven platform for scaling businesses focused on serving families. Its mission is to impact the lives of every child by providing fun, engaging, and inspiring experiences that help them reach their full potential. For more information, visit UnleashedBrands.com.

Media Contact: Taylor Hefferan, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected], 847-945-1300

SOURCE Water Wings Swim School

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Second Round Foundation to be recognized on November 19 for its work expanding opportunity through education, sports, and community engagement

NEW YORK, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Healing New York, the nation's first child protection agency with over 150 years of work protecting children and supporting families through trauma recovery, announced today that it will present the Second Round Foundation with the Game Changers for Children Award at Healing New York's 2026 Fall Gala on November 19, celebrating the Foundation's dedication to young people and the communities that surround them.

Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks captain, All-Star, and now NBA champion, co-founded the Second Round Foundation with his mother Sandra Brunson. They have built the Foundation's reputation around widening access and opportunity for young people who are too often counted out, using education, sports, and hands-on community involvement as its primary tools. That work spans scholarships, mentorship support, and wellness-focused partnerships supporting youth across the city. That focus, on giving people the chance to grow and be seen, resonates closely with what drives Healing New York's own mission of helping families rebuild and thrive.

"We are so proud to honor Second Round Foundation and its steadfast commitment to creating opportunities for young people to overcome life's most difficult challenges and achieve success," said Aysha E. Schomburg, President and CEO of Healing New York. "Healing New York and Second Round Foundation share a core value that young people should always be seen. When they have the support that they need, they can truly fulfill their dreams."

"This recognition means a lot to my family and to everyone who has helped build the Second Round Foundation," said Jalen Brunson, co-founder of the Second Round Foundation. "I've always believed that where you start doesn't have to determine where you finish. Sometimes young people just need someone to believe in them, give them an opportunity, and remind them that the work they put in matters. That's what we want Second Round to represent, and we're grateful to Healing New York for recognizing that work."

"Second Round Foundation shows what's possible when a family builds an organization and decides to invest in young people without hesitation," said Lincoln Frank, Chair of the Board of Directors of Healing New York. "On behalf of our board, I am proud that Healing New York gets to stand beside an organization that shares our belief that every child deserves a stable and hopeful future."

"We are deeply honored to receive the Game Changers for Children Award from Healing New York," said Nija Williams, CEO of the Second Round Foundation. "At Second Round, we believe every young person deserves to be seen, supported, and given the opportunity to determine what success looks like for themselves. Our work is about planting seeds of equity that can grow into lasting change, and we are proud to share that commitment with an organization that has spent more than 150 years advocating for children and families."

Each year, Healing New York's Fall Gala gathers supporters and partners to recognize individuals and organizations whose work advances the wellbeing of children and families. This year's gala will be held on November 19.

Event details include:

- Event Name: Healing New York 2026 Fall Gala

- Date: Thursday, November 19, 2026

- Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

- Location: New York Historical, 170 Central Park West, New York

About Healing New York 

Incorporated in 1875, Healing New York—formerly the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children—is the nation's first child protection agency. For over 150 years, Healing New York has supported children and families healing from abuse and neglect through trauma-informed therapeutic programs and has strengthened child safety through prevention, training, and advocacy. All services are provided free of charge to families navigating systemic barriers across New York City. To learn more about Healing New York's 150-year legacy and current initiatives, visit www.healing-ny.org.

About the Second Round Foundation

Founded by Jalen and Sandra Brunson, the Second Round Foundation plants seeds of equity to create opportunities for young people through education, sports, health and wellness, and community engagement. The Foundation's vision is to empower young people to determine their own success, irrespective of their background or circumstance, by providing access to resources, experiences, mentorship, and support that contribute to their long-term development.

Through strategic partnerships and community-based initiatives, the Second Round Foundation invests in programs that address the whole child, from educational achievement and leadership development to physical and mental wellness, nutrition, and access to sports. Its work includes scholarships and educational support, youth mentorship, wellness initiatives, community programming, and partnerships designed to meet young people where they are while equipping them with the tools and opportunities to reach where they want to go. For more information, visit secondroundfoundation.org.

SOURCE Healing New York

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New 737,000-square-foot automated facility will create hundreds of jobs and expand SHEIN's Indiana campus to over 2.5 million square feet

LEBANON, Ind., Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- SHEIN, a global online fashion and lifestyle retailer, today celebrated the grand opening of its new 737,000-square-foot automated fulfillment facility in Lebanon, Indiana, bringing together company leaders, federal, state and local officials, community partners and other stakeholders to mark the latest milestone in SHEIN's growing Indiana presence.

The new facility expands SHEIN's physical footprint in Indiana to more than 2.5 million square feet and will create hundreds of new jobs as operations ramp up, further building on the company's significant workforce and economic presence in the state. The facility features a goods-to-person fulfillment system and is designed to support SHEIN's continued growth while strengthening its fulfillment capabilities.

"SHEIN's continued investment in Indiana reflects our commitment to building a more agile, resilient and innovative fulfillment network while creating economic opportunities in the communities where we operate," said George Chiao, SHEIN's U.S. president. "Today's celebration is a testament to the collaboration of our employees, partners and community leaders who have helped make this milestone possible. We are grateful for the warm welcome and support we have received in Indiana and look forward to continuing to grow our presence in the state."

Located approximately 1.5 miles from SHEIN's existing Indiana operations, the new facility is scheduled to begin operations this month. SHEIN currently has a workforce of more than 1,300 Hoosiers, and the Lebanon site is expected to create hundreds of additional jobs as operations expand.

SHEIN first established its major Indiana distribution presence in Whitestown in 2022, selecting Central Indiana as a key hub for its U.S. fulfillment network. Since then, SHEIN has continued to expand its operations and workforce in the state, with the new Lebanon facility representing the company's latest investment in Indiana and the next phase of its growth in the region.

SHEIN's Indiana operations are part of the company's broader U.S. and global footprint. The company serves hundreds of millions of active customers across approximately 160 markets.

Supporting Indiana Communities

SHEIN's investment in Indiana extends beyond its operations and workforce through partnerships that support communities across the state. Today, the company announced a $3,000 contribution to the Boone County Chamber of Commerce and a $2,500 contribution to the Boone County Economic Development Corporation, in support of community initiatives in Boone County.

"We are excited to celebrate SHEIN's newest investment in Boone County, including today's contribution to our Chamber, and the opportunities this facility will create for our community," said Sean Reaves, Executive Director, Boone County Chamber. "As our county continues to grow, strong partnerships with employers like SHEIN are essential to building a vibrant business community, creating meaningful career opportunities and supporting long-term economic prosperity."

"We are excited to announce SHEIN's contribution to the Boone County Economic Development Corporation," said Andrea Kern, CEO, Boone County Economic Development Corporation. "Support like this helps us continue to drive a thriving and inclusive community through advocacy, responsive support and strategic connections for Boone County."

Last month, SHEIN also supported Central Indiana flood relief efforts by donating thousands of essential items to local organizations, while the SHEIN Foundation provided a $25,000 contribution to Heart of Indiana United Way to support recovery efforts.

SHEIN also works with business and economic development organizations across the state, including the Indiana Retail Council and Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Last month, SHEIN also served as presenting sponsor of the Indiana Women's Collaborative. These relationships help strengthen SHEIN's connections with local business and community leaders, support workforce and economic development, and provide opportunities to engage on issues affecting Indiana's business community.

Through the SHEIN Foundation, the company has also supported Dress for Success Indianapolis' Career & Confidence program, which provides individualized career development coaching and professional styling services, with annual contributions of $150,000 to the organization since 2024.

Together, these efforts reflect SHEIN's commitment to being an engaged corporate partner in Indiana and supporting the communities where its employees live and work. The grand opening of the Lebanon facility marks another milestone in SHEIN's continued investment in Indiana and its partnership with communities across the state.

Photos and video from today's grand opening can be found here.

About SHEIN

SHEIN is a global online fashion and lifestyle retailer, offering SHEIN-branded apparel and products from a global network of vendors, all at affordable prices, to customers around the world. SHEIN remains committed to making fashion accessible to all, promoting our industry-leading, on-demand production methodology for a smarter, future-ready industry. To learn more about SHEIN, visit SHEIN Group.

Contact: Max Poteat (SHEIN), [email protected].

SOURCE SHEIN

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Bonipak Produce, a fourth-generation grower, packer, and shipper, chooses OneTrack AiOn to deploy agentic AI across the company, giving employees at every level new ways to solve business challenges, advance their careers, and help set Bonipak's path for the future. Bonipak evaluated the platform by testing the agentic technology on real operational data in a sandbox and was able to identify and act on opportunities within hours of the first conversation.

SANTA MARIA, Calif., Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Bonipak Produce, a fourth-generation grower, packer, and shipper founded in 1932, is supercharging its new analytics team with OneTrack's AiOn, the agentic AI operating system for physical operations. AiOn supports Bonipak's farming, cooling, and transportation operations by consolidating data across separate operating entities through a single autonomous agent. Connecting across standalone data sources, from ERP to fleet data, the AI agent helps leadership move quickly from question to answer to application and automation.

"For our production, harvesting, and processing plans to be exceptional, they must be dynamic. To us, OneTrack's agentic solutions will be an exciting next chapter in Bonipak's nearly hundred-year legacy of innovation as we continue to ensure our people have access to the best technology." - Scott Cruciger, CEO, Bonipak Produce

Why Bonipak chooses AiOn: One Platform Connected to Everything

The Bonipak Family of Companies employs a blend of proprietary and industry software, making the need for cross-system analysis essential. OneTrack AiOn provides a secure and governed surface that teams can use to turn data into action. As a result, the newly established analytics team can leverage the platform to build its own tools, gain deeper insights faster, and develop new skills as they solve challenges across the business. OneTrack's agentic platform is built with complex enterprise requirements in mind, with institutional-grade governance and permission guardrails at the core to protect critical data. Served from secure inference infrastructure, AiOn is built on large language models from Anthropic, OpenAI, and xAI. Purpose-built context infrastructure ensures the agent learns and adapts to each client's way of operating autonomously, whether with a bespoke calculation of productivity, data understanding, or corporate values.

Altogether, this helps businesses move faster, more precisely, and compress the distance from insight to action.

"Feeding data to any off-the-shelf model isn't hard. Trusting the model with your proprietary intelligence is. OneTrack AiOn was purpose-built with institutional-grade governance and security in mind, ensuring the right people have access to the right information to operate at scale." - Marc Gyöngyösi, CEO and Founder, OneTrack.AI

Delivering Value from Day One: Bonipak's Evaluation Speaks For Itself

- Gathering Business Insights and Opportunities. Agents help teams draw meaningful insights from complex or fragmented data sources, uncover opportunities and make more informed business decisions.

- Optimizing the Seed to Sale Chain. Agents support the development of interactive maps and dashboards that help teams visualize connections and identify opportunities across operations.

- Farming Operations Optimization. Across thousands of acres, agents help teams navigate complex farming information, identify patterns and make stronger decisions for future growing seasons.

What Comes Next for Bonipak

The first step was simple: ask a question, get an answer. The second is already here, a team building its own applications on top of the data, developing new skills and solving business challenges rather than waiting on a report. The third is where Bonipak is heading: hand the agent a goal instead of a task and let it determine what needs to be done - creating new opportunities for innovation and growth.

Key Facts

- Bonipak Produce, a fourth-generation grower, packer and shipper founded in 1932, is deploying OneTrack's AiOn across the company

- Deployment reaches employees at every level, giving them new ways to solve business challenges and advance their careers

- The Bonipak Family of Companies runs a blend of proprietary and industry software, making cross-system analysis essential

- Bonipak evaluated the platform on real operational data in a sandbox and acted on opportunities within hours of the first conversation

- A newly established analytics team builds its own tools on the platform

- Focus areas: business insights and opportunity identification, seed-to-sale chain optimization, farming operations optimization across thousands of acres

- AiOn runs on large language models from Anthropic, OpenAI and xAI, served from secure inference infrastructure, with institutional-grade governance and permission guardrails

About Bonipak Produce

Founded in 1932 and family-owned for four generations, Bonipak Produce is a vertically integrated grower, packer, and shipper based in Santa Maria, California. A trusted name in the fresh produce industry, Bonipak specializes in growing and delivering high-quality vegetables while maintaining a commitment to excellence throughout every stage of its operations. Learn more at bonipak.com

About OneTrack.AI

OneTrack is the agentic AI operating system for the physical world: software written by agents, used by humans, and trusted at scale. Its sensors capture ground truth on the warehouse floor, and AI agents connect the system data, so teams can build, ask, and automate in plain language, securely and at scale. Learn more at onetrack.ai

SOURCE OneTrack.AI

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Standard Motor Products Named One of America's Most Trustworthy Companies

NEW YORK, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard Motor Products, Inc. (NYSE: SMP) has been named one of Newsweek's Most Trustworthy Companies in America, a recognition that highlights the company's commitment to earning the confidence of its customers, employees, and investors. The annual ranking, developed in partnership with global research firm Statista, identifies organizations that demonstrate exceptional levels of trust and credibility among key stakeholder groups. SMP is proud to be one of the organizations recognized in the Automotive & Components category and stands out as one of the few vehicle parts suppliers to be named.

The award is based on a comprehensive evaluation process that combines large-scale independent surveys along with a detailed analysis of a company's public reputation. Thousands of respondents assess companies on factors such as customer trust, employee trust, and investor trust, while social listening and media sentiment analyses help measure broader perceptions of corporate integrity, reliability, and responsible business practices. A complete list of the organizations recognized can be found here Newsweek.Rankings.

"We are honored to be recognized by Newsweek as one of America's Most Trustworthy Companies," said Eric Sills, Chairman and CEO of SMP. "Trust is earned through consistent actions, lasting relationships, and a long-term commitment to our customers. This recognition is a direct reflection of the entire SMP organization and the culture we have built."

About SMP

With over 100 years in business, Standard Motor Products, Inc. is a leading independent manufacturer and distributor of premium replacement parts in the automotive aftermarket and a custom-engineered solutions provider to vehicle and equipment manufacturers in diverse non-aftermarket end markets. SMP sells its products primarily to retailers, warehouse distributors, original equipment manufacturers and original equipment service part operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Mexico and other Latin America countries. For more information, visit SMPcorp.com.

SOURCE Standard Motor Products, Inc.

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