TOKYO, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- bitBiome, Inc. (Headquarters: Tokyo; Representative Director and CEO: Yuji Suzuki) is pleased to announce the achievement of target milestones stipulated in the joint development contract with Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Shigeo Nakamura), which was previously announced on December 21, 2023. In recognition of this milestone, bitBiome has received the associated success fee.

In this project, bitBiome utilized its proprietary microbial database, "bit-GEM," and its biomanufacturing development platform, "bit-EVO", to discover novel enzymes. Following detailed analysis by Ajinomoto Co., Inc., it was confirmed that the newly discovered enzymes met target requirements set forth by Ajinomoto Co., Inc.

Comment from the Project Lead at Ajinomoto Co., Inc.:

"Leveraging bitBiome's extensive microbial database and advanced discovery platform, we were able to identify promising enzyme candidates at a pace that exceeded our expectations. This achievement highlights the value of open innovation, and we look forward to further accelerating research and development through continued collaboration while creating new value together."

Comment from Yuji Suzuki, Representative Director and CEO of bitBiome, Inc.: 

"This project powerfully demonstrates the potential of microbial genomic assets and the strategic advantage of our 'treasure island' database. Our success in identifying enzymes directly from this resource showcases the unparalleled diversity of our microbial collection, providing a unique dataset that is unavailable in the public realm."

The enzymes discovered through this project will undergo further evaluation by Ajinomoto Co., Inc. as they consider future social implementation. bitBiome remains committed to contributing to the realization of sustainable biomanufacturing by providing innovative bio-solutions based on microbial data.

About bitBiome:

bitBiome is a biotechnology company unlocking the full potential of our planet's microbes to power the future of the bioeconomy. bitBiome's platform is built on their proprietary single-cell microbial genome analysis technology, bit-MAP ®, which has enabled the creation of bit-GEM: an extensive and groundbreakingly diverse and growing microbial database of over 4 billion sequences, sourced primarily from environmental samples and predominantly containing sequences not present in public databases. Leveraging their expertise in bioinformatics, machine learning and unique use of AI technologies, the company practices a comprehensive enzyme discovery and enzyme, pathway and diversified strain engineering platform, bit-EVO, to rapidly develop and manufacture bio-based products. bitBiome is committed to improving existing biomanufacturing industries and creating new ones by delivering unique nature-inspired bio-based products that cannot be enabled elsewhere.

To learn more about bitBiome's platform and services, visit www.bitbiome.bio.

Contact: [email protected]

Additional links:

https://bitbiome.bio/news/bitbiome-and-ajinomoto-co-inc-sign-joint-research-agreement-on-novelenzyme-discovery/

SOURCE bitBiome

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Award recognizes the Company's local watershed funds, started in Michigan and since expanded to California and Texas, which support conserving, enhancing, and restoring watersheds in local communities

TAMPA, Fla. and STAMFORD, Conn., Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Primo Brands Corporation (NYSE: PRMB) ("Primo Brands" or the "Company"), a leading North American branded beverage company focused on healthy hydration, today announced that it has received the International Bottled Water Association's (IBWA) 2026 Environmental Stewardship Award. The award, presented during IBWA's annual conference at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., recognizes member companies for creating and carrying out sustainable environmental projects and conservation measures.

"Every one of our regional spring water brands comes from specific spring sources, and the health of the sources matters not just today, but to the local community for generations to come," said Charles Fogg, Chief Sustainability Officer of Primo Brands, who accepted the award alongside Senior Natural Resource Manager Greg Fox. "This recognition belongs to the teams of hydrogeologists, biologists, and experts who work on the ground with our local partners to help protect the natural resources and our communities every day. We're grateful to IBWA for recognizing it."

Primo Brands received the award for its Ice Mountain® Environmental Stewardship Fund, which for 23 years has partnered with local organizations in Michigan's Muskegon River Watershed on projects that benefit area residents and natural resources. Its most recent round of grants, $78,100 across six local organizations and administered by the Fremont Area Community Foundation, includes the Muskegon River Watershed Assembly's work to add buffer zones and expand tree canopy along the Clam River, and TrueNorth Community Services' restoration of wetland habitat and the Camp Newaygo Wetland Trail after a 2024 brushfire.

In March 2026, Primo Brands extended that successful model to two more of its regional spring water brands, launching Environmental Stewardship Funds for Arrowhead® Mountain Spring Water in Southern California's Santa Ana River watershed and Ozarka® Texas Spring Water in the San Jacinto Watershed in the Houston region. Each new fund launched with $250,000 in initial funding as part of a four-year, $1 million commitment, and is administered by a local partner, the Inland Empire Community Foundation and the Greater Houston Community Foundation, respectively. Together, the two watersheds span more than 8,000 square miles and serve more than 12 million residents, with grants supporting work that ranges from habitat restoration and wildfire fuel reduction to groundwater resilience and flood risk management.

"A spring is only as healthy as the land and water around it," said Greg Fox, Senior Natural Resource Manager at Primo Brands. "The Ice Mountain fund showed how we can deliver real impact when local groups lead and we back them. Watching that same approach take hold in California and Texas this year has been incredibly inspiring."

The funds are one piece of Primo Brands' comprehensive approach to water stewardship across more than 80 springs, including the conservation of more than 28,000 acres of recharge land. In 2025, the Company replenished 400 million gallons of water locally, and it has set a goal of 100% water replenishment in high water-stress areas by 2035. Additional details are available in the Company's 2025 Sustainability Report.

The award follows IBWA's 2022 Environmental Stewardship Award to Primo Water Corporation, one of the two companies that combined to form Primo Brands.

About Primo Brands Corporation

Primo Brands is a leading North American branded beverage company focused on healthy hydration, delivering responsibly sourced diversified offerings across products, formats, channels, price points, and consumer occasions, distributed in every U.S. state and Canada.

Primo Brands has a comprehensive portfolio of highly recognizable and conveniently packaged branded water and beverages that reach consumers whenever, wherever, and however they hydrate through distribution across retail outlets, away from home such as hotels and hospitals, and food service accounts, as well as direct delivery to homes and businesses. These brands include established "billion-dollar brands" Poland Spring® and Pure Life®, premium brands like Saratoga® and The Mountain Valley®, regional leaders such as Arrowhead®, Deer Park®, Ice Mountain®, Ozarka®, and Zephyrhills®, purified water brands including Primo Water® and Sparkletts®, and flavored and enhanced brands like Splash Refresher® and AC+ION®. Primo Brands also has an industry-leading line-up of innovative water dispensers, which create consumer connectivity through recurring water purchases.

Primo Brands operates a vertically integrated coast-to-coast network that distributes its brands to more than 200,000 retail outlets, as well as directly reaching consumers through its Direct Delivery, Exchange and Refill offerings. Through Direct Delivery, Primo Brands delivers responsibly sourced hydration solutions direct to home and business customers. Through its Exchange business, consumers can visit approximately 26,500 retail locations and purchase a pre-filled, multi-serve bottle of water that can be exchanged after use for a discount on the next purchase. Through its Refill business, consumers have the option to refill empty multi-use bottles at approximately 23,500 self-service refill stations. Primo Brands also offers water filtration units for home and business customers across North America. For more information, please visit www.primobrands.com.

SOURCE DS Services of America, Inc. dba Primo Water North America

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COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of 97 cents per share on the company's common stock, an increase of 2 cents per share.

The dividend is payable Dec. 10, 2026, to shareholders of record as of Nov. 10, 2026.

About AEP

American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) is committed to improving our customers' lives with reliable, affordable power. We plan to invest $78 billion from 2026 through 2030 to enhance service for customers and support the growing energy needs of our communities. Our nearly 18,000 employees operate and maintain the nation's largest electric transmission system with 40,000 line miles, along with more than 252,000 miles of distribution lines to deliver energy to 5.6 million customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation's largest electricity producers with approximately 33,000 megawatts of diverse owned and contracted generating capacity. We are focused on safety and operational excellence, creating value for our stakeholders and bringing opportunity to our service territory through economic development and community engagement. Our family of companies includes AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Ohio Power Company, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. AEP is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, visit aep.com.

Website Disclosure

AEP may use its website as a distribution channel for material company information. Financial and other important information regarding AEP is routinely posted on and accessible through AEP's website at https://www.aep.com/investors/. In addition, you may automatically receive email alerts and other information about AEP when you enroll your email address by visiting the "Email Alerts" section at https://www.aep.com/investors/.

SOURCE American Electric Power

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The new partnership expands LAZ's charging network to 25,000 ports across North America and lays the groundwork for a broader relationship focused on sustainable local transportation.

HARTFORD, Conn. and BOSTON, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LAZ Parking ("LAZ") and EverCharge, a wholly-owned subsidiary of indiGOtech (tradename: GO), today announced a joint venture to accelerate the deployment of sustainable EV charging for residents of apartments and condos, with LAZ Multifamily EV Charging Powered by EverCharge SmartPower™ as its first offering. The venture combines LAZ's extensive parking and real-estate footprint with EverCharge's SmartPower management technology while establishing a foundation for a broader strategic relationship between LAZ and GO around the future of sustainable local transportation. EverCharge's proven SmartPower™ technology lets chargers share a building's available power, allowing up to 5X more ports to be used with the same source power, so more residents can charge without a major electrical upgrade.

The partnership brings together significant physical infrastructure and proven EV charging technology. LAZ operates approximately 2.1 million parking spaces across 5,700 locations in 639 cities, providing a substantial presence in the United States and Canada. EverCharge brings more than a decade of EV charging experience, with patented charging technologies, and operates more than 10,000 installed charging ports across 1,000-plus multi-unit residential sites serving more than 50,000 registered drivers.

Multifamily EV Charging, now available across LAZ's nationwide footprint, will initially focus on solving the fundamental problem for residents in apartments and condos, also known as multi-unit dwellings (MUD). Unlike single-family homeowners who can often install dedicated chargers, residents of multi-unit properties rely on shared electrical and parking infrastructure, where electrical capacity, installation complexity, and utility upgrade costs can make large-scale charging difficult.

EverCharge's patented SmartPower™ dynamic load-management technology addresses this challenge by intelligently allocating available electrical capacity across multiple charging vehicles, enabling up to 5X more ports to be used with the same source power. This lets property owners expand charging capacity within existing grid constraints, reduce expensive infrastructure upgrades, while satisfying many more tenants. EverCharge's EVO3 Level 2 chargers are best-in-class for reliability, with an industry-leading 55 Degree Celsius temperature rating that no other competitor has to date. Combined with LAZ's parking-management capabilities and relationships with property owners and operators, Multifamily EV Charging is designed to provide a scalable, turnkey solution for residents' EV charging and to help more people make the switch to electric.

Multifamily is the starting point. The strategic relationship also creates opportunities beyond the initial MUD market. GO is developing an integrated sustainable local transportation ecosystem built around three interconnected layers: energy, vehicles, and intelligent orchestration. GO's EverCharge provides the intelligent energy infrastructure, GO's patented SmartWheels™ enable roomier, smoother electric and autonomous vehicles, and GO Loop operates intelligent transport with vehicles and charging infrastructure to bridge drivers, riders and transportation demand for communities.

"LAZ has always been about more than parking. We connect people with the places they're going, and the future is charging right where people park," said Alan Lazowski, Chairman and CEO of LAZ. "Our joint venture with GO expands our charging network to 25,000 ports across North America, and we're just getting started. Our broader relationship with GO also gives the opportunity to explore how the places we operate can grow alongside electric and autonomous vehicles."

"Multi-unit dwelling (MUD) charging represents one of the largest infrastructure opportunities in the transition to electric transportation," said John Lin, CEO of EverCharge. "We're the leader in deploying intelligent charging for this market, and we're excited to work with LAZ to bring our platform to substantially more properties and drivers."

"We're rethinking the infrastructure that powers local transportation," said Will Graylin, Chairman of GO. "Our vision for this relationship with LAZ is to show how real estate, energy, vehicles and intelligent orchestration can converge to create a more sustainable and efficient transport ecosystem for urban communities."

As transportation becomes increasingly electric, connected, and software-managed, GO and LAZ will start with MUD customers' needs and explore the right charging and battery-swap infrastructure for commercial fleets, ride-hail, and delivery services.

About LAZ

LAZ is the largest privately owned, technology-enabled parking and transportation company in North America, connecting people, partners and communities to what's possible. Founded in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1981, LAZ manages the places where people, vehicles and goods converge across commercial, residential, institutional and municipal properties. More than 23,000 team members operate approximately 2.1 million parking spaces at 5,700 locations in 44 states, eight provinces and 639 cities across the United States and Canada, supported by pioneering digital technology that helps every space work harder for the owners who trust LAZ.

About indiGOtech (GO)

indiGOtech (GO for short), builds and operates a unified mobility ecosystem for sustainable local transportation connecting energy, vehicles and intelligent orchestration. The GO ecosystem includes patented SmartPower™ charging infrastructure, patented SmartWheels™ vehicle technology, purpose-built electric and autonomous vehicles and GO Loop mobility and fleet-management solutions. GO's vision is to unify every aspect of electric and autonomous urban mobility, to significantly improve the economics, efficiency and sustainability of local ride-hail, delivery and urban transportation.

About EverCharge

EverCharge is a nationwide provider of intelligent EV charging hardware, software and energy-management solutions and a leader in multi-unit dwelling and fleet charging infrastructure. Founded in 2013, EverCharge's patented SmartPower™ technology dynamically manages available electrical capacity, enabling multi-family and commercial properties to deploy greater EV charging capacity within existing electrical constraints. EverCharge operates more than 1,000 MUD sites with 10,000+ installed charging ports serving more than 50,000 registered drivers. EverCharge is a wholly owned subsidiary of indiGOtech (GO).

SOURCE LAZ Parking

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CATL Unveils Dual-Electric Range Extension Battery to Accelerate Electric Heavy-Duty Truck Adoption

BEIJING, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CATL today unveiled the innovative dual-electric range extension battery and the latest generation of heavy-duty battery-swapping solution to accelerate the electrification of road freight transportation.

Competition in electric heavy-duty trucking is moving beyond technical specifications toward full-lifecycle value. While battery swapping has made energy replenishment faster and more predictable, concerns about battery utilization, operating costs and residual vehicle value continue to affect fleet economics.

To address these challenges, CATL combines its dual-electric range extension battery with QIJI's strategy of standardization, new infrastructure and a full commercial ecosystem, bringing battery swapping and industry-wide collaboration together to accelerate heavy-duty truck electrification.

A Dual-Electric Approach to Range Extension

CATL's dual-electric range extension battery combines two independent yet complementary battery systems.

The main battery uses QIJI's standardized chassis-mounted swappable battery to maximize efficiency. A behind-the-cab range-extension power system, currently equipped with a 77kWh battery capable of 3C charging, provides backup power. Together, the systems maintain uninterrupted power delivery and provide redundancy for demanding operating conditions.

- Dual-System Power Redundancy

In conventional battery-swapping trucks, drivers often return for a swap with unused capacity because they are reluctant to run the battery low. Backup power from the range-extension battery increases the main battery's depth of discharge (DOD) from approximately 70% to over 95%, allowing it to be returned at less than 5% state of charge (SOC). At this threshold, CATL's seamless switching technology transfers power delivery to the range-extension battery within milliseconds, maintaining a continuous and stable power supply.

- "1+X" Architecture and Independent Upgrades

The system uses a "1+X" architecture. One standardized main battery maintains compatibility with the QIJI battery-swapping network, while the range-extension battery can be customized for specific conditions with options including ultra-high energy density, low-temperature resistance for cold climates, or ultra-high power.

The two battery systems can be developed and upgraded independently to meet their respective technical and operational requirements.

- Flexible Leasing and Battery Asset Management

The independently owned on-board range-extension battery stays with the vehicle as an asset throughout its service life, reducing reliance on immediate access to a swapping station. The main battery can be leased according to seasonal freight demand, helping fleets reduce rental costs during quieter periods and manage battery assets more flexibly.

This architecture combines the benefits of standardization with flexible vehicle configurations, making electric heavy-duty trucks more practical and economically viable across a wider range of applications.

QIJI Builds a Shared Battery Swapping Ecosystem

QIJI complements these improvements with a three-pillar strategy of standardization, new infrastructure and a full commercial ecosystem. It seeks to speed heavy-duty truck electrification with a value-chain ecosystem co-created by all stakeholders, where benefits are shared collectively.

- Standardization Supports Wider Adoption

To accommodate a wider range of truck models and operating conditions, QIJI has introduced the 260# (432 kWh) and 300# (513 kWh) standardized battery-swapping blocks alongside the existing 75# block.

The system enables battery swaps in just five minutes, with a 99.99% first-time success rate, helping fleets minimize downtime and maintain operational efficiency.

QIJI has also pioneered a battery-as-a-service (BaaS) model in which customers pay for the net energy charged rather than the energy discharged. This allows customers to retain the value of energy recovered through regenerative braking, reducing per-kWh battery rental costs for users on basic plans by up to 20%. Flexible battery leasing options allow customers to tailor rental periods to their needs, from second-hand vehicle transitions to seasonal demand. This will minimize idle costs and offer more flexible options for off-season downtime, further helping fleets manage operating costs.

- New Infrastructure Improves Resource Efficiency

QIJI aims to make better use of four critical resources in long-haul freight: time, land, payload capacity and grid electricity. Rapid battery swapping reduces waiting times, while efficient station layouts serve more vehicles within the same footprint. Battery capacity is matched to transport needs, and centralized, coordinated charging makes better use of grid electricity. These measures aim to improve both resource efficiency and operational returns.

CATL plans to deploy 900 battery-swapping stations by the end of 2026 and 2,000 by 2027, with a long-term target of 10,000 stations nationwide in collaboration with its partners.

By connecting major freight corridors through a coordinated swapping network, QIJI aims to improve the efficiency and commercial viability of electric heavy-duty trucking.

- A Commercial Ecosystem Supports the Full Vehicle Lifecycle

QIJI connects truck manufacturers, financial institutions, insurers, channel partners and aftermarket service providers across the vehicle lifecycle, from purchase and operation to maintenance and resale, working together to build a comprehensive ecosystem of integrated products and services.

QIJI has introduced two partnership models: Battery Asset Service Partners and Energy Replenishment Service Partners. These models allow partners to participate in battery asset services and energy replenishment, extending their role beyond one-off vehicle sales to ongoing operations.

Through this integrated ecosystem, QIJI aims to turn the costs of the low-carbon transition into new growth opportunities, enabling stakeholders across the value chain to share the benefits of the new-energy era.

"The combination of the dual-electric range extension battery and QIJI battery swapping offers the best solution for electrifying heavy-duty trucks," said Jesse Yang, CEO of QIJI Energy.

New Batteries and Industry Partnerships

The initiative has also gained commercial traction, with agreements signed for 13,000 units at the event.

Aside from the dual-electric solution, CATL also introduced a new lineup of heavy-duty truck batteries tailored to different vehicle configurations and operating requirements at the event. The lineup includes rear-mounted ultra-light and ultra-thin batteries for weight- and space-sensitive applications, as well as chassis-mounted solutions for short-haul and long-haul operations.

SOURCE CATL

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The parties intend to design hydrogen power into the Hendry County development's master plan before horizontal construction begins and to scale it with each phase of the build-out

DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- VIVIFY Technology, a Florida-based hydrogen energy company, today announced it has signed a letter of intent with ELISIUM, LLC, the master developer of ELISIUM, a planned cognitive city in Hendry County, Florida. Under the letter of intent, ELISIUM has selected VIVIFY as the primary hydrogen energy infrastructure provider for the development, subject to the negotiation and execution of definitive agreements.

Most large developments plan the buildings first and ask the grid for power later. ELISIUM intends to reverse that order. Under the letter of intent, VIVIFY is expected to take part in the development's master planning from the outset, identifying generation sites, distribution corridors, equipment footprints, and water supply requirements before horizontal construction begins.

Subject to definitive agreements, permitting, and regulatory requirements, VIVIFY intends to design, deploy, and commission hydrogen energy infrastructure within ELISIUM, beginning with first-phase capacity that may include construction power and initial civic and commercial facilities. Capacity is intended to scale by adding modules as each phase comes online. Deployments may be configured behind the meter, as an islanded microgrid, or in coordination with the local electric utility, depending on site conditions and applicable law. VIVIFY also intends to provide ongoing operations and maintenance support and to work with ELISIUM on an energy infrastructure roadmap matched to the development's phasing schedule.

The collaboration is expected to draw on the full VIVIFY Arsenal. The Hydrogen Oxygen Generator™ (HOG™) is VIVIFY's flagship hydrogen energy platform. The Flying Pig™ is its containerized configuration, engineered for modular deployment and designed to scale one container at a time. The two companies also intend to evaluate VIVIFY's Clean Air Technology™ emissions control system for any solid-waste processing or waste-to-energy facility within the development.

"A city designed to think cannot wait on a grid that was designed for the last century. ELISIUM made a decision most developers never get the chance to make: put the power in the plan before the first road is poured. That is exactly where hydrogen belongs," said Jason Herring, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of VIVIFY Technology. "We are engineering our platforms to scale with demand. ELISIUM plans to grow phase by phase, and our goal is for the power to grow with it."

ELISIUM, LLC has stated that it currently anticipates groundbreaking within approximately 18 to 24 months, with first energy infrastructure requirements expected about six months after groundbreaking. The development remains subject to zoning, entitlement approvals, and to financing.

The parties intend that any arrangement under the collaboration be structured to comply with applicable Florida law and regulation, including regulation by the Florida Public Service Commission. The letter of intent is non-binding with respect to the collaboration, and the parties intend to negotiate definitive agreements governing its terms. The letter of intent does not establish pricing, capacity, or exclusivity, does not commit either party to purchase or deploy equipment, and may be terminated by either party.

About VIVIFY Technology

VIVIFY Technology is a hydrogen energy company headquartered in South Florida. The company designs and develops hydrogen-based energy platforms, including its flagship Hydrogen Oxygen Generator™ (HOG™), the Clean Air Technology™ emissions control system, and the Flying Pig™ containerized power unit, which are being engineered to deliver dedicated power for demanding infrastructure environments. Learn more at vivify-technology.com.

About ELISIUM

ELISIUM is a planned cognitive city in Hendry County, South Florida, designed to integrate artificial intelligence, automation, and advanced data systems into its core infrastructure. According to ELISIUM, LLC, the master-planned development is expected to include approximately 4,500 homes for about 11,000 residents across 14 districts, along with luxury hospitality, motorsports facilities, a private airport, wellness and longevity programs, and significant commercial space. ELISIUM is being developed by ELISIUM, LLC. Learn more at elisium.city.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements regarding VIVIFY Technology's products, platforms, intended performance, and the proposed collaboration with ELISIUM, LLC, including anticipated timelines for the ELISIUM development. The letter of intent is non-binding with respect to the collaboration, and there can be no assurance that definitive agreements will be executed or that the collaboration will proceed on the terms described or at all. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent uncertainty and reflect the company's current expectations. Actual results may differ materially as a result of factors including the technical validation and performance of VIVIFY's platforms, which remain under development; regulatory, permitting, and utility requirements; zoning, entitlement, and financing of the ELISIUM development; and the negotiation of definitive agreements. Statements about the ELISIUM development are based on information provided by ELISIUM, LLC and have not been independently verified by VIVIFY. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement except as required by law. This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security.

Media Contact

Ashley Stevenson, Chief Marketing Officer

VIVIFY Technology

[email protected]

888.277.8370

vivify-technology.com

SOURCE VIVIFY

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Bryan Cranston Leads One-Night-Only Live "A Christmas Carol" With Jean Smart, Noah Wyle and an All-Star Cast Benefiting The Ed Asner Family Center

The Holiday Event Plays to Just 75 Guests at the Garry Marshall Theatre and Streams Live Worldwide on December 17

Special 24-Hour $20 Streaming Ticket Presale Begins October 24 at 12:00 P.M. PT

BURBANK, Calif., Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Bryan Cranston will take on one of literature's most iconic roles, Ebenezer Scrooge, in a one-night-only live staged reading of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, benefiting The Ed Asner Family Center (TEAFC) on Thursday, December 17, 2026, at the Garry Marshall Theatre in Burbank at 7:00 PM PST.

Cranston will lead an all-star company featuring Jean Smart (Ghost of Christmas Past), Noah Wyle (Fred), Connor Tomlinson (Bob Cratchit), Tom Bergeron (host), Clancy Brown, Dorian Harewood, Samantha Sloyan, Tal Anderson, Chelsea Darnell, and Spencer Harte. The evening will also honor Vicki Dummer, Head of Current Programming at Warner Bros. Discovery, for her commitment to inclusive storytelling, community, and the neurodivergent community. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.teafc.org.

The intimate performance will take place before an audience of just 75 guests and will also stream live worldwide exclusively through Broadway Unlocked, giving audiences everywhere the opportunity to experience the performance in real time. Directed by Victor Nelli, the production will be presented in an intimate radio-play style with live music and a live Foley artist, bringing Dickens' classic holiday story to life in a unique theatrical setting.

"We've spent six years bringing some extraordinary artists together during the holidays in support of the Center, and this year feels like the beginning of something very special," said Matthew Asner, Co-Founder and President of The Ed Asner Family Center. "Having Bryan Cranston, Jean Smart, Noah Wyle, Tom Bergeron and this incredible company performing A Christmas Carol together in a 75-seat theater is pretty magical. And because only 75 people can be in that room, I love that people anywhere in the world can join us live. Most importantly, every ticket helps us continue the work my father cared so deeply about—supporting neurodivergent individuals and their families."

"This production is more than a holiday tradition; it's a gathering of community, love and acceptance," said Navah Paskowitz-Asner, Co-Founder of The Ed Asner Family Center. "The Center is a place where neurodivergent people are fully embraced and given the tools to thrive through the arts, mental health services, and meaningful connection. Having this incredible company of artists join us to celebrate family and generosity means the world to our community."

All proceeds from the evening benefit The Ed Asner Family Center, supporting its work providing arts and enrichment programs, mental health services, social connection, adult day programming and employment pathways for neurodivergent individuals and their families.

WATCH LIVE FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

A Christmas Carol will stream live on December 17, 2026 at 7PM PST, exclusively on Broadway Unlocked.

24-HOUR STREAMING PRESALE: $20

Begins: October 24 at 12:00 p.m. PT

Ends: October 25 at 12:00 p.m. PT

STREAMING TICKETS (Post Pre-Sale): $25

TO PURCHASE TICKETS: teafc.org

AN EXTRAORDINARILY INTIMATE LIVE HOLLYWOOD HOLIDAY EVENT

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol — Live Staged Reading includes the performance, a festive pre- and post-show holiday reception with food, wine, and seasonal cocktails, and a specially curated A Christmas Carol-themed VIP gift bag.

DATE: Thursday, December 17, 2026

VENUE: Garry Marshall Theatre, Burbank, California

IN-PERSON TICKETS: $500 — Limited to 75 guests

IN-PERSON TICKETS: teafc.org

ABOUT THE ED ASNER FAMILY CENTER

The Ed Asner Family Center (TEAFC) was co-founded by Navah Paskowitz-Asner and Matthew Asner, inspired by their own children and their family's personal experience with neurodiversity. TEAFC is dedicated to enriching the lives of neurodivergent individuals and their families by providing comprehensive mental health services, arts and enrichment programs, social connection, adult day programming, and meaningful pathways to employment.

At the heart of TEAFC is a commitment to building a community where neurodivergent individuals are accepted, supported, and given opportunities to thrive. The Center proudly employs Autistic self-advocates as educators, counselors, and program staff, ensuring that neurodivergent voices and lived experience are an integral part of its work. For a closer look at our programs and community, visit TEAFC.org. Follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

EVENT AND SPONSORSHIP CONTACT:

Matt Asner • The Ed Asner Family Center

[email protected] • (818) 302-0712

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Cheri Warner • Andy Aguinada • Weissman/Markovitz Communications

[email protected] • 818.390--0999

SOURCE The Ed Asner Family Center (TEAFC)

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Oak Research Finds More Than Half of Security Leaders Can't Fully See Who, or What, Has Access to Their Systems

Visibility gaps, unreachable applications and ungoverned non-human identities persist despite heavy identity investment as AI agents raise the stakes

TEL AVIV, Israel and SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Oak, the AI-native Identity Operating System governing every human, machine, and AI agent identity, today released The Voice of 200 CISOs, an original report based on 201 in-depth interviews with CISOs, IAM leaders and security practitioners. Conducted between January and September 2026, Oak researchers found that organizations have invested more in identity than ever yet still struggle to build a complete picture of every human, machine and AI agent identity in their environments and what they can access.

Investment in the identity landscape has continued to soar, with identity and access management spending forecasted to increase from $18.7 billion in 2024 to $29 billion in 2029. Gartner predicts that by 2028, the average global Fortune 500 enterprise will have more than 150,000 AI agents in use, up from fewer than 15 in 2025, while only 13% of organizations think they have the right AI agent governance in place. The research found that many identity programs are already struggling to manage the surge in non-human identities. Incomplete visibility into identities and access was the most common problem, raised in 51% of security leaders.

"Identity security has long been the hardest problem in enterprise security, and these conversations explain why," said Shai Morag, CEO and Co-Founder of Oak. "What surprised us is that company size didn't predict who had it under control. Companies with mature identity programs and teams with a single person on identity were stuck in the same place. The legacy identity model wasn't built to work as one system, and the proliferation of AI agents amid increasingly complex infrastructure is now exposing its flaws faster than security teams can manage alone."

Key research findings from respondents include:

- Visibility is a key problem: 51% said incomplete visibility of organizational identities is a problem, and 38% flagged applications their identity program doesn't reach. Participants described single employees holding several disconnected accounts and application roles that cannot be explained.

- Machine and agent identities deepen the blind spot: 37% mentioned governance gaps around non-human identities such as service accounts, credentials, workloads and agents. Of those, 67% also raised visibility problems, 48% raised appropriate-access problems and 36% raised lifecycle problems. Service accounts and API keys are often created with no owner or end date. One practitioner found about 12,000 service accounts "before we had a single AI agent."

- Identity tools create their own workload: 34% pointed to recurring manual work as an issue in identity programs and 29% mentioned the cost of operating and changing identity tools.

- Fixing risky access depends on other teams and systems: 26% of participants reported an access-review burden and 23% mentioned lifecycle gaps, highlighting a consistent gap between identifying inappropriate access and removing it, since remediation usually requires a change in another system made by another team.

- Excess access remains because removing it feels riskier: 32% of interviews had difficulty defining and maintaining appropriate access, and 20% raised concerns about trusting automated access changes.

The report outlines two ways forward. Security teams can take on one high-value gap their current governance tools leave open, measure the result in access removed and hours saved, then expand from there. Where each expansion means another rebuild or custom integration, the findings point to a broader shift to an operating model that governs people, machines and agents as one connected system. Several of the security leaders interviewed already plan to unify access reviews, rethink their governance platforms and bring agents into scope next year.

The full report is available here.

About Oak

Oak is the AI-native Identity Operating System that rewires enterprise identity and access management. With an AI connector framework that reaches any application, whether on-prem, cloud, SaaS, or homegrown, it builds a live identity graph from raw evidence across every identity type, including the fast-growing population of non-human identities and AI agents. By mapping the access each identity holds against what it actually uses, Oak governs the full lifecycle of every identity with AI-built real-time risk decisions and root-cause remediation. Oak was founded by Shai Morag and Tal Marom and backed by a $60 million seed round from Greylock, Accel, CRV, and Hetz Ventures. Learn more at oak.id.

Media Contact

Kate Schoenstadt

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+972 54 777 6684

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Strategic investment backs Leena AI's AI Colleague platform as enterprises move from AI assistants to autonomous AI agents for HR, IT and Finance operations

NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Leena AI, the enterprise agentic AI company, today announced a strategic investment from IBM Ventures, the venture capital arm of IBM (NYSE: IBM). The investment will support Leena AI's growth as enterprise demand rises for AI agents that run back-office processes end to end rather than simply answer questions.

Leena AI's AI Colleague platform deploys autonomous AI agents that resolve employee requests, execute multi-step workflows and act across the systems large enterprises already run in HR, IT and Finance, including SAP, Workday, Salesforce, Oracle and ServiceNow. Named a Leader in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for three consecutive years, Leena AI today automates more than 500 global enterprises.

"Enterprises are done experimenting with AI that talks. They want AI that does: agents that own a process, do the job and close the loop inside the systems they already own," said Adit Jain, Co-founder and CEO of Leena AI. "IBM has spent decades earning the trust of the world's largest organizations. Backing from IBM Ventures is a strong signal that agentic AI for the back office is ready for that scale, and we are proud to build toward it with IBM."

IBM Ventures invests in early- and growth-stage companies building the next generation of enterprise technology across AI, security and quantum computing, with a focus on companies whose capabilities complement IBM's portfolio and serve the needs of IBM's global enterprise clients.

"What stood out with Leena AI is its focus on the back office, where agentic AI meets real operational complexity across HR, IT and Finance," said Emily Fontaine, Global Head of IBM Ventures. "Leena AI's approach complements IBM's work in AI orchestration and governance, and we look forward to supporting the team as it scales."

The investment joins Leena AI's existing backers, including Greycroft and Bessemer Venture Partners.

About Leena AI

Leena AI is an enterprise agentic AI company headquartered in New York. Its AI Colleague platform deploys autonomous AI agents that automate business processes across HR, IT and Finance, integrating with the enterprise systems companies already run. Leena AI serves more than 500 enterprises globally. Learn more at leena.ai.

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Leena AI: Yacob Girma, VP, Strategy, [email protected]

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In the news release, Purlin Enterprises' Final Offer Technology Patented as a Revolutionary Way to Buy and Sell Property, issued 20-Oct-2026 by Purlin over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that changes have been made. The complete, corrected release follows, with additional details at the end:

Purlin Enterprises' Final Offer Technology Patented as a Revolutionary Way to Buy and Sell Property

Final Offer's patented process brings transparency to the heart of the home sale, the offer negotiation, by capturing what sellers value beyond just price, maximizing their outcome while giving buyers real-time visibility into the market.

BOSTON, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Final Offer, the consumer-facing offer negotiation marketplace, today announced that it has been granted U.S. Patent No. 12,718,284 for a process that makes the residential real estate market simpler, more efficient, and more transparent. The patented process captures what sellers actually value, assigns dollar values to the tradeoffs between competing offers, and matches that information to what buyers are prepared to offer, so buyers and sellers can find each other and reach agreement faster.

"Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest life decisions people make, and it happens in one of the least efficient markets there is. Our patented process gives buyers and sellers the information they need to find each other, and the confidence to act on it," said Giorgi Chigogidze, CEO of Purlin Enterprises.

The biggest purchase of your life, made in the dark

For most people, a home is the largest transaction they will ever make. Yet it is one of the few purchases still made with almost no visibility. In most other marketplaces, buyers and sellers can see prices, competing bids, and exactly what it takes to reach a deal. In real estate, seller signals to potential buyers are limited to only listing price while winning offers can compete on several additional term dimensions. Buyers don't know what they are competing against, or whether they could have won with a better total offer value. And neither side knows the price and terms that would actually get the deal done without rounds of back-and-forth.

The process connecting buyers and sellers compounds the problem. It is spread across disconnected systems, emails and phone calls, where information is filtered and delayed at every step. The result is a market where good matches and competition are missed, negotiations drag on, and both sides are left wondering whether they got the best outcome.

Capturing what sellers actually value

Price is only one of the things a seller cares about. One buyer may offer more money but need a long closing and a financing contingency. Another may offer less but pay cash, waive inspection and close in two weeks. In a traditional process, sellers weigh those tradeoffs on instinct only after offers are received, and buyers rarely know which terms would have made the difference.

Final Offer's patented process captures a seller's full set of preferences, including cash or cash-like offers, inspection and appraisal waivers, financing, closing timing and other terms, and the seller assigns each a dollar value. Every offer is then measured against those preferences as a single Total Offer Value, so a seller can see which offer is truly strongest, and a buyer can see exactly what it takes to compete.

The result shows up in the sale price: 56% of Final Offer transactions have sold above list price.

"We built Final Offer to bring transparency to the moment that matters most in a home sale, the offer negotiation. By putting a dollar value on what sellers care about beyond price, every offer can be compared on equal footing, and buyers know exactly what it takes to win," said Judd Hoffman, founder of Final Offer.

From match to deal, faster

Because the seller's price and preferences are stated up front, a deal doesn't have to wait on rounds of counteroffers. When a buyer meets the seller's price and preferences, Final Offer can execute the path to an accepted deal, subject to other bids and verification. That compresses a negotiation cycle that often takes days into a far shorter, clearer process, void of the emotional elements that often creep into the process . On Final Offer, listings go under contract with the best net result 12 days faster than they would traditionally.

Better for agents, on Final Offer and in Purlin B2B products

Today, agents spend significant time manually gathering offers, moving information between systems, and managing single-threaded rounds of back-and-forth with their clients. Running the negotiation through Final Offer brings offers, terms, and seller preferences together in one place, making the process easier to manage and typically shortening the time a property spends on the market. Agents spend less time coordinating paperwork and making phone calls, and more time advising their clients and getting deals to the closing table.

Agents see the difference in their own results. Among agents who have sold homes both through Final Offer and the traditional way, their Final Offer sales closed at 105.6% of list price, compared with 99.5%.

The same patented technology also underpins Purlin's B2B products.

A marketplace where buyers can actually engage

Final Offer gives buyers visibility beyond a single listing. Buyers can follow the homes and areas they care about, receive real-time alerts when offers are made, and see how competitive each market is before they act. Every buyer who participates adds to a clearer picture of demand, which in turn helps sellers set their price and terms with confidence. The more buyers and sellers participate, the more efficiently the market works for everyone in it.

That visibility also answers the questions buyers and sellers ask most often: Was my offer presented? Is there another offer? Did I leave money on the table? On Final Offer, offers are visible in real time, the terms that matter to the seller are stated openly, and every participant can see where the market stands. There is no black box.

Competition doesn't slow the deal down either. The median time to contract falls from 10 days to about 5 as offers increase.

Individual listings show the same pattern:

- A home in Bethesda, Maryland, listed at $650,000 sold for $850,000 after drawing 37 offers, and went under contract in a week.

- A home in Ridgefield, Connecticut, listed at $985,000 sold for $1,325,000 after drawing 17 offers, and went under contract in five days.

"Final Offer benefits every side of the transaction. Sellers get control, buyers get verified, real-time information when it matters most, and agents get a way to stand out and deliver an elevated buying and selling experience consumers crave. Having a platform that verifies what they're hearing from me is a game changer," said Andrew Riguzzi, EVP at Compass.

The patent, U.S. Patent No. 12,718,284, can be viewed here.

About Final Offer

Final Offer is the only offer negotiation marketplace in real estate built on a patented Total Offer Value process. Founded in 2021, Final Offer empowers agents and consumers with real-time offer visibility and verified terms to improve the home selling and buying process. Its patented process captures what sellers value beyond price and turns seller preferences and buyer terms into a clear Total Offer Value, helping buyers, sellers, and agents reach better decisions faster. Final Offer is part of Purlin Enterprises, Inc., and its technology also powers offer management within Purlin's B2B products. Learn more at finaloffer.com.

Correction: An earlier version of this release had the incorrect link to the PDF patent. This link has been updated.

SOURCE Purlin

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