BOSTON, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Total Mortgage has announced a new partnership with the Boston Celtics, naming Total Mortgage the Official Mortgage Partner of the Boston Celtics. The partnership brings together two organizations with deep New England roots, a commitment to their communities, and a shared belief in continually raising the standard.

"As one of the few mortgage companies in the country proudly headquartered in New England, we are thrilled to align the Total Mortgage brand with the Boston Celtics, one of the most storied and successful franchises in all of sports," said Christopher Affinito, Total Mortgage, Chief Revenue Officer. "From the very first conversation with the Celtics, we recognized right away that our organizations shared the same common values in giving back to the local communities and markets we serve. This partnership marks a monumental moment for Total Mortgage, and we truly believe this move will play a vital role in our continued success and our growth here in New England."

Throughout the partnership, Total Mortgage and the Celtics will work together to create and implement the Home Assist campaign, a season-long campaign to highlight their commitment to, and support of, safe and affordable house. As part of the campaign, Total Mortgage will donate $18 for every Celtics assist during the 2026-2027 regular season in recognition of the franchise's 18 championships. The funds will support Habitat for Humanity of Greater Boston, Inc. and its initiatives focused on safe and affordable housing.

"Total Mortgage has built a strong presence across New England and at the same time has maintained a clear commitment to the communities it serves," said Ted Dalton, Chief Partnership Officer, Boston Celtics. "We see a real opportunity through this partnership to create meaningful programs for our fans and communities, including the Home Assist campaign, which will work towards supporting safe and affordable housing."

About Total Mortgage

Total Mortgage was founded in 1997 by former loan officer John Walsh. It started with three people and a simple idea: the mortgage industry could be better for the loan officers doing the work and for the borrowers trusting them with one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.

Nearly 30 years later, Total Mortgage has grown to more than 500 employees and is licensed across 46 states and Guam. Today, the company combines the resources of a national lender with the local knowledge and relationships it was built on.

Total Mortgage works with everyone from first-time homebuyers to experienced homeowners, offering conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo, state housing and specialized financing options. As the company continues to grow, the goal remains the same: give borrowers more options, help them understand those options and make the mortgage process feel personal.

Total Mortgage Services

Address: 185 Plains Road, Milford, CT 06461

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.totalmortgage.com/

SOURCE Total Mortgage

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National interview examines artificial stone silicosis, manufacturer claims, California's ban on high-silica artificial stone, and alternatives for consumers

NOVATO, Calif., Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- James Nevin, a partner at Brayton Purcell LLP, and countertop fabricator Jeff Rose recently joined James Mastromarino of WBUR's Here & Now, distributed nationally by National Public Radio (NPR), to discuss the artificial stone silicosis crisis and the dangers facing workers who fabricate artificial stone countertops.

The interview, which aired October 15, focused on Rose's experience living with artificial stone silicosis, manufacturers' claims that fabrication methods rather than artificial stone itself are responsible for worker illness, and Nevin's statement clarifying that the product is uniquely toxic.

"Everything changed when artificial stone came along and that's because it's uniquely toxic," Nevin told Here & Now.

Artificial stone, sometimes called "engineered stone" or "manufactured stone," is at least 90% respirable crystalline silica. The remaining approximately 10% consists of highly toxic dyes, resins, glues, and heavy metals. When artificial stone is cut, ground, or polished, fabrication creates nano-sized, high-surface-area respirable crystalline silica dust that is inhaled by the workers fabricating the artificial stone slabs. The dyes, resins, glues, and heavy metals also release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during fabrication.

Artificial stone silicosis is preventable, progressive, incurable, and fatal.

Jeff Rose Describes Living with Artificial Stone Silicosis

Rose has worked in countertop fabrication for more than 18 years. He told Here & Now that his illness began with a severe cough and significant difficulty breathing. Today, even ordinary physical activity can leave him struggling for breath.

"I can't really walk up to the top of the stairs and have a conversation with you," Rose said. "Just that little bit of stress on my lungs, I literally have to take a few minutes to catch my breath."

Rose also disclosed that his son, who runs the fabrication shop, is sick.

Manufacturers Say the Process Is the Problem

During the interview, Mastromarino noted that artificial stone manufacturers maintain their product is not the problem and instead attribute hazardous exposures to the way artificial stone is fabricated.

Rose, now a part-owner of the shop where he has worked for more than 18 years, said the shop uses completely wet machinery, masks, and other precautions.

Asked whether artificial stone could be fabricated safely under those conditions, Rose responded:

"We are doing everything to abide by all of the state regulations, and thus far, the answer is no. Every test is coming back above what it should be."

Nevin argues that the danger cannot be separated from artificial stone itself.

"Everywhere where artificial stone becomes popular, replaces natural stone, you see a massive epidemic in artificial stone silicosis, which is fatal," Nevin said.

California Moves Forward with Ban on High-Silica Artificial Stone

The NPR interview comes as California moves forward with its ban on the fabrication and installation of artificial stone containing more than 1% crystalline silica.

Nevin pointed during the interview to the pattern of disease following the increased use of artificial stone and to Australia's banning the fabrication and sale of artificial stone in response to the artificial stone silicosis crisis.

For Rose, the consequences are already personal. Both he and his son are sick.

Nevin Points Consumers to Recycled-Glass Alternatives

Mastromarino also asked Nevin what consumers should know when selecting countertops. Nevin encouraged consumers to consider recycled glass products instead of artificial stone containing high levels of crystalline silica.

"Make the choice to choose the recycled glass one instead of the crystalline silica one, because one is going to kill the worker and one isn't." Nevin said.

Nevin said during the interview that major manufacturers and suppliers, apart from Cambria, already make and sell recycled glass versions, which he described as comparable in appearance and cost.

Rose Warns More Workers Could Become Sick

The interview also addressed legislation in Congress that would shield makers of artificial stone from legal liability. The industry maintains that the problem is the fabrication process rather than its product.

Asked for his reaction, Rose said:

"I feel if any of those people would have worked their life in the industry and gotten sick this way, they would feel quite differently about it."

He followed with a direct warning:

"It needs to be taken care of immediately, or there's gonna be a whole lot more people getting sick."

Listen to the NPR Interview and Read the Transcript

The interview with Jeff Rose and James Nevin aired on WBUR's Here & Now on October 15, 2026.

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT

LISTEN TO THE HERE & NOW SEGMENT

About Brayton Purcell LLP

Brayton Purcell LLP is an accomplished law firm representing individuals and families affected by toxic exposures and occupational diseases, including workers diagnosed with artificial stone silicosis. The firm represents workers in artificial stone silicosis litigation involving manufacturers and suppliers of artificial stone products.

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with artificial stone silicosis or other silica-related disease after cutting, grinding, polishing, or otherwise fabricating artificial stone countertops, contact Brayton Purcell LLP to discuss your circumstances and potential legal options.

Media Contact

Nolan Lowry

Chief Marketing Officer

Brayton Purcell LLP

[email protected]

(415) 399-3107

braytonlaw.com

SOURCE Brayton Purcell LLP

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The article explains how supportive guidance, accountability, and realistic expectations help beginners build lasting fitness habits.

FAIRPORT, N.Y., Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- How can someone start exercising without feeling judged?

HelloNation answers that question in an article featuring insights from Fitness Expert Joshua Bankes of JMB Personal Training in Fairport, New York. The article explores how personal training for beginners fosters a supportive environment in which individuals can build confidence, learn proper exercise techniques, and develop healthy routines at a comfortable pace.

The HelloNation article explains that starting a fitness journey often feels intimidating for people with little exercise experience or who have been away from physical activity for an extended period. Many hesitate because they worry about being judged or believe they need to reach a certain fitness level before working with a trainer. The article notes that effective personal training begins by meeting clients where they are rather than expecting immediate results.

According to the article, a certified personal trainer provides much more than exercise instruction. A beginner personal trainer helps create a personalized fitness plan based on an individual's goals, experience, movement ability, and overall health. This thoughtful approach helps reduce the risk of injury while giving clients a clear path forward that feels achievable instead of overwhelming.

The article also describes what beginners can expect during their first training sessions. Rather than focusing on intense workouts, a knowledgeable personal trainer typically spends time understanding a client's health history, movement patterns, concerns, and long-term objectives. This information helps establish realistic expectations and encourages steady improvement through manageable progress.

The HelloNation article emphasizes that a welcoming atmosphere plays an important role in personal training for beginners. Feeling nervous or self-conscious is common, and experienced trainers recognize that every client starts from a different place. By creating a supportive, judgment-free environment, trainers help clients ask questions, practice proper movement, and become more comfortable with exercise over time.

Another point highlighted in the article is education. Instead of simply directing clients through workouts, the article explains why individual exercises matter and how they contribute to strength training, mobility, balance, and overall health. Understanding the purpose behind each movement helps clients become more confident and better prepared to maintain healthy habits beyond scheduled training sessions.

The article also discusses the importance of accountability for beginners. Building a consistent exercise routine can be difficult during the early weeks, particularly when motivation changes from day to day. Regular sessions with a personal trainer provide structure, encouragement, and accountability that help clients continue making progress, both through small accomplishments and larger milestones. The article notes that lasting improvements often result from consistent effort rather than quick fixes.

Throughout the article, Fitness Expert Joshua Bankes explains that successful fitness programs begin with patience, understanding, and realistic expectations. The article encourages readers to focus on gradual improvement rather than comparing themselves to others. By supporting each individual's unique fitness journey, trainers can help clients build confidence and develop sustainable habits that promote long-term health and wellness.

Personal Training for Beginners Without Judgment features insights from Joshua Bankes, a fitness expert from JMB Personal Training in Fairport, New York, on HelloNation.

About HelloNation

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

SOURCE HelloNation

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Superior Tenderness TENET®: The Genomic Discovery Transforming American Beef Quality.

SELAH, Wash., Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Callipyge Genetics, LLC, made a genomic discovery in 2018 that identified the genetic basis for the highest level of beef tenderness. Company President Frank Hendrix explains that the discovery of genetic markers and the trademarked product TENET® advance consumer-level beef quality, benefit animal welfare, and enhance the American beef industry's environmental reputation. TENET® is a win for every level of the cattle and beef industry.

Genetic marker technology identifies and certifies the highest level of beef tenderness; Tenet® is defined on tenetbeef.com. Hendrix uses a system that extracts DNA from a few drops of blood or a small tissue sample to identify Tenet® animals. Once identified, Tenet® animals remain at the highest level of quality throughout their lives. If American Beef tenderness is ranked on a 1 to 10 scale, the national average is 3. Tenet® is 10, which is significantly different, says Hendrix. The Tenet® certification test is highly accurate and a valuable tool for managing every herd. An average herd can raise quality and reach the Tenet® level in two generations because tenderness is highly heritable. Tenderness is a naturally occurring phenotype in every cattle breed. Tenet® AI sires or certified bulls can change quality very quickly. There are Tenet® individual animals in every breed of cattle. Tenderness is an inherited trait, and Hendrix believes that between 5% and 15% of the American herd are currently Tenet®.

The USDA introduced its beef quality grading system in the early 1960s. Since then, cattle and beef have changed, but the grading system remains the same, Hendrix says. Compared with cattle in 1960, today's cattle have substantially different carcass weights, fat levels, and marbling. The Select, Choice, and Prime grades were developed based on fat, specifically intramuscular fat. We now know that fat and tenderness are not the same: fat is not required for tender beef. In recent research, trained taste panels could not distinguish among Select, Choice, and Prime when identical cuts were cooked the same way. Differences in tenderness can be detected with less than one kilogram of pressure. As Hendrix puts it, "Marbling is what you see. Tenderness is what you taste. Tenet® is what proves it."

Beef tenderness has been consumers' top concern in every USDA consumer survey from 1990 through 2022. Consumers are dissatisfied with the tenderness of commercially raised beef 23% of the time. In the 2015 survey, 66% of grass-fed beef consumers were dissatisfied with tenderness. Across all surveys, consumers consistently cite animal welfare, food safety, and environmental concerns.

Tenet® certification addresses tenderness concerns in both grass-finished beef and commercially fed cattle. Tenet® certification has nothing to do with GMOs. Tenet® occurs naturally in all Bos taurus cattle breeds, including Wagyu. It is naturally occurring in all cattle breeds and crossbreds. It ensures tenderness, reduces the need for long feeding periods and ultra-heavy cattle, and cuts thousands of pounds of unnecessary fat and thousands of tons of manure. Tenet® is positive for animal welfare, the environment, and the consumer.

A question Hendrix frequently hears from producers is: "Why should I want to pay $26 for Tenet® testing?" Agricultural economists believe Tenet® certification is worth between $600 and $1,000. The option of a assured tender product with a Warner-Bratzler Shear Force number of ≤4.0 kg is huge, says Hendrix. Tenet® certification means the whole carcass is significantly higher in quality. Certified Tenet® AI sires are available on the website: tenetbeef.com. A growing number of seedstock producers across the nation and in Canada have certified Tenet® bulls for sale in their upcoming sales. Callipyge Genetics has developed Certified Tenet® Beef, LLC, a Tenet®-branded product that will coordinate Tenet®-certified animals with either grass-finished producers or those willing to pay for added quality, with companies marketing nationally and locally. Our goal is to place Tenet®-certified animals in a value-added market to increase producer profitability and consumer urgency for Tenet® quality, says Hendrix. We want the American consumer to have the highest-quality beef in the world; Tenet® makes it happen.

SOURCE Callipyge Genetics, LLC

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Peer-reviewed research in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology validates Senté Labs' "bioactive stacking" approach, showing that Defense C Serum's combination of heparan sulfate analog (HSA) and tetrahexyldecyl (THD) ascorbate outperforms either ingredient alone, cutting oxidative stress and DNA damage while delivering visible improvements in clarity, brightness, and texture, with zero irritation.

CARLSBAD, Calif., Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Senté Labs announced the publication of peer-reviewed research that proves out the science behind its formulation philosophy: more actives isn't the answer, the right combination is. The study, "Specific Stacking of Key Molecules to Enhance Skin Care Outcomes: Synergistic Effects of Heparan Sulfate Analog and Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate Combination," appears in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2026) and was authored by Vivian Bucay, MD; Rosalyn George, MD; Anna Guiotto, PhD; Alessandra Pecorelli, PhD; Emmanuel Ike; and Angel S. Byrd, MD, of Howard University College of Medicine.

At the center of the study is Senté's Defense C Serum, which pairs the brand's low molecular weight heparan sulfate analog (HSA) with tetrahexyldecyl (THD) ascorbate — a lipophilic vitamin C derivative long prized for fueling collagen production but notoriously unstable and irritating at the concentrations needed to actually work. Instead of cranking up the dose, Senté's researchers asked a better question: what happens when you pair HSA's anti-inflammatory, regenerative power with THD ascorbate, ingredient by design? The answer is what the authors call "bioactive stacking", and the results speak for themselves.

Since its launch in September 2025, Defense C Serum has become one of Senté's best-selling products and nm a provider favorite for brightening. Now, the clinical data behind it has been independently reviewed and published in a respected dermatology journal, giving providers peer-reviewed proof behind results many have already seen in their practices.

Protection Beneath The Surface

At the cellular level, the results are protective. In lab testing on UV-damaged human skin, a single application of the HSA-THD combination went to work fast: within 24 hours, it slashed a key marker of oxidative stress by 44%, cut DNA damage by 9.5%, and reduced skin-aging AGEs (advanced glycation end products) by 37%, all statistically significant.

Visible Results

The visible results were just as compelling. Over 12 weeks, women using the regimen saw significant improvement across every measure by Week 8: clarity up 38%, brightness and luminosity up 41%, texture and smoothness up 47%, overall photodamage down 35%, and fine lines and wrinkles improved by 46%.

And these weren't marginal wins: 94% of subjects saw brighter, more luminous skin, 88% saw clearer skin, 87% saw smoother texture, and 81% saw measurable improvement in overall photodamage.

Best of all, results came without the trade-offs so often associated with high-performance vitamin C. Every single subject reported zero irritation or redness by Week 4, with no adverse events or discontinuations at any point in the study.

By the end of the study, satisfaction was universal: 100% of participants said they were happy with their results, 88% reported clearer, more youthful-looking skin, and 94% said their skin looked visibly brighter and more radiant.

*Before-and-after photos available upon request.

What The Results Mean

"This study confirms what we've long believed: more actives don't automatically mean better outcomes," said Zubin Meshginpoosh, CEO of Senté Labs. "By pairing ingredients with independent, complementary mechanisms of action, we were able to optimize both the delivery and tolerability of vitamin C, giving patients meaningful, visible results without the irritation that so often limits high-performance actives."

These findings build on a growing body of research behind Senté's heparan sulfate analog technology, adding to prior published studies on its role in calming inflammation and restoring the skin's natural balance. For Senté, it's further proof that thoughtful formulation, not just more ingredients, is what moves the needle for patients and providers alike. It's also what sets Defense C apart in a crowded vitamin C category: rather than competing on concentration, it pairs vitamin C with a proprietary regenerative partner designed to make it work better and feel better on skin.

About Senté Labs

Senté Labs is a professional, medical-grade skincare brand built on proprietary heparan sulfate technology, a bioidentical mimetic of the skin's own regenerative signaling molecules. Every Senté product is formulated and clinically studied to restore the skin's microenvironment, calm inflammation, and support long-term skin health. Senté is available through licensed skincare professionals and online.

SOURCE Senté

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GLENBROOK CROSSES 30% OWNERSHIP OF SENESTECH

Glenbrook Believes Better Market Strategy and Sharpened Capitalization Focus Would Create Significant Upside

MINDEN, Nev., Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Glenbrook Capital Management ("Glenbrook"), a long-time shareholder of SenesTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNES) (the "Company") and owners of over 30% of outstanding shares of the Company, today issued the following letter.

Matthew Szot, Chairman of the Board

SenesTech, Inc.

13430 North Dysart Road, Suite 105

Surprise, AZ

October 19, 2026

Dear Matt,

I am writing to advise you that Glenbrook Capital Management ("GCM" or "we") is now a significant shareholder of SenesTech, Inc. ("SenesTech" or the "Company"), with holdings representing more than 30% of the outstanding common shares. Let me start by congratulating you on the 40% topline growth in Q3 and hitting a $4 million run rate. Our substantial investment reflects our belief that constructive engagement can help strengthen the business further and create value.

For our part, GCM intends to remain a supportive long-term investor, and we have participated in every round to which we were invited, starting before and including the IPO. We may—or may not-- increase our holdings over time, opportunistically, since we believe that the Company is grossly undervalued considering the market opportunity. Our fellow shareholders have endured a recurring cycle of dilutive offerings and reverse splits. Your shareholders want to end this cycle. We will consider further investment in SenesTech, subject to mutually acceptable terms and market conditions. Our primary goal, however, is to minimize equity dilution, and all efforts should be addressed to this end going forward. We believe that getting traction in the business is the right place to start.

As backers of the Company since before the IPO, we have been frustrated by the degree to which the sales have lagged the game-changing nature of SenesTech products. The market is there, we all know it, so how do we better communicate with and educate potential users? Because we want to help address this conundrum we retained (at our expense) the internationally recognized branding and marketing strategy firm, Sandstrom Partners ("Sandstrom"). Having completed their exhaustive analysis of the Company's business, they are ready to share with you their conclusions and advice. If you retain them for SenesTech, this will extend to ensuring that your recently heralded Amazon sales advances continue. For example, messaging purchasers so that they fully understand how to effectively use both Evolve and ContraPest.

We think a sharpened focus on capital discipline can benefit SenesTech and all of its shareholders. We supported and voted in favor of the recent increase in the Company's stock option plan. We encourage the Company to consider selective use of equity-based compensation in place of cash compensation. Speaking as a shareholder, we believe the optics for the Company would be significantly stronger if equity was awarded as compensation in lieu of cash. A thoughtful approach, with performance conditions and attention to avoiding dilution, could conserve cash while more closely aligning the interests of the Board with shareholders.

Our desire is to work cooperatively with the Board and management team on practical measures designed to improve the Company's financial position and support operating priorities. We look forward to engaging directly in the near future.

Sincerely,

Glenbrook Capital Management

Media Contact:

ASC Advisors

Taylor Ingraham / Cassandra Dasco

Partner, ASC Advisors

[email protected] / [email protected]

203-992-1230

Investor Contact:

Richard Rudgley

[email protected]

650-441-9525

Grover Wickersham

CEO, Glenbrook Capital Management

Disclaimer and Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein in any state to any person.

The information herein contains "forward-looking statements." Specific forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and include, without limitation, words such as "may," "will," "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "potential," "targets," "forecasts," "seeks," "could," "should" or the negative of such terms or other variations on such terms or comparable terminology. Similarly, statements that describe our objectives, plans or goals are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and assumptions. There can be no assurance that any idea or assumption herein is, or will be proven, correct or that any of the objectives, plans or goals stated herein will ultimately be undertaken or achieved. If one or more of such risks or uncertainties materialize, or if Glenbrook underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, the actual results may vary materially from outcomes indicated by these statements. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Glenbrook that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated will ever be achieved.

SOURCE Glenbrook Capital Management

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Gastech Co-Chairman Paul Sullivan: Alaska LNG Has Never Been Better Positioned or More Necessary

Industry leader points to Alaska's natural advantages, established infrastructure and renewed momentum behind one of America's most ambitious energy projects

HOUSTON, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the highly successful Gastech in Bangkok September 14th to 17th, Paul Sullivan, Co-Chairman of Gastech, affirmed the confidence the broader industry has in Alaska LNG as a Pacific Basin supplier, citing the project's geographic and infrastructure advantages, proven engineering foundations, and growing momentum toward development.

"Alaska LNG is a project whose time has come. The fundamentals are strong, the engineering challenges are known and solvable, and the opportunity to bring Alaska's extraordinary natural gas resources to domestic and international markets is enormous. With renewed commitment to advancing the project, there is good reason to believe Alaska LNG is better positioned today than at any point in its history, and I have witnessed its history over my 38 years in our industry.

"Due to its Northwest Pacific location and proximity, short shipping distance, and open ocean access to major Asian import markets, Alaska LNG offers a compelling cost and security benefit. Alaska has historically demonstrated the ability to construct and operate major energy infrastructure in the very climate, terrain and conditions where Alaska LNG will be developed. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline, the North Slope's extensive oil and gas facilities, and the Kenai LNG plant built in 1969 have all been built with Alaska know-how.

"The industry faced similar development challenges for Norway's Hammerfest LNG project's ability to develop major natural gas infrastructure in Arctic conditions and that plant has been in operation since 2007. Glenfarne is not attempting something the energy industry has not previously accomplished.

"At Gastech this year the issue of supply security and diversification was a major discussion topic in a very understandable environment, and projects like Glenfarne's Alaska LNG were of particular interest, given the open sea access and secure long term natural gas supply certainty. Additionally, the statewide support and economic opportunity for Alaska provides confidence for early progression."

About Gastech

Gastech is the world's largest exhibition and conference for natural gas, LNG, low-carbon solutions, hydrogen, shipping, AI for energy and electrification. Gastech 2026 welcomed 59,468 attendees from over 150 countries, 800+ exhibiting companies and 800+ speakers.

For further information and registration, visit the official Gastech website. https://www.gastechevent.com

For media accreditation, visit the Gastech media centre. Register here

Media Contact

Contact: Paul Sullivan, 713-401-8012, [email protected] 

SOURCE Gastech

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ST. LOUIS, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Spire Inc. (NYSE: SR) will host a conference call and webcast on Tuesday, November 17 to discuss fiscal 2026 fourth quarter and year-end financial results, earnings guidance and other matters. A news release will be issued before the market opens that day and will be available at Investors.SpireEnergy.com under the News tab.

To access the call, please dial the applicable phone number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time.

The call will be webcast in a listen-only format for the media and public. The webcast can be accessed at Investors.SpireEnergy.com under the Events & presentations tab.

A replay of the call will be available until November 24, 2026, by dialing, 855-669-9658 (U.S. and Canada) or 412-317-0088 (international). The replay access code is 3574522. A replay of the webcast will be available on our website at Investors.SpireEnergy.com.

About Spire

At Spire (NYSE: SR), our vision is to deliver a stronger energy future as an industry-leading natural gas provider. We safely and reliably serve the natural gas needs of close to 2 million homes and businesses through gas utilities in Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee, making us one of the largest publicly traded natural gas companies in the country. We are committed to transforming our business through growing organically, investing in infrastructure and driving continuous improvement. Learn more at SpireEnergy.com.

Investor Contact:

Megan McPhail

314-309-6563

[email protected] 

Media Contact:

Jason Merrill

314-342-3300

[email protected] 

SOURCE Spire Inc.

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MIDDLETOWN, Md., Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Community Heritage Financial, Inc. (OTCID: CMHF), announced today its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of $0.08 per share. The dividend is payable on November 6, 2026 to shareholders of record on October 30, 2026.

Community Heritage Financial, Inc. is the parent company of Middletown Valley Bank (the "Bank" or "MVB"). Middletown Valley Bank offers a full suite of personal and business banking solutions, along with residential mortgage lending through its MVB Home Loans division. At the heart of the MVB brand is a commitment to delivering Absolutely Exceptional Experiences – one customer, one community, one experience at a time. Founded in 1908 in Middletown, Maryland, MVB has grown to serve customers across Frederick, Washington, and Garrett counties in Maryland, as well as Franklin County, Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.communityheritageinc.com or www.mvbbank.com.

Investor Relations Contact:

Community Heritage Financial, Inc.

Robert E. (BJ) Goetz, Jr.

President & Chief Executive Officer

301-371-3055

[email protected]

SOURCE Community Heritage Financial, Inc.

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Developed in collaboration with Black Forest Labs, FLUX 3 Max delivers top-tier video quality, 22× faster generation than Seedance 2.5 at the same reported quality rating, and 11.5× faster inference than the original FLUX 3.

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- fal, a leading generative media company, today announced FLUX 3 Max, a new video generation model delivering frontier visual quality at industry-leading inference speeds.

Post-trained by fal Research in collaboration with Black Forest Labs, FLUX 3 Max builds on the FLUX 3 foundation model through specialized post-training, reinforcement learning, and inference optimization. The collaboration brings together Black Forest Labs' expertise in foundation model development and fal's research in model optimization and high-performance inference.

In preliminary independent human preference evaluations on Artificial Analysis Video Arena, FLUX 3 Max achieved a 1,139 Elo rating across 4,868 votes, placing it among the highest-quality image-to-video models evaluated. In fal's latency benchmarks, the model generates a 10-second video in just 10.95 seconds, over 22× faster than Seedance 2.5, which achieves the same reported Elo rating.

Compared with the original FLUX 3, FLUX 3 Max also delivers significant improvements in both quality and speed:

- #1-tier image-to-video quality: Achieving 1,139 Elo on Artificial Analysis Video Arena in preliminary independent human preference evaluations, with overlapping confidence intervals among the highest-ranked models.

- 22× faster than Seedance 2.5: Generating a 10-second video in 10.95 seconds, compared with 277.80 seconds for Seedance 2.5, at the same reported image-to-video Elo rating.

- 50-point improvement in video quality: Increasing image-to-video Elo from 1,089 to 1,139 compared with the original FLUX 3.

- 11.5× faster inference than FLUX 3: Reducing generation latency from 126.44 seconds to 10.95 seconds.

These results demonstrate how specialized post-training and inference optimization can substantially improve both the quality and speed of frontier foundation models.

Combining Frontier Model Research with High-Performance Inference

FLUX 3 Max represents a collaboration between two research teams with complementary expertise: Black Forest Labs in foundation model development and fal Research in post-training, reinforcement learning, inference optimization, and systems engineering.

Rather than simply deploying an existing foundation model, fal Research has worked directly with FLUX 3 to improve visual fidelity, motion coherence, prompt adherence, and overall generation performance. The result is a model that delivers higher-quality video at significantly lower latency.

"We built FLUX 3 as a foundation for others to build on," said Robin Rombach, co-founder and CEO of Black Forest Labs. "FLUX 3 Max is a great example of what that looks like. fal took our model and customized it for the developers and enterprises on their platform. That's the kind of collaboration FLUX was designed for, and we're excited to see it reach more of the people building with it."

The collaboration reflects a broader approach to frontier AI development, where model capabilities continue to advance beyond initial foundation model training through specialized research and optimization.

"We believe some of the most important advances in generative AI will come from optimizing models and the systems that run them together," said Burkay Gur, CEO of fal. "Black Forest Labs has built an exceptional foundation model, and our research team has developed deep expertise in pushing the boundaries of quality and inference performance. FLUX 3 Max demonstrates what's possible when those capabilities come together: frontier video quality at speeds that fundamentally change how developers can build with generative AI."

Pushing the Frontier of Video Generation Quality and Speed

FLUX 3 Max builds on the research and engineering advances behind H3 Max, fal Research's previously released frontier video generation model.

Through specialized post-training and systems-level inference optimization, H3 Max demonstrated faster-than-real-time generation, producing video in just 3.49 seconds in fal's benchmark while achieving top-tier image-to-video quality in independent evaluations.

FLUX 3 Max extends this research approach to a different foundation model developed by Black Forest Labs, demonstrating how improvements in generation quality and inference performance can be achieved simultaneously.

Compared with the original FLUX 3, FLUX 3 Max improves image-to-video quality by 50 Elo points while delivering 11.5× faster generation. These improvements demonstrate the potential of targeted post-training and inference optimization to advance the speed–quality frontier for video diffusion transformers.

"Model performance doesn't stop improving when base model training ends," said Kaan Oktay, Head of Research at fal. "Through post-training and inference optimization, we're able to improve both the quality of generated video and the efficiency of the underlying model. With FLUX 3 Max, we've achieved a 50-point Elo improvement while making inference more than 11 times faster. And we're continuing to post-train the model to push performance even further."

This launch marks the first iteration of FLUX 3 Max. fal Research is continuing to post-train the model, with further improvements to visual quality, generation speed, and overall performance underway.

Together, fal and Black Forest Labs aim to make frontier video generation faster, more efficient, and more accessible to developers building the next generation of creative applications.

Availability

FLUX 3 Max is available beginning October 19, 2026, through fal's inference platform, giving developers access to frontier text-to-video, image-to-video, and keyframes-to-video generation through a unified API.

To celebrate the launch, FLUX 3 Max is available at 75% off for the first three weeks, making frontier-quality video generation more accessible to developers and creators.

Learn more and try FLUX 3 Max at fal.ai.

About fal

fal is a leading generative media platform powering AI applications across image, video, audio, 3D, and world models. Through its high-performance inference infrastructure and fal Research, the company enables developers and enterprises to build, deploy, and scale frontier generative AI applications.

Learn more at fal.ai.

About Black Forest Labs

Black Forest Labs is a frontier generative AI research company developing state-of-the-art models for visual content generation. Its FLUX family of models advances the capabilities of generative media, enabling developers, creators, and enterprises to build new visual experiences.

Learn more at bfl.ai.

SOURCE fal

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