World Food Championships Crown 10 Category Champions at WFC2026 in Indianapolis

More than 400 teams competed for championship titles and a share of the $400,000-plus prize purse at the world's largest Food Sport competition

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Food Championships (WFC), the global leader in Food Sport, has crowned its 10 category champions following four days of high-stakes culinary competition at WFC2026. More than 400 teams representing more than 35 states and 14 countries came to Indianapolis October 15-18 to compete for championship titles and a share of the $400,000-plus prize purse.

Hosted at the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center, WFC2026 brought together culinary talent from around the world for competition across 10 categories, alongside live demonstrations, food tastings, entertainment and new interactive experiences for fans.

After advancing through opening and final rounds, 10 competitors emerged as World Category Champions. The winners will now advance to the Final Table in the Spring of 2027, where they will compete for the title of World Food Champion.

The 2026 World Food Championships category champions are:

- World Bacon Championship: David Casey from Brockton, Massachusetts

- World Barbecue Championship: Jordan Davis from Carmel, Indiana

- World Burger Championship: Tatewaki Takano from Tokyo, Japan

- World Chef Championship: Craig Baker from Indianapolis, Indiana

- World Dessert Championship: Bethany Boedicker from Galveston, Texas

- World Live Fire Championship: Adi Melkman from Utrecht, Netherlands

- World Noodle Championship: Pablo Aquije from Hyattsville, Maryland

- World Sandwich Championship: Phil Johnson from Phoenix, Arizona

- World Seafood Championship: Ricardo Viesca Gutierrez from Sarasota, Florida

- World Vegetarian Championship: Jacquelyn Gausemel from Washington, DC

"Every year, the World Food Championships brings together remarkable culinary talent and challenges competitors to deliver their best under pressure," said Mike McCloud, Founder and CEO of the World Food Championships. "WFC2026 showcased the global skill, creativity and determination that make Food Sport so compelling. Congratulations to this year's 10 category champions. They've earned their place at the Final Table, where one will ultimately rise above the field to become the World Food Champion."

In addition to crowning its 10 category champions, WFC2026 named Chef Preston Nguyen of Arlington, Texas, winner of the inaugural Culinary Combine skills challenge. The fast-paced, crowd-pleasing competition tested culinary talent across 10 timed challenges, demanding speed, precision and accuracy. Nguyen, the only two-time World Food Champion, outperformed a talented field of competitors, setting records in nine of the 10 skills to claim the overall Culinary Combine title.

Presented by Sam's Club, WFC2026 was supported by a strong roster of sponsors and community partners. Together, these partners helped bring four days of competition, culinary discovery and festival experiences to Indianapolis. Full championship results can be found at worldfoodchampionships.com/results.

Since its debut in 2012, the World Food Championships has helped define and grow the world of Food Sport, creating a platform where talented cooks, chefs and culinary teams can compete on a level playing field through a structured judging system and innovative competition formats. The WFC platform has helped inspire more than 10,000 new dishes while supporting communities through partnerships with local nonprofits, charities and food banks across the United States.

Beyond the championship kitchen, WFC connects culinary talent with brands, food producers, industry partners and fans; creating opportunities for product discovery, culinary innovation, media exposure and the celebration of food culture.

Competitors, partners, and fans can stay up to date on the World Food Championships at worldfoodchampionships.com or by following World Food Championships on Facebook and Instagram (@WorldFoodChampionships), and LinkedIn (@WorldFoodChampionshipsHoldings).

About World Food Championships

The World Food Championships (WFC), recognized by USA TODAY's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards as a "Best City Food Festival," is the premier Food Sport competition globally. This multi-day, live culinary event highlights some of the world's best cooks competing for food, fame and fortune across multiple categories. Each year, thousands of teams vie for a coveted Golden Ticket at official qualifiers to earn their spot at WFC. Since its debut in 2012, the event has attracted participants from nearly 40 countries and every state in the U.S. The 2026 World Food Championships took place October 15-18 at the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion, located at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center in Indianapolis. For more information, visit WorldFoodChampionships.com.

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HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- NexTech Solutions (NTS), a leading provider of defense-grade technology solutions, today announces the acquisition of Halcyon Days Consulting (HDC), a Stevensville, Maryland–based defense technology company that engineers tactical mission networks (TMNs) and operational software for the U.S. military and its allied partners. The acquisition adds more than 90 engineers, operators, and mission specialists to the NTS team and significantly strengthens the company's ability to deliver resilient, field-proven networking capabilities to U.S. Government customers.

HDC's tactical mission networks are actively deployed and continuously refined by U.S. allied and partner forces operating in some of the most contested environments in the world, including in support of forces on the front lines in Eastern Europe and the Pacific. HDC is the only company today with operational experience managing wide-scale, combat-proven TMNs — approximately 20,000 users and more than 15,000 managed devices across two active theaters. Built on the Team Awareness Kit (TAK) framework for tactical command and control, HDC's TMNs are quickly deployable, secure, and natively TAK-integrated across every echelon. The NTS edge infrastructure portfolio directly complements these TMNs: NTS' provisioning software MANTLE will accelerate the deployment of a tactical mission network, reducing the stand-up of a complete, TAK-ready environment from weeks to hours. In parallel, HDC's TMNs already leverage NTS' premier full-motion video (FMV) transport product, VidTerra COMPASS, to ingest and deliver fully integrated video and data into the TMN/TAK environment.

This acquisition allows NTS to offer U.S. Government customers a battle-hardened networking and operational software stack purpose-built for denied, disrupted, intermittent, and limited (DDIL) environments. The newly combined team will accelerate delivery of tactical mission networks, operational software, cybersecurity and RMF execution, systems integration, and foreign partner enablement. "The NTS/HDC team will move faster from mission requirement to fielded capability, and all of our customers will benefit from a combined networking stack that has been proven in the toughest possible conditions," said HDC CEO, Kyle Miracle.

"HDC has done something rare — they've built and continuously refined a tactical networking capability under fire, in one of the most contested environments on the planet," said NTS CEO, Joseph Paull. "Adding their team, their technology, and that hard-won operational insight to NTS gives our customers direct access to networks that have already been tested where it matters most. There is no substitute for that kind of validation."

The addition of HDC deepens NTS's bench in tactical networking, edge communications, and rapid capability delivery, positioning the combined team to meet growing demand from the Department of War, Department of State, and allied partners for proven, field-ready solutions.

"HDC's TAK-native tactical mission networks slot directly into the resilient, edge-first architecture we are building at NTS," said Biney Dhillon, Co-Founder and CPO at NTS. "Combined with MANTLE's deployment automation and VidTerra COMPASS video distribution, our customers now have an end-to-end TAK-centric tactical stack that is as fast to field as it is proven in combat."

NTS secured a strategic investment from Clairvest, a private equity investor based in Toronto, in 2023, to become a platform company for growth in the defense technology sector. The HDC transaction marks the sixth acquisition NTS has completed since the Clairvest investment. NTS operates locations in Huntsville, Tampa, and Northern Virginia.

About NTS

For over 13 years, NexTech Solutions (NTS) has provided systems engineering, testing and evaluation, and operational support, integrating hardware, software, and subject matter experts to support U.S. Government missions. NTS delivers defense-grade products — including MANTLE, VidTerra COMPASS, and JEFF-K — alongside core capabilities in Communications, Situational Awareness, Counter-UAS, and Mission Engineering.

We proudly support the United States Department of War and many other U.S. Government customers around the world to determine the best solutions for exceeding mission objectives.

To learn more about NTS, please visit nextechsol.com, or connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

About Halcyon Days Consulting (HDC)

Halcyon Days Consulting is a veteran-owned defense technology company headquartered in Stevensville, Maryland, dedicated to delivering advanced tactical and operational solutions for the United States military and its allied partners around the globe. Founded and led by engineers and operators, HDC combines deep domain expertise in military operations with modern software engineering to build systems that perform at the tactical edge, in contested environments, and under pressure. HDC's core capabilities span tactical mission networks, operational software development, cybersecurity and information assurance, systems integration, training and advisory services, and foreign partner enablement.

CONTACT: [email protected]

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NEW YORK, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Andover Properties, a vertically integrated real estate investment firm specializing in alternative asset classes, today announced the acquisition of a self storage facility in Pinehurst, Texas. The acquisition marks Andover's latest move to expand its 48-asset Texas footprint and reflects the firm's strategy of unlocking value through hands-on, institutional-caliber asset management.

Located at 35335 State Highway 249, the property spans nearly 46,000 NRSF across a mix of climate-controlled and drive-up units. Built in 2015 and previously operated by a local, independent owner, the facility sits in one of the Houston metro's fastest-growing corridors, where the surrounding population is expanding by more than 2.4% annually and median household income tops $102,000 — a combination that points to strong, durable demand for storage in the years ahead. The facility is also just a 15-minute drive from another Andover-owned Storage King USA location, allowing the company to layer local market intelligence and operating efficiencies across both sites.

Andover plans to invest in targeted site improvements, while implementing its revenue management system, marketing engine, and customer-facing technology to lease the property up to stabilized occupancy and improve customer experience.

"This is a classic Andover lease-up opportunity: a well-located, well-built facility that the previous owner simply didn't have the platform to fully capitalize on," said Brian Cohen, President and CEO of Andover Properties. "By bringing our institutional operating discipline to an asset like this, we expect to meaningfully improve performance while giving the surrounding community a better-run, better-maintained place for their storage needs."

The facility will operate under Andover's Storage King USA brand and benefit from the company's in-house operating expertise, which spans property management, asset management, marketing, revenue management, capital markets, and construction.

For more information about this new location, or to inquire about rental availability, please visit the Storage King USA website.

About Andover Properties

Andover Properties is an investment firm specializing in alternative real estate asset classes, including self storage, manufactured housing, RV parks, small-bay industrial, and car washes. The firm is one of the largest private owner-operators of self storage facilities in the United States, with a portfolio exceeding 15 million square feet across more than 180 facilities in 20 states. Founded in 2003 by Brian and William Cohen, Andover is headquartered in New York City with offices in Miami and San Francisco.

For media inquiries:

Andover Properties

[email protected]

SOURCE Andover Properties

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NEW YORK, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Amsterdam Nursing Home is proud to announce that, for the fourth consecutive year, it has been named one of America's Best Nursing Homes for 2027 by Newsweek, ranking #36 among the top nursing homes in New York for facilities with 150 beds or more. In addition to its award-winning journalism, Newsweek publishes rankings and recognition lists that highlight organizations and institutions across a range of industries, including health care.

This prestigious recognition highlights Amsterdam's unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care, improving the lives of its residents, and maintaining the highest standards in health care. "Being included in Newsweek's rankings of the best nursing homes in New York and across the country is a meaningful achievement for our team," said Moshe Blackstein, Administrator at Amsterdam Nursing Home. "This recognition highlights the dedication of our staff and the care they bring to their work every day. We are committed to fostering an environment where residents feel comfortable, respected, and supported while receiving the quality care they deserve. We value our role in the community and will continue working to make a positive difference in the lives of those we serve."

Each year, Newsweek collaborates with global data research firm Statista to rigorously evaluate and rank nursing homes across the United States. America's Best Nursing Homes 2027 highlights 1,325 of the nation's top nursing homes out of 14,693 analyzed. The evaluation is based on performance data, peer recommendations, accreditations and satisfaction and uses Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) data.

Amsterdam Nursing Home

Amsterdam is a leading healthcare facility based in New York City, offering compassionate care and a range of services for individuals in need of long-term care, short-term rehabilitation, and specialized memory care. Our mission is to create a nurturing environment where residents can feel at home, while receiving the highest level of medical attention and support.

Contact:

Maryellen Mooney

[email protected]

212-576-2700

SOURCE Amsterdam Nursing Home

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Ana A. Morales, MD Joins OCLI Vision in East Setauket, Patchogue & Port Jefferson

EAST SETAUKET, N.Y., Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- OCLI Vision is pleased to welcome Ana A. Morales, MD, a board-certified, fellowship-trained ophthalmologist specializing in Cornea and External Disease, with a focus on advanced cataract surgery and comprehensive ophthalmic care. Dr. Morales will begin seeing patients on October 19th, 2026, at OCLI Vision's East Setauket, Patchogue, and Port Jefferson locations, providing personalized, evidence-based care with an emphasis on achieving the best possible visual outcomes for every patient.

Dr. Morales specializes in advanced cataract surgery, including premium intraocular lenses (IOLs), astigmatism correction, and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. Her fellowship training in Cornea and External Disease provides extensive expertise in the evaluation and treatment of complex corneal and ocular surface disorders. This specialized knowledge allows her to optimize the ocular surface before cataract surgery, an important consideration for patients seeking premium lens technology and the best possible refractive outcomes.

Dr. Morales believes that successful cataract surgery begins long before the day of surgery, with a thorough evaluation, patient education, and careful attention to the health of the ocular surface. She is committed to helping patients understand their treatment options and providing individualized care based on their visual needs, lifestyle, and overall eye health.

In addition to cataract and corneal care, Dr. Morales provides comprehensive ophthalmic care, including the medical and laser management of glaucoma. When appropriate, she also offers minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) in conjunction with cataract surgery.

Prior to joining OCLI Vision, Dr. Morales served as Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of the Dry Eye and Ocular Surface Program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. While maintaining an active cataract surgery practice, she developed a regional referral program for complex ocular surface disease and established her second Dry Eye Center of Excellence, emphasizing ocular surface optimization as an important component of successful surgical outcomes.

Dr. Morales also brings extensive international experience to her practice. She has led surgical mission teams in China, Haiti, and throughout Asia and Latin America, performing more than 120 cataract and corneal procedures in Gansu Province, China. Her international work has expanded her experience in cataract surgery, corneal disease, and complex ocular surface disorders while caring for diverse patient populations.

Dr. Morales earned her Doctor of Medicine degree and completed her initial Ophthalmology Residency at the Autonomous University of Nuevo León in Monterrey, Mexico. She subsequently came to the United States to pursue advanced fellowship training in Cornea and External Disease at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, further developing her expertise in corneal disease, ocular surface disorders, and advanced cataract surgery.

After establishing her career in the United States, Dr. Morales completed an Internal Medicine Internship and a second Ophthalmology Residency at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. She further advanced her surgical expertise through additional training in advanced refractive cataract surgery at Narayana Nethralaya in Bangalore and Dr. Agarwal's Eye Hospital in Chennai, India.

A dedicated educator, Dr. Morales has trained ophthalmology residents in cataract surgery, ocular surface disease, and anterior segment procedures. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology and a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Dr. Morales is fluent in English and Spanish, allowing her to provide care to Spanish-speaking patients in their preferred language.

"I am excited to join OCLI Vision and look forward to caring for patients across Suffolk County," said Dr. Morales. "My goal is to provide each patient with thoughtful, personalized care and to help them understand their options so we can work together toward the best possible visual outcome."

Outside the clinic, Dr. Morales enjoys traveling with her husband and their two sons, exploring new cultures, watercolor painting, gardening, and cycling.

Appointments with Dr. Morales are available at OCLI Vision's East Setauket, Patchogue, and Port Jefferson offices:

East Setauket

4 Technology Drive, Suite 150

East Setauket, NY 11733

Phone: (631) 941-1400

Fax: (631) 941-1476

Patchogue

100 Hospital Road, Suite 216

Patchogue, NY 11772

Phone: (631) 828-3588

Fax: (631) 828-3585

Port Jefferson

125 Oakland Avenue, Suite 101

Port Jefferson, NY 11777

Phone: (631) 828-7100

Fax: (631) 828-7171

To learn more or schedule a consultation, visit www.ocli.net.

About OCLI Vision:

Founded in 1997, OCLI Vision (http://www.ocli.net) is one of the leading ophthalmology practices in the United States. The practices of OCLI Vision offer eye care services at locations throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. OCLI Vision is led by a large group of highly skilled ophthalmologists and optometrists in each major sub-specialty of eye care who provide comprehensive eye care services, including treatment for cataracts, corneal disease, glaucoma, retinal disease, oculoplastics, and refractive surgery.

About Spectrum Vision Partners:

Spectrum Vision Partners ("SVP") (https://www.spectrumvisionpartners.com) is a leading management services organization, serving the ophthalmology sector. With over 1,400 employees providing world-class practice management and administrative solutions to a network of nationally renowned, multi-specialty ophthalmologists in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, SVP supports over 60 clinic locations, five state-licensed ambulatory surgery centers, and over 150 surgeons, doctors and other medical professionals. SVP provides a comprehensive set of business support functions, including billing and collections, credential services, marketing, physician recruitment, ASC development, financial and accounting services, benefits and payroll management and information technology. The company's corporate service center is located at 825 East Gate Boulevard, Suite 111, Garden City, NY 11530.

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Stark Airways Launches New Brand and Expands Private Aviation Platform Ahead of NBAA-BACE

Now Talaria Jet, the private aviation company builds on 50 years of aviation experience with an expanding platform spanning fractional ownership, aircraft management and charter

AKRON, Ohio, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Stark Airways today announced the launch of its new identity, Talaria Jet, marking a new chapter for the Midwest-based private aviation company and reflecting its broader vision for growth across fractional ownership, aircraft management, and charter.

Built on five decades of aviation experience and an established culture of safety and service, Talaria Jet is creating a relationship-driven private aviation platform designed to combine the capabilities and operating discipline of a sophisticated aviation organization with the personal service and accountability of a boutique operator.

The company is expanding its aircraft management and charter operations while developing a regional, hub-based fractional ownership program for customers seeking a more personal and flexible alternative to traditional national fractional programs. The multi-aircraft platform is being designed to accommodate a broad range of owner missions while maintaining Talaria's emphasis on personalized service and direct relationships.

"Talaria is an evolution of what this team has built over the past 50 years," said Will Harton, President of Talaria Jet. "We have an opportunity to create a different kind of private aviation company; one with the capabilities, safety culture and operating discipline clients expect from a sophisticated organization, while also preserving genuine relationships and direct accountability to the customer."

Talaria is initially concentrating its growth in the Midwest and Southeast, where the company has existing aviation infrastructure, established customer relationships and a growing network of business partners. The company is also evaluating additional hubs across the eastern United States as it builds a regional network to provide customers with greater aircraft access and operational flexibility.

The Talaria name reflects the company's forward-looking vision while maintaining the principles that have defined the organization for decades. In Greek mythology, talaria were the winged sandals associated with speed and effortless movement, aligning with the company's mission to make private aviation more seamless, responsive and personal.

Additional details regarding Talaria's fractional ownership program, fleet strategy and future operating hubs will be announced as aircraft are added to the platform and the company continues its expansion.

Talaria Jet representatives will attend the 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas, October 20–22, where the leadership team will meet with aircraft owners, customers, manufacturers and industry partners.

To learn more about Talaria Jet, visit talariajet.com.

About Talaria Jet

Talaria Jet is a private aviation company providing aircraft management, private charter and fractional ownership solutions. Headquartered in Northeast Ohio and built on 50 years of aviation experience, Talaria combines professional aviation infrastructure and a strong safety culture with highly personalized service and direct customer accountability.

The company is building a regional private aviation platform serving customers throughout the Midwest, Southeast and select markets across the eastern United States.

Media Contact

Will Harton

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The article explains how droppings can help identify pest activity and signal a possible cockroach infestation

SYRACUSE, N.Y., Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- What do cockroach droppings reveal about an infestation?

HelloNation published an article that answers this question, offering practical guidance on recognizing early signs of pest activity and understanding when a cockroach infestation may be developing in a home or rental property.

The article features insights from Kelly Aldrich of All Pest of Syracuse LLC and explains why cockroach droppings are often among the first visible indicators that cockroaches may be present. Because cockroaches typically remain hidden during the day and prefer dark, secluded areas, homeowners and renters may never see the insects themselves. Instead, the evidence they leave behind can provide important clues about their presence.

According to the HelloNation article, people often mistake cockroach droppings for ordinary dirt, food particles, or other household debris. This confusion can allow a cockroach infestation to continue unnoticed for extended periods. The article explains that recognizing droppings can help people better assess potential pest issues before the problem spreads.

The article describes how smaller cockroach species often leave behind tiny dark specks that resemble black pepper, coffee grounds, or grains of dirt. Larger species may produce small cylindrical pellets. These signs are commonly found in kitchens, bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, and other areas where moisture, food sources, and shelter are readily available.

The HelloNation article also notes that the location of droppings can provide valuable information during a pest evaluation. Repeated discoveries in the same area may indicate ongoing pest activity nearby. Cockroaches often follow established travel routes between nesting locations and food sources, leaving evidence along those paths. When droppings persist despite cleaning efforts, the article explains that cockroaches may be living inside walls, beneath flooring, or in other concealed spaces.

In addition to helping identify indoor pests, the article discusses potential sanitation concerns associated with cockroach waste. While droppings do not bite or sting, they may contaminate surfaces and contribute to allergy or asthma symptoms in sensitive individuals. The article highlights that children, older adults, and people with respiratory conditions may be particularly affected by prolonged exposure in heavily infested environments.

For renters, the article emphasizes the importance of monitoring for signs of cockroaches. In apartment complexes and multi-unit buildings, pests may move between units through shared walls, utility openings, and plumbing systems. Small accumulations of droppings inside cabinets, near appliances, or around plumbing fixtures may serve as an early warning sign of pests in a rental property before larger populations become established.

The article further explains that cockroach droppings alone cannot determine the exact size of an infestation. However, the amount, location, and frequency of droppings can help reveal whether pest activity appears isolated or ongoing. These observations can provide useful information during a pest inspection and help property occupants decide whether additional evaluation is warranted.

The HelloNation article concludes that recognizing cockroach droppings early can help homeowners and renters better understand potential pest concerns and respond before conditions worsen. By watching for recurring signs and monitoring high-risk areas, individuals can gain valuable insight into hidden pest activity and make informed decisions about next steps.

What Cockroach Droppings Reveal About an Infestation features insights from Kelly Aldrich, a pest control expert in Syracuse, 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.

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Central National Gottesman Inc. (CNG) Acquires Nebraska-Based Omaha Paper Company

PURCHASE, N.Y., Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Central National Gottesman Inc. (CNG) announced today that its Lindenmeyr Munroe division will acquire the business of Nebraska-based Omaha Paper Company, expanding its presence in the Midwest.

Family-owned and operated for more than 60 years, Omaha Paper recently rebranded as OPC Direct, specializing in the distribution of paper, packaging materials and equipment, wide format and JanSan products.

"As we continue to expand our North American distribution network, adding Omaha Paper's people, customers, and operations is an exciting opportunity for us," said Lindenmeyr Munroe President Peter Harding. "This acquisition reflects our continued commitment to offer valuable distribution support to the core markets we serve, and to invest in and grow our business."

Along with decades of industry experience and deep relationships, Omaha Paper brings a dedicated management team, knowledgeable employees and enduring supplier partnerships. Founded in 1961, Omaha Paper is now a second-generation business operated by brothers Robert and Kevin Powell.

"Omaha Paper has valuable customer relationships and product expertise," said Lindenmeyr Munroe Senior Vice President Steve Daly. "By adding our significant product portfolio along with state-of-the-art technology, we look forward to expanding our presence throughout Nebraska and the Midwest."

Serving the print and paper industry for more than 150 years, Lindenmeyr Munroe is the largest privately held independent paper merchant in the U.S., specializing in paper for commercial printers as well as packaging, wide-format and JanSan products.

The acquisition is expected to close at the end of October 2026.

About Central National Gottesman Inc.

Central National Gottesman Inc. (CNG) is a family of companies that specialize in creative approaches to sales, sourcing, global distribution, and supply chain to keep businesses around the world delivering for their customers. Founded in 1886 and headquartered in Purchase, NY, CNG is $8B+ revenue-generating family owned and operated company that employs more than 4,800 people in 180 locations across 25 countries. For more information, please visit cng-inc.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

SOURCE Central National Gottesman Inc.

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Thunes and Coinbase Join Forces to Drive Next Generation Global Payments

Strategic alliance unites global fiat payout infrastructure with best-in-class stablecoin infrastructure, empowering both platforms to serve new markets across corporate, gig economy, and consumer use cases.

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Money20/20 USA: Thunes, the Smart Superhighway to move money around the world, and Coinbase today announced a strategic collaboration to drive the next generation of global payments. By bringing together two established leaders across fiat and digital asset ecosystems, the partnership kicks off a unified infrastructure that empowers both companies to scale and deliver frictionless payment experiences globally.

As Coinbase powers Thunes' stablecoin infrastructure and Thunes powers Coinbase's global fiat reach, this alliance will further help accelerate the real-world adoption of stablecoins. By combining Coinbase's broad suite of stablecoin solutions with Thunes' network, the companies are unlocking seamless cross-border money movement across diverse use cases ranging from enterprise supplier payments and global gig worker payouts to instant international remittances.

Under the agreement, Coinbase will integrate Thunes' Direct Global Network into its platform, creating direct payout access to local clearing systems and alternative payment methods. Thunes will provide real-time, 'last-mile' delivery to billions of mobile wallets and bank accounts worldwide, allowing Coinbase customers to send funds across more countries and currencies, including hard-to-reach regions with limited banking infrastructure.

Coinbase will power Thunes' stablecoin infrastructure through its broad suite of stablecoin solutions, enabling Thunes to integrate stablecoins more deeply across its global network. This infrastructure will support Thunes' expansion within the digital asset ecosystem.

Chloé Mayenobe, Deputy CEO at Thunes, said: "Digital assets have become a core part of our financial ecosystem, but connecting digital currencies to fiat and local domestic financial systems remains essential for real-world utility. Thunes serves as the crucial bridge connecting traditional finance, mobile wallets, and digital assets. Together with Coinbase, we are enabling seamless fully compliant cross-border payouts, anywhere in the world."

Alec Lovett, Head of Infrastructure Products at Coinbase, said: "Digital assets and stablecoins are transforming how value moves worldwide, and at Coinbase we are focused on unlocking their full potential. Last-mile connectivity is a key part of this, and working alongside Thunes allows us to deliver an end-to-end payment experience that offers faster, friction-free payouts across more countries and currencies than ever before."

Kyle Rosen, Head of North America at Thunes, said: "Our collaboration with Coinbase reflects the massive momentum Thunes is building as the cross-border infrastructure of choice for leading US businesses across financial services, payments, fintech, and digital assets. As Coinbase integrates our global network to power payouts for its users, we're demonstrating how seamless cross-border rails can connect digital assets to traditional finance. Together, we're delivering the speed, scale, and reliability US businesses need to power global growth."

About Coinbase:

Cryptocurrencies creates economic freedom by ensuring that people can participate fairly in the economy, and Coinbase is on a mission to increase economic freedom for more than 1 billion people. We're updating the century-old financial system by providing a trusted platform that makes it easy for people and institutions to engage with crypto assets, including trading, staking, safekeeping, spending, and fast, free global transfers. We also provide critical infrastructure for onchain activity and support builders who share our vision that onchain is the new online. And together with the crypto community, we advocate for responsible rules to make the benefits of crypto available around the world.

About Thunes:

Thunes is the Smart Superhighway to move money around the world. Thunes' proprietary Direct Global Network allows Members to make payments in real-time in over 140 countries and more than 90 currencies. Thunes' Network connects directly to over 12 billion mobile wallets, stablecoin wallets and bank accounts worldwide, as well as 15 billion cards via more than 220 different payment methods, such as GCash, M-Pesa, Airtel, MTN, Orange, JazzCash, Easypaisa, AliPay, WeChat Pay HK and many more. Thunes' Direct Global Network differentiates itself through its worldwide reach, in-house SmartX Treasury System and Fortress Compliance Platform, ensuring Members of the Network receive unrivaled speed, control, visibility, protection, and cost efficiencies when making real-time payments, globally. Members of Thunes' Direct Global Network include gig economy giants like Uber and Deliveroo, super-apps like Grab and WeChat, MTOs, fintechs, PSPs and banks. Headquartered in Singapore, Thunes has offices in 14 locations, including Barcelona, Beijing, Dubai, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, London, Manila, Nairobi, New York, Paris, Riyadh, San Francisco and Shanghai. For more information, visit: https://www.thunes.com

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New AI storytelling co-pilot on Max Cloud helps station groups make weather content more distinctive, efficient and scalable – while keeping local meteorologists in full editorial control

ATLANTA, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Weather Company today announced the general availability of Weather Story Assist™, an AI-powered storytelling co-pilot offered on the Max Cloud™ platform. Max Cloud's suite of tools is designed to help unify the newsroom and enable broadcast teams to more easily collaborate, produce, and distribute weather content across stations. Weather Story Assist turns a single trusted forecast into distinctive, localized stories for linear television, streaming, web, social and mobile platforms.

By serving as an intelligent creative co-pilot, Weather Story Assist streamlines tedious preparation and asset discovery, allowing stations to produce higher-quality, differentiated content and expand their digital reach without increasing headcount. Crucially, local meteorologists retain complete editorial authority over every story, graphic and script created.

"Weather Story Assist lets a station's weather team stand out on every screen, not just the six o'clock news," said Steve Ward, senior vice president and general manager, enterprise media at The Weather Company. "By eliminating manual search and prep work, we're helping station groups deliver richer local storytelling and expand their digital presence, all while keeping the experts who know their local markets best in complete control."

Elevating Content Quality and Newsroom Efficiency

In today's fast-paced news environment, station groups face growing demand for multi-platform storytelling. However, weather teams often spend significant portions of their daily shifts manually searching for graphics, organizing assets, and formatting content across disparate tools. This routine leaves less time for the deep, localized storytelling that sets a station apart or the agile production of short-form, vertical content that digital audiences expect.

Weather Story Assist shifts the focus from preparation to presentation. It streamlines newsroom workflows and improves content quality by:

- Grounding the Story in Minutes: Surfaces historical content, record data, and compelling story angles behind the forecast – each clearly traced to its source – so meteorologists can build narratives quickly instead of starting from scratch.

- Intelligent Asset Search and Suggest: Comb through a station group's secure Max Cloud library to automatically recommend relevant scenes, graphics, archived video and local angles in the station's distinct brand and editorial voice.

Future Capabilities Coming Soon

As the solution continue to evolve on Max Cloud, upcoming enhancements will further expand station group efficiencies:

- Three-Tiered Personalization: Automatically aligns every story with the group's brand and editorial guidelines, station-specific market preferences, and individual meteorologists' presentation styles.

- Cross-Market Content Sharing: Enables station groups to easily search, surface and adapt high-value graphics and video assets across sister stations, maximizing the return on investment of created assets.

- Automated Vertical and Platform Adaptation: Instantly reshapes an established broadcast story into short-form, platform-native, vertical video and digital post drafts ready for fast meteorologist review and publishing on social, web, mobile and streaming.

Meteorologist-in-the-Loop Guardrails and Data Privacy

Built around strict "meteorologist-in-the-loop" principles, Weather Story Assist helps ensure that no content is published or aired without explicit approval from a meteorologist. Every suggested storyline and media asset clearly traces back to its original source, providing transparency and trust.

Operating entirely within a station group's secure, private Max Cloud environment, Weather Story Assist learns exclusively from that group's proprietary content, brand guidelines and usage patterns – ensuring custom intelligence without sharing data or training across external platforms or customers.

Industry Interoperability

Reflecting The Weather Company's commitment to open newsroom innovation, the company is an official participant in the IBC Accelerators industry consortium. The Weather Company is actively contributing to the development of the Story Object Model (SOM) schema ahead of industry standardization, and Weather Story Assist is being designed to support SOM to help ensure seamless integration across newsroom control systems.

Weather Story Assist is available now as part of the Max Cloud platform offering. For more about Max Cloud, visit weathercompany.com/media/max-cloud.

About The Weather Company

The Weather Company helps the world navigate changing conditions and build weather resilience. As the world's leading weather provider, we fuse deep meteorological expertise with immense data scale and cutting-edge AI to turn atmospheric chaos into actionable intelligence. We deliver enterprise-grade products at a massive consumer scale – providing the same verified data and reliability to a single app user as we do a global airline. We serve hundreds of enterprise customers and are trusted by hundreds of millions of people monthly via digital properties like The Weather Channel (weather.com), Weather Underground (wunderground.com), and Storm Radar. Visit weathercompany.com.

SOURCE The Weather Company

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