New survey from Subaru finds 73% of pet owners are more likely to drive instead of flying as travel plans increasingly account for family pets

CAMDEN, N.J., Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. today announced new proprietary data revealing just how central family pets have become to Americans' holiday travel plans. Subaru owners have long championed the pet community through the Subaru Loves Pets® initiative, and new research shows that pet owners nationwide are increasingly prioritizing their animal companions when planning upcoming trips.

According to the new survey, conducted by Talker Research among 2,000 U.S. drivers and pet owners, about three in four (73%) said they are more likely to take a road trip than fly, specifically so they can bring their pet along. As the holidays approach, more than two-thirds (68%) said their pet will affect their travel plans this year, and nearly half (45%) have turned down travel opportunities that couldn't accommodate their pet.

Christina Valente, Love Promise Community Commitment Manager at Subaru of America, Inc.: "Holidays are meant for spending time with family, including our pets, so it's no surprise that as people take the time to visit loved ones near and far, pets are factored into the planning. We've always known that animals hold a special place in the hearts and homes of the Subaru community, and this research shows that same connection is shared by pet parents across the country."

Holiday Plans are Going to the Dogs

Pets aren't just along for the ride this year; they're increasingly calling the shots on where to celebrate.

- Change of plans: More than one in four pet owners may change their plan because of their pet, whether that means hosting instead of traveling (10%), shortening or simplifying a trip to care for their pet (10%), or skipping certain gatherings if their pet can't join (8%).

- Homeward bound: Among pet owners who have traveled with their animals, Gen Z and millennials are more likely to have brought their pet home for the holidays than Gen X and boomers (35% compared to 22%).

- Taking the long road: Nearly half (45%) start planning a pet-friendly long weekend at least three weeks in advance, and 24% start more than a month out.

Animal Companions Change What Matters on Four Wheels

When pets join their families on the road, companionship and comfort take priority for drivers.

- Passenger preference: When it comes to preferred driving partners, over half (51%) say they prefer traveling with a pet to traveling with a human.

- Room to roam: Plenty of room between pets, passengers, and luggage tops the list of features pet owners say matter when traveling with an animal (32%).

- In the rearview: Good visibility to see their pet follows closely behind (29%), while 27% prioritize easy-to-clean seats and cargo areas.

- Packing up: More than one in four (26%) prioritize cargo space for crates, carriers, beds, or gear. Among hybrid and EV drivers, that climbs to 35%.

Trevor Maki, National Product Training Manager at Subaru of America, Inc.: "For many pet owners, bringing their dog, cat, or other animal family members along is an essential part of holiday travel. Room to move, clear sightlines, and easy-to-clean surfaces make all the difference. We recommend making sure you have the right accessories for your vehicle and your pet so everyone stays safe and comfortable on the road."

The Next Generation of Pet Travelers

Younger generations are more likely to plan around their pets, bring them along, and consider more trips in the future.

- Road trip regulars: 75% of Gen Z and 70% of millennials have brought their pet on a road trip in the past five years, compared with 58% of Gen X and 40% of baby boomers.

- Pet-first plans: Younger pet owners are also more likely to say they plan travel around their pet, with 42% of Gen Z and millennials doing so compared with 27% of Gen X and boomers.

- Ready to roll: Among pet owners who haven't yet road-tripped with their pet, 74% of Gen Z and millennials would consider it, compared with 54% of Gen X and boomers.

During Subaru Loves Pets month in October and the annual National Make A Dog's Day on October 22, the Subaru community continues to champion pets across the country, with a special focus on helping shelter animals and underdogs find loving homes. To learn more about the Subaru Love Pets initiative, visit www.subaru.com/pets and follow #SubaruLovesPets and #MakeADogsDay.

About the Subaru Study by Talker Research

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 adults ages 18+ who drive, own cats and/or dogs, and have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by Subaru and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between July 13 and July 17, 2026. A link to the questionnaire can be found here. To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR's Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of about 640 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants, including Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise®, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $357 million to causes that Subaru and its customers care about, and Subaru employees have logged more than 130,000 volunteer hours. Through these actions and more, Subaru is dedicated to being More Than a Car Company® and to making the world a better place. For additional information, visit media.subaru.com.

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Diane Anton

Corporate Communications Manager

(856) 488-5093

[email protected]

Adam Leiter

Subaru of America, Inc.

(856) 488-8668

[email protected]

SOURCE Subaru of America, Inc.

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Report: More than half of U.S. adults gamble monthly, citing money making and entertainment as primary motivation

While majority agree that most gamblers will lose money over time, half of gamblers believe that in a single hour of gambling they would win money or break even.

PROVO, Utah, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- With the advent of mobile betting and powerful advertising campaigns, gambling in America is becoming more accessible and less stigmatized than at any point in the nation's history. It is a regular habit for more than half of American adults, according to a new national survey from the Wheatley Institute at Brigham Young University. Overall, 55% report gambling at least monthly, and roughly 1 in 8 report gambling every day. Regular monthly engagement remains more common among men, with 63% participating, compared to 48% of women.

The survey also finds that making money rivals entertainment as a reason Americans bet. About 4 in 10 respondents identify making money as a primary motivation for gambling. Among adults ages 18 to 29, making money edges out entertainment, 53% to 50% — a contrast with adults 30 and older, who are more likely to cite entertainment than financial gain, 51% to 37%.

The report, "Gambling With Our Future," draws on a survey of 2,548 U.S. adults examining not only how often Americans gamble, but why they bet, the morality of gambling, what they believe about their chances of winning, and how gambling affects their relationships and well-being. It examines 16 activities, ranging from lottery tickets, casino games and charity raffles to mobile sports betting, prediction markets and high-risk financial trading treated as a wager.

"Gambling is not a niche activity. For many Americans, it has now become a routine part of life, available anytime on their computer or a phone app," said Paul Lambert, Religion Initiative Director at the Wheatley Institute, and co-author of the report. "What is particularly concerning is how many people fail to see the moral implications of gambling. The consequences can reach well beyond the person placing the bet, affecting family members, friends, and others who may never gamble themselves. It also undermines social trust and connection that is so important to flourishing societies."

Overall, 21% of adults say they have been hurt financially, emotionally or in some other way by someone else's gambling, and 39% say they personally know someone with a gambling problem.

When asked about the odds of betting in general, about 8 in 10 people correctly agree that most gamblers will lose money over time. But when the question is phrased in personal terms and respondents are asked about their own chances of winning, a false sense of optimism emerges. Around half of gamblers believe that in a single hour of gambling they would win money or at least break even.

Additional key findings include:

- Young adults report particularly frequent participation. Nearly 6 in 10 men ages 18 to 29 (59%) report gambling at least a few times a week, compared with 34% of women that age. Among adults 30 and older, the corresponding figures are 33% of men and 20% of women.

- Mobile sports betting is especially prevalent among young men. Among men ages 18 to 29, 67% report participating at least once in the past year, compared with 41% of young women.

- Men are also more likely to gamble for higher stakes. Compared to women, men are three times more likely to report having lost more than $1,000 in a single day of gambling. Among those who gamble at least weekly, men are also three times as likely as women to report spending $500 or more per week

- About a quarter were first introduced to gambling by a friend, almost 1 in 6 learned on their own, and roughly 1 in 10 were shown by their father

- Some see repeated betting as a route to profit. About 1 in 5 adults believe the lottery is an effective way to make money, and a similar share believe they could consistently profit if they bet often.

- More frequent gambling is associated with worse mental health. Respondents who gamble more often report more depression, anxiety and hopelessness. The survey does not establish whether gambling causes those difficulties.

- Religious participation does not necessarily mean less gambling. More frequent religious attendance is associated with greater participation across all 16 activities measured, from lottery play and mobile sports betting to crypto trading.

- Only about 4 in 10 adults think "betting is morally wrong and can lead to destructive addiction." But believing gambling is wrong does not keep people away from it. Even among those who do consider gambling to be morally wrong, 71% reported gambling in the past year.

"Our report shows that there is a much greater need for education about gambling odds and that we need to pay closer attention to its consequences on mental health and relationships," said Shima Baradaran Baughman, Woodruff J. Deem Professor of Law at BYU, Distinguished Fellow at the Wheatley Institute, and co-author of the report. "And while religious participation doesn't necessarily shield people from gambling, faith communities can be potential sources of support — both in helping people recognize gambling-related problems and in connecting those who are struggling with help."

The full report can be found at wheately.byu.edu/gamblingstudy

About the survey

The findings come from a national survey developed by Wheatley Institute and fielded by Qualtrics to a diverse sample of 2,548 adults in the United States, including an oversample of young adults ages 18 to 29.2 The sample was balanced through quota sampling on age, gender, race, and income, and the results are weighted for age.

The report was written by Stephen Cranney, Paul Lambert, Shima Baradaran Baughman, Anna Elmer and Jason Carroll.

About the Wheatley Institute

Wheatley Institute engages students, scholars, thought leaders, and the public in research-supported work that fortifies the core institutions of the family, religion, and constitutional government. For more information, visit https://wheatley.byu.edu/ 

SOURCE Wheatley Institute

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Interim Office of the CEO to lead NYPR as Board begins search for next President and CEO.

NEW YORK, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- New York Public Radio today announced that Christy Tanner will step down as President and CEO. The Board of Trustees thanks Christy for her contributions to NYPR and wishes her well.

Three individuals with strong ties to NYPR will form a temporary Office of the CEO: longtime media leaders and current Board members Jenna Weiss-Berman and Gary Knell, as well as LaFontaine Oliver, who will also serve as interim acting President.

Weiss-Berman co-founded Pineapple Street Studios and now leads podcasts at Paper Kite Productions; Knell previously served as President and CEO of NPR, CEO of Sesame Workshop, and Chief Executive of National Geographic; and Oliver previously served as NYPR's President and CEO and now serves as Chair of the Board of Public Media Infrastructure.

The Board will conduct a thoughtful search for NYPR's next permanent leader.

"We're grateful to Jenna, Gary, and LaFontaine for taking this on," said John Rose, Chair of the Board. "Together, they bring decades of experience in public media, journalism, and management, and deep knowledge of NYPR. We're confident in their ability to support our staff and serve our audiences as we search for our next President and CEO."

Throughout the transition, NYPR's journalists, producers, hosts, and staff will continue delivering the same outstanding journalism and programming for which they are well known. The interim team's priority is to support that work and the people behind it.

As always, NYPR is grateful to the audiences of WNYC, WQXR, and Gothamist, and looks forward to continuing to serve New Yorkers with the exceptional journalism and programming they rely on.

About New York Public Radio

With an urban vibrancy and a global perspective, New York Public Radio (NYPR) produces innovative, critically acclaimed programming for local and national broadcast, on-demand and live streaming audiences. NYPR's brands include WNYC, WQXR, WNYC Studios, Gothamist, New Jersey Public Radio, and The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space. The WNYC/Gothamist newsroom produces award-winning local journalism for New York City, New Jersey, and the surrounding region. WQXR, the city's only all-classical radio station, broadcasts new and archival classical recordings and makes live performances from New York City's esteemed performance venues available to all. WNYC Studios is a premier producer of on-demand and national broadcast audio, and home to some of the industry's most impactful award-winning podcasts and national radio shows, including Radiolab, On the Media, and The New Yorker Radio Hour, among others. The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space is NYPR's intimate street-level broadcast studio and live event space. Further information about programs, podcasts, and stations may be found at www.nypublicradio.org.

Media contact: [email protected]

SOURCE New York Public Radio

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PLANO, Texas, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Communications & Power Industries was recently awarded a multimillion-dollar contract to support an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) program for the U.S. government. CPI will deliver a cutting-edge antenna system that integrates a sophisticated quadband radio frequency (RF) design with a multi-motor drive architecture on each axis.

This complex antenna system brings together CPI's extensive expertise in RF engineering, motion control and system integration to meet demanding mission requirements. It relies on the company's experience as a major global supplier of reliable large-aperture antennas for 50 years. CPI's installed base includes hundreds of ISR antennas ranging from small tactical and transportable systems to large-aperture antenna systems that exceed 30 meters in diameter.

"This award reflects the trust government customers place in CPI as a proven supplier of ISR solutions," said Jamie Clark, president of CPI's Antenna Technologies division. "We are able to draw on decades of technical knowledge and authority to meet the evolving requirements of modern ISR missions and to deliver dependable and affordable solutions that enable our customers to gather critical intelligence and act with confidence. We appreciate the opportunity to support our government customers on such critical programs."

About Communications & Power Industries

Communications & Power Industries (CPI) is a global manufacturer of small, medium and large aperture antennas, components and systems focused primarily on defense and communications markets. CPI's advanced technologies and systems power critical government and commercial applications worldwide, ensuring reliable performance in demanding environments. Learn more about CPI at www.cpii.com.

SOURCE Communications & Power Industries LLC

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Supermicro Expands Integrated Open Compute Project Portfolio to Accelerate Rack-Scale AI Data Center Deployments

- Integrated Open Compute Project (OCP) based portfolio spans rack-scale AI/HPC systems, ORv3 and ORW racks, 48V DC power, networking, and liquid cooling solutions to enable higher-density compute in existing and new data centers

- Portfolio extends from infrastructure to intelligent operations with DCBBS Coolants, in-rack CDUs, switches, and Supermicro System Management Software Suite for infrastructure management

- Supermicro DCBBS brings these OCP-based technologies together into integrated rack-scale solutions, simplifying and speeding deployment across compute, power, networking, and cooling for a faster Time-to-Online (TTO)

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Super Micro Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ: SMCI), an AI, Enterprise, Storage, and 5G/Edge Total IT Solution Provider featuring Data Center Building Block Solutions® (DCBBS), today announced an expanded portfolio of Open Compute Project Accepted™ systems, racks, and rear door heat exchangers (RDHx). Supported by DCBBS, the solutions portfolio can be incorporated into complete end-to-end rack- and cluster-scale deployments.

"The AI boom is redefining how data centers are designed, built, and deployed, and Supermicro is leading this transformation with DCBBS," said Charles Liang, president and CEO of Supermicro. "By integrating compute, networking, power, advanced cooling, software, and services into validated rack-scale solutions, we help customers simplify complexity and accelerate the path from innovation to production. DCBBS enables customers to reduce TTM and TTO by delivering essential AI infrastructure faster and more efficiently."

Supermicro's OCP solutions are now available, click here to learn more.

By leveraging OCP community best practices and DCBBS design and services, data center operators can increase compute density and energy efficiency for AI and HPC workloads based on an open and validated rack-scale foundation—from systems and busbar to rack-level and data center cooling—to bring high density solutions online more efficiently to accelerate Time-to-Market (TTM) and TTO.

"Customers need open, flexible infrastructure that can scale with the rapidly evolving demands of AI while fitting the realities of their data centers," said Dirk Van Slyke, vice president of Marketing, OCP. "By bringing OCP-accepted systems, racks, power and cooling together in validated rack-scale solutions, Supermicro is helping customers simplify integration, maximize facility capacity and efficiency, and accelerate the deployment of production AI infrastructure."

The ORv3 and ORW racks replace per-server power supplies and cables with a centralized 48V DC busbar, allowing customers to optimize their CPU and GPU systems for higher density compute racks. This density is further supported by Supermicro's DLC-2 Direct-to-Chip liquid cooling, which removes heat more efficiently from CPUs, GPUs, and other critical components, while residual heat can be removed from the rack by purpose-built ORv3 RDHx's without requiring additional retrofit of data hall air conditioning systems.

Supermicro RDHx units can be mounted to the rear of ORv3 and ORW racks and remove residual heat from server exhaust before it enters the data hall. The portfolio spans 10 kW to 120 kW of cooling capacity, giving operators a practical way to increase rack density in both new AI facilities and existing data centers. DC-powered models connect to the rack's busbar to reduce cabling, while designs include N+1 redundant fans to ensure uptime and a smart anti-condensation system to prevent moisture damage to other components inside the rack.

Operators can monitor and manage the entire portfolio of DCBBS components, through SuperCloud Composer® using industry-standard protocols. Further, Supermicro's software, such as SuperCloud Director, SuperCloud Automation Assistant, and SuperCloud Developer Console, enables organizations to manage and operationalize all aspects of modern AI factories, enterprise data centers, and NeoCloud infrastructure, through a unified software control solution.

As part of DCBBS portfolio, Supermicro also delivers a comprehensive portfolio of AI networking solutions, ranging from air and liquid-cooled 800G and 1.6T Ethernet switches including next-generation Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) platforms built on Broadcom Tomahawk 6 switching silicon, optimized for EIA or ORv3 racks. The Supermicro Enterprise Advanced SONiC Networking Operating System gives customers the flexibility to select the networking architecture that best meets their performance, power, scalability, and deployment requirements as AI and large-scale data center environments continue to evolve.

Supermicro DCBBS will also include NVIDIA Spectrum-X Ethernet Photonics switch systems, the first co-packaged Ethernet switches with 200Gb/s SerDes. Built on the 102.4 Tb/s NVIDIA Spectrum-6 Ethernet ASIC, Spectrum-X Ethernet Photonics delivers 5x better power efficiency, 10x greater MTBI, 5x longer uptime for AI applications and 1.3x faster time to deployment, compared to pluggable transceiver-based networks. Spectrum-X Ethernet Photonics is in production now.

Portfolio Overview: Supermicro's broad solution portfolio incorporates many community-based standards, which enable faster and more optimized data centers to be brought online faster.

These include:

1 OU FlexTwin™ Solution: A purpose-built rack-scale HPC solution featuring 1 OU 2-node systems powered by the latest Intel® Xeon® 6 or AMD EPYC™ CPUs.

NVIDIA Vera Rubin NVL72: Supermicro's OCP contributed NVIDIA MGX 1.2 Rack Series is engineered exclusively for NVIDIA Vera Rubin NVL72 and NVIDIA Vera CPU platforms with Supermicro's DCBBS DLC-2 liquid-cooling stack support to streamline rack integration to accelerate deployment.

2 OU NVIDIA HGX B300: Built to the OCP ORv3 specification with advanced liquid cooling technology, each compact 8-GPU node fits into 21-inch racks, enabling up to 18 nodes and 144 total GPUs per rack.

2 OU 4-Node Rack-Scale Solution: Optimized architectures unlocking breakthrough performance, efficiency, and rack density for 24/7 agentic AI, featuring up to 45,696 Arm AGI CPUs per rack.

250 kW 4U In-Rack CDU: Features a high cooling capacity and a compact design with up to 250 kW cooling capacity in a compact 4U form factor. It supports high-density AI racks with 45°C warm-water cooling and energy-efficient data center operation.

OCP ORv3 Rack Series: 44OU and 48OU 21-inch racks with integrated busbars and a 5,000 lb. (2,268 kg) certified static load capacity, liquid cooling ready architecture, optimized mechanical design, including MGX 1.2 (Gen 3) racks.

AMD Helios™ Platform Solution: ORW architecture that is fully integrated and purpose-built for high-volume inference, frontier-model training, fine-tuning, as well as sovereign and agentic AI.

ORv3/ Chiller Door: Compatible with ORv3 rack and features 20-100 kW cooling capacity, and Redfish/SNMP/WebUI/Modus control.

ORW Chiller Door: Compatible with ORW rack and features 60 kW cooling capacity and Redfish/SNMP/WebUI/Modus control.

DCBBS Coolants: Built for an OCP-Style liquid-cooling stack customers have two ready-to-use PG coolants for the TCS loop — DLC-1 for standard liquid-cooled racks, and ultra-low-conductivity DLC-2 for specialty cold-plate designs. Both are designed to align/compatible with the OCP PG25 Base Spec, so racks, in-rack CDUs, RDHx, and cold plates can run as one cooling stack.

Rear Door Heat Exchanger (RDHx): Six rack-mounted cooling solutions that remove heat from liquid-cooled racks. Cooling capacities range from 10 kW to 120 kW, with AC and DC power options available.

Power shelves (1 OU) and Battery Backup Units (2 OU) easily fit into OCP racks.

2 OU CPO Switch: Designed for OCP ORv3 racks with 40-60 VDC busbar power and blind-mate QD08 liquid cooling. Delivers 102.4 Tbps across 128 × 800G ports with Supermicro Enterprise Advanced SONiC support.

System Management Software: Supports Redfish APIs and OpenBMC based architecture for remote management. Availability of attestation and PQC algorithms for security compliance with OCP standards.

DCBBS is Supermicro's integrated approach to building and deploying production-ready AI infrastructure—from rack-scale systems to complete AI factories. DCBBS brings together accelerated compute, high-performance networking, storage, power, advanced liquid cooling, system management software, and deployment services in validated solutions, optimized for, and co-designed by, each customer. By combining Supermicro's engineering and manufacturing capabilities with leading technology ecosystems, DCBBS helps organizations reduce deployment complexity and total cost of ownership, while optimizing performance and efficiency.

See these solutions, and more, in Supermicro booth #B4 at the OCP Global Summit, being held October 12 thru October 15, in San Jose, CA.

About Super Micro Computer, Inc.

Supermicro (NASDAQ: SMCI) is a global leader in Application-Optimized Total IT Solutions. Founded and operating in San Jose, California, Supermicro is committed to delivering first-to-market innovation for Enterprise, Cloud, AI, and 5G Telco/Edge IT Infrastructure. We are a Total IT Solutions provider with server, AI, storage, IoT, switch systems, software, and support services. Supermicro's motherboard, power, and chassis design expertise further enables our development and production, enabling next-generation innovation from cloud to edge for our global customers. Our products are designed and manufactured in-house (in the US, Taiwan, and the Netherlands), leveraging global operations for scale and efficiency and optimized to improve TCO and reduce environmental impact (Green Computing).

Heated Apparel Partner Returns to Keep USA Bobsled/Skeleton Athletes Toasty Between Runs as the Road to 2030 Begins

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- USA Bobsled/Skeleton (USABS) and ororo®, the most trusted heated apparel brand on the market rooted in bringing premium, timeless, and cost-effective heated gear, have renewed their partnership through the 2029-30 season, extending a relationship that will keep American sliders warm as they look ahead to 2030.

ororo will continue as the Official Heated Apparel Partner of USABS, supplying the national bobsled and skeleton teams with heated gear for training and competition.

The renewal comes as USABS looks ahead to an exciting new quadrennial, including the 2029 IBSF World Championships in Park City. Together, USABS and ororo will keep American athletes focused on speed instead of the cold as they chase podiums around the world.

Bobsled and skeleton athletes spend long stretches in sub-freezing temperatures at the top of the track, then must deliver an explosive push start within seconds of being called to the line. Cold hands and stiff muscles cost time. ororo's battery-powered heated gear helps athletes stay warm and loose between runs so they are ready to perform the moment the clock starts.

"Over the past four years, it has been an honor supporting and celebrating the USA Bobsled/Skeleton team through day-to-day life, their training, and competitions with our heated gear," said ororo CEO Mark H. "We are thrilled to be expanding and continuing our partnership with the USA Bobsled/Skeleton team for an additional four years as the team's Official Heated Apparel Partner and to be supporting USA's athletes."

"Our heated gear was created to empower our customers to do what they love, no matter the weather, and ororo gear is designed to be durable, comfortable, and of course, toasty, to move with our customers through their daily lives," he added. "This includes being flexible and robust enough to keep up with world-class athletes through their intense training and competitions. We are looking forward to continuing to keep the USA Bobsled/Skeleton team and their coaches toasty throughout the season."

"ororo understood what our athletes need from day one," said Aron McGuire, CEO of USA Bobsled/Skeleton. "Our athletes and coaches spend hours on the track in the cold, and staying warm between runs directly affects how they perform at the start. We are grateful to have ororo back with us as we begin the road to 2030."

ororo is the most trusted heated apparel brand on the market, rooted in bringing premium, timeless, and cost-effective heated gear to customers around the globe. ororo's heated gear includes vests, jackets, pants, gloves, socks, accessories, and more for Men, Women, Juniors, and Kids. Powered by ororo's UL-certified rechargeable batteries, the gear features three heat settings- low, medium, and high- and multiple heating zones in various configurations, providing heating where customers need it most.

ororo and USABS are partnering to design a new limited edition collection, set to be released late November 2026. To view the current collection, visit https://www.ororowear.com/collections/usabss-picks.

Media Contact

Gregg Elkin

USA Bobsled/Skeleton

[email protected]

214.577.8843

Kelsey Bierbower

ororo Heated Apparel

[email protected]

About USA Bobsled/Skeleton

USA Bobsled/Skeleton is the national governing body for the sports of bobsled and skeleton racing in the United States. Based in Lake Placid, NY, USA Bobsled/Skeleton oversees the development and training of American athletes at all levels of competition. For more information, visit USABS.com or follow @USABS on Instagram, USA Bobsled/Skeleton on Facebook, and @usabobsledskeleton on TikTok.

About ororo

Founded in Kansas City in 2015, ororo offers rechargeable heated apparel designed to keep you warm and comfortable without bulky layers, whether indoors or outdoors. With built-in heating elements, adjustable warmth settings, and small-sized batteries, our heated clothing and gear ensure you stay cozy and stylish in any environment. Trusted by over 3 million customers and backed by UL-certified batteries for safety, ororo is the most trusted heated apparel brand in the U.S.A.

SOURCE ORORO Heated Apparel

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AlumniFi named Official Credit Union of St. John's Athletics

QUEENS, N.Y., Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The St. John's Athletic Department announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with AlumniFi on Tuesday morning, making AlumniFi the Official Credit Union of St. John's Athletics and the first corporate partner in program history to have its logo displayed on the Red Storm's uniforms.

Beginning with tomorrow's exhibition opener against Drexel, AlumniFi's logo will be prominently displayed on the uniforms of the Red Storm's men's and women's basketball, men's and women's soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball and lacrosse programs.

"We're proud to become the Official Credit Union of St. John's Athletics," said April Clobes, President and CEO of AlumniFi. "St. John's has a rich tradition, a passionate community and exciting momentum around what's ahead. Through this athletics partnership, we have the opportunity to support St. John's student-athletes and programs while bringing smarter banking to alumni, fans, students and Johnnies everywhere. Having our name on the jersey is a meaningful way to show our commitment to the St. John's community and everything it represents."

The financial commitment provided by AlumniFi is among the most significant in the history of St. John's Athletics and was facilitated by St. John's Sports Properties, the locally based team of Learfield — the leading media and technology company powering college athletics.

With this budding partnership, AlumniFi will deepen its presence in the New York Region by aligning with New York's Team.

"We're thrilled to welcome AlumniFi as the Official Credit Union of St. John's Athletics and the first jersey patch sponsor in our department's history," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Ed Kull. "The current college athletics landscape has placed an unprecedented premium on revenue generation. We're so fortunate to have partners like AlumniFi who have stepped up to the plate and supported our efforts to remain at the forefront of the revenue-sharing space."

In addition to its direct partnership with the department, AlumniFi will also engage in student-athlete influencer marketing campaigns with select Red Storm student-athletes. Furthermore, AlumniFi will engrain itself in the larger student-athlete community by hosting educational sessions on financial literacy and career development to help prepare Johnnies for life after college.

AlumniFi will also take on a robust role in the men's and women's basketball gameday experience, sponsoring several interactive activations, including the men's basketball "white-out" game later this season at Madison Square Garden.

"We are very excited to welcome AlumniFi as a partner of St. John's Athletics," said St. John's Sports Properties General Manager Kevin Waters. "This partnership places their commitment to students, alumni, and our fans on one of the most visible symbols of St. John's Athletics. As AlumniFi continues to build its presence in New York, we are proud to have them become part of St. John's."

SOURCE MSUFCU

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Landmark partnership pairs a national title sponsorship across North America with a new integration into the HYROX365 ecosystem giving HYROX's global community one home to train, book, and belong, on race day and beyond

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sweatpals, the community platform that brings the world together through movement, and HYROX announced a landmark partnership to help athletes engage with HYROX beyond race day, in their own cities and wherever they travel. The partnership gives HYROX affiliate gyms a way to reach those athletes, build local communities and generate revenue through training events, simulations and open gym sessions.

The partnership brings together two complementary elements designed to create a seamless athlete experience. Sweatpals is an Official Partner of North America & Official Title Partner of HYROX Miami, while now also becoming the Official Event Platform of HYROX365.

Through an integration with the HYROX Performance HUB, Sweatpals will enable HYROX affiliate gyms to create, promote and manage local training events, simulations and open gym sessions, with bookings and payments handled through the platform. Athletes will be able to discover and book these opportunities through the HYROX Training Finder, giving gyms a way to attract new participants, generate revenue and bring training and competition onto the gym floor year-round. Individually, the title sponsorship and platform integration strengthen the relationship between HYROX, Sweatpals and the athlete community. Together, they create a connected fitness ecosystem that extends the energy of race day into everyday training.

Bringing Athletes From the Race Floor Into Everyday Life

With races spanning more than 30 countries, 6 continents and a network of 20,000 affiliate gyms training athletes year-round, HYROX has built one of the fastest-growing fitness communities in the world. Sweatpals exists to capture what happens between those moments; the training sessions, group chats, and friends made at a class who become lifelong training Partners.

Integrating to HYROX365: Training, Events, and Community in One Place

Sweatpals is becoming the Official Event Platform of HYROX365, deploying a white-label solution that fully integrates into the HYROX365 ecosystem. This integration extends the functionality of the HYROX Training Finder, transforming it into a comprehensive hub. Since HYROX Training Clubs are the primary 'home' for athletes between races, Sweatpals simplifies the experience, making it effortless for them to discover, book, and attend HYROX-sanctioned training and community events. With this unified workflow, events will be posted and managed via Sweatpals, while being seamlessly integrated and displayed within the HYROX Training Finder, ensuring maximum visibility and accessibility for the global network. Affiliate gyms will be able to host and monetize HYROX training sims, HYROX training events, and open gym sessions, with bookings, day passes, payments, and member acquisition handled end-to-end. For athletes, that means a new, seamless way to find and book HYROX training at any affiliate gym near them, anywhere in the network - not just around race day. For gyms, it means new ways to grow and engage with their HYROX communities.

Title Sponsorship: Meeting the North American HYROX Community Wherever They Are

Sweatpals has been named as a HYROX official title sponsor across North America — a natural pairing, since both brands are built on the same belief: that movement is better together. Sweatpals experiences are already taking place all over the U.S., introducing people to everything from strength training classes to morning raves to cold plunge meetups. Through the partnership, the North American HYROX community gets a way to carry that same energy into everyday life — helping athletes find each other, train together, and show up in person between races, not just scroll past each other online. Sweatpals is the app for people who want to experience fitness and wellness in a social way, connecting with others over a shared love of movement.

Announcing Sweatpals HYROX Miami Beach 2027

Sweatpals HYROX Miami Beach 2027 will stand as the marquee moment of the partnership, with Sweatpals debuting as title sponsor. Miami is home to a large number of Sweatpals communities — a city that lives and breathes social fitness culture — making it a natural fit for this milestone race. Further integrations and community activations will take place in the lead-up to and beyond race day, with more details to be announced in the coming months.

Salar Shahini, CEO and Co-Founder of Sweatpals commented: "For Sweatpals and HYROX, community doesn't stop at the finish line. HYROX has built something genuinely rare— a global network of people who don't just work out, they show up for each other. That's exactly who Sweatpals was built for. As Title Sponsor, we get to bring that energy to life in person across North America. And by building directly into HYROX365, we're proud to give the HYROX community a home between races, as well as through their gyms, trainers, and social Clubs."

Christian Toetzke, Co-Founder and CEO at HYROX commented: "At HYROX, we've created a sport that gives athletes a clear goal to train towards. Through our partnership with Sweatpals, HYROX affiliate gyms can create, promote, and manage local training events, simulations, and open gym sessions through an integration with the HYROX Training Finder. Together we're giving thousands of gyms the tools to attract participants, generate revenue, and host events year-round."

Notes to editor

About HYROX

HYROX is the global sport of fitness racing and an ecosystem of events, training and coaching built around performance, participation and community. Combining 8 x 1 km runs with 8 functional workout stations, HYROX has created a standardised race format where professional athletes and everyday competitors compete in the same event. Founded in Germany in 2017, HYROX now hosts races across more than 30 countries worldwide, alongside a broader ecosystem that includes HYROX365 training clubs and programming, HYROX YoungStars, ELITE 15 professional competition and HYROX Experiences.

About Sweatpals

Sweatpals is the community marketplace for fitness and wellness experiences. Founded on the belief that movement is better together, Sweatpals connects people through shared workouts, events, and experiences — turning individual effort into collective energy. For studios, gyms, and event hosts, Sweatpals provides all the tools needed to build, manage, and grow a thriving business and community in one place. 2M Pals. Tens of thousands of communities. One platform. sweatpals.com

SOURCE SweatPals Inc.

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Align Aluminum Railing featuring DropLock Technology joins Meridian and Elevate, the first decking collections introduced following the MoistureShield asset acquisition

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Deckorators®, the fastest-growing composite decking brand and part of UFP Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: UFPI), today announced its 2027 product lineup, highlighted by Align Aluminum Railing featuring DropLock™ technology and the introduction of Meridian and Elevate decking. Meridian and Elevate are the first Deckorators decking collections introduced following the acquisition of MoistureShield decking assets, expanding the brand's outdoor living portfolio with new performance, comfort and design options. Meridian also brings proprietary CoolDeck® technology to the Deckorators product offering.

The 2027 lineup also includes two new colors for Deckorators Porch Flooring made with Surestone® technology, a new Essential Aluminum Railing collection and updates to the Contemporary Cable Rail system.

"Our 2027 lineup is designed to make outdoor spaces easier to build, more comfortable to enjoy and more personal to the homeowner," said Michelle Hendricks, Deckorators director of marketing. "From Meridian decking with CoolDeck technology to Align railing with its simplified installation system, these products deliver meaningful innovations for homeowners, contractors and our dealer partners."

Decking

- Meridian decking with CoolDeck technology: Designed to absorb less heat than conventional composite decking, Meridian combines enhanced surface comfort with rich color variation and an authentic wood-grain finish. The collection launches in four colors: Hudson, Sonoma, Catalina and Newport. Its full 1-inch profile is approved for dock and waterfront applications.

- Elevate decking: This new line is built for active outdoor spaces and resists moisture, rot and insect damage with minimal upkeep. It installs anywhere, including ground and water applications, and launches in Basin Brown and Ridge Gray.

- New Porch Flooring colors: Cliffside and Glacier extend two popular Summit decking colors to Deckorators Porch Flooring, giving homeowners a coordinated look from porch to deck. Made with Surestone technology, Porch Flooring is available in tongue-and-groove and solid-edge profiles with virtually no thermal movement.

Railing

- Align Aluminum Railing featuring proprietary DropLock technology: Preassembled panels drop into place without templates, bracket drilling or special tools, helping reduce labor, cleanup and installation errors. One versatile post supports line, end and corner applications, simplifying inventory for dealers. Align features concealed fasteners and true 6-foot and 8-foot lengths and is available in Textured Black, Textured White and Bronze in 36-inch and 42-inch heights.

- Essential Aluminum Railing: A streamlined aluminum railing option that combines approachable value with flexible installation. Essential is available as preassembled panels or kits with prerouted top and bottom rails and comes in Textured Black, Textured White and Bronze.

- Updated Cable and Hardware System for Contemporary Cable Rail: The redesigned system has fewer parts and more intuitive tension adjustment, and it adds a black stainless steel cable that matches black railing components. Cable is available in 10-foot to 70-foot lengths.

The Deckorators 2027 product lineup will be available in January 2027 through Deckorators dealers and retailers, with products on display in booth C3308 at the International Builders' Show, Feb. 2-4, 2027, in Las Vegas. Learn more at www.deckorators.com/pages/new-products/new-for-2027.

Additionally, several of the new products will be showcased later this month through Build It Forward, the brand's inaugural volunteer event with nonprofit partner Rebuilding Together Nashville. From Oct. 20-23, Deckorators Certified Pros from across the country will complete five outdoor deck projects for Nashville-area families in need, demonstrating the real-world performance and versatility of Deckorators products.

About Deckorators

Deckorators®, the first name in decking, railing and accessories, invented the low-maintenance aluminum balusters category and has since led the industry with innovative decking and railing products. With dependably on-trend designs, Deckorators lets DIYers and builders extend their creative ideas from a home's interior to its outdoor living spaces. Deckorators is a brand of UFP Retail Solutions, LLC, a UFP Industries company.

To learn more about Deckorators decking and railing accessories, visit www.deckorators.com or call 1-800-556-8449.

Follow Deckorators on:

- Instagram: @deckorators

- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/deckorators

- Facebook: facebook.com/deckorators

- YouTube: youtube.com/deckoratorsproducts

- Pinterest: pinterest.com/deckorators

UFP Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: UFPI)

UFP Industries Inc. is a holding company whose operating subsidiaries—UFP Packaging, UFP Construction, and UFP Retail Solutions—manufacture, distribute, and sell a wide variety of value-added products used in residential and commercial construction, packaging, and other industrial applications worldwide. Founded in 1955, the company is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with affiliates in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. For more about UFP Industries, go to www.ufpi.com.

SOURCE Deckorators®

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The AI-Powered Spatial Intelligence Company Recently Earned a $2 Million Extension to Train Members of the 97th Air Mobility Wing

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Schemata, the company pioneering spatial intelligence by connecting AI to the physical world, announced today that they were awarded $3.25 million in contracts through the United States Air Force's innovation arm, AFWERX. These are fully funded contracts with milestone-based deliverables.

Under the contracts, Schemata has been providing AI-enabled virtual training modules for Air Force equipment, starting with two civilian equipment platforms at Altus. Each module is a photorealistic, interactive 3D copy of the real equipment, paired with an AI Instructor that walks Airmen through inspection procedures and answers their questions.

Airmen are using the modules to prepare for certification on the equipment, specifically the hands-on inspection. Airmen can practice the full inspection on their own schedule without the physical equipment or an instructor. The tool started with the 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Altus. It has since spread to nine installations across five major commands at no additional cost to the government, including Ramstein, Nellis, Andrews, Langley, and Whiteman.

Why Did the Air Force Choose Schemata?

The 97th AMW had too little equipment and too few qualified instructors for the number of Airmen needing certification. Classes of 20 or more Airmen were sharing a couple of training assets, with ten people crowded around a single piece of equipment. This bottleneck of limited equipment, qualified instructors and an overflow of Airmen needing to be trained led the Air Force to Schemata's solutions. Its combination of top-tier AI-powered analytics, hyper-photorealistic 3D modeling, and the company's ability to meet the heightened cybersecurity requirements put forth by the United States Air Force is what caught the attention of AFWERX and led to the initial $1.25 million. The results detailed below are what extended that first investment into the $2 million extension.

The application of Schemata's training technology has already shown clear evidence of its impact and effectiveness:

- Training Bottlenecks Due to Equipment Availability; ELIMINATED – Airmen having access to Schemata's 3D interactive modeling allows them to train without relying on the accessibility of limited training equipment

- Limited Instructor Availability; 12-20 hrs per instructor SAVED – By giving Airmen the autonomy to train on their own with the assistance of AI, Instructors are able to focus on the core training to set the standards for what their Airmen need to accomplish on their own.

- Instructor-led Training Capacity; DOUBLED - With the additional time due to the Airmen's training autonomy provided by Schemata, Instructors can train more Airmen in the same amount of time.

- Airmen Confidence in their Training; 100% - All Airmen asked about their training experience through Schemata reported an increase in their confidence in that training when compared to traditional training techniques.

"The Air Force was one of the first customers to bet on Schemata, and the Airmen helped shaped this product as much as our engineers did," said James Brown, Co-Founder and CEO of Schemata. "This contract takes a capability proven at one wing and puts it in the hands of Airmen across the force. It shows what spatial intelligence makes possible: capture a real piece of equipment once, and turn it into knowledge any Airman can use, anywhere."

This latest contract extension and the results that led to it are just the beginning. The same approach that the Air Force is using works for any piece of equipment, airframe, weapon system, or facility and is applicable across the entire military and into the private sector. Other Air Force organizations have already asked about more equipment, and Schemata is currently working with Air Force stakeholders on ways to scale beyond the current program.

For more information about Schemata and its work with the Air Force, visit: https://www.schemata.com/#in-the-field

About Schemata:

Schemata is pioneering spatial intelligence by connecting AI to the physical world. We rapidly transform real-world systems like vehicles, equipment, facilities, and energy infrastructure into photorealistic, interactive 3D environments paired with an AI Instructor. This enables DoD and commercial teams to replace static work instructions, operating manuals, and legacy courseware with dynamic, immersive learning and decision-support experiences. Our AI-native 3D pipeline captures, renders, and semantically segments physical assets in a fraction of the time, unlocking scalable knowledge transfer, faster onboarding, and improved operational readiness across mission-critical environments.

Media Contact

Joshua Kail

347-684-2966

[email protected] 

SOURCE Schemata, Inc.

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