The recognition comes during equipifi's fastest stretch of growth, following its Series B raise.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- equipifi®, the leading provider of bank-led Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solutions, today announced it has been named a finalist for the Phoenix Business Journal's Best Places to Work in the Valley for the fourth consecutive year. Last year, the company placed second in the Extra Small category.

equipifi nearly doubled its headcount over the past twelve months, hiring across sales, customer success, product, and engineering to meet growing demand from banks and credit unions for BNPL they own and control. The hiring followed the company's Series B raise earlier this year and reshaped nearly every team.

"Companies find out what their culture is really made of when they scale it fast," said Bryce Deeney, Co-Founder and CEO of equipifi. "We nearly doubled the team this year, and earning this recognition in the middle of that tells me we're bringing in the right people. They've matched the pace we were already moving at and even pushed us forward. That's a testament to the culture we've built and the people we bring into it."

A finalist for a fourth consecutive year, equipifi has consistently earned this recognition during fast stretches of growth. In addition to team size, the company also grew BNPL transaction volume on its platform by 128% year over year, and expanded its platform's capabilities including enhanced underwriting and notifications.

"This was a year of growth, evolution, and lacing up our running shoes to move fast," said Marlowe Everett, VP of People at equipifi. "equipifi attracts exceptional people, and we're deliberate about how we hire, develop, and retain them. We look for people who want to build something meaningful and grow with the company, and once they join, they're given true ownership to create. With a values-based culture and a wildly talented team in place, we're set up for an even bigger year ahead."

equipifi's team brings together experience in banking, payments, commerce, and fintech, working across disciplines to redefine Buy Now, Pay Later as a product native to the banking experience. A finalist in the Extra Small category this year, equipifi will compete in the next size category in the coming year due to its rapid growth. Learn more about careers at equipifi at equipifi.com/careers.

About equipifi

equipifi is a fintech company that enables banks and credit unions to offer flexible payments and Buy Now, Pay Later as a native capability within their digital banking platforms. By embedding installment lending directly into the institutions consumers already trust, equipifi helps financial institutions deepen the banking relationship, grow their lending portfolio, and compete effectively in a payments landscape defined by evolving consumer expectations. Learn more at equipifi.com.

SOURCE equipifi

Share this article

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- dōTERRA welcomed over 10,000 attendees, both in person and virtually, to its 2026 Global Convention, "Imagine," held September 23 to 26 in Orlando, Florida, marking the first time in company history the annual event has taken place outside of Salt Lake City. Over four days, Wellness Advocates gathered to celebrate achievement, deepen their understanding of Natural Intelligence, and connect as a global community.

"Imagine was an invitation to envision what's possible when trusted wellness solutions are combined with meaningful human connection," said Jonathan Johnson, President of dōTERRA. "From celebrating the achievements and service of our Wellness Advocates to unveiling new products and innovations, this year's Convention demonstrated the strength of what we can build together. As we look ahead, dōTERRA's future will be shaped by our shared commitment to listen, collaborate, and help the world heal, together."

The week began with a Recognition Gala honoring an exceptional year of achievement, followed by a Healing Hands Service Project, where attendees prepared more than 12,000 Days for Girls Kits for communities around the world, including Orlando.

Throughout the week, general sessions, TERRAtalks, and immersive experiences, including the dōTERRA Experience, Essential Oil Symposium, and Marketplace, brought the science behind essential oils to life. The final General Session celebrated rank advancements, community milestones, and personal stories of impact, closing with a challenge to turn inspiration into action.

Throughout Convention, dōTERRA introduced an exciting new lineup of products:

- Naio 5 mL Essential Oil

- InTune™ Focus Collection: 

- InTune™ Focus Blend 15 mL

- InTune™ Stick + Hiba Wood

- dōTERRA On Guard™ Stick + Echinacea

- Pocket Diffusers: 

- dōTERRA Breathe™

- dōTERRA On Guard™

- InTune™

- IKISE™ Skincare Collection: 

- Cleansing Balm

- Face Cleanser

- Toner Smooth & Rich

- Dual Serum Smooth & Rich

- Day & Night Face Cream

- Intensive Eye Cream

- Immortelle Essential Oil

To explore the full lineup and shop these new products, visit the dōTERRA New Products page.

Together, the event's experiences and innovations reflected dōTERRA's continued commitment to inspiring meaningful wellness for people and communities around the world.

About dōTERRA

dōTERRA International is an integrative health and wellness company and the world leader in the global aromatherapy and essential oils market. dōTERRA sources, tests, manufactures, and distributes CPTG Certified Pure Tested Grade® essential oils and essential oil products to over 10 million Wellness Advocates and customers. Through its new Wellness Made Simple program—dōTERRA's science-backed approach to laying a strong wellness foundation—the company empowers individuals to take charge of their health. Like and follow dōTERRA on Facebook and Instagram. Learn more at doTERRA.com.

SOURCE doTERRA International, LLC

Share this article

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- State Controller Malia M. Cohen published the 2025 self-reported payroll data for University of California (UC) institutions and California Community College Districts (CCD) on the Government Compensation in California website. The published data covers 451,244 positions, more than $34 billion in wages, and over $6 billion in retirement and health contributions. Total compensation exceeded $40.1 billion.

All 10 UC campuses and the Office of the President submitted complete reports. Their data covers 357,167 positions, more than $29.2 billion in wages, and nearly $4.5 billion in retirement and health contributions, for total compensation of over $33.7 billion. UC institutions have maintained a 100 percent reporting rate since joining the program as voluntary participants in reporting year 2013.

Thirty-six of the state's 73 CCD submitted complete reports. Their published data covers 94,077 positions, more than $4.8 billion in wages, and over $1.5 billion in retirement and health contributions, for total compensation of more than $6.3 billion. Twenty-six districts did not file a report, and eleven submitted incomplete reports.

"Our public colleges and universities open doors to opportunity, and Californians deserve to know how public dollars support that work," said Controller Cohen. "I appreciate the University of California's continued commitment to complete reporting and encourage every community college district to do the same. When every institution participates, the public can see the full investment in the people who keep our campuses running and help our students succeed."

Among the UC campuses, UCLA reported the most positions at 74,519, followed by UC San Diego at 54,598. Of the CCD with published data, Los Angeles Community College District reported the most positions at 11,182, followed by Los Rios Community College District at 7,154.

The UC data also shows that 42 of the 50 highest-paid employees worked in the medical field. Among the 15 highest-paid employees, nine worked in medicine and six in athletics. The average wages of the 10 highest-paid UC employees rose by more than 17 percent over five years, from $3.14 million in 2021 to $3.69 million in 2025.

California law requires cities, counties, and special districts to report compensation data annually to the State Controller's Office (SCO). The SCO also publishes payroll data for state departments and California State University and solicits voluntary reports from other public entities, including UC institutions and CCD.

The Government Compensation in California website allows the public to search pay and benefit information by employer and job title, view results by region, and export data and custom reports.

As the chief fiscal officer of the fourth-largest economy in the world, California State Controller Malia M. Cohen independently oversees and manages the state's financial resources with integrity and transparency to build trust. Controller Cohen is responsible for accountability and disbursement of the state's financial resources. She has independent auditing authority over government agencies that spend state funds. The Controller is a member of numerous financing authorities, and fiscal and financial oversight entities including the Franchise Tax Board. She also serves on the boards for the nation's two largest public pension funds. Follow the California State Controller's Office on X, Facebook, and YouTube at @CAController and on Instagram at @CaliforniaController.

SOURCE California State Controller's Office

Share this article

NEW YORK, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized investor-rights law firm, announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Fluence Energy, Inc (NASDAQ: FLNC) and certain of its officers.

This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Fluence Energy securities between November 24, 2025 and September 16, 2026, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/cases/fluence-energy-inc-flnc-class_action_lawsuit.

Fluence Energy Case Details

The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that:

(1) Fluence Energy's ability to deliver its backlog and recognize the revenue underlying its fiscal 2026 guidance depended on new contract manufacturing facilities, including facilities that were not completed, not operational, and/or not capable of producing at the volumes the guidance assumed;

(2) the corrective measures Fluence Energy had implemented to address production problems at its contract manufacturers were not remediating those problems, which persisted and extended to Fluence Energy's new facilities;

(3) as a result, a material portion of the backlog that defendants represented as "securing" or "covering" Fluence Energy's fiscal 2026 revenue guidance were likely to be delivered and recognized in fiscal 2026; and

(4) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about Fluence Energy's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

What's Next for Fluence Energy Investors?

A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/cases/fluence-energy-inc-flnc-class_action_lawsuit. or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 917-590-0911. If you suffered a loss in Fluence Energy you have until November 30, 2026, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.

No Cost to Fluence Energy Investors

We, Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman LLC, represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.

Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC for Fluence Energy Securities Class Action?

Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide. More at www.bgandg.com

"Our practice centers on restoring investor capital and ensuring corporate accountability, which serves to uphold the essential integrity of the marketplace," said Peretz Bronstein, Founding Partner of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or Instagram.

Contact Info

Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or Nathan Miller

Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC

917-590-0911 | [email protected]

Attorney advertising.

Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

SOURCE Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC

Share this article

New interactive map of Costa Rica showcases its cultural, natural and ocean heritage

- "Discover Costa Rica" is a free platform developed by essential COSTA RICA in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, CIMAR-UCR, and the UCR School of Geography

SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Costa Rica now has a new free digital platform that allows users to explore and learn more about the country and its territory. "Discover Costa Rica" is an interactive map developed by the Country Brand essential COSTA RICA, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, the University of Costa Rica's Center for Research in Marine Sciences and Limnology (CIMAR-UCR), and the UCR School of Geography.

The platform brings together geographic, oceanographic, cultural, historical, and scientific information about the country, making knowledge about Costa Rica more accessible to students, teachers, researchers, domestic and international tourists, media outlets, and the general public. The information is available in both Spanish and English.

The new interactive map allows users to explore iconic locations such as national parks, islands, waterfalls, and volcanoes, as well as ecosystems and protected areas, sites of cultural interest, biodiversity data, and other features. It also includes information about Costa Rica's maritime dimension — which accounts for 92% of its territory — and historical milestones, such as San José becoming the third city in the world and the first in Latin America to have electric public lighting, or Costa Rica becoming one of the first countries in the world to ban sport hunting.

"Discover Costa Rica is part of essential COSTA RICA's efforts to educate people about what makes our country unique. This platform provides an interactive way to learn about our diversity, culture, and historical facts that we, as Costa Ricans, should know and that help shape our collective identity, particularly that of younger generations," stated Adriana Acosta, Director of the Country Brand essential COSTA RICA.

All information and content available on the platform is supported by academic and scientific research, thanks to the collaboration of CIMAR-UCR and the UCR School of Geography. This also makes it a valuable research and reference tool for educational, tourism, and research purposes. Its design enables users to navigate dynamically and intuitively through different layers of information, offering a new way to discover Costa Rica from anywhere in the world.

"This platform provides information about marine biodiversity grounded in scientific evidence. Its images spark the curiosity of those who visit the site and invite them to learn more about the marine environment and the organisms that inhabit it — an entire world to discover and conserve," noted Dr. Eddy Gómez Ramírez, Director of CIMAR-UCR.

"Discover Costa Rica" is available on the essential COSTA RICA website and is part of the Country Brand's efforts to promote national pride, education, and greater awareness of Costa Rica's natural, cultural, and territorial heritage. The platform is also complemented by "Costa Rica Blue," another digital initiative by the Country Brand essential COSTA RICA designed to bring Costa Ricans closer to the ocean and increase awareness of its importance.

Share this article

Rice Biotech Launch Pad invents 'living pharmacy' designed to produce therapeutics inside the body

Durable implant to enter clinic in 2027 has multiple applications and represents new therapeutic approach that lasts full year

HOUSTON, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Biologic medicines can be powerful treatments for many diseases, but their cost can limit access. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, biologics account for just 5% of prescriptions but 51% of drug spending. Researchers at Rice University, with the support of the Rice Biotech Launch Pad, have developed an implantable "living pharmacy" using engineered protein producers (EPPs) that could one day deliver these medicines continuously for months or years from a single procedure.

According to the new study published in Science Advances titled "Once-yearly cell-based therapy for sustained and dose-tunable delivery of monoclonal antibodies," engineered cells enclosed within a specially modified biomaterial continuously produced therapeutic monoclonal antibodies for one year across multiple preclinical models. The retrievable system also allowed researchers to stop treatment or adjust dosing by removing or replacing the implant.

The work addresses a key challenge for implantable cell therapies. The body's foreign body response can cause inflammation and scar tissue to build up around an implant, restricting the movement of nutrients and therapeutic proteins and ultimately reducing cell survival and drug production.

"We have created an entirely new approach for the development and use of therapeutic antibodies," said Robert S. Langer, co-founder of Duracyte and professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "By combining engineered cells, biomaterials and an implantable device, this approach has the potential to create a living pharmacy that provides long-lasting production of biologic medicines while maintaining a level of control that is important for therapeutic use."

This platform is being developed by Duracyte, which is advancing the platform toward clinical development with the publication providing a foundation for further work on safety, biocompatibility, device design and therapeutic applications. The researchers also used human pharmacokinetic modeling to assess the potential for clinically relevant antibody levels and demonstrated a minimally invasive device designed to support dose adjustment and treatment cessation. Because EPPs can be engineered to produce different proteins, the platform could ultimately support a range of biologic medicines.

The platform was also designed to be adaptable across therapeutic targets. Researchers engineered the same human cell line to produce 13 different monoclonal antibodies spanning oncology, autoimmune disease and infectious disease, including ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, adalimumab, 3BNC117 and PGT121. The antibodies retained their intended biological activity, demonstrating the platform's potential as a modular approach to mAb delivery.

"The potential of this platform is similar in some ways to the promise of reusable rockets for space travel which significantly reduced cost and time to manufacture," said Omid Veiseh, professor of bioengineering at Rice University and corresponding author of the study. "Rather than repeatedly manufacturing and delivering a biologic from outside the body, EPPs could produce therapeutic proteins continuously inside the patient. If this approach can be successfully translated, it could offer a more efficient way to deliver biologics with the potential to reduce some of the costs associated with manufacturing and repeatedly administering these medicines."

The potential economic impact comes at a time of growing concern over the cost and accessibility of biologic medicines. A recent report highlighted by The Wall Street Journal found that 90% of major biologic drugs expected to lose exclusivity over the next decade have no lower-cost competitors in development, underscoring the need for new approaches to how these medicines are produced and delivered.

The study was led by co-first authors Cody Fell, Anthony E. Davis and Shalini Pandey of the Department of Bioengineering at Rice in Houston. This work was supported by the Gates Foundation (INV-051204) and the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Health (AY1AX000003 and 1047648-490467).

This news release can be found online at news.rice.edu.

Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews.

Peer-reviewed paper:

Once-yearly cell-based therapy for sustained and dose-tunable delivery of monoclonal antibodies | Science Advances | DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aej5440

Authors: Cody Fell, Anthony E Davis, Shalini Pandey, Michael T Guinn, Zeshi Wang, Jonathon DeBonis, Chancellor Smith, Nathan Brown, Danna Murungi, Yeonju Kim, Imaan Mohandessi, Patrick Bednarz, Amir Ardeshir, Erin M Haupt, Samuel I Cuevas, Christy L Lavine, Michael S Seaman, Oleg Igoshin, Ravi K Ghanta, Michael R Diehl, Omid Veiseh

About Rice:

Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of architecture, business, continuing studies, engineering and computing, humanities, music, natural sciences and social sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. Internationally, the university maintains the Rice Global Paris Center, a hub for innovative collaboration, research and inspired teaching located in the heart of Paris. With 4,776 undergraduates and 4,104 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for lots of race/class interaction and No. 7 for best-run colleges by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by the Wall Street Journal and is included on Forbes' exclusive list of "New Ivies."

If you do not wish to receive news releases from Rice University, reply to this email and write "unsubscribe" in the subject line. Office of News and Media Relations – MS 300, Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston, TX 77005.

About the Rice Biotech Launch Pad:

The Rice Biotech Launch Pad is a Houston-based accelerator focused on expediting the translation of Rice University's health and medical technology discoveries into cures. This initiative is designed to help advance internally discovered platform technologies from concept to clinical studies and commercialization. The Rice Biotech Launch Pad will identify and support highly differentiated projects while driving the expansion of Houston as a world-class medical innovation ecosystem. The accelerator will bring together local researchers with a network of industry executives. For more information, please visit https://biotechlaunchpad.rice.edu/.

Media Contact:

Russo Partners

David Schull or Liz Phillips

(347) 956-7697

[email protected] 

[email protected]

SOURCE Rice University

Share this article

BEYOND THE WALL A Collection of Rare Artwork Celebrating the Legacy of Pink Floyd For a Limited Time at Animazing Gallery in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pink Floyd fans and art collectors alike will soon have a rare opportunity to get a peek "Beyond the Wall" in Las Vegas.

Animazing Gallery at Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas announced plans today for a special exhibition and sale featuring an extraordinary collection of work celebrating the legacy of Pink Floyd. The show will run from October 16 through November 2 and will include work by acclaimed artist and sculptor Ginger Gilmour, the former wife of Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour; Gerald Scarfe, recognized for his work on The Wall and his long collaboration with the band and its members; Storm Thorgerson, who was responsible for many of the band's album covers including The Dark Side of the Moon, Meddle, Atom Heart Mother, and Wish You Were Here; and, many other featured artists.

Ginger Gilmour will be offering both original artwork and exclusive limited editions.

The show will also include an exclusive, signed limited edition print of Gerald Scarfe's Marching Hammers and The Scream featuring images from Pink Floyd's The Wall, as well as original production artwork from the animated film The Wall. He will also debut two new custom hand-painted guitars with artwork from The Wall that resulted from an exclusive arrangement between the artist and Animazing Gallery. The guitars were built in the famed Lynn Ellsworth custom shop and sent to Scarfe to hand paint for the show.

The exhibit will kick of with a private VIP collectors' event on Friday, October 16 from 6-9 p.m. The public opening is set for Saturday, October 17 from 4-7 p.m. Artists Ginger Gilmour, Mel Balatbat, Randy Martinez, Dale Benson, and Nancy Elhallak will be attending both events.

The full list of participating artists includes:

Ginger Gilmour

Gerald Scarfe

Storm Thorgerson

John Douglas

Mel Balatbat

Randy Martinez

Dale Benson

Nancy Elhallak

For more information about the "Beyond the Wall" exhibition and sale at Animazing Gallery, visit www.animazing.com or Instagram@animazinggallery, or call (702) 785-0061.

ABOUT GINGER GILMOUR

Ginger Gilmour, the former wife of Pink Floyd's guitarist David Gilmour, is an artist, sculptor, and visionary. On a perpetual quest for beauty, much of her work was inspired by Pink Floyd.

ABOUT GERALD SCARFE

Gerald Scarfe is an English satirical cartoonist and illustrator who also worked as a political cartoonist for The Sunday Times with his work appearing weekly. He is renowned for his lengthy collaboration with Pink Floyd, including creating the artwork for their 1982 "The Wall" album and its film adaptation and tour. He was also responsible for art for the band's "Welcome to the Machine" music video and much more. In 2010, he published The Making of Pink Floyd: The Wall, a book detailing his work with Pink Floyd and Roger Waters from 1974 to 2010.

ABOUT STORM THORGERSON

Storm Thorgerson is best known for his artwork that for four decades graced the covers of Pink Floyd albums. His more than four-decade relationship with members of the band goes back to his days attending school at Cambridge with Pink Floyd's founders Syd Barrett and Roger Waters.

For more information about the Beyond the Wall exhibit at Animazing Gallery, visit www.animazing.com or call (702) 785-0061.

ABOUT ANIMAZING GALLERY

Animazing Gallery began in 1984 as a gallery specializing in conceptual animation art. Over time, the collection expanded to include works by a wide range of renowned illustrators and pop culture artists. Animazing Gallery has become an industry stronghold for illustration art and contemporary art inspired by the masters of illustration.

Nicholas Leone, owner of Animazing Gallery, serves as a consultant for numerous auction houses and handles gallery sales and acquisitions. He curates and hosts pop up events throughout the United States to celebrate gallery artists and their works. The company has two galleries located in Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas featuring an abundant repertoire of work by classic illustrators and contemporary artists.

ABOUT GRAND CANAL SHOPPES

Located inside The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, the center boasts 160 specialty brands and world-class restaurants nestled around a charming and faithful reproduction of Venice's Grand Canal, complete with cobbled walkways, street-side cafes, and live entertainment. Signature brands including Burberry, Jimmy Choo, Michael Kors, Louis Vuitton, and Tory Burch create an unparalleled retail environment that includes a star-studded line-up of restaurants headed by famous celebrity chefs: Wolfgang Puck's CUT, Emeril Lagasse's Delmonico Steakhouse, Buddy Valastro's Buddy V's and Carlo's Bakery, Lorena Garcia's CHICA, as well as Mercato della Pescheria, SUGARCANE, SUSHISAMBA, and Smith & Wollensky. The center is also home to ATOMIC SALOON SHOW by Spiegelworld. For more information, visit www.grandcanalshoppes.com.

Media Contacts:

Terry Wills for Animazing Gallery

[email protected]

310-877-1458

SOURCE Animazing Gallery

Share this article

A portion of every ticket sold supports "Renew the Living Voices: The Kilgen Organ Campaign," helping preserve the Cathedral's musical legacy for generations to come.

"St. Patrick's Cathedral has held a special place in New York City for more than 160 years, and we're honored to bring its story to life through music and light, and storytelling," said Ben Samek, CEO of Banijay Americas. "Each glowing arch celebrates the hands that shaped it and the city that grew around it. Our hope is that everyone who experiences Luminiscence feels part of a story that has been unfolding for generations."

Since launching in 2023, LUMINISCENCE has welcomed more than two million visitors to more than 20 productions in eight countries: France, Spain, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Brazil and the United States. The New York engagement is part of Banijay Americas' growing international footprint. The company is bringing music, storytelling and digital artistry to some of the world's most remarkable sacred and historic spaces.

"We are eager to welcome guests to LUMINISCENCE to experience the ways technology and art can come together to illuminate the beauty, history, and faith that has filled St. Patrick's for generations. We hope that all who attend, regardless of their faith, allow them to encounter the Cathedral in a new and meaningful way", says Fr. Enrique Salvo, Rector of St. Patrick's Cathedral.

"St. Patrick's isn't just a spectacular venue. It's a place where generations of New Yorkers have gathered to celebrate and to hope," said Romain Sarfati, co-founder of LOTCHI and creator of LUMINISCENCE. "Every element of our show, from the choir and orchestra to projections mapped to the millimeter, is designed with that weight in mind. We're not adding light to St. Patrick's. We're helping it reveal what's already there."

St. Patrick's is the largest Gothic Revival Catholic cathedral in North America. It was the vision of Archbishop John Hughes, who wanted a cathedral worthy of New York's growing Catholic community. Critics dismissed the then-remote uptown site as "Hughes' Folly." The Civil War delayed construction, and the white-marble cathedral designed by James Renwick Jr. took two decades to complete, opening in 1878. Its twin spires, which rise more than 330 feet above Fifth Avenue, were added in 1888. Consecrated in 1910, St. Patrick's is the seat of the Archdiocese of New York, a designated New York City landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has welcomed popes, presidents and millions of visitors each year.

LUMINISCENCE opens to the public today, October 2, 2026, with performances on select dates through mid November with the possibility of extending into 2027. Guests can choose LUMINISCENCE Live+, which features a live choir and orchestra, or LUMINISCENCE, which uses recorded music and narration. Ticket prices vary by experience. Tickets and information are at luminiscence.com/new-york.

About LOTCHI - Lotchi, part of Banijay Live, creates immersive experiences designed to spark inspiration and wonder. By combining creativity, technology and innovative storytelling, the company produces shared, memorable moments that reconnect audiences with beauty, imagination and each other. Lotchi develops and delivers its own large-scale productions in exceptional venues worldwide. www.lotchi.live

Banijay Entertainment – Let's Show the World - Award-winning media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay Entertainment spans 25 territories and delivers an average 19,000 hours of content and 3,000 live events globally each year. An innovative leader, in 2025 alone, it collectively launched 315+ new non-scripted titles, 140+ scripted titles, 110+ shows on streaming platforms, and had 45 formats active in more than 3+ territories.

A home for today's storymakers, and the creative pioneers of tomorrow, the business puts creators first, uniting the best creative minds to shape the next generation of diversified entertainment. The masters of superbrands like MasterChef, Big Brother, Gogglebox, Survivor, Gold Rush, Race Across the World and The Traitors, scripted icons like Peaky Blinders, Fleabag, Call the Midwife, Shameless, Skins, The Tourist and Black Mirror, and live spectacles including the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies, the business nurtures ideas at-scale, defining culture and inspiring audiences worldwide. Its latest standout titles include Football Island, Legends, The Crash, The Buccaneers, A Gorilla Story: Told by David Attenborough, Fear Factor: House of Fear and The Circle.

Built on independence, creative freedom and pioneering entrepreneurialism, Banijay Entertainment merged with All3Media in July 2026 through a strategic partnership between RedBird IMI and Banijay Group. Jeff Zucker, CEO of RedBird IMI, is Chairman of the Board, Marco Bassetti serves as Chief Executive Officer, and Jane Turton as Deputy Chief Executive Officer.

Media Contact:

Lori Heiselman - [email protected]

Nicole Marostica - [email protected]

SOURCE LUMINISCENCE

Share this article

$100,000 grant from the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation will provide equipment and training for eight new schools growing the league to include 40 schools and over 450 participants.

New York Jets are expanding their NFL Jets Girls Flag League London through a partnership with Palace for Life.

Flag football is the non-contact version of American football, it is exciting and accessible, and the League aims to increase access and participation to sport.

To view photos and video from the event, please click here.

LONDON, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York Jets and Palace for Life, the official charity of Crystal Palace Football Club, today announced a new partnership which sees the Jets NFL Girls Flag League expand in London. At the direction of Woody Johnson and supported by a $100,000 grant from the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation, the Girls Flag League will expand to eight schools in the Crystal Palace area.

Woody Johnson, New York Jets Chairman, and Partner and Director of the Crystal Palace FC Club, said: "Sports have the power to bring people together, build confidence and create opportunities for young people. Through the Jets, Crystal Palace and Palace for Life, we can make sure more girls have the opportunity to participate, compete and be part of a team. We've seen how quickly girls flag football has grown, and we're proud to continue expanding our efforts internationally and creating new pathways for young women in South London and beyond."

To kick off the partnership, 90 representatives from the eight schools visited the Crystal Palace Academy for a special clinic hosted by the New York Jets. They all tried flag football for the first time and experienced the exciting, fun and accessible nature of the sport.

The attendees and their teachers will use their training to prepare for the wider league kick-off in the Spring 2027, growing the Jets London League to over 40 schools and 450+ girls. The League is the first of its kind in London and is designed to increase girls' access to and participation in sports through flag football.

Working with its existing network, Palace for Life identified eight local schools to join the league: Orchard Park, Langley Park School for Girls, Sedgehill Academy, Orion Eden Park, Hayes Park, Carshalton High School for Girls, Orion Ravensbourne, and La Retraite. Each school will receive Jets NFL Girls Flag League uniforms, practice jerseys and flag football equipment, as well as travel support to help pupils take part in games.

Mike Summers, Palace for Life CEO, said, "At Palace for Life, we use the power of sport to engage young people and help them find new opportunities. I'm delighted we're working with the New York Jets over the next year to introduce girls across south London schools to flag football, a non-contact version of American football. Offering something different from our usual football activities (soccer, as our new partners would say!) could inspire girls we might otherwise miss, helping them develop teamwork, leadership and resilience. With its Olympic debut at LA 2028 ahead, it's an exciting time to get involved. The partnership also celebrates the link between Crystal Palace FC and the Jets through our shared owner, Woody Johnson. A huge thank you to the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation for making this possible."

The initiative is of huge importance to the Jets, with the organisation's collective investment in Girls Flag football activities in London and Dublin now surpassing $1.5 million. The event was overseen by the Jets Flag Elite Team, the official girls flag football club travel team, another initiative brought from the US to the UK to provide a pathway for girls in London to elite level sport.

Flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, with over 20 million players across 100 countries, where women and girls are driving the fastest growth. The sport will officially be included in the LA 2028 Olympic Games, led by the efforts of the International Federation of American Football and supported by the NFL.

U.K. fans can stay updated on the latest news about the New York Jets and hear about their upcoming activities by visiting www.nyjetsinternational.com. Follow them on social platforms, @NYJetsinUKandIE on X and @newyorkjetsinuk on Instagram for more information.

About Betty Wold Johnson Foundation

The Betty Wold Johnson Foundation is dedicated to honoring the enduring legacy of Betty Wold Johnson — a visionary philanthropist and beloved matriarch of the Johnson family. Guided by her deep compassion, humility, and unwavering belief in the dignity of every individual, the Foundation supports initiatives that uplift communities and foster lasting impact across education, public service, arts and sports.

Rooted in Betty Wold Johnson's lifelong commitment to civic responsibility and the American experience, the Foundation champions access to essential resources such as food, shelter, education, and employment. It invests in innovative programs, scientific research, and cultural institutions that enrich the spirit and strengthen the fabric of society.

From her historic $11 million gift to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center — the largest individual donation in its history — to her steadfast support of the Liberty Science Center, McCarter Theatre, Princeton Hospital, and the Lupus Research Alliance, Ms. Johnson's philanthropy was as bold as it was personal. Her legacy is one of generosity, grace, and a belief that every life is worthy of dignity and opportunity.

The Foundation continues her work with thoughtful stewardship, cost-effective giving, and a commitment to reaching the greatest number of people with every dollar donated.

About New York Jets

The New York Jets were founded in 1959 as the New York Titans and served as a charter member of the American Football League. Following the 1968 season, the team made history by becoming the first AFL franchise to win a world championship, defeating the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III - a victory widely credited with validating the AFL ahead of its 1970 merger with the NFL. Today, as one of the league's flagship franchises in the nation's largest media market, the Jets represent the sport on one of its biggest global stages.

The Jets enhance the fan experience through innovation and storytelling, including 1JD Entertainment, a digital content platform that connects fans across social and digital channels. The organization is also committed to community impact, supporting youth football, girls' and women's flag football, and programs serving disadvantaged communities throughout the tri-state area.

The Jets play at MetLife Stadium, one of the world's most successful multi use venues, and are headquartered at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, New Jersey.

About New York Jets and flag football

The Jets support for Girls Flag Football began in 2011 with the launch of a league with the PSAL in New York City, becoming the first NFL Club to help launch Girls Flag Football at the varsity level. A decade later, in 2021, the Jets and Nike launched the first High School Girls Flag Football League in New Jersey. Launched with the intention of providing girls an equitable opportunity to play football compared to their male counterpart, the long-term goal of the Jets support was to have the sport adopted as an official high school statewide championship sport, which officially came to fruition last spring in New York and is imminent for New Jersey. In 2023, the Jets launched the first-ever NFL supported girls flag football league in the UK. The league started with 12 teams and has since expanded to 40 for the upcoming Spring season throughout the greater London area. Since 2011, the Jets have committed over $3.5 million to support Girls Flag and create opportunities for girls in football. In total, the Jets will support over 250 Girls Flag Football programs, both domestically and internationally, and over 7,000 participants in 2025.

About Palace for Life

Palace for Life is the official charity of Crystal Palace Football Club and has worked across South London for over 30 years. We use the power and pull of Crystal Palace F.C. to improve lives and strengthen communities, focusing on young people who need us most.

Each year, our coaches and mentors support more than 18,000 young people through education, employability, mentoring and physical activity programs. We focus on areas of deprivation, delivering free sport and community sessions alongside pastoral support that builds confidence, resilience and essential life skills.

We provide specialist one-to-one mentoring for those facing mental health challenges, and for young people in or at risk of entering the justice system and our employability programs create clear pathways into education, training and work.

Through our programs in and outside of football, we aim to strengthen ties between the club and its community, help grow its supporter base and offer talented footballers a path to the Crystal Palace boys' or girls' academies.

Palace for Life is a registered charity (No. 1125878).

SOURCE New York Jets

Share this article

Building Industry says SCAG-backed legislation could increase housing costs, undermine local decision-making and raises serious questions about regional accountability.

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC) today expressed strong disappointment with the enactment of Senate Bill 1087 (Cabaldon), legislation sponsored and advanced by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). Despite being designated as a "Housing Killer" bill by the statewide California Building Industry Association, the SCAG-sponsored bill was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday, September 30.

BIASC opposed the final version of the legislation because of concerns about housing affordability, local planning authority and the potential consequences of new regional transportation and land-use requirements.

The legislation comes as California continues to face a severe housing affordability and production challenge. BIASC believes SB 1087 will make that challenge more difficult by expanding the role of regional planning requirements tied to greenhouse-gas reduction and Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) targets.

"California cannot solve its housing affordability crisis by creating additional uncertainty around where and how housing can be built," said BIASC CEO Jeff Montejano. "SB 1087 may now be law, but the larger issue remains: Southern California deserves a regional planning system that is transparent, accountable to its member cities and counties, and aligned with the state's housing goals."

BIASC's September 28 letter opposing the bill pointed to research cited from UC Berkeley's Terner Center regarding the significant gap between California's existing housing plans and the state's Vehicle Miles Traveled reduction objectives. The letter argued that these competing policy mandates could have significant consequences for housing production and affordability.

LEGAL AND HOUSING CONCERNS

Jennifer Hernandez, who leads West Coast Land Use & Environmental Law with Holland & Knight and advised the industry on California housing and environmental law, emphasized the broader legal implications of the legislation.

"Sustainable Communities Strategies are not simply planning exercises," Hernandez stated. "They operate within a statewide legal and policy framework that can affect housing production, transportation funding and litigation. California should not impose new regional mandates without fully evaluating their consistency with existing housing laws and their affordability consequences."

That language reflects the legal arguments presented in BIASC's letter, which states that Sustainable Communities Strategies operate within a statewide framework that can be litigated and used in decisions involving transportation and affordable-housing funding.

MORE THAN HALF A MILLION EMAILS

Members of the public, BIASC members and coalition partners generated 510,723 emails voicing concerns to elected officials about SB 1087 — the largest grassroots advocacy effort in BIASC history.

The opposition effort also generated:

- Over 348,000 views of video demonstrating SB 1087 as a "Housing Killer" bill

- Over 28,000 social media likes

- Opposition from elected officials and regional stakeholders across Southern California

THE NEXT CHAPTER: SCAG REFORM

SB 1087's enactment does not end BIASC's involvement in regional policy.

BIASC will now focus on SCAG governance, transparency, accountability and the role of its 191 cities and six counties in major legislative and policy decisions.

"This is bigger than one bill," Montejano said. "The question now is how a regional organization representing millions of Southern Californians makes major policy decisions, how those decisions are communicated to its member agencies, and how elected representatives are given a meaningful voice in that process. Those are legitimate questions, and BIASC intends to pursue them."

BIASC will continue working with its members, local governments, elected officials and regional partners on reforms intended to strengthen transparency and accountability at SCAG.

About BIASC

The Building Industry Association of Southern California is the voice of the region's building industry, with five chapters offering localized services to building professionals from Ventura to the southern tip of Orange County. For more than a century, the association has served its builder and associate members by anticipating, protecting, and promoting their common interests through a wide range of programs, services, councils, and committees. For more information on the Building Industry Association of Southern California, visit biasc.org. Follow BIASC on social media for the latest industry news: LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Contact:

Shannon Widor, Chief Public Affairs Officer

Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC)

[email protected]

SOURCE Building Industry Association of Southern California, Inc.

Share this article