Author: sHq_LoGiNz

Expansion increases capacity from 2 to 10 fast-charging ports with Kempower technology, delivering up to 320kW speeds and supporting Nevada County’s transition to clean transportation

GRASS VALLEY, Calif., Oct. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — BriarPatch Food Co-op and Skycharger have officially completed an expanded electric vehicle (EV) charging hub at the Co-op’s Grass Valley location, providing faster and more accessible charging for the region’s growing number of EV drivers.

The expansion project increased the number of DC fast-charging ports from two to ten, significantly improving charging capacity. Equipped with Kempower’s cutting-edge charging technology, the station offers charging speeds of up to 320 kilowatts (kW), enabling many vehicles to reach an 80% charge in approximately 15 minutes, depending on the vehicle’s battery state and rate of charge. The site includes a mix of charging standards, with six new CCS1 ports and two new NACS ports, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of EVs.

“For years, BriarPatch has been committed to sustainability, and expanding EV charging infrastructure at our store is another way we are supporting a cleaner future for our community,” said Sasha Scott, Sustainability Coordinator at BriarPatch Food Co-op. “By partnering with Skycharger, we are ensuring that both local EV drivers and those passing through have reliable access to fast charging, reinforcing our commitment to environmental stewardship.”

The project was fully funded by Skycharger, with additional support from a CALeVIP grant funded by the California Energy Commission and administered by the Center for Sustainable Energy.

Skycharger, which develops, owns and operates EV charging infrastructure, sees this expansion as part of a broader effort to meet increasing demand for reliable public charging.

“We are proud to work with BriarPatch to enhance EV charging access in Nevada County,” said Johannes Copeland, Chief Operating Officer at Skycharger. “This expansion not only increases charging speed and availability but also helps accelerate the transition to electric mobility. BriarPatch’s leadership in sustainability aligns perfectly with our mission to build a cleaner transportation ecosystem.”

The new chargers integrate with existing EV charging networks via roaming, ensuring a seamless user experience. Drivers will also have the option to pay via tap-to-pay credit cards, electronic wallets like Apple Pay, or via the Monta App.

The project was constructed by CBR Group, a general contracting firm specializing in commercial and infrastructure projects.

“This is our first collaboration with CBR Group, and they have been an invaluable partner in bringing this project to completion,” said Copeland. “Their flexibility and expertise ensured a smooth development process, even as project requirements evolved.”

Kempower
, the provider of the charging hardware, specializes in durable and scalable EV fast-charging solutions. The site’s Power Cabinet and Satellite dispenser system dynamically distributes power, allowing all eight new ports to charge simultaneously at 150 kW. The system also offers a peak output of 320 kW when fewer vehicles are connected.

“We’re proud to support this milestone project with our dynamic fast-charging technology, ensuring drivers in Grass Valley have access to a reliable, high-performance charging experience,” said Monil Malhotra, President of Kempower North America.

With construction now complete, the chargers are fully operational and available for public use.

A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on Wednesday, October 1 at 10:00 a.m. to celebrate the commissioning of the expanded EV charging station at BriarPatch’s Grass Valley location. The brief event will take place near the new chargers, located on the southwest side of the main parking lot at 290 Sierra College Drive, Grass Valley, CA.

About BriarPatch Food Co-op
BriarPatch Food Co-op is a neighborly grocery store serving up local, high quality, healthy food and supporting our Sierra Foothills community since 1976. Learn more at briarpatch.coop.

About Skycharger
Skycharger, a wholly owned subsidiary of Skyview Ventures, owns and operates a growing network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Established in 2013, the company operates charging stations for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles across seven states. The network includes the West Coast Highway Corridor (WCHC) DC Fast Charging Network, the fourth-largest fast-charging network in California. Skycharger recently launched its first fleet charging hub for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, supporting over 100 trucks daily. Learn more at skycharger.com.

About Kempower
We design and manufacture reliable and user-friendly DC fast-charging solutions for electric vehicles. Our vision is to create the world’s most desired EV charging solutions for everyone, everywhere. Our product development and production are based in Finland and in the U.S., with the majority of our materials and components sourced locally. We focus on all areas of e-mobility, from electric cars, trucks, and buses to machines and marine. Our modular and scalable charging system and world-class software are designed by EV drivers for EV drivers, enabling the best user experience for our customers around the world. Kempower is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki Stock Exchange in Finland. Learn more at kempower.com.

Media Contacts:

Skycharger
Brencie Fox
Marketing Director
402013@email4pr.com
860-249-0956

BriarPatch Food Co-op:
Andrea Budde
Communications & Media Coordinator
402013@email4pr.com
530-272-2667 x135

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SOURCE Skycharger + BriarPatch Food Co-op

More than $2.6 million in Free Dental Care provided to 6,364 Patients across 349 Supported Offices with Help from Trusted Partners, Henry Schein Cares, Leixir Dental Group, Envista, and Colgate.

EFFINGHAM, Ill., Oct. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Heartland Dental today announced the success of its fifth annual Companywide Free Dentistry Day, held on September 6, 2025. The nationwide event reflects Heartland Dental’s commitment to giving back and highlights the generosity of supported doctors and teams who provide vital dental care to those who might otherwise go without.

This year’s impact was significant, as Heartland Dental’s network of supported doctors and teams across 349 offices came together to serve 6,364 patients, providing essential services such as cleanings, fillings, and extractions at no cost.

Pat Bauer, Heartland Dental President and CEO, shared pride in the event, stating, “Our supported doctors and team members continue to inspire with their dedication to improving lives in the communities they serve. Companywide Free Dentistry Day demonstrates the power of coming together to remove barriers to care and deliver dentistry that truly makes a difference.”

The event was made possible through the collective support of trusted industry partners including Henry Schein Cares, Leixir Dental Laboratory Group, Envista, and Colgate, who generously donated supplies to ensure that supported doctors had the tools they needed to care for patients in need.

Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein, reflected on Heartland Dental’s initiative, stating, “We value the opportunity to work alongside organizations like Heartland Dental that are making a real difference in the lives of patients. Companywide Free Dentistry Day is a powerful example of how collaboration can break down barriers to care and bring essential dental services to those who need them most.”

Heartland Dental’s commitment to community well-being extends back to 2010 when the Company initiated the Free Dentistry Day program in collaboration with supported offices and supply partners nationwide. Since then, Heartland Dental supported offices have provided over $18 million in free dental care to over 50,000 patients, making a substantial positive impact on countless lives.

For more information about Heartland Dental’s Free Dentistry Days and their ongoing commitment to community health, please visit https://FreeDentistryDay.org.

About Heartland Dental

Heartland Dental is the nation’s largest dental support organization, providing non-clinical administrative support services. What started from the entrepreneurial spirit of Rick Workman, DMD, with his single dental practice, has evolved into affiliating with over 3,000 doctors in over 1,800 locations across 39 states and the District of Columbia. The company is majority owned by KKR, a leading global investment firm. For additional information, please visit heartland.com.

Media Contact

Jessica Thompson, Vice President of Communications
561-690-1465
media@heartland.com

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SOURCE Heartland Dental

American Lung Association urges parents to act now to protect babies this fall and winter

CHICAGO, Oct. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season approaches, the American Lung Association is spotlighting new data that show a dramatic decrease in RSV-related hospitalizations among infants, thanks to new ways to help prevent babies from developing severe illness from the virus.

RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the United States. Though RSV is a common virus that infects nearly all children by age 2, it can cause severe and life-threatening complications. Each year, up to 80,000 children under 5 are hospitalized due to the virus. Infants under 8 months old and those with underlying conditions are at highest risk. Fortunately, there are safe and proven-effective methods to dramatically reduce severe illness for all infants under 8 months who are at the greatest risk for serious illness from RSV.

To protect against severe RSV illness in babies, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends:

• An RSV preventive antibody given in October through March to provide short-term (at least 5 months) immune protection for all infants younger than 8 months old and born during or entering their first RSV season, and young children between 8 and 19 months at increased risk for severe RSV symptoms, including children with chronic lung disease or who were born prematurely.
• An RSV vaccination given during weeks 32 through 36 weeks of pregnancy in September through January. Protection lasts about six months after birth.

“During the 2024–2025 RSV season, which was the first with widespread availability of preventive antibody protection and maternal RSV vaccination, infant hospitalization rates dropped sharply. We finally have data that prove what we’ve long hoped for: these RSV preventive options are working,” said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. “The bottom line is that this means fewer babies struggling to breathe in emergency rooms and fewer parents facing the trauma of a hospital stay.”

A CDC analysis of RSV hospitalization rates among two surveillance groups from October 2024 through February 2025, found hospitalization rates 45% and 52% lower for infants 0-2 months during peak RSV season (December through February) and 28% and 43% lower for those 0-7 months old, compared to pre-pandemic (2018) rates. Of children hospitalized due to RSV, 75% were born at full-term with no underlying conditions. Since 60% of eligible infants are born before the RSV season, October and November are important months for families to connect with their healthcare providers to discuss prevention. Expectant parents should discuss RSV prevention options through March with their healthcare team.

In addition to medical protection, everyday hygiene practices are important to help reduce the spread of RSV. Parents and caregivers should:

• Wash hands frequently;
• Avoid close contact with sick individuals;
• Clean frequently touched surfaces;
• Stay home when sick; and
• Avoid sharing bottles, pacifiers or toys.

This fall, the American Lung Association is partnering with Sanofi to launch a national campaign to raise awareness of RSV prevention, particularly among expectant parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers. The campaign focuses on recognizing RSV symptoms, understanding prevention options and encouraging proactive conversations with healthcare providers.

For more information on RSV and how to protect your baby, visit: Lung.org/rsv.

About the American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org. To support the work of the American Lung Association, find a local event at Lung.org/events. 

American Lung Association • 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150 • Chicago, IL 60601
1331 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Ste. 1425 North • Washington, D.C. 20004
1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) Lung.org

CONTACT: Jill Dale | American Lung Association
P: 312-940-7001 M: 720-438-8289E: Jill.Dale@Lung.org

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SOURCE American Lung Association

The collaboration leverages Dimitra’s Connected Coffee platform and Protocols, together with NACCU’s network of over 1 million farmers, to deliver nationwide EUDR, Carbon, and ESG compliance

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Dimitra, a global leader in agricultural technology and sustainability solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with National Coffee Cooperative Union (NACCU), a Kenyan umbrella body and national coffee cooperative union, representing over a million smallholder farmers across Kenya. Together, they are launching a nationwide system that integrates environmental compliance assessment, carbon accounting, and ESG practices across Kenya’s coffee value chain, supporting access to premium markets such as the European Union, where EUDR compliance is increasingly required.

Expected to come into effect on December 31, 2025, EUDR is set to reshape the landscape of global agricultural exports and require all coffee exports, among other commodities entering the European Union (EU) to be deforestation-free and fully traceable. Compliance involves providing GPS coordinates, forest cover data, and legal documentation for each plot of land where coffee is grown. With the EU accounting for over 50% of Kenya’s coffee exports, the pressure from European buyers is already clear: they increasingly demand evidence of EUDR compliance as a condition for purchase. As a result, non-compliance poses a significant risk to the country’s coffee sector. For smallholder farmers, many of whom lack access to digital tools and compliance systems, meeting these requirements poses a major challenge.

Dimitra and NACCU’s joint initiative aims to close this gap in a timely manner. Leveraging Dimitra’s state-of-the-art AI-driven AgTech solutions, including its Connected Coffee application, the 1+ million farmers across NACCU’s associated unions will be empowered to register their farms, digitally map their land with geolocation data, complete deforestation risk surveys, and generate EUDR-aligned compliance reports. The application will also provide registered farmers with mobile-based onboarding and technical support, ensuring access in key coffee-producing areas including Meru, Kipkelion, Kiambu, Nyeri, and Mt. Elgon.

This agreement was formally signed during a meeting on Friday, September 26, with the participation of NACCU’s Board of Directors and several Unions. The active involvement of the Unions demonstrates the strong interest and commitment of local actors, while NACCU provides strategic support at the national level, showing that Kenya Farmers continue with a strong focus on compliance and sustainability across the sector.

Jon Trask
, CEO of Dimitra, expressed delight at the partnership’s potential: “EUDR will completely reshape the global coffee trade for the better, and Kenya is stepping up to meet the challenge. This partnership with NACCU not only prepares farmers and cooperatives for compliance with European environmental standards, it also advances Kenya’s broader goals of aligning agricultural exports with international sustainability frameworks, expanding opportunities in carbon and ESG markets, strengthening local livelihoods, and safeguarding access to high-value markets.. Dimitra is excited to help support Kenyan coffee competitiveness and sustainability efforts while encouraging and facilitating EUDR compliance.”

Farmer inclusion is of paramount importance, and through this partnership, Dimitra and NACCU aim to bring immediate impact. Onboarding farmers through offline-capable mobile apps, which are available in English and Swahili, the initiative ensures that even the most remote producers can participate and benefit from these global market opportunities.

Mr. Festus Bett
, CEO of NACCU, said: “In a time when digital exclusion threatens to widen inequality in global trade, this partnership demonstrates that with the right technology and grassroots coordination, it is possible to bring millions of smallholder farmers into global compliance and build a more compliant coffee value chain. By empowering Kenya’s coffee farmers with the right tools and training needed to comply with the EU’s Deforestation Regulation, we are not only securing their access to a key export market but also reinforcing our commitment towards building more sustainable and transparent agricultural value chains. Partnering with Dimitra empowers us to bring this vision to life across our vast network.”

Jon Trask, CEO of Dimitra, and Mr. Festus Bett, CEO of NACCU, are available for an interview on request.

About Dimitra

Dimitra
 is a global Agtech company with a mission to help smallholder farmers across the world. Dimitra works with key agricultural parties and decision makers including government agencies, NGOs, cooperatives, agriculture supply chain parties like exporters, suppliers, operators, and for-profit organizations. The Dimitra platform is built on blockchain technology and incorporates mobile technology, machine learning, IoT devices, satellite and drone imagery, genomics, and advanced farming research. Through our data driven approach, Dimitra helps farmers increase yields, reduces expenses, and mitigates risk. Dimitra believes that every smallholder farmer, regardless of economic standing, should benefit from simple, beautiful, and useful technology.

About NACCU

NACCU
 is a national cooperative organization. Its membership consists of all registered secondary coffee cooperative unions in Kenya. The mandate of NACCU is to advocate for the welfare, policy and trade of small-scale coffee farmers across all levels of the coffee value chain.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dimitra-and-national-coffee-cooperative-union-partner-to-advance-a-national-initiative-on-environmental-compliance-carbon-and-esg-in-kenya-302572249.html

SOURCE Dimitra

• Record third quarter pushes Kia’s total year-to-date sales up 9 percent over 2024
• Double-digit dealer sales growth through the first three quarters of 2025
• Year-over-year, Kia’s electrified models grew 26 percent; sedans 19 percent; and SUVs 6 percent
• EV9 achieves best any month and best any quarter records, with 3,094 and 7,510 units sold, respectively 

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Kia America delivered 65,507 units in September, a 11 percent increase over September 2024, and achieved a new record with any-quarter sales totaling 219,637 units. This brings the total sales for the first three quarters to a record-breaking 636,148 units while the year-to-date sales through Kia dealers also set a new record with 583,163 units through September. These record-setting performances represent 9- and 10-percent increases, respectively, over the same period last year, and have Kia on pace for a third consecutive annual sales record.

Six Kia models – K5 (+85 percent); Carnival (+48 percent); Telluride (+13 percent); Sportage (+13-percent); Sorento (+7 percent); and K4 (+4 percent) posted notable increases over the first three quarters of 2024. And through September, sales of Kia’s electrified models (+26 percent); sedans (+19 percent); and SUVs (+6 percent) increased over the same period last year, illustrating the popularity of the brand’s diverse model line-up.

“As we begin the last quarter of the year, these best-ever sales performances set the Kia brand on perfect trajectory to achieve yet another annual sales record and the brand’s highest-ever market share,” said Eric Watson, vice-president, sales operations, Kia America. “And with the most significant, double-digit increases seen in Kia’s electrified and sedan models, which highlight the strong appeal and competitive strength of Kia’s diverse model line-up, we are confident that the wide variety of vehicles in our world-class model line-up will continue to attract both repeat and new customers to Kia showrooms well into 2026.”

In addition to the monthly sales performance, Kia America also made additional announcements, including:

• Pricing for the 2026 Sorento SUV. Available in ICE, HEV and PHEV powertrains and featuring a host of exterior enhancements, the Sorento also boasts a new leather-trimmed steering wheel that more closely identifies it with other models in the Kia lineup. Pricing for the 2026 Sorento SUV ICE starts at $32,190 MSRP¹; the Sorento HEV starts at $38,890 MSRP; and the Sorento PHEV starts at $48,290 MSRP.
• The second installment of a two-part creative campaign for the Sportage SUV, this time featuring the 2026 Sportage Hybrid model. As the fast-growing brand’s best-selling nameplate, the 2026 Kia Sportage advances design, innovation, technology and convenience across three diverse powertrains, including the powerful turbo hybrid model.

Kia America – about us

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia America continues to top automotive quality surveys. Kia is recognized as one of the TIME World’s Most Sustainable Companies of 2024. Kia serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and WNBA and offers a range of gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles sold through a network of nearly 800 dealers in the U.S., including several cars and SUVs proudly assembled in America*.

For media information, including photography, visit

www.kiamedia.com


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* Select trims of the 2025 all-electric EV6 and EV9 all-electric three-row SUV, Sportage (excludes HEV and PHEV models), Sorento (excludes HEV and PHEV models), and Telluride are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

¹ MSRP excludes destination and handling, taxes, title, license fees, options and retailer charges. Actual prices set by retailer and may vary.

 

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SOURCE Kia America

SHANGHAI, Oct. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The winners of the “2025 Belonging Awards” hosted by the Employer Branding Institute, a leading employer brand communication organization, have been officially announced in China. This year’s awards involved a comprehensive evaluation of companies across 10 key categories, 21 dimensions, and 112 indicators. Ultimately, the following 72 outstanding companies stood out from the competition, earning recognition as exemplary employers in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. On August 25, “2025 Belonging Awards” award ceremony proudly sponsored by premium spirits brand Rémy Cointreau and partnered with Jaguar Land Rover China, was held in grand style in Datong, Shanxi Province, China.

The “2025 Belonging Awards” aiming to identify and honor companies that truly place “belonging” at the core of their strategies—creating workplaces where every employee feels respected, recognized, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. Over the 6 months application process, the award received applications from 694 well-known domestic and international companies, including Rémy Cointreau, Mercedes-Benz, BOSCH, Jaguar Land Rover China, HSBC China, L’ORÉAL China, Carlsberg, TCL, BAYER and so on. Spanning over 50 countries and regions across 97 industries, these companies submitted a remarkable 47,192 application materials for consideration. The awards spotlight leading companies in the Chinese market that excel in innovative, systematic, and comprehensive Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices, creating meaningful impacts both internally and externally.

The announcement of the “2025 Belonging Awards” marks a significant step for companies in advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, reflecting their commitment to innovation and growth amid a challenging market environment. The “2025 Belonging Awards” not only provides organizations with a clear understanding of their investments and progress in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion but also helps to meet the growing compliance and transparency demands of global regulation. By doing so, the awards empower organizations to build their core competencies and influence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion while enhancing the brand visibility of the award-winning employers.

News From: Employer Branding Institute

The Employer Branding Institute is a leading employer brand research institution, bringing together leading figures and human resources experts in the field of global employer branding. The Employer Branding Institute has more than 2,000 members, including more than 300 Fortune Global 500 companies. Employer Branding Institute is a joint brand of HRflag and Wild Theory.

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SOURCE Employer Branding Institute