Author: sHq_LoGiNz

CALGARY, AB, March 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Diverse climate science speakers at Heartland Institute’s 16^th International Conference on Climate (ICCC16) will challenge the sole focus on human-caused/GHG climate catastrophe claims of the WMO and UN Sec-Gen Guterres made on March 23, 2026, says Friends of Science Society.

Friends of Science Society’s president, Ron Davison, P. Eng. will reunite in person with several co-authors of “Energy & Climate at a Glance: Canadian Edition,” at Heartland’s ICCC16 in Washington, D.C., April 8-9, 2026, where “Climate Realism Rising” is the theme. The event will be live streamed from The Heartland Institute’s video podcast channel.

Davison has long publicly rejected the proposed spending of trillions of dollars on Net Zero, to achieve, perhaps, only billions in benefits. Davison argued this in his March 2025, presentation “Net Zero: Climate Policy is All Pain for Minimal Gain.“

One of the ICCC16 speakers will be Dr. Arthur Viterito, whose climate research was featured in this new Friends of Science Society video explainer, “Hot Blobs – Oceanic Geothermal Heat: Out of Sight, Out of Mind.”

Friends of Science Society published a new report from Robert Lyman this week, titled, “Stop Finding Reasons to Say ‘No’” to major infrastructure and energy projects. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the province of Alberta and Ottawa, has raised hopes of approval of a pipeline to the West Coast from the Alberta oil sands. The MOU includes an agreement to raise the industrial carbon tax to an agreed upon price (generally believed to be targeted for ~$130/t) in exchange for trade-offs and simplification of some approval processes. Lyman’s report reveals that only nominal efficiencies in approval processes will be the result; layers of overlapping climate and GHG regulations will hamper major projects with endless barriers and last-minute pile-ons by climate and indigenous activists. Such groups were successful in blocking Keystone XL under the Biden administration.

Friends of Science Society has issued an Open Letter to the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), Canada’s banking regulator.

Friends of Science Society’s letter asks OSFI to issue public statements regarding the retraction of Kotz et al (2024). This recently retracted economic paper had a wildly exaggerated climate damage function that the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) banks had adopted. Likewise, Friends of Science Society asks OSFI for comments on the rescission of the US EPA CO₂ Endangerment Finding and the impact on Canada, whose Social Cost of Carbon (the basis of the carbon tax) was directly aligned with the EPA ruling and calculations, as discussed in this explainer video.

Friends of Science Society’s letter points out that advocates of the Paris Agreement, like Catherine McKenna in her “Integrity Matters: Winning the Future” report, are claiming that the Paris Agreement has led to a reduction in emissions trajectory. In fact, the ‘reduction’ is simply due to the fact that the improbable scenario, known as RCP 8.5, often cited as the ‘business-as-usual’ case, has been recognized as improbable.

Friends of Science Society cautions OSFI that shareholder pressure groups appear to be pushing banks to reduce or abandon their financial services for energy companies that do not comply with setting unrealistic Net Zero targets. Meanwhile, the war in Iran is forcing the world to face climate and energy realism with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, as reported by BBC on March 18, 2026, while Canada seems determined to miss out on global markets once again. 

About
Friends of Science Society is an independent group of earth, atmospheric and solar scientists, engineers, and citizens that is celebrating its 23rd year of offering climate science insights. After a thorough review of a broad spectrum of literature on climate change, Friends of Science Society has concluded that the sun is the main driver of climate change, not carbon dioxide (CO2).

Friends of Science Society
PO Box 61172 RPO Kensington
Calgary AB T2N 4S6
Canada
Toll-free Telephone: 1-888-789-9597
Web: friendsofscience.org
E-mail: contact(at)friendsofscience(dot)org
Web: climatechange101.ca

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SOURCE Friends of Science Society

Businesses can expect to receive dividend checks starting March 25.

Key takeaways:

• $15 million in general dividends to 46,000 eligible Pinnacol Assurance members starting March 25.
• Pinnacol has now issued a general dividend for 11 consecutive years, contributing to a total of $905 million returned to members since 2005
• Dividends are a result of businesses’ and Pinnacol’s mutual success in reducing workplace injury and managing costs.

DENVER, March 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pinnacol Assurance, Colorado’s leading workers’ compensation provider, announced today it will distribute a $15 million general dividend to its members in 2026. This marks the 11th consecutive year Pinnacol has returned capital to its members, underscoring its commitment to shared success and financial stability for Colorado businesses.

More than 46,000 members in every corner of the state will receive a dividend check or credit, with distributions scheduled to begin on March 25. This latest payment brings the total dividends returned by Pinnacol to Colorado employers to $905 million over the organization’s history.

How is Pinnacol able to issue dividends?

“At Pinnacol, we shift the industry standard by treating those we serve as members of a community, rather than just policyholders,” said John O’Donnell, President and CEO of Pinnacol Assurance. “This dividend is a tangible return on investment into the workplace for our members who have partnered with us to prioritize workplace safety and effectively manage costs. It’s proof that when we work together to protect Colorado’s workforce, the entire state’s economy wins.”

Pinnacol’s member-focused reinvestment strategy is built on the belief that mutual success drives sustainable growth. The dividend is a tangible return on investment for our members who have partnered with us to prioritize workplace safety and effectively manage costs.

While typical workers’ comp policies focus on transactions, Pinnacol members gain access to top-ranked comprehensive benefits, including:

• Safety Services: Access to the largest safety team in the state to help build safer workplaces.
• Industry-leading claims support: A commitment to care that has resulted in the #1 injured worker satisfaction rating in Colorado for nine years running.
• Financial reliability: Affirmed by Forbes, an A.M. Best rating of A- and a legacy of returning more total dividends than any other carrier in the state.
• Return to work support: Our programs aid physical and mental recovery and provide claim savings when used.

In survey responses, Pinnacol members recently commented on receiving their dividends:

• “We have partnered with Pinnacol for over 35 years. We are very satisfied with the services that Pinnacol has provided us, quick response to phone calls, safety program involvement, ease of on-line reporting, dividend opportunities, on-line audits are easy to understand and complete, etc.”
• “Both of my business have had Pinnacol Assurance workmans comp for many years. We have been lucky to have very few claims over the years. When we needed the insurance Pinnacol was spot on. The yearly dividend doesn’t hurt. Thank you.”
• Great communication! Nice to get dividend checks from an insurance company for being a safe business to work in. Good tips and suggestions on staying safe and injury free. Reasonable pricing for workcomp insurance. Thank you!”
• We have had no problems and this company seems to be responsive to its clients. We get a yearly “dividend” or return of some of the money we pay to Pinnacol which would reflect financial responsibility in our opinion.”

Members can expect to receive their checks or credits no later than April. For more information about the dividend or Pinnacol’s safety programs, visit https://www.pinnacol.com/general-dividend.

About Pinnacol
Pinnacol Assurance is a top-performing provider of workers’ compensation insurance. We offer top-rated injured worker care, customized safety solutions, and a comprehensive return to work program that helps our members reduce risk and save costs. You can see our investment in the community through our nationally recognized apprenticeship program and Pinnacol Foundation scholarship program. Pinnacol’s team members, culture of caring, and top-rated services have received numerous awards, affirming our commitment to the people and communities we serve. Learn more at Pinnacol.com.

Media contact:
Contact: Liz Johnson
Director, Public Relations
720.939.7238 (mobile)
liz.johnson@pinnacol.com

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SOURCE Pinnacol Assurance

EAST HAZEL CREST, Ill., March 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Wind Creek Chicago Southland is raising the stakes with the official opening of the property’s state-of-the-art Sportsbook at Wind Creek, powered by Kambi. Located directly on the casino floor, this latest offering provides Guests with a brand-new way to watch and wager on their favorite sporting events.

Spanning over 4,200 square feet, Sportsbook at Wind Creek features a dedicated lounge where Guests can escape into the excitement of every game in a dynamic and engaging atmosphere. Sports enthusiasts can watch up to 16 games at one time on two LED TV walls or at the bar. To place a bet, Players can wager in person at the Sportsbook or use one of nine convenient self-service kiosks located throughout the casino floor, all open 24/7. All major wager types are accepted including parlays, same-game parlays, and prop bets—making it easier than ever to watch and win.

Players can also leverage the Sportsbook’s Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) technology to conveniently build bets on their mobile devices and finalize them at the window. Once bets are placed, they can settle in to watch the action, play in-lounge video poker or bubble craps machines, enjoy the bar, and take advantage of first-come, first-served premium seating with daily reserved seating available for select Wind Creek Rewards cardholders.

“Our goal was to create a space where you can fully immerse yourself in the game and all of the thrills that come with it,” said Jahnae Erpenbach, EVP, General Manager. “This is where Illinois sports fans—and all fans—can come together to enjoy and wager on the sporting events they love at Chicago-Southland’s premier gaming and entertainment destination.”

For more information on Sportsbook at Wind Creek including hours of operation, please visit: windcreek.com/chicagosouthland/casino/sportsbook

About Wind Creek Hospitality:
Wind Creek Hospitality is an authority of the Poarch Creek Indians, the only federally recognized Indian Tribe in the state of Alabama. Wind Creek Hospitality manages the Tribe’s gaming facilities including: Wind Creek Aruba, Wind Creek Atmore, Wind Creek Bethlehem, Wind Creek Chicago Southland, Wind Creek Curacao, Wind Creek Montgomery, Wind Creek Wetumpka, Casinoverse, Magic City Casino in FL, as well as racetracks in Alabama and Florida. Visit www.windcreek.com for more information.

Media Contact:
The Zimmerman Agency
Windcreek@zimmerman.com

Must be 21 years of age or older. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling, and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537).

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wind-creek-chicago-southland-opens-on-property-sportsbook-302725345.html

SOURCE Wind Creek Hospitality

EAST HAZEL CREST, Ill., March 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Wind Creek Chicago Southland is raising the stakes with the official opening of the property’s state-of-the-art Sportsbook at Wind Creek, powered by Kambi. Located directly on the casino floor, this latest offering provides Guests with a brand-new way to watch and wager on their favorite sporting events.

Spanning over 4,200 square feet, Sportsbook at Wind Creek features a dedicated lounge where Guests can escape into the excitement of every game in a dynamic and engaging atmosphere. Sports enthusiasts can watch up to 16 games at one time on two LED TV walls or at the bar. To place a bet, Players can wager in person at the Sportsbook or use one of nine convenient self-service kiosks located throughout the casino floor, all open 24/7. All major wager types are accepted including parlays, same-game parlays, and prop bets—making it easier than ever to watch and win.

Players can also leverage the Sportsbook’s Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) technology to conveniently build bets on their mobile devices and finalize them at the window. Once bets are placed, they can settle in to watch the action, play in-lounge video poker or bubble craps machines, enjoy the bar, and take advantage of first-come, first-served premium seating with daily reserved seating available for select Wind Creek Rewards cardholders.

“Our goal was to create a space where you can fully immerse yourself in the game and all of the thrills that come with it,” said Jahnae Erpenbach, EVP, General Manager. “This is where Illinois sports fans—and all fans—can come together to enjoy and wager on the sporting events they love at Chicago-Southland’s premier gaming and entertainment destination.”

For more information on Sportsbook at Wind Creek including hours of operation, please visit: windcreek.com/chicagosouthland/casino/sportsbook

About Wind Creek Hospitality:
Wind Creek Hospitality is an authority of the Poarch Creek Indians, the only federally recognized Indian Tribe in the state of Alabama. Wind Creek Hospitality manages the Tribe’s gaming facilities including: Wind Creek Aruba, Wind Creek Atmore, Wind Creek Bethlehem, Wind Creek Chicago Southland, Wind Creek Curacao, Wind Creek Montgomery, Wind Creek Wetumpka, Casinoverse, Magic City Casino in FL, as well as racetracks in Alabama and Florida. Visit www.windcreek.com for more information.

Media Contact:
The Zimmerman Agency
Windcreek@zimmerman.com

Must be 21 years of age or older. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling, and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537).

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wind-creek-chicago-southland-opens-on-property-sportsbook-302725345.html

SOURCE Wind Creek Hospitality

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C^®) is pleased to present a complimentary webinar covering the expiration of confidential business information (CBI) protections under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and how to request and substantiate an extension. The webinar will be presented on April 9, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (EDT). Register here:
https://lawbc.zoom.us/webinar/register/3217743620188/WN_DL0Fp_7FTXCnbwhA1H3kpQ

The 2016 Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act amendments included a ten-year cap on many CBI claims. Absent an extension approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), these CBI claims will begin to expire on a rolling basis in June 2026 unless further reasserted and re-substantiated.

B&C has been tracking this important provision closely, including how EPA intends to provide the statutorily required notices of expiring CBI claims; the systems, processes, and criteria to request and substantiate an extension; and the practical steps companies should be taking now to prepare.

Topics Covered:

• CBI expiration provisions under TSCA;
• Process and criteria for requesting and substantiating an extension; and
• Practical tips for companies to prepare now.

Speakers:

• Richard E. Engler, Ph.D., Director of Chemistry, B&C, is a 17-year veteran of EPA and one of the most widely recognized experts on TSCA, with over 25 years’ experience engaged in interpretation and implementation of this complicated yet foundational law for American innovation and productivity.
• Ryan N. Schmit, Of Counsel, B&C, served more than 15 years in EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) where he worked on the front lines of EPA’s TSCA implementation efforts including the protection of CBI.
• Lynn L. Bergeson, Managing Partner, B&C, has earned an international reputation counseling corporations, trade associations, and business consortia on a wide range of issues pertaining to chemical hazard, exposure and risk assessment, risk communication, minimizing legal liability, and evolving regulatory and policy matters.

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. is a Washington, D.C. law firm offering clients an unparalleled level of experience and excellence in matters relating to TSCA. Our TSCA practice group includes six former senior EPA scientific and executive staff, seven Ph.D.s, and a robust and highly experienced team of lawyers and non-lawyer professionals extremely well-versed in all aspects of TSCA law, regulation, and litigation.

View all of B&C’s webinars available on demand at https://www.lawbc.com/media-type/webinars-on-demand/

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SOURCE Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.

• In 2025, nearly $30.5 million in energy bill assistance was provided in Florida, helping nearly 31,000 customers
• Multiple financial assistance programs are available for eligible customers

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., March 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As Duke Energy Florida’s storm cost recovery charges have been removed from customer bills as of February, dropping residential bills approximately $44 for every 1,000 kWh, additional bill assistance resources are available for eligible customers that may face continued payment challenges.

In 2025, nearly $30.5 million was delivered to support approximately 31,000 customers.

Duke Energy Florida works with community partners and assistance programs to connect eligible customers with financial resources and support, leveraging resources such as Share The Light Fund, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), FL211.org and more.

How to get help
Duke Energy Florida works with a variety of partners to help connect eligible customers with financial assistance for their energy bills. These partnerships help ensure support reaches families who may be experiencing temporary financial hardship or unexpected challenges.

“We know that unexpected challenges can arise, and we’re committed to standing by our customers when they need it most,” said Melissa Seixas, president, Duke Energy Florida. “These programs help provide a safety net for families navigating temporary hardship while keeping their households running.”

To explore payment assistance resources including Share the Light Fund, 211.org, LIHEAP and more, customers can visit Duke Energy’s Payment Assistance Finder.

Additional support
In addition to financial assistance programs, Duke Energy also offers:

• Installment Plans: Provides flexibility with paying energy bills to help make monthly payments more comfortable
• Due Date Extensions: Extends your payment due date by one to 10 business days
• Seasonal Savings Tips: From energy usage tracking to a live view into your energy dashboard, additional resources provide transparency and tips to help reduce everyday energy usage to lower your bill during the winter chill and heat of the summer

Customers are encouraged to seek help early to find the best option that fits their needs.

Duke Energy Florida
Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.  

Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.  

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage. 

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition. 

Contact: Laitin Sterling
24-Hour: 800.559.3853

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SOURCE Duke Energy

LAKELAND, Fla., March 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Plastic pollution has become a widespread global problem, with microscopic particles in the water that can slip into the human body without notice. For decades, scientists have struggled to detect these microplastics and nanoplastics quickly and affordably. Researchers at Florida Polytechnic University are working on a new approach that could change that.

Dr. Ajeet Kaushik, an associate professor of chemistry, and students Riley Orr and Justin Sanchez Almirola developed a solution based on electrochemical sensing, a technology that uses chemical reactions to detect and measure the concentration of specific materials in different environments.

Their innovation earned a U.S. patent and was published in the international journal Sensors and Actuators A: Physical. The topic is also an extension of Kaushik’s ongoing research.

“Right now, there is no way to detect this type of pollution on the spot,” Kaushik said. “But our sensor works in the field, and within minutes just a drop of water tells you if microplastics are there and at what level.”

The severity of the issue is immeasurable, said Kaushik, who has been recognized on Stanford University’s prestigious list of the world’s top 2% of scientists since 2021.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Microplastics range from about the size of a pencil eraser down to particles so small they resemble the width of a red blood cell. Nanoplastics shrink even further into the nanometer scale, far too small to see without powerful microscopes. 

The innovative new sensor uses a specially treated electrode strip connected to a small reader. After a drop of water is added, the system looks for plastics such as polystyrene and turns that into an electrical signal the user can see on a smartphone.

“We have needed an easy way to measure microplastics in any body of water because what scientists have been doing takes advanced machines and trained technicians,” said Orr, a senior majoring in electrical engineering.

Orr and Almirola ’25, a mechanical engineering alum now pursuing his master’s in the same discipline, stepped up to assist Kaushik with the project with support from other researchers. Almirola and Kaushik earned inventor status on US Patent No. 12,523,590 B1, “Sensing Plastics with Electrode Sensor to Monitor Fluid Environments.”

Kaushik said that another patent application and paper are under review, with Orr and senior mechanical engineering major Andrea Lee to be included as inventors on the patent.

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SOURCE Florida Polytechnic University