Author: sHq_LoGiNz

2026 Kia EV9 named “Best 3-Row Electric Vehicle” for value, range, design and technology

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — For the third consecutive year, the Kia EV9 is once again the “Best 3-Row Electric Vehicle” according to the experts at Kelley Blue Book. In making their decision, the editors highlighted EV9’s compelling combination of price, power, range, design and available technology.

“That the EV9 has been named the “Best 3-Row Electric Vehicle” for the third straight year by Kelley Blue Book is an honor and validates that our engineering, design and technology check all the boxes for automotive industry experts,” said Eric Watson, vice president, sales operations, Kia America. “But with seating for up to seven passengers, fast charging capability and room for your gear, the EV9 continues to exceed our customers expectations as well.”

The Best Buy Awards is a comprehensive recognition program that spotlights the standout cars, trucks and SUVs Kelley Blue Book recommends to new-car shoppers across a variety of segments. Now in its 12^th year, the program continues to adapt to the dynamic automotive landscape with evolving categories that reflect advances in technology, safety and efficiency, providing buyers with expert advice on the best car for their needs.

“The Kia EV9 is a spacious midsize SUV with more than 300 miles of range. It’s a true family hauler that also happens to be fully electric,” said Brian Moody, executive editor at Kelley Blue Book.

About Kelley Blue Book’s Best Buy Awards

Now in its 12th year, the Best Buy Awards recognize the top new vehicles across key segments based on a full year of expert testing and comprehensive data analysis—including pricing, transaction trends, 5–Year Cost to Own, consumer reviews, and sales insights.

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 SUVs proudly assembled in America*. 

For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert 

* Select trims of the 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. 

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SOURCE Kia America

2026 Kia EV9 named “Best 3-Row Electric Vehicle” for value, range, design and technology

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — For the third consecutive year, the Kia EV9 is once again the “Best 3-Row Electric Vehicle” according to the experts at Kelley Blue Book. In making their decision, the editors highlighted EV9’s compelling combination of price, power, range, design and available technology.

“That the EV9 has been named the “Best 3-Row Electric Vehicle” for the third straight year by Kelley Blue Book is an honor and validates that our engineering, design and technology check all the boxes for automotive industry experts,” said Eric Watson, vice president, sales operations, Kia America. “But with seating for up to seven passengers, fast charging capability and room for your gear, the EV9 continues to exceed our customers expectations as well.”

The Best Buy Awards is a comprehensive recognition program that spotlights the standout cars, trucks and SUVs Kelley Blue Book recommends to new-car shoppers across a variety of segments. Now in its 12^th year, the program continues to adapt to the dynamic automotive landscape with evolving categories that reflect advances in technology, safety and efficiency, providing buyers with expert advice on the best car for their needs.

“The Kia EV9 is a spacious midsize SUV with more than 300 miles of range. It’s a true family hauler that also happens to be fully electric,” said Brian Moody, executive editor at Kelley Blue Book.

About Kelley Blue Book’s Best Buy Awards

Now in its 12th year, the Best Buy Awards recognize the top new vehicles across key segments based on a full year of expert testing and comprehensive data analysis—including pricing, transaction trends, 5–Year Cost to Own, consumer reviews, and sales insights.

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 SUVs proudly assembled in America*. 

For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert 

* Select trims of the 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. 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kia-ev9-takes-kelley-blue-book-best-buy-award-for-best-3-row-electric-vehicle-for-third-year-running-302679548.html

SOURCE Kia America

Continuation Vehicle Transactions Raise Questions Regarding Process, Pricing and Governance

Replacement of Conflicted Transaction Counsel with Litigation Counsel Does Not Cure Process Failures

Mason Calls for Good Faith Engagement by the Board to Address Minority Investor Rights

NEW YORK, Feb. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Mason Capital Management LLC (“Mason”), a significant, long-standing investor in Ascent Resources, LLC (“Ascent” or the “Company”), today announced that it has sent a letter to litigation counsel for Ascent’s Board of Managers (the “Board”) reiterating substantial concerns regarding the Board’s conduct to facilitate the sale of interests in Ascent to continuation vehicles managed by The Energy & Minerals Group LP (“EMG”) and First Reserve Corporation (“First Reserve”) despite superior available alternatives.

In the letter, Mason expands upon its concerns regarding the transactions led by EMG and First Reserve, which Mason believes had the effect of suppressing price, deterring other bidders and advantaging affiliated sponsors at the expense of minority stakeholders. The letter notes that the Board has refused to engage altogether on these concerns with stakeholders such as Mason whose contractual and economic rights are directly affected by the transactions. Absent prompt, substantive engagement by the Board focused on maximizing value for all stakeholders, Mason will evaluate all available options to compel the Board to discharge its obligations.

The full text of the letter follows:

January 30, 2026

Andrew J. Rossman
Quinn Emanuel
295 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10016

Re: Ascent Resources, LLC

Andrew,

We acknowledge your letter of January 28th and Quinn Emanuel’s appearance for Ascent.

As an initial matter, please confirm that Kirkland & Ellis is no longer advising the Ascent Board of Managers in any capacity—whether formal or informal—including with respect to strategic alternatives, governance, or transactions involving EMG or affiliated parties.

We have reason to believe that, in the face of imminent fund terminations that would have resulted in distributions to LPs and/or a sale to third parties, First Reserve and EMG acted in concert to retain control. The transaction history speaks for itself. First Reserve recently executed a CV transaction transferring approximately 35% of the Company. EMG has now pursued a second CV transaction of roughly the same magnitude. This sequencing was not incidental.

A contemporaneous acquisition of these interests—aggregating approximately 70%—would have constituted a control transaction, necessitating a control premium. By staggering the transactions to create the appearance that neither party was a seller, EMG and First Reserve retained control while intentionally suppressing the price, avoiding any meaningful market check and forcing minority holders into materially discounted outcomes. Delaware law treats such conduct as a conflicted controller transaction in substance, regardless of form.

Furthermore, the Board’s silence and inaction toward minority investors, together with the active suppression of meaningful available alternatives by controllers, is inconsistent with good-faith conduct.

The motive is evident: serial CV transactions that suppress price, deter other bidders, and advantage an affiliated sponsor constitute self-dealing, requiring action by the Board. The failure by the Board to act, as required by Delaware law, is not exculpable, not insurable, and not protected by the business judgment rule. Managers who knowingly facilitate conflicted control transactions face personal liability for bad faith and loyalty breaches. See In re Nine Systems Corp. S’holders Litig., 2014 WL 4383127 (Del. Ch. Sept. 4, 2014).

That exposure extends to the entire period during which Kirkland & Ellis advised the Board in connection with this scheme. The presence of conflicted counsel does not cleanse the conduct; it compounds it.

Turning to engagement, our January 12th correspondence addressed specific contractual and economic rights held by Mason Capital through CNR.

To be clear:

• Mason holds enforceable contractual and economic interests through CNR that are being directly affected by the Board’s actions and refusal to act.
• The Board’s decision to decline engagement altogether – while selectively engaging with other stakeholders – raises tortious interference and related claims that are not subject to arbitration and would proceed publicly.
• Your letter inexplicably asserts that Ascent is evaluating strategic opportunities “through appropriate channels and processes”. Our client has repeatedly indicated a willingness to engage constructively, including in connection with bona fide strategic alternatives. That willingness has been met with silence.

In fact, the Company has declined to engage with Mason or Kimmeridge, while routing communications exclusively through litigation counsel. Delaware law is clear that good faith requires more than silence. A conscious failure to engage with materially affected investors constitutes bad faith. In re Walt Disney Co. Derivative Litig., 906 A.2d 27, 67 (Del. 2006).

As you know, Quinn Emanuel serves as litigation counsel, not transaction counsel, and does not replace a good-faith strategic or deal process. Board duties are non-delegable and cannot be discharged by litigation advisors. In re Rural Metro Corp. S’holders Litig., 88 A.3d 54, 82–85 (Del. Ch. 2014).

We also reject any suggestion that Mason’s correspondence being made public was improper. Where a board advances conflicted control transactions while refusing engagement, transparency is necessary to protect contractual rights and inform affected stakeholders.

Mason has not waived, and does not waive, any rights or remedies.

Before proceeding further, our client is prepared to allow a short window for a substantive discussion focused narrowly on (i) CNR’s contractual position and (ii) a path forward that avoids unnecessary litigation and public discovery. Absent that, Mason will evaluate all available options.

Please produce a complete and current copy of CNR’s operating agreement by Monday, February 2nd at 5:00 P.M. ET, and advise by close of business on Wednesday, February 4th whether Ascent is prepared to engage on that basis.

Regards,

James C. Woolery, Esq.
Founding Partner
Woolery & Co PLLC

CC. Kenneth M. Garschina
Managing Member
Mason Capital Management LLC

About Mason Capital Management LLC

Mason Capital Management LLC is an absolute return focused investment firm that combines deep fundamental analysis with hard catalysts to drive value creation. Founded in July 2000 by Ken Garschina and Mike Martino, Mason’s strategies range from event-driven investing to corporate carve-outs and control acquisitions. Mason’s control investments include CB&I, the world’s foremost designer and builder of storage facilities, tanks and terminals for energy and industrial markets.

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SOURCE Mason Capital Management

Agencies encouraged to apply by April 3 for funding that strengthens emergency response capabilities

CAMDEN, N.J., Feb. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — New Jersey American Water today announced the opening of its 2026 Volunteer Fire and EMS Grant Program, providing funding for volunteer fire departments and emergency response organizations across its service area.

Now in its 16^th year, the program underscores New Jersey American Water’s ongoing commitment to supporting the firefighters and EMS professionals who protect their communities every day. Eligible organizations include volunteer fire departments, ambulance squads and fire aid units located within the company’s service areas.

“As firefighters and EMS professionals, these men and women are on the front lines daily, and it’s essential that they have the equipment and training necessary to keep our communities safe,” said Edward J. Scanlon, Utility Mechanic for New Jersey American Water, member of the company’s Fire Grant Committee and Deputy Chief of the Strathmere Fire and Rescue. In his role with the company, Scanlon works closely with field operations and infrastructure maintenance, giving him a firsthand understanding of the critical partnership between water utilities and emergency responders. “Their unwavering dedication inspires us to continue strengthening local emergency response capabilities through this grant program.”

Applications are open beginning today and will be accepted through April 10, 2026, allowing departments additional time to align requests with budgeting and equipment needs. A committee composed of New Jersey American Water employees—many of whom also serve as volunteer emergency responders—will review submissions to help ensure funding supports real‑world needs in the field.

Since the program’s launch in 2011, New Jersey American Water has awarded 332 grants totaling more than $451,000 to 207 volunteer fire departments and emergency response units.

Grants of up to $2,500 may be used for personal protective gear, communications equipment, first aid supplies, firefighting tools, vehicle maintenance and other operational needs. Reimbursement for specific training courses, including the costs of training manuals and instructional materials, is also eligible.

Organizations can apply online at www.newjerseyamwater.com/community under News & Community > Community Involvement. Departments selected for funding will receive notification in early May, and New Jersey American Water will announce the full list of awardees later in the month.

About New Jersey American Water 
New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.9 million people. For more information, visit www.newjerseyamwater.com and follow New Jersey American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram.

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SOURCE American Water