Author: sHq_LoGiNz

400 attendees expected at to celebrate K–12 options at school expo

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Families across the Anchorage region can learn about all of the different schools available for their kids on Saturday, Jan. 31–all in one room. The Anchorage School Choice Expo takes place on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 11:00 AM at the Alaska Native Heritage Center, and more than 50 public, charter, private schools, and nontraditional learning providers will have representatives available to talk with families.

The event, organized by the nonprofit Alaska School Choice in collaboration with the nonprofit National School Choice Awareness Foundation, is timed to coincide with National School Choice Week. It will take place from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturday, Jan. 31 at Alaska Native Heritage Center (8800 Heritage Center Dr. Anchorage, AK 99504). In addition to searching for schools, attendees can enjoy a student activity room, drawings for prizes, and complimentary snacks.

“The main goal of the Anchorage School Choice Expo is to bring families together to learn about school options in their area and feel confident about their next steps—because navigating educational choices shouldn’t feel overwhelming,” said Hadassah Knight, Alaska School Choice-Anchorage Director. “We’re creating a welcoming, information-rich environment where parents can have real conversations with school representatives, compare academic programs and extracurricular opportunities side-by-side, and leave with clear action steps. Families will also learn about our book scholarship program, ensuring that every child has access to the resources they need to succeed.”

National School Choice Week runs Jan. 25–31 and includes 28,000 events across America. The goal of the week is to raise awareness about the various education options available to families, empower parents to find the learning environment that best suits their child’s needs, and help them feel confident in navigating those choices.

For more information, visit schoolchoiceweek.com/events/alaska-school-choice-expo

The National School Choice Awareness Foundation (NSCAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We show parents how K–12 school choice can change their children’s lives, and then guide them through the process of finding schools that best meet their children’s needs. Our three charitable programs––National School Choice Week, Navigate School Choice, and Conoce tus Opciones Escolares––raise equal awareness of the public, charter, magnet, private, online, home, and nontraditional education options available for families. We are nonpolitical and do not advocate for or against legislation at any level of government.

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SOURCE National School Choice Week

CHONGQING, China, Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The World Economic Forum (WEF) recently announced the latest members of its Global Lighthouse Networks 2026, with HiTHIUM‘s Chongqing manufacturing base successfully selected. The factory becomes the world’s first Lighthouse Factory for energy storage batteries, marking a major milestone for the global energy storage industry.

The factory is also the world’s first mass-production facility dedicated to kAh long-duration energy storage (LDES) battery. Through systematic breakthroughs in intelligent manufacturing and digital transformation, the Chongqing manufacturing base sets a new benchmark for high-quality development across the global energy storage value chain.

The Global Lighthouse Network is a World Economic Forum initiative recognizing best-in-class operational sites and value chains that have achieved exceptional performance in productivity, supply chain resilience, customer centricity, sustainability and talent. The initiative was co-founded with McKinsey & Company and is counselled by an advisory board of industry leaders working together to shape the future of global manufacturing. As of today, 224 Lighthouse Factories have been recognized globally, with HiTHIUM being the first to represent the energy storage battery sector.

“Competitiveness today is no longer defined by efficiency alone, but by the ability to sense, adapt and respond at speed,” said Kiva Allgood, Managing Director, World Economic Forum. “This year’s industrial transformation sites show how intelligence-led operations are being scaled to place resilience and sustainability at the core of how industry operates.”

A “Thinking” Factory Redefining Energy Storage Manufacturing

As lithium-ion energy storage plays an increasingly vital role in renewable energy integration and grid stability, the industry is experiencing rapid growth alongside mounting challenges. These include surging demand, intensified cost pressures, and increasingly stringent requirements for battery consistency. Traditional manufacturing models are no longer sufficient to meet these demands.

In response, HiTHIUM’s Chongqing manufacturing base has advanced a comprehensive intelligent manufacturing strategy focused on near-zero-defect production, systematic cost optimization, and intelligent operations. Through continuous exploration of lean production and advanced manufacturing practices, the base has achieved significant improvements in yield, production capacity, and overall equipment effectiveness.

At the core of HiTHIUM’s intelligent manufacturing approach is a factory that can truly “think.” The Chongqing manufacturing base has deployed more than 40 digital solutions, deeply integrating generative artificial intelligence, machine learning, and AIoT technologies. These innovations enable full-lifecycle intelligent control spanning R&D, material selection, manufacturing, and final inspection. By establishing a closed-loop, data-driven management system across the entire production chain, the base ensures exceptional product consistency, laying a solid foundation for high safety, reliability, and performance in energy storage batteries.

Forward-Looking Deployment to Lead LDES

Building on the growing maturity of its intelligent manufacturing system, HiTHIUM continues to advance forward-looking production layouts tailored specifically for LDES applications. The Chongqing manufacturing base has steadily expanded the adaptability of intelligent manufacturing across different technical pathways and application scenarios, reinforcing its role in supporting the industrialization of LDES.

The base has also established the world’s first production line dedicated to LDES batteries. In June 2025, HiTHIUM’s ∞Cell 1175Ah LDES battery entered mass production. In October, the ∞Power 6.25MWh 4h LDES BESS, powered by this battery, began global deliveries. In December, the system was selected as the sole representative from the energy storage sector at a national-level exhibition highlighting advancements in Chinese manufacturing.

Looking ahead, HiTHIUM will further leverage the lighthouse factory’s demonstrative role in intelligent R&D, smart manufacturing, and the development of agile and resilient supply chain networks. As an industry chain leader, the company will also drive digital transformation across upstream and downstream partners, fostering a highly collaborative and efficient industrial ecosystem.

By continuously exporting scalable intelligent manufacturing practices and industrialization capabilities, HiTHIUM aims to support the large-scale, high-quality, safe, and efficient deployment of LDES batteries and systems—contributing a robust Chinese solution to the global transition toward green and sustainable energy.

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SOURCE HiTHIUM

BEL AIR, Md., Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Harford Mutual Insurance Group (HMIG) is proud to announce it donated nearly $600,000 to more than 90 nonprofit and charitable organizations throughout 2025.

Through its HMIG Gives Back Program, Harford Mutual’s direct contributions supported initiatives focused on health and human services, as well as community enrichment. This commitment to philanthropy reflects Harford Mutual’s continuous efforts to positively impact the communities it serves.

The largest contributions were presented to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford and Cecil Counties, Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna, Harford Family House, The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region, University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation, and United Way of Central Maryland.

In the wake of severe weather events affecting Kentucky, Harford Mutual contributed $20,000 to the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund. HMIG also donated $10,000 to the Western Maryland Strong Fund to support regional flood relief efforts.

In addition to Harford Mutual’s direct contributions, more than $92,000 in donations were distributed to nonprofits and charitable organizations through the company’s HMIG Community Fund, managed by the Community Foundation of Harford County. This included capital contributions made to Anna’s House, The Harford Center, and Harford Community College Foundation. Funds were also distributed to charitable organizations as part of HMIG’s Employee Match Program, as well as donations made to additional nonprofits as part of the company’s Flagship Agency Grant Program, which provides $1,000 grants to nonprofits selected by our Flagship agencies.

Harford Mutual employees also demonstrated their commitment to giving back, collectively contributing nearly 700 volunteer hours to various organizations in 2025.

About Harford Mutual Insurance Group
Harford Mutual Insurance Group, founded in 1842 in Harford County, Maryland, provides commercial property and casualty insurance products and services to a regional market. The Group is a recognized insurance company ending 2025 with more than $446 million in direct written premium sold through independent agents in twelve states and Washington, D.C. Harford Mutual is rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best. For more information, visit www.HarfordMutual.com.

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SOURCE Harford Mutual Insurance Group

BEL AIR, Md., Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Harford Mutual Insurance Group (HMIG) is proud to announce it donated nearly $600,000 to more than 90 nonprofit and charitable organizations throughout 2025.

Through its HMIG Gives Back Program, Harford Mutual’s direct contributions supported initiatives focused on health and human services, as well as community enrichment. This commitment to philanthropy reflects Harford Mutual’s continuous efforts to positively impact the communities it serves.

The largest contributions were presented to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford and Cecil Counties, Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna, Harford Family House, The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region, University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation, and United Way of Central Maryland.

In the wake of severe weather events affecting Kentucky, Harford Mutual contributed $20,000 to the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund. HMIG also donated $10,000 to the Western Maryland Strong Fund to support regional flood relief efforts.

In addition to Harford Mutual’s direct contributions, more than $92,000 in donations were distributed to nonprofits and charitable organizations through the company’s HMIG Community Fund, managed by the Community Foundation of Harford County. This included capital contributions made to Anna’s House, The Harford Center, and Harford Community College Foundation. Funds were also distributed to charitable organizations as part of HMIG’s Employee Match Program, as well as donations made to additional nonprofits as part of the company’s Flagship Agency Grant Program, which provides $1,000 grants to nonprofits selected by our Flagship agencies.

Harford Mutual employees also demonstrated their commitment to giving back, collectively contributing nearly 700 volunteer hours to various organizations in 2025.

About Harford Mutual Insurance Group
Harford Mutual Insurance Group, founded in 1842 in Harford County, Maryland, provides commercial property and casualty insurance products and services to a regional market. The Group is a recognized insurance company ending 2025 with more than $446 million in direct written premium sold through independent agents in twelve states and Washington, D.C. Harford Mutual is rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best. For more information, visit www.HarfordMutual.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/harford-mutual-insurance-group-donates-nearly-600-000-to-nonprofit-and-charitable-organizations-in-2025–302663121.html

SOURCE Harford Mutual Insurance Group

BEL AIR, Md., Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Harford Mutual Insurance Group (HMIG) is proud to announce it donated nearly $600,000 to more than 90 nonprofit and charitable organizations throughout 2025.

Through its HMIG Gives Back Program, Harford Mutual’s direct contributions supported initiatives focused on health and human services, as well as community enrichment. This commitment to philanthropy reflects Harford Mutual’s continuous efforts to positively impact the communities it serves.

The largest contributions were presented to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford and Cecil Counties, Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna, Harford Family House, The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region, University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation, and United Way of Central Maryland.

In the wake of severe weather events affecting Kentucky, Harford Mutual contributed $20,000 to the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund. HMIG also donated $10,000 to the Western Maryland Strong Fund to support regional flood relief efforts.

In addition to Harford Mutual’s direct contributions, more than $92,000 in donations were distributed to nonprofits and charitable organizations through the company’s HMIG Community Fund, managed by the Community Foundation of Harford County. This included capital contributions made to Anna’s House, The Harford Center, and Harford Community College Foundation. Funds were also distributed to charitable organizations as part of HMIG’s Employee Match Program, as well as donations made to additional nonprofits as part of the company’s Flagship Agency Grant Program, which provides $1,000 grants to nonprofits selected by our Flagship agencies.

Harford Mutual employees also demonstrated their commitment to giving back, collectively contributing nearly 700 volunteer hours to various organizations in 2025.

About Harford Mutual Insurance Group
Harford Mutual Insurance Group, founded in 1842 in Harford County, Maryland, provides commercial property and casualty insurance products and services to a regional market. The Group is a recognized insurance company ending 2025 with more than $446 million in direct written premium sold through independent agents in twelve states and Washington, D.C. Harford Mutual is rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best. For more information, visit www.HarfordMutual.com.

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SOURCE Harford Mutual Insurance Group

BANGKOK, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A vibrant fleet of electric scooters, featuring the Chinese giant panda mascot “Upanda” took to the streets of Bangkok today, marking the official launch of the “Boundless Creativity • Youth Link” China–Thailand Youth Cultural Exchange Event. LUYUAN Group, a leading Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, played a pivotal role in the ceremony, having been designated as the Youth Partner of the New Force in 2026 China-Thailand Cultural Exchange.

“Upanda” (Apu), a joint team of Chinese and Thai youth representatives rode LUYUAN electric scooters adorned with friendship insignias through Bangkok’s historic and modern districts.

Departing from the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, passing through Chinatown, and arriving at the Wat Pho, the youth interacted with the public. This journey transformed the concept of “China and Thailand are one family” into genuine smiles across the city, vividly interpreting the profound essence of “people-to-people connectivity.”

During the event, the organizers officially awarded the title of “Youth Partner of the New Force in 2026 China-Thailand Cultural Exchange” to the participating youth representatives. LUYUAN Group partnered with Dhurakij Pundit University (DPU) to donate a fleet of panda-themed electric vehicles. This initiative empowers Thai student representatives to travel beyond the campus to cultural landmarks and rural fields. Their mission is twofold: to promote Chinese culture while simultaneously recording Thailand’s social development and local customs, thereby deepening mutual understanding and learning between the youth of both nations.

While culture builds bridges, technology strengthens the foundation. At the concurrent “China Gift Exhibition,” LUYUAN showcased cutting-edge innovations and promoted environmentally friendly mobility, emphasizing that cultural soft power is backed by industrial hard power. As a socially responsible enterprise, LUYUAN strives to deliver high-quality products globally while advocating for a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

LUYUAN is elevating its global profile through high-level cooperation. Notably, the company has secured a technology licensing partnership with German automotive giant BMW Group. This collaboration integrates international top-tier engineering concepts and quality management systems into LUYUAN’s R&D, redefining the standards for two-wheeled mobility.

The Bangkok event represents a milestone in LUYUAN’s “One Body, Two Wings” strategy, anchoring the company in the domestic market while expanding overseas and into embodied robotics. Through its international brand, LYVA, the group has expanded its footprint to over 80 countries and regions.

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SOURCE LUYUAN GROUP

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living (SFCJL) will host an intimate dinner party, but this is no ordinary meal. It is the culmination of a groundbreaking project that utilizes food, scent, and storytelling to spark memories for women living with dementia.

This initiative harnesses the science of neuroplasticity and the emotional power of food to improve the quality of life for people with memory loss. By pairing personal culinary memories with conversation and shared experiences, the project offers a hopeful, human-centered complement to traditional dementia care.

The project is led by Jake Broder, Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health at the Global Brain Health Institute at UCSF and Trinity College Dublin. An accomplished actor and playwright, Broder brings a rare interdisciplinary approach to brain health, blending research and lived experience.

“Dementia can shrink a person’s world,” Broder said. “But food has the power to reopen doors we thought were closed.”

Over two weeks, Broder works closely with four SFCJL residents, all women, engaging them in conversations about the foods that shaped their lives (family recipes, holiday meals, and dishes tied to identity). Together, they will recreate a meal from each woman’s past. The focus on women is intentional: they often mask mild cognitive impairment longer, are diagnosed later, and once symptoms are evident, are more likely than men to experience faster progression to dementia.

The project culminates on January 21 at SFCJL at 4 pm with a “dinner party,” where residents and their loved ones gather to share dishes and the stories behind them, transforming memory care into a shared, celebratory experience rather than a clinical one.

For SFCJL, the project serves as a poignant reminder that even in the face of memory loss, joy and connection remain profoundly accessible.

Media Contact: Angela Ingel, SFJL Director of Marketing, Aingel@sfcjl.org, 415.469.2244

About the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) – The GBHI is a leader in the global community dedicated to protecting the world’s aging populations from threats to brain health. GBHI is based at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and Trinity College Dublin. To learn more at www.gbhi.org

About the San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living (SFCJL) – The SFCJL is a leading senior services organization in Northern California, providing comprehensive and innovative care to older adults that fosters purpose, dignity, and joy. Learn more at www.sfcjl.org

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SOURCE San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living