Author: sHq_LoGiNz

Celebrating 20 years in Tournament of the Roses^®, the entry highlights how integrated care and coverage and dedicated care teams uniquely support members’ health journeys.

PASADENA, Calif., Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Kaiser Permanente has announced the theme for its 2026 Rose Parade^® float: “A Better Idea for Health Care.”

The theme reflects Kaiser Permanente’s integrated approach — where every part of health care, from doctors and nurses to insurance and pharmacies, works together as one coordinated team.

Kaiser Permanente’s 20th annual float entry embodies the 2026 Rose Parade presented by Honda theme, “The Magic in Teamwork,” by bringing to life the care experience within Kaiser Permanente’s integrated care and coverage model. The float depicts a journey that begins in a medical office and continues through the support of a coordinated care team — including doctors, nurses, and other health professionals.

Each element of the float will highlight how Kaiser Permanente’s team-based approach surrounds its members with seamless, compassionate care every step of the way.

“Kaiser Permanente was founded on a better idea for health care to deliver personalized, seamless, and integrated experiences that focus on the whole person and keep communities healthy,” said Greg A. Adams, chair and chief executive officer, Kaiser Permanente. “Our integrated care and coverage model is built on teamwork and stands on our 80-year history of bringing together doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and care teams to deliver high-quality, compassionate care and service. Together, we will continue to improve health for the members, patients, and communities we have the honor of serving.”

The float also highlights innovation, research, and technology as drivers for better health outcomes. For example, an animated MRI machine symbolizes early detection through advanced imaging.

Surrounding these elements are vibrant floral displays that represent vitality and warmth. Together, they reflect Kaiser Permanente’s integrated care approach, where innovation, compassion, and teamwork come together to support health and well-being.

Kaiser Permanente members, employees, and physicians will ride on and walk alongside the float. Each person represents an inspiring story of how teamwork supports and transforms health journeys.

Float designer and builder

“A Better Idea for Health Care,” Kaiser Permanente’s 20th Rose Parade entry, will be designed and built by Phoenix Decorating Company.

Kaiser Permanente Rose Parade history and background

Kaiser Permanente’s past float entries have received numerous awards, including:

• Wrigley Legacy Award in 2025 for most outstanding display of floral presentation, float design, and entertainment
• President Award in 2024 for most outstanding use and presentation of flowers
• Theme Award in 2022 for most outstanding presentation of the Rose Parade theme
• Wrigley Legacy Award in 2020 for most outstanding display of floral presentation, float design, and entertainment
• Grand Marshal’s Trophy in 2016
• Judges’ Special Trophy in 2015 for the most spectacular in showmanship and dramatic impact
• Theme Trophy in 2013 for excellence in presenting the parade theme
• Lathrop K. Leishman Trophy in 2012 and 2014 for the most beautiful float entry from a noncommercial sponsor
• Director’s Trophy in 2006, 2008 and 2011 for most artistic merit in design and floral presentation
• Extraordinaire Trophy in 2010 for the “most spectacular” float longer than 55 feet
• Tournament Special Trophy in 2009 for exceptional merit in multiple classifications
• President’s Trophy in 2007 for most effective floral use and presentation

For additional information about the 2026 Rose Parade, visit the Tournament of Roses website.

For more information about Kaiser Permanente’s 2026 Rose Parade float, follow Kaiser Permanente on Facebook and Instagram.

About the Pasadena Tournament of Roses^® and Rose Parade^® presented by Honda

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses® is a volunteer organization that hosts America’s New Year Celebration^® with the Rose Parade^® presented by Honda, the Rose Bowl Game^® presented by Prudential and a variety of accompanying events. The Association’s 935 Members supply more than 80,000 volunteer hours, which will drive the success of the 137th Rose Parade, themed “The Magic in Teamwork” on Thursday, January 1, 2026, followed by the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 112th Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential. Visit www.tournamentofroses.com, like the Rose Parade on Facebook, follow Rose Parade on Instagram, or subscribe to Tournament of Roses on YouTube.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and nonprofit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.6 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. 

Contact: Rebecca Epps
Rebecca.C.Epps@kp.org

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/a-better-idea-for-health-care-is-kaiser-permanentes-2026-rose-parade-float-theme-302648249.html

SOURCE Kaiser Permanente

Celebrating 20 years in Tournament of the Roses^®, the entry highlights how integrated care and coverage and dedicated care teams uniquely support members’ health journeys.

PASADENA, Calif., Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Kaiser Permanente has announced the theme for its 2026 Rose Parade^® float: “A Better Idea for Health Care.”

The theme reflects Kaiser Permanente’s integrated approach — where every part of health care, from doctors and nurses to insurance and pharmacies, works together as one coordinated team.

Kaiser Permanente’s 20th annual float entry embodies the 2026 Rose Parade presented by Honda theme, “The Magic in Teamwork,” by bringing to life the care experience within Kaiser Permanente’s integrated care and coverage model. The float depicts a journey that begins in a medical office and continues through the support of a coordinated care team — including doctors, nurses, and other health professionals.

Each element of the float will highlight how Kaiser Permanente’s team-based approach surrounds its members with seamless, compassionate care every step of the way.

“Kaiser Permanente was founded on a better idea for health care to deliver personalized, seamless, and integrated experiences that focus on the whole person and keep communities healthy,” said Greg A. Adams, chair and chief executive officer, Kaiser Permanente. “Our integrated care and coverage model is built on teamwork and stands on our 80-year history of bringing together doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and care teams to deliver high-quality, compassionate care and service. Together, we will continue to improve health for the members, patients, and communities we have the honor of serving.”

The float also highlights innovation, research, and technology as drivers for better health outcomes. For example, an animated MRI machine symbolizes early detection through advanced imaging.

Surrounding these elements are vibrant floral displays that represent vitality and warmth. Together, they reflect Kaiser Permanente’s integrated care approach, where innovation, compassion, and teamwork come together to support health and well-being.

Kaiser Permanente members, employees, and physicians will ride on and walk alongside the float. Each person represents an inspiring story of how teamwork supports and transforms health journeys.

Float designer and builder

“A Better Idea for Health Care,” Kaiser Permanente’s 20th Rose Parade entry, will be designed and built by Phoenix Decorating Company.

Kaiser Permanente Rose Parade history and background

Kaiser Permanente’s past float entries have received numerous awards, including:

• Wrigley Legacy Award in 2025 for most outstanding display of floral presentation, float design, and entertainment
• President Award in 2024 for most outstanding use and presentation of flowers
• Theme Award in 2022 for most outstanding presentation of the Rose Parade theme
• Wrigley Legacy Award in 2020 for most outstanding display of floral presentation, float design, and entertainment
• Grand Marshal’s Trophy in 2016
• Judges’ Special Trophy in 2015 for the most spectacular in showmanship and dramatic impact
• Theme Trophy in 2013 for excellence in presenting the parade theme
• Lathrop K. Leishman Trophy in 2012 and 2014 for the most beautiful float entry from a noncommercial sponsor
• Director’s Trophy in 2006, 2008 and 2011 for most artistic merit in design and floral presentation
• Extraordinaire Trophy in 2010 for the “most spectacular” float longer than 55 feet
• Tournament Special Trophy in 2009 for exceptional merit in multiple classifications
• President’s Trophy in 2007 for most effective floral use and presentation

For additional information about the 2026 Rose Parade, visit the Tournament of Roses website.

For more information about Kaiser Permanente’s 2026 Rose Parade float, follow Kaiser Permanente on Facebook and Instagram.

About the Pasadena Tournament of Roses^® and Rose Parade^® presented by Honda

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses® is a volunteer organization that hosts America’s New Year Celebration^® with the Rose Parade^® presented by Honda, the Rose Bowl Game^® presented by Prudential and a variety of accompanying events. The Association’s 935 Members supply more than 80,000 volunteer hours, which will drive the success of the 137th Rose Parade, themed “The Magic in Teamwork” on Thursday, January 1, 2026, followed by the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 112th Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential. Visit www.tournamentofroses.com, like the Rose Parade on Facebook, follow Rose Parade on Instagram, or subscribe to Tournament of Roses on YouTube.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and nonprofit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.6 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. 

Contact: Rebecca Epps
Rebecca.C.Epps@kp.org

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/a-better-idea-for-health-care-is-kaiser-permanentes-2026-rose-parade-float-theme-302648249.html

SOURCE Kaiser Permanente

Georgia AG Carr Joins National PSA Campaign to Encourage Reporting of Gift Card Fraud

ATLANTA, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Honorable Chris Carr, Attorney General of Georgia, together with Attorneys General from 13 other states, launched a public service announcement (PSA) campaign paid for by the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance aimed at protecting consumers from the growing threat of gift card scams. This collaborative effort comes as millions of Americans prepare to redeem gift cards received during the holiday season—a prime opportunity for scammers to target unsuspecting individuals.

Watch AG Carr’s Gift Card PSA

The PSAs will run December 26, 2025, through January 31, 2026, and feature a unified message from state AGs that gift cards are safe while urging consumers to remain vigilant against gift card scams. The campaign highlights common fraud tactics, offers tips for safe gift card usage, and encourages the public to immediately report any incidents of gift card fraud to their respective state attorney general offices. 

Watch the National PSA

Gift card scams often involve fraudsters impersonating trusted organizations or individuals and pressuring victims to purchase gift cards and share the codes. These schemes can result in significant financial loss and emotional distress for consumers.

“We’re proud to work with RILA, the Georgia Retailers, and AGA to protect Georgia consumers and retailers from gift card fraud and scams,” said Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr. “This holiday season, we encourage Georgians to take the necessary precautions to safeguard their personal and financial information, particularly as they’re making purchases online. We want to ensure your hard-earned dollars are kept safe, and Georgia’s employers are positioned to thrive.”

“We thank Attorney General Chris Carr for his leadership in fighting organized retail crime and protecting Georgia consumers. This holiday season, our goal is simple: help shoppers enjoy gift cards safely and confidently, with the information they need to use them wisely,” Shelby Dotson, Executive Director, Georgia Retailers.

“By joining forces with AGs, the top legal and consumer protection officer in each state, we’re sending a powerful message to the criminals committing gift card fraud and giving consumers tools to protect themselves and loved ones,” said Lisa LaBruno, Executive Director of the RILA Communities Foundation which leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance. “It takes a village to combat gift card fraud, and it’s critical to get the word out so consumers know about these scams and how to avoid them.” 

To recognize and avoid gift card scams, consumers should remember: government agencies and reputable companies will never demand payment via gift cards; requests for immediate action or secrecy are red flags.

If you or someone you know has been targeted by a gift card scam, report the incident to the Georgia Attorney General’s Office immediately. Every report helps us track criminal activity and build stronger cases against criminal networks operating gift card scams.

For more information about the PSA campaign and resources on preventing gift card fraud, please visit the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance website or your state attorney general’s official page. 

The Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance formed in 2024 and is part of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) Communities Foundation (RCF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with a mission to promote, foster, and encourage the vibrancy of communities in which retailers operate by supporting efforts to advance economic health and public safety. RCF leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance (GCFPA) which was created to educate lawmakers and the public about gift card fraud, enhance collaboration among the private and public sectors to investigate criminal activity, and drive innovation to combat fraud. 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ags-unite-to-keep-gift-cards-safe-302648235.html

SOURCE Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance

Georgia AG Carr Joins National PSA Campaign to Encourage Reporting of Gift Card Fraud

ATLANTA, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Honorable Chris Carr, Attorney General of Georgia, together with Attorneys General from 13 other states, launched a public service announcement (PSA) campaign paid for by the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance aimed at protecting consumers from the growing threat of gift card scams. This collaborative effort comes as millions of Americans prepare to redeem gift cards received during the holiday season—a prime opportunity for scammers to target unsuspecting individuals.

Watch AG Carr’s Gift Card PSA

The PSAs will run December 26, 2025, through January 31, 2026, and feature a unified message from state AGs that gift cards are safe while urging consumers to remain vigilant against gift card scams. The campaign highlights common fraud tactics, offers tips for safe gift card usage, and encourages the public to immediately report any incidents of gift card fraud to their respective state attorney general offices. 

Watch the National PSA

Gift card scams often involve fraudsters impersonating trusted organizations or individuals and pressuring victims to purchase gift cards and share the codes. These schemes can result in significant financial loss and emotional distress for consumers.

“We’re proud to work with RILA, the Georgia Retailers, and AGA to protect Georgia consumers and retailers from gift card fraud and scams,” said Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr. “This holiday season, we encourage Georgians to take the necessary precautions to safeguard their personal and financial information, particularly as they’re making purchases online. We want to ensure your hard-earned dollars are kept safe, and Georgia’s employers are positioned to thrive.”

“We thank Attorney General Chris Carr for his leadership in fighting organized retail crime and protecting Georgia consumers. This holiday season, our goal is simple: help shoppers enjoy gift cards safely and confidently, with the information they need to use them wisely,” Shelby Dotson, Executive Director, Georgia Retailers.

“By joining forces with AGs, the top legal and consumer protection officer in each state, we’re sending a powerful message to the criminals committing gift card fraud and giving consumers tools to protect themselves and loved ones,” said Lisa LaBruno, Executive Director of the RILA Communities Foundation which leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance. “It takes a village to combat gift card fraud, and it’s critical to get the word out so consumers know about these scams and how to avoid them.” 

To recognize and avoid gift card scams, consumers should remember: government agencies and reputable companies will never demand payment via gift cards; requests for immediate action or secrecy are red flags.

If you or someone you know has been targeted by a gift card scam, report the incident to the Georgia Attorney General’s Office immediately. Every report helps us track criminal activity and build stronger cases against criminal networks operating gift card scams.

For more information about the PSA campaign and resources on preventing gift card fraud, please visit the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance website or your state attorney general’s official page. 

The Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance formed in 2024 and is part of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) Communities Foundation (RCF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with a mission to promote, foster, and encourage the vibrancy of communities in which retailers operate by supporting efforts to advance economic health and public safety. RCF leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance (GCFPA) which was created to educate lawmakers and the public about gift card fraud, enhance collaboration among the private and public sectors to investigate criminal activity, and drive innovation to combat fraud. 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ags-unite-to-keep-gift-cards-safe-302648235.html

SOURCE Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance

Georgia AG Carr Joins National PSA Campaign to Encourage Reporting of Gift Card Fraud

ATLANTA, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Honorable Chris Carr, Attorney General of Georgia, together with Attorneys General from 13 other states, launched a public service announcement (PSA) campaign paid for by the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance aimed at protecting consumers from the growing threat of gift card scams. This collaborative effort comes as millions of Americans prepare to redeem gift cards received during the holiday season—a prime opportunity for scammers to target unsuspecting individuals.

Watch AG Carr’s Gift Card PSA

The PSAs will run December 26, 2025, through January 31, 2026, and feature a unified message from state AGs that gift cards are safe while urging consumers to remain vigilant against gift card scams. The campaign highlights common fraud tactics, offers tips for safe gift card usage, and encourages the public to immediately report any incidents of gift card fraud to their respective state attorney general offices. 

Watch the National PSA

Gift card scams often involve fraudsters impersonating trusted organizations or individuals and pressuring victims to purchase gift cards and share the codes. These schemes can result in significant financial loss and emotional distress for consumers.

“We’re proud to work with RILA, the Georgia Retailers, and AGA to protect Georgia consumers and retailers from gift card fraud and scams,” said Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr. “This holiday season, we encourage Georgians to take the necessary precautions to safeguard their personal and financial information, particularly as they’re making purchases online. We want to ensure your hard-earned dollars are kept safe, and Georgia’s employers are positioned to thrive.”

“We thank Attorney General Chris Carr for his leadership in fighting organized retail crime and protecting Georgia consumers. This holiday season, our goal is simple: help shoppers enjoy gift cards safely and confidently, with the information they need to use them wisely,” Shelby Dotson, Executive Director, Georgia Retailers.

“By joining forces with AGs, the top legal and consumer protection officer in each state, we’re sending a powerful message to the criminals committing gift card fraud and giving consumers tools to protect themselves and loved ones,” said Lisa LaBruno, Executive Director of the RILA Communities Foundation which leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance. “It takes a village to combat gift card fraud, and it’s critical to get the word out so consumers know about these scams and how to avoid them.” 

To recognize and avoid gift card scams, consumers should remember: government agencies and reputable companies will never demand payment via gift cards; requests for immediate action or secrecy are red flags.

If you or someone you know has been targeted by a gift card scam, report the incident to the Georgia Attorney General’s Office immediately. Every report helps us track criminal activity and build stronger cases against criminal networks operating gift card scams.

For more information about the PSA campaign and resources on preventing gift card fraud, please visit the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance website or your state attorney general’s official page. 

The Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance formed in 2024 and is part of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) Communities Foundation (RCF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with a mission to promote, foster, and encourage the vibrancy of communities in which retailers operate by supporting efforts to advance economic health and public safety. RCF leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance (GCFPA) which was created to educate lawmakers and the public about gift card fraud, enhance collaboration among the private and public sectors to investigate criminal activity, and drive innovation to combat fraud. 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ags-unite-to-keep-gift-cards-safe-302648235.html

SOURCE Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance

Georgia AG Carr Joins National PSA Campaign to Encourage Reporting of Gift Card Fraud

ATLANTA, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Honorable Chris Carr, Attorney General of Georgia, together with Attorneys General from 13 other states, launched a public service announcement (PSA) campaign paid for by the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance aimed at protecting consumers from the growing threat of gift card scams. This collaborative effort comes as millions of Americans prepare to redeem gift cards received during the holiday season—a prime opportunity for scammers to target unsuspecting individuals.

Watch AG Carr’s Gift Card PSA

The PSAs will run December 26, 2025, through January 31, 2026, and feature a unified message from state AGs that gift cards are safe while urging consumers to remain vigilant against gift card scams. The campaign highlights common fraud tactics, offers tips for safe gift card usage, and encourages the public to immediately report any incidents of gift card fraud to their respective state attorney general offices. 

Watch the National PSA

Gift card scams often involve fraudsters impersonating trusted organizations or individuals and pressuring victims to purchase gift cards and share the codes. These schemes can result in significant financial loss and emotional distress for consumers.

“We’re proud to work with RILA, the Georgia Retailers, and AGA to protect Georgia consumers and retailers from gift card fraud and scams,” said Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr. “This holiday season, we encourage Georgians to take the necessary precautions to safeguard their personal and financial information, particularly as they’re making purchases online. We want to ensure your hard-earned dollars are kept safe, and Georgia’s employers are positioned to thrive.”

“We thank Attorney General Chris Carr for his leadership in fighting organized retail crime and protecting Georgia consumers. This holiday season, our goal is simple: help shoppers enjoy gift cards safely and confidently, with the information they need to use them wisely,” Shelby Dotson, Executive Director, Georgia Retailers.

“By joining forces with AGs, the top legal and consumer protection officer in each state, we’re sending a powerful message to the criminals committing gift card fraud and giving consumers tools to protect themselves and loved ones,” said Lisa LaBruno, Executive Director of the RILA Communities Foundation which leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance. “It takes a village to combat gift card fraud, and it’s critical to get the word out so consumers know about these scams and how to avoid them.” 

To recognize and avoid gift card scams, consumers should remember: government agencies and reputable companies will never demand payment via gift cards; requests for immediate action or secrecy are red flags.

If you or someone you know has been targeted by a gift card scam, report the incident to the Georgia Attorney General’s Office immediately. Every report helps us track criminal activity and build stronger cases against criminal networks operating gift card scams.

For more information about the PSA campaign and resources on preventing gift card fraud, please visit the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance website or your state attorney general’s official page. 

The Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance formed in 2024 and is part of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) Communities Foundation (RCF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with a mission to promote, foster, and encourage the vibrancy of communities in which retailers operate by supporting efforts to advance economic health and public safety. RCF leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance (GCFPA) which was created to educate lawmakers and the public about gift card fraud, enhance collaboration among the private and public sectors to investigate criminal activity, and drive innovation to combat fraud. 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ags-unite-to-keep-gift-cards-safe-302648235.html

SOURCE Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance

Company Makes Process Publicly Available to Help Those Seeking to Remove PFAS from their Operations

DALTON, Ga., Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Global flooring provider and sustainability leader Shaw Industries (Shaw) has invented a new testing methodology that allows organizations to detect PFAS (perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances) in their operations.

The methodology was developed as part of the company’s rigorous efforts to keep PFAS out of its manufacturing processes.

Shaw ceased using PFAS-based materials to repel soil and stains in all of its U.S. carpet products by January 2019 – contractually requiring its third-party suppliers to provide materials that did not contain PFAS. However, through its ongoing due diligence, Shaw found that testing was needed to prevent PFAS from entering its manufacturing processes because suppliers oftentimes did not know that PFAS were in the materials they were selling.

“When materials we purchased were tested using existing protocols, they would show non-detect for PFAS, but what we discovered is that drinking water testing wasn’t accurate for soaps, oils, resins, and other solid materials – really anything other than drinking water,” Kellie Ballew, Shaw vice president of environmental affairs noted, adding, “An adequate testing methodology didn’t exist, so we invented one.”

About PFAS
PFAS, a group of nearly 15,000 chemicals (source: EPA), have been used in a wide variety of industrial applications since the 1940s and are used in hundreds of everyday products including soap, pizza boxes, microwave popcorn bags, cosmetics, dental floss, contact lenses and other items for heat, soil or stain resistance. As a result, they are ubiquitous in society.

Since filing for the patent in December 2024, Shaw has used this methodology to uncover PFAS in more than 60 materials where PFAS testing previously showed ‘non-detect’ levels.

“Working with our suppliers over the past year, we’ve sought feedback regarding the impact of this new testing methodology to understand, its ease of use, and the various ways in which it might be applied. Based upon those learnings and confirmation of the viability of this testing to others, we wanted to more proactively share the patent-pending process with others because this isn’t carpet issue or even a manufacturing issue. Until chemical manufacturers stop making PFAS, anyone looking to remove these chemistries from their products, operations or supply chains will have to be as diligent as we’ve been. And I hope that by sharing our testing innovation, others don’t have to start from scratch like we did,” Ballew concluded.

About the testing methodology:
Developed by Shaw scientist Clay Hampton, the methodology focuses on how test samples are prepared. The process mimics the impacts of time, temperature and PH that materials are typically exposed to in industrial settings revealing PFAS that are otherwise hidden in the ingredients companies purchase. Learn more: https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2025217656A2/en?oq=WO2025217656A2

ABOUT SHAW
Shaw Industries Group, Inc. is a leader in flooring and other surface solutions designed for residential housing, commercial spaces and outdoor environments. Leveraging strengths in design, innovation and operational excellence, the company takes a people-centered, customer-focused, and growth-minded approach to meet diverse market needs. It creates differentiated customer experiences through its expansive portfolio of brands: Anderson Tuftex®, COREtec®, Shaw Floors®, Patcraft®, Philadelphia Commercial®, Shaw Contract®, Shaw Sports Turf®, Shawgrass®, Southwest Greens®, Watershed Geo® and more.

Headquartered in Dalton, Ga., Shaw is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. with approximately $6 billion in annual sales and 18,000 associates worldwide. 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shaw-industries-invents-new-testing-methodology-to-detect-pfas-302648183.html

SOURCE Shaw Industries Group, Inc.

76% of voters support providing free school breakfast to all K-12 Maryland students

Three other states, including Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Arkansas have recently implemented free school breakfast for all students.

ANNAPOLIS, Md., Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A supermajority of Maryland voters support providing free school breakfast to all Maryland students, according to a new poll released today by Solving Hunger, a project of Tusk Philanthropies.

“With so much nutrition uncertainty at the federal level, states are taking matters into their own hands, and as the next legislative session kicks off in Annapolis, we urge all elected officials to step up. If Arkansas can feed all of their kids breakfast, surely Maryland can do what’s right and do what is proven to work and feed its own,” said Lisa Quigley, Director of Solving Hunger.

In the survey of 600 registered voters conducted between December 4-8, 2025 by Hart research, more than three-quarters of voters favored providing free breakfast to all K-12 students in Maryland. 60% of voters strongly support this proposal and 62% of voters said they would be more likely to vote for a state legislator that voted for this proposal. On the contrary, 56% of voters would be less likely to vote for a legislator that voted against this proposal.

Free breakfast for students is such a popular policy that even as voters were read criticisms of the program during the survey, support only fell by 5 points. The survey also revealed the strongest argument in favor of school meals — that the current eligibility level is exceedingly low and wealthy school districts do not offer free meals to students in need:

“Given low federal eligibility standards, many students who don’t qualify for free school meals now come from families who are still struggling. To qualify for free meals for this school year in Maryland, a family of four has to make less than $42,000 a year. When grocery bills are so high, many families making more than $42,000 a year are still struggling. And in many of the so-called wealthy school districts across Maryland who don’t currently offer universal free school meals, there are still kids who don’t come from wealthy families, meaning those kids are going hungry.”

Three other states, including Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Arkansas have implemented free school breakfast for all students. Nine states, including Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico, California, Colorado, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont and Michigan are all providing free school meals, both breakfast and lunch. The cost of the proposal in Maryland is $36 million annually, with the federal government already paying the lion’s share of the school breakfast and lunch programs.

To learn more, visit https://solvinghungermd.com

About Solving Hunger Maryland
Solving Hunger Maryland, along with Solving Hunger, a project of Tusk Philanthropies, is dedicated to addressing food insecurity through expansion of school meals in states. We are committed to getting food to kids, many of whom rely on school meals as their primary source of daily nutrition. Solving Hunger Maryland is on a mission to educate the public and pass state funding to increase access to school meals in Maryland, starting with universal school breakfast.

CONTACT: cory@tuskholdings.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-poll-shows-overwhelming-support-for-school-breakfast-for-all-maryland-students-302648178.html

SOURCE Solving Hunger

76% of voters support providing free school breakfast to all K-12 Maryland students

Three other states, including Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Arkansas have recently implemented free school breakfast for all students.

ANNAPOLIS, Md., Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A supermajority of Maryland voters support providing free school breakfast to all Maryland students, according to a new poll released today by Solving Hunger, a project of Tusk Philanthropies.

“With so much nutrition uncertainty at the federal level, states are taking matters into their own hands, and as the next legislative session kicks off in Annapolis, we urge all elected officials to step up. If Arkansas can feed all of their kids breakfast, surely Maryland can do what’s right and do what is proven to work and feed its own,” said Lisa Quigley, Director of Solving Hunger.

In the survey of 600 registered voters conducted between December 4-8, 2025 by Hart research, more than three-quarters of voters favored providing free breakfast to all K-12 students in Maryland. 60% of voters strongly support this proposal and 62% of voters said they would be more likely to vote for a state legislator that voted for this proposal. On the contrary, 56% of voters would be less likely to vote for a legislator that voted against this proposal.

Free breakfast for students is such a popular policy that even as voters were read criticisms of the program during the survey, support only fell by 5 points. The survey also revealed the strongest argument in favor of school meals — that the current eligibility level is exceedingly low and wealthy school districts do not offer free meals to students in need:

“Given low federal eligibility standards, many students who don’t qualify for free school meals now come from families who are still struggling. To qualify for free meals for this school year in Maryland, a family of four has to make less than $42,000 a year. When grocery bills are so high, many families making more than $42,000 a year are still struggling. And in many of the so-called wealthy school districts across Maryland who don’t currently offer universal free school meals, there are still kids who don’t come from wealthy families, meaning those kids are going hungry.”

Three other states, including Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Arkansas have implemented free school breakfast for all students. Nine states, including Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico, California, Colorado, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont and Michigan are all providing free school meals, both breakfast and lunch. The cost of the proposal in Maryland is $36 million annually, with the federal government already paying the lion’s share of the school breakfast and lunch programs.

To learn more, visit https://solvinghungermd.com

About Solving Hunger Maryland
Solving Hunger Maryland, along with Solving Hunger, a project of Tusk Philanthropies, is dedicated to addressing food insecurity through expansion of school meals in states. We are committed to getting food to kids, many of whom rely on school meals as their primary source of daily nutrition. Solving Hunger Maryland is on a mission to educate the public and pass state funding to increase access to school meals in Maryland, starting with universal school breakfast.

CONTACT: cory@tuskholdings.com

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SOURCE Solving Hunger