Tag: PR Newswire

NEW YORK, May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On Saturday May 16, Rare Shades 7 will add a unique exhibition of Porsche colors to the diverse array of topics on offer during this year’s NYCxDESIGN Festival. The one-day show presented by 000 Magazine marks the first time that the general public will be allowed inside Wildflower Studios, a new 760,000sqft creative campus in Queens conceived by Robert De Niro, Raphael De Niro, and Adam Gordon to return filmmaking to New York City.

Now in its seventh edition, 000’s innovative Rare Shades event series explores Porsche through time, design, and the psychology of color—putting both newcomers to the marque and seasoned enthusiasts on equal footing as they consider its sports cars from a new perspective. “Rare Shades isn’t a car show as you know them,” said 000 Editor-in-Chief Pete Stout. “It’s a study of Porsche’s form language through the lens of one studio’s remarkable impact in the world of color and trim. 000 launched Rare Shades in 2018 to highlight that history within a modern automotive landscape dominated by black, white, silver, and gray cars—not to mention our desire to see a wide array of unusual Porsche colors in one place.”

Rare Shades 5 was hosted at Summit Skywalker Ranch in Marin County, while Rare Shades 6 took place at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto. This year’s venue in New York City will be an integral part of the Rare Shades 7 experience.

“Wildflower Studios was designed to enable storytelling at the highest level,” said Adam Gordon, cofounder of Wildflower Studios. “Rare Shades 7 brings that vision into a new context—where design, light, and movement come together in a way that feels both unexpected and entirely natural for this space.”

With more than 100 cars on display, Rare Shades 7 will allow attendees to sample an important element of 000’s core ethos: exploring not just what happened at Porsche, but why.

Press photos of Wildflower Studios and previous Rare Shades events are available upon request.

Rare Shades 7
May 16, 2026, from 1pm to 6pm
Wildflower Studios, 35-15 19th Avenue, Queens, New York 11105

Tickets available at 000magazine.com/pages/rare-shades-nyc

About 000 Magazine: Founded in 2016, the magazine known as “Triple Zero” is an independent quarterly publication that explores Porsche through detailed storytelling, carefully considered layouts, exceptional photography, and rarely seen documents. Today, with customers in all 50 states and 65 countries around the globe, 000 also engages the Porsche community through its digital media platforms, winning motorsport programs, extraordinary events, strategic partnerships, and vehicle edits. Learn more at 000magazine.com 

Contact: Mike Maravilla, mike.maravilla@000magazine.com 

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SOURCE 000 Magazine

NEW YORK, May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On Saturday May 16, Rare Shades 7 will add a unique exhibition of Porsche colors to the diverse array of topics on offer during this year’s NYCxDESIGN Festival. The one-day show presented by 000 Magazine marks the first time that the general public will be allowed inside Wildflower Studios, a new 760,000sqft creative campus in Queens conceived by Robert De Niro, Raphael De Niro, and Adam Gordon to return filmmaking to New York City.

Now in its seventh edition, 000’s innovative Rare Shades event series explores Porsche through time, design, and the psychology of color—putting both newcomers to the marque and seasoned enthusiasts on equal footing as they consider its sports cars from a new perspective. “Rare Shades isn’t a car show as you know them,” said 000 Editor-in-Chief Pete Stout. “It’s a study of Porsche’s form language through the lens of one studio’s remarkable impact in the world of color and trim. 000 launched Rare Shades in 2018 to highlight that history within a modern automotive landscape dominated by black, white, silver, and gray cars—not to mention our desire to see a wide array of unusual Porsche colors in one place.”

Rare Shades 5 was hosted at Summit Skywalker Ranch in Marin County, while Rare Shades 6 took place at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto. This year’s venue in New York City will be an integral part of the Rare Shades 7 experience.

“Wildflower Studios was designed to enable storytelling at the highest level,” said Adam Gordon, cofounder of Wildflower Studios. “Rare Shades 7 brings that vision into a new context—where design, light, and movement come together in a way that feels both unexpected and entirely natural for this space.”

With more than 100 cars on display, Rare Shades 7 will allow attendees to sample an important element of 000’s core ethos: exploring not just what happened at Porsche, but why.

Press photos of Wildflower Studios and previous Rare Shades events are available upon request.

Rare Shades 7
May 16, 2026, from 1pm to 6pm
Wildflower Studios, 35-15 19th Avenue, Queens, New York 11105

Tickets available at 000magazine.com/pages/rare-shades-nyc

About 000 Magazine: Founded in 2016, the magazine known as “Triple Zero” is an independent quarterly publication that explores Porsche through detailed storytelling, carefully considered layouts, exceptional photography, and rarely seen documents. Today, with customers in all 50 states and 65 countries around the globe, 000 also engages the Porsche community through its digital media platforms, winning motorsport programs, extraordinary events, strategic partnerships, and vehicle edits. Learn more at 000magazine.com 

Contact: Mike Maravilla, mike.maravilla@000magazine.com 

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SOURCE 000 Magazine

Sponsorship is funding grants to New York-based dental schools and professional associations

WELLESLEY, Mass., May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — DentaQuest, part of Sun Life U.S., has donated $100,000 to the Healthfirst Foundation, making a significant impact for low-income children and older adults across New York by expanding access to dental care. As an early supporter of the Healthfirst Foundation, DentaQuest’s contribution reflects a shared commitment to advancing oral healthcare for vulnerable populations.

The Healthfirst Foundation has strategically distributed DentaQuest’s contribution as grants to leading dental educational institutions and professional associations:

• Six Regional Dental Associations – Suffolk, Nassau, Queens, New York County, Bronx, and the Ninth District Dental Associations will strengthen community oral health initiatives, including back-to-school events, pediatric education programs, and Give Kids a Smile® programming.
• New York University College of Dentistry – Support for comprehensive dental community outreach to underserved and high-need populations through direct patient care and the Smiling Faces, Going Places Dental Van.
• Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine – Funding to enhance the mobile dental care unit’s outreach to both children and adults in underserved and high-need communities.

“We’re proud to be among the first corporate partners supporting the Healthfirst Foundation,” said David Healy, president, Sun Life U.S. “As the largest provider of Medicaid and CHIP dental benefits in the U.S., we recognize that preventive care saves lives and reduces future health complications. This partnership allows us to reinforce the importance of lifelong oral healthcare access with direct community impact.”

Aligned with DentaQuest’s commitment to improving the oral health of all, this new philanthropic collaboration will increase access to preventive screenings, oral exams, cleanings, and patient education, establishing pathways for sustainable, ongoing dental care in communities that need it most.

“This contribution from DentaQuest will directly expand access to preventive and community-based dental care across downstate New York,” said Errol Pierre, Healthfirst Foundation Board Member and Healthfirst Chief Growth Officer. “By supporting dental schools and local associations, we are helping bring care closer to where people live, learn, and work.”

The Healthfirst Foundation supports health and social service programs for people in New York City and surrounding areas. Healthfirst, downstate New York’s largest not-for-profit health insurer, established the Healthfirst Foundation to support its mission of making healthcare easier and more accessible. DentaQuest has been the dental benefits administrator for Healthfirst plans in New York, including its Medicaid and Medicare Advantage programs, for more than 20 years.

About DentaQuest 

Sun Life U.S. Dental, which includes DentaQuest, is dedicated to improving the oral health of all through purpose-driven, outcomes-based solutions. We make dental benefits better for everyone through Preventistry^® – an inclusive approach centered on preventive, quality care, expanded access and solutions built on valued relationships across the health care ecosystem. We manage dental and vision benefits for approximately 32 million Americans. For more than 30 years, we have delivered cost-effective benefit plans and services for employer groups, individuals, health plans, and government-sponsored dental programs. We are the largest Medicaid and CHIP dental benefits administrator in the U.S., by membership. We also support direct patient care through an expanding network of more than 70 dental practices in underserved communities across the United States. Learn more about Sun Life U.S. Dental at sunlife.com/dental and dentaquest.com.

Media contacts

Farrah Phillipo
Sun Life U.S./DentaQuest
farrah.phillipo@greatdentalplans.com
781-654-6764

Barbara Montresor
Healthfirst Foundation
bmontresor@healthfirst.org
646-709-4853

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SOURCE DentaQuest

Agreement modernizes training to build specialized skills required for large-scale reactors and SMRs

RESTON, Va., May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bechtel and North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) today announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance and modernize apprenticeship programs supporting the construction of a new generation of U.S. nuclear power plants.

The agreement reflects a strategic alignment between one of the world’s most experienced builders of nuclear infrastructure and North America’s largest federation of skilled construction unions. Together, the organizations will strengthen apprenticeship pathways and expand specialized training to develop the craft expertise and quality standards required to deliver nuclear projects.

Through this partnership, Bechtel and NABTU will work together to ensure apprenticeship programs continue to evolve to meet the scale of resources needed as well as the technical requirements of modern nuclear construction.

Under the agreement, Bechtel and NABTU will:

• Identify the specialized craft capabilities required for nuclear construction and align apprenticeship training accordingly
• Collaborate with union training centers to modernize curricula supporting nuclear construction methods and technologies
• Coordinate recruitment through union networks to expand pathways into high-skill careers building large reactors and SMRs

Brendan Bechtel, Chair and CEO of Bechtel, said: “Delivering nuclear power plants requires exceptional craft expertise and a deep commitment to safety and quality. Bechtel’s long-standing partnership with NABTU has helped build some of the most complex energy infrastructure in the United States, including Vogtle Units 3 and 4, the first new nuclear reactors built in the country in more than three decades. Today, we’re continuing that work on next-generation technologies like the Natrium Demonstration Project, which represents a new era of nuclear innovation. This agreement strengthens our collaboration with NABTU and ensures apprenticeship programs continue to develop the number of craft professionals needed to supply this growing market as well as passes on the specialized knowledge and skills required to safely deliver these projects.”

Sean McGarvey, President of NABTU, said: “Building the next generation of nuclear projects requires the highest levels of skill, precision, and safety, and that starts with NABTU’s world-class apprenticeship training and strong contractor partners like Bechtel. This agreement ensures a continuous pipeline of highly skilled, job-ready craft professionals to build nuclear power’s next fleet of reactors. For project owners, that means no labor shortage risk when projects are built under building trades agreements with access to NABTU’s union construction workforce. Workforce availability is not a constraint, and projects can be delivered safely, efficiently, and with certainty.”

For more than a century, Bechtel and the building trades have partnered to deliver some of the world’s most complex infrastructure projects. Most recently, Bechtel and NABTU-affiliated craft professionals worked together to deliver the expansion of Vogtle, and today, are advancing construction on the Natrium Demonstration project in Kemmerer, Wyoming — America’s first utility-scale advanced nuclear project.

As the United States advances a new generation of nuclear projects, apprenticeships will remain central to developing the skilled craft workforce capable of delivering them.

To learn more about this partnership, visit Bechtel.com.

Contact: Ashley Accardo, aaccardo@bechtel.com

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SOURCE Bechtel

MAUMEE, Ohio, May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Andersons, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANDE) announces financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026.

Financial Highlights:

• Reported record first quarter net income attributable to The Andersons of $33 million or $0.97 per diluted share and adjusted net income attributable of $38 million, or $1.12 per diluted share
• Adjusted EBITDA of $91 million
• Renewables first quarter pretax income was $40 million on record production, strong merchandising, and biofuels policy benefits
• Agribusiness recorded pretax income of $7 million and adjusted pretax income attributable to The Andersons of $18 million on resilient merchandising and improving conditions

“Our record first quarter includes outstanding results in Renewables and year-over-year improvement in Agribusiness. Ethanol margins were solid during the quarter on increased demand and higher gasoline prices. Our renewable feedstock business had a strong quarter as values and volumes improved following the finalization of the Required Volume Obligations (RVO). Our plants set another quarterly record for production, and we were able to qualify for a higher tier of 45Z tax credits. Fundamentals for this business remain positive,” said President and CEO Bill Krueger. “In Agribusiness, with the return of some market volatility, our merchandising businesses had a solid quarter. Results from our premium ingredients business more than doubled the prior year, as we are focused on serving our key CPG customers. Our fertilizer business also improved, as we strategically positioned product in anticipation of spring planting.”

“We continue to evaluate capital deployment to drive growth and expansion of our existing assets, make our operations more efficient, while analyzing potential acquisitions.  We are on track to complete several capital investments during 2026, including the addition of soybean meal export capacity at Port Houston, the replacement and modernization of grain storage at our Toledo port assets, and several corn and wheat cleaning projects within our current asset footprint. Our Clymers, Indiana ethanol debottlenecking project, announced in December of last year, is in the early stages and progressing as planned. We expect the project to increase the plant’s annual production capacity to approximately 170 million gallons upon completion. We are evaluating additional ethanol, premium ingredients, and other projects to drive further profitable growth as we remain focused on achieving the $7.00 run-rate EPS target exiting 2028, as announced in December at our Investor Day,” continued Krueger.

Cash, Liquidity, and Long-Term Debt Management

“Our businesses generated improved cash flows on strong earnings this quarter. We expect to continue to fund many of our growth projects internally and our debt remains at a modest level,” said Executive Vice President and CFO Brian Valentine. “We remain below our long-term debt to EBITDA target of less than 2.5 times and continue to be pleased with the strength of our balance sheet.”

Cash used in operating activities was $394 million and $350 million in the first quarter of 2026 and 2025, respectively. Cash from operations before working capital changes in the same periods was $68 million and $57 million, respectively. Cash spent on capital projects in the quarter totaled $52 million, as we continue to invest in our facilities and fund growth.

First Quarter Segment Overview

Agribusiness Posts Improved First Quarter on Earnings Resilience

Agribusiness recorded pretax income of $7 million and adjusted pretax income attributable to the company of $18 million for the quarter, compared to a pretax loss of $10 million and break even adjusted pretax income in the first quarter of 2025.

Our diversified portfolio showed the resilience of our earnings as we saw more volatility return to the market this quarter. As prices rallied during the quarter, more old crop bushels came to market, which provided opportunities for our merchandising businesses. Our grain asset footprint saw less basis appreciation than expected as the price rally put pressure on basis values. Fertilizer results improved on higher margins.

Market conditions remain dynamic. There is the potential of continued volatility that will provide opportunities through 2026. We will remain nimble as conditions change. If the volatility continues, more opportunities should shift to our merchandising businesses. We expect our asset footprint, especially in the west, to capture some of the delayed basis appreciation over the next few quarters. Anticipated corn plantings are above the five-year average with expanded margin opportunities in this higher priced environment. Our fertilizer business is well positioned heading into Q2 and the application season for planting.

Agribusiness had adjusted first quarter EBITDA of $49 million, compared to $31 million in 2025.

Renewables Reports Record Quarter on Efficient Operations and Strong Demand

The Renewables segment reported pretax income of $40 million in the first quarter. For the same period in 2025, the segment reported pretax income of $25 million and pretax income attributable to the company of $15 million.

The segment had a strong first quarter performance on efficient plant operations and record production. Ethanol demand drove board crush higher year over year but was offset by firmer corn basis and higher natural gas expense. First quarter results include $26 million of 45Z producer tax credits. As expected, each of our plants qualified for the next tier of credits following rule changes effective in 2026. Our merchandising businesses had improved performance, largely driven by volatility surrounding the RVO announcement, resulting in higher distillers corn oil and RIN values.

Ethanol fundamentals continue to be supportive as we anticipate elevated demand, including increasing global blend rates, high gasoline prices, and planned industry maintenance. Renewable feedstocks should also continue to benefit from the robust RVO.

Renewables had first quarter EBITDA of $54 million in 2026, compared to $37 million in 2025.

Income Taxes

The company recorded income tax expense of $4.6 million for the quarter, resulting in an effective tax rate of 14% for the period. The rate was impacted by non-taxable 45Z income. We anticipate a full-year adjusted effective rate of approximately 14% – 18%.

Conference Call

The company will host a webcast on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. ET, to discuss its performance and provide its outlook for the remainder of 2026. To access the call, please dial 888-317-6003 or 412-317-6061 (elite entry number is 7394049). It is recommended that you call 10 minutes before the conference call begins.

To access the webcast, click on the link: https://app.webinar.net/r9QEJNbJ2Mk and submit the requested information as directed. A replay of the call can also be accessed under the heading “Investors” on the company’s website at www.andersonsinc.com. 

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Without limitation, these risks include economic, weather and regulatory conditions, competition, geopolitical risk, and the risk factors set forth from time to time in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although the company believes that the assumptions upon which the financial information and its forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these assumptions will prove to be correct.

Non-GAAP Measures

This release contains non-GAAP financial measures. The company believes that pretax income (loss) attributable to the company; adjusted pretax income (loss) attributable to the company; adjusted pretax income (loss); adjusted net income attributable to the company; adjusted diluted earnings per share; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (or EBITDA); adjusted EBITDA; and cash from operations before working capital changes provide additional information to investors and others about its operations, allowing an evaluation of underlying operating performance and liquidity and better period-to-period comparability. The above measures are not and should not be considered as alternatives to pretax income (loss) or income (loss) before income taxes, net income (loss), diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to The Andersons, Inc. common shareholders and cash provided by (used in) operating activities as determined by generally accepted accounting principles. Reconciliations of the GAAP to non-GAAP measures may be found within this press release and the financial tables provided herein.

Company Description

The Andersons, Inc., is a North American agriculture and renewable fuels company. Guided by its Statement of Principles, The Andersons is committed to providing extraordinary service to its customers, helping its employees improve, supporting its communities, and increasing the value of the company. For more information, please visit www.andersonsinc.com. 

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SOURCE The Andersons, Inc.

• The Rocsys S2 is the second generation of the company’s rugged, purpose-built solution for heavy-duty electric fleets operating in demanding environments
• The system integrates into existing site infrastructure and delivers precise plug-ins across mixed fleets through flexible arm movement and extended reach
• The S2 is commercially available now for ports, distribution centers and other logistics facilities, with the first orders already secured

RIJSWIJK, Netherlands and PORTLAND, Ore., May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Rocsys, the global leader in hands-free charging for electric and autonomous vehicles, today launched the S2, its next-generation hands-free charging solution for heavy-duty electric vehicles operating in demanding environments. Part of Rocsys’ expanding portfolio of stewards, including the recently unveiled M1, the S2 is now available to order for ports, distribution hubs and other logistics facilities.

Rocsys has delivered its first S2 to a large-scale port customer, marking the solution’s move into active customer deployment. For American organizations with domestic sourcing requirements, Rocsys can provide configurations that support Build America, Buy America compliance.

As heavy-duty electric fleets scale, charging operations need to keep vehicles ready without adding complexity to already demanding site workflows. In ports, terminals and logistics hubs, repeated plug-in tasks must be coordinated across shifts, vehicle types, chargers, weather conditions and tight operating schedules. Rocsys S2 is designed to make that process more consistent, predictable and easier to integrate into day-to-day operations, delivering higher utilization, tighter coordination and safer day-to-day performance.

Drawing on the field-validated success and learnings of Rocsys’ previous generation, ROC-1, the S2 delivers a smaller footprint, simpler installation, greater range of motion and enhanced durability for outdoor operation in tough conditions. Trained on more than six years of Rocsys field experience, including ROC-1 deployments in Europe and North America, the Rocsys S2 is engineered for maximum reliability in live operations, keeping vehicles charged and ready whenever they’re needed, even in the most challenging work situations.

S2 is available in two configurations. The standard S2 is intended for general fleet environments, while the S2-H heavy-duty version adds more protective features, including enhanced coating, beacon lighting and reflectors, for harsher industrial settings. IP-rated components, adaptable force absorption, and a 7-motor controller architecture support safe, consistent, and predictable performance.

Using computer vision and motion intelligence, the S2 identifies the position and orientation of a vehicle’s charging inlet with sub-millimeter precision and adapts in real time to variations in parking position and site conditions, including rain, dust, shadows and low light. The result is a 99.9% plug-in success rate and continuous improvement through machine learning, making it well-suited to high-throughput operations where consistency and uptime are key.

The S2 supports multi-vendor interoperability across mixed fleets and charger types. Vehicle-to-steward communication is enabled by the in-house-designed Rocsys Smart Cover, which allows any vehicle to connect with any steward via Ultra-Wideband (UWB). The arm’s flexible motion and wide vertical work range accommodate different vehicle geometries and parking variations, while the reduced footprint and easy-to-deploy design simplify integration into existing sites with minimal or no civil work.

Part of the Rocsys Platform, a complete ecosystem combining hardware, software, and remote and onsite services, the S2 can also be integrated with fleet management and terminal systems via APIs, giving operators greater visibility and control over charging operations.

Rocsys is showcasing the S2 at ACT Expo in Las Vegas, May 4-6, and at TOC Europe in Hamburg, Germany, May 19-21. See the S2 in action here.

Crijn Bouman, CEO and Co-Founder of Rocsys, said: “Rocsys S2 brings our hands-free charging technology into its next commercial phase. Heavy-duty electric fleets need charging infrastructure that works reliably in real operating conditions, across mixed vehicles, chargers and site layouts. Built on more than six years of field experience, S2 gives customers a practical way to add hands-free charging to existing operations and keep vehicles ready when they are needed.”

About Rocsys

Rocsys is the global leader in hands-free charging and fleet service solutions for electric and autonomous vehicles. The company’s cutting-edge technology, including next generation soft robotics, computer vision, and data-driven proactive services, unlocks greater efficiency, safety, and scalability for the world’s leading ports operators, logistics companies and robotaxis. With operations in Europe and the United States, Rocsys plays a leading role in shaping standards that will unify a powerful EV ecosystem through industry consortiums and strategic partnerships with multinational corporations and OEMs. For more information, visit www.rocsys.com.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2973031/Rocsys_S2_Ports.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2969002/5954363/Rocsys_Logo.jpg

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SOURCE Rocsys

Proceeds benefit the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

DUBLIN, Ohio, May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 

WHAT: Did you know May is National Foster Care Month? This month recognizes the 365,000+ children and youth in foster care while raising awareness about foster care and celebrating the members of our community who help find permanent homes for children in foster care. To celebrate, Wendy’s^® is partnering with Round It Up America^® to deliver an easy way to make a difference. The Round Up for Adoption program invites Wendy’s guests to round up their order* to the nearest dollar at checkout – a quick, easy donation that helps find forever families for children in foster care.

Proceeds from the Round Up program will benefit Wendy’s signature cause, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption^® and its commitment to find safe, loving and permanent homes for children waiting in foster care.

WHERE & WHEN: Wendy’s guests can round up their orders at the register at participating U.S. Wendy’s locations. Fans can use the Wendy’s store locator and visit their local restaurant to ask if they’re currently offering the Round Up for Adoption program.

HOW: Simply head to a participating Wendy’s restaurant, place an order at the counter and the crew member will ask about rounding up to the nearest dollar. One small act of kindness makes a biggie difference.

WHY: The Round Up for Adoption program creates a meaningful way for the Wendy’s community – guests, crew members and franchisees – to support finding forever families for children in foster care during National Foster Care Month.

To date, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption has helped find forever families for more than 16,000 children across the U.S. To learn more about the Round Up for Adoption campaign and how Wendy’s is working to make more family moments possible, visit the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption website.

*93% percent of each round up donation customers add to their check is donated to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

ABOUT WENDY’S:
The Wendy’s Company (Nasdaq: WEN) and Wendy’s franchisees employ hundreds of thousands of people across more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide. Founded in 1969, Wendy’s is committed to the promise of Fresh Famous Food, Made Right, For You, delivered to customers through its craveable menu including made-to-order square hamburgers using fresh beef**, and fan favorites like the Spicy Chicken Sandwich and nuggets, Baconator^®, and the Frosty^® dessert. Wendy’s supports the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, established by its founder, which seeks to dramatically increase the number of adoptions of children waiting in North America’s foster care system. Learn more about Wendy’s at www.wendys.com. For details on franchising, visit www.wendys.com/franchising. Connect with Wendy’s on X, Instagram and Facebook.

**Fresh beef available in the contiguous U.S. and Alaska, as well as Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the UK, and other select international markets.

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SOURCE The Wendy’s Company

Volunteers serving communities nationwide in recognition of those who care for others

JOPPA, Md., May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As International Nurses Day approaches on May 12, the Rapid Relief Team (RRT), the charitable arm of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, is preparing to recognize and celebrate nurses across North America with a series of appreciation events throughout May.

From Vancouver to New York, RRT volunteers are partnering with hospitals and healthcare facilities to provide meals, refreshments, and support to frontline healthcare workers, offering a small token of thanks to those who dedicate their lives to caring for others.

Across 15 locations, 500 RRT volunteers are expected to serve more than 10,000 meals to nurses and hospital staff throughout the month of May.

Wes Macdonald, RRT N.A. Operations Manager, said International Nurses Day is an important opportunity to recognize the vital role nurses play in communities across North America.

“Nurses build the backbone of our healthcare system with their compassion, resilience, and professionalism every single day,” Macdonald said. “Our volunteers are hoping to say thank you in a meaningful way by providing a meal, a moment of rest, and a reminder that their work does not go unnoticed.”

The 2026 International Nurses Day theme, “Empowered Nurses Save Lives,” underscores the importance of supporting and uplifting nurses in their critical roles. Each RRT event will feature hot meals, refreshments and coffee, giving nurses and hospital staff an opportunity to step away briefly from their duties and recharge.

“This is a tremendous gesture to make the staff feel better, in recognition of all they do” said Dr. Tomas Kaufman at Lakeshore General Hospital in Pointe-Claire, Quebec. “We are getting more and more patients, and there are difficult times, but the staff are just incredible and dedicated”.

In 2025, RRT teams in 10 countries provided 43,500 moments of appreciation—featuring fresh food, in-kind donations, beverages, and more—across more than 100 events supported by 1,350 volunteers.

RRT’s International Nurses Day activities build on its longstanding mission to serve those who serve others. In May, that means supporting the nurses who selflessly support so many of us: day-in, day-out, year-around.

About Rapid Relief Team (RRT): RRT is a global network of over 16,500 volunteers who assist emergency services during disasters and crises by providing meals and other forms of support. Established in 2013 by the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC), RRT is dedicated to showing kindness through its actions, embodying the PBCC values of care, compassion, and community support in times of need. To contribute to RRT’s mission, visit their website.

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SOURCE Rapid Relief Team

MIAMI, May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As record-breaking amounts of sargassum seaweed drift toward Florida’s shores, researchers at Florida International University are exploring how the coastal nuisance could become a valuable ingredient in everyday foods. 

New findings published in Food Hydrocolloids show that sargassum can serve as a promising source of alginate, a widely used food additive. The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers from Florida State University and Florida Atlantic University. 

Sargassum, a brown algae that forms massive blooms in the Atlantic Ocean, routinely washes onto South Florida beaches, where it produces strong odors, disrupts ecosystems and drives costly cleanup efforts.

Rather than focusing solely on removal, the researchers are investigating how to extract useful compounds from the seaweed and repurpose it for food and industrial applications. 

“The usual approach has been, ‘How do we get rid of it?’ We wanted to ask a different question: ‘Can we use it for something valuable?'” said Imran Ahmad, a food science and technology research professor in FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management and co-author of the study.

The study demonstrates that sargassum contains significant amounts of alginate – a natural polysaccharide commonly used to stabilize and thicken foods such as ice cream, sauces and dairy alternatives. Researchers reported extraction yields of roughly 45%, highlighting its potential as an alternative source to traditionally harvested seaweeds.

Because sargassum is not currently classified as a food source and can carry contaminants, the team also examined ways to process the material safely. 

“It’s generally treated as waste because it smells, affects tourism and can carry contaminants or bacteria,” Ahmad said.

As part of their broader research, the team is evaluating techniques such as high-pressure processing – a method already used in the food industry – to reduce microbial risks while preserving useful compounds. 

“Instead of using heat, which can damage nutrients and structure, we apply extremely high pressure,” Ahmad said. “That high pressure kills harmful microorganisms but preserves the useful compounds we want to extract.”

The work represents an early but important step in a larger effort. Researchers have identified and extracted key compounds and are now working to refine processing methods and evaluate potential applications. Developing consumer-ready products will require additional testing and regulatory approval. 

“Our researchers at the Chaplin School are always looking for ways to solve problems that affect and can help improve the hospitality and tourism industry,” said Michael Cheng, dean and professor of the top-ranked hospitality school. “We are proud of Dr. Ahmad’s innovative research and look forward to seeing how his work can help solve not only a Florida, but much larger global issue.” 

The research highlights a sustainable approach to transforming a recurring problem into a useful product. Beyond food innovation, the research addresses a growing environmental challenge across Florida and the Caribbean. By turning sargassum into a usable resource, scientists hope to reduce waste, lower cleanup costs and support more sustainable supply chains. 

“If we can turn it into something useful, we shift the conversation from disposal to opportunity,” Ahmad said. 

Photos and videos for media use are available via Dropbox. 

Media Contact:
Ivonne Yee-Amor 
305-299-2091 
iamor@fiu.edu 
news.fiu.edu
@FIU

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SOURCE Florida International University

The article outlines key planning, safety, and site considerations that shape effective and responsible tree removal projects.

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho, May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What should homeowners and property managers consider before hiring for tree removal? Cody Holmes of Holmes Earth Construction LLC addresses this often-overlooked question in a HelloNation article that explains why comprehensive planning not just cutting, should guide every removal project. Holmes emphasizes that responsible tree removal goes far beyond dropping a trunk and requires careful evaluation of site conditions, future land use, and safety.

According to Holmes, a complete tree removal includes safe dismantling, root system extraction, full debris haul-off, and a hazard assessment of nearby structures and terrain. Trees near homes, fences, or power lines pose elevated risks, and factors such as soil conditions and tree lean must be assessed before work begins. Root removal is particularly important in projects that involve future construction, grading, or landscaping, as leftover root systems can cause surface instability or interfere with future work.

The article also highlights the importance of clearly defined debris disposal. Holmes cautions that unless it is addressed in writing, some contractors may leave behind trunk segments or brush piles. Homeowners should clarify whether the site will be cleaned, raked, or roughly graded following removal. Compliance with local tree protection ordinances is another key consideration, especially in areas with protected species or permitting requirements. Lastly, Holmes recommends hiring crews that follow arborist standards, even when certification isn’t mandated, as it indicates a higher level of safety, training, and professionalism.

In “What to Know Before Hiring for Tree Removal,“ Cody Holmes, an excavation expert with Holmes Earth Construction LLC in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, provides practical insights to help property owners avoid costly mistakes and ensure that tree removal aligns with long-term land-use goals in HelloNation.

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SOURCE HelloNation