National News Desk

TROY, Mich., Feb. 24, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Class Valuation, a leading real estate appraisal management company (AMC), announced today that Chief Growth Officer Jon Tallinger has been named a 2026 Industry Titan by National Mortgage Professional (NMP). Tallinger, who is based in Birmingham, Michigan, has spent 24 years in the mortgage industry and was the first employee at Class Valuation.

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 24, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- FirstClose™, a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, announced today that co-founder and Chief Growth Officer Tim Smith has been named a 2026 Industry Titan National Mortgage Professional (NMP). The Industry Titan Award recognizes mortgage professionals whose leadership, innovation and long-term contributions have shaped the industry.

BOULDER, Colo., Feb. 24, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Floify, the mortgage industry's leading point-of-sale (POS) solution, today announced that Head of Sales Jason Mapes has been named an Industry Titan by National Mortgage Professional (NMP) for 2026. The Industry Titan designation recognizes individuals whose leadership and influence have helped shape the mortgage industry.

ADDISON, Texas, Feb. 24, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Click n' Close, a multi-state mortgage lender, today announced that mortgage industry veteran Rachel Fatino has joined the company as director of correspondent operations. In this role, Fatino will lead pipeline strategy, operational performance and partner engagement initiatives to support continued growth across the correspondent channel.

MIAMI, Fla., Feb. 23, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Black Friday, the most recognized and influential name in global retail, is officially expanding beyond a single day-offering banks, global retailers, technology platforms, and brands worldwide a new opportunity to win with the most powerful shopping identity ever created, Empire License, Inc. announced today.

LAS VEGAS, Nev., Feb. 23, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- In recent years, Las Vegas has undergone a significant transformation in its real estate landscape, emerging as an attractive market for first-time home buyers, eXp Realty announced today. Historically known for its vibrant entertainment scene and rapid development, the city has experienced shifts in affordability, inventory, and economic stability that now make it an appealing choice for those purchasing their first home.

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 19, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- FirstClose™, Inc., a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, today announced a strategic partnership with TruStage to embed TruStage's dynamic document engine within the FirstClose platform.

BEREA, Ky., Feb. 19, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Fahe today announced the expansion of its Housing Can't Wait® initiative through a coordinated, multi-state advocacy campaign designed to elevate housing as a central economic and workforce priority across Appalachia. Across Appalachia, housing shortages are not accidental.

PLAINFIELD, Ill., Feb. 18, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Premiere Motorsports announces the official launch of the nation's first dedicated Vanderhall service center - Premiere Service & Performance - positioning itself as the go-to resource for Vanderhall owners seeking expert solutions to known manufacturer defects and design limitations.

DENVER, Colo., Feb. 18, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, today announced the release of its quarterly ACES Mortgage QC Industry Trends Report covering Q3 2025. The report analyzes post-closing quality control data derived from the ACES Quality Management & Control® software.

BRAINERD, Minn., Feb. 18, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Tratta announces the release of "The 2026 Reality Check: The Widening Gap Between Digital Ambition and Maturity," a new industry survey report examining how debt collection agencies, legal recovery firms, and original creditors are progressing in their digital transformation efforts.

WEST GROVE, Pa., Feb. 18, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Jenner's Pond in Chester County, one of Simpson's Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), offers spacious cottages with new finishes, designed for today's active, modern elders looking for alternatives or to upsize to a forever home. With up to 3,600 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space, the cottages provide an option to skip the condo phase and settle directly into a 62+ Life Plan Community.

PITTSBURGH, Pa., Feb. 17, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- BEAM Collaborative, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening local businesses and keeping them locally owned, today announced a strategic partnership with Murphy Business Sales - West Pittsburgh, a leading full-service business brokerage firm serving Western Pennsylvania.

SEATTLE, Wash., Feb. 17, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- As senior living communities continue to navigate workforce challenges that directly impact care quality and operations, 3rd3rd Marketing and AgingIN are partnering to present a timely webinar: "Workforce That Stays: Creative Strategies to Attract, Inspire, & Retain a Mission-Driven Team" on Friday, February 27, geared toward senior living executives, HR professionals, and community leaders looking to build a sustainable workforce.

OTTAWA, Ontario, Canada, Feb. 17, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- What happens when your brain becomes your most unpredictable sidekick? In "Laughing Through the Storm: Life with Epilepsy: Unpredictable, and Unexpectedly Funny" (ISBN: 978-1834189024; paper) released January 2026 by Tellwell publishing. Author Jane Rogers brings raw honesty, unexpected hilarity, and deeply human insight to the epilepsy journey-one seizure, one hospital visit, and one awkward moment at a time.

BOULDER, Colo., Feb. 17, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Floify, the mortgage industry's leading point-of-sale (POS) solution, today announced that OCCU has selected Floify to support its next phase of member-centric lending and long-term growth. OCCU is a member-owned, not-for-profit credit union based in Eugene, Oregon, with more than 284,000 members.

NEW YORK, N.Y., Feb. 17, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Run 2 The Rescue, a Sag Harbor-based nonprofit with rescue operations and a shelter in Beijing, China, has been featured in PEOPLE in an exclusive story highlighting the dramatic transformation of Kronk, an injured Malamute rescued from the dog meat trade.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Feb. 14, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc. (SCCi) announced today the successful acquisition of Mill Hole Cave, along with 76 acres of surrounding land. Located in Jackson County, Alabama, the Mill Hole Preserve adjoins the Skyline Wildlife Management Area, marking SCCi's 39th preserve.

DENVER, Colo., Feb 13, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- ACES Quality Management® (ACES), a leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, today announced HousingWire has named ACES a 2026 TECH100 winner for the twelfth consecutive year.

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Feb. 12, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- ViewTech Borescopes, North America's leading seller of video borescopes, will be exhibiting for the first time at the Nondestructive Testing Management Association (NDTMA) Annual Conference. The annual event is scheduled to take place this year from February 17-19, 2026, at the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla., Feb. 12, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Industrial SalesLeads released its January 2026 New Planned Capital Project Spending Report for the Industrial Manufacturing sector, highlighting a strong rebound in project activity. The Firm monitors planned industrial capital investments across North America, including plant expansions, new facility construction, and major equipment modernization initiatives.

ONTARIO, Canada, Feb. 12, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Soap Opera Magazine, a leading digital publication covering daytime television, today announced the appointment of Amber Sinclair as Editor-in-Chief. Sinclair, a veteran entertainment journalist with more than a decade of experience in the soap opera industry, will lead editorial strategy, content development, and audience growth as the publication enters its next phase of expansion - including exploring the launch of a print edition.

WEST GROVE, Pa., Feb. 12, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Simpson announces its memory care programs at Jenner's Pond and Simpson Meadows are the first in Pennsylvania to receive the prestigious Comfort Matters® accreditation, and one of only 43 worldwide. The distinction recognizes Simpson's commitment to providing person-directed dementia care that prioritizes comfort, dignity, and emotional well-being for individuals living with dementia.

BALTIMORE, Md., Feb. 11, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- AgingIN, a global leader in long-term care culture transformation, released a special episode of the Elevate Eldercare podcast today, featuring a candid conversation between AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan and Susie Singer Carter, creator of the documentary "No Country for Old People." The episode explores the film's unflinching look at aging services and calls for a multilayered movement grounded in accountability, public pressure, and cultural change.

BOGOTA, Colombia, Feb. 11, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Cielo.Travel today released its February 2026 update to "The 17 Best Restaurants in Bogota," a monthly guide that spotlights standout dining experiences across Colombia's capital. The refreshed list spans chef-led tasting menus, neighborhood favorites, market-based cuisine and historic institutions, and includes an interactive map to help visitors build efficient, high-quality itineraries.

PITTSBURGH, Pa., Feb. 10, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- BEAM Collaborative today announced a strategic partnership with SMB.co, an AI-powered marketplace for buying and selling small businesses. Together, the organizations will strengthen local businesses and keep them locally owned by making business succession simpler, more accessible, and more sustainable for buyers, sellers, and communities.

SARASOTA, Fla., Feb. 10, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Bernard F. Walsh, a senior partner at Goldman Babboni Fernandez Murphy & Walsh, has been named Lead Counsel Verified for 2026 in Florida Personal Injury law. This independent designation is issued by LawInfo, a premier national lawyer directory and legal resource that has served consumers for nearly three decades.

HONG KONG, Feb. 10, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- "My iPhone 17 has been locked to prior owner and I can't use it." If you bought a second-hand iPhone 17, or you factory reset the device but forgot the password and email, the iPhone locked to owner screen will appear. What to do when you can't reach to the previous owner or Apple support can't turn off the activation lock? Thankfully, it can be unlocked with iToolab UnlockGo iOS V6.3.1.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Feb. 10, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- A new chapter in women's professional basketball begins on March 1, 2026, as The UPSHOT League hosts its first open tryout for female athletes pursuing a professional pathway. The Hoops Showcase will take place from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at Novant Fieldhouse in Greensboro, North Carolina. The UPSHOT League is a newly formed women's professional basketball league built on the pillars of opportunity and community, with a mission to uplift players, fans, and the cities it serves.

MCLEAN, Va., Feb. 10, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- By Light Professional IT Services LLC (By Light), a leading provider of Modeling & Simulation and Cyber products and solutions and a portfolio company of Sagewind Capital LLC (Sagewind), today announced that it has acquired Dignitas Technologies (Dignitas), a leading provider of Modeling, Simulation, & Training (MS&T) products and solutions. Financial terms of the transaction were not announced.

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla., Feb. 10, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Industrial SalesLeads announced today the Food & Beverage new planned capital project spending report for January 2026. The Firm tracks North American planned industrial capital project activity; including facility expansions, new plant construction and significant equipment modernization projects. January 2026 recorded 48 new planned projects, a decline that returns activity to the previous year's lowest level, last seen in May 2025.

NEW YORK, N.Y., Feb. 10, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Vertyx, a provider of intelligent mortgage servicing technology built for enhanced portfolio performance, today announced that company Co-Founders Ayo Opeyemi and Moyin Opeyemi will participate in a live demo session during the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Servicing Solutions Conference & Expo, which runs from Feb. 16-19.

PLANO, Texas, Feb. 10, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today released its January 2026 Market Advantage mortgage data report, showing a strong start to the year as falling rates drove a sharp increase in refinance activity. Total rate-lock volume rose 16% month over month (MoM) and finished January 36% higher year over year (YoY), led by a surge in rate-and-term refinances, which climbed 50% from December and more than 400% compared with January 2025.

WELLAND, Ontario, Canada, Feb. 9, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Author and longtime educator William Joseph Birrell releases his latest novel, "Matthew's Journey: The Return Home" (ISBN: 978-1834182674 released by Tellwell Publishing), an historical fiction story centered on love, separation, and survival during wartime.

NEW YORK, N.Y., Feb. 9, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- HitPaw, a leading innovator in multimedia software solutions, today announced the release of VikPea V5.2.0, the latest update to its all-in-one AI-powered video enhancement platform. This version delivers a major upgrade with the introduction of specialized AI portrait generation and restoration models, professional-grade manual parameter controls, and the integration of the Kling O1 multimodal engine.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Feb. 7, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- HitPaw, a leader in AI-powered visual enhancement solutions, announced Comfy, a global content creation platform, is integrating its image and video enhancement API. The HitPaw and Comfy integration embeds HitPaw API into Comfy's workflow, letting creators achieve pro-level visual enhancement in-platform. Blending HitPaw's AI visual processing expertise with Comfy's creator ecosystem, the partnership streamlines workflows and meets rising demand for high-quality digital visuals across digital platforms.

LAS VEGAS, Nev., Feb. 6, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- On the heels of Pantone's 2026 Color of the Year, Cloud Dancer, the American Gem Society is sharing Valentine's Day inspiration featuring luminous white gemstones like pearls, moonstone, and white opal, timeless pieces that feel modern, romantic, and easy to wear long after February 14.

SANTA FE, N.M., Feb. 5, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Edupoint® Educational Systems today announced that the New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) has selected the Synergy Education Platform, including Edupoint's Synergy for States solution, as the state's first statewide student information system. The initiative marks a major step forward in New Mexico's efforts to modernize its K-12 data infrastructure while improving data access, consistency, and decision-making at both the state and local levels.

DES MOINES, Iowa, Feb. 4, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- iEmergent, a forecasting and advisory services firm for the financial services, mortgage and real estate industries, has been named to HousingWire's 2026 Tech100 Mortgage list, marking the third time the company has earned the industry's top technology distinction. iEmergent was selected for its continued expansion of data-driven tools that help lenders identify where mortgage demand is emerging and how to act on it.

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y., Feb. 4, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Argyle, the leading provider of direct-source income, employment and asset verifications, has been named to HousingWire's 2026 Tech100 Mortgage list, marking the third time the company has earned the industry's top technology distinction. The recognition reflects Argyle's continued product innovation and measurable impact across the mortgage industry.

ATLANTA, Ga., Feb. 4, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry's leading technology for connecting homebuyers with down payment programs, has been named to HousingWire's 2026 Mortgage Tech100 list. DPR first appeared on the HousingWire Tech100 list in 2017.

CLEVELAND, Ohio, Feb. 3, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Top mortgage industry webcast The Big Picture, broadcast live every Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, announced its February lineup of guests, representing a broad swath of expertise from across the mortgage industry. Co-hosted by mortgage business consultant and executive coach Rich Swerbinsky and capital markets authority Rob Chrisman, author of the widely read Chrisman Commentary newsletter, the webcast delivers timely, thought-provoking conversations with mortgage professionals, innovators and thought leaders.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Feb. 4, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Dark Matter Technologies (Dark Matter®), an innovative leader in mortgage technology, today announced it has been named to HousingWire's 2026 Mortgage Tech100 list, recognizing companies whose technology solutions are shaping the future of the mortgage industry. This marks the company's third appearance on the Tech100 list.

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y., Feb. 3, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Argyle, the leading provider of direct-source income, employment and asset verifications, today announced it has secured a contract on the United States General Services Administration's (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) under contract number 47QTCA26D002N.

PHOENIX, Ariz., Feb. 3, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The Black Chamber of Arizona announced today the launch of Black History in Business: Fireside Chats Across Arizona, a four-part, in-person Black History Month business series held every Thursday in February from 7-9 p.m. The weekly events will spotlight Black-owned businesses and employer firms, highlighting their role in job creation, economic growth and community legacy across the state.

SEATTLE, Wash., Feb. 3, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Friday Harbor has been named to HousingWire's 2026 Tech100 Mortgage list, an award that recognizes the most innovative technology companies shaping the future of mortgage lending. Friday Harbor was selected for advancing the use of artificial intelligence to bring underwriting insight earlier in the loan lifecycle, helping lenders surface and resolve potential issues before files reach final underwriting. Friday Harbor's approach has been adopted by approximately 25 lenders, including two of the top 10 independent mortgage banks.

GARDEN GROVE, Calif., Feb. 3, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Informative Research (IR), a leading technology provider of data-driven credit and verification solutions for the lending industry, today announced that it has been honored on the annual HousingWire Mortgage Tech100 list. The award honors the technology providers driving meaningful change in the mortgage industry.

HOUSTON, Texas, Feb. 3, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- NotaryCam®, a Stewart-owned company and a pioneering provider of remote online notarization (RON) and identity verification/authentication technology for real estate and legal transactions, today announced it has been recognized among the 2026 HousingWire Mortgage Tech100. The award spotlights the fintech organizations impactfully innovating mortgage operations and processes.

TROY, Mich., Feb. 3, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Class Valuation, a leading real estate appraisal management company (AMC), has been named to HousingWire's 2026 Mortgage Tech100 list, recognizing the most innovative and impactful technology organizations serving the mortgage industry. Class Valuation has earned multiple Tech100 honors over the years, reflecting its sustained leadership in appraisal modernization through advanced technology, scale and data-driven workflows.

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 3, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- FirstClose™, a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, has been named a 2026 HousingWire TECH100 winner. HousingWire selected FirstClose for its end-to-end lending platform that combines real-time property intelligence with automated workflows to help lenders accelerate decisioning, reduce operational friction and close loans faster.