National News

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. /California Newswire - National News/ -- nformative Research, a premier technology provider delivering data-driven credit and verification solutions to the lending community, today announced that Senior Vice President of Marketing Craig Leabig has been named a 2025 HousingWire Marketing Leader. This year's award honors 55 professionals reshaping how mortgage and real estate companies engage prospects and accelerate growth. Leabig's strategic leadership has transformed Informative Research's marketing into an engine of innovation and measurable results.

BOULDER, Colo. /California Newswire - National News/ -- Floify, the mortgage industry's leading point-of-sale (POS) solution, today announced that Courtney Dodd, head of marketing, has been named to HousingWire's prestigious Marketing Leaders list for 2025. She was also a 2024 Marketing Leaders recipient. The Marketing Leaders award honors the outstanding accomplishments of mortgage and real estate marketing executives who are the visionaries behind the strategies, campaigns and branding efforts that push the industry forward.

ATLANTA, Ga. /California Newswire - National News/ -- Internationally acclaimed pianist and Steinway Artist Boris Cepeda announces the release of his latest solo album, "Andamios," now available on all major digital platforms. Featuring works by Isaac Albéniz, Maurice Ravel, Astor Piazzolla, Gerardo Guevara and Leonardo Cárdenas, "Andamios" blends Latin American and European musical traditions in a deeply personal and emotionally resonant recording.

PHOENIX, Ariz. /California Newswire - National News/ -- Michael McCarney, the visionary behind the renowned clothing brand CutJagged, is making waves in the fashion industry with his bold return. Formerly known as DripChromeBoutique, the brand has undergone a significant transformation, rebranding to CutJagged in August 2024. This change marks a new chapter for McCarney, who started his journey in fashion at the tender age of 16.

DECATUR, Ga. /California Newswire - National News/ -- Alair Homes Decatur is proud to announce that it has received three prestigious honors as a 2025 National Remodeler of the Year (RotY) from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). These national awards follow the team's recognition as a Southeast Regional RotY winner across five categories and seven Atlanta Chapter wins.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /California Newswire - National News/ -- As Japan continues to welcome a growing number of international travelers, many visitors are actively seeking local deals to make their shopping experience more affordable. In response to this trend, Japan-based savings platform savings.co.jp has implemented a range of upgrades to improve the speed and accuracy of its coupon and discount listings - helping travelers shop smarter during their stay.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /California Newswire - National News/ -- As consumers worldwide become increasingly mindful of spending, a new trend is emerging: digital-first savings. One platform quietly making waves in this space is Promocodie.com, which is gaining global attention for its up-to-date promo codes and smart shopping tools.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /California Newswire - National News/ -- Microsoft has officially announced the discontinuation of its built-in coupon feature on Microsoft Edge, effective May 31, 2025. As millions of users prepare for the change, Coupert, one of Microsoft's long-time partners in powering online savings, is stepping up as the leading alternative for Edge users seeking a seamless way to continue saving money when shopping online.

PLANO, Texas /California Newswire - National News/ -- Optimal Blue today announced that Ask Obi, an AI-powered assistant designed to help mortgage lending executives extract real-time insights from across Optimal Blue's capital markets platform, is now generally available to all PPE clients. Introduced at the company's inaugural user conference in February and refined through beta testing with select clients, Ask Obi provides executives with fast answers to complex profitability questions at no additional cost.

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. /California Newswire - National News/ -- Informative Research, a premier technology provider delivering data-driven credit and verification solutions to the lending community, today announced a strategic integration with Halcyon, a fintech innovator revolutionizing income verification through real-time access to IRS tax transcript data. This integration delivers verification of employment and income (VOE/I) reports-including payroll and paystub data-directly into Halcyon's income calculator, enabling faster, more automated income assessments.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /California Newswire - National News/ -- Amerigo Scientific unveils its line of different-sized bioconjugated fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs), designed to redefine precision in cellular and in vivo imaging. These bioconjugated FNDs are provided to address critical challenges in high-resolution diagnostics, targeted drug delivery, and real-time biological tracking, positioning itself as a game-changer for researchers and scientists alike.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire - National News/ -- On Monday, May 13, 2025, at 6 p.m., Breathe Southern California will host its highly anticipated Breath of Life Awards at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills. The annual event recognizes visionary leaders and organizations committed to advancing clean air, environmental health, and lung health equity across California.

PLANO, Texas /California Newswire - National News/ -- Optimal Blue today announced the general availability of Originator Assistant, a powerful addition to the Optimal Blue PPE. Leveraging generative AI, Originator Assistant eliminates human bias in the loan structuring process and helps originators identify all options for a borrower, providing more ways to help consumers realize the American dream of homeownership.

IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire - National News/ -- Cloudvirga, a Stewart-owned provider of digital point-of-sale platforms for lenders, today announced the launch of Tropos, a next-generation borrower portal that will empower lenders to deliver personalized, intuitive digital experiences from initial application through clear-to-close. Designed with the flexibility to support a variety of consumer lending products, Tropos enhances Cloudvirga's POS ecosystem with a modular, customer-first solution that helps lenders drive engagement, reduce time to close and establish lasting borrower relationships.

AUSTIN, Texas /California Newswire - National News/ -- Vooglam invites you to dial back to a golden era of charm and sophistication with the Retro Eyewear Collection. Evoking the spirit of classic airwaves and vintage soundscapes, this collection harmonizes the timeless beauty of the past with today's contemporary flair. Designed for those who believe that true style never goes out of fashion, these frames are a perfect tribute to an era when every detail mattered.

ATLANTA, Ga. /California Newswire - National News/ -- Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry's leading provider of technology that connects homebuyers with homebuyer assistance programs, today announced that Envoy Mortgage (Envoy) will implement DPR's suite of software tools across its national footprint. The move follows a successful pilot and reflects Envoy's commitment to expanding down payment assistance (DPA) offerings while maintaining operational efficiency and reducing repurchase risk.

COLONIAL BEACH, Va. /California Newswire - National News/ -- The James Monroe Memorial Foundation proudly announces the publication of "United States in Congress Assembled Delegate James Monroe: Architect of America's First Organic Territorial Law," a new paper by historian Stanley Y. Klos.

ATLANTA, Ga. /California Newswire - National News/ -- Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry authority on homebuyer assistance program data and solutions, today released its Q1 2025 Homeownership Program Index (HPI) report. The report saw the number of entities offering homebuyer assistance programs increase by 55 year-over-year (YoY). The number of programs increased by 43 during the first quarter, bringing the total number of available programs to 2,509.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /California Newswire - National News/ -- NY Mental Health Center (NYMHC), in partnership with Genovese Psychiatry Services, PC, is proud to announce a significant expansion of its clinical team with the addition of eight highly regarded mental health professionals, including licensed psychologists and psychiatric providers. This marks a pivotal moment in the center's growth, further solidifying NYMHC as one of New York's leading providers of integrated, telehealth-based mental health services.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /California Newswire - National News/ -- With Germany remaining one of the most popular European destinations among American travelers in 2025, savvy tourists are increasingly turning to local savings platforms like gutscheine7.de to maximize their budget while exploring the country.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /California Newswire - National News/ -- NY Mental Health Center (NYMHC) is proud to announce the expansion of its clinical offerings to include neuropsychological testing under the direction of licensed psychologist Dr. Ana Bahamonde. With this addition, NYMHC now offers a comprehensive suite of mental health services, including psychotherapy, psychiatry, and psychological assessment, all available via secure telehealth.

PHOENIX, Ariz. /California Newswire - National News/ -- TAG CXO is bringing the best of the best to its fractional advisory team. We're proud to announce the addition of Mark Tonnesen. Tonnesen is a highly sought-after, high-powered business and technology leader with more than 25 years of experience in high-tech, security, financial services, gaming and transportation.

PHOENIX, Ariz. /California Newswire - National News/ -- PowerPick Players Club is the oldest and most established lottery service provider in the USA, with an A+ Rating by the Better Business Bureau. Today it announced that Arizonans can now pay significantly less than the cost of a ticket to become a Mega Millions jackpot winner and winner of other large prizes.

PHOENIX, Ariz. /California Newswire - National News/ -- Financial expert Walter Clarke's groundbreaking work in "401Kid: A Guide to Teaching You and Your Children How to Master Money" (ISBN: 978-1964377643 [ebook]; 978-1964377605 [paperback]; 978-1964377599 [hardcover]; Legacy Launch Pad Publishing) emphasizes the profound impact of early financial education and the consequences of neglecting it. He has identified a critical gap-virtually no one is actively addressing this need.

PLANO, Texas /California Newswire - National News/ -- Optimal Blue today released its March 2025 Market Advantage mortgage data report, showing a 24% surge in rate lock volume as early spring buyers returned to the market and homeowners jumped at the chance to refinance into lower rates. While still down 2% on a year-over-year (YoY) basis, purchase volumes were up 21% month-over-month (MoM). Rate-and-term and cash-out refinances jumped 52% and 20% MoM, respectively, together representing 25% of all lock activity.

IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire - National News/ -- Cloudvirga, a leading provider of digital mortgage point-of-sale platforms, today announced that Aaron Heidorn, director of software engineering and infrastructure, has been named a 2025 HousingWire Rising Star. The annual award recognizes young professionals who are driving innovation and growth in the housing economy and shaping the future of mortgage and real estate technology.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire - National News/ -- PDFgear, a leading innovator in PDF solutions, launched a groundbreaking set of browser-based PDF tools designed for exceptional privacy and speed. The tools enable users to make changes to PDFs locally in browsers without uploading data to external servers. This launch redefines online PDF manipulation by protecting user privacy while maintaining high performance.

BOULDER, Colo. /California Newswire - National News/ -- Floify, the mortgage industry's leading point-of-sale (POS) solution, today announced that Enterprise Account Executive/Sales Engineer Maggie Zielinski Swanson has been named to HousingWire's prestigious Rising Stars list for 2025. Swanson, 29, joined Floify in 2021 as a skilled sales professional and has quickly become an indispensable force in the company's collaborative culture and growth.

PLANO, Texas /California Newswire - National News/ -- Optimal Blue today announced that Senior Software Engineering Manager Shawn Chandwani, 34, has been named among HousingWire's Rising Stars. The annual list celebrates young professionals who shoulder significant leadership responsibilities and contribute to the broader industry and business landscape, establishing themselves as influential figures and leaders for tomorrow.

DENVER, Colo. /California Newswire - National News/ -- ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the mortgage industry, today announced its Principal Application Architect Josh Reed has been honored among the 2025 HousingWire Rising Stars, which recognizes mortgage and real estate professionals under 40 who have made impactful career decisions driving growth in the industry and at their companies. Reed has been honored as a Rising Star for his outstanding contributions to innovation, efficiency, and compliance in the mortgage industry.

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. /California Newswire - National News/ -- Informative Research Data Solutions, a division of Informative Research and leading provider of data-powered borrower intelligence and analytics tools for the financial services industry, today announced its Data Solutions Team Lead Jooyoung Jung has been recognized as a 2025 HousingWire Rising Stars Honoree. The award highlights real estate and mortgage professionals under the age of 40 making impressive career moves while empowering growth and change among their peers.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /California Newswire - National News/ -- Coupert, a global smart savings assistant, has officially released a new browser extension - Coupert Pure. Designed for users who care about privacy and efficiency, Coupert Pure eliminates affiliate-based monetization, maintains neutrality in coupon recommendations, and integrates AI technology to deliver a next-generation intelligent shopping experience.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /California Newswire - National News/ -- Moka & Co., a New York-based specialty Yemeni café, is proud to announce the opening of its sixth location in Staten Island, on Sunday, March 30th. This milestone highlights the brand's rapid expansion, with five locations opened across the boroughs in just one year and two more on the horizon, including a flagship café in Harold Square.

PLANO, Texas /California Newswire - National News/ -- Optimal Blue today announced a strategic alliance with Cotality™ (formerly CoreLogic®) that expands access to its mortgage origination and pricing data. Through this collaboration, Cotality will offer Optimal Blue's data to a broader audience, including hedge funds, capital markets participants, and investment firms seeking insights into the mortgage markets.

PHOENIX, Ariz. /California Newswire - National News/ -- PowerPick Players Club is the oldest and most established lottery service provider in the USA, with an A+ Rating by the Better Business Bureau. Today it announced that to the best of its knowledge, it is now the only service in Arizona to offer lottery players more chances of winning jackpots and other large prizes through its website ezpooling.com.

ATLANTA, Ga. /California Newswire - National News/ -- Apparo, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing nonprofit effectiveness through skilled corporate volunteering and technology solutions, is calling on Atlanta's corporate community to join their mission. Over the past three years, Apparo has expanded their footprint in Atlanta, collaborating with local nonprofits to drive digital transformation and operational efficiency. Through their partnership, leading corporations and Apparo are helping nonprofits streamline operations, secure funding, and amplify their community impact.

PHOENIX, Ariz. /California Newswire - National News/ -- Mold Inspection Sciences (MIS), a leader in unbiased, science-based mold inspection and testing, is pleased to announce its expansion throughout Arizona, including Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, Sedona, Prescott, and Flagstaff. With more than 20 years of experience across 12 states, MIS brings a no-conflict-of-interest approach-offering only inspection and testing, never remediation-to help Arizona residents and businesses address hidden mold issues often triggered by monsoon season, intense summer heat, and year-round air conditioning demands.

LA MESA, Calif. /California Newswire - National News/ -- Ferret lovers across California and the nation are rallying behind Petition 2025-003, now officially acknowledged by the California Fish and Game Commission (FGC). This petition seeks to reclassify ferrets as domestic animals, challenging California's outdated and scientifically unsupported ban, LegalizeFerrets.org announced today.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /California Newswire - National News/ -- Coupert, a leading digital savings platform, is proud to announce the launch of its 2025 Global Scholarship Program, aimed at supporting students worldwide in their academic and personal growth. By offering financial assistance, Coupert hopes to encourage young minds to focus on their education while promoting creative ways to save money.

NOVI, Mich. /California Newswire - National News/ -- Vice Capital Markets, a leading mortgage hedge advisory firm for independent lenders, banks and credit unions, announced today it is the first to integrate Fannie Mae's new Loan Pricing application programming interface (API) into its trading portal. The API consolidates multiple APIs into one, simplifying the loan pricing process and enhancing pricing and commitments.

PHOENIX, Ariz. /California Newswire - National News/ -- PowerPick Players Club, the oldest and most established lottery service provider in the USA, with an A+ Rating by the Better Business Bureau, serving Arizona lottery players through its website ezpooling.com, announced today that it now offers lottery pools for Scratcher tickets. Up to now, the service has been limited to draw games for Powerball, Mega millions, Fantasy 5 and The Pick. To the best of its knowledge, PowerPick is the only lottery service offering Scratcher pools. Each pool is made up of only 10 players.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire - National News/ -- Camino Chronicles Press and Karin Kiser today announced the release of "Before the Camino: Your Pocket Guide to Prepare Your Body and Mind for the Camino de Santiago." While most Camino guidebooks focus on logistics, Kiser takes a new approach in this comprehensive guide, addressing the deeper issues that compel people from all walks of life to the Camino de Santiago.

STEPHENS CITY, Va. /California Newswire - National News/ -- When Sarah Lascano faced debilitating chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple food sensitivities affecting 90% of her diet, doctors told her there was nothing they could offer. After years of searching, she found dramatic healing when she discovered energy medicine. It is now her passion to help people find healing for hard-to-treat illness, even when nothing else has worked.

BOULDER, Colo. /California Newswire - National News/ -- Floify, the mortgage industry's leading point-of-sale (POS) solution, today announced the appointment of Sol Klein as head of client experience and business operations. Klein, a seasoned mortgage technology executive with extensive experience in customer success and implementation, will lead initiatives to help clients maximize the value of their investment in Floify's platform.

NEW YORK, N.Y, /California Newswire - National News/ -- As the global economy continues to evolve, the demand for smarter savings solutions is on the rise. PromoPro, a leading platform in the digital coupon industry, unveils its predictions for the future of the coupon landscape in 2025. With artificial intelligence (AI) and consumer behavior trends shaping the market, the industry is set for a transformative shift that will redefine how shoppers save money.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /California Newswire - National News/ -- The trails are calling, and StarknightMT is answering with its Spring Adventures Sale! From March 7 to 21, 2025, experience the thrill of unbeatable deals on high-quality UTV parts and accessories. Enjoy a 14% discount sitewide on orders over $99 and discover even deeper discounts of up to 30% on select products. Get ready to elevate your off-road experience with StarknightMT.

CENTREVILLE, Va. /California Newswire - National News/ -- Avenu Insights and Analytics today announces the launch of its innovative cloud-native Public Records Management System, which is setting a new standard for efficiency, security, and adaptability in state and local government operations. As one of several SaaS solutions on its GovInsights platform, Avenu | Records empowers clerks and recorders with seamless integrated credit card processing, robust data protection, and comprehensive tools for cashiering, imaging, indexing, redaction, and search-ensuring full compliance with statutory and business requirements.

WINNIPEG, Saskatchewan /California Newswire - National News/ -- Fantasy lovers and epic world-building enthusiasts have a new saga to explore in "Harbinger" (ISBN: 978-1998454334; Tellwell Talent), the latest novel by Niah Bach. This spellbinding tale of prophecy, betrayal, and forbidden love takes readers deep into the mystical realm of Praetoria, where the fate of an empire hangs in the balance.

BOULDER, Colo. /California Newswire - National News/ -- Floify, the mortgage industry's leading point-of-sale (POS) solution, today announced Dynamic Apps, a no-code feature that lets lenders tailor loan applications based on loan type. By eliminating irrelevant questions, Dynamic Apps shapes the home financing journey to borrowers' unique goals while helping lenders accelerate approvals, improve application completion rates and maintain regulatory compliance.

ATLANTA, Ga. /California Newswire - National News/ -- Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry's leading technology for connecting homebuyers with homebuyer assistance programs, today announced that it has been named the 2025 ICE Innovation Technology Partner of the Year by Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (ICE), a leading global provider of data, technology and market infrastructure.