Featured Stories
Crafting the New Marine Retail Playbook Takes Center Stage at Dealer Week 2026
BROOKLYN PARK, Minnesota, Aug. 19 -- The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas issued the following news on Aug. 18, 2026:
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Crafting the New Marine Retail Playbook Takes Center Stage at Dealer Week 2026
The New Fundamentals: Dealer Week's opening keynote helps marine retailers assess their business, gain clarity and make the most of emerging opportunities
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) announced that Kaihan Krippendorff, CEO of Outthinker, a global think-tank of strategy, innovation and transformation, will deliver the opening keynote at
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BROOKLYN PARK, Minnesota, Aug. 19 -- The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas issued the following news on Aug. 18, 2026:
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Crafting the New Marine Retail Playbook Takes Center Stage at Dealer Week 2026
The New Fundamentals: Dealer Week's opening keynote helps marine retailers assess their business, gain clarity and make the most of emerging opportunities
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) announced that Kaihan Krippendorff, CEO of Outthinker, a global think-tank of strategy, innovation and transformation, will deliver the opening keynote atDealer Week 2026, Dec. 6-9, at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida.
As marine dealerships encounter changing customer expectations, new technologies and increasing pressure to deliver a better ownership experience, many seek direction on how to evolve their business model. They ask: Where should we focus our time, resources and investment to create the greatest impact?
Krippendorff's opening keynote "Start Crafting Your New Marine Retail Playbook" will help answer that question and more. Kicking off Dealer Week's educational programming, his focused session supports the conference theme, The New Fundamentals, by guiding dealership leaders to rethink long-held assumptions and evaluate where they create the most value. Attendees will also learn to identify opportunities to better serve customers while strengthening their position in the marketplace.
Step Back and Evaluate
While technology continues to advance, success often depends less on access to new tools and more on how businesses choose to use them. Krippendorff will help dealers evaluate their business, challenge assumptions and identify where their next opportunities may exist.
"The most valuable educational experiences allow leaders to step back from their dealerships to evaluate where they're headed and whether their current approach is positioning their business for future success," said Liz Walz, Vice President of Education and Dealer Development at MRAA. "Kaihan helps dealers assess their business models and understand what truly deserves their attention moving forward. His keynote sets the tone for the rest of Dealer Week by helping attendees identify the questions they should be asking as they explore new ideas and begin crafting a fresh playbook for today's marine market."
Preview Krippendorff's Keynote at Dealer Week 2026
Success often involves adopting a new approach to overcome pain points. At Dealer Week, Krippendorff will challenge leaders to rethink familiar assumptions and identify opportunities that can strengthen both the customer experience and dealership performance.
"The marine industry has a long and proud tradition that I believe is one of its core strengths, but at the same time it has become clear that dealers can't continue to rely solely on their traditional playbooks and expect to find success. Customer expectations continue to increase as technology changes the way businesses operate. That creates new pressures on businesses -- as well as new opportunities for dealers to separate themselves from the competition," said Mike Davin, Vice President of Industry Relations at MRAA. "Kaihan will help dealership leaders look at familiar challenges through a different lens, providing a framework that will help them think about new ways to create customer experiences that match what they seeing in other industries. His future-thinking perspective aligns well with the rest of our Dealer Week 2026 education and our focus on The New Fundamentals."
The New Fundamentals
Dealer Week is the MRAA's annual conference and expo focused on dealership growth, professional development, networking and business improvement. It unites marine retailers and industry partners from across North America while helping businesses address the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of marine retail.
Register (https://s7.goeshow.com/mraa/dealerweek/2026/dealer_reg.cfm) for Dealer Week during the Early Bird period to secure the best available rate, save your spot and maximize your investment.
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About Dealer Week
For more than 50 years, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas has delivered world-class education to marine dealers, retailers and service operations that power the boating industry. Dealer Week exists to engage, energize and empower the dealer community. MRAA envisions a brighter future for marine retail, and Dealer Week is a key part of bringing that vision to life. Learn more at dealerweek.com.
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About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA)
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is the trusted catalyst for success in the marine retail industry. Dedicated to fueling dealer growth and strengthening the boating experience, MRAA delivers industry-leading insights, expert guidance and proven solutions that assist marine retailers in navigating challenges and seizing opportunities. Through education, advocacy and innovative resources, MRAA empowers dealers to thrive, and help drive a stronger, more sustainable marine industry. Learn more at MRAA.com.
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Original text here: https://mraa.com/dealer-week-2026-opening-keynote/
[Category: Business]
U.S. Chamber Endorses Rep. Erin Houchin for Indiana's Ninth District
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 [Category: Business] -- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce posted the following news release:
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U.S. Chamber Endorses Rep. Erin Houchin for Indiana's Ninth District
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced its endorsement of Rep. Erin Houchin for Indiana's Ninth Congressional District. The U.S. Chamber endorses candidates for federal office who will support policies that drive innovation, grow the economy, and create opportunities for American businesses and workers.
"The U.S. Chamber is proud to endorse Erin Houchin's re-election for Indiana's
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 [Category: Business] -- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce posted the following news release:
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U.S. Chamber Endorses Rep. Erin Houchin for Indiana's Ninth District
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced its endorsement of Rep. Erin Houchin for Indiana's Ninth Congressional District. The U.S. Chamber endorses candidates for federal office who will support policies that drive innovation, grow the economy, and create opportunities for American businesses and workers.
"The U.S. Chamber is proud to endorse Erin Houchin's re-election for Indiana'sNinth Congressional District," said Kevin Courtois, Vice President of the Chamber's Great Lakes Region. "As a former small-business owner and lifelong Hoosier, Rep. Houchin understands a strong economy is built from the ground up. Throughout her time in Congress, Rep. Houchin has demonstrated a commitment to advancing pro-growth policies that strengthen both the local and national economy. We applaud her leadership and look forward to continuing our work together in the 120thCongress."
"I am honored to receive the endorsement of the U.S Chamber of Commerce," said Congresswoman Houchin. "Indiana's economy is strongest when businesses have the freedom to grow, invest, and create good-paying jobs without unnecessary government red tape. As a former small business owner, I know the level of hard work and dedication it takes to build and operate a business. I look forward to continuing my work in Congress to cut burdensome regulation, support industry in Indiana, and keep our economy strong."
"Congresswoman Erin Houchin is a tireless and highly effective leader for her district and our state," says Vanessa Green Sinders, president and CEO of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. "She has been a tremendous partner in advancing economic opportunity for Hoosiers, supporting job creators and strengthening the free enterprise system that helps our state thrive."
About the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business organization representing companies of all sizes across every sector of the economy. Our members range from the small businesses and local chambers of commerce that line the Main Streets of America to leading industry associations and large corporations. For more than 114 years, we have advocated for pro-business policies that help businesses create jobs and grow our economy.
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Original text here: https://www.uschamber.com/improving-government/u-s-chamber-endorses-rep-erin-houchin-for-indianas-ninth-district
Record 272 Poultry Facilities Recognized for Outstanding Safety Performance
TUCKER, Georgia, Aug. 18 [Category: Agriculture] -- The U.S. Poultry and Egg Association (USPOULTRY) issued the following news release:
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Record 272 Poultry Facilities Recognized for Outstanding Safety Performance
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The Joint Poultry Industry Safety & Health Council recognized a record 272 chicken and turkey facilities for outstanding safety performance at the 2026 National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry in Destin, Fla. The facilities were honored for their commitment to employee safety and health through the implementation of innovative and effective programs.
Award consideration
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TUCKER, Georgia, Aug. 18 [Category: Agriculture] -- The U.S. Poultry and Egg Association (USPOULTRY) issued the following news release:
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Record 272 Poultry Facilities Recognized for Outstanding Safety Performance
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The Joint Poultry Industry Safety & Health Council recognized a record 272 chicken and turkey facilities for outstanding safety performance at the 2026 National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry in Destin, Fla. The facilities were honored for their commitment to employee safety and health through the implementation of innovative and effective programs.
Award considerationwas based on injury statistics from a three-year period (2023-2025) and a review of written applications evaluated by academic and industry safety experts.
This year, 81 facilities earned the highest level of recognition, the Award of Distinction, which honors facilities that demonstrate excellence in safety and health training, education and employee involvement and that maintain injury and illness rates at least 75% lower than the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) averages.
One hundred and thirteen facilities received the Award of Honor, recognizing the same core safety principles with incident rates between 75% and 50% lower than BLS results. An additional 78 facilities received the Award of Merit, which recognizes facilities with rates between 50% lower and equal to BLS results.
"Safety is not simply a metric, a program or something we measure at the end of the year. It is a responsibility we share every day, and it is reflected in how we work and how we care for the people who do that work," said Rick Hellinga, senior director of Safety, Health and Loss Prevention at Simmons Foods and chair of the Joint Poultry Industry Safety & Health Council. "Recognizing a record 272 facilities this year is an outstanding achievement. More importantly, it reflects the poultry and egg industry's continued commitment to putting people first and creating workplaces where working safely is simply how we work."
The Joint Industry Safety & Health Council consists of members from the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, National Chicken Council and National Turkey Federation. Collectively, the three organizations represent companies that produce 95% of the nation's poultry products and directly employ more than 350,000 workers.
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Original text here: https://www.uspoultry.org/media-center/press-releases/single-view/?id=4700
NACDS Names 2026 Total Store Expo Product Showcase Winners
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Aug. 18 -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores posted the following news release:
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NACDS Names 2026 Total Store Expo Product Showcase Winners
Showcase highlights standout new products set to shape the future of pharmacy and consumer goods.
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The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) revealed the winners of the 2026 NACDS Total Store Expo Product Showcase today, spotlighting the new products set to shape the future of pharmacy and consumer goods. The event drew pharmacy leaders, retailers, and suppliers together around a common goal: identifying
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ARLINGTON, Virginia, Aug. 18 -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores posted the following news release:
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NACDS Names 2026 Total Store Expo Product Showcase Winners
Showcase highlights standout new products set to shape the future of pharmacy and consumer goods.
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The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) revealed the winners of the 2026 NACDS Total Store Expo Product Showcase today, spotlighting the new products set to shape the future of pharmacy and consumer goods. The event drew pharmacy leaders, retailers, and suppliers together around a common goal: identifyingthe next generation of products that will help customers and communities thrive.
The Product Showcase is where new ideas get put to the test. Suppliers featured their newest offerings in dedicated cases throughout the show floor, with over a hundred entries represented across ten categories this year.
Retail buyers from around the country cast their votes, selecting the products they expect to have the greatest impact in stores over the coming year. Chosen by those with deep industry expertise, these winners reflect the needs of communities nationwide.
New this year, the inaugural class of the NACDS Emerging Leaders Academy (ELA) also selected a favorite product from select categories. The ELA convened for the first time at this year's NACDS Total Store Expo, bringing together 49 dean-nominated pharmacy students and 20 deans from colleges of pharmacy for two days immersed in the breadth of the pharmacy and healthcare industry. Their Product Showcase selections add the perspective of the profession's next generation and are noted alongside the winners in the categories below.
The 2026 Product Showcase winners are:
Baby Care
Company: Ashtel Studios, Inc.
Product: Baby Wipes
Emerging Leaders Pick:
Company: Genexa Inc
Product: Infants' Pain & Fever Blueberry Flavor
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Beauty/Cosmetics
Company: No7 Beauty Company
Product: Future Renew Serum
Emerging Leaders Pick:
Company: No7 Beauty Company
Product: Future Renew Serum
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Consumables
Company: Vespyr Brands
Product: Vivarin Smooth Energy(R) Caffeine Supplement XR
Emerging Leaders Pick:
Company: Vespyr Brands
Product: Vivarin Smooth Energy(R) Caffeine Supplement XR
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General Merchandise
Company: Navajo Incorporated
Product: Piranha American Patriotic Sunglasses
Emerging Leaders Pick:
Company: Navajo Incorporated
Product: Piranha American Patriotic Sunglasses
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Health Care/Over-the-Counter (Tie)
Company: BoomBoom
Product: Nasal Stick
Company: TruLabs LLC
Product: Hydrate + Creatine: Cherry Limeade & Razzle Berry
Emerging Leaders Pick (Tie):
Company: Force Factor
Product: Hair Growth Supplements
Company: Kenvue
Product: ZYRTEC(R) Allergen Shield Spray
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Household Products/Non-Edible Consumables
Company: Pourri
Product: Poo~Pourri Before-You-Go Toilet Spray Original Citrus 2oz Boxed
Emerging Leaders Pick:
Company: Pourri
Product: Poo~Pourri Before-You-Go Toilet Spray Original Citrus 2oz Boxed
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Home Health Care
Company: LUXE Bidet
Product: Whift Bidet - The 1st Deodorizing Bidet Attachment
Emerging Leaders Pick:
Company: iHealth Labs, Inc.
Product: iHealth Flu A&B, Covid-19, and RSV Rapid Test, 2 CT
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Personal Care/HBC
Company: Minee Wipes
Product: Impossibly Compact Travel Flushable Wipes
Emerging Leaders Pick:
Company: Cleanlogic
Product: Body Care Routine
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Pharmacy Operations Equipment & Services
Company: Inmar Intelligence
Product: Drug Deactivation & Disposal System powered by Deterra
Emerging Leaders Pick:
Company: Inmar Intelligence
Product: Drug Deactivation & Disposal System powered by Deterra
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Pharmacy Products
Company: Sun Pharma
Product: Carvedilol Phosphate ER Capsules
Emerging Leaders Pick:
Company: Sun Pharma
Product: Carvedilol Phosphate ER Capsules
Exhibitors at the NACDS Total Store Expo can enter, and each product is shown by category in alphabetical order by company name.
For more information, please visit www.tse.nacds.org.
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Original text here: https://www.nacds.org/nacds-names-2026-total-store-expo-product-showcase-winners/
[Category: Business]
MISMO Launches Tri-Party eNote Bailee Agreement Workshop
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 [Category: Financial Services] -- MISMO, a subsidiary of the Mortgage Bankers Association, posted the following news:
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MISMO Launches Tri-Party eNote Bailee Agreement Workshop
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 20, 2026) - MISMO(r), the real estate finance industry's standards organization, today announced an interactive workshop focused on exploring the standardization of the Tri-Party eNote Bailee Agreement. The workshop, sponsored by DocsDirect, will be held during the MISMO Fall Summit in Reston, Virginia, on August 26. Participants may attend the workshop either in person
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 [Category: Financial Services] -- MISMO, a subsidiary of the Mortgage Bankers Association, posted the following news:
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MISMO Launches Tri-Party eNote Bailee Agreement Workshop
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 20, 2026) - MISMO(r), the real estate finance industry's standards organization, today announced an interactive workshop focused on exploring the standardization of the Tri-Party eNote Bailee Agreement. The workshop, sponsored by DocsDirect, will be held during the MISMO Fall Summit in Reston, Virginia, on August 26. Participants may attend the workshop either in personor virtually.
The workshop will launch an open industry discussion on a new MISMO initiative to evaluate the development of standardizing the Tri-Party eNote Bailee Agreement. Today, organizations frequently manage multiple, similar agreements across lenders, warehouse lenders, and investors, adding unnecessary complexity and extending processing time across the workflow.
"Standardizing common terms has the potential to make the eNote ecosystem more efficient while reducing repetitive work across the industry," said MISMO President Brian Vieaux, CMB. "This workshop is an opportunity to bring the right stakeholders together early, hear directly from those relying on these agreements today, and determine where a common industry approach could cut costs and accelerate timelines."
The workshop will be structured as an open discussion, giving participants an opportunity to share their experiences, identify challenges and offer ideas about what a common approach could look like. This session will help capture early industry input and assess whether standardization could deliver meaningful value across lenders, warehouse lenders, and investors.
"This workshop brings together the people who understand these agreements and the challenges they can pose to accelerating eNote adoption," said Steve Manente, Partner, DocsDirect. "We're pleased to sponsor a collaborative industry discussion focused on using standardization to address those challenges and establish a practical path forward.
The initiative reflects MISMO's broader commitment to bringing industry participants together to identify opportunities for greater consistency, efficiency and collaboration across the real estate finance ecosystem.
MISMO's work to solve key industry challenges is made possible through the support of its members, champions, sponsors, and lenders (via the Innovation Investment Fee). To learn more about MISMO and opportunities to participate, visit MISMO.org.
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Original text here: https://www.mismo.org/about-MISMO/news/2026/08/18/mismo-launches-tri-party-enote-bailee-agreement-workshop
MFA outlines approach to AI oversight in capital markets
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 [Category: Financial Services] -- The Managed Funds Association posted the following news release:
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MFA outlines approach to AI oversight in capital markets
Existing securities laws provide strong safeguards while allowing firms to adopt new technologies responsibly
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MFA highlighted to Congress how existing securities laws address the risks and opportunities associated with artificial intelligence (AI) in a letter sent Friday to the House Financial Services Committee. Alternative asset managers are using AI across investment, compliance, cybersecurity, and operational
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 [Category: Financial Services] -- The Managed Funds Association posted the following news release:
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MFA outlines approach to AI oversight in capital markets
Existing securities laws provide strong safeguards while allowing firms to adopt new technologies responsibly
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MFA highlighted to Congress how existing securities laws address the risks and opportunities associated with artificial intelligence (AI) in a letter sent Friday to the House Financial Services Committee. Alternative asset managers are using AI across investment, compliance, cybersecurity, and operationalfunctions, creating opportunities to improve efficiency, strengthen controls, and better serve institutional investors.
"Alternative investment advisers are deploying AI to improve portfolio management, risk controls, and investment research on behalf of the pensions, foundations, and endowments they serve," said Bryan Corbett, MFA President and CEO. "It is critical to maintain the flexible, principles-based approach to regulation that has long fostered innovation as AI continues to unlock new opportunities throughout the asset management industry. Existing SEC regulation and investment advisers' fiduciary duties provide a comprehensive framework for governing the development and use of these important tools."
The Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules hold investment advisers accountable for how they develop, deploy, and oversee AI, as they do for other technologies. Advisers must meet fiduciary, compliance, disclosure, recordkeeping, trading, and supervisory obligations regardless of whether they use traditional software, quantitative models, or AI-enabled tools. These principles-based requirements allow advisers to tailor governance and risk controls to different applications while avoiding prescriptive rules that can quickly become outdated. Creating a separate regulatory regime for AI would be a departure from how securities laws have long accommodated technological change.
The letter also urges policymakers to account for differences among financial institutions and AI use cases. Alternative asset managers operate differently from large, systemically important banks, including through matched asset and liability structures, comparatively lower leverage, and a sophisticated institutional investor base. Policymakers should avoid one-size-fits-all requirements that ignore these differences and the varying risks of different AI applications.
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About the global alternative asset management industry
The global alternative asset management industry -including hedge funds, private credit funds, and hybrid funds -serves thousands of public and private pension funds, charitable endowments, foundations, and other global institutional investors. The industry provides portfolio diversification and risk-adjusted returns to help meet their funding obligations and return targets throughout the economic cycle.
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About MFA
Managed Funds Association (MFA), based in Washington, D.C., New York City, Brussels, and London, represents the global alternative asset management industry. MFA's mission is to advance the ability of alternative asset managers to raise capital, invest it, and generate returns for their beneficiaries. MFA advocates on behalf of its membership and convenes stakeholders to address global regulatory, operational, and business issues. MFA has more than 180 fund manager members, including traditional hedge funds, private credit funds, and hybrid funds, that employ a diverse set of investment strategies. Member firms help pension plans, university endowments, charitable foundations, and other institutional investors diversify their investments, manage risk, and generate attractive returns throughout the economic cycle.
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INFODOC: https://www.mfaalts.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-14-MFA-Response-with-Attachments-to-Waters-AI-RFI-vF.pdf
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Original text here: https://www.mfaalts.org/press-releases/mfa-outlines-approach-to-ai-oversight-in-capital-markets/
CMA-sponsored Prior Authorization Reform Bill Advances From Senate Appropriations Committee
SACRAMENTO, California, Aug. 18 -- The California Medical Association issued the following news release on Aug. 17, 2026:
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CMA-sponsored prior authorization reform bill advances from Senate Appropriations Committee
What You Need to Know: A CMA-sponsored prior authorization reform bill cleared a major legislative hurdle on Thursday and now heads to the Senate Floor. AB 539 will protect patients' continuity of care by ensuring that prior authorization approvals last for at least one year.
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Assembly Bill 539, a prior authorization reform measure sponsored by the California Medical Association
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SACRAMENTO, California, Aug. 18 -- The California Medical Association issued the following news release on Aug. 17, 2026:
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CMA-sponsored prior authorization reform bill advances from Senate Appropriations Committee
What You Need to Know: A CMA-sponsored prior authorization reform bill cleared a major legislative hurdle on Thursday and now heads to the Senate Floor. AB 539 will protect patients' continuity of care by ensuring that prior authorization approvals last for at least one year.
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Assembly Bill 539, a prior authorization reform measure sponsored by the California Medical Association(CMA), recently reached a critical milestone by advancing out of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The legislation aims to reduce administrative roadblocks and prevent unnecessary delays in patient care by preserving the validity of prior authorization approvals and curbing the need for physicians to repeatedly seek approvals for care.
Authored by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo, AB 539 requires that once a health plan approves a prior authorization for a service requested by an in-network provider, it remains valid for at least one year from the date of approval. If the prescribed course of treatment takes less than one year, the authorization will remain valid throughout the specified duration.
In a recent physician survey, the American Medical Association found that prior authorization creates significant administrative burdens and costs on physicians:
* Physician practices complete an average of 40 prior authorizations per physician, per week
* Physicians and their staff spend 13 hours each week completing prior authorizations
* 40% of physicians have staff who work exclusively on prior authorizations
By eliminating the need for physicians to submit multiple prior authorization requests for the same services, AB 539 will protect continuity of care for patients and allow physicians to focus on providing essential care instead of repetitive paperwork.
The bill now heads to the Senate Floor for consideration.
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Original text here: https://www.cmadocs.org/newsroom/news/view/ArticleId/51271/CMA-sponsored-prior-authorization-reform-bill-advances-from-Senate-Appropriations-Committee
[Category: Medical]
