Featured Stories
National Corn Growers Association: Corn Farmers Thank EPA for Reallocation Announcement
CHESTERFIELD, Missouri, Oct. 15 -- The National Corn Growers Association issued the following news:
* * *
Corn Farmers Thank EPA for Reallocation Announcement
October 13, 2026
Author: Nicole Hasheider
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that it is proposing to reallocate 100% of the difference between projected and actual exempted gallons lost to small refinery exemptions in the 2025 renewable volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard. In response to this development, Matt Frostic, Michigan corn farmer and NCGA president, released the following statement:
"We
... Show Full Article
CHESTERFIELD, Missouri, Oct. 15 -- The National Corn Growers Association issued the following news:
* * *
Corn Farmers Thank EPA for Reallocation Announcement
October 13, 2026
Author: Nicole Hasheider
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that it is proposing to reallocate 100% of the difference between projected and actual exempted gallons lost to small refinery exemptions in the 2025 renewable volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard. In response to this development, Matt Frostic, Michigan corn farmer and NCGA president, released the following statement:
"Weare pleased to see that the administration has kept its pledge to protect farmers and biofuel producers while administering this critical program, and we appreciate that biofuel producers will be kept whole with the reallocation of all waived volumes.
"Biofuels provide essential energy supplies for our nation, and corn farmers are proud to contribute to our nation's energy security. We hope that the Renewable Fuel Standard and the small refinery exemption program are managed with certainty in the years to come."
NCGA will submit comments to EPA ahead of the December 4 deadline.
* * *
Nicole Hasheider
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
* * *
Original text here: https://www.ncga.com/stay-informed/media/in-the-news/article/2026/10/corn-farmers-thank-epa-for-reallocation-announcement
[Category: Agriculture]
Kulicke & Soffa Earns 2026 SEMI Award for North America at SEMICON West
MILPITAS, California, Oct. 15 -- SEMI, an association serving the manufacturing supply chain for the electronics industry, issued the following news release:
* * *
Kulicke & Soffa Earns 2026 SEMI Award for North America at SEMICON West
Company Selected for Technical Leadership in Fluxless Thermocompression Bonding
-
SAN FRANCISCO - Oct. 13, 2026 - SEMI, the industry association advancing the global semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain, today announced Kulicke & Soffa as the recipient of the 2026 SEMI Award for North America. The company was selected for its
... Show Full Article
MILPITAS, California, Oct. 15 -- SEMI, an association serving the manufacturing supply chain for the electronics industry, issued the following news release:
* * *
Kulicke & Soffa Earns 2026 SEMI Award for North America at SEMICON West
Company Selected for Technical Leadership in Fluxless Thermocompression Bonding
-
SAN FRANCISCO - Oct. 13, 2026 - SEMI, the industry association advancing the global semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain, today announced Kulicke & Soffa as the recipient of the 2026 SEMI Award for North America. The company was selected for itsformic acid in situ bonding technology, a fluxless thermocompression bonding (TCB) approach that's central to the progression of heterogeneous integration. SEMI Americas presented the award to Kulicke & Soffa during the CEO Summit Keynotes at SEMICON West.
Conventional TCB and hybrid bonding both present scaling challenges. At 50-micron pitches and below, post-bond liquid flux cleaning becomes extremely difficult and time-consuming. Conversely, while hybrid bonding is state-of-the-art, its high cost and manufacturing complexity limit accessibility. Kulicke & Soffa overcame these hurdles by combining in situ formic acid oxide reduction with plasma pre-cleaning across its high-volume TCB platforms, delivering hybrid bonding-level performance at a significantly lower cost.
"As heterogeneous integration evolves, overcoming interconnect limitations becomes increasingly important for maintaining our industry's ambitious growth trajectory," said Joe Stockunas, president, SEMI Americas. "We're honored to recognize Kulicke & Soffa for its outstanding breakthrough in fluxless TCB, a vital technology that's helping the industry meet the rising demands of AI and high-performance computing. Kulicke & Soffa is a founding member of SEMI and is celebrating their 75th anniversary this year, demonstrating our industry's ongoing drive to innovate."
Built into solutions like APTURA(TM), Kulicke & Soffa's pioneering technology offers multiple oxide removal strategies in a single platform. This results in the ability to achieve ultra-fine interconnect pitches below 10 microns, thereby meeting interconnect density requirements for heterogeneous integration and silicon photonics. The APTURA machine is designed to work flexibly across wafers, substrates, and 310 mm panels.
"As features continue to shrink, our fluxless TCB technology is helping build the solid foundation required for advancing the industry's Heterogeneous Integration Roadmap," said Raj Talluri, President and Chief Executive Officer, Kulicke & Soffa. "We are proud to receive this recognition from SEMI Americas, which reflects the dedication and innovative spirit of our entire team around the world."
Established in 1979, the SEMI Award is the highest honor given by the SEMI Americas division to recognize outstanding contributions from the semiconductor equipment and material supplier communities. Winning submissions must demonstrate commercial success for more mature contributions, while emerging technologies must show clear promise of future success. Nominations are also open to individuals or teams from industry and academia whose achievements have demonstrated technical significance across the broader semiconductor industry. The list of past award recipients can be viewed here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the submission process for the SEMI Award for North America entail?
* Submissions must come from individuals or teams with North America-based SEMI member companies. Applications must include patent information for the innovation being nominated, a clear description on the impact of the innovation, and supporting evidence and references. Nominations will be reviewed and selected by the SEMI Award for North America committee. The full list of requirements can be viewed here.
What is the timeline for the 2027 SEMI Award for North America?
* Information on nominations and submissions for the 2027 award will be posted on the SEMI Award webpage. The award will be given at SEMICON West 2027, taking place from March 30 to April 1 in Phoenix, Arizona.
* * *
About SEMI
SEMI(R) is the global industry association connecting over 4,000 companies and 1.5 million professionals worldwide across the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain. We accelerate member collaboration on solutions to top industry challenges through Advocacy, Workforce Development, Sustainability, Supply Chain Management and other programs. Our SEMICON(R) expositions and events, technology communities, standards and market intelligence help advance our members' business growth and innovations in design, devices, equipment, materials, services and software, enabling smarter, faster, more secure electronics. Visit www.semi.org, contact a regional office, and connect with SEMI on LinkedIn and X to learn more.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.semi.org/en/semi-press-release/kulicke-and-soffa-earns-2026-semi-award-for-north-america-at-semicon-west
[Category: Electronic Products]
Association for Competitive Technology: UK IPO Embraces Half Measures in Voluntary Guidelines
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- The Association for Competitive Technology (formerly the ACT - The App Association) the following news release:
* * *
UK IPO Embraces Half Measures in Voluntary Guidelines
Oct 13, 2026
Innovative SMEs need binding reforms of Standard-Essential Patent (SEP) Licensing Practices to Protect Innovation
-
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - Today's ministerial statement from Minister for Science, Innovation, and Investment Chris McDonald, MP and release of the United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office's (IPO) consultation report on standard-essential patent (SEP) licensing practices
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- The Association for Competitive Technology (formerly the ACT - The App Association) the following news release:
* * *
UK IPO Embraces Half Measures in Voluntary Guidelines
Oct 13, 2026
Innovative SMEs need binding reforms of Standard-Essential Patent (SEP) Licensing Practices to Protect Innovation
-
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - Today's ministerial statement from Minister for Science, Innovation, and Investment Chris McDonald, MP and release of the United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office's (IPO) consultation report on standard-essential patent (SEP) licensing practicesoffers a partial response to innovative SMEs' concerns and the overwhelming evidence of abuse.
'The minister's statement and IPO's proposed targeted measures signal a mixed result at best for British SMEs', said Stephen Tulip, UK Country Manager for the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT). 'SMEs thrive on certainty and clarity. These changes will further strengthen the chokehold of a select few large, international SEP holders, by kicking the can down the road instead of supporting innovative British tech SMEs' ability to deliver growth in every postcode. SMEs need support, not more promises with no guarantee of action'.
'A bright spot for innovative SMEs is in the inclusion of ACT's recommendation for the IPO to develop and publish an aggregate royalty benchmark via a FRAND opinion service. ACT in our comments to the IPO has provided details on the benefits to rate transparency, litigation cost reduction, and protecting SMEs from predatory licensing practices, and specifics on how the IPO can implement a process for benchmarking'.
'Broadly these measures leave UK IoT startups in a difficult position where a sticking plaster is being used to cover over a major wound. It gives the impression of a problem being fixed, but the problem remains and will get worse unless the government rethinks its position'.
'More resources won't automatically fix the problem without addressing the fundamental imbalance of power and lack of information that place SMEs at a disadvantage'.
* * *
About Association for Competitive Technology (ACT)
ACT is a global technology trade association representing startups, scaleups, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We work directly with our members worldwide to advocate for a policy environment that takes into account their real-world challenges and supports innovation, access to capital, job creation, and the ability of small technology companies to grow and compete globally.
* * *
Original text here: https://actonline.org/post/uk-ipo-embraces-half-measures-in-voluntary-guidelines/
[Category: Computer Technology]
American Soybean Association Backs EPA Proposal for Full Biofuel Reallocation
ST. LOUIS, Missouri, Oct. 15 -- The American Soybean Association issued the following news release:
* * *
ASA Backs EPA Proposal for Full Biofuel Reallocation
Oct 13, 2026
The American Soybean Association welcomes the Environmental Protection Agency's proposal to fully reallocate renewable fuel volumes lost to 2025 small refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard. Maintaining the historic renewable fuel volumes established in the 2026-2027 Renewable Volume Obligation rule is a priority for ASA as soybean farmers work to protect domestic biofuel demand amid continued economic pressures.
"ASA
... Show Full Article
ST. LOUIS, Missouri, Oct. 15 -- The American Soybean Association issued the following news release:
* * *
ASA Backs EPA Proposal for Full Biofuel Reallocation
Oct 13, 2026
The American Soybean Association welcomes the Environmental Protection Agency's proposal to fully reallocate renewable fuel volumes lost to 2025 small refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard. Maintaining the historic renewable fuel volumes established in the 2026-2027 Renewable Volume Obligation rule is a priority for ASA as soybean farmers work to protect domestic biofuel demand amid continued economic pressures.
"ASAapplauds Administrator Zeldin and the Trump Administration for keeping their commitment to farmers and proposing to restore 100% of biofuel volume impacted by 2025 small refinery exemption actions," said ASA Vice President Dave Walton, an Iowa soybean farmer. "Soybean farmers are navigating a tough farm economy, and the administration's strong domestic biofuel policies will continue to drive much-needed market demand in the U.S. We are encouraged by today's proposal and urge EPA to get it across the finish line quickly."
ASA urges EPA to finalize this supplemental rulemaking to reallocate biofuel volumes as quickly as possible.
* * *
Original text here: https://soygrowers.com/news-releases/asa-backs-epa-proposal-for-full-biofuel-reallocation/
[Category: Agriculture]
American Public Transportation Association: Households That Ride Public Transit Can Save $14,100 Annually
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- The American Public Transportation Association issued the following news release:
* * *
Households That Ride Public Transit Can Save $14,100 Annually
* Households that choose public transportation over driving can save anywhere from $12,000 to more than $18,000 a year, depending on the city.
* Since 2019, the average new car price has risen 36 percent and used car prices have climbed 60 percent driven by tariffs, high interest rates, supply chain disruptions, and a growing chip shortage tied to demand from AI data centers.
* Gas prices have risen to $4.61 per gallon
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- The American Public Transportation Association issued the following news release:
* * *
Households That Ride Public Transit Can Save $14,100 Annually
* Households that choose public transportation over driving can save anywhere from $12,000 to more than $18,000 a year, depending on the city.
* Since 2019, the average new car price has risen 36 percent and used car prices have climbed 60 percent driven by tariffs, high interest rates, supply chain disruptions, and a growing chip shortage tied to demand from AI data centers.
* Gas prices have risen to $4.61 per gallonas of late September 2026, up from $2.91 in January 2025, as the Strait of Hormuz crisis pushes up oil prices worldwide.
* Meanwhile, monthly public transit fares at most public transit agencies have not increased since 2022.
-
WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 14, 2026) - A household that owns one fewer vehicle and rides public transportation instead of driving can save an average of $14,100 a year, according to a new report, Public Transit Saves American Families Money, released today by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). That works out to about nearly $1,200 a month that stays in family budgets.
The report compares the cost of a monthly public transit pass with the full cost of owning and operating a car, including gas, insurance, maintenance, and parking. Factors considered include the national and state average gasoline price per gallon as reported by AAA.
According to APTA's 2025 Fare Database, monthly public transit fare prices at most agencies have not increased since 2022. Over the same period, families have faced record car prices, high financing costs, and rising gas prices, while public transit riders have kept more predictable monthly cost.
"Using public transportation is one of the simplest ways families can save money every month," said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. "When you add up gas, insurance, repairs, and parking, the savings can be significant. That is money that can go toward rent, groceries, health care, and other things families need."
According to Kelley Blue Book, the average price of a new vehicle reached $50,089 by August 2026, more than $13,000 higher (36 percent) than in early 2019. For used cars, Edmunds reports that the average used vehicle price hit a record $32,461 in the second quarter of 2026, an increase of more than $12,000 (60 percent) over the same period. Tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and a chip shortage tied to demand from AI data centers are all keeping vehicle prices high.
Gas prices are also having an impact. After falling to $2.91 per gallon in January 2025, the national average climbed to $4.61 per gallon as of late September 2026, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
"With so many costs outside a family's control, taking public transportation can help cut monthly transportation expenses. Whether it's commuting to work, running errands, or keeping appointments, public transit is a practical and budget-friendly choice," Skoutelas said. "Sustained federal investment in public transportation helps make sure that option is there for the families who count on it."
The table below compares public transit fares across 20 cities against the full cost of owning and operating a vehicle, based on AAA's Your Cost of Driving 2026 report and downtown parking data. Depending on the city, public transit riders can save anywhere from $12,000 to more than $18,400 a year.
Potential Savings from Using Public Transit
Top 20 Cities by Ridership -- October 2026
San Francisco: $1,536 monthly; $18,437 annually
New York: $1,533 monthly; $18,394 annually
Boston: $1,460 monthly; $17,521 annually
Houston: $1,297 monthly; $15,559 annually
Honolulu: $1,288 monthly; $15,455 annually
Chicago: $1,283 monthly; $15,397 annually
Los Angeles: $1,281 monthly; $15,371 annually
San Diego: $1,278 monthly; $15,341 annually
Seattle: $1,272 monthly; $15,264 annually
Philadelphia: $1,261 monthly; $15,130 annually
Portland: $1,257 monthly; $15,089 annually
Denver: $1,195 monthly; $14,337 annually
Baltimore: $1,180 monthly; $14,163 annually
Minneapolis: $1,178 monthly; $14,141 annually
Miami: $1,150 monthly; $13,795 annually
Washington, DC: $1,131 monthly; $13,567 annually
Las Vegas: $1,094 monthly; $13,128 annually
Phoenix: $1,070 monthly; $12,838 annually
Dallas: $1,060 monthly; $12,724 annually
Atlanta: $1,029 monthly; $12,352 annually
National average: $1,178 monthly; $14,130 annually
* * *
Original text here: https://www.apta.com/press-release/households-that-ride-public-transit-can-save-14100-annually/
[Category: Transportation]
ALTA Good Deeds Foundation Awards $120,000 to 20 Community Nonprofits
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- The American Land Title Association Good Deeds Foundation issued the following news release:
* * *
ALTA Good Deeds Foundation Awards $120,000 to 20 Community Nonprofits
Washington, D.C., Oct. 15, 2026 -- The ALTA Good Deeds Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded by the American Land Title Association (ALTA), the national trade association of the title insurance industry, announced $120,000 in grants to 20 nonprofit organizations across the United States, supporting charities that work at the local level to strengthen communities and improve
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- The American Land Title Association Good Deeds Foundation issued the following news release:
* * *
ALTA Good Deeds Foundation Awards $120,000 to 20 Community Nonprofits
Washington, D.C., Oct. 15, 2026 -- The ALTA Good Deeds Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded by the American Land Title Association (ALTA), the national trade association of the title insurance industry, announced $120,000 in grants to 20 nonprofit organizations across the United States, supporting charities that work at the local level to strengthen communities and improvelives.
Each organization will receive a $6,000 grant. The recipients were announced Oct. 14 during ALTA ONE, the American Land Title Association's annual conference in Scottsdale, Ariz.
The grants support nonprofit organizations nominated by ALTA members that are making meaningful differences in the communities where title professionals live and work.
"The ALTA Good Deeds Foundation is built around the idea that local organizations can have an extraordinary impact when they have the resources and support to carry out their missions," said Steve Day NTP, board chair of the ALTA Good Deeds Foundation and past president of ALTA. "ALTA members see the needs in their communities firsthand, and we are proud to support the organizations they nominate that are helping families, serving neighbors and making their communities stronger."
The following organizations will receive $6,000 grants:
* Botetourt County Fair Association Inc., Troutville, Va.
* Canyon County Festival of Trees, Caldwell, Idaho
* Court Appointed Special Advocates of Paulding County Inc., Dallas, Ga.
* Diabetes Will's Way, Carmel, Ind.
* Hope on the Block, Fond du Lac, Wis.
* Impact GulfCoast, Gulf Shores, Ala.
* JC7 Foundation, Austin, Texas
* Kamp KACE, Fargo, N.D.
* Miko's Place, Schwenksville, Pa.
* Minnesota Kids Foundation, Mapleton, Minn.
* Operation America Standing In Support (OASIS), Merritt Island, Fla.
* Our Destiny Our Future Foundation, Phoenix, Ariz.
* Smart Bellies, Frisco, Colo.
* Survivor Empowerment Center, Carbondale, Ill.
* THA Inc., Topeka, Kan.
* The Blind Social Center Inc., Gary, Ind.
* The Jayna Kelley Memorial Foundation, Tony, Wis.
* The Next Step Homeless Services, Fort Smith, Ark.
* Venture 4 Legacy, Dearborn, Mich.
* Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation, Houston, Texas
"The generosity behind the ALTA Good Deeds Foundation reflects the strong connection title professionals have to the communities they serve," said Chris Morton, CEO of ALTA. "Our members help protect homebuyers, homeowners and property rights every day, but their commitment to their communities extends well beyond the closing table. These grants are another way the title industry is helping strengthen communities across the country."
* * *
About the Foundation
Since its founding in 2020, the ALTA Good Deeds Foundation has awarded more than $1.6 million in grants to nonprofit organizations in 48 states and the District of Columbia, supporting causes that strengthen families, promote housing stability, and enrich communities.
For more information on the ALTA Good Deeds Foundation, including grant programs and how to support its mission, visit www.altagooddeeds.org.
* * *
About ALTA
The American Land Title Association, founded in 1907, represents an industry comprised of more than 17,000 title insurance companies operating across the nation, with over 90% being small businesses.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.alta.org/news-and-publications/press-release/ALTA-Good-Deeds-Foundation-Awards-120000-to-20-Community-Nonprofits
[Category: Real Estate]
AICPA Releases Guidance to Help Auditors Address the Use of AI in Financial Reporting and Auditing
NEW YORK, Oct. 15 -- The American Institute of CPAs issued the following news release:
* * *
AICPA Releases Guidance to Help Auditors Address the Use of AI in Financial Reporting and Auditing
NEW YORK (Oct. 13, 2026) - The American Institute of CPAs has issued a new practice aid for auditors that provides a framework for understanding how artificial intelligence affects the financial statement audit in two key areas: when an organization uses AI in its financial reporting or controls, and when auditors use AI-related technology in performing the audit.
The practice aid, Artificial Intelligence
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Oct. 15 -- The American Institute of CPAs issued the following news release:
* * *
AICPA Releases Guidance to Help Auditors Address the Use of AI in Financial Reporting and Auditing
NEW YORK (Oct. 13, 2026) - The American Institute of CPAs has issued a new practice aid for auditors that provides a framework for understanding how artificial intelligence affects the financial statement audit in two key areas: when an organization uses AI in its financial reporting or controls, and when auditors use AI-related technology in performing the audit.
The practice aid, Artificial Intelligence(AI) Considerations for Financial Statement Auditors, is designed to help auditors understand and respond to the use of artificial intelligence in business processes and financial reporting. It also covers the implications when AI is used by auditors in performing the financial statement audit. The guidance will aid CPAs in evaluating AI-related risks, understanding how AI may affect controls, and determining appropriate audit responses and the auditor's use of AI tools when performing the audit.
"AI tools are already benefiting the efficiency and effectiveness of both financial statement preparation and the audit in a number of ways," said Amy Pawlicki, the AICPA's vice president of assurance and advisory innovation. "But as powerful as they are, these tools can introduce new risks that auditors must be cognizant of in fulfilling the critical role they play in performing financial statement audits. This practice aid is intended to help auditors understand and mitigate these risks in a rapidly evolving environment."
The practice aid is currently divided into two parts: the first covering how an organization's use of AI in financial reporting affects the financial statement audit, and the second covering audit firms' use of AI-related technological resources in the performance of their audit engagements.
More guidance, including a deeper dive into assessment of the risk of material misstatement and evaluation of audit evidence when a company is using AI, will be added to section one of the guidance in the future. In addition, more Q&As are expected to be added to the section on the implications of using AI in the audit process.
Considering an organization's use of AI
One of the key questions for auditors to address at the start of an engagement is the extent to which a company relies on AI in its financial reporting. Some businesses are already using AI directly in their accounting and reporting processes, while others may use it indirectly in business functions.
Among other topics, section one of the practice aid discusses:
* AI in broad terms, its different variations, how AI differs from ordinary automation, and how that may affect the auditor's risk assessment.
* How the quantity, quality, accuracy, completeness, relevancy and diversity of data can significantly affect the reliability of an AI system.
* The need to assess the audit team's capabilities, since practitioners may need a blend of auditing expertise, AI knowledge, data skills, professional skepticism and specialist support.
* How to determine whether the company's use of AI affects financial reporting, and what this means for the application of professional standards in the financial statement audit.
* Types of new risks that can be introduced by AI, such as data risks, model risks, hallucinations, explainability and bias.
* Understanding controls that are foundational to the organization's system of internal control that may relate to its use of AI in the financial reporting process.
Use of AI-related technological resources by audit firms
AI can enhance audit quality and efficiency, and the guidance underscores that auditors remain responsible for appropriate supervision, review and audit conclusions. Like the entities they audit, audit firms rely on AI tools to varying degrees.
Section two of the practice aid:
* Emphasizes the importance of establishing quality management policies and procedures to address the firm's responsibilities relating to AI tools.
* Addresses firm-level considerations about the competence and capabilities of the engagement team when using AI tools.
* Recommends audit firm planning on the intended use of AI in specific engagements.
* Outlines the responsibilities of engagement team partners to understand AI tools they're using, ensure they're approved by the firm and are being used correctly by staff.
"This section provides practical guidance to auditors when using AI, including considerations for quality management, appropriate supervision and review, and continued attention to professional judgment and professional skepticism," said Jennifer Burns, the AICPA's chief auditor. "Ultimately, the auditor remains responsible for the audit and the audit opinion."
Additional AI-related guidance
In addition to the new practice aid, the AICPA has issued two other relevant items on AI-related topics in the past year:
* Guidance on the effect service organizations use of AI may have on SOC 1 and SOC 2 engagements.
* A staff insights article, "AI Through an Ethics Lens," available to members through the AICPA's online ethics library.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.aicpa-cima.com/news/article/aicpa-releases-guidance-to-help-auditors-address-the-use-of-ai-in-financial-reporting-and-auditing
[Category: Accounting]
