Featured Stories
Walmart: Traditions That Bring Us Together - Season to Spark Good
BENTONVILLE, Arkansas, Oct. 14 -- Walmart issued the following news:
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The Traditions That Bring Us Together: A Season to Spark Good
Spark Good This Season With Walmart and Sam's Club
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The first lights going up around town. The recipes that only come out once a year. The sound of a bell ringing outside your local Walmart or Sam's Club. Angel tags hanging from a tree, each one carrying the wish of a child in your community.
The holidays are full of familiar experiences and traditions. Some we grew up with. Some we've made our own. And some are simply about making the season a little brighter
... Show Full Article
BENTONVILLE, Arkansas, Oct. 14 -- Walmart issued the following news:
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The Traditions That Bring Us Together: A Season to Spark Good
Spark Good This Season With Walmart and Sam's Club
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The first lights going up around town. The recipes that only come out once a year. The sound of a bell ringing outside your local Walmart or Sam's Club. Angel tags hanging from a tree, each one carrying the wish of a child in your community.
The holidays are full of familiar experiences and traditions. Some we grew up with. Some we've made our own. And some are simply about making the season a little brighterfor someone else.
Walmart and Sam's Club are part of those traditions in more ways than one.
We're here to help families make the holidays happen -- affordably, conveniently and in the ways that work for them. And that includes helping people find ways to give back as part of the holiday season.
Through A Season to Spark Good, Walmart and Sam's Club are bringing together familiar traditions and more ways for customers, members and associates to support their communities throughout the holidays. With thousands of stores and clubs and digital experiences that reach millions of people, Walmart and Sam's Club can help connect those who want to give with nonprofit organizations doing important work close to home.
Save the Date for A Season to Spark Good
OCT. 12 - DEC. 14
Angel Tree Online
Find a Salvation Army unit's Walmart Spark Good Registry in your community.
NOV. 14 - DEC. 14
Angel Tree at Stores & Clubs
Find Angel Trees at participating Walmart stores and Sam's Clubs.
DEC. 2-31
The Salvation Army Round Up
Round up eligible purchases on Walmart.com or the Walmart app.
NOV. 2-30
Operation Homefront
Round up online or in the app. Walmart matches donations 1:1, up to $1 million.
NOV. 14 - DEC. 24
Red Kettles
Give at a Red Kettle outside participating stores and clubs.
DEC. 19
Wreaths Across America
Join associates and volunteers to honor those who served.
ALL SEASON LONG
Give Your Time
Find a cause you care about and invite someone to serve with you.
Are You Ready to Spark Good All Season Long?
Choose an Angel
For some families, choosing an Angel is already part of the holidays. For others, this could be the year the tradition begins.
Beginning Oct. 12, visit The Salvation Army Angel Tree site to find the Walmart Spark Good Registry for a Salvation Army unit in your community. Purchases from local registries help The Salvation Army make sure children they're serving receive gifts this Christmas.
Then, beginning Nov. 14, Angel Trees return to participating Walmart stores and Sam's Clubs -- making it easy to make giving part of your holiday shopping. Choose an Angel, shop for the gifts on their list and return them to the Angel Tree collection point before you leave. One stop, and one more wish checked off the list.
And this year, that one stop can unlock even more good. After returning your gifts, scan the QR code and confirm your participation. For every QR code scanned, Walmart will donate $10 to The Salvation Army, up to a total of $1 million.
Find your local Salvation Army Angel Tree registry ->
Show Up for Military Families
From Nov. 2-30, customers shopping on Walmart.com or the Walmart app can round up their purchase to support Operation Homefront and its work serving military families.
Walmart will match customer donations 1:1, up to $1 million. It's one more way to make giving part of your holiday shopping just by checking out.
Listen for the Bell
Few sounds say the holidays quite like the ring of a Salvation Army Red Kettle bell outside your local Walmart or Sam's Club. Right in the middle of picking up groceries, checking off the gift list or making one more holiday run, it's a familiar reminder that giving back can be part of the trip, too.
From Nov. 14-Dec. 24, The Salvation Army's Red Kettles return outside participating Walmart stores and Sam's Clubs, giving customers and members an opportunity to support its work in communities across the country.
Round Up and Give Back
From Dec. 2-31, customers shopping on Walmart.com or the Walmart app can round up eligible purchases to support The Salvation Army.
A few cents may not feel like much on its own. But when people across the country take part, everyday moments of generosity can add up to something much bigger.
Remember. Honor. Serve.
Some holiday traditions are joyful. Others ask us to pause.
Each December, Walmart drivers help transport wreaths destined for National Cemeteries and memorials across the country as part of Wreaths Across America.
This year, more than 100 of our drivers are expected to take part, supported by associates at facilities along the way. It's one way Walmart and Sam's Club can put the strength of our transportation network and the dedication of our associates behind a tradition centered on remembering and honoring those who served.
Then, on Dec. 19, volunteers will gather at cemeteries across the country to place wreaths and serve together.
Find a Wreaths Across America location and volunteer (https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/)
A Tradition Worth Sharing
The holidays fill up quickly with meals to plan, gifts to find and time with the people we love. In the middle of it all, we hope A Season to Spark Good makes it a little easier to make room for someone else, too.
Whether you choose an Angel, give at a Red Kettle, round up your purchase or spend time serving your community, bring someone you love along. After all, that's how traditions begin -- with a meaningful moment we decide is worth doing again. Thanks for including us.
Give back. Get involved. Spark Good all season long with Walmart and Sam's Club.
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Original text here: https://corporate.walmart.com/news/2026/10/season-to-spark-good
[Category: BizConsumer Services]
TEGNA and Disney Entertainment Television Renew ABC Affiliation Agreements in 13 Markets
TYSONS, Virginia, Oct. 14 -- TEGNA Inc., a broadcast, digital media and marketing services company, issued the following news release:
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10/13/26
TEGNA and Disney Entertainment Television Renew ABC Affiliation Agreements in 13 Markets
The multi-year deal covers stations across the U.S.
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MCLEAN, Va. and BURBANK, Calif. - TEGNA Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST) and Disney Entertainment Television (NYSE: DIS) today announced that they have entered into a comprehensive, multi-year deal that renews station affiliation agreements for all of TEGNA's ABC-affiliated stations.
"Our partnership with Disney
... Show Full Article
TYSONS, Virginia, Oct. 14 -- TEGNA Inc., a broadcast, digital media and marketing services company, issued the following news release:
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10/13/26
TEGNA and Disney Entertainment Television Renew ABC Affiliation Agreements in 13 Markets
The multi-year deal covers stations across the U.S.
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MCLEAN, Va. and BURBANK, Calif. - TEGNA Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST) and Disney Entertainment Television (NYSE: DIS) today announced that they have entered into a comprehensive, multi-year deal that renews station affiliation agreements for all of TEGNA's ABC-affiliated stations.
"Our partnership with DisneyEntertainment Television offers viewers an incredible programming lineup that includes the NFL, NBA, SEC football and shows like 'Dancing with the Stars' and 'Grey's Anatomy,' anchored by strong local news their communities depend on," said Patrick Paolini, CEO, TEGNA. "We're excited to extend this long-standing agreement."
"We're pleased to extend our successful partnership with TEGNA across these outstanding ABC stations," said Susi D'Ambra-Coplan, SVP, Affiliate Relations, Disney Entertainment Television. "Together, we remain committed to serving viewers with trusted local journalism paired with the best in entertainment, sports and national news."
The deal covers the following stations: KBMT in Beaumont, Texas; KIII in Corpus Christi, Texas; KVUE in Austin, Texas; KXTV in Sacramento, Calif.; WATN in Memphis, Tenn.; WFAA in Dallas, Texas; WHAS in Louisville, Ky.; WJXX in Jacksonville, Fla.; WNEP in Wilkes-Barre-Scranton, Pa.; WOI in Des Moines, Iowa; WQAD in Davenport, Iowa (Quad Cities); WVEC in Norfolk, Va.; and WZZM in Grand Rapids, Mich.
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About TEGNA
TEGNA Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST), operating independently of Nexstar consistent with the Hold Separate Order issued by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California on April 17, 2026. TEGNA is a multiplatform media company operating 64 local television stations in 51 U.S. markets, and hundreds of websites, mobile and Connected TV (CTV) apps, and Premion, a leading Connected TV and Over-the-Top (OTT) advertising platform.
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About ABC
ABC is the No. 1 entertainment network in Adults 18-49 and home to some of the most-watched series on television, including the longest-running primetime medical drama and global sensation, "Grey's Anatomy"; hit dramas "9-1-1," "High Potential" and "The Rookie"; four-time Emmy(R) Award-winning comedy "Abbott Elementary"; as well as unscripted juggernauts "American Idol" and "Dancing with the Stars"; and late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live," to name a few. The network is also home to the best and most prestigious live events, including "The GRAMMYS(R)," "The Oscars(R)," "The CMA Awards," "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest," as well as "The ESPYS" and ESPN on ABC with Monday Night Football, College Football and the NBA Finals. ABC News is the No. 1 network news brand, which includes the top-rated "World News Tonight with David Muir" and "Good Morning America."
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URL: ABC
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Original text here: https://www.tegna.com/tegna-and-disney-entertainment-television-renew-abc-affiliation-agreements-in-13-markets/
[Category: BizMedia]
Plug In, Get Paid: Duke Energy Florida Program Offers Bill Credits for Customers Charging EVs at Certain Times
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, Oct. 14 -- Duke Energy issued the following news release:
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Plug in, get paid: Duke Energy Florida program offers bill credits for customers charging EVs at certain times
October 13, 2026
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Given the Sunshine State has the second-highest electric vehicle (EV) registrations in the nation, Duke Energy Florida is reminding EV-driving customers about the range of programs the company offers to help them save money. For instance, since the Off-Peak Charging Credit program launched in 2022, enrolled customers have received a collective $1.5 million
... Show Full Article
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, Oct. 14 -- Duke Energy issued the following news release:
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Plug in, get paid: Duke Energy Florida program offers bill credits for customers charging EVs at certain times
October 13, 2026
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Given the Sunshine State has the second-highest electric vehicle (EV) registrations in the nation, Duke Energy Florida is reminding EV-driving customers about the range of programs the company offers to help them save money. For instance, since the Off-Peak Charging Credit program launched in 2022, enrolled customers have received a collective $1.5 million- in the form of bill credits - for changing their charging behavior.
How it works:
Duke Energy Florida's Off-Peak Charging Credit program allows customers to get paid for charging their EVs during times when demand for energy is typically lower. Eligible customers using a Level 2 charger can earn a $7.50 credit on their monthly electric bills for charging their EVs during these off-peak hours - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Friday and anytime on weekends and holidays.
Our view:
"We're always looking for ways to help our customers save money," said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. "For EV drivers, participating in the Off-Peak Charging Credit program is a simple, almost effortless way to lower their monthly bills, so we encourage all eligible customers to sign up and start taking advantage of it today."
Learn more:
The Off-Peak Charging Credit program is available to all Duke Energy Florida residential customers, and up to two EVs can be enrolled per account. For more information and to apply for the program, please visit duke-energy.com/OffPeak.
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Duke Energy Florida
Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.
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Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric utilities serve 8.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,700 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and Kentucky.
Duke Energy is executing an energy modernization strategy, keeping customer value at the forefront as it invests in electric grid upgrades and efficient generation resources to strengthen the system and serve growing energy needs.
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Original text here: https://news.duke-energy.com/releases/releases-20261013
[Category: BizEnergy]
Littler: Red Light, Green Light - Puerto Rico Law Spells Out That Medical Cannabis Protections Stop at the Wheel
SAN FRANCISCO, California, Oct. 14 -- Littler, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Red Light, Green Light: New Puerto Rico Law Spells Out That Medical Cannabis Protections Stop at the Wheel
By Sashmarie Z. Rivera-Lopez and Jose L. Maymi
October 13, 2026
Puerto Rico law puts guardrails around employment decisions affecting bona fide medical cannabis patients. A new law pumps the brakes when those patients are in the driver's seat.
Under Article 24 of Act No. 42 of July 9, 2017, as amended, also known as the Act to Manage the Study, Development and Research of Cannabis for Innovation,
... Show Full Article
SAN FRANCISCO, California, Oct. 14 -- Littler, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Red Light, Green Light: New Puerto Rico Law Spells Out That Medical Cannabis Protections Stop at the Wheel
By Sashmarie Z. Rivera-Lopez and Jose L. Maymi
October 13, 2026
Puerto Rico law puts guardrails around employment decisions affecting bona fide medical cannabis patients. A new law pumps the brakes when those patients are in the driver's seat.
Under Article 24 of Act No. 42 of July 9, 2017, as amended, also known as the Act to Manage the Study, Development and Research of Cannabis for Innovation,Applicable Standards and Limits ("Medicinal Cannabis Act"), registered and authorized medical cannabis patients who identify themselves as such to an employer are a protected category for purposes of Puerto Rico's employment protection laws./1 Employers may not discriminate against them in recruitment, hiring, appointment, termination, or any other penalizing condition of employment.
These safeguards, however, are not absolute. They yield if the employer establishes, by a preponderance of the evidence, that:
1. The use of medical cannabis represents a real threat of harm or danger to people or property;
2. The use of medical cannabis by the registered and authorized patient interferes with their performance and essential job functions;
3. The use of medical cannabis by the registered and authorized patient exposes the employer to the loss of any license, permit, or certification related to any federal law, regulation, program, or fund; or
4. The registered and authorized patient ingests or possesses medical cannabis in the workplace or during working hours without written authorization from the employer.
The Medicinal Cannabis Act also directs that these protections be interpreted liberally in the patient's favor.
On October 9, 2026, Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon signed into law Act 204-2026 ("Act 204"), which, although framed as a fifth exception, clarifies that Article 24's protections do not apply to a registered and authorized patient who:
5. Seeks to perform, or performs, safety-sensitive transportation functions, such as driving trucks or heavy vehicles, school buses, or taxis, or providing transportation services through digital platforms or mobile applications.
Three traits of the amendment bear mention. First, the statute says "such as" but does not define "safety-sensitive transportation functions." Employers must thus rely, for now, on the examples provided and other applicable laws and regulations to piece together a definition. Second, the trigger is the function itself. Unlike the first four exceptions, this one does not require the employer to show a real threat, interference with job performance, regulatory exposure, or on-the-job use, although the employer still bears the burden of proving, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the role qualifies. Third, Act 204-2026 exempts these roles from the liberal-interpretation mandate. Close calls about whether a particular duty qualifies will no longer go to the patient by default.
Employees whose positions do not involve safety-sensitive transportation functions remain protected under Article 24, subject to its four pre-existing exceptions. Act 204-2026 took effect immediately upon approval and directs the Medicinal Cannabis Regulatory Board to conform its regulations accordingly.
Although the legislative intent focused on the transportation sector, the statutory exception turns on the job function, not the employer's industry. Any employer whose workforce includes employees who transport goods or people should identify potentially covered positions, document why each qualifies as safety-sensitive, and, in consultation with counsel, review its drug-free workplace, drug-testing, and medical cannabis policies, as well as relevant job descriptions and offer letters, to ensure that any zero-tolerance rules are appropriately tailored to the new exception.
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See Footnotes
1/ For background on how Puerto Rico first gave medical cannabis patients the green light at work, see Sashmarie Z. Rivera-Lopez and Jose L. Maymi, Got the Green Light: New Puerto Rico Law Expands Employment Protections for Registered and Licensed Medical Cannabis Patients, Littler ASAP (July 30, 2021).
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Authors
Sashmarie Z. Rivera-Lopez
Of Counsel
San Juan
srivera@littler.com
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Jose L. Maymi-Gonzalez
Associate
San Juan
jmaymi@littler.com
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Original text here: https://www.littler.com/news-analysis/asap/red-light-green-light-new-puerto-rico-law-spells-out-medical-cannabis
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Julie Andrews and Family Lend Voices to Hachette Book Group's Raising Readers Campaign
NEW YORK, Oct. 14 -- Hachette Book Group issued the following news release:
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Julie Andrews and Family Lend Voices to Hachette Book Group's Raising Readers Campaign
Accompanied by daughter Emma Walton Hamilton and granddaughter Hope Hamilton, Andrews will voice a Raising Readers message featured in select HBG children's audiobooks beginning Fall 2026.
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New York, NY (Oct. 13, 2026) -- As part of Hachette Book Group's (HBG) global Raising Readers initiative, legendary performer and long-time HBG author Julie Andrews will co-voice a message about the campaign to appear in a selection of
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Oct. 14 -- Hachette Book Group issued the following news release:
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Julie Andrews and Family Lend Voices to Hachette Book Group's Raising Readers Campaign
Accompanied by daughter Emma Walton Hamilton and granddaughter Hope Hamilton, Andrews will voice a Raising Readers message featured in select HBG children's audiobooks beginning Fall 2026.
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New York, NY (Oct. 13, 2026) -- As part of Hachette Book Group's (HBG) global Raising Readers initiative, legendary performer and long-time HBG author Julie Andrews will co-voice a message about the campaign to appear in a selection ofHBG audiobooks for readers ages 0-7.
The Raising Readers campaign aims to raise awareness about the alarming decline in children's reading for fun while providing individuals and families tools for developing and inspiring a lifelong reading habit. The centrality of family reading is reflected in the multi-generational message from Andrews, her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton, and her granddaughter Hope Hamilton.
Here's an excerpt from the audio message's script:
Julie A.: We believe there are few things more important than to find ways to enable more children to discover the joy of reading. Here are a few ways YOU can help raise readers:
Emma W. H.: Find 10 minutes a day for shared reading, even after a child can read independently.
Hope H.: Give kids a choice in what they read--let them find something they love!
Listen to the full recording here (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H-KYvsafTBKEIKSbk9xk2BRrzy-qSFZ2/view?usp=sharing).
Beginning Fall 2026, this message will appear at the end of select audio titles from HBG's children's imprints, including Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (publisher of 17 Andrews and Walton Hamilton collaborations, including The Very Fairy Princess series, The First Notes, and Waiting in the Wings); Running Press Kids, Union Square Kids, and Workman Kids. A Raising Readers call to action will also appear in the print editions of these and a wider list of books for children, marking an expansion of the larger campaign, which has to date focused on sharing the message via HBG's books for adults, including Andrews' two memoirs with Grand Central Publishing (GCP), Home and Home Work. Across HBG and Hachette UK, more than 12 million books include a message about the reading crisis and by the end of 2026, this number is expected to grow to more than 25 million books across more than 3,000 works.
"We are thrilled to support Hachette's Raising Readers campaign," Andrews said. "We can think of no better activity to support brain development and brain health than reading."
"And reading has a direct impact on how successful a child becomes, in school and in later life beyond," Emma Walton Hamilton added. "It is truly the golden ticket."
Megan Tingley, LBYR President & Publisher, expressed her excitement for Andrews' family's involvement in HBG's long-term campaign.
"We are deeply grateful to Julie, Emma, and Hope for lending their voices to Hachette's vital Raising Readers initiative. Shared family reading is at the core of developing a lifelong love of books, and there could be no better embodiment of that message than three generations of a family united by a passion for reading. And what a gift it is to have the iconic voice of Julie Andrews --who has enchanted generations from Mary Poppins and Maria von Trapp to Lady Whistledown-- helping to deliver the Raising Readers message."
For more information about Raising Readers, please visit www.JoinRaisingReaders.com.
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About the Narrators:
Julie Andrews' legendary career has encompassed the Broadway and London stages, as well as multiple films, television shows, album releases, concert tours, directing assignments, and the world of children's publishing. In 2000, the title of Dame Commander of the British Empire was bestowed upon her by Queen Elizabeth II for lifetime achievements in the arts and humanities. She was married to film director Blake Edwards for 41 years, and the couple has five children, ten grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She invites you to visit her online at @julieandrews on both Instagram and Twitter.
Emma Walton Hamilton is an award-winning writer, producer, and arts educator. Together with her mother, Julie Andrews, she has written more than 35 books for children and young adults, including the New York Times bestselling Very Fairy Princess series, Waiting in the Wings, and The First Notes: The Story of Do, Re, Mi. Her first book of poetry, Door to Door, was published in 2022. Emma is a longtime faculty member of Stony Brook University's MFA in Creative Writing and invites you to visit her online at @ewhamilton on both Instagram and Twitter.
Hope Hamilton is a freelance writer and journalist. Having recently received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Sarah Lawrence College, she is currently pursuing a master's in Comparative Literature from Northwestern with an eye toward a career in publishing.
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About Hachette Book Group:
Hachette Book Group (HBG) is a leading US general-interest book publisher made up of dozens of esteemed imprints within the publishing groups Basic Books Group; Grand Central Publishing Group; Hachette Audio; Little, Brown and Company; Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Orbit; and Workman Running Press Group. We also provide custom distribution, fulfillment, and sales services to other publishing companies.
Our books and authors have received the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, Caldecott Medal, Newbery Medal, Booker Prize, Nobel Peace Prize, and other major honors. We are committed to diversity in our company and our publishing programs, and to fostering a culture of inclusion for all our employees and authors.
We are proud to be part of Hachette Livre, the world's third-largest trade and educational publisher.
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Original text here: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/articles/julie-andrews-and-family-lend-voices-to-hachette-book-groups-raising-readers-campaign/
Dentons Canada Adds Powerhouse Employment and Labour Team, Strengthening Its Position as Leading Advisor to Employers
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 -- Dentons, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Dentons Canada adds powerhouse Employment and Labour team, strengthening its position as leading advisor to employers
October 13, 2026
Dentons, Canada's Global Law Firm, is pleased to welcome a powerhouse ten-lawyer Employment and Labour team led by partners Richard J. Charney, John Mastoras and Daniel McDonald. The team's combined experience across labour relations, employment and human rights litigation, workplace safety and executive employment matters, with particular strength in serving unionized and federally
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 -- Dentons, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Dentons Canada adds powerhouse Employment and Labour team, strengthening its position as leading advisor to employers
October 13, 2026
Dentons, Canada's Global Law Firm, is pleased to welcome a powerhouse ten-lawyer Employment and Labour team led by partners Richard J. Charney, John Mastoras and Daniel McDonald. The team's combined experience across labour relations, employment and human rights litigation, workplace safety and executive employment matters, with particular strength in serving unionized and federallyregulated employers, further deepens an already exceptional practice, cementing Dentons' position as a leading advisor to employers across Canada and internationally.
"The depth and momentum of our Employment and Labour practice is something we are genuinely proud of, and this expansion is a reflection of both," said Andy Pushalik, Leader of the National Employment and Labour group. "Across the country, employers are facing change on several fronts at once -- restructuring, trade pressure, evolving workplace expectations and an unpredictable labour relations environment. This team has spent their careers in exactly those moments, and our clients will feel the difference immediately."
Richard J. Charney is one of Canada's most recognized employer-side labour and employment lawyers, with decades of experience advising and representing boards, chief executives and management teams on their most sensitive workforce matters, from collective bargaining and labour disputes to executive employment and restructuring. He is trusted by institutional and federally regulated employers for judgment honed in the highest-stakes situations.
John Mastoras focuses on labour arbitration, labour board litigation and collective bargaining at the provincial and federal levels, including labour injunctions. He acts for employers across regulated and unionized environments, pairing courtroom and tribunal experience with a practical understanding of the operational realities behind each dispute.
Daniel McDonald advises employers on the full range of workplace matters, including occupational health and safety compliance and defence, collective bargaining and workplace policy development. Known for a proactive, business-minded approach, Daniel helps clients manage risk before it escalates and supports them when it does.
The broader team includes Jordan Winch, Samantha Cass and Nicole McLean as counsel, Josh Hoffman as senior associate, and Valerie Li and Brian Wood as associates, along with Bailey Pelletier, who joins as an associate in Ottawa. Sheila Tracey and Yma Swasey also join the Toronto office as members of our legal support team.
"The addition of this group to our already strong Employment and Labour practice creates a market-leading team to service our clients' full range of needs in human resources, labour relations, pensions, benefits and business immigration," said Blair McCreadie, Toronto Managing Partner. "When you combine this group's market strength and profile with our unmatched national and global platforms, you create something the very best talent wants to be part of. Rick, John and Dan bring a reputation built over decades, and that connects directly to work we are already doing for clients in Ontario and beyond."
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About the Employment and Labour group
Dentons has one of the largest and most experienced employment and labour teams of any global or international full-service law firm, advising organizations of every size -- unionized and non-unionized -- on the workplace issues that matter most to their business. The group's lawyers regularly appear before courts, boards and tribunals at every level, and are consistently recognized by Chambers Canada, Legal 500 and Best Lawyers in Canada.
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About Dentons
Redefining possibilities. Together, everywhere. For more information visit dentons.com
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Original text here: https://www.dentons.com/en/about-dentons/news-events-and-awards/news/2026/october/dentons-canada-adds-powerhouse-employment-and-labour-team-strengthening
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Accenture Acquires Sagacity Solutions to Scale AI-Driven Customer Intelligence Across Accenture Song's UK & Ireland Operations
NEW YORK, Oct. 14 -- Accenture, a global professional services company, presented the following news release:
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Accenture Acquires Sagacity Solutions to Scale AI-Driven Customer Intelligence Across Accenture Song's UK & Ireland Operations
Acquisition adds more than 140 specialists and expands Accenture Song's ability to help organizations improve service, loyalty and growth
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LONDON; Oct. 13, 2026 - Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has acquired Sagacity, a UK-based data and customer intelligence firm, strengthening Accenture Song's capacity to deliver AI-powered customer reinvention at scale. The
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Oct. 14 -- Accenture, a global professional services company, presented the following news release:
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Accenture Acquires Sagacity Solutions to Scale AI-Driven Customer Intelligence Across Accenture Song's UK & Ireland Operations
Acquisition adds more than 140 specialists and expands Accenture Song's ability to help organizations improve service, loyalty and growth
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LONDON; Oct. 13, 2026 - Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has acquired Sagacity, a UK-based data and customer intelligence firm, strengthening Accenture Song's capacity to deliver AI-powered customer reinvention at scale. Theacquisition directly addresses growing client demand to connect data, AI and operations infrastructure into unified, outcome-focused programs that drive measurable business results.
Founded in 2005 by Anita Dougall, Malka Townshend and Harry Dougall, and headquartered in London, Sagacity brings differentiated data assets, AI-enabled technology and deep customer intelligence expertise. Combined with Accenture's industry, technology and customer operations capabilities, these strengths will help organizations turn customer insight into more personalized, proactive experiences at scale, from strategy and design through implementation and operations.
This move reflects Accenture's strategy of using acquisitions to scale in high-growth areas and deepen industry-specific capabilities - in this case bringing together customer intelligence, AI and operational expertise at a scale that directly addresses how clients in industries with large customer bases and complex customer journeys, such as utilities, retail, banking and telecommunications, are looking to secure revenues and grow.
The addition of more than 140 professionals expands Accenture Song's UK and Ireland delivery capability across strategy, design, implementation and operations, enabling clients to move from customer insight to intelligent action faster and at greater scale than either organization could achieve independently.
"Our clients are increasingly looking to connect data, AI and operations to drive growth and reinvent customer experiences," said Sohel Aziz, senior managing director, Accenture Song, UK and Ireland. "Sagacity's deep expertise and outcome-focused approach will enhance our ability to help clients turn insight into action and achieve measurable results through intelligent customer operations. Together, we can help organizations move faster, make smarter decisions and create sustainable value."
"Joining Accenture represents an exciting opportunity to accelerate the impact of our people, data and technology," said Anita Dougall, CEO and co-founder of Sagacity. "By combining our expertise, data and know-how with Accenture's scale and innovation capabilities, we can help more organizations deliver meaningful business results."
Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
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Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "likely," "anticipates," "aspires," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates," "positioned," "outlook," "goal," "target," "strategy," and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance nor promises that goals or targets will be met, and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Many of the following risks, uncertainties and other factors identified below may be amplified by conflict in the Middle East, as well as any escalation or expansion of economic disruption or the conflict's current scope. These risks include, without limitation, risks that: the transaction might not achieve the anticipated benefits for Accenture; Accenture's results of operations have been, and may in the future be, adversely affected by volatile, negative or uncertain economic and geopolitical conditions and the effects of these conditions on the company's clients' businesses and levels of business activity; Accenture's business depends on generating and maintaining client demand for the company's solutions and services including through the adaptation and expansion of its solutions and services in response to ongoing changes in technology and offerings, and a significant reduction in such demand or an inability to respond to the evolving technological environment could materially affect the company's results of operations; risks and uncertainties related to the development and use of AI, including advanced AI, could harm the company's business, damage its reputation or give rise to legal or regulatory action; if Accenture is unable to match people and their skills with client demand around the world and attract and retain professionals with strong leadership skills, the company's business, the utilization rate of the company's professionals and the company's results of operations may be materially adversely affected; Accenture faces legal, reputational and financial risks from any failure to protect client and/or company data from security incidents or cyberattacks; the markets in which Accenture operates are highly competitive, and Accenture might not be able to compete effectively; if Accenture does not successfully manage and develop its relationships with its ecosystem partners or fails to anticipate and establish new alliances in new technologies, the company's results of operations could be adversely affected; Accenture's ability to attract and retain business and employees may depend on its reputation in the marketplace; Accenture's profitability could materially suffer due to pricing pressure, if the company is unable to remain competitive, if its cost-management strategies are unsuccessful or if it experiences delivery inefficiencies or fail to satisfy certain agreed-upon targets or specific service levels; changes in Accenture's level of taxes, as well as audits, investigations and tax proceedings, or changes in tax laws or in their interpretation or enforcement, could have a material adverse effect on the company's effective tax rate, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition; Accenture's results of operations could be materially adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; Accenture's debt obligations could adversely affect its business and financial condition; as a result of Accenture's geographically diverse operations and strategy to continue to grow in key markets around the world, the company is more susceptible to certain risks; if Accenture is unable to manage the organizational challenges associated with its size, the company might be unable to achieve its business objectives; Accenture might not be successful at acquiring, investing in or integrating businesses, entering into joint ventures or divesting businesses; Accenture's business could be materially adversely affected if the company incurs legal liability; Accenture's work with government clients exposes the company to additional risks inherent in the government contracting environment; Accenture's global operations expose the company to numerous and sometimes conflicting legal and regulatory requirements; if Accenture is unable to protect or enforce its intellectual property rights or if Accenture's solutions or services infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others or the company loses its ability to utilize the intellectual property of others, its business could be adversely affected; Accenture may be subject to criticism and negative publicity related to its incorporation in Ireland; as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the "Risk Factors" heading in Accenture plc's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this news release speak only as of the date they were made, and Accenture undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in Accenture's expectations.
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About Accenture
Accenture helps the world's leading enterprises reinvent by building their digital core and unleashing the power of AI to create value at speed for organizations across industries. Our strategy is to be the reinvention partner of choice for our clients and lead in the safe, widespread adoption of AI, and to be the most client-focused, AI-enabled, great place to work in the world. We bring together the talent of our approximately 814,000 people with proprietary assets and platforms, deep process and industry expertise, and leading ecosystem relationships to deliver end-to-end solutions and measurable outcomes at scale. Through our Reinvention Services, we offer broad expertise across Cybersecurity, Digital Core, Finance, Industry and Enterprise, Song, Supply Chain and Engineering, and Talent, with advanced capabilities in AI and Data, Industry and Process, and Technology. We serve approximately 9,000 clients and generated approximately $74 billion in FY26 revenue. Visit us at accenture.com.
Accenture Song accelerates growth and value for our clients through sustained customer relevance. Our capabilities span ideation to execution: growth, product and experience design; technology and experience platforms; creative, media and marketing strategy; and campaign, commerce transformation content and channel orchestration. With strong client relationships and deep industry expertise, we help our clients operate at the speed of life through the unlimited potential of imagination, technology and intelligence.
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Original text here: https://newsroom.accenture.com/news/2026/accenture-acquires-sagacity-solutions-to-scale-ai-driven-customer-intelligence-across-accenture-song-s-uk-ireland-operations
[Category: BizConsulting]
