Page 3

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews Launches 3rd Annual ‘Flags of Fellowship’ Campaign to Combat Anti-Semitism

0
International Fellowship of Christians and Jews logo

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews Launches 3rd Annual ‘Flags of Fellowship’ Campaign to Combat Anti-Semitism

PR Newswire

CHICAGO, July 21, 2026

Organization on track to secure 2,500 participating churches, synagogues and orgs worldwide to plant 3 million flags for annual remembrance events

CHICAGO, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) has announced the return of its annual Flags of Fellowship (FOF) campaign, a remembrance initiative marking the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, with memorial events scheduled at over 1,500 churches, universities, and synagogues worldwide in the week surrounding October 7. The Fellowship is on track to secure 2,500+ participants for this year’s campaign.

International Fellowship of Christians and Jews logo

Now in its third year, Flags of Fellowship is designed to honor the victims, hostages, heroes, and families affected by the attacks, and provide a meaningful way for Christians, congregations and community leaders to visually and vocally demonstrate their support for Israel during this time of unprecedented anti-Semitism worldwide.

Participating organizations will display fields of 1,200 mini Israeli flags on their grounds, each symbolizing not only a life lost on that horrific day, but also a bold act of solidarity and unwavering support for Israel. Many organizations will also hold dedicated FOF services/events to mark the third anniversary of the attacks.

International participation in the movement has also grown already this year, with strong response from churches throughout Latin America, Australia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and India, with more to come.

Last year, over 1,350 organizations throughout North America and 10 countries worldwide participated in the Flags of Fellowship campaign, resulting in over 1.5 million flags planted globally at local events, worship services, and community gatherings. Should the organization meet its goal of engaging 2,500+ organizations this year, that number will double to over 3 million flags planted.

“What began as a memorial initiative has become a global movement of light, unity and resilience,” said Yael Eckstein, President and Global CEO of The Fellowship. “Flags of Fellowship has become a powerful symbol of hope and strength, giving people a meaningful way to stand with Israel and speak out against the extreme rise in anti-Semitism we’ve seen since October 7.”

Churches, synagogues, universities and organizations worldwide are encouraged to enroll in the Flags of Fellowship campaign now through Sunday, September 13 at www.ifcj.org/fof.

Since the attacks of October 7, 2023, The Fellowship has committed over half a billion dollars in aid to support the ongoing emergency needs in Israel and continue providing assistance in its core program areas, including emergency food, water, equipment for first responders and security personnel, aliyah support for olim, and other needy populations impacted by the war and ongoing conflict.

To learn more about The Fellowship’s work, please visit http://www.ifcj.org.

About the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews

For more than 40 years, The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) has been the leading nonprofit building bridges between Christians and Jews, blessing Israel and the Jewish people around the world with humanitarian care and lifesaving aid. In 2024, The Fellowship helped more than 2 million people living in poverty, helped thousands make aliyah back to their homeland, Israel, and helped strengthen Israel’s security infrastructure. To learn more about The Fellowship’s work, visit www.ifcj.org.

About Yael Eckstein

Yael Eckstein is President and Global CEO of The Fellowship, one of the world’s largest religious charitable organizations, and is a respected Jewish leader, speaker, bestselling author, and an award-winning podcast host and humanitarian. A 2025 ‘Pillars of Jerusalem’ award recipient for her exceptional contributions to Israel’s public diplomacy, and The Jerusalem Post’s 2023 Humanitarian of the Year, Yael is a Chicago-area native based in Israel with her husband and their four children.

Media Contact: [email protected]

A family plants Israeli flags at World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro, Tenn. as part of the Flags of Fellowship event on Oct. 4, 2025. Over 1,350 churches, synagogues and organizations participated in the IFCJ-led campaign last year. Photo Credit: World Outreach Church.

SOURCE International Fellowship of Christians and Jews

Yerba Madre Appoints Steve Lesnard as Chief Executive Officer

0
Yerba Madre

Yerba Madre Appoints Steve Lesnard as Chief Executive Officer

PR Newswire

OAKLAND, Calif. and LOS ANGELES, July 20, 2026

Board member and veteran brand builder to lead the yerba mate category leader into its next phase of growth

OAKLAND, Calif. and LOS ANGELES, July 20, 2026 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Yerba Madre, the US category leader in yerba mate, is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Lesnard as Chief Executive Officer, effective July 20, 2026. Lesnard, who has served on the company’s Board of Directors, succeeds Ben Mand, who has led the company through a foundational period of operational transformation.

Yerba Madre

Yerba Madre’s organic, regeneratively grown mate offers a natural source of caffeine, and every can advances the company’s founding purpose: helping to restore the South American Atlantic Forest and supporting the harvesters and communities who steward it. 

Mand joined Yerba Madre to build the operational foundation the company needed at a critical stage of growth. Under Mand’s leadership, Yerba Madre strengthened the operational framework needed to support long-term growth. During his tenure, he led an overhaul of the company’s supply chain and co-manufacturing relationships, shifted the business from largely self-distribution to regional distribution partnerships, strengthened the company’s social impact commitments, shepherded the brand’s transition from Guayakí to Yerba Madre, and helped move the culture toward greater transparency and performance. The Board is grateful for Ben’s dedication and leadership. His work has set the foundation for the company and the brand to flourish. Mand will continue to support the company as an advisor to the Board of Directors, ensuring continuity as the company enters its next chapter.

With a stronger operating base and increasing consumer demand for better functional products, the company is entering a new era focused on accelerating brand awareness, expanding distribution and introducing more people to the culture and ritual of yerba mate. 

“We didn’t have to look far,” said Emily White, Chairman of the Board. “Steve has sat with us in the boardroom, he knows this business, and he believes in why we exist. He has spent his career building brands people love — and scaling them while preserving their authenticity. That is exactly the balance our brand requires.”

“Yerba Madre is a very special brand,” said Lesnard. “For over three decades, it has proven that a brand can deliver a superior product—made with purposefully sourced ingredients, including yerba mate harvested in harmony with nature – while simultaneously restoring ecosystems and supporting communities. That is an extraordinary foundation to build from.”

Lesnard brings more than two decades of brand and business-building experience. At Nike, he was pivotal in the development of the Women’s, Olympics, and Running categories, and helped bring to market some of the industry’s defining innovations, including Nike+, the LunarGlide, Nike React, and the Vaporfly. He went on to serve as Chief Marketing Officer and head of product creation at The North Face, Chief Brand Officer at Sephora, and President at Godiva. His deep understanding of the consumer, paired with a track record of building mission-driven brands, positions him well to lead Yerba Madre into this next chapter.

Yerba Madre also welcomes a new member to its Board, further strengthening the expertise guiding the company forward. Scott Miller is the co-founder and CEO of YESLY Water and brings extensive beverage and distribution experience from his time at Essentia, Keurig Dr Pepper, Tampico, and other leading brands.

About Yerba Madre
Yerba Madre—formerly Guayakí Yerba Mate—is the 30-year pioneer of regenerative yerba mate [yer-bah ma-tay] and the category leader in ready-to-drink mate beverages across North America. The name Yerba Madre is a tribute to Mother Earth and the ancestral wisdom of the Indigenous communities who have cultivated yerba mate for generations—a reflection of the values the brand has championed since day one.

Headquartered in Oakland and Los Angeles, California, Yerba Madre sources regenerative, organic, shade-grown yerba mate in direct partnership with 257 Indigenous and farmer families across Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Using its Market Driven Regeneration™ model, every purchase helps conserve and restore the Atlantic Forest, support fair trade premiums, and build long-term economic resilience for grower communities.

Yerba Madre is proudly the first yerba mate to be Regenerative Organic Certified® and the first company in South America to achieve ROC™ Gold status, marking a dual milestone in regenerative agriculture and ethical sourcing. This achievement affirms the brand’s leadership in regenerative business. The ROC™ seal debuted on Yerba Madre packaging for Traditional Air-Dried Loose Leaf and Mate Bags in May 2025.

As one of the original founding B Corps, Yerba Madre is committed to ethical business practices across ten key pillars, including climate action, living wages, circularity, and inclusion. Yerba Madre is available in over 45,000 retail locations across the U.S. and Canada. To learn more, visit www.YerbaMadre.com

SOURCE Yerba Madre

KIA ANNOUNCES PRICING FOR 2027 SPORTAGE HYBRID AND SPORTAGE PLUG-IN HYBRID

0
Kia Announces Pricing for 2027 Sportage Hybrid and Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

KIA ANNOUNCES PRICING FOR 2027 SPORTAGE HYBRID AND SPORTAGE PLUG-IN HYBRID

PR Newswire

IRVINE, Calif., July 20, 2026

  • Sportage Hybrid adds new front-wheel drive trims to enhance its appeal
  • Pricing starts at $30,5901 MSRP for Sportage Hybrid and $40,5901 MSRP for Sportage Plug-in Hybrid (plus $1,495 destination)

IRVINE, Calif., July 20, 2026 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Kia America is pleased to announce pricing for the 2027 Sportage turbo hybrid (HEV) and plug-in turbo hybrid (PHEV) models. New for the model year, Sportage HEV expands its offering with the addition of front-wheel drive (FWD) on S and EX trims to enhance its appeal in an evolving competitive market teeming with consumers who prioritize fuel efficiency along with upgraded daily comfort and class-up conveniences. It also now delivers a more accessible entry point for hybrid customers. Meanwhile, the Sportage PHEV, a strong contender in the small CUV plug-in hybrid market, returns for the 2027 model year unchanged.

Kia Announces Pricing for 2027 Sportage Hybrid and Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

In addition to Sportage HEV’s newfound FWD availability, a new Technology Package will be offered on HEV X-Line to further enhance its competitiveness. Similar to Sportage gas powered X-Line models, the HEV X-Line with Tech Package will include these popular features:

  • 360° Surround View2 and Blind-Spot View Monitor3
  • 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and Navigation
  • Harman-Kardon4 Premium Audio and driver’s memory seat
  • Parking Collision Avoidance Assist-Reverse5 and side parking sensors
  • Highway Drive Assist6 and LED fog lights

The 2027 Sportage HEV will now be dual sourced and will include assembly at the new HMGMA Metaplant in Savannah, Georgia. MSRP for the 2027 Sportage HEV and PHEV models is as follows:

Pricing – MSRP (excludes $1,495 destination)1

Sportage HEV LX FWD

$30,590

Sportage HEV S FWD

$31,290

Sportage HEV S AWD

$32,890

Sportage HEV EX FWD

$32,290

Sportage HEV EX AWD

$33,890

Sportage HEV X-Line AWD

$35,790

Sportage HEV SX-Prestige AWD

$40,690

Sportage PHEV X-Line AWD

$40,590

Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige AWD

$47,390

Click below for more information about the 2027 Sportage HEV model:

Click below for more information about the 2027 Sportage PHEV model:

Kia America – about us

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia America continues to top automotive quality surveys. Kia is recognized as one of the TIME World’s Most Sustainable Companies of 2026. Kia serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and WNBA and offers a range of gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles sold through a network of nearly 800 dealers in the U.S., including several SUVs proudly assembled in America*. 

For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert 

* The 2026 and 2027 all-electric EV6 and EV9 all-electric three-row SUV, Sportage (excluding PHEV model), Sorento (excludes HEV and PHEV models), and Telluride are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts. 

1 MSRP excludes destination and handling, taxes, title, license fees, options and retailer charges. Actual prices set by retailer and may vary.

2 When engaged, Surround View Monitor is not a substitute for safe driving and may not display all objects around vehicle. Always drive safely and use caution

3 When engaged, Blind-Spot View Monitor is not a substitute for safe driving and may not display all objects around vehicle. Always drive safely and use caution.

4 harman/kardon is a registered trademark of Harman International Industries, Inc.

5 When engaged, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist-Reverse is not a substitute for safe driving and may not detect all objects behind the vehicle. Always drive safely and use caution.

6 When engaged, Highway Driving Assist is not a substitute for safe driving, may not detect all objects surrounding the vehicle, and only functions on certain federal highways. Always drive safely and use caution.

 

Kia Announces Pricing for 2027 Sportage Hybrid and Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

SOURCE Kia America

“Strong Workforce, Healthier Communities” Campaign Addresses 80,000 Public Health Workforce Shortage

0
NATIONAL HISPANIC HEALTH FOUNDATION

“Strong Workforce, Healthier Communities” Campaign Addresses 80,000 Public Health Workforce Shortage

PR Newswire

WASHINGTON, July 20, 2026

WASHINGTON, July 20, 2026 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The National Hispanic Health Foundation (NHHF) today launched a CDC-backed recruitment and retention campaign, part of its Recruitment and Retention Public Health Program, aimed at closing a public health staffing gap that leaders say is already straining emergency response and basic services in communities nationwide.

NATIONAL HISPANIC HEALTH FOUNDATION

Strong Workforce, Healthier Communities will roll out first in four pilot markets, Los Angeles, Albuquerque, Phoenix, and Atlanta, testing outreach strategies NHHF plans to expand nationwide. State and local health departments need at least 80,000 additional full-time public health professionals to deliver core services, according to a 2021 analysis by the de Beaumont Foundation, and attrition is expected to widen that gap through 2030.

“We need to increase the next generation of public health leaders from our communities,” said Dr. Elena Rios, President of NHHF. “Through this campaign, we are investing in innovative tools and resources to inspire and recruit future public health professionals to serve the communities that need them most.”   

Guadalupe Pacheco, NHHF Program Director, underscored the urgency. “Across the country, our city, county, and state public health systems are stretched thin. Experienced staff are leaving faster than we can replace them, and too many young people never consider public health as a career because they don’t know opportunities exist or don’t see themselves represented in the profession. That gap is the single biggest threat to the progress we’ve made over the last decade.”

The campaign is part of NHHF’s Recruiting and Retaining a Public Health Workforce Program, a five-year cooperative agreement with the CDC that began in 2022.

The campaign provides recruitment and retention resources, digital career guides, webinars, and workforce development tools for students, professionals, and hiring officials. It also explores how emerging technologies, including AI, can be used responsibly to support recruitment and retention. NHHF continues to partner with national public health organizations to strengthen the workforce pipeline.

For more information about the Strong Workforce, Healthier Communities campaign, to access workforce resources, or to download the free toolkit, visit nationalhispanichealthfoundation.org/public-health-workforce-campaign.

Media Inquiries:
Lizette Olmos Godfrey
[email protected]
202-213-1293

About the National Hispanic Health Foundation
Founded in 1994, the National Hispanic Health Foundation (NHHF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to transform the healthcare system through leadership, research, and education to improve the health of Hispanics. 

SOURCE National Hispanic Health Foundation

If you purchased a home that was listed on a Multiple Listing Service in the United States, and a commission was paid to any brokerage as part of the transaction, you may be entitled to a cash payment from a class action settlement

0

If you purchased a home that was listed on a Multiple Listing Service in the United States, and a commission was paid to any brokerage as part of the transaction, you may be entitled to a cash payment from a class action settlement

PR Newswire

CHICAGO, July 17, 2026

CHICAGO, July 17, 2026 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — You may be eligible for a cash payment from a $120,334,500 class action settlement involving the National Association of REALTORS® (“NAR”) and a number of residential real estate brokerage companies (together, “Defendants”). A lawsuit entitled Tuccori et al. v. At World Properties, LLC et al., No. 1:24-cv-00150 (N.D. Ill.) asserts that the Defendants engaged in unlawful, anticompetitive conduct to raise, fix, and maintain real estate broker commissions at heightened amounts in violation of federal and state laws. The individuals who brought the lawsuit allege that the Defendants’ anticompetitive conduct harmed homebuyers by inflating home prices and reducing the quality of buyer-broker services. The Defendants deny having violated the law, and the Court has not decided who is right or wrong. The Parties have agreed to settle the legal claims in the lawsuit and avoid the uncertainties and costs of continuing the lawsuit.

Who is Included?

The Settlement includes all persons who (1) purchased a home that was listed on a Multiple Listing Service (“MLS”) anywhere in the United States (2) where a commission was paid to any brokerage in connection with the transaction (3) during the Class Periods, subject to certain exclusions. The date ranges for the Class Periods vary by state. Please visit www.homebuyersettlement.com to confirm whether you are a Settlement Class Member and are eligible to submit a claim.

Does this Settlement include home sellers?

No. There are different settlements that cover people who sold a home, even if they have also purchased a home. The home seller settlements were reached in other lawsuits such as Burnett et al. v. The Nat’l Ass’n of Realtors, No. 19-cv-00332 (W.D. Mo.) and Gibson et al. v. The Nat’l Ass’n of Realtors® et al., No. 4:23-cv-00788-SRB (W.D. Mo.). If you are a class member in one of the home seller settlements, you are excluded from the Settlement here and may not receive a payment from the Settlement.

What Does the Settlement Provide?

If you are a Settlement Class Member, you can submit a Claim online or by mail postmarked by October 27, 2026 for a Cash Payment from the $120,334,500 Global Settlement Fund.

At this time, it is not known how much each Settlement Class Member will receive or when payments will be made. The amount of each payment will depend on the number of valid claim forms, the number of properties purchased, and the amount of commissions paid in those transactions.

Other Options

Opt-Out postmarked by September 17, 2026. Submit an opt-out request if you do not want to be part of the Settlement Class. The Court will exclude Settlement Class Members who request to opt-out. The Long Form Notice on the Settlement Website explains how to opt-out. If you do not opt-out, you will be bound by the Settlement and any orders or judgments.

Object by September 17, 2026. You may object to the Settlement if you do not opt-out. The Long Form Notice on the Settlement Website explains how to object.

Do Nothing. You will not get a payment from the Settlement, and you will be bound by the Settlement and any orders or judgments.

Which real estate brokerages are named in the Settlement?

There are 25 residential real estate companies named in the Litigation that have agreed to the Settlement. For a full list, please visit https://homebuyersettlement.com/home/FAQ. Additionally, the Settlement releases all Released Claims that the Settlement Class members have against the NAR and its affiliates as well as the following entities provided they meet certain conditions, including that they agree to abide by certain practice changes: (i) NAR Members, Associate Members, and Member Boards that do not operate an unincorporated MLS; (ii) Realtor MLSs and non-Realtor MLSs, as described in the Opt-In Agreement; and (iii) real estate brokerages that have a REALTOR® as a Principal with membership in the NAR on the date of Class Notice and a Principal who was a Participant in any MLS during the Class Period, provided that they had not settled or been named as a defendant in any lawsuit or action alleging claims that share the same factual predicate as those asserted in the Litigation as of April 10, 2026.

When will the Settlement be approved?

On November 2, 2026, the Court will hold a final fairness hearing to decide whether to approve the Settlement, an award of attorneys’ fees to Class Counsel of up to one-third of the Global Settlement Fund plus costs, service awards, and any objections. The Court will also consider service award payments of up to $7,500 to each of the Class Representatives. You or your lawyer may ask to appear at the hearing if you’d like to, but you do not have to attend.

For more information, visit www.HomeBuyerSettlement.com or call toll-free 1-877-417-7662.