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SPORTS MARKETING REDESIGNED: YERBA MADRE ENTERS GLOBAL SPORTS ARENA WITH MAJOR SOCCER PARTNERSHIPS AND LAUNCH OF NEW ATHLETE COLLECTIVE

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Yerba Madre

Category leading mate beverage brand brings its 30-year track record of fueling connection and community to launch a new kind of purpose-driven sports marketing program

SEBASTOPOL, Calif. and VENICE, Calif., June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Yerba Madre™—formerly known as Guayakí Yerba Mate—is bringing its 30-year track record of fueling connection, energy and camaraderie on and off the field to launch a new kind of purpose-driven sports marketing program. This includes three major announcements: a Concacaf Gold Cup partnership, a multi-year title sponsorship with Vermont Green FC, and the launch of a new cross-sport athlete collective focusing on soccer, along with basketball, skateboarding, surfing, and BMX.

Yerba Madre

As the traditional beverage across South America, yerba mate has long been a ritual in soccer. Yerba Madre is now bringing that legacy to life in the U.S. by becoming the first yerba mate partner for pro soccer and creating values-aligned partnerships with athletes and clubs who are shaping the future of sports with purpose and authenticity.

This summer, Yerba Madre will be integrated as an official sponsor of the Concacaf Gold Cup, the region’s flagship men’s national team competition that takes place every two years and engages millions of fans. Through purpose-driven activations rooted in the shared ritual of yerba mate, Yerba Madre will invite fans into moments of connection, reflecting the same spirit that has long united players across South America’s soccer culture.

As an official partner, Yerba Madre will own “Extra Time “, showing up on substitution boards, stadium videoboards and live PA announcements. Additionally, the brand will receive field-level exposure to create fan experiences at participating stadiums and offer its beverages in iconic yellow cans in VIP suites.

The new partnership with Vermont Green FC, a USL club recognized nationally for its climate-forward mission and community leadership, also marks a bold step in Yerba Madre’s soccer journey. This announcement follows earlier club-level collaborations with LAFC and Angel City FC and signals the brand’s deepening commitment to soccer as both a global tradition and a platform for cultural change.

Alongside these partnerships, Yerba Madre is officially unveiling its new athlete roster—a collective of changemakers across multiple sports, each selected for their talent, voice, and alignment with the brand’s South American heritage and regenerative mission:

  • Madison Hammond (Angel City FC) – The first Indigenous player in the NWSL, using her platform to champion equity and representation in sport.
  • Casey Phair (Angel City FC) – The youngest player in World Cup history, inspiring a new generation with her global perspective and fearless presence.
  • Gui Santos (Golden State Warriors) – Brazilian NBA star representing the cultural bridge between mate and basketball.
  • Tristan Da Silva (Orlando Magic) – Tristan is excited to further explore his Brazilian heritage through this partnership and looks forward to supporting the company’s efforts surrounding positive environmental, cultural, and societal impact.
  • Jaden Hardy (Dallas Mavericks) – A standout G League graduate re-writing what it means to go pro on your own terms.
  • Mariah Duran (Skate) – A two-time Olympian in skateboarding, Mariah continues to push boundaries as a creator and mentor, while exploring how her platform can support the next generation and broader community impact.
  • Alex Midler (Skate) – One of the most versatile skaters in the game, Alex blends raw talent with street innovation and is beginning to explore how skate culture can play a role in purpose-driven change.
  • Beatrice Domond (Skate) – Breaking barriers as the first woman signed to Supreme and Fucking Awesome.
  • Cole Trotta (Downhill Skateboard) – A fearless downhill skater and content creator, Cole brings an authentic voice to his sport, using his platform to take skateboarding forward with purpose.
  • Luana Silva (Surf) – A Brazilian-Hawaiian surf prodigy blending heritage, heart, and wave-riding precision.
  • Jae Milez (BMX) – Jae is redefining urban BMX with his signature one-wheel style and creative street rides. A leader in NYC’s cycling community, he also organizes annual mental health ride-outs to uplift and support fellow riders.

With this expanded collective, Yerba Madre is creating a new model for sports marketing—one that prioritizes shared purpose over traditional promotion and reflects the brand’s long-standing commitment to cultural reverence, ecological regeneration, and community engagement.

“Yerba mate has fueled athletes across South America for generations. The values behind it—community, culture, and shared rituals—carry meaning far beyond the field,” said Emily Kortlang, Chief Marketing Officer at Yerba Madre. “As we bring the mate tradition into U.S. sports, we’re partnering with organizations and athletes who care about more than just visibility. They want shared purpose, and that’s exactly what we are building together.”

About Yerba Madre
Yerba Madre—formerly Guayakí Yerba Mate—is the nearly 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, meaning “Mother Herb,” 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 Sebastopol and Venice, California, Yerba Madre sources organic, shade-grown yerba mate in direct partnership with 255 family farmers and Indigenous communities across Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Using its Market Driven Regeneration™ model, every purchase helps reforest 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 – starting with its shade-grown yerba mate and setting a new global benchmark for soil health, biodiversity, and farmworker fairness. 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 and a founding member of the Purpose Pledge, Yerba Madre is committed to ethical business practices across ten key pillars, including climate positivity, 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.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2677460/5364510/Yerba_Madre_Logo.jpg

 

SOURCE Yerba Madre

Blue Shield of California Teams Up with Zocdoc to Simplify Appointment Scheduling Experience for Members

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The Zocdoc booking user interface

New scheduling feature embedded in Blue Shield’s “Find a doctor” tool helps members quickly access in-network care; more than 1 million hours of appointments available for online scheduling

OAKLAND, Calif., June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Blue Shield of California today announced a new collaboration with Zocdoc, America’s leading healthcare booking platform, to allow members to seamlessly schedule in-network, in-person and virtual care appointments directly on the nonprofit health plan’s online member portal.

Blue Shield of California teams up with Zocdoc to simplify the appointment scheduling experience for members

Blue Shield members can now see real-time availability of providers and easily access more than 1 million hours of bookable appointments available over a 90-day window. Available through the plan’s Find a doctor tool, this integration is Blue Shield’s latest effort to create high-quality, seamless experiences for members.

This marks the first time Zocdoc is working with a health plan to power scheduling for its online portal. The feature enables appointment booking from a single sign-on, available 24/7 for members seeking care from Blue Shield’s network of primary care, specialist, vision, dental, mental and behavioral health providers who are active in Zocdoc.

“As we continue to address healthcare access issues, making it easier and faster for our members to get connected to in-network care is absolutely essential,” said Jigar Shah, chief marketing and strategy officer at Blue Shield of California. “To make health care worthy of our family and friends, we must deliver best-in-class member experiences, and Blue Shield is leveraging digital tools to do exactly that. We are proud to work with Zocdoc on an important part of our strategy to improve access to care.”

Across all types of care, outdated scheduling systems have become a barrier to healthcare access. According to a Zocdoc-commissioned survey conducted earlier this year, more than half of patients who were unable to reach their doctor by phone admitted to delaying care (54%), while one in three admitted to giving up on scheduling a visit entirely (33%).

Digital tools can help address these barriers. According to a 2021 Press Ganey report, online scheduling for care appointments is preferred by 72% of Millennial and Gen Z survey respondents and 39% of Baby Boomers. Additionally, a 2023 report from Kyruus Health shows that 61% of consumers say the availability of online appointment scheduling is extremely or very important when choosing a new provider, service, or location for care.

“We know that patients rely on their health plans to find quality, in-network care, and we are proud to partner with Blue Shield of California to power a seamless experience that helps their members access the right providers for their needs,” said Oliver Kharraz, MD, Zocdoc founder and CEO. “This collaboration—a first of its kind for Zocdoc—is symbolic of our expansion beyond our marketplace; we are leveraging nearly 20 years of scheduling expertise to help patients easily book appointments wherever they are seeking care, to help providers connect with patients across more channels, and to help payors modernize their members’ access experience and care coordination.”

Blue Shield’s Find a doctor tool will help connect patients to care when they need it most, including simple access to mental and behavioral health appointments. Today, thousands of mental and behavioral healthcare practitioners are available to book through this collaboration. This is a critical resource for members looking to avoid an inefficient scheduling experience for counseling or other mental health support services.

Appointments are now available for members across all Blue Shield of California employer-sponsored plans, Individual and Family Plans, and Medicare plans. Blue Shield and Zocdoc will continue to add more in-network provider schedules for members to book quickly and seamlessly.

Blue Shield’s in-network providers who are interested in adding appointments to the system can visit this web page for more information. There is no cost to providers to participate and set-up is a simple, one-time activation. Zocdoc has built more than 175 calendar integrations with commonly used healthcare scheduling tools.

About Blue Shield of California
Blue Shield of California strives to create a healthcare system worthy of its family and friends that is sustainably affordable. The health plan is a taxpaying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Shield Association with 6 million members, over 7,500 employees and more than $27 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare healthcare service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $60 million to the Blue Shield of California Foundation in the last three years to have an impact on California communities. For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit news.blueshieldca.com.  Or follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook.

About Zocdoc
Zocdoc is the leading healthcare marketplace that aims to help every patient find and book every type of care. Each month, millions of patients visit Zocdoc.com or use the Zocdoc app to find quality, in-network doctors, see their real-time availability, and instantly book appointments for in-person or virtual care. Zocdoc doesn’t just make healthcare easier, it also accelerates patients’ access to care with the typical appointment happening within 24 to 72 hours of booking.

While Zocdoc’s mission is to give power to the patient, the company supports healthcare providers, too. Doctors across every state, specialty and segment —  from solo practitioners to large hospitals and health systems — rely on Zocdoc to grow their practice, at every stage. With Zocdoc, they can reach new patients where they’re seeking care, save staff time with tools that integrate into their practice software, and delight their patients through great experiences that keep them coming back. Overall, Zocdoc delivers the seamless, modern healthcare experience patients deserve.

CONTACT:     

Ashleigh Norris
Blue Shield of California
415-310-1091
[email protected]

 

The Zocdoc booking user interface

 

Blue Shield of California Logo

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Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2708119/appointment_booking_user_interface_image.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/810201/blue_jpg_Logo.jpg 

SOURCE Blue Shield of California

Vilore Foods Launches La Costeña® Tastemakers Challenge with Celebrity Chef Pati Jinich to Celebrate Mexican Flavor and Culinary Creativity

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Vilore Foods Logo

A launch pad for aspiring food content creators, the movement will inspire digital foodies and empower home chefs

SAN ANTONIO, June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Think you have what it takes to be the next big foodie influencer? Vilore Foods, a U.S. authority on distribution and brand builder of culturally connected food and beverage products, announced today the launch of the Tastemakers Challenge from its legacy brand La Costeña®, the go-to brand for authentic Mexican ingredients, like beans, peppers, salsa, and more. This exciting recipe competition and movement invites home chefs and food enthusiasts to showcase unique recipes using La Costeña® products and the brand’s signature bold flavors, with entries judged by a panel including celebrity chef Pati Jinich, the James Beard Award-winning host of “Pati’s Mexican Table,” “La Frontera with Pati Jinich,” and “Pati Jinich Explores Panamericana.”

The event was inaugurated on May 20 in Madrid with the “Dinner for Freedom”, an evening that marked the beginning of three days of idea exchange and proposal analysis. In his speech, Gutiérrez warned about the advance of populism and authoritarianism in Latin America and called for restoring trust in politics through integrity. He also evoked the moral and intellectual legacy of Mario Vargas Llosa in upholding the values of freedom and democracy across Ibero-America.

The following day, at the historic Ateneo de Madrid, Gutiérrez took part in the events organized by the Liberty and Democracy Group and the International Foundation for Freedom. There, he highlighted the shared commitment to building a free, institutional, and pluralistic Ibero-America. “We need to promote liberal principles in the face of ideological confusion affecting both the elites and the citizenry,” Gutiérrez told an audience of former presidents, lawmakers, writers, and scholars.

The summit’s central session took place on May 22 at the Teatro Campoamor in Oviedo, where Gutiérrez officially opened the 6th Citizen Convention before an audience of 1,300 attendees and two dozen media outlets.

In his speech in Oviedo, Gutiérrez was emphatic: “Freedom is a wounded word in Latin America. We live under the false freedom of despots, who distort it, manipulate it, and turn it into an instrument of subjugation.” In response to this decline, he announced the creation of the Permanent Academic Forum, a space to debate ideas and turn them into concrete proposals for the region.

To close the 6th Citizen Convention, a special tribute to Ibero-American migration was held at the Archivo de Indianos and Museo de la Emigración in Colombres, Asturias. There, Dionisio Gutiérrez raised the flag of Guatemala as a symbol of the historic bond between both sides of the Atlantic.

The event honored the memory of Ibero-American migrants as builders of identity and freedom—an emotional finale that reaffirmed the Encuentro’s spirit of integration.

For more information, please visit our website or write to [email protected] 

SOURCE Fundación Libertad y Desarrollo

Mazda Reports May Sales Results

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Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com.

IRVINE, Calif., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported total May sales of 28,937 vehicles, a decrease of 18.6 percent compared to May 2024. Year-to-date sales totaled 176,913 vehicles sold; an increase of 6.1 percent compared to the same time last year. With 27 selling days in May, compared to 26 the year prior, the company posted a decrease of 21.6 percent on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com.

CPO sales totaled 6,782 vehicles in May, an increase of 1 percent compared to May 2024.

May 2025 sales highlights include:

  • Best-ever May sales of CX-70 with 1,065 vehicles sold.
  • 2nd-best May CPO sales with 6,782 vehicles sold.

Mazda Canada, Inc., (MCI) reported May sales of 7,946 vehicles, an increase of 15 percent compared to May last year. Year-to-date sales totaled 32,830 vehicles sold; an increase of 24 percent compared to the same time last year.

Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported May sales of 8,671 vehicles, an increase of 9 percent compared to last year. Year-to-date sales totaled 42,783 vehicles sold; an increase of 21 percent compared to the same time last year.

About Mazda North American Operations
Proudly founded in Hiroshima, Japan, Mazda has a history of sophisticated craftsmanship and innovation, and a purpose to enrich life-in-motion for those it serves. By putting humans at the center of everything it does, Mazda aspires to create uplifting experiences with our vehicles and for people. Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Colombia through approximately 795 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada Inc. in Richmond Hill, Ontario; operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City; and operations in Colombia are managed by Mazda de Colombia in Bogota, Colombia. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at news.mazdausa.com.

Follow @MazdaUSA on social media: Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and Threads.

Month-To-Date

Year-To-Date

May

May

YOY %

% MTD

May

May

YOY %

% MTD

2025

2024

Change

DSR

2025

2024

Change

DSR

Mazda3

2,453

2,658

(7.7) %

(11.1) %

15,040

15,157

(0.8) %

(0.8) %

Mazda 3 Sdn

1,670

1,622

3.0 %

(0.9) %

10753

8,586

25.2 %

25.2 %

Mazda 3 HB

783

1,036

(24.4) %

(27.2) %

4287

6,571

(34.8) %

(34.8) %

Mazda6

0

0

–

–

0

0

–

–

MX-5 Miata

355

956

(62.9) %

(64.2) %

3,528

3,228

9.3 %

9.3 %

MX-5

193

468

(58.8) %

(60.3) %

1761

1,293

36.2 %

36.2 %

MXR

162

488

(66.8) %

(68.0) %

1767

1,935

(8.7) %

(8.7) %

CX-3

–

0

–

–

–

0

–

–

CX-30

4,329

8,305

(47.9) %

(49.8) %

31622

44,450

(28.9) %

(28.9) %

CX-5

9,501

12,600

(24.6) %

(27.4) %

56501

58,094

(2.7) %

(2.7) %

CX-9

–

1

–

–

–

4

–

–

CX-50 TTL

7,188

6,307

14.0 %

9.7 %

38,243

27,399

39.6 %

39.6 %

MX-30

0

0

–

–

–

0

–

–

CX-70 TTL

1,065

136

683.1 %

654.1 %

7378

181

3976.2 %

–

CX-90 TTL

4,046

4,599

(12.0) %

(15.3) %

24601

18277

34.6 %

34.6 %

CARS

2,808

3,614

(22.3) %

(25.2) %

18,568

18,385

1.0 %

1.0 %

TRUCKS

26,129

31,948

(18.2) %

(21.2) %

158,345

148,405

6.7 %

6.7 %

TOTAL

28,937

35,562

(18.6) %

(21.6) %

176,913

166,790

6.1 %

6.1 %

*Selling Days

27

26

128

128

 

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/53154/mazda_north_american_operations_logo.jpg

SOURCE Mazda North American Operations

KIA AMERICA POSTS EIGHTH CONSECUTIVE MONTH OF YEAR-OVER-YEAR SALES GROWTH

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KIA AMERICA POSTS EIGHTH CONSECUTIVE MONTH OF YEAR-OVER-YEAR SALES GROWTH
  • 79,007 units sold in May, a 5-percent increase compared to previous year
  • Best-ever May performances for Telluride, Sportage, Carnival, and K4
  • 2026 EV9 Nightfall Edition and EV9 GT-Line with two-tone roof now available in showrooms

IRVINE, Calif., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Kia America delivered 79,007 total units in May – up 5-percent over the same period last year – and extended the fast-growing brand’s streak of consecutive months of year-over-year sales growth to eight. Retail sales at Kia dealerships increased by 8-percent over May 2024 and are up 15-percent year-to-date, reinforcing the company’s continuous growth trajectory in the marketplace.

KIA AMERICA POSTS EIGHTH CONSECUTIVE MONTH OF YEAR-OVER-YEAR SALES GROWTH

The Carnival MPV, which introduced a new hybrid model last year, saw a significant sales increase of 68-percent year-over-year. Additionally, popular SUV models such as Telluride (+12-percent) and Sportage (+10-percent), along with the sporty K4 sedan (+4-percent), all achieved their highest-ever May sales.

“As the second half of the year approaches, Kia’s market competitiveness continues to strengthen with eight consecutive months of sales growth. Kia’s diverse powertrain lineup, including ICE, hybrids, and EVs, coupled with the strong and sustained customer interest in the brand’s Telluride, Sportage, Carnival MPV, and K4 models have been some of the key drivers of the company’s continued sales growth,” said Eric Watson, vice president, sales operations, Kia America. “And we anticipate this growth trajectory will continue with the 2026 EV9 Nightfall Edition and EV9 GT-Line with two-tone roof now available in showrooms nationwide. With new design elements – including a new two-tone roof, as well as enhancements in driving range and performance – the upgraded EV9 Nightfall Edition and the EV9 GT-Line with two-tone roof are set to better meet the expectations of customers looking for a three-row, all-electric SUV.”

In addition to the monthly sales performance, Kia America announced several initiatives, including:

  • Kia America announced through its “Accelerate the Good” Dealer Match program, the company and its nationwide network of retailers raised a total of $4.6 million for non-profit organizations in 2024, including donations totaling more than $1.5 million each to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® and No Kid Hungry®. Now in its fourth year, the initiative continues to provide critical support for a wide variety of causes across the United States.
  • The 2025 Kia Sportage Hybrid has been recognized in Cars.com’s list of Best Hybrids for the Money, taking the win in the Compact SUV category. This latest accolade marks the second consecutive year the Sportage Hybrid has been recognized.
  • The Kia K4 sedan has been named a 2025 Wards 10 Best Interiors & UX award winner. The annual Wards 10 Best Interiors & UX competition evaluates new or heavily redesigned vehicle interiors and user-experience technology, with scoring based on a variety of metrics including design and aesthetics, comfort, materials, fit-and-finish, connectivity and infotainment, displays and controls, as well as advanced driver assist systems and value. For the 2025 awards, 34 vehicles were evaluated.

MONTH OF MAY

MAY YTD

Model

2025

2024

2025

2024

EV9

37

2187

4,016

7766

EV6

801

2,660

5,190

8,770

K4/Forte

13,870

13,132

63,970

59,115

K5

6,957

1,950

28,951

9,036

Soul

5,043

5,740

21,389

23,900

Niro

2,354

4,215

9,820

14,721

Seltos

5,254

6,460

20,677

26,915

Sportage

17,063

15,512

74,536

66,537

Sorento

9,093

8,826

43,888

39,738

Telluride

11,560

10,315

52,267

44,842

Carnival

6,975

4,151

27,952

17,277

Total

79,007

75,156

352,656

320,531

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 2024. 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 cars and 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 

* Select trims of the 2025 all-electric EV6 and EV9 all-electric three-row SUV, Sportage (excludes HEV and PHEV models), Sorento (excludes HEV and PHEV models), and Telluride are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts. 

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SOURCE Kia America

TEN STUDENTS AWARDED NATIONAL CARL’S JR. SCHOLARSHIP

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2025 Carl N. and Margaret Karcher Founder's Scholarship

Selected for their stories and accomplishments, each student will receive $10,000 toward higher education

FRANKLIN, Tenn., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Carl’s Jr.® announced today that ten students from around the country have been selected as Carl N. and Margaret Karcher Founder’s Scholarship recipients.

2025 Carl N. and Margaret Karcher Founder's Scholarship

Every year, on behalf of founders Carl and Margaret Karcher, Carl’s Jr. awards $100,000 in scholarships to 10 outstanding individuals who have excelled academically, demonstrated leadership in extracurriculars and their communities and have financial need in pursuing higher education. Since 1998, Carl’s Jr. has granted more than $1.5 million in scholarships to 1,000-plus deserving students.

Open to first-time college freshmen in states with Carl’s Jr. locations, this year saw recipients hailing from California, Oregon, Texas and Nevada, and included a Carl’s Jr. restaurant team member.

“Since our inception, Carl’s Jr. has been committed to supporting the aspirations of those in the communities where we live and work,” said Blake Devillier, Carl’s Jr. Brand President. “This year’s recipients not only shine in the classroom, but they also show true dedication to supporting their communities. We are honored to provide this assistance to kick start the journey to each of their bright futures.”

Congratulations to the following recipients on their award for the 2025-2026 school year

  • Adam Badawia – University High School, CA
  • Ameen Kandathil – Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School, CA
  • Celerina Lee – Sunny Hills High School, CA
  • Daniel Cuz – PSJA Memorial High School, TX
  • Eduardo Murillo Reyes, SOAR High School, CA – Carl’s Jr. Team Member
  • Ivan Sun – Ed W. Clark High School, NV
  • Mercedes Rodriguez – La Salle Catholic College Preparatory, OR
  • Sangeet Satpathy – Henry M. Gunn High School, CA
  • Santiago Preciado Cruz – Life Academy High School of Health and Bioscience, CA
  • Sophie Garcia – San Pedro Senior High School, CA

Twitter: @carlsjr 
Instagram: @carlsjr 
TikTok: @carlsjrofficial 
YouTube: @carlsjr 
Facebook: facebook.com/carlsjr 

About Carl’s Jr.
Carl’s Jr.® is famous around the world for big, audacious, impossible-to-ignore flavors inspired by its California roots. For a bold move, guests have ordered items like over-the-top, juicy charbroiled burger creations, Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders™, Hand-Scooped Ice-Cream Shakes™ and indulgent breakfast burgers for more than 80 years. Together with its Franchisees, Carl’s Jr. operates more than 1,000 restaurants across the U.S. and has a presence in 24 countries worldwide. Learn more at www.carlsjr.com.

About CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.
CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc., a privately held company based in Franklin, Tennessee, runs and operates Carl’s Jr.® and Hardee’s® restaurants, two beloved brands, known for premium and innovative menu items such as iconic charbroiled burgers, Made from Scratch™ Biscuits and Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders™. With both a U.S. and international footprint, Carl’s Jr. Restaurants LLC and Hardee’s Restaurants LLC have more than 3,600 franchised or company-operated restaurants domestically and more than 35 international markets and U.S. territories. For more information about CKE, please visit www.ckr.com or its brand sites at www.carlsjr.com and www.hardees.com.

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SOURCE CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.

If you lived or worked in Northern California and paid any portion of premiums for health insurance from Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Health Net or United Healthcare at any time from January 1, 2011 through March 8, 2021, you may be eligible for a payment in a $228.5 million class action settlement

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SEATTLE, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — JND Legal Administration

A proposed settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit called Sidibe, et al. v. Sutter Health, No. 3:12-cv-4854-LB (N.D. Cal.).

What is the lawsuit about?  The Plaintiffs claim that Sutter Health broke the law by including unfair terms in its contracts with insurance plans. The Plaintiffs claim that these terms caused insurance plans in certain parts of Northern California to overpay for hospital services, which resulted in higher premiums for individuals and businesses. Sutter Health denies any wrongdoing. The Court didn’t decide who is right. Instead, the parties agreed to a settlement to avoid more litigation.

Am I included in the Settlement?  You may be eligible to receive a payment if all these statements are true:

  • You paid premiums for a fully-insured health plan from Aetna, Anthem, Blue Shield, Health Net or United Healthcare.
  • You paid these premiums sometime between January 1, 2011, and March 8, 2021.
  • While paying these premiums, you lived or worked in one of these California counties OR you were an employer with an office in one of these California counties: Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Marin, Mendocino, Merced, Modoc, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tuolumne, Yolo, or Yuba.

For more details about who is eligible visit SutterHealthPremiumLawsuit.com.

What can I get from the Settlement?  Class Members who file a valid claim by September 12, 2025 may get a cash payment.

If the Settlement is approved, Class Members who file a valid claim by September 12, 2025 may get a cash payment. The Settlement creates a $228.5 million Settlement Fund. After payment for the cost to administer the Settlement, attorneys’ fees (not to exceed 33% of the Settlement Fund), reimbursement of litigation expenses, and service award payments to Plaintiffs in an amount not to exceed $20,000 for the three Plaintiffs who testified at trial and $15,000 for the other three Plaintiffs, the remaining Settlement Fund will be distributed to eligible Class Members pursuant to the Plan of Distribution. Details are in the Settlement Agreement, the Class Notice, and the Plan of Distribution available at SutterHealthPremiumLawsuit.com.

How do I request a payment?  To request a payment, submit a claim online at SutterHealthPremiumLawsuit.com or mail your claim to Sutter Health Premium Overpayment Settlement, c/o JND Legal Administration, P.O. Box 91350, Seattle, WA 98111. Your claim must be submitted online or postmarked no later than September 12, 2025.

You can get a printed claim form at SutterHealthPremiumLawsuit.com or by calling 1-833-961-3465.

What are my other options?  Class Members were previously given the opportunity to be excluded or “opt-out” from the Class.

  • If you didn’t ask to be excluded from the Class, you are a Class Member. You are bound by the Settlement and don’t have an option to seek exclusion at this time. You have the right to file a claim and the right to object to the Settlement. For details on how to object, go to SutterHealthPremiumLawsuit.com. You can also call 1-833-961-3465. Objections must be postmarked by August 28, 2025.
  • If you asked to be excluded from the Class by the opt-out deadline of March 8, 2021, then you aren’t a Class Member. You don’t have the right to file a claim or to object to the Settlement.

The Fairness Hearing. The Court will hold a Fairness Hearing on November 6, 2025 to consider whether the Settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate. The Court will also decide whether to approve attorneys’ fees, legal expenses, administrative costs, and service award payments, which will be paid from the Settlement Fund. If there are objections, the Court will consider them. The Court cannot alter the terms of the Settlement without the consent of the parties. If the Court denies approval, no Settlement payments will be sent.

If you wish, you may ask to appear at the Fairness Hearing, on your own behalf or through your counsel. The Court has appointed Class Counsel to represent you and the other Class Members.

The date and time of the hearing may change. Check SutterHealthPremiumLawsuit.com for updates.

Questions?  

Court documents may also be examined and copied at any time during regular office hours at the office of the Clerk of the Court, United States District Court for the Northern District of California, San Francisco Division, 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102-3489.

SOURCE JND Legal Administration

The Salvation Army Honors Veterans During 87th National Donut Day Celebrations

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“Cake Boss” Buddy Valastro Teams Up With The Salvation Army for National Donut Day Celebration

ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — This Friday, June 6, marks the 87th annual National Donut Day, an extra sweet holiday celebrated across the nation on the first Friday of every June. Established by The Salvation Army, the tradition was created to honor the organization’s volunteers — known as “Donut Lassies” — who provided care and served donuts to soldiers during World War I. Today, National Donut Day remains a time to reflect on the Donut Lassies’ selfless acts of service and a time to recognize veterans’ bravery.

Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/the-salvation-army/9338351-en-the-salvation-army-honors-veterans-during-87th-national-donut-day 

To celebrate this year’s National Donut Day, The Salvation Army is teaming up with celebrity chef and baker Buddy Valastro — star of the former hit series “Cake Boss” and owner of Carlo’s Bakery. Through this partnership, Valastro will pay tribute to veterans by raising awareness about the history of the holiday and distributing donuts at a Veterans Affairs hospital in New York City. For added sweetness and to recognize his work with The Salvation Army this National Donut Day, Valastro will debut donuts at three of his New York-area bakeries, with a full rollout planned for this fall.

“I’m very excited to be with The Salvation Army this Donut Day and use my passion for baking to honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans — including my own brother-in-law, Joe Faugno,” said Valastro. “The strength and commitment of Joe and the millions of American veterans like him truly inspire me, and I admire the work The Salvation Army does to support them and their families.”

Additionally, to honor this historic day, The Salvation Army is organizing events in local communities, including:

  • Aurora, Colorado — The Salvation Army will distribute donuts at the VA Hospital and to the Aurora Police Department.
  • Dallas, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys will join The Salvation Army to distribute donuts to local veterans at Carr P. Collins Social Service Center, the largest Salvation Army multiuse facility in North Texas.
  • Evansville, Indiana — The Evansville Wartime Museum is hosting a special exhibit from The Salvation Army Central Territory Museum about the Donut Lassies, available for the community to view through June 16.
  • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — The Salvation Army will partner with Giant Eagle stores for donut deals and giveaways. Additionally, Pittsburgh McDonald’s Owner Operators, in partnership with Krispy Kreme, will provide donuts and McCafé® coffee to veterans and staff at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System.
  • San Diego, California — BakeMark is partnering with The Salvation Army to host its annual Donut Festival aboard the historic USS Midway Museum.
  • Santa Monica, California — With support from Lionsgate, The Salvation Army will host a pop-up event on the Promenade, distributing donuts, mini donut squishes, keychains, and more.
  • Washington, D.C. — The Salvation Army and BakeMark will host the National Donut Day World Donut Eating Championship.

The history behind National Donut Day dates back to 1917, when Salvation Army volunteer officers traveled to France to set up field bases near the front lines of World War I. In makeshift huts, these officers, who became known as Donut Lassies, provided soldiers with vital supplies, spiritual and emotional support, and, of course, freshly fried donuts. These sweet treats became a symbol of comfort and a morale booster for soldiers, and the Donut Lassies are often credited with popularizing the donut in the United States when the troops returned home. The Salvation Army of Chicago created the holiday in 1938 as a way to recognize the work the Donut Lassies did and to raise funds to help those in need during the Great Depression.

National Donut Day is a time to remember the lasting impact of a unique piece of history and to honor the heroic men and women who have served our country,” said Commissioner Merle Heatwole, national commander of The Salvation Army. “Their courage and dedication to serving others reflect the heart of our mission and continue to inspire the work we do every day in communities across the country.”

To join The Salvation Army in celebrating National Donut Day, to learn more facts, or to view the Donut Lassies’ original recipe, visit https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/national-donut-day/.

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 27 million people in America overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships by preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and meeting human needs in His name without discrimination in nearly every ZIP code. By providing food, shelter, eviction prevention assistance, emergency disaster relief, rehabilitation, after-school and summer youth programs, spiritual enrichment, and more, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 6,400 centers of operation around the country. For more information, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org.

Contact
Name: Lindsey Logan
Cell: 512-769-5673
Email: [email protected]

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SOURCE The Salvation Army

Monster Jam®’s El Toro Loco Truck and ThunderROARus drivers, Armando Castro and Colt Stephens, to appear at Exclusive Preview of Northern Tool + Equipment’s Tools for the Trades™ Monster Jam Mini Build

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Northern Tool + Equipment

First 200 attendees will get a 5-gallon Northern Tool Bucket

BUDA, Texas, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Northern Tool + Equipment welcomes Monster Jam®’s El Toro Loco Driver Armando Castro to their Buda, TX store on Thursday, June 5th, to meet with fans and customers and sign autographs from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. At 2:30, both drivers will join fans to cheer on the exclusive preview of Northern Tool + Equipment’s Tools of the Trades™ Monster Jam® Mini Build.

Northern Tool + Equipment

The build is a one-third scale monster truck built by Bryan High School career and technical education students, and it will be on display for customers to see up close. The truck will then be officially revealed on the track on Saturday, June 7th, at the Moody Center in Austin during the Monster Jam event.

Monster Jam’s ThunderROARus Driver Colt Stephens will be at the exclusive preview event, having also helped mentor the students through the build and get them excited for the official reveal in Austin.

“I remember the first time I entered the Monster Jam track — I felt like a gladiator,” said Stephens. “I can’t wait for the students that have worked so hard this whole year to have their own moment stepping out on the track to the sound of thousands of people cheering for them.”

Here’s a quick video trailer highlighting the incredible year-long project.

The build is part of Northern Tool + Equipment’s Tools for the Trades™ program, designed to ignite a passion for trades careers with the next generation through donations of tools, equipment and unique experiences like working with Castro and several other Monster Jam crew members on this project.

“This is an exciting opportunity for our Buda and Austin-area customers to meet two Monster Jam legends, get a deal on Father’s Day shopping and see how our Tools for the Trades™ program is directly impacting their community,” said Wade Kotula, CEO of Northern Tool + Equipment. “This is definitely something you won’t want to miss.”

The first 200 attendees will also get a free 5-gallon bucket that Castro can sign.

About Northern Tool + Equipment:
Northern Tool + Equipment is a family-owned company serving DIYers and trades professionals tackling the tough projects. A leading supplier of 100,000+ high-quality tools and equipment for over 40 years, the company’s highly-trained team has an immense breadth of knowledge to help customers at more than 130 retail stores, online and over the phone through their contact center. From helping customers get the right tool for the job to parts and service repairs to keep tools in peak performance, customer service is at the foundation of Northern Tool’s mission. Learn more at NorthernTool.com. Stay connected through social media: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (Twitter), YouTube and Pinterest.

Media Contact: Holly Steffl
Phone Number: 612.351.8312
Email: [email protected]
Website: northerntool.com