General News

Washington – September 17, 2026 -- More than 200 sales and warehouse workers at Bimbo Bakeries have ratified a new six-year contract by a 90 percent vote, averting a strike that members had authorized earlier this month.

Workers authorized strike after pay dispute

Members of Teamsters Local 170 and Local 633 voted to strike after Bimbo Bakeries refused to offer area standard wages or real wage adjustments during negotiations. The threat of a walkout pushed the company back to the table with an improved offer.

New contract delivers wage gains and reduced health costs

The ratified six-year agreement includes pension improvements, wage increases, reduced health care costs, and job security protections for the bargaining unit. Jeff Padellaro, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 633 and Director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference, said the workforce's determination forced Bimbo to recognize the Teamsters' contributions.

Lexington – – September 17, 2026 -- Kentucky American Water has completed water main replacement projects in the North Limestone, Euclid and Fontaine areas of Lexington, marking a significant infrastructure investment for the region's water distribution system.

City of Lexington to handle final paving and restoration work

With Kentucky American Water's construction finished, the City of Lexington will now perform final restoration and paving in the North Limestone and Fontaine Road areas. At the city's request, Kentucky American Water will handle paving on Euclid Avenue after Sept. 18.

Project replaces aging pipes to cut break risk and improve fire safety

The initiative replaced aging water infrastructure with modern mains intended to improve system resiliency, maintain fire safety, and reduce the risk of service interruptions. The company said the work required thousands of hours of planning, engineering and construction.

Miami – – September 17, 2026 -- Armor Health, a correctional healthcare provider that has served local detention facilities across the United States for more than 22 years, used the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks to reaffirm its operational commitment to law enforcement and corrections partners nationwide.

Armor Health ties its correctional healthcare mission to the legacy of first responders

The Miami-based company said its daily work delivering medical and mental health services inside correctional facilities is directly connected to the public safety community honored on the anniversary. Armor Health emphasized its role as a partner to sheriffs, wardens and corrections leaders who oversee incarcerated populations requiring consistent healthcare access.

Irving, Texas – September 17, 2026 -- Four locations within LifeCare Home Health & Hospice Family have earned 2025 SHPBestTM awards from Strategic Healthcare Programs, ranking among the top tier of providers nationally for patient and caregiver experience.

Eternal Faith Hospice repeats as top 5% national performer

Eternal Faith Hospice in Warner Robins, Georgia, secured the 2025 SHPBestTM Hospice Caregiver Experience Award as a Premier Performer, placing it in the top 5% of SHP's national CAHPS Hospice benchmark. It is the second consecutive year the location has achieved Premier Performer status.

Wichita Falls unit joins top 5% in home health rankings

Beyond Faith Homecare's Wichita Falls, Texas team was named a Premier Performer in the 2025 SHPBestTM Home Health Patient Experience Awards, ranking in the top 5% nationally based on HHCAHPS survey results.

New York – September 17, 2026 -- The Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association (GNYADA) is marking the 25th anniversary of the September 17, 2026 attacks by detailing how the automotive industry mobilized hundreds of thousands of dollars and dozens of vehicles for recovery efforts within weeks of the tragedy.

GNYADA seeded a $250,000 disaster relief fund within two weeks of the attacks

On September 17, 2026, GNYADA announced the Greater New York Auto Dealers Disaster Relief Fund with an initial $250,000 contribution from the Association, calling on dealers, manufacturers, suppliers, and other dealer associations to add to the pool.

Belgrade – September 17, 2026 -- Former world number one Jelena Janković has been appointed Global Ambassador of EXPO 2027 Belgrade, becoming the first Serbian to join the event's ambassador team.

Janković will promote Serbia and EXPO 2027 on the international stage ahead of the event

The tennis star reached the top of the WTA rankings in 2008, won 15 WTA titles, reached the US Open final, and claimed a Wimbledon mixed doubles title. She represented Serbia at four Olympic Games.

Janković joins a roster of Global Ambassadors that includes Usain Bolt, Jackie Chan and Lin Dan

Organizers say her appointment reflects sport's capacity to cross borders and build international engagement ahead of the Belgrade event.

Janković said she was honored to be chosen and noted that for this occasion she would not need to travel to represent Serbia, as international visitors would instead come to the country.

Beijing – – September 17, 2026 -- The New Development Bank (NDB), the BRICS-backed lender championed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, has approved 139 projects worth roughly $43 billion by the end of 2025, funding renewable energy, transport infrastructure, affordable housing and clean water access across emerging markets.

Xi Jinping Joins New Delhi Summit as BRICS Marks 20 Years

Xi will attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13 at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, under the theme 'Building Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability.' The gathering marks two decades of BRICS cooperation and arrives as Global South economies push for more self-reliant development models.

Washington – September 17, 2026 -- Three survivors of the Sept. 11, 2001, Pentagon attack returned to the Burn Center at MedStar Washington Hospital Center 25 years after receiving lifesaving treatment there, marking a milestone for the facility that treated 10 critically injured patients following one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in U.S. history.

Burn Center treated 10 Pentagon patients with severe burns and inhalation injuries in 2001

As the Washington region's only adult Burn Center, the facility mobilized physicians, nurses, therapists and support staff to treat patients requiring multiple reconstructive surgeries, specialized wound care, respiratory support and long-term rehabilitation. President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush visited patients and staff on Sept. 13, 2001, two days after the attack.

Tinley Park – September 17, 2026 -- Payroc, a global payment-processing acquirer processing more than $125 billion in card volume annually, has won four categories at The Digital Banker's Global Cards & Payments Innovation Awards 2026.

Payroc sweeps gateway and in-store payment categories

The company was named Best Payments Gateway Provider for its multi-region gateway serving merchants, independent software vendors, SaaS platforms, independent sales organizations and enterprise channel partners. Payroc also won Best POS & In-Store Payments Solution Provider, recognizing its card-present and in-store payment capabilities for merchants and partners.

Warsaw and Istanbul – September 17, 2026 -- POWTEK Group deployed three of its manufacturing brands across two European trade shows in September, with KALTEC exhibiting HVAC systems at Heating Tech Expo 2026 in Warsaw while MORRTOP and X-CRAFTER presented kitchen appliances at Zuchex International Home and Kitchenware Exhibition in Istanbul.

POWTEK operates 12 production lines with capacity for 2 million units annually

The Group's new manufacturing base is now fully operational, adding intelligent production lines that hold ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications. POWTEK, founded in 2003, currently supplies customers across more than 50 countries and regions as a manufacturing partner to established international brands.