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New Scholarship Program from Daikin and the Astros Foundation Will Award $100,000 to College-Bound Seniors

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“Daikin’s Most Valuable STEAM Scholarship” applications officially open; kickstarts community programming from Daikin Park

HOUSTON, March 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Step up to the plate, Houston area seniors! The Astros Foundation and Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc. (Daikin) have announced an inaugural scholarship program, Daikin’s Most Valuable STEAM Scholarship, that will award ten Houston-area high school seniors each with a $10,000 scholarship. Applications open today, March 3, and close April 14, 2025.

Daikin’s Most Valuable STEAM Scholarship program will be hosted annually to recognize the role well-rounded curriculum plays in fostering innovative, creative and critical thinking skills. The scholarships will be awarded to ten graduating seniors determined by their excellence in STEAM education and their personal experiences both inside and outside of the classroom.

“The Astros Foundation is excited to team up with Daikin to invest in Houston’s future leaders as they pursue higher education,” said Emelda Douglas, Senior Vice President of Community Affairs for the Houston Astros and Executive Director of the Astros Foundation. “By supporting these talented students, we are empowering them to focus their passion and creativity to positively impact our community and beyond.”

Building an All-Star Team of Bright Young Minds

STEAM curriculum goes beyond traditional Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programming by incorporating the arts. This includes fine arts, language arts, manual arts such as architecture and landscape design, physical arts, and liberal arts. Through STEAM learning, students are encouraged to think outside of the playing field and problem solve by using creativity and technical expertise cultivated through their high school and college careers.

Key requirements for applicants pursuing the scholarship include:

A 300-word essay on the importance of STEAM education and how it has contributed to personal growth, academic achievements and career aspirations.Graduating high school seniors in the class of 2025 that will be attending a higher education institution upon graduation and provide proof of acceptance.Permanent address in one of the following Texas counties: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Walker, Waller and Wharton.Complete application by deadline along with two adult letters of recommendation.

As a global leader in HVAC&R, Daikin understands the importance of driving innovation to develop sustainable technologies, and it is through initiatives like this where students can harness the skills needed to become the innovative leaders of their generation. In addition to developing career-driven skill sets through hands-on learning, STEAM students can also strengthen their soft skills like collaboration and communication that will only help further their professional acumen and make them MVPs.

“At Daikin, we believe in the unlimited potential of people and know student scholarships are crucial for fostering the next generation of innovative thinkers,” said Kristi Pittman, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Daikin. “We are proud to play a role in supporting our local youth through this inaugural scholarship program and look forward to seeing them score home runs in college and beyond.”

Those meeting the requirements and interested in applying for Daikin’s Most Valuable STEAM Scholarship can learn more at: https://www.mlb.com/astros/community/foundation/steam-scholarship 

About Daikin

Daikin Industries, Ltd. (DIL) is a Fortune 1,000 company with more than 98,162 employees worldwide and a leading indoor comfort solutions provider. Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc. (DNA) is a subsidiary of DIL, providing Daikin, Goodman, Amana® and Quietflex brand products. DNA and its affiliates manufacture heating and cooling systems for residential, commercial and industrial use that are sold via independent HVAC contractors. DNA engineering and manufacturing is located at Daikin Texas Technology Park near Houston, TX.  For additional information, visit www.daikincomfort.com

Amana® is a registered trademark of Maytag Corporation or its related companies and is used under license. All rights reserved.

About Daikin Park

On January 1, 2025, the Houston Astros and Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc. (Daikin) entered into a 15-year, exclusive naming-rights partnership that brands the home of the Astros as Daikin Park. The agreement runs through the 2039 season, and includes official naming rights, partnership benefits, and giving back to the Greater Houston community through educational programming and youth sports development in underserved communities. 

Overall, Daikin has invested more than $1 billion in the Houston area, including more than $500 million in building Daikin Texas Technology Park. Also, in August 2024, Daikin launched an initiative with the City of Houston to equip low-to-moderate income homes with advanced air conditioning and heating solutions, providing more comfort and energy efficiency for homeowners. Daikin is always looking for new ways to support their community and to create innovative technologies, with an unwavering commitment to making sustainable and responsible choices. For more information on Daikin Park, visit https://daikincomfort.com/about-daikin/daikin-park.

About Houston Astros and Astros Foundation

The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston, Texas. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West Division. Established as the Houston Colt .45s, the Astros entered the National League as an expansion team in 1962. The current name, Houston Astros, reflecting Houston’s role as the host of the Johnson Space Center and space exploration, was adopted three years later, when they moved into the Astrodome. The Astros moved to their current home ballpark in downtown Houston in 2000. The Astros have had great success on the diamond, having won two World Series (2017 and 2022), five league pennants, and advanced to a record-setting seven-straight American League Championship Series, winning four of the last seven American League pennants.

A tenant of the organization is to give back to the greater Houston community, and that is done through the Astros Foundation, the official 501(c)(3) team charity of the Houston Astros. The foundation seeks to harness the passion of baseball fans to support youth baseball and softball programs, the recognition and honor of our nation’s military, childhood cancer awareness, domestic violence awareness and efforts to reduce homelessness. The cornerstone initiatives include the Community Leaders program, the Astros Youth Academy and the Astros RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) Program. For more information on the Astros Foundation, please visit www.astros.com/foundation.

Media Contact:
Bradlee Borgfeldt
713-627-2223
bborgfeldt@piercom.com 

 

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SOURCE Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc

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DTE Energy intends to pause future electric rate requests following upcoming filing as data centers come online

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Affordability benefits from data centers expected to help offset reliability investments for all customers

DETROIT, April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) announced today that its electric company intends to forego asking for rate increases for at least two years following its upcoming filing with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) on April 28, 2026.

“Now more than ever, we know affordability matters to our customers – and we’re doing everything we can to keep energy bills as low as possible while also providing the reliable power they need,” said Joi Harris, president and chief executive officer, DTE Energy. “As long as the first data center project we’re supporting comes online as planned by the end of 2027 and we’re able to receive other regulatory approvals, we will refrain from filing another rate request until at least 2028—providing customers two years without an increase in rates after the current request is complete.”

Affordability Benefits of Data Center Development

When a new large customer is brought onto the electric system, fixed costs can be spread more widely. DTE’s two data center contracts – one approved and one currently with the MPSC for approval – will contribute nearly $9 billion to improving DTE’s electric system through 2045, helping to reduce the total amount needed from other customers.

“That’s why we’re excited to see the expected benefits of responsible data center development come to fruition,” said Harris. “This new industry is not only helping to grow Michigan’s economy, but once the data centers are fully online, it will make energy more affordable for all customers while bolstering our investments in creating the grid of the future.” 

Upcoming investment request

DTE Electric’s upcoming investment request is designed to build on recent reliability gains and continue strengthening its electric grid for the customers and communities the company serves in southeast Michigan. The request reflects DTE’s ongoing commitment to targeted investments that reduce outages, restore power faster when interruptions do occur and ensure reliable and cleaner energy for customers every day.

In 2025, DTE’s electric customers experienced the company’s best reliability performance in nearly 20 years — progress driven by sustained investments in tree trimming, grid hardening, automation and other system improvements.

“Reliable power isn’t just about keeping the lights on, it’s about supporting families, businesses and the broader Michigan economy,” said Matt Paul, president and chief operating officer, DTE Electric. “While we’re proud of our progress, we know we have more work ahead. Every investment we make moves us closer to our goal: a stronger, more reliable grid for every DTE customer, no matter the weather.”

As DTE continues investing in reliability and cleaner energy, the company is focused on limiting the long-term impact on customer bills and reducing the need for future rate requests. DTE continues to drive efficiencies in its operations and expects growing data center development to create meaningful customer affordability benefits over time.

What Happens Next

The filing on April 28 represents a formal request of $474.3 million to support several billion dollars of investment in the electric grid and power generation, marking the beginning of an approximately 10‑month regulatory review process. A final decision by the MPSC and any potential rate changes are not expected until late February 2027.

Key Things Media Should Know

The filing itself does not result in a bill increase. The filing will be reviewed by the MPSC as a contested case with opportunity for intervenor testimony. A final decision on the rate request will not be received from the MPSC until February 2027, with a customer rate change happening soon after.

Customers are seeing real reliability improvements – when we invest, it works.
DTE delivered its most reliable year in nearly 20 years in 2025, reducing the time customers spent without power by 60% compared to 2024, building on a 70% improvement the year before. Continued investment is essential to delivering the reliability customers demand and deserve. Learn more: Building a stronger, more reliable electric grid for you

These investments are enhancing DTE’s clean energy advancements. The upcoming filing also supports the completion of the conversion of the Belle River Power Plant from coal to natural gas as well as the development of the Trenton Channel Energy Center – expected to be the largest stand-along battery energy storage facility in the Great Lakes region when it is commissioned. Learn more: DTE CleanVision IRP: Roadmap to Net Zero by 2050

DTE remains focused on affordability. Since 2021, DTE’s electric bill growth has been among the lowest in the country. Residential electric bills are in the first quartile nationally and remain below the state of Michigan, Great Lakes region and national averages. For more information about DTE’s plans to build the energy grid of the future and the impact of our investment requests, visit https://www.dteenergy.com/future

No costs related to data centers are included in this investment request and data centers will not raise customer rates. Data centers—including the one DTE has been approved to support in Saline Township and the project under review in Van Buren Township – are governed by separate contracts and are required to pay the full cost of the infrastructure needed to serve them, ensuring other customers are protected. DTE customers will NOT subsidize data center rates. For more information, visit dteenergy.com/datacenterfacts

About DTE Energy 

DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric company serving 2.3 million customers in Southeast Michigan and a natural gas company serving 1.4 million customers across Michigan. The DTE portfolio also includes energy businesses focused on custom energy solutions, renewable energy generation, and energy marketing and trading. DTE has continued to accelerate its carbon reduction goals to meet aggressive targets and is committed to serving with its energy through volunteerism, education and employment initiatives, philanthropy, emission reductions and economic progress. Information about DTE is available at dteenergy.com, empoweringmichigan.com, x.com/DTE_Energy and facebook.com/dteenergy.

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SOURCE DTE Energy

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Therap Timesheet Module: Simplifying Staff Hours and Activity Management

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TORRINGTON, Conn., April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Therap Services, the national leader in HIPAA-compliant electronic documentation solutions for organizations in Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS), Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), and other human services industries, has introduced a new Timesheet module designed to simplify how staff track daily work activities and paid/unpaid time off, helping agencies reduce administrative complexity and focus more on delivering quality services.

Centralized Time Tracking and Administration

The Timesheet module brings staff time tracking into one centralized system, reducing the need for manual processes and disconnected tools. Agencies can track staff activities consistently across teams, improving clarity and standardization.

Flexible Timesheet Creation and Approval Workflow

With built-in workflows for submitting and reviewing time entries, the module helps reduce administrative burden while supporting timely approvals. Agencies gain better control over staff hours, helping ensure accurate records and smoother internal processes.

Self-Service Tools for Staff

Staff can easily log their hours and time off through a simple interface, empowering them to manage their own entries. This reduces back-and-forth communication and allows teams to focus more on service delivery.

Dynamic Views and Navigation

Multiple viewing options make it easier for both staff and administrators to understand schedules at a glance. This improved visibility supports better planning, coordination, and day-to-day decision-making, especially in fast-paced service environments.

Integrated EVV and Visual Tracking

By aligning timesheet entries with scheduled services, the module helps promote consistency between recorded time and delivered services. Visual indicators show the status of entries at a glance, making oversight more efficient and helping agencies stay compliant and audit-ready.

Why This Matters for Providers

The Timesheet module helps agencies:

Reduce manual effort and administrative workloadImprove accuracy and consistency in staff time trackingIncrease visibility into staff activities and schedulesSupport timely approvals and better oversightStrengthen alignment between services and recorded time

To know more, visit:

https://www.therapservices.net/products/comprehensive-esolution-for-person-centered-services/

About Therap Services

Therap’s comprehensive and HIPAA-compliant software is used in human services settings for documentation, communication, reporting, EVV and billing.

Learn more at:

https://www.therapservices.net/

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/therap-timesheet-module-simplifying-staff-hours-and-activity-management-302752012.html

SOURCE Therap Services

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Groundfloor Co-Founder and CEO Brian Dally Named Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2026 Southeast Finalist by EY US

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EY US celebrates entrepreneurs shaping the future of business

ATLANTA, April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Groundfloor, the award-winning private markets platform, today announced that its co-founder and CEO, Brian Dally, has been named one of 35 finalists for the Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2026 Southeast Award, one of the most prestigious awards programs in the world.

Now in its 41st year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program by EY US celebrates leaders who reshape industries, drive innovation, and create long-term value. An independent panel of judges selected Dally as a finalist following a rigorous application and interview process.

“We built Groundfloor from day one for the purpose of opening access to private markets on equal terms for the full spectrum of individual retail investors,” said Dally. “The importance of that mission has always been fuel for overcoming the barriers, misapprehensions, and challenges we’ve faced. I am profoundly grateful for this recognition, my 13-year partnership with Nick, and the believers who contributed their talent, capital, and ideas to making it possible.”

After a successful stint with Republic Wireless, where he helped deliver affordable mobile phone access to millions, Dally launched Groundfloor with the goal of expanding access to private capital markets. Despite early skepticism from industry experts, he and his co-founder, Nick Bhargava, invested significant personal resources and navigated complex regulatory hurdles to bring the concept to life. Their efforts led to the first-ever SEC qualification of its kind, opening a new pathway for individual investors to participate in private markets.

Under Dally’s leadership, Groundfloor has grown into a category leader with more than 300,000 registered users who have invested over $2.2 billion across its platform. The company pioneered fractional investments into deferred pay business purpose residential real estate debt, a now widely recognized asset class, and has continued to innovate with products like Groundfloor Notes. In keeping the company aligned with its vision, Dally also turned to individual investors instead of VCs for growth capital. Groundfloor is now proudly owned by 32% of its own customers.

Over the last 13 years, Groundfloor has been widely recognized for its innovation, growth, and unique approach to fundraising, earning accolades including the Forbes Fintech 50, Benzinga’s Best Alternative Investment Platform, and six consecutive years on the Inc. 5000 list.

Regional award winners for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Southeast Award will be announced on June 18th in Charlotte, N.C., and will go on to be considered for national honors later this year.

About Groundfloor
Groundfloor is an award-winning investing and lending company that unlocks institutional-grade private markets for investors and borrowers. Known for its regulatory prowess and developing new financial products, the company was the very first to be qualified to offer direct real estate debt investments for both accredited and non-accredited audiences alike. Groundfloor has won numerous awards for its product innovation and growth, including the Forbes Fintech 50 and six years in a row of being on the Inc. 5000. Since it launched in 2013, Groundfloor’s investors have invested $2.2 billion across its offerings. Start investing or borrowing at Groundfloor.com.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year ®
Founded in 1986, Entrepreneur Of The Year ® has celebrated more than 11,000 ambitious visionaries who are leading successful, dynamic businesses in the US, and it has since expanded to nearly 80 countries and territories globally. The US program consists of 17 regional programs whose panels of independent judges select the regional award winners every June. Those winners compete for national recognition at the Strategic Growth Forum ® in November where national finalists and award winners are announced. The national overall winner represents the US at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year ® competition. Visit ey.com/us/eoy.

Media Contact:
Hela Sheth
hela@katalystcomms.com

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SOURCE Groundfloor Finance Inc.

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