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Scripps National Spelling Bee welcomes 243 spellers for historic 100th anniversary

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CINCINNATI, May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A field of 243 top young spellers will converge on National Harbor, Maryland, from May 27-29 to compete in a historic Scripps National Spelling Bee. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the iconic American competition, which was first held on June 17, 1925, with just nine participants.

“Reaching 100 years is more than a milestone – it’s a testament to the enduring power of words, learning and the human spirit,” said Corrie Loeffler, executive director of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. “For a century, this competition has brought people together through eras of profound change – from world wars to the digital age – and still, the Bee continues to inspire excellence, curiosity and connection. It’s a living piece of American history, and we’re honored to celebrate its legacy.”

This year’s 243 national qualifiers advanced through local and regional bees that took place through the end of March. All rounds of this year’s national competition – preliminaries, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals – will take place at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.

Highlights of the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee field:

The spellers range in age from 8 to 14.Only 53 spellers return from the 2024 field and 178 spellers – 73% – are competing in their first Scripps National Spelling Bee.Only one 2024 finalist advanced to the 2025 national competition: Faizan Zaki, who finished second last year behind Bruhat Soma following his record-breaking spell-off.Tarini Nandakumar is competing in her fifth consecutive Scripps National Spelling Bee. She was a finalist and finished ninth in 2023. Navtaj Singh, Micah Sterling and Avinav Prem Anand are competing in their fourth straight national competition. Harini Murali is in her fourth Bee overall, as is Zaki.There are spellers from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Texas has the largest representation with 22 national competitors. California is next with 20, followed by Ohio with 15 and Illinois with 13. Florida and New York have 12 each.There are 13 competitors from outside the 50 United States, representing the Bahamas, Canada, Germany, Ghana, Guam, Kuwait, Nigeria, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Here is the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee Media Guide.
Find more information on the national competitors at spellingbee.com.

Celebrating a 100-year tradition
The Bee has launched several 100th anniversary initiatives for both spellers and the public:

A historical microsite, capturing news, names and fun facts of the first 100 years of the Bee will launch in the coming weeks at history.spellingbee.com. Content will be added to the site, which will remain live after 2025.A special limited-edition coffee-table book capturing 100 years of the Bee’s history will be published in August and is available for preorder at Bee100Book.com.A museum-quality exhibit will be on display at the Gaylord during Bee Week, showcasing the Bee’s wealth of historical memorabilia, highlighting key milestones in the competition’s history and examining the Bee’s place in popular culture and the American experience.

The Bee on Scripps Networks (All times Eastern)
The 2025 broadcast/livestream of onstage competition follows this schedule (all times Eastern and end times approximate):

The preliminaries will be streamed on Bounce XL, Grit Xtra, Laff More and spellingbee.com from 8 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27.The quarterfinals will be streamed on Bounce XL, Grit Xtra, Laff More and spellingbee.com from 8 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28.

Two-night ION special event:The semifinals broadcast will air 8-10 p.m. on ION on Wednesday, May 28. (The live semifinals will be streamed on Bounce XL, Grit Xtra, Laff More and spellingbee.com from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. earlier that day.)The finals will air live in primetime on ION from 8-10 p.m. on Thursday, May 29.

In addition to ION, the semifinals and finals will also air on Scripps’ other popular national entertainment networks, Bounce, Grit, ION Mystery and Laff, as well as its free, ad-supported streaming channels ION Plus, Scripps News, Bounce XL, Grit Xtra, Laff More and spellingbee.com. Scripps News will stream an encore of the semifinals on Thursday, May 29, from 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. and the finals on May 29 from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. The Scripps Networks can be found free over-the-air as well as on cable, satellite and streaming platforms.

If you are watching the Bee over the air with an antenna,
check out Tablo, which allows you to record over-the-air programs.

The 2025 Bee also will celebrate three special recognitions:

2025 Educator of the Year, presented by Teach For America: Nikki Montana, teacher leader at Edwin Forrest Elementary School in Philadelphia. Montana, who serves as the school’s bee coordinator, grew the school’s bee program from a sixth grade-level bee to a school-wide event that today includes students from grades 1-5.2025 Regional Partner of the Year: Akron Beacon Journal, which has remained a steadfast regional partner of the National Spelling Bee since its inception in 1925.2025 Regional Volunteer of the Year: Tom Wadsworth, pronouncer for the Regional Office of Education No. 47’s Spelling Bee in Sterling, Illinois, has helped prepare and inspire spellers for 43 years.

Introducing the “Beelieve” program 
In partnership with the Scripps Howard Fund, the Scripps National Spelling Bee has created a new fund to help increase access to the Bee at every level. The first year of the Beelieve program will focus on funding the participation of Teach For America schools interested in enrolling in the 2025-26 Bee program. The Bee and Fund received a $100,000 per year donation from the Adam R. Scripps Foundation for the next five years to support the Beelieve program and the Fund’s “If You Give a Child a Book …” campaign, which provides books to children at low-income schools across the U.S. This year, the Adam R. Scripps Foundation is also matching donations to both programs up to $500,000. Visit spellingbee.com/give to learn more about the program or to donate. 

For media covering the Bee:

Media can submit a request for credentials to cover the national competition in person at the Gaylord here.Media interested in following the action remotely should contact media@spellingbee.com to receive updates during the competition.

Media contact: Becca McCarter, 513-410-2425, Rebecca.mccarter@scripps.com

About the Scripps National Spelling Bee:  
The Scripps National Spelling Bee is the nation’s largest and longest-running educational program, having launched in 1925. By inspiring the exploration of words, the Scripps National Spelling Bee illuminates pathways to lifelong curiosity, celebrates academic achievement and enriches communities.
Visit spellingbee.com for more information about the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which is administered on a not-for-profit basis by The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP).

About Scripps
The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) is a diversified media company focused on creating connection. As one of the nation’s largest local TV broadcasters, Scripps serves communities with quality, objective local journalism and operates a portfolio of more than 60 stations in 40+ markets. Scripps reaches households across the U.S. with national news outlets Scripps News and Court TV and popular entertainment brands ION, Bounce, Grit, ION Mystery, ION Plus and Laff. Scripps is the nation’s largest holder of broadcast spectrum. Its Scripps Sports division serves professional and college sports leagues, conferences and teams with local market depth and national broadcast reach of up to 100% of TV households. Founded in 1878, Scripps is the steward of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, and its longtime motto is: “Give light and the people will find their own way.”

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SOURCE The E.W. Scripps Company

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NCL (Formerly Natural Cure Labs) Unveils New Brand Identity, Reinforcing Its Position as a Leading Monolaurin Supplement Company

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Natural Cure Labs, one of the most recognized monolaurin supplement brands in the United States, is officially transitioning to NCL – the same company, same formulations, and same science-backed standards, under a streamlined name.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., April 25, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Natural Cure Labs, one of the most recognized monolaurin supplement brands in the United States, is officially transitioning to NCL. The company, founded in 2015, is adopting a streamlined brand identity while maintaining the same formulations, manufacturing standards, team, and commitment to quality its customers have trusted for more than a decade.

“NCL represents the quality, transparency, and innovation that our community expects from us. As we enter this new chapter, our commitment to our customers and our standards remains as strong as ever.”

NCL stands for Natural Cure Labs. The name change reflects how customers and the team already refer to the company. Over the past 10+ years, “NCL” has become the natural shorthand for Natural Cure Labs – and this transition formalizes that identity. This is a name change and visual evolution only. Ownership, leadership, formulations, and values remain unchanged.

Same Mission, Sharper Identity

This transition is not a departure from who the company is – it is a natural progression. The values that have guided NCL from the very beginning remain unchanged: clean-label quality, third-party testing, science-backed formulations, and an unwavering commitment to transparency. What is changing is how the company presents itself. In the months ahead, this rebrand will be accompanied by further updates across the brand experience – from visual identity and packaging to how NCL shows up across every channel and platform. Each of these changes will reflect the same standard of excellence customers have come to expect.

What is changing is how the company presents itself. In the months ahead, this rebrand will be accompanied by further updates across the brand experience – from visual identity and packaging to how NCL shows up across every channel and platform. Each of these changes will reflect the same standard of excellence customers have come to expect.

More Than 10 Years of Trust

This evolution comes at a time of significant momentum. Since 2015, NCL has grown from a small startup into an award-winning wellness brand available nationwide through Amazon, Walmart, Target+, TikTok Shop, eBay, and other major marketplaces. Along the way, the company has reached milestones that reflect the trust its community has placed in it:

200,000+ customers served worldwide35+ million capsules sold7,000+ verified customer reviewsRecognition in the 2025 Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companiesMultiple Stevie Awards from the American Business AwardsNamed a 2025 and 2026 Gator100 HonoreeThree-time Global 100 winner for Best Health & Wellness Nutrition Manufacturer

“This rebrand isn’t about changing who we are – it’s about evolving how we present ourselves to match the brand our customers already know and trust,” said Damon Sununtnasuk, Founder & CEO.

What This Means for Customers

For existing customers, nothing changes about the products they know and trust. The same formulations, manufacturing facilities, quality controls, and customer support team remain in place. Products sold as Natural Cure Labs and products sold as NCL are from the same company. Customers can continue to find NCL products on the company’s website and through Amazon, Walmart, Target+, Kroger, eBay, and other major marketplaces.

NCL is grateful for every customer who has been part of this journey and is excited for what is to come.

Media Contact

NCL (Natural Cure Labs), NCL (Natural Cure Labs), 1 8003036214, press@naturalcurelabs.com, https://www.naturalcurelabs.com/

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SOURCE NCL (Natural Cure Labs)

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DJI Launches Beginner-Friendly Camera Drone Series with Lito X1 and Lito 1

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Creators now have an accessible option for filming high-quality aerial photography while flying safely with omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

SHENZHEN, China, April 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — DJI, the global leader in civilian drones and creative camera technology, today launches the Lito series. Designed for aspiring creators exploring aerial photography for the first time, this new lineup of entry-level aerial camera drones makes high-altitude aerial photography accessible and beginner-friendly from day one. With its affordable price point and well-rounded features, the Lito X1 and Lito 1 strike the perfect balance between high performance and value. It’s an ideal camera drone for young newcomers to aerial photography who want to capture campus life, outdoor adventures, and creative moments without compromise.

Leading the range, the premium Lito X1 features a 1/1.3″ CMOS sensor with 48MP effective pixels for lifelike detail capture. It’s equipped with advanced 5-lux omnidirectional obstacle sensing and forward-facing LiDAR for enhanced precision—ensuring safer flight in complex environments. The intelligent filming tools, such as ActiveTrack, QuickShots, MasterShots, Hyperlapse, and Panorama, lower the learning curve and ensure professional results from a creator’s first takeoff. Meanwhile, the Lito 1 offers a 1/2″ CMOS 48MP sensor and comprehensive 5-lux omnidirectional obstacle sensing, bringing safety and tracking capabilities to an even more accessible package.

Smarter Sensing for Safer Flying

The Lito Series features a multi-layered safety system designed with beginners in mind. The built-in omnidirectional vision system actively avoids obstacles like cliffs, and walls, allowing creators to focus on the joy of flying from takeoff to landing. The premium Lito X1 takes this a step further, enhanced with forward-facing LiDAR for highly precise perception in complex environments.

Captures Crisp Imaging, Rich in Detail

The Lito Series makes it possible to capture stunning visuals – from rich daytime details to clean, low-noise nightscapes. Lito 1 is equipped with a 1/2-inch CMOS sensor and an f/1.8 aperture to capture up to 8K-resolution photos and 4K-resolution video, retaining crisp detail even when zoomed or cropped. The premium Lito X1 uplevels the camera with a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor and an f/1.7 aperture, supporting HDR video recordings with up to 14 stops of dynamic range and 10-Bit D-Log M. 

Get High-Quality Shots with ActiveTrack and Smart Modes

The Lito Series delivers stable subject tracking via ActiveTrack, even at speeds up to 12 m/s. Combined with QuickShots, MasterShots, Hyperlapse, and Panorama modes, beginners can automatically execute complex camera moves and capture high-quality footage with ease.

Fly Farther with a Stable View

The Lito Series offers up to 36 minutes of flight time with the standard Intelligent Flight Battery. It also features wind resistance up to 10.7 m/s, allowing the camera drone to hover and fly stably in windy conditions.

Create with Ease and Efficiency

With QuickTransfer, files can be transferred up to 50 MB/s via Wi-Fi 6. Additionally, the premium Lito X1 includes 42GB of internal storage.

Price and Availability

DJI Lito 1 and DJI Lito X1 are available for order starting today through store.dji.com and authorized retailers. Pricing and configurations are as follows: 

DJI Lito 1

DJI Lito 1 retails for 339 EURDJI Lito 1 Fly More Combo (DJI RC-N3) retails for 479 EUR

DJI Lito X1

DJI Lito X1 retails for 419 EURDJI Lito X1 Fly More Combo (DJI RC 2) retails for 579 EUR

DJI Care Refresh

DJI Care Refresh, the comprehensive protection plan for DJI products, is now available for DJI Lito 1. The replacement service covers accidental damage, including flyaway, collisions and water damage. For a small additional charge, you can have your damaged product replaced if an accident occurs.

DJI Care Refresh (1-Year Plan) includes up to two replacements in one year. DJI Care Refresh (2-Year Plan) includes up to four replacements in two years. Other services of DJI Care Refresh include official Warranty and free shipping. For a full list of details, please visit: https://www.dji.com/support/service/djicare-refresh

For more information, please refer to:
https://www.dji.com/lito-x1
https://www.dji.com/lito-1

1 All data was measured using a production model of the DJI Lito 1 and DJI Lito X1 in a controlled environment; actual experience may vary. For more information, please refer to https://www.dji.com/lito-x1 and https://www.dji.com/lito-1

.

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SOURCE DJI

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Silicon Valley Stars Gather for Dreame’s San Francisco Debut

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SAN FRANCISCO, April 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Dreame Technology, a global high-end technology company, confirmed the guest lineup for DREAME NEXT, the company’s largest-ever international launch event, running April 27 to 30, 2026, in San Francisco. The roster brings together figures who have shaped the trajectory of autonomous driving, personal computing, and professional sports: Sebastian Thrun, Steve Wozniak, and Dwyane Wade will all attend.

The breadth of expertise on the guest list reflects the reach of DREAME NEXT itself. Over four days, Dreame will stage product launches across smart mobility, smart home appliances, personal devices, and premium personal care, the first time a single event from the company has spanned its full product ecosystem. The event is organized around five themed segments: Drive Next, Living Next, Connect Next, Self Next, and Humanity Next.

Over the course of the four-day launch event, DREAME NEXT will bring together leading voices from across technology, academia, investment, and innovation to explore the next stage of industry transformation. Discussions will center on how AI-driven applications are reshaping products from the ground up, whether the age of AI requires products to be fundamentally reimagined, how intelligent technologies will redefine the foundations of manufacturing productivity, and what the next decade of human technological evolution may look like.

Featured speakers include AI pioneer Sebastian Thrun (Google X, Udacity), tech futurist Robert Scoble (Microsoft), Meta design leader Julie Zhuo, AI strategist William Fong (Microsoft), and business veteran James W. Keyes (7-Eleven, Blockbuster). The lineup also features Turing Award winner David Patterson, NASA rocket scientist Sylvia Acevedo, Stanford GSB’s Yossi Feinberg, economist Barry Eichengreen, tech journalist Rebecca A. Fannin, engineering leader Jim Chen, and Fremont Mayor Emeritus Lily Mei, alongside former Google DeepMind AI researchers and the co-founders of Robot Launch. These global leaders will share insights on AI, technology, innovation, economics, and entrepreneurship.

Demonstrating Dreame’s growing global influence, the event will also welcome standout guests from beyond the technology sector, including Apple co-founder and personal computing pioneer Steve Wozniak; and three-time NBA champion Dwyane Wade.

The guests in attendance at DREAME NEXT reflect where the company is headed; that leaders from autonomous driving, personal computing, and professional sports are all in the same room for a single company’s launch event speaks to the scale and ambition of what Dreame is building. DREAME NEXT is not just a product launch but the opening chapter of the company’s next ten years.

Dreame’s product portfolio now spans categories that, until recently, belonged to entirely separate industries. DREAME NEXT is designed to demonstrate that these categories are connected by core technologies, including high-speed motors, intelligent algorithms, and bionic robotic arms, which are now being applied across smart mobility, personal devices, home appliances, and personal care. It represents not only the next generation of products and lifestyles, but also the beginning of Dreame’s vision for the next decade.

DREAME NEXT runs April 27 to 30, 2026, in San Francisco. Media, partners, and invited guests are welcome to attend.

Please stay tuned for the latest updates from the event through the official website or the social accounts on X: @DreameGlobal, Facebook: Dreame Tech, and Instagram: @dreame_tech.

About Dreame Technology

Founded in 2017, Dreame Technology is a global high-end technology brand built on a foundation of high-speed digital motors, intelligent algorithms, and bionic robotic arms. The company’s product portfolio spans smartphones, smart vehicles, smart home appliances, intelligent cleaning appliances, outdoor smart devices, and personal care, designed to simplify daily life and give users more time for what matters. Dreame operates in more than 120 countries and regions with over 6,500 offline stores and serves more than 42 million households globally. As of December 31, 2025, the company has filed more than 10,000 patents worldwide and holds over 3,000 granted patents.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/silicon-valley-stars-gather-for-dreames-san-francisco-debut-302753481.html

SOURCE Dreame Technology

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