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CAA warns drivers of emerging auto theft tactics that prey on the goodwill of drivers

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THORNHILL, ON, May 27, 2026 /CNW/ – CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) is warning that car theft is becoming more sophisticated and more personal, with criminals now targeting drivers directly using a mix of distraction tactics and high-tech tools.

Police services across Canada have recently warned of an increase in “distraction thefts” occurring in parking lots, shopping centres, and other busy areas. At the same time, thieves are continuing to use relay attacks and key-fob signal-interception technology to unlock and steal vehicles without physical force.

CAA cautions that these tactics are now being used together, creating new risks for drivers.

A New Combination of Tactics

This emerging method involves criminals engaging drivers in brief interactions near their vehicle while simultaneously using electronic devices to capture or amplify key fob signals.

As a result, key fob-related auto theft is no longer limited to driveways or overnight incidents.

Close physical proximity between drivers, their key fobs, and their vehicles can be exploited.

These thefts can occur quickly and subtly, often without the driver immediately realizing anything has happened. In some cases, drivers may later notice an alert that their vehicle key is missing. This is an early sign that something is wrong.

“Today vehicle thieves are becoming increasingly calculated, using distraction tactics alongside electronic tools designed to intercept or relay key fob signals,” says Elliott Silverstein, director, government relations, CAA South Central Ontario. “A brief interaction in a parking lot can quickly become an opportunity for organized criminals to target both drivers and their vehicles. Public awareness and simple preventative measures remain some of the strongest tools drivers have to protect themselves.”

How Drivers Can Protect Themselves

With these evolving risks, CAA is encouraging drivers to stay alert and take proactive steps to reduce their vulnerability:

Park in well-lit, high-traffic areas.Be cautious of unsolicited interactions near your vehicle, including:Persistent or unusual requests for helpOffers of gifts or incentivesRequests that require you to stay near your vehicle or move closer to another vehicleTrust your instincts–if something feels suspicious, disengage and move to a safer area.Lock your vehicle immediately after exiting and confirm it is secure.Store key fobs in RFID-blocking or Faraday pouches to prevent signal interception.Keep key fobs on your person; avoid leaving them in carts, purses, or exposed areas.Consider visible anti-theft devices like steering wheel locks or two-factor authentication such as after-market engine immobilizers.Remove personal information from vehicles and clear saved home addresses in GPS systems.Report suspicious behaviour to local police.

Raising Awareness Is Key

CAA emphasizes that as auto theft tactics continue to evolve, awareness and vigilance are essential to reduce risk.

Drivers are encouraged to remain mindful of their surroundings, particularly in public spaces, and to take simple precautions that can significantly reduce the likelihood of becoming a target of auto theft.

About CAA South Central Ontario 

As a leader and advocate for road safety and mobility, CAA South Central Ontario is a not-for-profit auto club which represents the interests of over 2.6 million Members. For over a century, CAA has collaborated with communities, police services and governments to help keep drivers and their families safe while travelling on our roads.

SOURCE CAA South Central Ontario

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Access Control Systems Explained by Security Systems Expert Brandon Richardson of Manchester, NH for HelloNation

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MANCHESTER, N.H., May 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What steps should a business take before installing an access control system? A HelloNation article provides the answer, detailing how planning, credential management, and integration create stronger building security. Readers can explore these insights in a HelloNation article.

The feature highlights Security Systems Expert Brandon Richardson of Mount Major Tech in Manchester, who explains that access control success depends on preparation rather than hardware alone. Many businesses assume that choosing between badge systems, keypad access, or mobile access is the main decision, but real effectiveness begins long before any device is mounted.

The article shows that understanding how people move through a space is essential. Richardson starts each project by auditing who needs access and when. This audit reveals work patterns, vendor visits, and cleaning schedules that shape how credentials are assigned. By defining time windows for each group, companies reduce overlapping permissions and prevent misuse.

A clear access list serves as the foundation for reliable credential management. When every user’s access level matches their schedule, confusion and weak spots decrease. This disciplined setup also helps avoid gaps where credentials remain active after an employee or contractor leaves.

Next, the article explains how physical layout determines system design. Each door or access point carries a different level of importance. A main entrance, storage area, and shipping dock all demand unique configurations to match their traffic and risk level.

Security Systems Expert Brandon Richardson evaluates foot traffic, visibility, and potential for tailgating—when one person follows another through a secured door. These simple observations guide whether access readers should be installed on one or both sides of the door and where supporting cameras should be placed for full event records.

Technology choices come after the site review. The HelloNation feature explains that badge systems offer simplicity and reliability, but they depend on careful tracking of lost or stolen cards. Keypad access eliminates physical badges but requires regular code updates to prevent sharing. Mobile access provides convenience and fast control but relies on working apps and charged phones.

Richardson stresses that the right choice depends on workflow. A strong access control system should fit how people already operate, not force them to change daily habits. When the system matches the rhythm of the business, security and productivity align naturally.

Integration stands out as another core principle. The article explains that modern systems perform best when access control connects with alarms, surveillance cameras, and internal networks. This coordination makes it easier to verify incidents and spot unusual behavior.

A forced door after hours, for example, should automatically trigger an alert and send a video clip to the security team. Without integration, separate systems operate in isolation, leaving staff to piece together events manually. The HelloNation article underscores that effective building security relies on systems that communicate seamlessly.

Power and wiring are equally critical to long-term reliability. Every reader, lock, and control panel requires stable electricity. Richardson checks each doorway for safe wiring paths that protect cables from damage and exposure. The article points out that extension cords are not an acceptable substitute and can create safety hazards.

Backup power testing ensures that doors remain secure during an outage. A system that loses power should still protect the building and allow safe egress. Richardson advises confirming that backup batteries or generators activate properly, maintaining both function and safety when the main grid fails.

Policy development completes the preparation process. Even the best access control hardware can fail if rules are unclear. The HelloNation piece outlines practical policies covering how new employees receive credentials, how permissions are removed when staff leave, and how temporary access is handled for contractors or visitors.

Credential management is not just a technical issue—it is an operational one. The article reminds readers that old badges, unused codes, or forgotten mobile access can leave serious vulnerabilities. Routine audits and automatic expiration dates help keep the system clean and secure.

When all of these steps—assessment, layout planning, technology selection, integration, power management, and policy building—come together, businesses achieve balanced protection without unnecessary complexity.

Security Systems Expert Brandon Richardson explains that preparation transforms installation from a simple equipment task into a coordinated process that supports both safety and convenience. With this approach, each door and credential becomes part of a larger, reliable security plan.

The HelloNation feature concludes that a well-prepared access control system does more than lock doors. It organizes how people move through a property, supports record keeping, and integrates seamlessly with other building systems.

Smart Preparation Steps for Reliable Access Control Systems features insights from Brandon Richardson, Security Systems Expert of Manchester, NH, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation
HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative “edvertising” approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/access-control-systems-explained-by-security-systems-expert-brandon-richardson-of-manchester-nh-for-hellonation-302782292.html

SOURCE HelloNation

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HelloNation Highlights Growing Talent Network Led by Chris McDonald and Kato Kaelin in Expanding Podcast Initiative

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ROCHESTER, N.Y., May 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HelloNation’s emerging podcast and content roster brings recognizable media personalities to a platform built on community-focused journalism.

What happens when a community media platform built on expert-driven journalism decides to expand into podcasting and video with a cast of recognizable names behind the microphone? HelloNation, America’s Good News Network, is finding out, with actor and media personality Chris McDonald leading a growing talent roster that includes Kato Kaelin as the platform moves into new content formats.

The expansion reflects a deliberate strategic decision by HelloNation Owner and CEO Bob Bartosiewicz to extend the platform’s reach beyond its written editorial work without abandoning the community focus and editorial standards that define it. Podcasting and video content offer HelloNation a way to bring its good-news philosophy to audiences who consume media primarily through audio and visual channels, and the talent now joining the platform brings both credibility and reach to that effort.

Chris McDonald, whose career spans decades of film and television work, is at the front of HelloNation’s emerging talent network. His involvement signals the kind of platform HelloNation is building, one that takes its entertainment and media presence as seriously as its journalism. Kato Kaelin, a figure with a long and varied media career of his own, adds further depth to a roster that Bartosiewicz describes as just beginning to take shape.

“When you bring in people like Chris McDonald and Kato Kaelin, you are not just adding names,” Bartosiewicz said. “You are adding voices that audiences already know and trust, and that matters when you are trying to reach new people with a message worth hearing.”

The podcast initiative fits naturally within HelloNation’s broader editorial mission. The platform has always been built around the idea that useful, trustworthy content delivered by credible voices serves communities better than noise and sensationalism. Audio and video formats extend that principle into channels where audiences are spending more of their time, and the talent joining HelloNation brings the kind of presence and personality that those formats reward.

Bartosiewicz has been intentional about how HelloNation approaches its entertainment expansion. The platform is not pivoting away from its community expert model or its edvertising approach. It is adding new dimensions to a media operation that was always designed to grow. The talent network and podcast initiative sit alongside HelloNation’s written editorial work as complementary expressions of the same good-news philosophy.

“The goal is the same whether it is an article by a local attorney or a podcast with Chris McDonald,” Bartosiewicz said. “We want people to walk away better informed and glad they spent the time.”

HelloNation’s institutional partnerships with the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the United States First Responders Association provide a civic foundation that gives the platform’s entertainment expansion a context and credibility that purely commercial media operations lack. The talent joining HelloNation is joining a platform with established civic relationships and a demonstrated commitment to community-focused content.

The platform’s community investment is also visible in its sponsorship activity. HelloNation is the headline sponsor of the Big Shooter Open, a charity golf tournament scheduled for June 15, 2026, at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester. Produced by The Shoot Big Project and SCN Hospitality, the event benefits Golisano Children’s Hospital. The sponsorship reflects the same community values that run through HelloNation’s editorial and entertainment work alike.

Bartosiewicz sees the growing talent network as an important signal about where HelloNation is heading. The platform is building toward a multi-format media presence that serves community audiences across written, audio, and video channels, with a consistent editorial standard and a consistent commitment to good news as a genuine operating principle.

“We are building something that has real range,” Bartosiewicz said. “Good journalism, strong talent, community investment. That combination does not exist anywhere else, and that is exactly the point.”

More information about HelloNation and its expanding talent and podcast network is available at www.hellonation.com.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused digital publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers expert-driven, good-news content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities. HelloNation maintains partnerships with the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the United States First Responders Association.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hellonation-highlights-growing-talent-network-led-by-chris-mcdonald-and-kato-kaelin-in-expanding-podcast-initiative-302780642.html

SOURCE HelloNation

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FANUC America Debuts Cobot and Go Booth with Rapid Deployment Automation Solutions at Automate 2026

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ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., May 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — FANUC America will debut a dedicated Cobot and Go booth (#1001) at Automate 2026, June 22–26 at McCormick Place in Chicago, featuring pre-engineered collaborative robot systems built for rapid deployment and developed with leading system integrators and distributors.  

Located adjacent to FANUC’s main booth (#1401), the Cobot and Go exhibit highlights application-ready solutions based on FANUC’s CRX series of collaborative robots, demonstrating how manufacturers can implement automation quickly using standardized, portable systems rather than custom-built cells.

“Many manufacturers want to automate but are hesitant to take on complex, fixed systems,” said Simon Kenworthy, General Manager, Authorized System Integrator Sales, FANUC America. “The Cobot and Go approach shows how collaborative out-of-the-box robot solutions can make automation more accessible, scalable and achievable on the shop floor.”

Integrator-Driven Automation Cells on Display

The booth will feature multiple collaborative robot systems developed by FANUC integrators and distributors, each demonstrating a specific real-world application:

Mission Design and Automation – Dispense Buddy with CRX-10iA
A mobile dispensing and assembly cell using a drag-and-drop interface for path programming. The system combines pick-to-light bins, a flexible fixture table and an integrated dispense nozzle to automate simulated printed circuit board assembly and precision adhesive application.Premier Tech – TOMA Palletizing Solution with CRX-30iA
A compact palletizing and depalletizing system that automatically transfers boxes between pallets via conveyor, demonstrating a continuous pick-place-palletize cycle with minimal programming using a pre-engineered interface.Robotic Technical Support Services – EZPainter with CRX-10iA
An automated coating system for consistent spray application on automotive components, featuring programmable coating paths, automated color change and repeatable finishing performance in a compact footprint.Genuine Cable Group – ATLIS AI Track and Inspect with CRX-5iA
A vision-enabled inspection cell powered by Inbolt AI, capable of identifying and tracking randomly oriented parts with minimal programming—demonstrating AI-based inspection and material handling.Vention – CNC Machine Tending Drawer System with CRX-10iA/L and CRX-20iA/L
A pre-engineered drawer-based machine tending solution that automates loading and unloading of CNC parts, using stacked drawers and standardized trays for high-density part storage and consistent, repeatable workflows.Lincoln Electric – Cooper® ADAPT Welding Cobot with CRX-10iA/L
A collaborative welding system mounted on a 7th-axis linear rail, enabling extended reach across dual work zones with a rotary positioner. The system demonstrates simplified weld programming using the Cooper application interface.Matrix Design – Post Machining Flex Cart with CRX-20iA/L
A mobile post-processing cell that automates machine unloading, part washing, blow-off drying and inspection, with integrated data tracking via an industrial PC for MES connectivity.CMES Robotics – Pick and Bag Cobot Cart with CRX-10iA
An AI-driven fulfillment solution for e-commerce order picking and automated bagging, using trained vision models to identify SKUs and achieve high-accuracy pick-and-pack operations.AMT – Maverick Depalletizing Cell with CRX-30iA
A collaborative mixed-case depalletizing system that uses integrated AI vision to identify and pick randomly arranged cases in real time. The solution automates unloading of mixed-SKU pallets by dynamically determining the next best pick, enabling efficient handling of varying box sizes, orientations and graphics with minimal programming.

Designed for Portability and Rapid Deployment

Many Cobot and Go systems are built on mobile carts or compact bases, allowing manufacturers to deploy automation where needed without permanent infrastructure changes. Standard power requirements, integrated air systems, and intuitive software interfaces further reduce setup time and training requirements.

These solutions demonstrate how FANUC and its integrator network are enabling a shift from one-off automation projects to repeatable, scalable deployment models.

Enabling Faster Paths to Automation

By collaborating closely with integrators, FANUC is highlighting how CRX cobots can serve as a foundation for standardized, ready‑to‑deploy automation across industries. This approach helps manufacturers move beyond pilot projects and toward scalable automation strategies that deliver measurable value more quickly.

The Cobot‑and‑Go booth complements FANUC’s main Automate exhibit by focusing on practical adoption—demonstrating how collaborative automation can be implemented incrementally to support workforce efficiency, operational flexibility and long‑term growth.

Discover how Cobot and Go, powered by FANUC CRX collaborative robots, simplifies automation with pre‑engineered, plug‑and‑play solutions designed for fast deployment and reliable performance by booking a guided tour of Booth #1001) at Automate 2026.

About FANUC America Corporation
FANUC America Corporation is a subsidiary of FANUC CORPORATION in Japan and provides industry‑leading CNC systems, robotics, and ROBOMACHINEs. FANUC’s innovative technologies help manufacturers maximize productivity, reliability, and profitability. Headquartered in Rochester Hills, Michigan, FANUC America has facilities throughout North and South America.
Learn more at www.fanucamerica.com.

Media Contact:
media@fanucamerica.com 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fanuc-america-debuts-cobot-and-go-booth-with-rapid-deployment-automation-solutions-at-automate-2026-302782621.html

SOURCE Fanuc America Corporation

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