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iLEAD Schools and School Pathways Expand Their Partnership with the Launch of iLEAD Flex in Lancaster

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With the California moratorium on the creation of new non-classroom-based (NCB) charter schools lifted this year, iLEAD is expanding into new communities, using the School Pathways SIS Suite to run its operations.

CHICO, Calif., June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — iLEAD Schools, a California network of tuition-free public charter schools serving TK–12 learners through classroom-based, hybrid, online, and independent home study models, announces the expansion of its charter network into Lancaster, California, adding a new charter school in their network beginning in 2026. The announcement builds on iLEAD’s longstanding partnership with School Pathways and its continued use of the SIS Suite, which has supported the network’s operations and compliance since 2021.

A New Opening for Flex-Based Charter Schools

Since the statewide moratorium on new nonclassroom-based charters concluded on January 1, 2026, mission-driven networks like iLEAD have been moving quickly to bring their programs to communities that have long lacked access to flexible, learner-centered options. For iLEAD, the moment reflects over a year of preparation. The decision to open in Lancaster was driven by the needs of families in the Antelope Valley, where a combination of school closures and strong community demand made the case for iLEAD Flex clear.

With California’s oversight standards for flex-based programs continuing to evolve, iLEAD’s investment in purpose-built compliance infrastructure, anchored by the School Pathways SIS Suite, positions the network to launch and grow responsibly.

“School Pathways has been a great partner in our beginning stages of growth. Their team is responsive, collaborative, and always willing to troubleshoot challenges as they arise, helping us build strong systems and processes as we expand,” said iLEAD Chief Integration Officer Cassandra Coleman. “We value the relationships we have built with their team.”

A Flexible Learning Model for Every Family

iLEAD Flex will open in August 2026, a community where iLEAD already has a strong presence. The TK–12 campus introduces a new level of flexibility to that community, offering families a choice between full classroom-based instruction, Independent Study, or hybrid options on campus each week.

Each pathway is designed to be adaptable as a student’s needs evolve, and all three are grounded in iLEAD’s established educational approach, which includes hands-on project-based learning, a social-emotional curriculum, and individualized instruction to meet the needs of every unique child. At the high school level, iLEAD Flex students will have access to dual enrollment with the local community college, allowing them to earn college credits at no cost while completing high school requirements. The campus is also developing Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways in partnership with local businesses and community leaders to build leadership and career readiness skills.

iLEAD Flex is expected to open with approximately 750 learners, bringing iLEAD’s total network enrollment to nearly 7,000 students. The launch is part of a longer growth plan that includes iLEAD Innovate, the network’s next planned campus, which would be their first school outside of Los Angeles County and is expected to open in fall 2027.

School Pathways and the iLEAD Partnership

The partnership supports iLEAD’s broader ten-year goal of positively impacting 10,000 learners across California with sustainable launches of new schools over the coming years. From guiding the scope and launching iLEAD Flex on a compressed timeline to maintaining clean data, streamlined CALPADS reporting, and efficient workflows across the organization, School Pathways has supported iLEAD’s growth at every stage with consistent, responsive support. As the network continues to grow, iLEAD also plans to leverage School Pathways’ AI-powered features to manage enrollment and administrative workloads, allowing staff to focus on serving learners and families.

School Pathways brings more than 20 years of experience partnering with charter and non-traditional schools across California and currently works with 300+ schools statewide. The integrated SIS suite includes a student lottery system, online registration, Student Information System, and a platform for Independent Study program management, all built specifically for hybrid, virtual, and non-traditional learning environments.

For iLEAD, the platform supports the full range of the network’s needs across all learning modalities, including:

Enrollment management with online registrationCALPADS reporting and state compliance for Independent Study programsLearning agreements, student activity tracking, and program documentationFamily and educator access to real-time student records and progress

“The lift of the moratorium marks a meaningful turning point for flex-based education in California and for the schools that have been doing this work with intention,” said School Pathways CEO Kacie Jester. “iLEAD is a strong example of a network that invested in the right systems, maintained compliance through a challenging regulatory period, and is now in a position to grow. We’re proud to support them, and to be the platform that schools across California trust to make that kind of expansion possible.”

About iLEAD Schools

iLEAD Schools is a network of tuition-free public charter schools in California committed to helping every learner become a lifelong learner, empathetic citizen, authentic individual, and design thinker. With classroom-based, hybrid, online, and independent home study options serving grades TK–12, iLEAD provides personalized, project-based learning experiences that celebrate each student’s individuality and inspire them to lead. For more information, visit ileadschools.org.

About School Pathways

School Pathways is a California-based education software company with more than 20 years of experience serving charter and non-traditional schools. We provide solutions for virtual, hybrid, and Independent Study programs that simplify school operations and foster student success in a variety of learning environments. In addition to a Student Information System better-built for non-traditional learning environments, we offer software that enables our clients to manage online learning agreements, student activity tracking, re-engagement communications, audit preparation, adult education, and more. For more information, please visit schoolpathways.com.

Media Contact:
Elena Chow
Growth Marketing Manager
elena@schoolpathways.com

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SOURCE School Pathways

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Dreame Expands Beyond Smart Cleaning with Full Smart Living Portfolio at IFA 2026

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SINGAPORE, Sept. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Dreame Technology is showcasing more than 100 products across 16 categories, demonstrating how Physical AI can move beyond the digital interface and become part of the physical world—helping products better perceive, understand, and respond to everyday life.

At the foundation of this ecosystem is Dreame’s Physical AI architecture, which integrates three core technology pillars: the Omni-Perception System, the Home Intelligence Model, and the Intelligent Actuation & Control System. Together, these enable products to perceive surroundings, interpret scenarios, make decisions, and translate them into physical actions—applying shared capabilities across diverse products and real-world use cases.

Smart Cleaning Flagships

Headlining the robot vacuum lineup is the X60 Ultra Extreme. Its Dual-Joint UltraExtend Arms allow the side brush to extend 12cm and the mop to reach 18cm into corners and under furniture. The ultra-slim 8.9cm design, liftable LDS module, and 42,000 Pa Vormax Suction ensure powerful cleaning in low-clearance spaces. AI-Enhanced OmniSight and 10cm ProLeap provide smooth navigation, while the PowerDock offers 100°C mop self-cleaning and up to 100 days of hands-free emptying.

Also unveiled is the Aqua20 Ultra Roller, Dreame’s first steam robot vacuum, using 180°C steam and 100°C hot water to melt grease and kill 99.99% of bacteria, with an 8cm extendable roller mop reaching deeper into recessed spaces.

For floor care, the H16 Pro TriForce combines 30,000 Pa suction, 200°C steam sterilization, 90°C hot water degreasing, and foam cleaning in one slim device, with a 9.85cm low profile and 180° lie-flat reach.

Personal Care Innovations

The Pocket Aura uses smart heat control and real-time distance sensors to reduce heat damage, low-heat drying and a foldable, travel-ready design. The Pocket Uni offers SmartVolt™ global voltage, 350 million negative ions, and a self-absorbing curling wand that styles with airflow. The AirStyle Pro HI is an 8-in-1 styling kit with a 130,000 RPM motor and Dreamehome app guidance, featuring A-Curl™ and a U-shaped straightening nozzle.

Air Purification Solutions

The FP10 Furcatch Air Purifier for pet owners captures 99.5% of pet hair and eliminates odors via six-stage purification with H14 HEPA and CataFresh™.

The TP20 delivers 500m³/h PCADR, refreshing a 20㎡ room in under 6 minutes, with a 3-in-1 filter lasting up to 5 years and 22dB quiet operation. The compact TP10 offers 280m³/h CADR for spaces up to 117㎡, consuming just 0.48kWh per 24 hours. The NP10 uses high-voltage electrostatic purification with a washable filter, delivering 400m³/h CADR at 28W.

Debuting is the RF10 Purifier Cool, a 2-in-1 purifier and fan with 120° wide-area airflow, millimeter-wave radar for person-tracking, and an 8-layer purification system with negative ions, consuming less than 1kWh per 24 hours.

From Intelligent Products to a Connected Smart Living Ecosystem

Dreame’s IFA 2026 presence reflects a shift toward an integrated ecosystem, applying common perception, decision-making, and execution capabilities across categories. With products in 190+ countries and 42 million households, Dreame continues to extend its Physical AI expertise into everyday life.

About Dreame Technology

Established in 2017, Dreame Technology is a trailblazer in smart home appliances that enhance lives through cutting-edge technology. The official distributor for Dreame Technology in Singapore is DM Dasher Pte Ltd. Stay updated by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, or visit https://dreame.sg/.

 

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SOURCE Dreame Technology

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SLACAL Launches Executive Forum Video Series Featuring Lloyd’s Americas President Marc Lipman

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SLACAL CEO Benjamin McKay and Lloyd’s Americas President Marc Lipman discuss wildfire, AI, new sources of capital and the future of insurance coverage in California.

SAN RAMON, Calif., Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Surplus Line Association of California (SLACAL) today released the inaugural episode of its Executive Forum video series, featuring a wide-ranging, on-the-record conversation between SLACAL CEO & Executive Director Benjamin J. McKay and Lloyd’s Americas President Marc Lipman. Moderated by SLACAL Chief Industry & Regulatory Officer David Kodama Jr., the discussion pulls back the curtain on how wildfire risk, artificial intelligence and a new wave of global capital are reshaping where, and how, California residents and businesses find coverage.

California is the world’s fifth-largest economy on its own, and its surplus lines sector now accounts for roughly $24 billion in annual premium. Lloyd’s is proud to be a critical partner; it held an 18% share in the California E&S market in 2025. McKay and Lipman explain why that growth happened, why they say the industry’s biggest reputational myth is flat-out wrong and what’s coming next as AI, data centers and other emerging risks outpace what traditional insurance was built to handle.

In the conversation, viewers will hear:

Why McKay says California’s insurance troubles are “a wildfire crisis, not an insurance crisis,” and how Proposition 103 has shaped the market ever since.Why McKay says surplus lines insurance is safer than most people assume.Why Lipman says the old idea of surplus lines as insurance’s “dumping ground” no longer holds up, and what he calls it instead.How private equity, hedge funds and sovereign wealth are quietly funding California’s next generation of risk transfer.How parametric insurance products emerging from the Lloyd’s Lab—which accelerates the development and adoption of new insurance products and operational solutions for the Lloyd’s market—can help California homeowners after a wildfire or earthquake.

▶ Watch the full conversation now on SLACAL’s YouTube Channel 

The Executive Forum conversation is the first in a planned series exploring the issues shaping California’s insurance market. New episodes, along with additional educational content, will be added to SLACAL’s Learning Center throughout the year.

About the Surplus Line Association of California
As the advisory organization appointed by the California Department of Insurance, the Surplus Line Association of California oversees the state’s nearly $25 billion surplus lines marketplace, serving as a market stabilizer, information authority and early-warning system for regulators and market participants. SLACAL supports regulatory oversight, helps brokers comply with California laws and regulations, processes surplus lines insurance policies and monitors the financial condition of companies on California’s List of Approved Surplus Line Insurers.

About Lloyd’s
Lloyd’s is the only insurance marketplace of its kind in the world. It brings together more than a hundred syndicates and thousands of investors, enabling the market to shoulder more insurance risk for every unit of capital than any other financial institution in the world. The role of the Corporation is to advance and protect the market—by maintaining underwriting discipline and our financial strength; and by attracting expertise, innovation and scale. Our unique global licenses and excellent financial strength ratings provide the infrastructure, oversight and confidence required to understand, price and manage complex and interconnected risks. Risk transfer—properly executed—underpins economic growth, resilience and innovation around the world. This is the role Lloyd’s has played for 337 years, and it remains central to our purpose today.

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SOURCE The Surplus Line Association of California

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Cross-border Counselor LLP: Chinese E-Commerce Sellers File Class Action Seeking to Void Thousands of “Schedule A” Default Judgments Entered After Email Service the Seventh Circuit Has Held Invalid

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Bilateral class action under Rule 60(d)(1) seeks relief from void judgments, an accounting, and restitution of money collected from mainland-China defendants in the Northern District of Illinois

CHICAGO, Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A Ningbo-based cross-border e-commerce seller has filed a class action in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois seeking to void default judgments entered against mainland-China defendants in thousands of “Schedule A” cases, and to require the plaintiffs who obtained those judgments to account for and return the money collected under them.

The complaint, filed by Ningbo Jiaruisi E-Commerce Co., Ltd., which formerly operated on Amazon under the storefront name GENISBULB, asks the court to declare the thousands of default judgments void for lack of personal jurisdiction, to halt their continued enforcement, and to order restitution of funds seized from seller accounts.

The Seventh Circuit’s decision in Kangol

The suit follows a May 29, 2026 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, the federal appellate court with jurisdiction over the Northern District of Illinois. In Kangol LLC v. Hangzhou Chuanyue Silk Import & Export Co., 177 F.4th 793 (7th Cir. 2026), the court held that where the Hague Service Convention applies, it supplies the exclusive means of serving process abroad — and that because no provision of the Convention authorizes service by email in China, email service on a mainland-China defendant is not authorized by Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 4(f)(3).

For years before Kangol, judges in the Northern District of Illinois routinely granted Schedule A plaintiffs leave to serve Chinese sellers by email or by posting documents to a website. Sellers who never learned of the case did not appear, and default judgments followed.

The scale of the practice

The Northern District of Illinois is the country’s busiest Schedule A forum. According to the complaint, more than 8,900 Schedule A cases were filed there between 2012 and May 2026, by more than 1,900 different named plaintiffs, with each case typically naming dozens or hundreds of online sellers under a collective caption. The complaint alleges that thousands of those cases ended in default judgments against mainland-China sellers served by email or electronic publication rather than through the Convention, that tens of thousands of sellers were affected, and that tens of millions of dollars were collected from them.

“Kangol corrected an error that was repeated thousands of times in the Northern District,” said Wesley E. Johnson of Cross-Border Counselor LLP, lead counsel in this action and in Kangol. “This case seeks to remedy those errors. Spread across tens of thousands of sellers, it adds up to an enormous uncompensated transfers of value out of the Chinese cross-border e-commerce sector.”

The named plaintiff

In December 2022, WHAM-O, owner of the FRISBEE trademarks, filed a Schedule A action in the Northern District of Illinois, WHAM-O Holding, Ltd. v. The Partnerships and Unincorporated Associations Identified on Schedule “A,” No. 1:22-cv-06802. On Dec. 13, 2022, the court entered a temporary restraining order that also authorized service by email and electronic publication. GENISBULB was listed as defendant No. 44.

The court later entered a default judgment awarding WHAM-O statutory damages of $200,000 against each defaulting defendant and directing third parties holding the defendants’ funds to restrain those accounts and turn the money over. Amazon released $4,393.41 from GENISBULB’s account to WHAM-O. The balance of the $200,000 judgment, along with a permanent injunction, remains outstanding against the company, and the complaint alleges that marketplaces and payment processors continue to treat the judgment as an adjudicated finding of infringement.

A bilateral class structure

The complaint proposes a plaintiff class of mainland-China Schedule A defendants and, unusually, a defendant class of the Schedule A plaintiffs who obtained non-Hague service authorization and then took default judgments. WHAM-O, which the complaint alleges filed at least 116 Schedule A cases, is named as the proposed representative of the defendant class. A subclass would cover sellers whose funds were actually turned over.

No class has been certified, and the court has not ruled on any of the allegations in the complaint.

Information for affected sellers

Many sellers named in Schedule A cases never received notice that a judgment had been entered against them, and some learned of it only when a marketplace account was frozen or closed. Sellers who believe they may have been affected — or who are simply unsure whether a judgment was entered against them — are welcome to contact the firm with questions. There is no cost or obligation to make an inquiry.

About Cross-Border Counselor LLP

Cross-Border Counselor LLP is a law firm with offices in Illinois, California, Washington and New York that represents United States and Chinese companies in U.S. litigation involving international legal issues, with a particular focus on intellectual property actions and cross-border enforcement.

Media contact
Wesley E. Johnson
Cross-Border Counselor LLP
105 W. Madison Street, Suite 2300, Chicago, Illinois 60602
Phone: +1 (312) 752-4828
Email: wjohnson@cbcounselor.com 

Attorney Advertising

This release is attorney advertising. It describes allegations contained in a complaint filed with the court; those allegations have not been proven, and no court has ruled on them. Nothing here is legal advice on any specific matter, and nothing here creates an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Sources: Complaint filed Sept. 3, 2026 (N.D. Ill.); Kangol LLC v. Hangzhou Chuanyue Silk Import & Export Co., 177 F.4th 793 (7th Cir. May 29, 2026); WHAM-O Holding, Ltd. v. The Partnerships and Unincorporated Associations Identified on Schedule “A,” No. 1:22-cv-06802 (N.D. Ill.).

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SOURCE Cross-Border Counselor LLP

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