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AARP Invests $237,500 in Quick-Action Projects to Make NY Communities More Livable for All Ages

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Grants aims to help residents of all ages, especially older adults, improve how they live, move, and stay connected in their neighborhoods through innovative local projects

NEW YORK, June 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AARP today announced 23 organizations throughout New York will receive 2026 Community Challenge grants. Marking the program’s 10th anniversary, the grants are part of an $8.3 million commitment by AARP, doubling last year’s total, to fund 750 quick-action projects nationwide aimed at making communities more livable for people of all ages, especially older adults. The funds will support improvements to public spaces, transportation, housing, digital connectivity, disaster preparedness, and other local priorities that help improve social connections and strengthen neighborhoods and towns of all sizes.

“Communities across New York are eager for solutions that boost mobility, connection, and quality of life,” said AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel. “Thanks to Community Challenge grants, we’re empowering residents to make a sizeable difference. This program helps local leaders turn practical ideas into action to create visible improvements to strengthen communities for all ages.”

Since 2017, AARP has awarded nearly $1 million through 87 Community Challenge grants supporting projects across New York. Grant projects will be funded in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Projects across New York reflect growing demand for practical, local solutions that help residents stay connected, safe and independent, including:

Adirondacks/Capital Region

Capital Streets, Watervliet: $15,000 for signage, paint and other traffic calming measures to address speeding and confusing crossings at a dangerous high-traffic roadway.City of Mechanicville: $15,000 to install ADA-compliant pedestrian signals and crossings between housing for older adults and a local grocery store. These changes will create a direct, safer walking route and reduce reliance on transit for short trips.Southern Saratoga YMCA: $2,500 to create educational sessions to teach residents how to make homes safer and more accessible.Town of Johnsburg: $2,500 for walk audits to align with town infrastructure and beautification projects; $15,000 to expand its HomeFit pilot into a continuing program that provides small home safety improvements for residents age 50-plus.Tupper Lake Public Library: $15,000 to transform its community room into a safer, more accessible, and inviting space for residents age 50-plus.

Central New York/Finger Lakes

Access To Independence of Cortland County: $2,500 to conduct walk audits to examine connections between sidewalks and bus routes used by residents age 50 and older.Downtown Ithaca Alliance: $2,500 for walk audits to examine sidewalk and crossing conditions near Ithaca’s downtown bus stations.Friends of Sandy Bottom Park, Honeoye: $11,100 to add benches along a popular park’s walking trails and provide equipment for new pickleball courts.

Hudson Valley

Finkelstein Library, Spring Valley: $12,000 to convert a van into a mobile library that visits older adults in local housing communities to provide books, media, internet access and programming.Town of Poughkeepsie: $15,000 to install safety features at a popular park, including a speed feedback sign, a flashing pedestrian sign and a clearly marked crosswalk.Village of Croton-on-Hudson: $15,000 to install a rapid-flashing pedestrian beacon on a street with many older residents.Village of Port Chester: $15,000 to improve downtown pedestrian safety by rebuilding sidewalks and curbs, adding accessible ramps and installing a crosswalk, lighting and a bench.

Long Island

Hofstra University, Hempstead: $2,500 for campus-wide intergenerational walk audits to assess safety and access. The findings will produce recommendations that support older adults on campus.The Barry & Florence Friedberg Jewish Community Center, Oceanside: $15,000 to create an outdoor social space featuring seating, shade and reading areas.

New York City

Center For Hope Services, Staten Island: $15,000 to install high-visibility crosswalks, turn-calming features and a clearly marked loading zone on a busy residential street.Good Old Lower East Side, Manhattan: $15,000 to conduct disaster preparedness workshops for residents of public housing developments.Jewish Association Serving the Aging Housing Management, Manhattan: $14,900 to transform an unused backyard at a housing site for older adults into an accessible outdoor space.Selfhelp Community Services, Queens: $2,500 to provide disaster preparedness training and leadership instruction to older adults from several buildings.Third Avenue Business Improvement District, Bronx: $15,000 to create street murals, install flex posts and wayfinding signage.The Hilas Foundation, New York City: $2,500 for preparedness trainings and support activities to help adults age 50 plus stay ready for emergencies.

Western New York

Buffalo Niagara YMCA: $2,500 for educational seminars and home assessments to identify safety hazards for older adults. Participants will receive simple products that improve home stability.Create a Healthier Niagara Falls Collaborative: $2,500 to conduct walk audits near Niagara Falls State Park. Community meetings will connect residents and lawmakers to implement solutions.Downtown ROCs, Rochester: $12,000 to install ADA-compliant benches and clear transit wayfinding signage along a key transit corridor.

“America is aging, and most older adults want to stay in the communities they know and love. There are a lot of things that localities can do to support residents of all ages,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP, Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer.

“AARP Community Challenge grants help transform local ideas into real improvements— from safer sidewalks and improved transportation options to public spaces that bring neighbors together and enhance community connections. As we celebrate the program’s 10th year, we’re proud to double our investment so even more communities can become great places to live for people at all stages of life.”

View the full list of grantees and their projects at aarp.org/communitychallenge. Learn more about AARP’s work to support livable communities at aarp.org/livable.

About AARP

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the 125 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation’s largest-circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and the AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit aarp.org, aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPLatino and @AARPadvocates on social media.

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SOURCE AARP New York

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ATTACK SHARK Announces Strategic Partnership with Cloud9 Esports’ League of Legends Team

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NEW YORK, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — High-performance gaming peripheral brand ATTACK SHARK today announced a partnership with leading esports organization Cloud9 Esports. Focused on Cloud9’s League of Legends team, the collaboration will showcase professional gaming insights, esports culture, and competitive gear content across digital, social media, and e-commerce channels.

A Championship Legacy in North American Esports

Founded in 2013, Cloud9 Kia has grown into one of North America’s most iconic esports organizations. Originally established through League of Legends, it has built a global reputation through competitive success, including 6 League Championship Series (LCS) titles, 10 World Championship appearances, the 2018 ELEAGUE Major Boston title, the inaugural Overwatch League championship, and a Rocket League World Championship. Cloud9 Kia remains one of North America’s most influential League of Legends teams.

Deep Collaboration: From Pro Scenes to Player Communities

The partnership will center on professional player training, competitive performance, and player-focused content. ATTACK SHARK will equip the Cloud9 League of Legends team with its latest gaming peripherals to support daily training and competitive preparation.

By combining Cloud9’s professional competitive expertise with ATTACK SHARK’s focus on hardware innovation, the partnership aims to explore the increasing demands placed on gaming equipment in high-level esports environments. Trusted by over 10 million players worldwide, ATTACK SHARK translates professional esports insights into accessible, high-performance gaming peripherals for competitive gamers. 

“At Cloud9 Kia, we believe gaming can unlock the best in everyone. ATTACK SHARK is on a mission to make high-performance mice and keyboards accessible to all gamers, and that’s the same idea from two directions. I’m proud to have them alongside Cloud9 Kia, and excited for all of the amazing peripherals this partnership will put into our fan’s hands,” said Jonathan Tran, President of Cloud9.

“Partnering with Cloud9 Kia is a significant milestone for ATTACK SHARK,” said Gavin Cheng, CEO and Co-Founder of ATTACK SHARK. “Their competitive spirit, professionalism, and relentless pursuit of excellence closely align with the values that have guided ATTACK SHARK from the beginning. This collaboration creates an opportunity to learn from professional competition and share those insights with players around the world.”

The partnership represents a deeper investment by ATTACK SHARK in the global esports ecosystem. Together, ATTACK SHARK and Cloud9 Kia will continue creating new experiences for competitive players and gaming communities worldwide.

For more information, visit https://attackshark.com/ or connect with the brand on social media and Discord.

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DREO Unveils New Air Purifier, Heating Innovations and Air Intelligence at IFA 2026, Shaping the Future of Home Wellness

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DREO introduces its new Air Purifier lineup, led by the flagship Air Purifier 530S, combining TurboPure™ technology with AI-powered RGBIC lighting to deliver high-performance purification with a more intuitive user experience.DREO Air Intelligence debuts as an AI-powered system that enables air products to better understand, adapt to and coordinate around changing home environments.DREO showcases its next-generation heating technologies, featuring new airflow innovations designed to deliver more adaptive, personalized and whole-room warmth.DREO hosts an IFA Dream Stage panel with leaders from the Connectivity Standards Alliance and Polar to discuss how AI, connectivity and intelligent air management can shape the future of home wellness.

BERLIN, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — DREO, a global smart home brand, today unveiled its latest innovations at IFA 2026, including a new Air Purifier lineup led by the flagship DREO Air Purifier 530S, DREO Air Intelligence, an AI-powered system for home air management, and its latest heating technologies. Under the theme “AIR, Mastered,” DREO is showcasing its vision for making home air more intelligent, with products and technologies designed to better sense indoor environments, adapt to changing conditions and deliver more personalized comfort experiences.

“For years, DREO has focused on advancing air comfort through stronger performance, thoughtful product design and seamless connectivity,” said Olivia Xu, Chief Marketing Officer at DREO. “Today marks the next step in that journey. We believe the future of home comfort will not be defined by smarter individual products alone, but by continuously rethinking how people experience air in everyday life. From purification and heating to intelligent home air management, every innovation we introduce is designed to make home comfort more intuitive, adaptive and personal.”

New Flagship DREO Air Purifier 530S with TurboPure™ Technology Delivers a More Intuitive Purification Experience

Leading DREO’s new air purification lineup, the flagship DREO Air Purifier 530S is built around the Ultimate TurboPure™ Purification System. Combining an all-new airflow system, 3-in-1 HEPA Pro filtration, intelligent sensing and AI-powered RGBIC lighting, the DREO Air Purifier 530S delivers powerful purification while creating a more intuitive way for users to understand and interact with indoor air quality.

All-new airflow system. The Air Purifier 530S features an elevated design that creates true 360° air intake, helping capture dust and pet hair closer to the floor. A newly developed spiral intake guides incoming air in the same rotational direction as the impeller, reducing turbulence before it reaches the fan. Clean air is then released evenly through a 360° outlet to improve circulation throughout the room.3-in-1 HEPA Pro filtration. A True HEPA filter captures 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 μm under the IEST standard, while the replaceable FiberCatch™ layer traps larger debris including dust and hair for easier maintenance. The filtration system also incorporates 130 g of modified activated carbon, four times the capacity of the previous generation, to improve odor removal from pets, cooking and everyday indoor living.Intelligent sensing and visibility. The Air Purifier 530S integrates a real-time PM2.5 sensor with Auto Mode to continuously monitor indoor air quality and automatically adjust purification performance. An AI-powered RGBIC light ring visualizes changes in air quality from anywhere in the room while also supporting personalized lighting effects, combining functional feedback with ambient home aesthetics.

Independently verified by AHAM, the DREO Air Purifier 530S delivers a Clean Air Delivery Rate of 221 m³/h, covering approximately 19 m² at 4.8 air changes per hour or spaces up to 90 m² at one air change per hour. With HyperSilent™ Technology, noise levels are reduced to as low as 18 dB in Sleep Mode, enabling quiet operation in bedrooms and during overnight use.

The DREO Air Purifier 530S also supports smart control through the DREO App, Amazon Alexa and Google Home, enabling users to remotely manage purification, create schedules with minute-level precision and review up to 30 days of air quality history. An intelligent filter life algorithm estimates replacement timing based on actual air quality, fan speed and usage, helping simplify everyday maintenance.

Alongside the DREO Air Purifier 530S, DREO is also showcasing the DREO Air Purifier 539S, DREO Air Purifier 539AS, DREO Air Purifier 338S and DREO Air Purifier Macro Max AS, offering solutions for different room sizes and home environments across the European market.

DREO Air Intelligence Advances Home Wellness Through AI and Connected Air Comfort

Beyond its latest product innovations, DREO is introducing DREO Air Intelligence, an AI-powered air system designed to make home wellness more adaptive through AI and connected air comfort. Rather than relying solely on preset routines, DREO Air Intelligence combines physical comfort models with internationally recognized PMV/PPD thermal comfort science to understand changing home environments, interpret multiple environmental signals and intelligently coordinate compatible DREO air comfort products. By connecting environmental sensing, intelligent decision-making and device coordination, DREO Air Intelligence enables air products to respond more naturally to people’s changing needs at home.

DREO Air Intelligence is built around three core experiences:

Home Wellness Score: Combines thermal comfort, air quality, rest environment and water-related wellness signals into a single score from 0 to 100, giving users an at-a-glance understanding of their home environment and clear visibility into areas that may need attention. Thermal comfort is evaluated using internationally recognized PMV/PPD models, going beyond raw temperature to estimate how a room actually feels by accounting for humidity, airflow, activity level and clothing factors.Energy Saving Status: Uses AI optimization to intelligently adjust device operation and compare energy consumption with and without AI optimization. Results are presented in terms of electricity saved, estimated cost savings and reduced carbon emissions, making energy efficiency more visible, measurable and easier to understand.Home Air Pilot: Continuously monitors changes in the home environment, analyzes surrounding conditions and intelligently coordinates compatible DREO air comfort products to optimize comfort, air quality and energy efficiency. When the system can make reliable decisions, Home Air Pilot proactively adjusts device operation. When personal preferences are involved, users remain fully in control.

Designed with an open ecosystem in mind, DREO Air Intelligence supports Matter-enabled devices, allowing compatible products to work together more seamlessly across the connected home. As DREO continues to expand its connected ecosystem, DREO Air Intelligence represents the company’s vision for making home wellness more adaptive through AI and connected air comfort.

Next-Generation Heating Technologies Introduce Adaptive Airflow for Home Heating

DREO showcased its latest heating technologies, led by AutoShift™ Technology, a new airflow innovation built around an adaptive lifting structure that automatically raises and lowers the upper air guide to transition between Focused Heating and 360° Whole-Room Heating. By physically changing how warm air is delivered, AutoShift™ enables a single heating system to adapt to different heating scenarios, providing concentrated warmth for personal comfort or balanced heat distribution throughout the room without requiring users to manually switch between different heating modes.

The adaptive lifting structure works together with a newly developed airflow architecture to continuously reshape airflow as it moves, creating two distinct heating experiences within a single system. The result is a more responsive approach to home heating that adapts naturally to different spaces, activities and everyday routines, while maintaining consistent heating performance throughout each transition.

DREO also showcased its latest fanless convection heating technology, extending its heating innovation with a quieter solution designed to deliver more even and longer-lasting warmth through natural heat circulation. Together, these latest heating technologies reflect DREO’s continued focus on advancing airflow innovation to create more adaptive home comfort experiences.

DREO Brings Industry Leaders Together to Explore the Future of Home Wellness

As part of its “AIR, Mastered” showcase at IFA 2026, DREO hosted the IFA Dream Stage panel, “How Air, Connectivity and Intelligence Bridge the Last Mile of Home Wellness,” bringing together leaders from the connectivity, smart home and digital health industries to explore how AI, open ecosystems and intelligent air management can create more adaptive and human-centered home wellness experiences.

Moderated by Anna Heim, Freelance Journalist and Moderator at TechCrunch, the discussion featured Tobin Richardson, President and CEO of the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), Martin Müller, Sales Director and General Manager, Europe at DREO, and Spiros Andreou, Head of Global Industry & Technology Partnerships at Polar. Together, the panel explored how the industry can move beyond basic device connectivity toward intelligent systems that better understand home environments, coordinate across devices and respond to people’s everyday needs.

Highlighting DREO’s vision for the future of home wellness, Martin Müller said, “People rarely think about the air around them until something feels wrong. Yet it influences how we sleep, work, recover and live every day. The future of home wellness begins with making air more intelligent.”

The panel also highlighted the importance of open interoperability and cross-industry collaboration in enabling the next generation of connected home experiences. Richardson emphasized that Matter provides a foundation for devices to work together seamlessly, allowing the industry to focus on creating better user experiences rather than simply connecting products. Andreou added that bringing together environmental intelligence and physiological insights creates new opportunities to better understand people’s everyday wellbeing and deliver more personalized home wellness experiences.

The discussion reflects DREO’s continued commitment to working with industry partners to advance a more open, intelligent and connected future for home wellness.

DREO Continues to Expand Its Presence Across Europe

Europe has become one of DREO’s fastest-growing markets, with sales volume increasing 142% year over year in the first half of 2026 and revenue growing 156%, further strengthening the company’s momentum across key markets including Germany, the United Kingdom and France.

The United Kingdom has become one of DREO’s strongest-performing markets, where the company has ranked No. 1 on Amazon UK in both the Tower Fan and Space Heater categories for two consecutive years, accounting for 22% of the Amazon UK tower fan market and 15% of the space heater market. Building on its online success, DREO expanded into offline retail through Argos in 2025 and has since built a retail and online network spanning 71 channels across 16 European countries. Key retail partners across major European markets include Argos, Costco UK, Currys and Boots in the UK; Expert, Euronics and MediaMarkt in Germany; Fnac Darty and Leroy Merlin in France; Fnac, Leroy Merlin, MediaMarkt and Bauhaus in Spain; and Euronics, MediaWorld and Unieuro in Italy.

“Europe continues to be one of DREO’s most important growth markets,” said Martin Müller, Sales Director and General Manager, Europe at DREO. “We remain committed to investing in product innovation, local partnerships and long-term market development to deliver intelligent air comfort experiences that better serve European consumers.”

Building on this momentum, DREO will continue expanding its European business through product innovation, broader retail availability and a growing connected ecosystem, further advancing its vision of intelligent home wellness powered by DREO Air Intelligence.

DREO’s latest innovations are showcased throughout IFA 2026 at Hall 9, Stand 130, where visitors can experience the new DREO Air Purifier lineup, explore DREO Air Intelligence, preview next-generation heating technologies, and discover DREO’s latest air comfort portfolio designed for the European market.

For more information, please visit DREO.

About DREO

DREO is a leading global smart home and lifestyle appliance brand. Founded in 2021 by a team of engineers, the company develops intelligent solutions for indoor air management (ventilation, air conditioning, heating) and smart kitchen environments. By pairing precision engineering, featuring proprietary technology like ECO energy-saving algorithms and HyperSilent™ ultra-quiet operation, with contemporary design, DREO transforms home comfort into a seamless, accessible experience.

With a global retail footprint of over 34,000 partner stores and a top-rated smart app (4.9/5 stars across 500,000+ monthly active users), DREO is redefining home comfort. Ranked #1 in both the tower fan and space heater categories, with over 250,000 units sold in the UK in H1 2026, DREO has established itself as one of the fastest-growing challengers in the connected appliance sector. DREO has successfully expanded its retail presence in the UK through key partnerships with leading consumer electronics giants Argos and Currys, bringing its innovative home comfort solutions to even more consumers nationwide.

For more information, visit https://uk.dreo.com/

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TCL Inspires Her Greatness at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026

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As a FIBA Global Partner, TCL brings TCLforHer to life through technology-enabled fan experiences that celebrate women athletes, connect fans, and extend the energy of the game beyond the court.

BERLIN, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 takes place in Berlin this September, with the world’s top women’s basketball teams competing on the sport’s biggest stage. As a FIBA Global Partner, TCL is bringing its TCLforHer initiative to life at the tournament with a series of technology-enabled fan experiences that let standout performances by women athletes be seen, shared and celebrated by audiences worldwide.

With the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 taking place in Berlin alongside IFA 2026, TCL is using this rare meeting of global sport and consumer technology to connect the energy of the court with the future of smart living.

“The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup is a powerful platform for celebrating the confidence, resilience and teamwork that define women’s basketball,” said Wei Xue, Vice President and ESG Director of TCL Technology and Chairman of the TCL Charity Foundation. “Through TCLforHer and our partnership with FIBA, TCL is using technology not only to enhance the fan experience, but also to help the stories and achievements of women athletes inspire more women around the world.”

TCLforHer Champions Women’s Sport On and Off the Court

During the tournament, the TCL Player of the Game award will honor standout performances across 36 games, recognizing the skill, strength, leadership and resilience shown on the court.

Beyond the court, TCL’s commitment to celebrating women’s achievements extends through TCLforHer, a global initiative launched in 2021 that brings together technology, sport, and education to support women’s personal development. Through FIBA’s “Her World, Her Rules,” TCL encourages girls and women to build confidence, challenge limitations and pursue their potential through sport.

From the Court to the Living Room, TCL Brings Elite Sport Closer to Fans

TCL’s support is visible throughout the tournament through courtside advertising boards, on-court decals, media backdrops and a dedicated fan interactive booth at Berlin Arena, while fan activations—including TCL Lucky Frame, giant TIFO display and TV giveaways—turn live game highlights into memorable fan moments.

 

Outside the arena, TCL is extending the passion of the game to home entertainment and mobile through TVs, RayNeo glasses, and mobile devices. Whether watching the game on a large living-room screen, exploring more personal viewing through wearable displays, or following and sharing moments on mobile devices, TCL is bringing the game’s energy into more everyday settings through a richer range of on-screen experiences.

Inspiring Greatness Through Global Sports Engagement

Sport is a key pillar of TCL’s global brand strategy and a shared language through which it creates emotional connections with audiences across cultures. Spanning football, basketball, American football, esports, and more, TCL is building a global partnership network that connects fans with world-class sport.

As an Official Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner and FIBA Global Partner, TCL brings international sporting moments into everyday life through its display technologies, smart home appliances, and smart living experiences. Beyond these global sports platforms, TCL is also connecting with fans locally through football partnerships with major European national teams and clubs, creating more everyday touchpoints for fans to experience their favorite sports and teams. Together, these partnerships help TCL bring fans closer to their favorite athletes and teams, igniting more moments that Inspire Greatness every day.

About TCL

Founded in 1981, TCL—short for “The Creative Life”—is dedicated to empowering smarter, healthier lifestyles through next-generation experiences. Operating through two independent entities, TCL Industries and TCL Technology, TCL delivers innovative solutions spanning TVs, smartphones, audio products, smart home devices, display technologies, and clean energy.

Today, with 50 R&D centers and 47 manufacturing bases globally, TCL operates in over 160 countries and regions, reinforcing its position as a globally competitive smart technology brand. To further inspire greatness, TCL has become an official Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner in the Home Audiovisual Equipment and Home Appliances category. 

https://www.tcl.com/global/en 

 

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