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Likely Voters Express Broad Concern About Online Election Prediction Markets, New National Poll Commissioned by the Partnership for Large Election Jurisdictions (PLEJ) Poll Finds

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75% of Likely Midterm Voters Say Prediction Markets Create Confusion and 39% Say a Wrong Prediction Could Undermine Their Confidence in the Official Results

WASHINGTON, July 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Online prediction/betting markets have already attracted nearly $200 million in wagers on the 2026 elections. But a more than half who identified themselves as likely midterm voters say these markets are bad for democracy, according to a new national survey of 1,000 U.S. adults commissioned by the Partnership for Large Election Jurisdictions (PLEJ). 

The poll found concern across party lines about the potential effects of election prediction markets on public understanding and trust. Among likely 2026 midterm voters:

75% say prediction markets create confusion60% say they fuel inaccurate election information45% believe people participating in prediction markets may have access to insider information about election outcomes

Confusion extends to what prediction market odds actually represent. Nearly four in ten likely midterm voters believe that prediction market odds reflect either the number of votes currently counted, or official projections issued by state and local election officials. But the reality is different. Prediction market prices only reflect the activity and expectations of market participants—not votes cast, votes counted, or official election results.

The potential effect on confidence is significant: 38% of likely midterm voters say that if an official election result differed from prediction market odds, it would reduce their confidence in the outcome.

“Prediction markets are becoming part of the election information environment—but they are not election results,” said Carolina Lopez, PLEJ Executive Director. “What we saw surrounding the Los Angeles mayoral primary may be a preview of what election officials will encounter across hundreds of races nationwide. Large election jurisdictions are preparing now to distinguish speculation from official information, address confusion quickly, and communicate clearly about how votes are cast, counted, and certified. That preparation starts with understanding what Americans believe and where the greatest information gaps exist.”

At the same time, likely midterm voters continue to place substantially greater trust in the officials responsible for administering elections. Nearly two-thirds express high trust in their state election officials, at 64%, and 61% express high trust in their local election officials. By comparison, fewer than one in four report high trust in news media, social media, or prediction markets for election information.

Together, the findings underscore the importance of clearly distinguishing between market speculation and official election information—and ensuring that voters know where to turn for accurate information about voting, vote counting, and certified results.

“When speculation, projections, and prediction markets compete for attention, voters need to hear directly from the state and local election officials responsible for administering elections,” Lopez said. “Clear, timely information from official sources helps the public understand the process and distinguish market expectations from actual election results.”

State and local election officials can take practical steps to reduce confusion and strengthen public understanding as online prediction markets become more prominent in the election information environment, including:

Providing clear, accessible explainers—in written, video, and graphic formats—about how ballots are cast, collected, processed, counted, reported, and certified, as well as the safeguards built into each stage.Monitoring emerging questions, claims, and information trends so officials can identify potential confusion early and respond quickly with accurate, authoritative information.Maintaining open lines of communication with local, state, and federal partners, as well as media and community stakeholders, to coordinate information and ensure that voters’ questions are addressed in real time.

Together, these steps can help voters distinguish speculation and prediction market activity from the official voting and counting processes that determine election outcomes.

About the Polling
PLEJ commissioned SurveyMonkey to survey 1,037 American adults from July 16-19. 867 of those surveyed identified themselves as likely 2026 midterm voters. The polling has a margin of error of +/- 3%. For the full polling results, please contact media@taketheplej.org.

About PLEJ
PLEJ is a national, nonpartisan organization that provides a community of support, best practices, and peer-to-peer engagement among large election jurisdictions—the esteemed community leaders that work across the country to implement safe, secure, free, and fair elections nationwide. The PLEJ Network is currently comprised of over 170 member jurisdictions across 39 states (plus DC), and they collectively administer elections for over 140 Million Americans (about 40% of the U.S. population).

Additional Resources

PLEJ Registration Link for Media Roundtable on Wed 07/29/26, 12p-1p ETPLEJ One-Pager on Speaker Lineup

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/likely-voters-express-broad-concern-about-online-election-prediction-markets-new-national-poll-commissioned-by-the-partnership-for-large-election-jurisdictions-plej-poll-finds-302837952.html

SOURCE Partnership for Large Election Jurisdictions

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ZIONS BANCORPORATION’S BOARD ANNOUNCES APPROVAL OF SHARE REPURCHASE AND DECLARES DIVIDENDS ON COMMON AND PREFERRED STOCK

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SALT LAKE CITY, July 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Zions Bancorporation, N.A. (NASDAQ: ZION) announced today that its board of directors has authorized share repurchases of up to $75 million of the company’s common stock for the third quarter of 2026 as part of the company’s previously authorized share repurchase target for 2026 of $300 million. The timing and amounts of any such actions will depend on market conditions, regulatory requirements, and other factors or uncertainties and may be updated at the discretion of the board.

The board also declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.48 per common share, payable August 20, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 13, 2026. The dividend represents a $0.03, or 6.7%, increase from the prior quarter.

Additionally, the board declared the regular quarterly cash dividend on the company’s Series A perpetual preferred shares (NASDAQ: ZIONP; CUSIP: 98973A104). The cash dividends on the preferred shares are payable September 15, 2026, to shareholders of record on September 1, 2026.

Zions Bancorporation, N.A. is one of the nation’s premier financial services companies with approximately $89 billion of total assets at December 31, 2025, and annual net revenue of $3.4 billion in 2025. Zions operates under local management teams and distinct brands in 11 western states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The Bank is a consistent recipient of national and state-wide customer survey awards in small- and middle-market banking, as well as a leader in public finance advisory services and Small Business Administration lending. In addition, Zions is included in the S&P MidCap 400 and NASDAQ Financial 100 indices. Investor information and links to local banking brands can be accessed at www.zionsbancorporation.com.  

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zions-bancorporations-board-announces-approval-of-share-repurchase-and-declares-dividends-on-common-and-preferred-stock-302839563.html

SOURCE Zions Bancorporation

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Proteotype Unveils Alchemi®, the Data and Orchestration Platform Behind Enlighten®

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With approximately €499,000 from the EIC Pre-Accelerator, Alchemi® is being developed to connect laboratory measurements, multi-country clinical data and healthcare workflows, supporting secure, interoperable deployment across distributed laboratories.

TORRES VEDRAS, Portugal, July 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Proteotype Diagnostics Unipessoal LDA (“Proteotype”) today unveiled Alchemi®, its proprietary data and clinical workflow platform being developed for Enlighten®, the company’s investigational blood-based multi-cancer test.

Enlighten® measures changes in the body’s response to tumour development using a laboratory kit. Alchemi® is designed to standardise those measurements, govern analytical and machine-learning workflows and generate traceable, clinician-facing outputs. By supporting interoperability across laboratory and health-record systems through standards including HL7 FHIR and SNOMED CT, Alchemi® is intended to reduce reliance on a single central testing facility and make Enlighten® easier to integrate into local care pathways.

Proteotype’s MODERNISED and INNOVATOR studies are expanding the clinical evidence supporting Enlighten®. Alchemi® is intended to provide shared digital infrastructure through which multi-country datasets can be securely governed, analysed and translated into future clinical workflows.

Alchemi® will combine secure harmonisation of pseudonymised data generated across countries and laboratory environments; controlled development and validation of explainable machine-learning models; regulatory-compliant traceability; and a multilingual clinician portal for test ordering, result viewing and workflow management.

Its models are being designed to provide interpretable outputs, uncertainty measures and traceability of the data, model version and processing steps used to generate each result. A modular architecture will support jurisdiction-appropriate cloud deployment, with encryption, controlled access and comprehensive audit trails.

The 15-month development programme begins on 1 September 2026 and is supported by approximately €499,000 from the European Innovation Council’s Pre-Accelerator. The grant will support machine-learning optimisation, multi-country data harmonisation, clinician-interface development, interoperability, cloud security, and medical-device and software lifecycle, quality and technical documentation.

Proteotype was among 70 deep-tech companies selected from 22 countries under the EIC Pre-Accelerator call, which awarded approximately €32.5 million in total funding.

Wesley Sukdao, CEO and Co-Founder of Proteotype Diagnostics, said:

“Until now, we have spoken mainly about the biology and clinical studies behind Enlighten®. Alchemi® reveals the other half of the product: the secure data and software infrastructure required to turn laboratory measurements into reliable clinician-facing results. As our evidence base grows across cancers, countries and care settings, Alchemi® will help us manage that complexity while keeping Enlighten® scalable and accessible”

Dr Emma Yates, Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder, said:

“A diagnostic platform must do more than apply a machine-learning model. It must preserve the quality and traceability of every dataset, account for differences between populations and laboratory environments, and make clear how outputs are generated. Alchemi® is being built to provide that controlled, explainable and reproducible foundation for Enlighten®.”

Professor Gonçalo Bernardes, Co-Founder and Chair of Proteotype’s Scientific Advisory Board, said:

“Enlighten® combines a distinctive biological signal with laboratory technology and machine learning. Alchemi® brings those elements together as an integrated system, creating the infrastructure needed to translate scientific discovery into a clinically deployable and scalable diagnostic platform.”

Development will be led from Proteotype’s Torres Vedras site, where the company is recruiting for full-time roles in software engineering, data engineering, cybersecurity and healthcare integration.

About Proteotype Diagnostics

Proteotype is a pioneering diagnostics company dedicated to the development of advanced multi-cancer early detection and personalised medicine tests that measure the host response to tumour development. Its lead product, Enlighten®, is being evaluated as an accessible and scalable multi-cancer test designed to support earlier investigation and better-informed clinical decision-making.

Media contact: pr@proteotype.com
Career opportunities: https://proteotype.com/careers
General enquiries: support@proteotype.com

Funded by the European Union.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/proteotype-unveils-alchemi-the-data-and-orchestration-platform-behind-enlighten-302839577.html

SOURCE Proteotype Diagnostics

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FUJIFILM GFX100RF: A 102 MP Point-and-Shoot Medium Format Camera; YouTube Video at B&H

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FUJIFILM GFX100RF features a 102MP medium format sensor to a compact, all-in-one camera design for the ultimate everyday camera for photographers.

NEW YORK, July 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — B&H is pleased to share the medium format camera built to fit in a to-go bag, the compact, rangefinder-inspired GFX100RF packs all the quality and performance of its 102MP sensor and X Processor 5 into a sleek, lightweight, all-metal housing.

Coming in silver and black finishes, the camera features a built-in fixed focal length FUJINON GF 35mm f/4 lens and offers photographers an array of creative options, including the innovative Aspect Ratio Dial, 20 FUJIFILM film simulations, digital tele-conversion at three different focal lengths, and an Internal ND filter. While capable of 4K30p internal and external recording, this camera was designed for photographers seeking an uncompromising tool for their all-day, everyday creative practice.

FUJIFILM GFX100RF Digital Camera (silver) 
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1884991-REG/fujifilm_16938065_gfx100_rangefinder_camera.html

FUJIFILM GFX100RF Digital Camera (black) 
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1884990-REG/fujifilm_16938039_gfx100_rangefinder_camera.html 

Key Features

Smallest, Lightest GFX + Built-In Lens102MP 43.8 x 32.9mm BSI CMOS II SensorFUJINON GF 35mm f/4 Lens (28mm Equiv.)Aspect Ratio Dial, Digital TeleconverterInternal 4-Stop ND Filter + Leaf Shutter5.76m-Dot OLED EVF3.2″ 2.1m-Dot 3-Way Tilting TouchscreenDCI 4K30p + External ProRes Recording20 Film Simulation Modes & Q MenuIncluded Lens Hood and Filter Adapter

The heart of GFX100RF camera is its massive 43.8 x 32.9mm, 102MP CMOS sensor, with a native ISO 80 sensitivity and a whopping 70% more light-gathering area than a full-frame camera. It’s the same sensor in its bigger GFX siblings, and unlocks the same expanded low-light capabilities, image detail, accurate 16-bit color, dynamic range, and low depth-of-field effects. The sensor is paired with FUJIFILM’s fastest X-Processor 5 to optimize the camera’s performance and functionality.

See our YouTube Video  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjQR0ZeeEYE

About B&H Photo Video

As the world’s largest source of photography, video, and audio equipment, as well as computers, drones, and home and portable entertainment, B&H is known worldwide for its attentive, knowledgeable sales force and excellent customer service, including fast, reliable shipping. B&H has been satisfying customers worldwide for over 50 years.

Visitors to the website can access a variety of educational videos and enlightening articles. The B&H YouTube Channel has an unmatched wealth of educational content. Our entertaining and informative videos feature product overviews from our in-house specialists. You can view the B&H Event Space presentations from many of the world’s foremost experts and interviews with some of technology’s most dynamic personalities. Tap into this exciting resource by subscribing to the B&H YouTube Channel here. In addition to videos, the B&H Explora blog presents new product announcements, gear reviews, helpful guides, and tech news written by product experts and industry professionals, as well as our award-winning podcasts.

When you’re in Manhattan, take a tour of the B&H Photo SuperStore, located at 420 Ninth Avenue. The techno-carousel spins all year round at the counters and kiosks at B&H. With hundreds of products on display, the B&H Photo SuperStore is the place to test-drive and compare all the latest gear.

The B&H Payboo Credit Card offers the industry’s best instant savings and special financing, subject to credit approval. Visit B&H’s Payboo Page to learn more and apply.

Contact Information
Geoffrey Ngai

B&H Photo Video
212-615-8820
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/ 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fujifilm-gfx100rf-a-102-mp-point-and-shoot-medium-format-camera-youtube-video-at-bh-302839520.html

SOURCE B&H Photo

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