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First Student Reports 63% Reduction in Forward Collision Risk Through Connected Safety Technology

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During National School Bus Safety Week, the company highlights how HALO™ Connected Transportation Platform is helping improve safety outcomes and support drivers across North America.

CINCINNATI, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — First Student, North America’s largest student transportation services provider, is recognizing National School Bus Safety Week (Oct. 19–23) under this year’s theme, “Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes”. The company is celebrating the drivers and transportation teams who help keep students safe every day while highlighting how its HALO™ connected transportation platform, comprehensive driver training, and student-centered safety programs are helping deliver a safer, smarter, and more connected transportation experience for the students in its care.

Across its fleet of more than 48,000 vehicles, First Student safely transports millions of students every day, completing nearly twice as many daily passenger trips as all U.S. airlines combined. To support an operation of this scale, the company brings together technology, training, and operational insights to strengthen safety and equip the people responsible for getting students to and from school. At the center of this approach is HALO, First Student’s proprietary connected transportation platform, which connects technology, data, and people to help teams identify risks, make informed decisions, and continuously improve performance.

HALO supports a more proactive approach to safety by connecting real-time vehicle information, safety data, and operational insights. These capabilities help transportation teams identify potential hazards, support driver coaching, and recognize opportunities to improve performance. Combined with preventive maintenance, comprehensive driver training, and ongoing coaching, this approach reinforces First Student’s commitment to setting the highest standards for student transportation.

“Safety isn’t just a priority at First Student. It’s our core value, at the heart of everything we do, and something our people live every day,” said John Kenning, CEO and President of First Student. “Families trust us with their children, and we take that responsibility seriously. Our commitment to Focus on Safety and Set the Highest Standards drives us to continually invest in the three areas that make the greatest difference: our people, our processes, and our technology. National School Bus Safety Week is an opportunity to recognize the dedicated drivers and transportation teams who bring that commitment to life every day.”

First Student is seeing measurable safety improvements through its investments in connected technology and driver support. During a four-week pilot across six locations, the company recorded a 63% reduction in forward collision risk and a 54% reduction in rolling stops. These results demonstrate how technology and operational insights can help transportation teams identify risks earlier, support driver coaching, and continually improve the safety of the transportation experience for students.

While technology provides important tools and insights, First Student recognizes that its employees are the foundation of safe student transportation. Through ongoing training, coaching, and student-centered safety programs, the company equips drivers and transportation teams with the skills, knowledge, and support needed to make safe decisions every day.

During National School Bus Safety Week, First Student will recognize employees who demonstrate exceptional safety performance, highlight the role of training and technology in supporting safer operations, and reinforce safe practices for students, families, and motorists.

The company also reminds motorists that keeping students safe is a shared responsibility. Drivers should stop for school buses with activated stop arms, remain alert in school zones, and avoid distractions. Families and students are encouraged to stay aware of their surroundings at bus stops and follow their driver’s instructions when boarding, riding, and exiting the bus.

“Our mission is to provide the best transportation experience so students arrive ready to learn and achieve their full potential,” said Kenning. “That starts with safety and the dedicated people who make it possible. By giving our teams the training, technology, and support they need, we’re continuing to raise the standard for student transportation and deliver on the trust families place in us every day.”

To learn more about First Student’s commitment to safety and discover how we’re working to make every ride safer for the students in our care, visit SafeRidesMatter.com.

About First Student
First Student, the leading student transportation provider in North America, safely transports millions of students across the U.S. and Canada each day. With a fleet of more than 48,000 vehicles and a workforce of highly trained drivers, the company partners with school districts, divisions and boards to deliver safe, reliable and efficient transportation solutions that families can depend on. Recognized as a CIO 100 Award winner and named to the TIME100 Most Influential Companies 2026 list, First Student provides a range of transportation services, including special-needs transportation, routing and fleet management, vehicle electrification, maintenance services and charter transportation. Through its proprietary HALO™ Connected Transportation Platform, First Student is helping shape the future of student transportation by integrating safety, operations, maintenance, workforce management and customer communications into one connected ecosystem that enhances safety, improves operational performance and creates a better transportation experience for students and families.

Media Contact
Brenna Rudisill
Brenna.Rudisill@firststudentinc.com

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SOURCE First Student, Inc.

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3M announces collaboration with GSEO to advance Expanded Beam Optical manufacturing and development

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ST. PAUL, Minn., Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 3M (NYSE: MMM) today announced a collaboration with Genius Electronic Optical Co., Ltd. (GSEO, Taiwan: 3406), an optical technology company, to advance technology development and manufacturing for 3M’s Expanded Beam Optical (EBO) solutions. In support of these efforts, 3M expects to make a strategic investment to acquire approximately 4.7% of GSEO’s common shares as part of the company’s private placement of newly issued shares, subject to customary closing conditions.

The collaboration brings together 3M’s EBO technology leadership, optical interconnect expertise, materials science, manufacturing scale and customer relationships with GSEO’s precision optics manufacturing capabilities and production scale. Together, the companies aim to support EBO commercialization and long-term capacity expansion to meet growing demand from hyperscale data centers and other advanced connectivity applications.

“3M is investing in capabilities and partnerships that can accelerate innovation for our customers,” said William Brown, 3M Chairman and CEO. “By selecting GSEO as a manufacturing partner and investing in the company, we are strengthening the path to scale next-generation optical connectivity solutions for high-performance data center infrastructure.”

GSEO’s existing precision optics manufacturing capabilities and technical development experience are expected to support manufacturing readiness for 3M’s EBO ferrules, co-packaged optics solutions and related optical interconnect applications. The collaboration is part of 3M’s broader EBO ecosystem strategy, which includes continued work with customers and partners across the optical interconnect market.

“GSEO is pleased to expand its relationship with 3M as we work together to advance optical interconnect solutions for next-generation data center infrastructure,” said Micro Kuo, GSEO CEO and President. “This collaboration brings together complementary technology and manufacturing strengths to support continued innovation and help meet the performance demands of high-growth connectivity markets.”

3M expects the strategic investment to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this release are considered “forward-looking statements” under the federal securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and are intended to enjoy the protection of those laws. Forward-looking statements may appear throughout this release and are typically identified by the words “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “evaluate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “future,” “goal,” “guidance,” “impact,” “initial,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “outlook,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “probable,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “strategy,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and other words that are similar to, or have the opposite meanings of, those words. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, 3M assumes no duty to update those statements, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of those statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events and trends that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those described in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of 3M’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

About 3M
3M (NYSE: MMM) is focused on transforming industries around the world by applying science and creating innovative, customer-focused solutions. Our multi-disciplinary team is working to solve tough customer problems by leveraging diverse technology platforms, differentiated capabilities, global footprint, and operational excellence. Discover how 3M is shaping the future at 3M.com/news.

Contacts
3M
Investor Contact:
Diane Farrow, 612-202-2449
Media Contact:
3MNews@mmm.com 

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SOURCE 3M Company

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Scott Vicknair Personal Injury Lawyers Announces Second Annual Operation Fur-Ever Home Pet Adoption Event at Lafreniere Park

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NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Scott Vicknair Personal Injury Lawyers is excited to announce the return of its second annual Operation Fur-Ever Home, a free community pet adoption event taking place on Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Lafreniere Park in Metairie, Louisiana.

The free, family-friendly event will give attendees the opportunity to meet adoptable pets from local animal shelters, learn about responsible pet ownership, and potentially welcome a new furry companion into their homes. Those who preregister for the event will also be entered for a chance to win a Soundcore speaker and a free pet adoption.

“Last year’s event was everything we hoped it would be, and we are incredibly excited to bring Operation Fur-Ever Home back for a second year,” said David Vicknair, founding partner of Scott Vicknair Personal Injury Lawyers. “There is something special about watching a family meet a pet that could become part of their lives for years to come. We wanted to create another opportunity to make those connections while supporting the organizations that work tirelessly to care for animals in our community.”

Building on the success of the first event, this year’s event continues the firm’s commitment to supporting local animal shelters and creating meaningful opportunities for families throughout Southeast Louisiana.

“Giving back to our community has always been an important part of who we are as a firm,” said Vicknair. “Whether we are helping students prepare for school, recognizing deserving teachers, or supporting local animal shelters, our goal is to make a positive difference in the communities we serve.”

Operation Fur-Ever Home is free and open to the public. Families, animal lovers, and anyone interested in adopting a pet are encouraged to attend and preregister.

About Scott Vicknair Personal Injury Lawyers

Scott Vicknair Personal Injury Lawyers is a New Orleans-based personal injury firm committed to providing exceptional legal representation while also investing in the communities it serves. Their experienced team of dedicated attorneys specializes in car accidents, personal injury, and wrongful death cases in New Orleans. With diverse personal and professional backgrounds, they craft legal strategies tailored to each client’s specific case and needs.

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SOURCE Scott Vicknair Personal Injury Lawyers

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Can we produce low-cost omega-3s without relying on fish?

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GOLD COAST, Australia, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Southern Cross University researchers are aiming to halve the cost of producing omega-3 supplements to make these essential nutrients more accessible to pregnant women and infants in low-income countries, backed by the University’s first-ever grant from The Gates Foundation.

The research takes a novel approach: rather than relying on fish oil, the team is going closer to the original source of omega-3. Fish don’t produce omega-3 themselves – they accumulate it from marine microorganisms lower in the food chain.

Led by Professor Dirk Erler from Southern Cross University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering, the team is investigating how these naturally omega-3-producing microorganisms can be grown more cheaply through precision fermentation, including the use of agricultural and food-processing by-products as a source of fermentation sugar.

Omega-3 is an important nutrient during pregnancy and early life, supporting brain and nervous system development in babies. But the cost of supplements remains a significant barrier to access in many low-income countries.

“The main barrier for the uptake of omega-3s as supplements in pregnant women is the cost,” Professor Erler said.

“The whole objective of our project is to reduce that cost and make omega-3 supplements more available.”

The research team at Southern Cross University, which includes biomedical scientist Dr Nedeljka Rosic, Dr Shane McIntosh, postdoctoral researcher Dr Jasmine Haskell and PhD researcher Michael Ingram, is focused on growing omega-3-producing marine microorganisms known as thraustochytrids – or ‘throstys’ for short.

“By growing those microorganisms on land through precision fermentation, we have an alternative way of producing omega-3s that is both reliable and highly targeted,” Professor Erler said.

Precision fermentation allows the researchers to grow thraustochytrids under controlled conditions to produce omega-3 oils. The team is investigating whether expensive feedstocks used in the process can be replaced with lower-cost agricultural and food-processing by-products, helping drive down the overall cost of production.

The approach could also reduce reliance on wild-caught fish as a source of omega-3 oil and create a more reliable, scalable, and local supply.

For biomedical scientist Dr Nedeljka Rosic, the production challenge is ultimately about what greater access to omega-3 could mean for women and babies.

“As a biomedical scientist, my purpose is to find ways to use science to improve people’s health,” Dr Rosic said.

“This project is important because it aims to improve the health of pregnant women and children and reduce preterm births through simple dietary improvements.”

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/can-we-produce-low-cost-omega-3s-without-relying-on-fish-302893631.html

SOURCE Southern Cross University

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