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‘In The Name Of Jamie Wakefield’ Proposed Limited TV Series Pilot Launches On YouTube

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Set in 1943 ‘In The Name Of Jamie Wakefield’ centers on the two year correspondence between 19-year-old gender confused Tedd Burr and famous Kings Row author Henry Bellamann. The currently released YouTube pilot for the proposed six-part limited TV series stars actor / screenwriter Lenny Pinna who plays 25+ characters. Using a blend of dramatic reading and a unique performance style, playing multiple characters within many of the scenes costumed as only one of the characters. Each of the scenes are shot in mostly one-take with no internal editing. Pinna’s process and performance is truly a one-of-a-kind tour de force! The series pilot is set in several locations, primarily in Bellevue, OH, and the Ansonia Hotel in New York City—interspersed with imagined reality scenes and period flashbacks—all of which were creatively staged and filmed in Pinna’s childhood home in Johnstown, PA. ‘In The Name Of Jamie Wakefield’ is an expertly woven series of overlapping dramatic narratives that follow the personal struggles of Tedd Burr and Henry Bellamann while exploring their complex relational tensions. Tedd struggles with wanting to be a woman as Henry faces his past (and present) with conflicting feelings about his own sexuality as he is spurred on by his wife to write the sequel to his best-selling novel, Kings Row—which Warner Brothers is anxiously anticipating.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa., Oct. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — ‘In The Name Of Jamie Wakefield’, is based on the book ‘A Face From Uranus; Correspondence Between Tedd Burr and Henry Bellamann 1943-1945‘ published by Ecclesia Arts and edited by screenwriter Lenny Pinna in December 2022.

The pilot for the TV Series ‘In The Name Of Jamie Wakefield,’ based on the book, A Face From Uranus: Correspondence Between Tedd Burr and Jamie Wakefield 1943 -1945 is to be released on YouTube at Ecclesia Arts on October 27, 2023.

At the height of World War II, 19-year-old Tedd Burr is struggling with his own private battle—a desire to be a woman. In desperation he reaches out to famous author Henry Bellamann for guidance and support after reading his best-selling novel Kings Row. Tedd strongly identifies with the character Jamie Wakefield who was described as “too pretty for a boy.” In New York City, Henry Bellamann has his own internal crisis—writer’s block caused by his unwillingness to reckon with the past which exposes his underlying bi-sexuality that had threatened to derail his early years of marriage. Ironically, his wife Katherine’s ambitious nature and unrelenting work ethic keeps prodding Henry to go toward exactly what he is trying to avoid—facing his past to write the sequel to Kings Row.

When Tedd reaches out to Henry in desperation, identifying with Kings Row character Jamie Wakefield, described in the novel as “too pretty for a boy” Henry immediately jumps at the opportunity to help. The serendipity that Jamie Wakefield was modeled on his childhood friend and one-time lover reopens his contradictory feelings about his past. Tedd and Henry’s unlikely connection develops in surprising ways, transforming their lives.

This long-range project began twenty-three years ago with Lenny Pinna’s friendship with the 75 year old Tedd Burr in Cleveland Hts., Ohio. One auspicious evening their usual conversation opened up into a discussion about Tedd’s younger gender confusion. This discussion resulted in an extraordinary cinema veritI style film Letters to Uranus: The hidden life of Tedd Burr.

What was revealed that evening was Tedd’s two year correspondence with Henry Bellamann, comprised of over 100 long letters which had been lying in a box for fifty-five years, and his iconic 19 year old photograph which Henry had derisively described as “a face that could have come from the planet Uranus.” This quote evokes the highly psycho-sexual complexity of their relationship.

Although Pinna has been involved with this story since the year 2000 and actually possessed the original letters since 2003 (bequeathed to him by the elder Tedd Burr) he knew Tedd and Henry’s story could not be told at that time. He has been quoted as saying “America was not yet ready for this story 23 years ago. Tedd and Henry were talking openly about things in 1943 that we’ve only begun to talk about publicly during the last five to ten years. And for some it will still be too soon.” Both with the progress made by the LGBTQIA+ community and other parts of society which have responded with backlash, Tedd’s story has only gained importance and an immediacy that meets the moment.

For the past several years, Lenny Pinna has been developing the Limited TV Series ‘In The Name Of Jamie Wakefield’ based on and inspired by Tedd and Henry’s letters; In 2023, he started collaborating with media artist, Bonnie Diczhazy to find a way to bring life to Tedd and Henry’s poignant World War II story. Bonnie and Lenny’s collaborative synergy dates back to the mid-nineties when they founded Ecclesia Theater at Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio.

Deciding to present the series pilot on YouTube without a full production company, Pinna and Diczhazy ended a late-night brain-storming session with one central idea that blossomed into a full-blown set within a 4′ x 6′ area of the living room of Pinna’s childhood home. That idea led to the design of a quilt top for the primary backdrop. Immediately, Pinna was motivated to construct the backdrop for the pilot over the long Labor Day weekend.

The backdrop was inspired by Pinna’s award winning original quilt design that he had made for his 25 year old son, Matthew called Jazz City Rhapsody; he had asked his son to choose the primary fabrics to initiate the design. The quilt won the 2013 S.F. Quilt show’s top honor—the Viewers Choice Award.

Pinna proceeded to shoot the pilot over a one month period, utilizing additional set dressing, props and costumes drawn from his family background–including several heirloom pieces. The bringing together of disparate elements epitomizes Pinna’s life-long career as an eclectic artist. In addition to his quilting skills Pinna also relied on his training as an actor, puppeteer, costume designer and set designer to craft an expansive world in the smallest of spaces.

Artistically, Pinna chose to play each character himself rather than cast actors for the 25+ characters in the series. This is meant to present his particular take on the story, yet encourage the further imagination of a fully realized TV production. His performance/reading style is a unique approach to conveying dramatic narrative. Throughout the pilot he plays multiple characters in many scenes, demonstrating a rare ability to transition fluidly between old and young or male and female and everything in between.

‘In The Name Of Jamie Wakefield’ is a powerful testament to the dedication of one man’s persistence in presenting a unique story of friendship, courage, strength and acceptance. His past docu-drama, Letters to Uranus and the current series pilot for In The Name of Jamie Wakefield can now be viewed on YouTube at Ecclesia Arts. Tedd Burr, who died in 2012 wanted his story told, and Lenny through research, dedication and perseverance has finally been able to share Tedd’s story.

Lenny Pinna is an accomplished eclectic artist who has lived in New York, Cleveland, Houston, and the San Francisco Bay area before returning home to Johnstown, PA during the COVID-19 epidemic–via a perfect storm of events including close family deaths. Once there in his childhood home he managed to find the silver lining–the time and space to bring forth the book and the series pilot.

Lenny Pinna and Bonnie Diczhazy hope to connect with a larger production team to bring all six episodes of ‘In The Name Of Jamie Wakefield’ to mainstream television in the form of a Netflix, Amazon or Paramount+ series.

‘In The Name Of Jamie Wakefield’ episode 1 “Tedd and Henry, Albert and Jamie” launches October, 27th, 2023 on YouTube at Ecclesia Arts.

Media Contact
Lenny Pinna, Ecclesia Arts, 1 707-480-6103, lennypinna@outlook.com, https://www.youtube.com/@EcclesiaArts
Bonnie Diczhazy, Ecclesia Arts, 1 440-488-8293, ecclesia.arts11@gmail.com, https://www.youtube.com/@EcclesiaArts

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Kakunin Announces Cryptographic Compliance Shield for Google Gemini and OpenAI Agent Ecosystems

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June 14, 2026

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SaaS Compliance Leader Launches First-Class SDK Integrations for Google Antigravity, OpenAI Swarm, and OpenAI Assistants API to Meet Strict MiCA and EU AI Act Standards.

LONDON, June 13, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Kakunin, the leading compliance infrastructure platform for autonomous AI agents, today announced the release of first-class SDK integrations for Google Antigravity SDK, OpenAI Swarm, and the OpenAI Assistants API.

Autonomous agents are executing high-value, real-world tasks—but without strict boundaries, they represent a massive security risk,” said Palash Bagchi, Founder, at Kakunin.

As organizations move autonomous AI agents from sandboxes to production, securing the tools they run has become a critical operational hurdle. The new integrations allow developers to cryptographically secure and audit agent actions in real time, meeting the strict requirements of upcoming regulations like the EU AI Act and MiCA.

Preventing Agent Drift at the Tool Layer

Instead of relying on prompt engineering or system instructions—which are susceptible to jailbreaks—Kakunin secures agent tool execution at the cryptographic layer:

Pre-Flight Scope Verification: Validates that an agent possesses the required permission scope (e.g., trade.execute, file.write) before executing local code.Active-Agent Enforcement: Dynamically halts execution if the agent’s underlying X.509 certificate has been revoked or suspended.Tamper-Evident Auditing: Automatically logs session starts, prompts, responses, tool successes, and error anomalies.

Ecosystem Compatibility out of the Box

The new releases bring seamless, code-first integrations to the industry’s leading agent frameworks:

Google Antigravity SDK: Hook-based runtime protection that automatically secures Gemini-powered tool workflows.OpenAI Swarm: A lightweight class wrapper (KakuninSwarm) that dynamically gates multi-agent handoffs and task executions.OpenAI Assistants API: A polling-loop helper (handle_assistants_requires_action) that streamlines safety checks and tool output formatting in a single call.

Beyond these core OpenAI and Google environments, the new releases also extend Kakunin’s cryptographic shield to the broader agent development community. Out-of-the-box templates and shims are now available for LangChain (KakuninToolGuard), LlamaIndex (KakuninFunctionToolGuard), CrewAI (KakuninCrewAgent), and AutoGen (KakuninConversableAgent), alongside native middlewares for Next.js API routes and raw client libraries for Go, TypeScript, and Python.

“Autonomous agents are executing high-value, real-world tasks—but without strict boundaries, they represent a massive security risk,” said Palash Bagchi, Founder, at Kakunin. “By bringing cryptographic X.509 validation directly to Google’s and OpenAI’s agent loops, we are giving developers the peace of mind to deploy agents in highly regulated environments like fintech and healthcare.”

Availability

The new SDK integrations are available immediately:

Python Package: Available on PyPI via pip install kakunin.Playground Notebooks: Developers can test the integrations in 1-click via the official OpenAI Cookbook and Google Gemini Cookbook.Reference Samples: Available on the public Kakunin Samples Repository.

To learn more about securing your autonomous agent workflows, visit kakunin.ai/docs. or visit Conversational GTM for more enquiries.

Media Contact
Palash Bagchi, Immortal Reality PA LLC, 1 4125437290, ai@kakunin.ai, https://www.kakunin.ai/

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District Taco Kicks Off The Summer’s Biggest Soccer Event with Free Delivery Offer

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13 hours ago

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June 13, 2026

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App Users can enjoy District Taco at home with free delivery during the world’s biggest soccer tournament.

WASHINGTON, June 13, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — District Taco is bringing the excitement of the world’s biggest soccer tournament straight to fans’ homes with a special promotion designed to make game-day meals even more convenient.

This promotion makes it easier and more affordable to enjoy District Taco delivered right to your door so you don’t miss a moment of the action!

From June 11 through July 19, guests who order delivery through the District Taco app can use promo code ‘SOCCER26’ to receive $5 off their order, effectively offsetting the standard delivery fee and creating a free delivery experience.

Whether cheering on a favorite team, hosting a watch party, or enjoying the match from the couch, fans can enjoy District Taco’s fresh, made-to-order menu without leaving home or the extra delivery cost. “We know fans will be gathering throughout the tournament to watch some of the most exciting matches in the world,” said Osiris Hoil, CEO of District Taco. “This promotion makes it easier and more affordable to enjoy District Taco delivered right to your door so you don’t miss a moment of the action!”

The promotion is part of District Taco’s broader effort to drive digital engagement and app use. Here are the campaign details:

Enter Promo Code: ‘SOCCER26’ when placing the order in-appOffer: $5 off delivery ordersAvailable: June 11 through July 19Valid on: District Taco app delivery orders only (not third-party platforms)

Guests can download the District Taco app here for Apple users and here for Android users!

About District Taco

In 2009, two neighbors got together over some homemade chips, salsa and guacamole and decided to launch District Taco as a food cart. Since then, District Taco has opened multiple locations in Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Washington, DC. Their mission is to serve quality – Yucatán style – Mexican food that is fresh, simple, and healthful, with a fully customizable menu that includes vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. At District Taco, food is made fresh daily from the highest quality ingredients. They strive to limit their impact on the environment by serving in environmentally friendly packaging where possible. For more information about District Taco or their menu, and to download the app, visit districttaco.com or follow @districttaco across socials.

Media Contact

Raquel Robinson, District Taco, 1 5712657573, raquel.robinson@districttaco.com, districttaco.com

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MGI Tech Showcases Expanding Genomics Ecosystem at ESHG 2026 with New IVD Partnering Program and OEM Collaborations

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18 hours ago

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June 13, 2026

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GOTHENBURG, Sweden, June 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MGI Tech Co., Ltd. (MGI), a company committed to developing core tools and technologies that drive innovation in life sciences, is showcasing its latest advancements in sequencing, automation and clinical genomics at the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) 2026 Conference in Gothenburg, Sweden.

At Booth 352, MGI welcomes researchers, clinicians, laboratory leaders and industry partners to explore its comprehensive portfolio of sequencing and automation solutions while unveiling new initiatives designed to strengthen collaboration across the genomics ecosystem.

Advancing Clinical Genomics Through Partnership

A key highlight of ESHG 2026 is the launch of the MGI NGS Partner Enablement Program, a new initiative designed to connect diagnostic developers, assay providers and laboratory partners seeking to build validated clinical workflows on MGI sequencing platforms.

The program aims to accelerate the development and adoption of regulated next-generation sequencing (NGS) applications by fostering collaborations that simplify workflow implementation, reduce time-to-market and support broader access to precision medicine solutions.

“Clinical genomics is increasingly dependent on strong partnerships across the value chain,” said Fang Chen, General Manager Europe & Africa at MGI. “With the launch of our NGS Partner Enablement Program, we are creating a collaborative framework that brings together assay developers, software providers, automation partners and clinical laboratories to accelerate access to high-quality genomic testing.”

Expanding Automation Capabilities Through OEM Collaborations

At ESHG 2026, MGI is also announcing new Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) partnership opportunities on MGI’s DE Bundles (integrated library preparation and sequencing platform), bringing turnkey automation to global partners. The DE Bundle includes the current D4+E25 combination, as well as the new D16 paired with the E25 featuring a new 50M flow cell.

The D16, which will be launched later this year, is a benchtop, mid-to-low throughput library prep system and the upgraded successor to the D4. Retaining the fully enclosed contamination control system, it integrates a single-channel robotic pipetting module to maximize automation. With two sample preparation cartridges each processing 8 samples, the D16 delivers significantly higher throughput. The D16 and E25 systems provide flexible and scalable automation solutions for library construction, sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, streamlining the entire laboratory workflow.

Through this open OEM framework, MGI is enabling customers and solution providers to integrate proven automation technologies into customized workflows tailored to specific clinical and research applications. The OEM program reflects MGI’s commitment to building an open ecosystem that empowers laboratories to increase efficiency, improve standardization and accelerate scientific discovery.

“We are excited to expand the opportunities available to our OEM partners by providing access to the D16 platform, enabling the development of truly walkaway solutions that simplify and automate complex laboratory workflows,” said Wim Vervaeke, OEM Director at Europe & Africa at MGI. “Our innovations, including the PrepALL, E25, and G99, have already sparked new partnerships across the life sciences ecosystem. By combining MGI’s automation expertise with the specialized capabilities of our partners, we are creating integrated solutions that deliver maximum value, efficiency, and convenience for end users.”

Corporate Satellite Symposium Highlights Clinical Genomics, Precision Oncology and Spatial Multi-Omics

As part of ESHG 2026, MGI hosted its Corporate Satellite Symposium, Advancing Diagnostics: From Clinical Implementation to Biomarker Discovery, bringing together leading experts from across Europe to showcase how advanced genomic technologies are being translated into real-world clinical and research impact. The symposium highlighted applications spanning clinical oncology diagnostics, pharmacogenomics, and spatial multi-omics.

Dr. Raquel T. Lima from IPATIMUP (Portugal) presented the clinical value of RNA sequencing for detecting actionable gene fusions in solid tumours, improving diagnostic yield and supporting precision oncology decision-making. Prof. Dr. Andreas Braun from University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (Germany) shared how spatial biology technologies map the tumour microenvironment in melanoma, revealing tumour heterogeneity, cellular interactions, and mechanisms associated with disease progression and treatment response. Dr. Andrea Conti from BMR Genomics (Italy) explored the opportunities of whole genome sequencing for pharmacogenetic marker evaluation, highlighting how comprehensive genomic approaches can support the implementation of personalised medicine through improved identification of clinically relevant variants.

Together, the presentations demonstrated how genomic and multi-omics technologies are advancing clinical diagnostics, translational oncology research, and precision medicine, while highlighting the growing role of sequencing in delivering actionable insights across healthcare and biomedical research.

Comprehensive Solutions for Genomics and Multi-Omics Research

Visitors to the MGI booth can explore the company’s comprehensive portfolio of sequencing and automation technologies supporting applications across human genetics, oncology, reproductive health, population genomics and multi-omics research.

Highlighting strong market adoption, MGI is showcasing the T7+, its ultra-high-throughput sequencing platform at the conference. Following its official launch for the Europe and Africa region at Analytica 2026 in Munich, the T7+ has gained significant momentum, with 27 units installed worldwide as of the end of 2025. From benchtop to ultra-high-throughput sequencing platforms, as well as advanced laboratory automation solutions, MGI continues to support laboratories seeking high-performance, scalable and cost-effective genomics workflows.

“Our mission extends beyond delivering innovative technologies,” said Dr. Christian Zimmerman, VP Sales Europe & Africa at MGI. “We are focused on building a complete ecosystem that enables our customers to transition seamlessly from research to clinical implementation. The partnerships and initiatives we are launching at ESHG 2026 demonstrate our commitment to making genomic technologies more accessible, integrated and impactful.”

Driving the Future of Precision Medicine in Europe

Europe remains a strategic region for MGI, with growing adoption of genomic technologies across research institutions, healthcare systems and national population initiatives.

Through continued investment in sequencing innovation, automation, clinical partnerships and collaborative ecosystem development, MGI is helping accelerate the transition toward more precise, data-driven healthcare.

As genomics increasingly becomes integrated into routine clinical practice, MGI remains committed to providing the technologies and partnerships necessary to support the next generation of precision medicine.

About MGI

MGI Tech Co., Ltd. (or its subsidiaries, together referred to as MGI) is committed to building core tools and technologies that drive innovation in life science. Our focus lies in research & development, manufacturing, and sales of instruments, reagents, and related products in the field of life science and biotechnology. We provide real-time, multi-omics, and a full spectrum of digital equipment and systems for precision medicine, agriculture, healthcare, and various other industries.

Founded in 2016, MGI has grown into a leader in life science, serving customers across six continents and establishing research, manufacturing, training, and after-sales service facilities globally. As one of the few companies capable of independently developing and mass-producing clinical-grade gene sequencers, MGI empowers global users with scalable sequencing capabilities ranging from Gb to Tb levels. MGI also stands out as one of the only providers of a full-stack product portfolio that spans three core segments: SEQ ALL (short- and long-read sequencing), GLI (Generative Lab Intelligence), and Multi-Omics. With unparalleled expertise, cutting-edge products, and a commitment to global impact, MGI continues to shape the trajectory of life sciences into the future.

To learn more, please visit MGI Tech, LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

 

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