Connect with us

Technology

CITIES OF THE FUTURE 3D Makes its West Coast Premiere at the California Science Center on March 2, 2024 Narrated by award-winning actor John Krasinski

Published

on

IMAX film highlights the City of Los Angeles’s LA100 initiative to become fossil-fuel free

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Audiences will step into an exciting new world of innovation when Cities of the Future 3D makes its West Coast premiere at the California Science Center IMAX Theater on March 2, 2024. Narrated by award-winning actor John Krasinski, Cities of the Future 3D highlights the visionary solutions engineers are developing to meet the pressing challenges of a changing world and forge a brighter, more sustainable future. 

From electric flying cars and aerial highways to smart buildings, greener infrastructure and the revolutionary concept of beaming solar energy down from space, Cities of the Future 3D offers an inspiring vision of how we might live 50 years from now. Integrating state-of-the-art CGI with live-action IMAX cinematography, the film unveils the profound changes already taking place in some of the world’s great cities: from a teeming Los Angeles vying to be fossil-fuel free through the LA100 initiative; to Amsterdam, where bicycles now outnumber people; to lush Singapore, where a million trees mixed with modern engineering marvels have turned a sweltering island into a sustainable oasis. 

Cities of the Future 3D stars Paul Lee, a lifelong Angeleno and a renewable energy engineer who worked with Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti’s Office on climate policy and clean energy as an Energy Policy Analyst, seeking solutions for local water, energy, and transportation challenges. His work included efforts towards LA100—a plan launched under Mayor Garcetti to modernize Los Angeles’s electricity system infrastructure—aiming for a 100% renewable energy supply after a study found this goal achievable through wind, solar, and storage technologies.  

“As our climate changes and our population grows, our cities will need to adapt to meet new challenges, and human ingenuity will drive the solutions,” says director Greg MacGillivray, two-time Academy Award nominee and chairman of MacGillivray Freeman Films. “Cities of the Future 3D imagines what our lives could look like 50 years from now based on the engineering marvels and innovative solutions engineers are designing today.” 

Cities of the Future 3D also introduces viewers to a team of students participating in the Future City Competition, an annual contest where 60,000 middle school students from the U.S. and around the world compete to create a model future city.

“We’re thrilled that Science Center guests will have the opportunity to see a movie here that so perfectly illustrates the vital role engineers play in shaping and improving our communities,” notes California Science Center President & CEO Jeffrey Rudolph. “It’s our hope that Cities of the Future 3D helps inspire our audiences to take an active role in creating a more sustainable Los Angeles in the decades to come.”

Cities of the Future 3D is produced by MacGillivray Freeman Films in partnership with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the same team that created the blockbuster giant screen documentary Dream Big: Engineering Our World.

After a glimpse of life in the future, guests will have the opportunity to explore the engineering marvels and artistry of one of history’s greatest minds and inventors through the special exhibition LEONARDO DA VINCI: Inventor. Artist. Dreamer., also opening March 2, 2024 at the California Science Center. Through models of da Vinci’s innovations, reproductions of his drawings and notes, and hands-on experiences, guests will experience da Vinci’s endless curiosity, his inspiring use of both art and science throughout his work, and his mastery of both.

Buy IMAX or combo exhibition and IMAX tickets online at https://californiasciencecenter.org/visit/admission/get-tickets or call 213-744-2019. Special discounts available for groups of 15 or more. CITIES OF THE FUTURE 3D is family-friendly and has a running time of 40 minutes. www.citiesofthefuturefilm.com

About the California Science Center
The California Science Center is a dynamic destination where families, adults, and students can explore the wonders of science through hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations, innovative programs, and awe-inspiring movies. The California Science Center and IMAX Theater are located in historic Exposition Park just west of the Harbor (110) Freeway at 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles. The Science Center is open daily from 10:00 a.m.5:00 p.m. with free general admission (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day). Parking at Exposition Park is $15.

About MacGillivray Freeman Films
MacGillivray Freeman Films is the world’s foremost independent producer and distributor of giant-screen 70mm films with more than 40 films for IMAX® and giant screen theatres to its credit. Throughout the company’s 50-year history, its films have won numerous international awards including two Academy Award® nominations and three films inducted into the IMAX Hall of Fame. MacGillivray Freeman’s films are known for their artistry and celebration of science and the natural world. It is the first documentary film company to reach the one billion dollar benchmark for worldwide box office. www.macgillivrayfreeman.com

About the American Society of Civil Engineers
Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers represents more than 150,000 civil engineers worldwide and is America’s oldest national engineering society. ASCE works to advance engineering knowledge and competency through the development of codes and standards, publications, education, and programs such as Future World Vision; raise awareness of the need to maintain and modernize infrastructure using sustainable and resilient practices through initiatives such as the Report Card for America’s Infrastructure; and works to recruit and inspire a more diverse engineering workforce. www.asce.org

For more information, please contact:
Kristina Kurasz Cutting
213-744-7446 | kkurasz@californiasciencecenter.org

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cities-of-the-future-3d-makes-its-west-coast-premiere-at-the-california-science-center-on-march-2-2024-narrated-by-award-winning-actor-john-krasinski-302069430.html

SOURCE California Science Center Foundation

Continue Reading

Technology

PlanetiQ Selected for NOAA’s Space-Based Environmental Monitoring IDIQ

Published

on

By

Selection builds on PlanetiQ’s long-standing relationship with NOAA and adds thermospheric neutral density to its environmental data offerings

GOLDEN, Colo., Sept. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — PlanetiQ, a leading provider of commercial satellite-based environmental data, today announced that it has been selected as an industry partner under NOAA’s new Space-Based Environmental Monitoring (SBEM) Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. Through the SBEM IDIQ, PlanetiQ will be eligible to compete for task orders to provide NOAA with two types of commercial environmental data: Global Navigation Satellite System-Radio Occultation (GNSS-RO) observations for atmospheric profiling and ionospheric monitoring, and thermospheric neutral density data for satellite orbit prediction.

“This selection builds on our long-standing partnership with NOAA and expands the ways our data can support the agency, from high-resolution atmospheric and ionospheric observations to thermospheric neutral density for satellite orbit prediction,” said Ira Scharf, CEO of PlanetiQ.  

The SBEM IDIQ, established by NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) through its Commercial Data Program. The contract has a five-year base period followed by a five-year option and is effective from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2036.

Under SBEM, PlanetiQ will provide data from its existing satellite constellation as well as additional satellites planned for launch later this year. The company’s GNSS-RO observations provide high-resolution atmospheric profiles for numerical weather prediction and measurements of the ionosphere, including Total Electron Content (TEC) and scintillation. PlanetiQ will also introduce thermospheric neutral density data as a new commercial data product for NOAA NESDIS, supporting improved satellite orbit prediction and space-weather applications.

“PlanetiQ has built its business around delivering high-quality GNSS-RO data with the precision needed to improve weather forecasting,” said Ira Scharf, CEO of PlanetiQ. “This selection builds on our long-standing partnership with NOAA and expands the ways our data can support the agency, from high-resolution atmospheric and ionospheric observations to thermospheric neutral density for satellite orbit prediction. We look forward to continuing to work with NOAA to advance weather forecasting and space weather applications.”

Per NOAA’s own press release, NOAA is expanding its procurement and use of new commercial environmental satellite data streams that will enhance weather forecasting and space weather monitoring. The SBEM IDIQ contract is a key part in the agency’s ongoing effort to boost U.S. weather forecasting capabilities.

PlanetiQ currently provides GNSS-RO data to NOAA NESDIS under the agency’s previous commercial data contract vehicle. The company’s most recent task order, announced in August, provides GNSS-RO and ionospheric data and bridges the transition to the new SBEM contract.

About PlanetiQ

PlanetiQ provides the highest-quality GNSS radio occultation (RO) data available from a commercial constellation of satellites, offering unmatched temporal and spatial resolution. The data drive accurate, high-impact weather and climate forecast models, helping improve Numerical Weather Prediction and AI forecasts, safeguard lives and property from severe weather. In 2025, PlanetiQ was awarded NOAA’s largest-ever contract for satellite weather data, valued at $24.3 million. PlanetiQ is a space-tech company that serves the most mission-critical government, defense, and industry leaders, including international weather agencies, enabling more resilient operations across sectors. Founded in 2015 and privately owned, PlanetiQ designs, builds, and operates the preeminent commercial constellation of GNSS-RO satellites, setting the standard for precision and reliability in atmospheric monitoring. For more information, contact info@planetiq.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/planetiq-selected-for-noaas-space-based-environmental-monitoring-idiq-302876567.html

SOURCE PlanetiQ

Continue Reading

Technology

New Bloomberg Tax Projections Give Tax Professionals an Early Start on 2027 Planning

Published

on

By

ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bloomberg Tax & Accounting released its 2027 Projected U.S. Tax Rates, which indicates a 3.2% increase in inflation from 2026 (compared to the 2.7% increase from 2025). The full report is available at https://aboutbtax.com/bmN8.

Bloomberg Tax’s annual Projected U.S. Tax Rates Report provides early, accurate notice of the potential tax savings that could be realized due to increases in deduction limitations, upward adjustments to tax brackets, and increases to numerous other key thresholds.

In an unprecedented event, the Bureau of Labor Statistics did not report the data from October of 2025. Thus, the C-CPI-U has been computed on an 11-month average.

The report accounts for several new adjustments made under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) that affect tax planning for taxpayers in 2027 and beyond. For corporate taxpayers and passthroughs, they include an adjustment to the employer-provided child care credit, initially enhanced by the OBBBA. It also includes an adjustment to the threshold for information at source reporting requirements, which was initially increased by the OBBBA. For individuals, the report includes varied income tax rates with steeper adjustments for lower brackets.

“Tax professionals are being asked to make consequential planning decisions amid constant policy change and growing complexity,” said Evan Croen, head of Bloomberg Tax & Accounting. “By providing trusted projections before official figures are released and carrying those updates directly into the tools where professionals work, we can help them move from information to action sooner and spend more time applying their expertise to the decisions that matter most.”

The updated rates flow directly into Bloomberg Tax’s innovative software solutions including Bloomberg Tax Provision, Bloomberg Tax Fixed Assets, and Bloomberg Tax Workpapers. This is an example of the power and efficiency of Bloomberg Tax & Accounting’s integrated suite of solutions, which modernizes the corporate tax process, from data collection to tax calculations that power key deliverable.

Other key adjustments, with comparisons of the 2026 amounts and 2027 projections, include:

Individual Income Tax Rate Brackets 

Married Filing Jointly and Surviving Spouses

2026 Tax Rate Bracket Income Ranges

Projected 2027 Tax Rate Bracket Income Ranges

10% – $0 to $24,800

10% – $0 to $25,600

12% – Over $24,800 to $100,800

12% – Over $25,600 to $104,050

22% – Over $100,800 to $211,400

22% – Over $104,050 to $218,250

24% – Over $211,400 to $403,550

24% – Over $218,250 to $416,650

32% – Over $403,550 to $512,450

32% – Over $416,650 to $529,100

35% – Over $512,450 to $768,700

35% – Over $529,100 to $793,650

37% – Over $768,700

37% – Over $793,650

Unmarried Individuals (other than Surviving Spouses and Heads of Households)

2026 Tax Rate Bracket Income Ranges

Projected 2027 Tax Rate Bracket Income Ranges

10% – $0 to $12,400

10% – $0 to $12,800

12% – Over $12,400 to $50,400

12% – Over $12,800 to $52,025

22% – Over $50,400 to $105,700

22% – Over $52,025 to $109,125

24% – Over $105,7000 to $201,775

24% – Over $109,125 to $208,325

32% – Over $201,775 to $256,225

32% – Over $208,325 to $264,550

35% – Over $256,225 to $640,600

35% – Over $264,550 to $661,375

37% – Over $640,6000

37% – Over $661,375

Standard Deduction

Filing Status

2026

Standard Deduction

Projected 2027

Standard Deduction

Married Filing Jointly/Surviving Spouses

$31,500

$33,200

Heads of Household

$23,625

$24,925 ($24,950)

All Other Taxpayers

$15,7500

$16,600

Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)

Filing Status

2026

AMT Exemption Amount

Projected 2027

AMT Exemption Amount

Married Filing Jointly/Surviving Spouses

$140,200

$144,700

Unmarried Individuals

(other than Surviving Spouses)

$90,100

$93,000

Married Filing Separately

$70,100

$72,350

Estates and Trusts

$31,400

$32,500

About Bloomberg Tax

Bloomberg Tax delivers a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to help tax and accounting professionals navigate a complex global landscape. By combining practitioner-driven insights with intelligent, AI-powered tools, we provide the expertise you need to ensure compliance, streamline workflows, and drive strategic decision-making. Our integrated solutions simplify intricate calculations and adapt to changing regulations in real time, empowering your organization to mitigate risk, optimize tax strategies, and achieve measurable results with confidence and precision.

Bloomberg Tax is part of Bloomberg Industry Group, an affiliate of Bloomberg L.P., a global leader in business and financial information, data, news, and insights.

For more information, visit bloombergtax.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-bloomberg-tax-projections-give-tax-professionals-an-early-start-on-2027-planning-302876568.html

SOURCE Bloomberg Tax

Continue Reading

Technology

o15 Capital Partners Announces Realization of $31 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility to Simplify Compliance

Published

on

By

ATLANTA, Sept. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — o15 Capital Partners (“o15”), through its Emerging America Credit Opportunities (“EACO”) fund and its affiliates, is pleased to announce the successful exit of a $31 million senior secured credit facility provided to Simplify Compliance Holdings, LLC (“Simplify” or the “Company”), a diversified provider of B2B training, events, and subscription information backed by Leeds Equity Partners (“Leeds Equity”). Repayment followed the sale of the Company’s datacenterHawk business unit to S&P Global.

The successful realization reinforces o15’s continued conviction in the lower middle market, where disciplined underwriting, sector expertise, and close sponsor partnerships can drive strong investment outcomes. The facility provided flexible capital to support the Company’s strategic objectives and Leeds Equity’s ongoing value creation initiatives.

“Leeds Equity was an excellent partner throughout this investment, and the outcome speaks to their track record building durable businesses,” said Kenneth Saffold, co-CEO and Managing Partner at o15. “We were glad to underwrite behind the strength of Simplify’s digital-first product suite across compliance, workforce training, and data and information assets.”

“o15 was a thoughtful and responsive partner throughout this investment. Their speed and ability to tailor a solution to the Company’s needs were meaningful factors in our financing relationship,” said Chris Mairs, Managing Director at Leeds Equity.

The exit underscores o15’s differentiated investment approach, combining thoughtful structuring, sector expertise, and a focus on measurable impact. Business services and information platforms remain a core area of focus for o15, given the critical role these businesses play across the lower middle market.

About o15 Capital Partners

Based in Atlanta, o15 Capital Partners is an alternatives investment firm that provides growth capital to undercapitalized lower middle market businesses and communities in the Healthcare, Education and Business Services industries.

To learn more about o15 Capital Partners or discuss a new investment opportunity, please visit and follow us on LinkedIn, or reach out to a member of our investment team.

Disclaimer: The information herein should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation of any security, investment, or investment strategy. References to this investment are for illustrative purposes only, are not representative of all investments made by o15, and should not be construed as a recommendation of any particular investment or investment strategy. Other investments made by o15 have had, and future investments may have different characteristics and results.

media@o15.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/o15-capital-partners-announces-realization-of-31-million-senior-secured-credit-facility-to-simplify-compliance-302876584.html

SOURCE o15 Capital Partners

Continue Reading

Trending