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New Mexico Community College, Children’s Museum Form Groundbreaking Partnership to Launch Early Childhood Learning Center

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Brillante will deliver a new comprehensive model of early childhood education that not only focuses on serving the critical development period of children from birth to age 5, but also the workforce development of high-quality early childhood educators and the childcare needs of the community

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., May 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Explora Science Center & Children’s Museum (Explora) and Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) have joined forces to launch a trailblazing model of early childhood education. It invests in high-quality STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) early education and childcare, a well-trained early childhood educator workforce, and much-needed childcare services for community members and CNM students who are parents striving to earn degrees, certificates and a better quality of life for their families. All three of these focuses will bolster positive outcomes for the community and economy, while also delivering a promising model that can be emulated at other early childhood centers.

The 14,000-square-foot facility, called the Brillante Early Learning Center, is being constructed as Phase Two of Explora’s Cradle through Career STEAM Learning Campus development in Albuquerque. It’s expected to establish Explora and CNM as national leaders in early childhood practice and workforce development. Brillante will deliver high-quality early childhood education and care for young children (infant to 5-years-old) that will be rooted in STEAM education and play-based learning, while also serving as a learning lab for CNM students pursuing certificates and degrees in the college’s Early Childhood Multicultural Education (ECME) program. 

“Explora is so excited about this project, which is grounded in community listening and which has been developed with a Planning Team of local early childhood experts. We’ve heard from so many families that high-quality early childhood education and care is critically-important for improving both family and community prosperity. Brillante Early Learning Center will change lives – helping young parents finish their certificates and degrees and get jobs that can end generational cycles of poverty – and we couldn’t be more excited to be working with CNM on this impactful partnership,” says Explora Co-Executive Director, Kristin Leigh, who has been working on the concept for Brillante Early Learning Center for close to 10 years.

Brillante will be a STEAM-based early childhood school using the Reggio Emilia approach to education. This approach views children as active, capable and extremely valuable members of the community who should be encouraged to explore, question, and interpret the world during their first five years of life. Providing a state-of-the-art, experience-rich environment where children can engage in this approach every day will contribute to healthier, more engaged and more productive members of society. 

For CNM students in the ECME associate degree and certificate programs, Brillante will be leveraged as a learning lab, providing real-world, field-based experience and mentorship in a high-quality early care and education center, preparing them to become highly valued members of the early childhood education workforce across the state. Students will be able to complete their on-site field work in Brillante classrooms with mentoring and supervision from CNM faculty, as well as conduct certain course assignments at a centralized location.

CNM faculty and staff will also be able to visit and observe Brillante as a resource for developing curriculum and for ongoing professional development. Brillante will continue to offer professional development opportunities for early childhood educators and directors from across New Mexico.

The Albuquerque community, including CNM student parents, will be able to take advantage of high-quality, subsidized childcare services at Brillante. Childcare issues are a significant barrier to pursuing and completing higher education for many working learners. There are currently two Brillante pilot classrooms operating at Explora, with the majority of the children served having parents who attend CNM. Once the facility is complete, the center is projected to serve more than 100 young children, with most of them being children of CNM students.  

“At CNM, we’re very excited about this extraordinary partnership with Explora, because it’s going to create so many positive ripple effects on our community, our students, and our state,” said CNM President Tracy Hartzler. “We all know the critical importance of providing high-quality education and care during the formative years for children up to age 5. To provide that high-quality early education to all New Mexico families, we need a larger and well-trained early education teacher workforce. Separately, one in six CNM students report being parents – and they need more options for quality childcare. Too often, childcare challenges cause them to give up on an education that would provide them a better life. We’re confident that this partnership and model are going to deliver impressive, inspiring outcomes and solutions on a number of fronts.” 

Nobel Prize-winning economist, James Heckman, has done significant research on the return on investment in early childhood education. Brillante has drawn inspiration from his equation – “Invest+Develop+Sustain=Gain” – which is: 1) Invest in educational and developmental resources for disadvantaged families to provide equal access to successful early human development; 2) Nurture early development of cognitive and social skills in children from birth to age 5; 3) Sustain early development with effective education through to adulthood; 4) Gain a more capable, productive, and valuable workforce that pays dividends to America for generations to come.

The Brillante facility will include eight to 10 classrooms serving infants through Pre-K students; adult classrooms for CNM students; a welcome plaza with Explora hands-on STEAM exhibits; space for school-wide meetings; an art studio; outdoor learning spaces; and a full kitchen.

This high quality, STEAM-based early childhood center will be free to most New Mexicans due to funding from the State of New Mexico’s Childcare Assistance Program, the New Mexico Pre-K grant, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-mexico-community-college-childrens-museum-form-groundbreaking-partnership-to-launch-early-childhood-learning-center-302154496.html

SOURCE Central New Mexico Community College (CNM)

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Notari launches Founder Edition N1 Pro AI Notetaker, an AI notetaking system that makes the transcript a starting point for deeper thinking

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47 minutes ago

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October 27, 2026

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Founded by Keychron Co-Founder Paul Tan, Notari pairs a sleek recording device with an AI workspace that helps users question, develop and act on what they capture

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Today, Notari launched direct-to-consumer sales for N1 Pro AI Notetaker, an AI notetaking system designed to function as a thinking partner for conversations, meetings and personal ideas. The system consists of two components: a credit-card-sized recorder and an AI-powered app. The Founder Edition is available through an early-access program at notarilabs.com for a limited-time introductory price of $129.99 USD (MSRP $189 USD) in the United States and U.S. territories, with additional countries planned.

Our goal at Notari is to bring transcription capabilities to more people and organizations, giving them an easier, more customizable way to connect real-world information with their own AI.

At just 0.17″ (4.4 mm) thick, the N1 Pro AI Notetaker recorder is a device that attaches magnetically to the back of a smartphone and captures conversations, meetings, lectures and thoughts at the press of a button. Recordings are stored locally, and a built-in contact microphone can capture the other side of phone calls without requiring speaker mode. The Notari AI Notetaker software turns recordings into searchable transcripts and structured summaries, then provides an AI workspace where users can question the material, develop ideas and decide what comes next.

How N1 Pro AI Notetaker extends beyond the transcript

While many AI notetakers can reduce the work involved in recording, transcribing and summarizing conversations, N1 Pro AI Notetaker is designed to help users continue working with that information.

Key capabilities of the system include:

Record locally before deciding what to process: The recorder includes 32GB of local storage and does not require an internet connection while recording. Users always choose which files to transfer for transcription and AI processing in the app.Capture virtual meetings without a bot: Desktop recording captures system audio and in-person sound without requiring a bot to join the call.Move from recording to structured information: The app distinguishes between different speakers and turns recordings into searchable transcripts and structured summaries that users can correct and edit.Ask questions and develop ideas: Users can query captured material to retrieve details, identify unresolved issues and examine alternative perspectives, then use AI to develop what they learn further.Choose between multiple AI models: Users can select ChatGPT, Gemini or Grok through integrations managed by Notari.Option to use the software without the hardware: Notari AI Notetaker can be used independently of the recording device, with recording handled in-app.

“Our goal at Notari is to bring transcription capabilities to more people and organizations, giving them an easier, more customizable way to connect real-world information with their own AI,” said Paul Tan, Founder and CEO of Notari, Co-Founder and former COO of Keychron. “That connection gives AI the context it needs to better support us.”

A personal knowledge system built around user-controlled information

The recording device measures 3.58″ × 2.32″ × 0.17″ and weighs just 54.8g. Four MEMS microphones capture ambient audio, with best recording performance within five metres and recording at distances of up to nine metres under suitable indoor conditions. A 660 mAh battery supports up to 40 hours of continuous recording and up to 60 days of standby time, with approximately two hours required for USB-C charging. Available in Space Black and Silver, the device includes a magnetic adapter ring, USB-C charging cable and one-year limited warranty. A built-in screen indicates when recording is active.

Notari AI Notetaker is available via iOS mobile app (Android coming in November) and web browser, with dedicated desktop apps planned.

The Founder Edition N1 Pro AI Notetaker recorder includes unlimited free standard-model transcription for life on recordings made directly with the device, one complimentary month of the Pro Plan, and access to the Founder Community, where early customers can suggest ideas, provide feedback and vote on future features. With its core features in place at launch, N1 Pro AI Notetaker will continue to evolve through additional features and improvements planned for upcoming releases.

Free and paid subscription plans are also available, including the Plus Plan ($14.99 USD per month) with 2,000 credits for advanced transcription models, and the Pro Plan ($29.99 USD per month), which includes unlimited standard-model transcription and 4,000 advanced-model credits. Files selected for transcription and AI processing are uploaded to Notari’s AWS cloud infrastructure, where data is encrypted in transit and at rest. Users can delete individual recordings and other content from Notari’s servers, and user data is not used to train AI models.

“Too many products are built around restrictions,” continued Tan. “We created Notari to give users the most freedom in how they record, transcribe and work with AI so they can spend less time navigating limitations and more time making better decisions and doing better work.”

Media wishing to interview Notari personnel should contact PR agent Borjana Slipicevic at Proper Propaganda.

About Notari

Notari builds connected hardware and software tools that help people capture information, think clearly and develop ideas over time. Founded by Paul Tan, Co-Founder and former COO of Keychron, where he led product design and innovation, Notari brings together a multidisciplinary team of engineers, designers, writers, developers and thinkers. With backgrounds spanning product design, filmmaking and software development, the team draws on its own experience creating and building products to develop the next generation of notetaking and document tools for capturing information, developing ideas and supporting creative work.

Media Contact

Borjana Slipicevic, Proper Propaganda, 1 7788582595, borjana@properpropaganda.net, properpropaganda.net

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/notari-launches-founder-edition-n1-pro-ai-notetaker-an-ai-notetaking-system-that-makes-the-transcript-a-starting-point-for-deeper-thinking-302920770.html

SOURCE Proper Propaganda

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Regional Center of Orange County Honors Business Champions for Employees with Developmental Disabilities

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47 minutes ago

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October 27, 2026

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SANTA ANA, Calif., Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Regional Center of Orange County (RCOC) has honored the following seven Orange County businesses as champions for employees with developmental disabilities.

Discovery Cube (Santa Ana)
Grocery Outlet (Anaheim and Long Beach)
Lamppost Pizza (Orange)
Oakley (Irvine)
Heroes Hall – OC Fairgrounds & Event Center (Costa Mesa)
Provider Contract Food Services (Fullerton)
Walgreens (Anaheim)

Decades ago, few people with developmental disabilities were able to get paying work. Many who had jobs were employed in what were sometimes called “sheltered workshops.” These types of workplace settings (which are no longer eligible for Regional Center funding) included only adults with disabilities and were isolated from the broader community.

“Now we take for granted that people with disabilities can and should be able to work alongside coworkers without disabilities,” said RCOC Executive Director Larry Landauer. “But individuals we serve continue to face challenges, so it’s important for us to recognize role-model employers like our honorees who know the benefits of including people with developmental disabilities in their workforces.”

Several years ago, the RCOC Board of Directors adopted an Employment First policy that makes competitive integrated employment the first option for the working-age adults RCOC serves. This aligns with the state policy that also favors inclusive employment. Toward that end, RCOC and its network of service providers partner with businesses of all sizes, community organizations and government agencies throughout Orange County to identify job opportunities and then match individuals’ skills, talents, abilities and interests with the right job and the right employer.

The businesses honored at this event received certificates from the offices of Assemblymember Diane Dixon, Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris and Assemblymember Avelino Valencia.

For more information on the advantages of hiring adults with disabilities, visit RCOC’s Employment First and RCOC’s Employment for People with Developmental Disabilities web pages.

About Regional Center of Orange County: Regional Center of Orange County is the private, nonprofit organization contracted by the State of California to coordinate lifelong services and supports for more than 29,000 Orange County residents with developmental disabilities and their families. The Regional Center is the first stop for those seeking to obtain local services and supports to help them live safely and with dignity in the community. Developmental disabilities include intellectual disabilities, autism, epilepsy and cerebral palsy. Learn more at www.rcocdd.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/regional-center-of-orange-county-honors-business-champions-for-employees-with-developmental-disabilities-302921098.html

SOURCE Regional Center of Orange County

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Dotwork Acquires Arcario Group to Accelerate Adoption of Its AI-Native Enterprise Operating Platform

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47 minutes ago

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October 27, 2026

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Acquisition adds forward-deployed expertise to connect strategy, capital, AI execution and measurable business outcomes.

GEORGETOWN, Texas, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Dotwork, an AI-native enterprise operating platform, today announced its acquisition of Arcario Group, a consultancy specializing in enterprise operating models and transformation. The transaction closed October 23. Financial terms were not disclosed.

AI is accelerating execution, but most enterprises still manage strategy, funding and work across disconnected systems. Leaders struggle to see what investments actually cost, whether they produce results and where resources should move next.

Dotwork is building the enterprise steering layer for the AI era. Its graph-based Enterprise Operating Model connects existing systems rather than replacing them, linking strategy, capital, business capabilities, work, decisions and outcomes. Unlike tools centered on projects or workflows, Dotwork focuses on the decisions that drive performance, connecting plans to actual spending, preserving decision context and giving leaders and AI agents a shared understanding of the enterprise.

Arcario brings the expertise to activate that model. Its Connected Enterprise approach aligns people, processes, data and technology, while forward-deployed enterprise value architects work alongside customers to solve targeted problems and measure results.

Together, the companies help enterprises:

Design: Identify gaps between strategic priorities, investments, business capabilities and execution.Activate: Connect existing financial and operational systems, then deploy targeted workflows and AI capabilities without replacing core technology.Steer: Track decisions, actual costs and outcomes, then adapt investments and execution as priorities change.

“The enterprise software industry has spent decades helping companies manage work, automate processes and analyze data. But who’s helping the CEO, COO, CFO and CIO actually steer the business?” said Steve Elliott, founder and CEO of Dotwork. “AI makes deciding where to invest and how to measure results more important than ever. We’re building Dotwork around those decisions—not another workflow or dashboard. Arcario brings the expertise to make that operating model real.”

Rather than requiring lengthy transformation programs or bespoke platforms, the combined teams can start with a high-value business problem, establish a reusable operating model and expand as results are demonstrated. Lessons from deployments will also inform repeatable Dotwork platform capabilities.

“Connecting enterprise strategy to what teams actually do has always been the hard part,” said Konstantin Popov, founder and CEO of Arcario Group. “With Dotwork, we can move beyond recommendations to connect decisions, investments and execution—and show customers the value they’re creating.”

Arcario’s leadership previously built an enterprise operating-model practice acquired by Cprime, where it scaled to support major enterprise transformations. Arcario becomes the foundation of Dotwork’s services and forward-deployed engineering organization. Existing client engagements continue with their current teams. Konstantin joins Dotwork as Head of Transformation Services.

Learn more at dotwork.com/post/welcome-arcario.

About Dotwork

Dotwork is an AI-native enterprise operating platform connecting strategy, capital, work and outcomes through a living, graph-based Enterprise Operating Model. Founded by Steve Elliott, former founder and CEO of AgileCraft (acquired by Atlassian), Dotwork is headquartered in Georgetown, Texas. Learn more at dotwork.com.

About Arcario Group

Arcario Group helps enterprises build the Connected Enterprise, aligning people, processes, data and technology to improve execution and business outcomes. Learn more at arcariogroup.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dotwork-acquires-arcario-group-to-accelerate-adoption-of-its-ai-native-enterprise-operating-platform-302921095.html

SOURCE Dotwork

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