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Overcoming Barriers in Heritage Tourism: “All Access hosted by Andy Garcia” Features Western Maryland Scenic Railroad

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Innovative accessibility protocols allow a historic railway to bridge the gap between regional preservation and inclusive public education.

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Preserving historic transportation infrastructure presents complex economic and operational challenges, particularly when trying to make decades-old equipment accessible to modern audiences. To demonstrate how thoughtful innovation resolves these obstacles, “All Access hosted by Andy Garcia” will feature Western Maryland Scenic Railroad in an upcoming educational segment. Based in Cumberland, Maryland, the non-profit organization has transformed historic rail operations into a living classroom that serves school groups, families, and history enthusiasts.

The production highlights how Western Maryland Scenic Railroad resolved accessibility hurdles by becoming the country’s first heritage railroad designated as a Certified Autism Center. By pairing hands-on engineering education with comprehensive staff training and sensory guide resources, the organization ensures that historical learning is open to all visitors. Through varied data collection, community feedback, and regional partnerships, the railroad delivers measurable economic benefits to local businesses while setting new standards for accessible heritage tourism.

“At Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, we believe preserving history means making sure everyone has the opportunity to experience it. Becoming the nation’s first heritage railroad designated as a Certified Autism Center reflects our commitment to creating an environment where every guest and every family feels welcomed, understood, and included. Historic preservation is about more than protecting locomotives, railcars, and infrastructure—it is about sharing their stories with future generations. By removing barriers and embracing accessibility, we are ensuring that the history we work so hard to preserve truly belongs to everyone.” — Nikki Shields, Business Director, Western Maryland Scenic Railroad

The broader travel and preservation sectors face growing scrutiny regarding physical and cognitive accessibility. Many historical sites operate within rigid structures that struggle to adapt to modern accessibility requirements, leading to isolated visitor experiences. Western Maryland Scenic Railroad addresses this industry conflict by integrating inclusive strategies directly into its preservation mission. By training personnel and adapting customer service approaches to accommodate neurodivergent guests, the railroad proves that historic organizations can maintain authentic equipment while removing physical and social barriers for the public.

Rising diagnoses of autism spectrum conditions highlight the urgent need for inclusive public infrastructure and supportive community spaces. Travel environments with unmanaged noise, crowds, or unpredictable schedules can create severe stress for neurodivergent individuals and their care partners. Western Maryland Scenic Railroad mitigates these triggers through clear sensory guides, designated quiet areas, and trained staff ready to assist. Addressing these health and social considerations allows the railroad to foster positive, enriching educational outings that strengthen family bonds and promote broader social inclusion across the region.

About “All Access hosted by Andy Garcia”: “All Access hosted by Andy Garcia” is an award-winning educational series distributed to Public Television stations throughout the United States. The program provides balanced coverage of emerging trends, cultural shifts, and technical innovations across various industries, delivering educational perspectives to broad audiences. Hosted by legendary actor Andy Garcia, the series maintains a commitment to informative public broadcasting storytelling. For program details and broadcast information, visit allaccessptv.com

About Western Maryland Scenic Railroad: Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is a non-profit educational and heritage organization based in Cumberland, Maryland. Dedicated to historic preservation, tourism, and community engagement, it operates living history train experiences and serves as the nation’s first heritage railroad designated as a Certified Autism Center. Learn more by visiting www.wmsr.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/overcoming-barriers-in-heritage-tourism-all-access-hosted-by-andy-garcia-features-western-maryland-scenic-railroad-302856392.html

SOURCE All Access

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Green Water & Power Scales Nationwide EV Charging Deployment and Clean-Energy Workforce Development

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Los Angeles-based company surpasses 15,000 EV chargers nationwide while investing more than $500,000 in employee training and career advancement.

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Green Water & Power, a Los Angeles-headquartered clean-energy infrastructure company, has installed more than 15,000 EV chargers nationwide while employing more than 130 team members in Los Angeles and nationwide. The company delivers reliable EV charging infrastructure for businesses, fleets, multifamily properties, schools, nonprofits, public agencies, and communities.

Green Water & Power manages each stage of EV charging deployment, from design, engineering, permitting, procurement, and construction to commissioning, maintenance, and operations. The company has also partnered with more than 30 utility, state, and incentive programs to help customers reduce project costs and accelerate electrification.

“We are not just installing chargers; we are building the systems that make EV adoption practical at scale,” said Danny Gold, President of Green Water & Power. “Each project supports skilled jobs, training investment, local economic impact, and cleaner transportation access for drivers across the country.”

“Green Water & Power has been an exceptional turnkey partner in helping Rockdyne expand EV charging across our portfolio,” said Maureen Funk, Project Manager, Rockdyne Ent., LLC. “GWP delivered 164 Level 2 chargers across seven properties and managed the process seamlessly from design and installation through rebate processing, operations, and maintenance. Their expertise has allowed us to move faster, reduce complexity, and bring reliable charging access to our communities, and we look forward to adding more chargers across additional properties.”

Workforce development remains central to Green Water & Power’s growth. The company supports more than 130 California residents in roles spanning electricians, technicians, engineers, project managers, and support staff, and has invested more than $500,000 in company-funded professional education and development so employees can advance without out-of-pocket training costs.

That investment includes EVITP certification, Registered Service Agent training, OSHA 10 and OSHA 30, forklift certification, electrical apprenticeship sponsorships, certified electrician exam preparation, and leadership development. To date, 21 Green Water & Power employees have earned EVITP certification and 33 employees have become Registered Service Agents, strengthening the company’s ability to deliver safe, compliant, large-scale EV infrastructure.

Green Water & Power also sponsors registered electrical apprenticeships that combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction, helping employees advance from apprentice to journeyman to leadership while expanding the skilled labor pipeline needed for California’s clean-energy future.

About Green Water & Power
Green Water & Power (GWP) is a national turnkey provider of clean-energy infrastructure with more than a decade of renewable energy experience. The company specializes in electric vehicle charging, battery storage, and solar energy systems, managing projects from design and permitting through construction, commissioning, operations, and maintenance. GWP has installed more than 15,000 EV chargers nationwide and has a portfolio that includes more than 4 MW of solar capacity. For more information, visit www.greenwaterandpower.com.

Media Contact:
Green Water & Power
Christine Karlovic
Vice President
(213) 219-2988
media@greenwaterandpower.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/green-water–power-scales-nationwide-ev-charging-deployment-and-clean-energy-workforce-development-302856919.html

SOURCE Green Water & Power, LLC

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North Miami Police Department Deploys Mark43 to Drive Efficiency, Data-Driven Policing, and Safer Communities

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NEW YORK, Aug. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The North Miami Police Department (NMPD) has launched on Mark43, the leading cloud-native public safety operations platform, bringing its dispatch, records, analytics and mobile operations together on one modern, cloud-native system. Serving more than 60,000 residents across 10 square miles, the department’s 125 sworn officers and 30 professional staff are now operating on an upgraded technology platform designed to enhance efficiency, visibility, resiliency, and service to the community.

Under the leadership of Chief Cherise G. Gause, NMPD developed a Five-Year Strategic Plan that represents its collective vision and goals for a more proactive police department, anchored by a core commitment to leveraging modern technology to enhance efficiency and public safety. “This upgrade isn’t just for the Police Department; it’s for the entire City of North Miami,” shared Chief Gause. “As the City of North Miami has continued to grow and evolve over the years, so have the operational and technology needs of our Police Department. As such, it became important to transition to a more modern platform that can better support our officers, improve efficiency, and meet the expectations of a growing community. This new system now gives our officers the tools they need to work more efficiently and safely. With Mark43, we have real-time data at our fingertips, allowing us to provide the most efficient, accurate information possible to support our community.”

Bob Hughes, CEO of Mark43, shared, “Florida agencies are increasingly investing in modern public safety technology to better serve their communities, and we’re proud to help meet that demand. Chief Gause and the North Miami Police Department’s commitment to operational excellence and community safety make them an outstanding partner as they build a more efficient and resilient future.”

For agencies in South Florida, resilient technology is essential. As hurricanes and severe weather threaten local infrastructure year-over-year, agencies risk losing power and disruptions to the systems that keep their communities safe. By upgrading to a cloud-native platform, NMPD ensures its mission critical systems remain stable and connected even if on-premises environments are compromised. Built in the AWS GovCloud, Mark43 provides the highest level of resiliency, connectivity, and security to keep officers and the community safe during all conditions.

“Resiliency is always something we must consider, especially during hurricane season. Knowing that our systems will now remain operational despite any potential local disruptions is important. Mark43’s cloud-native architecture gives us a level of stability, security, and continuity that is required for our work and keeping our community safe,” shared Chief Gause.

The NMPD will utilize a number of products from Mark43’s innovative portfolio:

The interoperability of Mark43 CAD and RMS will ensure all users, from telecommunicators and investigators to command staff, share the same source of truth.Mark43 RMS streamlines and automates NMPD’s reporting workflows, reducing errors, and improving efficiency.With the automated reporting and real-time dashboards within Mark43 Insights, leaders, analysts, and investigators gain instant insights into emerging trends and resource needs.Mark43 OnScene enables NMPD to work more safely and effectively from the field.

North Miami Police Department joins surrounding agencies including Coral Gables Police Department, Miami Gardens Police Department, Bay Harbor Islands Police Department, Venice Police Department, Boynton Beach Police Department, Fort Myers Police Department, and Miami Springs Police Department on the Mark43 Public Safety Platform. 

To learn more, visit www.mark43.com.

About Mark43
Mark43 brings modern technology to enhance public safety, making state, local and federal agencies faster, smarter, and their communities safer. Its integrated Records Management System, Computer-Aided Dispatch, and Data Analytics form the backbone of a unified, real-time public safety operating platform to streamline workflows, improve response times, and foster collaboration. Trusted by over 300 agencies, Mark43 increases effectiveness and efficiency amid rising demands and limited resources. By supporting first responders with innovative tools, AI technology, and a strong cybersecurity foundation, Mark43 equips public safety agencies to address the challenges of today and tomorrow. To learn more visit www.mark43.com.

About the City of North Miami
Incorporated in 1926 and currently celebrating its centennial anniversary, the City of North Miami is nestled in the northeast of Miami-Dade County and is one of the 10 largest municipalities in the county. With more than 60,000 residents, North Miami is one of the most diverse municipalities in Florida, with a rich tapestry of communities contributing traditions, languages, and cultures that shape the city’s distinctive character and spirit. The City is home to Oleta River State Park, the largest urban park in the Florida State Park system; the nationally accredited Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA); and the Biscayne Bay Campus of Florida International University, all which exemplify the dynamic quality of life rooted in community and opportunity offered in North Miami. More information about the City can be found at www.NorthMiamiFL.gov.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/north-miami-police-department-deploys-mark43-to-drive-efficiency-data-driven-policing-and-safer-communities-302856874.html

SOURCE Mark43

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Blue Elephant CNC Expands Global CNC Solutions for Furniture Manufacturers

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Blue Elephant CNC provides global CNC solutions for furniture manufacturers and woodworking businesses.

JINAN, China, Aug. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Blue Elephant CNC, a China-based CNC router machine manufacturer, is expanding its global CNC solutions for furniture manufacturers and woodworking businesses seeking efficient and flexible production equipment.

With more than 16 years of experience in CNC manufacturing, Blue Elephant provides a range of CNC equipment for furniture production, including CNC furniture machines, nesting CNC machines, CNC drilling machines, edge banding machines and panel saws. These solutions are designed for applications such as cabinet, wardrobe and panel furniture production.

Blue Elephant’s CNC furniture machines support processes including panel cutting, nesting, drilling, grooving and other furniture manufacturing operations. Customized machine configurations are available based on materials, working areas, production processes and individual manufacturing requirements.

The company operates a 75,000-square-meter manufacturing facility and has sold more than 20,000 CNC machines to customers in more than 80 countries and regions. Its equipment serves furniture manufacturing, woodworking, advertising, construction and other industries.

As furniture manufacturers continue to adopt automated production technologies, Blue Elephant focuses on providing CNC equipment that can support consistent processing, flexible production and streamlined manufacturing workflows. The company also provides installation guidance, software training, maintenance support and equipment upgrades for customers worldwide.

For more information about Blue Elephant’s CNC furniture machines and manufacturing solutions, visit Blue Elephant CNC.

About Blue Elephant CNC

Blue Elephant CNC is a China-based CNC machine manufacturer specializing in CNC routers, CNC furniture machines, nesting CNC machines, CNC drilling machines, edge banding machines, panel saws and related CNC solutions. The company provides customized equipment and technical support for customers in furniture manufacturing, woodworking and other industries.

Media Contact

Jack, Blue Elephant CNC Router, 86 19106401832, manager@elephant-cnc.com, https://www.elephant-cnc.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/blue-elephant-cnc-expands-global-cnc-solutions-for-furniture-manufacturers-302856139.html

SOURCE Blue Elephant CNC Router

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