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Driving HVAC Innovation for a Smarter, More Efficient Future

2025-01-21T09:01:00

(BPT) – The heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) industry is undergoing a significant transformation, shifting towards AI-driven solutions, clean technology and highly-efficient systems tailored to diverse regional needs. Embracing this shift, LG Electronics (LG) is leveraging its outstanding core technologies, AI and intimate knowledge of different industries to deliver HVAC solutions for a smarter, more efficient future.

LG’s dynamic HVAC business continues to expand its market presence and capabilities, investing heavily in R&D to develop innovative technologies for a new generation of eco-responsible temperature control and air quality systems. Over the past three years, it has achieved double-digit annual sales growth, making it one of LG’s fastest-growing concerns and an important driver of the company’s substantial and ongoing success in the B2B sector.

LG offers a comprehensive lineup of HVAC solutions optimized for a wide range of spaces, including residential, public, commercial and industrial. Its portfolio features large-capacity chillers — which are rapidly becoming the preferred choice for AI data centers where advanced and reliable heat management is essential — as well as an array of commercial and residential air conditioning systems. Utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as high-efficiency heat pumps, LG’s HVAC products provide outstanding cooling and heating performance and are widely acknowledged as effective electrification solutions suitable for replacing traditional fossil-fuel-driven systems.

In recognition of its efforts to lessen the environmental impacts of its HVAC solutions, LG has been named the “Most Sustainable Brand” in the HVAC category by Green Builder Media, a respected North American media outlet focusing on eco-friendly construction. In the U.S. and other countries, the company has created “locally self-sufficient operation systems” that encompass all key HVAC business functions — from R&D to maintenance and repair — and are tailored to local needs.

LG is also strongly committed to delivering dependable, energy-efficient heat pump solutions for regions affected by unrelentingly low temperatures. To this end, the company has established a global consortium focused on R&D for cold-climate heat pumps with bases currently operating in Alaska (U.S.), Oslo (Norway) and Harbin (China) — all places that endure frigid winter conditions.

Last September, LG hosted the first-ever meeting of the Global Heat Pump Consortium in Seoul, South Korea, where LG’s HVAC experts and academic partners gathered to discuss the collaborative projects being undertaken by each of the consortium’s regional clusters. In addition to the consortium’s R&D labs, LG operates five Air Solution Research Centers (with locations in South Korea, North America, Europe and India) and runs a total of 62 HVAC academics across 43 countries. These academies, which train over 30,000 engineers annually, are helping to support the global adoption of the company’s advanced HVAC technologies.

LG’s competitive edge in HVAC is driven by its unmatched “Core-Tech” capabilities. By developing essential components like compressors and motors in-house, LG strives to ensure that all of its products deliver the first-class reliability and efficiency that its customers have come to expect. Its oil-free centrifugal chillers incorporate LG-designed magnetic bearings, impellers, compressors and heat exchangers. These chillers also leverage LG’s highly evolved AI Engine to enable predictive control and to ensure outstanding stability and performance. LG’s AI Engine even provides intelligent surge prevention, a feature that is critical for data centers, where any interruption in operation can potentially mean inconvenience for millions.

With a solid foundation of R&D, a proven track record of innovation and a commitment to sustainability-focused design and management, LG continues to reinforce its reputation as the global leader in HVAC. From pioneering a new generation of data center cooling solutions to advancing high-efficiency heat pump technologies for harsh climates, the company is doing all that it can to help usher in a smarter, more efficient future.

By James Lee, President of LG Electronics ES Company

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From Caregiver to Patient: Michel’s Journey with Thyroid Eye Disease Treatment

2025-01-21T07:01:00

(BPT) – Michel, a psychiatric nurse from Southern California, has always been someone who is deeply committed to helping others take control of their health. He didn’t realize that one day he would be the one needing care.

A few years after being diagnosed with Graves’ disease, a common form of hyperthyroidism, Michel noticed his eyes starting to bulge a bit, accompanied by symptoms of dryness, eye pain and difficulty sleeping because his eyes wouldn’t fully close.

“I assumed it was part of my Graves’ disease and then I went to get a routine eye exam for new glasses and my doctor diagnosed me with Thyroid Eye Disease (TED),” said Michel. “Even though I’m a nurse, I did not know about TED until my diagnosis.”

TED is a chronic autoimmune condition that may affect many people with Graves’ disease. TED occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the muscle and fat tissue behind the eyes, causing eye bulging, eye pain, double vision and pressure behind the eyes. These symptoms can be mild or severe and may flare or get worse over time.

Despite receiving this diagnosis, Michel still had no clear treatment path and his symptoms began to severely impact his life. “I began to withdraw from social situations and struggled with changes in my appearance. I was afraid of unwanted attention and comments from others due to my eye bulging,” said Michel.

Simple tasks, like using a computer or phone, became difficult because of Michel’s double vision and eye pain.

Treatment with TEPEZZA® (teprotumumab-trbw)

While watching TV, Michel saw a commercial for TEPEZZA, the first and only FDA-approved medication to treat TED, no matter if you’d lived with TED for months or years.

“After four years of struggling with my TED symptoms, I was relieved to learn there was an approved and specific treatment option available for people like me,” said Michel.

After discussing the risks and benefits with his doctor, Michel was connected with a home health service and began receiving his infusions at home. TEPEZZA is administered intravenously every three weeks over a course of eight infusions, with the full treatment lasting about five months. By the second infusion, Michel started noticing positive changes, and after completing his eighth infusion, Michel saw a significant improvement in his symptoms of eye pain and eye bulging.

Michel did experience some side effects during his treatment with TEPEZZA. Common side effects include muscle cramps or spasms, nausea, hair loss, diarrhea, feeling tired, high blood sugar, hearing problems, taste changes, headache, dry skin, weight loss, nail problems and changes in menstruation.

After treatment with TEPEZZA, “I no longer fear unwanted attention. My eye bulging has decreased and my eye pain has subsided,” said Michel. “I look and feel more like myself again.” Infusion reactions, like high blood pressure or difficulty breathing, can happen during or within 24 hours after an infusion of TEPEZZA. Please see Important Safety Information below.

TED Education and Advocacy

With his background in nursing, Michel knows the value of education and self-advocacy. To support others newly diagnosed or living with TED, Michel offers the following advice:

  • Advocate for yourself and your symptoms. Even if they aren’t visible, be vocal about how they affect your daily life. Have you stopped doing a hobby you love or find it difficult to use a computer due to your TED symptoms? Tell your doctor.
  • Some doctors still think if you have been living with TED for a long time, you are not a candidate for TEPEZZA — but this is not entirely true. Even if you’ve had bulging eyes for years due to TED, you can still experience improvement through treatment with TEPEZZA.
  • Not all eye doctors are used to treating TED, which is why you should see a doctor who specializes in it. Make sure you’re seeing a TED Specialist, such as an oculoplastic surgeon, neuro-ophthalmologist or endocrinologist, who has experience with the condition.
  • Visit TEPEZZA.com to learn more and find a TED Specialist.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about TEPEZZA?

Infusion reactions can happen during or within 24 hours after your infusion of TEPEZZA. If you have a reaction while receiving TEPEZZA, your doctor or nurse will slow or stop your infusion and treat your reaction. If you have a severe infusion reaction, your doctor may stop your treatment completely.

Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you have any of these symptoms during or after your treatment with TEPEZZA:

  • High blood pressure
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Headache
  • Redness of the face/Feeling hot
  • Muscle pain

If you have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, TEPEZZA may make your IBD symptoms worse. Symptoms of worsening IBD may include: an increased number of loose stools with stomach pain or cramps, and blood in your stools. After each TEPEZZA infusion, tell your doctor right away if you have worsening IBD symptoms.

TEPEZZA may cause an increase in your blood sugar. Before starting treatment with TEPEZZA, tell your doctor if you are currently being treated for diabetes, know your blood sugar is high, or have been diagnosed with diabetes. It is important for you to take your treatments and follow an appropriate diet for glucose control as prescribed by your doctor.

TEPEZZA may cause severe hearing problems including hearing loss, which in some cases may be permanent. Tell your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms of hearing problems or changes in hearing.

Before receiving TEPEZZA, tell your doctor if you:

  • Have inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
  • Are currently being treated for diabetes, have been diagnosed with diabetes, or know your blood sugar is high.
  • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. TEPEZZA may harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant or suspect you are pregnant during treatment with TEPEZZA.
    • Women who are able to become pregnant should use an effective form of birth control (contraception) prior to starting treatment, during treatment and for at least 6 months after the final dose of TEPEZZA.
  • Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if TEPEZZA passes into your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best ways to feed your baby during treatment with TEPEZZA.
  • Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, dietary and herbal supplements. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

What are the possible side effects of TEPEZZA?

The most common side effects of TEPEZZA include muscle cramps or spasms, nausea, hair loss, diarrhea, feeling tired, high blood sugar, hearing problems, taste changes, headache, dry skin, weight loss, nail problems, and changes in menstruation.

This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Tell your doctor or treatment team about any side effect you may have.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please visit TEPEZZA.com for more information.

USE

TEPEZZA is a prescription medicine used to treat Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), no matter if you’ve had TED for months or years.

© 2025 Amgen Inc. All rights reserved. USA-632-80059 01/25

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4 expert insights on AI adoption across nonprofits in 2025

2025-01-20T11:01:00

(BPT) – However you use AI, its adoption across organizations of all sizes — including nonprofits — has proven to help people increase their productivity and impact at work.

“It’s incredibly exciting for those of us working in the nonprofit space to see how technological adoption can lead to greater societal impact,” said Rahul Rao, co-president and chief technology officer at Understood.org, a leading nonprofit empowering the 70 million people in the United States with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia.

At Understood, Rao leads the product, engineering, analytics, information technology, and program management teams, with expertise in integrated digital media with a focus on human-computer interaction and a successful track record in product development and new technology integration.

Rao sees a bright future for nonprofits that integrate AI into their operations. We caught up with him recently to hear his predictions for AI use by nonprofit organizations in 2025.

1. What will drive nonprofit AI adoption?

Research from early 2024 showed that four in five nonprofit organizations consider AI to be applicable to their work. But at the time of the survey, nearly half of the respondents said they weren’t currently using the technology. In 2025, I anticipate a surge in AI adoption among nonprofits driven largely by growing visibility in the benefits of AI, as well as the integration of AI into the tools people use every day — like Gmail, Google Docs, and more.

2. How can AI help a nonprofit’s operations?

Nonprofits, even those with limited resources or AI experience, can use AI to increase efficiency so more time and resources are spent serving their mission. For instance, using AI to summarize research, recap meetings and draft emails can free up time for team members to focus on human-centric work, including community and donor engagement. AI can also help with routine tasks like data entry and organization, which is often a critical and time-intensive task for social impact organizations.

As more nonprofits become familiar with relevant use cases and participate in affordable and accessible AI training, expect to see AI become a central part of their operations.

3. How has your organization benefited from adopting AI?

AI has been a transformative tool at Understood.org, helping teams working across core functions like fundraising, community outreach, and research drive a major impact.

For example, our Advancement and Partnerships team, which is responsible for fundraising across our organization, sends and receives countless emails every day. Since adopting AI in Gmail through Gemini for Google Workspace, team members have been able to quickly and accurately summarize valuable research about the neurodiversity landscape, manage their inboxes, draft personalized and contextually relevant email replies, adjust tone across important communications, and more. The impact of AI goes beyond time savings, and has allowed the team to maintain a consistent cadence of high-quality outreach that has a direct impact on meeting our goals.

4. Are there ways in which AI has helped your nonprofit’s target audience?

Virtual AI assistants have exploded in popularity over the past decade and for good reason: They can help make everyday tasks easier. Their capabilities can be especially useful for people who learn and think differently, acting as assistive technology that helps with reading, writing, math and tasks that involve executive functions.

For instance, AI assistants can help someone with dyslexia receive real-time feedback and corrections in writing, convert text into simpler formats or read it aloud for better understanding. Similarly, they can help someone with dyscalculia by performing basic math calculations, handling unit conversions or visualizing numerical data.

Caregivers of people who learn and think differently can also benefit from AI assistants. A parent or teacher with a specific question about a child with ADHD may be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information available about this learning difference. To help caregivers, Understood.org created an AI-powered chat tool on our website, the Understood Assistant. When prompted with a question, the Understood Assistant sorts through our 5,000+ expert-vetted resources to provide tailored recommendations. The responses are designed for clarity and easy comprehension, presented in bulleted lists and written at an eighth-grade reading level. The Understood Assistant may include links to the most relevant articles, podcasts, research, and other resources.

People who use the Understood Assistant read twice as many articles and are twice as likely to return to the site compared to all site users. It’s a good example of how AI can help simplify information, which we believe helps to make knowledge more accessible and useful.

A bright future for nonprofits and AI

These are just a few predictions of how AI can help nonprofits better serve their communities and achieve their goals. To learn more about Understood.org’s mission and to use the Understood Assistant, please visit Understood.org. And to learn more about AI and its uses across tools like Gmail, Google Docs, and more, please visit https://workspace.google.com/solutions/ai/.

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How to be the MVP of Game Day hosting

2025-01-16T08:15:00

(BPT) – Gathering with friends and family to cheer on your home team makes for an unforgettable watch party. To take your “home-gating” up a notch, focus on what everyone loves — plenty of snacks and beverages to fuel guests from kickoff to final play.

Here are several tips to effortlessly keep the crew fed and happy so they enjoy themselves (even if your team fumbles) without missing any of the action.

Plan your portions

Making sure you’ve got enough snacks and beverages for your hungry and thirsty crowd is crucial. For drinks, plan to average about two drinks per hour per person and you’ll have plenty for everyone.

Where the food is concerned, provide at least 4-6 different types of appetizers for guests to choose from — or more, if you’re throwing a larger gathering. Caterers generally plan for about one pound of food per guest, to help you estimate the quantities you’ll need to satisfy everyone.

Choose tasty options that are easy to prep and cook

Make it easier for yourself and opt for simple appetizers that require minimum prep time, allowing you to relax and focus on other hosting tasks, like decorating or setting up extra seating where needed. Pick some tried-and-true favorites that you know how to make and that your guests are bound to love, like chicken wings, pizza rolls or sliders, plus a variety of different types of chips and dips.

Looking for a twist on the fan-favorite game day queso? Try Bob Evans®Queso Macaroni & Cheese. Microwave ready in five minutes, this creamy dish with medium spice brings the classic queso flavor to the table in a new way and is easy to prepare and share with family and friends.

If you’re feeling creative, try this bold mashup recipe that combines Queso Macaroni & Cheese with tacos for a delicious bite that will have everyone coming back for more. Better yet, the dish is super-easy to make and is also a terrific option to bring along with you to a potluck watch party.

Spicy Taco Mac and Cheese

Prep time: 25 minutes. Cook time: 30 minutes. Servings: 6.

Ingredients
20 ounces (1 package) Bob Evans® Queso Macaroni & Cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
10-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained
1 pound ground beef
1 1/4 ounce taco seasoning mix
10 ounces enchilada sauce
8 ounces shredded pepper jack cheese, divided
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Heat Bob Evans® Queso Macaroni & Cheese according to package directions. Stir in sour cream, diced tomatoes and green chiles.
3. Meanwhile, cook beef in a large skillet over medium heat until browned and crumbly; drain and return to skillet.
4. Stir in taco seasoning and enchilada sauce; cook until very thick.
5. Spoon half of macaroni and cheese mixture into greased 2-quart baking dish.
6. Top with meat mixture, 1 cup cheese and remaining macaroni and cheese.
7. Bake covered for 15 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with 1 cup cheese. Bake 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
8. Top with grape tomatoes and cilantro and enjoy!

Find this new flavor of macaroni and cheese and other tasty side dishes including a variety of mashed potatoes in the refrigerated section of grocery retailers nationwide, or visit BobEvansGrocery.com to explore all their options.

Make it festive

Bring the team spirit to your watch party by adding streamers, banners and other accents in your home team’s colors. Complete the look with football-themed serveware and encourage everyone to wear their favorite jerseys!

Score big beyond game day

This sports season, Bob Evans® and Jarritos® are teaming up to offer a promotion that goes beyond just game day. Now through March 15, consumers who buy one Bob Evans® dinner sides product and one single-serve Jarritos® soda bottle will be eligible to receive a $20 Fanatics® reward. Consumers will be able to submit receipts through March 31 and redeem their Fanatics® e-gift card through April 15.

Visit BobEvansGrocery.com/Jarritos for the full promotion details and how to submit your receipt.

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Don’t Skip Your OB/GYN Visit: Regular Screenings Can Prevent Cervical Cancer

2025-01-16T14:45:00

(BPT) – Cervical Health Awareness Month in January serves as an important reminder that cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that can actually be prevented with regular screening. Thanks to the Pap test, and then the addition of HPV testing and HPV vaccination, the number of people getting cervical cancer has significantly decreased for more than 70 years.

Yet, despite the resources available to make sure no woman has to face this terrible disease, recent studies show that cervical cancer rates are plateauing, and in some cases even increasing. It’s estimated nearly 14,000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2024, with more than 4,000 deaths.

This increase in disease is, in part, because fewer women today are getting screened for cervical cancer as often as recommended. Between 2005-2019, there was a surprising 60% rise in the percentage of women overdue for their cervical cancer screening. These delays lead to cancer being discovered later, when the disease has become more serious.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. That’s why Dr. Kameelah Phillips, board certified OB/GYN and founder of Calla Women’s Health, is speaking up and raising awareness.

“It goes without saying that cancer of any kind is terrible, but the interesting thing about cervical cancer, specifically, is that it’s preventable and highly treatable through regular, proactive screening,” Phillips said. “It’s my passion to make sure that women across the country know that it’s within their power to take control of their health and to get screened with the best screening methods available.”

Today, the most effective screening options include the Pap test every three years for women 21-29, and the Pap test and the HPV test together, also known as co-testing, every five years for women 30-65. Co-testing is considered the most sensitive method to detect cervical cancer and pre-cancer in women. If you receive an abnormal result, it’s important to follow up with your doctor to determine the appropriate next steps. For most women, the screening exam is a brief, pain-free procedure, and working with a caring physician helps ensure their comfort throughout the appointment.

But the best screening options only work if women know they’re available. “Existing cervical cancer screening tools are incredibly effective, yet our progress has stalled because too many women don’t know they need to be screened or when to come in for follow-up care,” said Phillips. “It’s crucial to increase education on the importance of regular preventive screenings that happen during the annual well-woman exam so we can accelerate our progress toward eliminating cervical cancer.”

More than half of cervical cancer cases occur in women who have never been screened or haven’t been screened in the past five years, further reinforcing how important it is for patients to talk with their doctor about how they can stay up to date on their cervical health.

“We have made outstanding strides in preventing this cancer by using the Pap and HPV tests in screening. Now is the time to renew our commitment to education and access for all women,” added Phillips. “By working together to prioritize regular screening, we can combat this preventable cancer and save more women’s lives.”

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Take care of your vision to invest in your overall health

2025-01-16T08:01:00

(BPT) – A new year is a great opportunity to develop better habits and improve your health and wellness. Perhaps that involves revamping your workout routine or investing in a skincare regimen. As you start to think about the new year, make sure to include a comprehensive eye exam at the top of your list.

A normal part of aging

Just like the rest of your body, your eyes change as you age, and you may find it harder to see. You’re not alone. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than two billion people around the world suffer from visual impairment, a number expected to double by 2030.1

While these numbers may be concerning, take heart. Many vision conditions are treatable. A step you can take today to assess and preserve your vision — as well as your health — is to schedule a comprehensive eye exam.

Your eyes are windows into your overall health and wellness

An eye care professional can do much more than assess your vision. Your eyes can actually reveal many details about your overall health and wellness.

A comprehensive eye exam can help detect over 270 different medical conditions, from diabetes to heart disease.2 Despite its importance, many adults over 40 around the globe tend to prioritize staying active, maintaining a healthy diet or skincare over regular eye exams in their journey to aging well.

“Not only can an eye exam assess the health of your eye,” said Dr. Christi Closson, Associate Director of Professional Education, Vision, Johnson & Johnson, “it can do so much more, such as providing insight into your overall health and well-being as you age.2 It is critical for everyone to stay on top of their vision and eye health, and make time for an annual comprehensive eye exam.”

Presbyopia and cataracts: Common age-related vision conditions

If you’re over 40, it’s critical that you’re aware of common vision conditions and their symptoms.

Presbyopia — another name for age-related farsightedness — describes a person’s decreased ability to see nearby objects, especially in low light.4 For example, you may notice that it’s become more difficult to read texts on your phone, so you hold it at arm’s length.

“As you age, the lens inside your eye becomes more rigid, making it difficult for your eyes to focus on text or objects that are up close,” said Dr. Closson. “However, presbyopia happens to everyone and is easily treatable. In fact, there are multifocal contact lenses designed to help with this vision impairment without invasive interventions.”

Another condition to be aware of as you age (especially if you’re over 60) is cataracts. A physical sign of cataracts is clouding in the eye that makes it hard to see. However, you may also notice that lamps, sunlight and headlights seem too bright or that colors look faded.5 If left untreated, cataracts can lead to blindness.

Modern technological advancement has made cataract treatment a minimally invasive out-patient procedure that typically takes 15 to 30 minutes to complete, depending on the severity of the condition. Cataract treatment* can also improve other eye conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.6

See clearly now and beyond

If you want to live your best while feeling your best at every age, it’s time to get serious about your eye health. To find an eye doctor near you and schedule a comprehensive eye exam, visit ClearVisionForYou.com/Find-A-Doctor.

References

1. World Health Organization. Increasing eye care interventions to address vision impairment. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/increasing-eye-care-interventions-to-address-vision-impairment#:~:text=Globally%2C%20at%20least%202.2%20billion,%2Dincome%20countries%20(LMICs).

2. American Optometric Association. See the Full Picture of Your Health with an Annual Comprehensive Eye Exam. Available at: https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/caring-for-your-eyes/full-picture-of-eye-health?sso=y.

3. Mayo Clinic at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/presbyopia/symptoms-causes/syc-20363328

4. National Eye Institute. Cataracts. Available at: https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/cataracts.

5. American Refractive Surgery Council. Cataract Surgery. Available at: https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/cataract-surgery/#:~:text=Vision%2DCorrecting%20IOLs?-,Cataract%20surgery%20removes%20the%20clouded%20natural%20lens%20and%20replaces%20it,nearsightedness%2C%20farsightedness%2C%20and%20astigmatism.

2025PP04024

* RISKS

There are risks to routine cataract surgery. This is irrelevant to the lens you choose. The problems could be minor, temporary, or affect your vision permanently. Complications are rare. These may include worsening of your vision, bleeding, or infection. Pre-existing diseases or conditions may place you at higher risk of experiencing complications (e.g., more difficult recovery) after routine cataract surgery. Examples of pre-existing diseases or conditions are diabetes, heart disease and previous trauma to your eye.

With some IOLs, you may experience some loss in the sharpness of your vision, even with glasses. With these IOLs, you may have more difficulty driving at night or in poor visibility conditions. This can affect your ability to detect road hazards as quickly at night or in fog. You may also experience halos (rings around light), glare (reflected light, making it difficult to see) and starbursts (rays around light). A small number of patients may want to have their IOL removed. This can be due to lens-related optical/visual symptoms. You should discuss all risks and benefits with your eye doctor before surgery.

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Flavor-Packed Fan-Favorite Dish, Steak Stroganoff, Returns to Fast-Casual Chain

2025-01-15T12:01:00

(BPT) – As families settle back into their normal routines after a busy holiday season, deciding on and cooking dinner during the week can feel daunting. Luckily, Noodles & Company, the nationwide fast-casual chain, is bringing back a fan-favorite dish that evokes nostalgia and craveable comfort—perfect for those seeking speed and reliability, all without the hassle of cooking.

Noodles Delivers What Guests Are Craving

Back by popular demand, Noodles & Company is reintroducing its beloved Steak Stroganoff. This indulgent dish delights with wavy egg noodles enveloped in a rich mushroom sherry cream sauce, accented by fresh herbs, cracked pepper, and roasted mushrooms. Tender marinated steak, a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, and vibrant Italian parsley complete the dish, delivering familiar, crave-worthy flavors that bring comfort and satisfaction. Perfect for those craving a hearty, effortless meal, this fan-favorite dish proves why it’s a timeless classic.

Since its celebrated return in 2024, Steak Stroganoff has made a remarkable impact, breaking Noodles’ records in just two weeks and securing its place as one of the brand’s most successful limited-time offerings. The dish has amassed a cult following, resulting in the brand listening to consumer demands and continuing to reintroduce it for limited-time runs on the menu.

The Go-To Destination for Craveable Comfort

Noodles & Company continues to lead the fast-casual space with bold flavors, quality, and value. The return of Steak Stroganoff gives guests even more reasons to start the New Year with maximum flavor.

The fast-casual chain consistently pushes boundaries with innovative dishes that elevate the dining experience. Noodles encourages guests to step outside their comfort zones and try something new, backed by its Goodness Guarantee. Noodles guarantees guest satisfaction by allowing exchanges for any entrée that guests don’t love — completely free of charge.

For more exclusive offers, guests can join Noodles Rewards for free through the Noodles mobile app or website. New members receive a free regular entrée after their first purchase using their Noodles Rewards account and earn points with every order.

Get It While It’s ON!

Whether families are looking for an easy weeknight meal or a dish to warm them up, the flavor-packed Steak Stroganoff is available for a limited time at all Noodles locations nationwide. Guests can order in restaurants, through the Noodles mobile app, or via third-party delivery.

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Money in 2025: It’s all about real-time payments

2025-01-15T12:49:00

(BPT) – Remember when digital payment transactions used to take three to five business days? Even transferring funds between accounts seemingly took forever. And, if you were splitting the bill with someone at a restaurant, there was nothing fast about it. You’d give them a check … and then it would take three to five days to clear. It seems so antiquated now. In today’s digital world, that kind of time lag simply isn’t acceptable to many people.

According to a survey by PYMNTS Intelligence, nearly three-quarters of surveyed consumers want their disbursements paid to them instantly, but only one-third receive them that way. That’s one reason Visa is making funds transferred to U.S. bank accounts with Visa Direct available in 1 minute or less starting in April 2025.

Visa Direct is Visa’s global solution for real-time money movement, which provides innovative ways to enable businesses, service providers and consumers to send funds to bank accounts using eligible debit cards. Visa Direct reaches 99% of bank accounts in the U.S.[1].

“This change underscores Visa’s commitment to accelerating real-time payments in the U.S.,” said Jim Filice, VP, Head of Domestic Real-time Payments, Visa Direct. “At Visa, we are constantly striving to innovate and provide the best possible money movement experiences, and this update will significantly enhance speed and convenience, while maintaining strong security standards.”

Visa Direct supports multiple use cases such as person-to-person payments and account-to-account transfers, business and government payouts to individuals or small businesses, merchant settlements and refunds[2]. But what does near real-time payments really mean for end users? Here are the top three benefits.

Speed and Convenience

With funds available in someone’s bank account in a minute or less, U.S. cardholders can access their funds in their bank account almost immediately, without having to wait. So, if you foot the bill in a restaurant and your companion sends you a digital payment to cover their share, you’ll have those funds available to take an Uber home.

Going hand-in-hand with speed, the convenience of being able to make and receive faster payments is a huge win for individuals and businesses alike. A waiting period, even if it’s just an hour, seems like a burden now, doesn’t it? We all need the convenience of having our funds available in our bank account quickly.

Security

Have you ever wondered about the security of sending digital payments through a third-party app powered by fintech? Ever had a moment of trepidation when attaching your bank account information to something with no brick-and-mortar?

Visa Direct is built on Visa Net, which has been operating and advancing for more than 60 years, with proven value-added services that address the needs of new risk[3] and security concerns that have come up as a result of moving money in real time. With security a top priority, Visa has saved consumers and merchants billions by proactively disrupting fraud and working with government partners, including the intelligence community and law enforcement.

Accessibility and Inclusion

According to the FDIC, 5.6 million households in the U.S. are “unbanked,” meaning, people don’t have a bank account. Expanding financial access for consumers and small businesses is pivotal nowadays, and banks are under pressure to quickly implement and launch programs for their customers that stay ahead of their expectations.

Digital wallets are the fastest-growing payment method in the U.S., providing a fast, secure and convenient tool for sending and receiving funds — bank account not required.

Visa works with enablement partners to help expand financial access for individuals, opening the potential for greater financial inclusion and enabling underserved populations the opportunity to access financial products that impact how they live and work.

In addition to enhancing the cardholder’s experience, this new mandate from Visa Direct helps opens new avenues for businesses and governments to grow and thrive. Whether it’s disbursing government benefits, processing healthcare payments, or handling tips in the service industry, the improved reliability of faster funds empowers businesses and governments to operate in real-time more effectively.

Visa Direct is helping to transform money movement, whether it’s around the corner or around the world. It’s enabling a new wave of financial freedom, today. To find out more, visit usa.visa.com/products/visa-direct.html.


[1] Actual fund availability depends on U.S. receiving financial institution and region.

[2] Use cases are for illustrative purposes only. Program providers are responsible for their programs and compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.

[3] Visa Direct clients and participants are solely responsible for their own compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Optional compliance controls and risk management tools and services are provided solely for the convenience of sending acquirers, service providers, merchants, and recipient issuers/the Visa Direct clients and participants and Visa makes no warranties with respect to them or their results.

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3 expert tips to help you strategize for long-term financial planning

2025-01-15T16:01:01

(BPT) – Whether you’re in the middle of your career, starting a new job or looking ahead to retirement, financial planning may be one of those items on your to-do list that keeps getting pushed aside for more pressing and immediate things. Regardless of where you may be on your financial journey, it’s important to lean on experienced professionals who can help you make the right choices, at the right time, to assist with things like banking, investments or business planning.

The new year — a time when some people may be receiving a bonus, tax refund, etc. — is an ideal time to strategize, taking a fresh look at your financial situation, needs and timeline so you can set yourself up for success with any potential excess liquidity you may be receiving.

Here are three tips that can help you on the journey to better financial planning, from the experts at J.P. Morgan Wealth Management.

1. Identify your ambitions. Being thoughtful or intentional about your goals may feel challenging, but in time, it can help set you up for a clearer future when it comes to your wealth and earnings. For instance, what do you want your money to do for you and for others? Do you have an ample emergency fund and sound investment plan? Are you looking to set up a fund for a child or grandchild’s education? Are you using your resources to reflect your personal values and support causes you care about, or to ensure your loved ones will have financial security in the future? Knowing your top priorities can help focus your efforts, ultimately leading to more security and satisfaction down the road.

Remember, your goals and ambitions may change over time, so it’s recommended to review your goals regularly, then meet with a banker and financial advisor to adjust them as needed. To help you start identifying your financial goals, consider the benefits of establishing a personalized relationship with a banker through Chase Private Client.

Woman talking with a banker in a bank

2. After identifying your goals, create a path to help achieve them. As with anything in life, once you set your goals, you need a concrete plan for how to accomplish them. Working with a team of professionals, like Chase Private Client Bankers and J.P. Morgan Private Client Advisors, will help you determine how to do this, including ways to help maximize your wealth.

3. Get a great team in your corner. Handling your finances isn’t easy. There’s no “one size fits all” approach. Chase Private Client offers you a personalized relationship through access to a dedicated Chase Private Client Banker who will help you manage your everyday banking needs by connecting you with the right specialists across your personal, home lending, or business banking needs. Your Chase Private Client Banker is your primary contact, who ensures you get the most of your relationship including access to the 24/7 U.S.-based service team with skilled specialists to help with money movement, account servicing, online assistance, and more. As a Chase Private Client you will have access to a J.P. Morgan Private Client Advisor who can help you prioritize your goals and design a custom financial portfolio that reflects what’s most important to you. Your Chase Private Banker will collaborate with your J.P. Morgan Private Client Advisor to plan with you for your financial future.

“Chase Private Client” is the brand name for a banking and investment product and service offering, requiring a Chase Private Client Checking account.

Bank deposit accounts, such as checking and savings, may be subject to approval. Deposit products and related services are offered by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

Investing in securities involves risks, and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

Asset allocation/diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against a loss.

J.P. Morgan Wealth Management is a business of JPMorgan Chase & Co., which offers investment products and services through J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (JPMS), a registered broker-dealer and investment adviser, member FINRA, Opens overlay and SIPC, Opens overlay. Insurance products are made available through Chase Insurance Agency, Inc. (CIA), a licensed insurance agency, doing business as Chase Insurance Agency Services, Inc. in Florida. Certain custody and other services are provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JPMCB). JPMS, CIA and JPMCB are affiliated companies under the common control of JPMorgan Chase & Co. Products not available in all states.

INVESTMENT AND INSURANCE PRODUCTS ARE:
NOT FDIC INSURED NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
NOT A DEPOSIT OR OTHER OBLIGATION OF, OR GUARANTEED BY, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES
SUBJECT TO INVESTMENT RISKS, INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT INVESTED

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LinkedIn’s top 3 hiring tips for small businesses in 2025

2025-01-15T08:01:00

(BPT) – If you’re a small business owner, you may be looking for top talent in the new year. A new survey by LinkedIn finds 66% of small businesses in the U.S. are planning to hire more in 2025 than they did in 2024. It signals good news for the market, and for your business, but with an increase in hiring comes increased challenges.

That’s because hiring the perfect fit for a small company is crucial and time consuming. It’s not just about finding the right skills and experience for the job, but culture fit, too. It takes time to source candidates, sift through resumes, schedule and conduct interviews, and handle all hiring-related tasks, on top of managing the day-to-day demands. As a small business owner, you know that on any given day, you can be operations manager, accountant, marketing pro and one-person HR department all rolled into one.

“We know every hire a small business makes is critical to their business goals,” says LinkedIn’s Director of Product Management Andrew Chimka. “They need simple, time-saving solutions that are intuitive to use and help them find qualified candidates fast, and with confidence.”

Here are LinkedIn’s top tips to help small businesses find the right candidate so they can focus on doing what they love most: growing their business.

Showcase what makes your company unique

Showcasing your brand is critical to attracting top talent. Emphasize why job seekers should choose to work for you by highlighting your unique company culture, flexible work hours, or perks like employee discounts. You know what makes your company a great place to work. Potential hires need to know it, too.

Demonstrating benefits like skills development opportunities or online learning programs will also help hirers attract candidates in the new year. New LinkedIn data finds opportunities to learn new, in-demand skills is the #1 factor professionals say will help them grow in their career.

One of the ways you can stand out is through LinkedIn’s new Premium Company Page offering, which helps small businesses grow their audience and credibility on LinkedIn. Premium helps companies like yours grow page followers 6.7 times faster to stand out to prospects.

Consider a skills-based hiring approach

Today, the skills needed to do many jobs are changing. More businesses are recognizing the need to adopt a skills-based hiring approach: hiring for skills and abilities, not only degrees and past job titles.

A skills-based approach allows you to widen your pool of applicants to include candidates that may have slipped under the radar due to factors like whether they have a degree. This allows you to find new, untapped talent, lessening the need to compete with other companies for the same candidates.

Taking a holistic approach to skills by hiring for technical expertise and soft skills, such as communication and collaboration, also enables small businesses to identify well-rounded candidates who can support various business needs.

Just because the size of a business is small doesn’t mean its talent pool needs to be.

Use new LinkedIn AI hiring tools to help post a job and hire!

LinkedIn finds that 72% of hirers at small businesses in the U.S. say they are spending up to 15 hours a week just sifting through applications. That’s a lot of time not devoted to growing and running the business.

This is where AI can come in — as a tool to take on some of the heavy lifting that comes with hiring the right candidate.

LinkedIn is launching an AI-assistant within LinkedIn Jobs, built on its unique professional platform insights of over 1 billion members, 69 million companies and 41,000 skills. Hirers can get help with tedious hiring tasks using the AI-assistant, such as drafting job descriptions, posting a job, identifying qualified candidates and inviting them to apply.

The AI-assistant then helps evaluate applicants based on the hirer’s qualifications and creates a shortlist of the most qualified candidates for the hirer to review so they can make the right hire with confidence. Small businesses like Hestus, Givers, and Part and Sum are already using it today.

Interested? Visit linkedin.com/smbhire to express interest in joining LinkedIn’s beta program.

In today’s fast-changing work landscape, small businesses face numerous challenges — but hiring shouldn’t be one of them. LinkedIn, with the largest engaged professional network in the world, is uniquely positioned to help. In fact, 86% of small businesses globally get a qualified candidate within 24 hours of posting a job on LinkedIn. By leveraging innovative strategies to attract top talent, from highlighting your brand to using new AI tools, your small business will be better positioned to thrive in 2025.