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Category: 3. Business

  • Arlington EDC Empowers Entrepreneurs Through Cohort Program

    Arlington EDC Empowers Entrepreneurs Through Cohort Program

    Published on January 07, 2026

    By Office of Communication

    The Arlington Economic Development Corporation (EDC) supports small businesses through various innovative programming. The industry-specific small business cohort, the latest free offering from the Arlington EDC, connects Arlington-based small businesses to subject matter experts through programming that directly addresses the challenges and opportunities in their sector. 

    Since September 2025, there have been two cohorts — professional services and construction — serving 20 Arlington businesses. The program is geared towards established companies who are looking to take their business to the next level through scaling, sustainability and strategy refinement. 

    “We strive to offer a range of programs for different levels of entrepreneurship, and thought it was especially important to provide tangible, industry-specific insights as well as information beyond just startup basics,” said Kay Brown-Patrick, assistant executive director of the Arlington EDC. 

    “In addition to class content, the program gives participants access to networking with like-minded professionals, potential clients and key industry experts,” she said.  

    Bwana Thurman, CEO of financial education and technology company BluPrint Worldwide, is a graduate of the professional services cohort. 

    “My experience was informative and enlightening. One piece that has been extremely useful to me was how to improve my client experience and do a deep dive into my analytics,” Thurman said. 

    For Juan F. De Leon, CEO of De Leon’s Designs and graduate of the construction cohort, the experience went a step beyond the useful information provided in sessions — it made him feel seen. 

    “There are a lot of programs and services for more white-collar professions, but construction folks are not often well-represented. This is something that I’ve been looking for, and it felt so good that it catered to our community,” said De Leon. 

    “I’m proud to have the certificate hanging in my office.” 

    The cohorts received a proclamation from Mayor Jim Ross on Jan. 6, 2026 to recognize their work in the community and commitment to entrepreneurship. 

    The next cohort, geared toward the Food & Beverage industry, will take place in March 2026. To learn more about the program, visit the Business Resources page at ArlingtonTxEDC.com or join our newsletter list for the most up-to-date information.  

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  • ECU Health earns 2025 Press Ganey Human Experience Guardian of Excellence Award®

    ECU Health earns 2025 Press Ganey Human Experience Guardian of Excellence Award®

    The Press Ganey Human Experience Awards honor health care organizations that consistently lead in patient experience, employee and physician engagement, clinical quality and safety. As a winner of the Press Ganey HX Guardian of Excellence Award® ECU Health is in the top one percent of health care providers in consumer experience in the last year.

    “As a mission-driven rural health care system, ECU Health is uniquely positioned to deliver compassionate, high-quality care to communities that often face barriers to access,” said Brian Floyd, chief operating officer at ECU Health. “This recognition from Press Ganey reflects the extraordinary commitment of our team members who work tirelessly to create meaningful patient experiences while advancing health equity across eastern North Carolina. It is a powerful testament to our work to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.”

    Press Ganey reviews third-party ratings on platforms like Google, Healthgrades, WebMD, Sharecare and Vitals, and reviews the health care organization’s responsiveness to patient reviews addressing concerns. The 2025 awards are based on performance from Jan. 1, 2025, through May 31, 2025.

    “ECU Health is showing what it truly means to deliver compassionate, person-centered care,” said Patrick T. Ryan, Chairman and CEO of Press Ganey. “Their deep commitment to both patients and caregivers is creating a culture where empathy drives action—and where people feel seen, heard, and supported. It’s a privilege to stand beside them on this journey.”

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  • Disadvantaged Communities Advisory Group Meeting

    The Disadvantaged Communities Advisory Group (DACAG) to the California Energy Commission (CEC) and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will meet at the date and time listed. Please note that the DACAG aims to begin promptly at the start time, and the end time is an estimate based on the agenda proposed. The meeting may end sooner or later than the posted end time depending on various factors. A majority of CEC or CPUC Commissioners may attend, but no CEC or CPUC votes will be taken.

    DACAG members may attend remotely. The meeting may be recorded. See notice for information on when, where and how to join the meeting.

    Notice and Agenda

    Documents

    Remote Attendance

    Attendance and Commenting Instructions for Webex

    • Attend Meeting via Webex
      Meeting ID (Webinar Number): 2492 320 0478
      Password: DACAG (32224 from phones and video systems)
    • To Participate by Telephone: 1-855-282-6330 United States Toll Free or +1-415-655-0002 United States Toll. Access code: 2492 320 0478.

    Webex’s closed captioning service will be enabled for the meeting. Attendees can use the service by pressing Ctrl + Shift + A or clicking on the bottom left CC icon. Once captions are turned on, attendees can click the three dots (…) “more” option at the bottom right of the caption box to view Captions & Highlights.

    Webex Difficulty: If you are experiencing difficulties accessing the DACAG meeting using the link or call-in information appearing above please contact the CPUC at (415) 703-5263.

    Commenting at the Meeting. If you join by the Webex platform, use the “raise hand” feature to get in the queue to speak and a moderator will call on you. If you join by phone, press *3 to raise your hand and *6 to unmute/mute. If you are in-person, you will be called upon.

    In-Person Attendance

     

    California Public Utilities Commission – San Francisco Office
    1st Floor Courtyard Room
    505 Van Ness Ave
    San Francisco, CA 94102

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  • Who is Peter DeSantis, Amazon’s new leader for AGI, chips, and quantum computing?

    Who is Peter DeSantis, Amazon’s new leader for AGI, chips, and quantum computing?

    1. DeSantis sees custom chips, AI models, and quantum computing as reinforcing technologies

    2. He’s most excited about getting Graviton 5, Trainium3, and Nova Forge into customers’ hands

    3. He plans to deepen Nova integration across retail, Alexa, ads, and operations

    4. DeSantis says Amazon attracts missionaries who want to build transformative technology that ships

    5. After 27 years, he says Amazon still operates like the startup he joined

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  • Build Canada Homes: Thousands of Homes in the Pipeline

    Ottawa, Ontario, January 7, 2026 — Far too many Canadians are struggling to find homes they can afford. Solving Canada’s housing crisis requires immediate action to bring down costs, cut red tape, and build homes more quickly. The Government of Canada stepped up with a bold new approach to increase the supply of housing in Canada, and launched Build Canada Homes, a new federal agency that will build and finance affordable housing at scale, while catalyzing a more productive homebuilding industry.

    In the 100 days since Chief Executive Officer Ana Bailão started her role, Build Canada Homes has delivered measurable progress toward tackling Canada’s housing crisis: with landmark agreements signed with provinces and municipalities, six federal land projects advancing toward construction, thousands of affordable homes committed with shovels in the ground this year, and even more to come. These results demonstrate how a new approach—focused on speed, innovation, and collaboration—is turning ambition into action.

    • Up to 4,000 Direct Build units on federal lands: Requests for Qualifications have been issued for six Direct Build sites to fast-track construction prioritizing modular and factory-built methods in:
      • Arbo (Toronto) – The housing development project will deliver 540 new homes on a portion of the site at Arbo Downsview in Toronto using modern methods of construction. At least 40% of the units on the site will be affordable, with a mix of housing to support middle class families. The Government also provided an investment of up to $283 million dollars to expand local infrastructure, which will catalyse the construction of up to 63,000 new homes in the Downsview area.
      • Naawi-Oodena (Winnipeg) – Naawi-Oodena is a landmark redevelopment with partnership between Treaty One First Nations and Canada Lands Company to create a vibrant, inclusive community that respects Indigenous culture while addressing Canada’s housing needs. Build Canada Homes will deliver 320 homes on an earmarked parcel on a portion of the site.
      • Village at Griesback (Edmonton) – Two parcels at the Northeast corner of the Village at Griesbach will be earmarked to deliver 355 new homes.
      • Pointe-de-Longueil (Longueuil) – Located on the St. Lawrence River waterfront in the Longue-Rive sector of the City of Longueuil. The work of Build Canada Homes will result in 1,055 homes on the site, of which 40% are non-market housing units.
      • Heron (Ottawa) – The 18-acre federal site, located just 20 minutes from downtown Ottawa, is expected to accommodate approximately 1,100 homes.
      • Shannon Park (Dartmouth) – In the first phase, a dedicated parcel has been earmarked to support up to 630 mixed-market homes. The plan is to deliver a minimum of 40% of homes below-market value that will be affordable to households with moderate and median incomes.
    • Up to 3,000 new homes in Ottawa: A partnership with the City of Ottawa for up to $400 million to accelerate mixed income and affordable housing through land activation, streamlined approvals, and Build Canada Homes financing—unlocking federal and municipal sites for construction starting in 2026. Through this agreement, we will see the fast tracking of units with the City of Ottawa reducing or waiving development charges, permit fees, and property taxes.
    • Up to 1,430 homes in Nova Scotia: A partnership of up to $300 million to unlock community and non-profit housing across the province, including early construction at Shannon Park in Dartmouth. This partnership includes supportive and below-market units, with efforts to fast-track approvals and leverage modern methods of construction. The Halifax Regional Municipality is also stepping up, bringing all levels of government to the table to deliver on affordable housing.

    Moving quickly from interest to investment

    • Since releasing its Investment Policy Framework (blueprint for action), and launching its national submission portal in late November, Build Canada Homes has seen strong interest from across Canada. Proposals have been received from each province and territory, many under review, and hundreds more are in progress—building a robust pipeline of projects ready to break ground in 2026.
    • Looking ahead to 2026, Build Canada Homes will move from planning to construction—breaking ground on Direct Build sites, expanding partnerships with provinces, territories and municipalities, and accelerating the delivery of thousands of affordable homes. The agency will continue to approve innovative projects, cut red tape, leverage modern construction methods, and stretch every federal dollar. 

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  • Hundreds of flights cancelled as big freeze grips western Europe

    Hundreds of flights cancelled as big freeze grips western Europe

    A spell of freezing weather bringing heavy snowfall and ice has caused transport disruption across western Europe.

    Hundreds of flights have been cancelled at several airports, while Eurostar services and haulage have also been affected.

    More than 700 flights were cancelled at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, a major regional transport hub, on Wednesday. Meanwhile, France’s civil aviation authority has asked airlines to cut 40% of flights scheduled for the main international airport in Paris.

    At least six people have died in weather-related incidents across Europe this week -five in France and one in Bosnia.

    Dutch national airline KLM warned Schiphol Airport was close to running out of de-icing fluid after days of freezing conditions.

    Spokesperson Stephan Donker told news agency Reuters that it was an “exceptional situation” at the Dutch airport, where more than 1,000 travellers spent the night.

    A few hundred beds have been set up there before and after security checks with food and drinks also provided, he said.

    Donker warned of knock-on effects from the disruption, with further delays and cancellations possible in coming days.

    In Paris, more than 100 flights were cancelled at Charles de Gaulle airport and 40 more at Orly.

    Dozens of fllights have been delayed or cancelled in and out of Heathrow and Brussels.

    Some Eurostar rail services between London and Paris were delayed or cancelled on Wednesday.

    Almost half of mainland France was on alert for heavy snow and black ice, with lorries banned from the roads in some areas.

    “It’s better to be here than stuck on the road,” driver Carle Bruno told news agency AFP at a roadside service station in the northern port of Le Havre.

    Five people died in two separate regions of France earlier this week as a result of treacherous driving conditions, authorities said, while a woman was also killed in Bosnia’s capital, Sarajevo, after 40cm (16in) of snow fell on the city.

    In Paris, Guinean teenager Boubacar Camara, sleeping in a tent on the outskirts of the city, told AFP he had “no choice but to keep on going”.

    “You just have to stay strong [and] make sure you don’t die,” the 19-year-old said. “We can’t do anything about the cold. I’m not used to this at all.”

    The rare sight of the French capital covered in snow drew residents and tourists out to ski down the slopes of Montmartre and along the Champs de Mars gardens below the Eiffel Tower.

    “It’s exceptional, it’s incredible,” said Pierre, a Parisian. “It’s magnificent and we’re enjoying it. We also came across a lot of tourists and they look so happy.”

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  • Traffic jams exceed 950 km, major highways closed

    Traffic jams exceed 950 km, major highways closed

    At 7 a.m., French transport company RATP announced that all bus services would be suspended “at least until noon” until safety conditions improve. The same measure was taken by Île-de-France Mobilités. The Paris metro remains unaffected and continues to operate normally.

    Highway N118 was closed in both directions due to icy conditions, following a decision by the police prefect. Road traffic in the Île-de-France region deteriorated rapidly: from relatively minor congestion at 8 a.m. to more than 700 km of jams by 9 a.m., later surging to 950 km. This comes just two days after Monday’s record of 1,019 km.

    Rail services were also hit hard. At Saint-Lazare station, the TER from Rouen was delayed by 50 minutes, while the train from Le Havre was 1 hour 20 minutes late. At Montparnasse, the TGV to La Rochelle was cancelled, and at Gare de Lyon, all trains from Lyon faced delays of at least an hour.

    Some 100 flights were cancelled at Charles de Gaulle Airport and 40 flights at Orly Airport.

    Earlier, it was reported that blizzards and strong winds hit Astana on January 6, rescuers urged residents to stay home.


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  • Texas Hits Historic Highs For Texans Working, Total Labor Force | Office of the Texas Governor

    Texas Hits Historic Highs For Texans Working, Total Labor Force | Office of the Texas Governor

    January 7, 2026 | Austin, Texas
    |

    Press Release

    Governor Greg Abbott today touted the strength of the Texas economy as the state set new records for the number of Texans working and the size of the Texas labor force. Texas also continues to grow jobs at a faster annual rate than the U.S. as a whole based on November employment data.

    “Texas offers boundless opportunities for hardworking Texans and innovative entrepreneurs to thrive,” said Governor Abbott. “We see proof of that promise as more Texans are working than ever in the history of our great state. Thanks to the strength of our economy and our skilled workforce, we continue to attract new business investments and spur job growth across dynamic and diverse industries. Texas is where the future is being built.”

    November labor market data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows:

    • Texas reached a new high with the largest labor force ever in the state’s history at 15,938,500.
    • Texas reached a new high for Texans working, including self-employed, at 15,264,700.
    • Texas nonfarm jobs totaled 14,321,000 after adding 7,300 positions over the month.
    • Texas gained 146,300 jobs from November 2024 to November 2025, more than any other state and outpacing the national annual job growth rate by 0.4 percentage points.
    • The Texas unemployment rate registered at 4.2%, below the U.S. unemployment rate of 4.6%.

    Governor Abbott recently celebrated a year of economic triumphs for Texas, the No. 1 state in the nation for record-setting business expansions thanks to the best business climate and strongest workforce in America.

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