National News

ADDISON, Texas /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Click n' Close, a multi-state mortgage lender, today announced it has been honored for the second year in a row as a 2025 Top Wholesale Lender Champion by the United States Department of Agriculture. This recognition underscores Click n' Close's continued commitment to fostering homeownership and supporting community development through innovative lending programs.

MAYSVILLE, Ky. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Snappy Tomato Pizza is thrilled to announce the upcoming opening of its newest location in Maysville, Kentucky, bringing its famous pizza, fresh ingredients, and friendly service to the local community. Scheduled to open in late July, the new store will be located in the Bluegrass Center at 1122 US HWY 68 and will offer delivery and carryout service only, making it easier than ever for local pizza lovers to enjoy their favorite Snappy meals at home.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Twenty-five executive leaders from The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC) have been identified as holding current leadership positions in their respective state Mortgage Bankers Associations (MBAs), showcasing a growing alignment between grassroots industry advocacy and national operational collaboration.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Handy Recovery Advisor, a trusted resource for data recovery tips and digital safety advice, has published the results of a nationwide survey of 1,000 U.S. adults. The report highlights how everyday users deal with data loss and how most don't take action until it's too late.

BOULDER, Colo. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Floify, the mortgage industry's leading point-of-sale (POS) solution, today announced that Sydney Barber, head of product, has received a 2025 Mortgage Star Award. The Mortgage Star awards honor exceptional women in the mortgage and housing finance industry who demonstrate leadership, innovation and a commitment to advancing the profession.

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Argyle, a service provider automating income, employment and asset verifications for some of the largest lenders in the United States, has been honored with PROGRESS in Lending's inaugural Game Changer award. The recognition celebrates technology providers whose products solve real industry challenges and improve the mortgage lending process.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- We are pleased to announce that GGAssist GamiMate is now available. As a customized software for gamers, GamiMate is able to communicate with players in-game and discuss strategies. Who says AI teammates are not as good as real teammates? GamiMate will crush that statement!

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- RMA (rma.us.com) a leading economic development firm, has been awarded a contract by the City of Lakeland to spearhead the strategic modification of the Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Midtown District Redevelopment Plan. This initiative will encompass a thorough analysis of existing conditions, the implementation of performance measures, and the establishment of updated goals and objectives.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah and ATLANTA, Ga. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Arcasa, a provider of solar-integrated mortgage solutions, and Down Payment Resource, the housing industry's leading technology for connecting homebuyers with homebuyer assistance programs, today announced that Arcasa's Energy-Smart DPA program is now listed nationwide in Down Payment Resource's DPA Directory. Energy-Smart DPA combines a market-rate home loan with energy-efficient upgrades, giving homebuyers a single, streamlined path to both homeownership and long-term utility savings.

BOULDER, Colo. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Floify, the mortgage industry's leading point-of-sale (POS) solution, announced today that its no-code Dynamic Apps engine has been selected as the first-ever Game Changer Award recipient by PROGRESS in Lending. The technology tailors every loan application to a borrower's exact purpose while ensuring airtight compliance.

DENVER, Colo. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, today announced the promotion of two internal compliance leaders: Amanda Phillips to general counsel and executive vice president of compliance, and Savannah Prout to associate vice president of compliance.

PLANO, Texas /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Optimal Blue today released its June 2025 Market Advantage mortgage data report showing total lock volume rose 1.95% month-over-month (MoM), driven by increased refinance activity. Refinance share climbed from 16% to 18% of all locks as rate-and-term refinances jumped 17.4% MoM and 18.4% year-over-year (YoY). Cash-out refinances rose 8.1% from May and nearly 28% YoY.

DORAL, Fla. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- On Tuesday, July 8, the cigars won't be the only thing on fire in Doral. Bleeding Blue Inc. is bringing the heat with a Casino-Themed Cigar Night, hosted at Tabacon Cigars and Spirits and powered by the immersive event expertise of Casino Party Planners Florida.

PANAMA CITY, Panama /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Plait, the web platform that converts wearable metrics into precision nutrition (10,000+ meal plans generated to date), today introduced its AI Nutrition Coach, the first solution designed to adapt meal plans in real time to WHOOP® data. Core workout, strain and sleep metrics are pulled directly from WHOOP's API, while WHOOP webhooks push fresh recovery scores the moment they're available-triggering immediate adjustments so users always know what to eat next.

SEATTLE, Wash. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- It's been 250 years since the first tax revolution. Media Arts Institute, a Seattle-based media company, has just released a new book, "Tax Revolution 2.0, Let's Get Rid of the Income Tax" (ISBN: 979-8288643385; paper) by media consultant and researcher Rich Germaine.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Despite dozens of closures of abusive "troubled teen" programs in behavioral and psychiatric centers, including wilderness camps in recent years, a leading mental health industry watchdog warns that children's lives remain at risk unless stronger laws ban the worst offenders and the secretive youth transport practices that feed them. The Citizens Commission on Human Rights International (CCHR) says that while public outrage and media exposure have forced some notorious facilities to close, the underlying problems that enable these abusive programs still persist.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- This Friday, July 5th at 6 p.m., genre-bending country-hip hop band Good Ol' Boyz will take the stage at SeaSalt Honky Tonk, a recently opened live-music spot on Bolsa Chica State Beach. Admission is free, and the all-ages beachside event is expected to draw more than 2,000 fans.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- HotDeals has just unveiled its brand-new HD Membership & Rewards Points system, offering users more opportunities to earn, redeem, and enjoy exclusive perks. With this exciting upgrade, every interaction, purchase, and check-in becomes more rewarding. Whether you're a daily shopper or an occasional user, this system has something for everyone.

AUSTIN, Texas /New York Netwire - National News/ -- FirstClose™, Inc., a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, announced its Senior Vice President of Human Resources Katie Smith has been named a 2025 HousingWire Woman of Influence. The national award recognizes her exceptional leadership, commitment to company culture and impact on the fintech and mortgage lending industry.

PHOENIX, Ariz. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- The Black Chamber of Arizona, in partnership with the Millionaire Mastermind Academy, will kick off the third cohort of its signature Impact AZ 2025 business accelerator with a full-day launch event Tuesday, July 8, at the Better Business Bureau Innovation & Event Hub Center in Phoenix.