Janice Sand

ONTARIO, Canada /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Soap Opera Magazine, a leading digital publication covering daytime television, today announced the appointment of Amber Sinclair as Editor-in-Chief. Sinclair, a veteran entertainment journalist with more than a decade of experience in the soap opera industry, will lead editorial strategy, content development, and audience growth as the publication enters its next phase of expansion - including exploring the launch of a print edition.

WEST GROVE, Pa. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Simpson announces its memory care programs at Jenner's Pond and Simpson Meadows are the first in Pennsylvania to receive the prestigious Comfort Matters® accreditation, and one of only 43 worldwide. The distinction recognizes Simpson's commitment to providing person-directed dementia care that prioritizes comfort, dignity, and emotional well-being for individuals living with dementia.

BOGOTA, Colombia /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Cielo.Travel today released its February 2026 update to "The 17 Best Restaurants in Bogota," a monthly guide that spotlights standout dining experiences across Colombia's capital. The refreshed list spans chef-led tasting menus, neighborhood favorites, market-based cuisine and historic institutions, and includes an interactive map to help visitors build efficient, high-quality itineraries.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- BEAM Collaborative today announced a strategic partnership with SMB.co, an AI-powered marketplace for buying and selling small businesses. Together, the organizations will strengthen local businesses and keep them locally owned by making business succession simpler, more accessible, and more sustainable for buyers, sellers, and communities.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Vertyx, a provider of intelligent mortgage servicing technology built for enhanced portfolio performance, today announced that company Co-Founders Ayo Opeyemi and Moyin Opeyemi will participate in a live demo session during the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Servicing Solutions Conference & Expo, which runs from Feb. 16-19., 2026.

PLANO, Texas /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Optimal Blue today released its January 2026 Market Advantage mortgage data report, showing a strong start to the year as falling rates drove a sharp increase in refinance activity. Total rate-lock volume rose 16% month over month (MoM) and finished January 36% higher year over year (YoY), led by a surge in rate-and-term refinances, which climbed 50% from December and more than 400% compared with January 2025.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- On the heels of Pantone's 2026 Color of the Year, Cloud Dancer, the American Gem Society is sharing Valentine's Day inspiration featuring luminous white gemstones like pearls, moonstone, and white opal, timeless pieces that feel modern, romantic, and easy to wear long after February 14.

SINGAPORE /New York Netwire - National News/ -- With Valentine's Day spending expected to reach a new high in 2026, last-minute shoppers are navigating an increasingly complex retail environment marked by higher prices, shorter promotional windows, and rapidly changing discounts. According to HotDeals.com, understanding where and how savings appear in the final days before February 14 has become just as important as choosing the gift itself.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Luvme Hair, a trusted brand of real hair wigs and hair extensions, announced the launch of Luvme Outlet, a new destination featuring up to 50% off select styles. The outlet brings together limited-time offers across popular looks, making it easier for customers to access quality, wear-ready options while Luvme Hair continues its focus on comfort, reliability, and customer-first shopping.

DES MOINES, Iowa /New York Netwire - National News/ -- iEmergent, a forecasting and advisory services firm for the financial services, mortgage and real estate industries, has been named to HousingWire's 2026 Tech100 Mortgage list, marking the third time the company has earned the industry's top technology distinction. iEmergent was selected for its continued expansion of data-driven tools that help lenders identify where mortgage demand is emerging and how to act on it.

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Argyle, the leading provider of direct-source income, employment and asset verifications, has been named to HousingWire's 2026 Tech100 Mortgage list, marking the third time the company has earned the industry's top technology distinction. The recognition reflects Argyle's continued product innovation and measurable impact across the mortgage industry.

ATLANTA, Ga. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry's leading technology for connecting homebuyers with down payment programs, has been named to HousingWire's 2026 Mortgage Tech100 list. DPR first appeared on the HousingWire Tech100 list in 2017.

CLEVELAND, Ohio /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Top mortgage industry webcast The Big Picture, broadcast live every Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, announced its February lineup of guests, representing a broad swath of expertise from across the mortgage industry. Co-hosted by mortgage business consultant and executive coach Rich Swerbinsky and capital markets authority Rob Chrisman, author of the widely read Chrisman Commentary newsletter, the webcast delivers timely, thought-provoking conversations with mortgage professionals, innovators and thought leaders.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Dark Matter Technologies (Dark Matter®), an innovative leader in mortgage technology, today announced it has been named to HousingWire's 2026 Mortgage Tech100 list, recognizing companies whose technology solutions are shaping the future of the mortgage industry. This marks the company's third appearance on the Tech100 list.

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Argyle, the leading provider of direct-source income, employment and asset verifications, today announced it has secured a contract on the United States General Services Administration's (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) under contract number 47QTCA26D002N.

PHOENIX, Ariz. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- The Black Chamber of Arizona announced today the launch of Black History in Business: Fireside Chats Across Arizona, a four-part, in-person Black History Month business series held every Thursday in February from 7-9 p.m. The weekly events will spotlight Black-owned businesses and employer firms, highlighting their role in job creation, economic growth and community legacy across the state.

SEATTLE, Wash. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Friday Harbor has been named to HousingWire's 2026 Tech100 Mortgage list, an award that recognizes the most innovative technology companies shaping the future of mortgage lending. Friday Harbor was selected for advancing the use of artificial intelligence to bring underwriting insight earlier in the loan lifecycle, helping lenders surface and resolve potential issues before files reach final underwriting. Friday Harbor's approach has been adopted by approximately 25 lenders, including two of the top 10 independent mortgage banks.

HOUSTON, Texas /New York Netwire - National News/ -- NotaryCam®, a Stewart-owned company and a pioneering provider of remote online notarization (RON) and identity verification/authentication technology for real estate and legal transactions, today announced it has been recognized among the 2026 HousingWire Mortgage Tech100. The award spotlights the fintech organizations impactfully innovating mortgage operations and processes.

TROY, Mich. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Class Valuation, a leading real estate appraisal management company (AMC), has been named to HousingWire's 2026 Mortgage Tech100 list, recognizing the most innovative and impactful technology organizations serving the mortgage industry. Class Valuation has earned multiple Tech100 honors over the years, reflecting its sustained leadership in appraisal modernization through advanced technology, scale and data-driven workflows.

AUSTIN, Texas /New York Netwire - National News/ -- FirstClose™, a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, has been named a 2026 HousingWire TECH100 winner. HousingWire selected FirstClose for its end-to-end lending platform that combines real-time property intelligence with automated workflows to help lenders accelerate decisioning, reduce operational friction and close loans faster.