News Desk

Software NEWS: -- Optimal Blue today announced the general availability of Virtual Economist, the first on-demand forecasting tool for mortgage capital markets leaders powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML). Revealed in beta at the annual Optimal Blue Summit in February 2026, Virtual Economist is now available to all Optimal Blue Product, Pricing, and Eligibility (PPE) Engine and CompassEdge clients at no added cost.

Software NEWS: -- HitPaw today announced the release of HitPaw FotorPea V5.6.0, bringing a smarter AI-powered image enhancement experience with new intelligent models and workflow improvements. The latest update introduces Low-Light Enhancement, AI Reflection Removal, AI Reframe, creative text styles, and AI Agent image analysis to help users enhance, edit, and create professional-quality images with less manual effort.

Software NEWS: -- Halo Programs, formerly Continuity Programs, today announced the launch of self-service online registration across its industry-specific CRM and relationship marketing platforms serving mortgage lenders, real estate brokerages and residential contractors. Professionals can now activate an account in a few clicks, eliminating the wait for a sales call before getting started.

Publishing NEWS: -- Author David Hughes is inviting readers to reconsider how healthy relationships are built in his new book, "Battlefield of Love: Ancient Wisdom for Today's Relationships" (ISBN: 978-1834388557) released by Tellwell Publishing, a guide that combines timeless philosophical principles with practical approaches to communication, conflict, and emotional connection.

Music and Performers NEWS: -- The Zoar View Foundation will hold its 5th Annual Sparks of Giving Community Celebration and Fundraiser on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the Wilkshire Event Center, 474 Jeanne Anne Lane in Bolivar. The gates open at 3:00 p.m. and the night runs until 11:30 p.m., with live music, food, family activities, and a fireworks show that closes out the evening. Every bit of it benefits children and families across Tuscarawas County.

Software NEWS: -- Secured Signing, a global leader in Digital Signature, Video Signing and Remote Online Notarization solutions, announces the launch of the ID Trust Console, an identity checking and verification feature now available across its video signing and Remote Online Notarization (RON) platform.

Music and Performers NEWS: -- Rising artist Liyah Bey is expanding her reach with the worldwide release of her emotionally powerful single "Abused" through a new partnership between her creative platform, Beyond Illusions, and Thump Records. The agreement provides global distribution through Virgin Music Group in association with Universal Music Group (UMG).

Publishing NEWS: -- The Porch Press, a nonprofit, volunteer-powered monthly newspaper serving nine southeast Atlanta neighborhoods, will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a community celebration and fundraiser on Saturday, October 24, 2026.

Software NEWS: -- Informative Research (IR), a leading technology provider of data-driven credit and verification solutions for the lending industry, today announced the launch of the next iteration of AccountChek®, its flagship verification solution. Rebuilt from the ground up and unified with the IR Verification Platform, AccountChek is designed to scale as lenders' verification needs evolve and is expected to deliver faster performance, improved reliability and a smoother borrower experience.

Publishing NEWS: -- One of this year's most unexpected Comic-Con announcements comes as Thump Records - long recognized for its contributions to the music industry - officially enters the world of comic book publishing with the debut of "East Side Story" #1, premiering exclusively at Booth #1735 during San Diego Comic-Con.

Software NEWS: -- Friday Harbor, an AI pre-underwriting platform that helps loan officers assemble complete and compliant loan files in real time, today announced support for USDA loans. The new capability enables lenders to identify documentation gaps, eligibility issues and changes that require updated Guaranteed Underwriting System (GUS) findings before loan files reach underwriting, helping reduce rework and deliver a more predictable path to closing for both lending teams and borrowers.

Music and Performers NEWS: -- Anima Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to breaking down barriers for independent and underrepresented artists, today announced a two-night immersive concert experience presented with Los Angeles-based musician Dolce Wang. "Any Other Way" debuts July 25-26, 2026, at Venia Studio in Downtown Los Angeles, and is co-produced with Bravewyld, a Los Angeles-based collective of multidisciplinary creative volunteers.

Publishing NEWS: -- "Two Dramatic Lives" (ISBN: 978-1662979927) is a romantic suspense novel written by Dave Roseman, the individual described in the CIA's highest career commendation as, "CIA's secret weapon." At the center of the novel is Simphini Elle Miller, 34, who has built her life with a successful career, stable marriage, family, a future carefully planned. Simphini is intelligent, determined, compassionate. Until one devastating event changes almost everything that has been her life in Westchester, New York.

Publishing NEWS: -- Author Corinne Brown releases her deeply personal memoir, "Me, Mom & the Monster: Our Dance Through Huntington's Disease," a powerful and intimate account of one family's experience living with a devastating genetic illness. ISBN: 978-1834383958, released June 2, 2026 by Tellwell Publishing.

Publishing NEWS: -- One year and a day ago, on July 15, 2025, Neal Winsomer wrote the first words of "Calling Out the Shadows: A Father's Stand Against the Current" (ISBN: 979-8995335146), now released in a two volume Large Print Edition through Neal Winsomer Publishing LLC. A week later he sets out on a 35-city U.S. book tour.

Publishing NEWS: -- In his new memoir, "Spaces between the Nile and the True North: Negotiating Egyptian-Canadian Cultural Fusion" (ISBN: 978-1834381282; released by Tellwell Publishing), author Mohsen Rifaat reflects on a life shaped by migration, cultural change, and the search for belonging. Blending personal memories with historical insight and his own artwork, the book follows his journey from British-occupied and revolutionary Egypt to a new life in Canada.

Publishing NEWS: -- Millions of Americans have prepared wills, named beneficiaries, and organized their financial records, but many have overlooked a critical question: What happens to their email accounts, online banking, digital photos, passwords, and other digital assets when they die? TheSeniorTechie founder Paul Wilczynski addresses that growing problem in his new book, “Who Gets Your Passwords? TheSeniorTechie Guide To Digital Estate Planning” (ISBN:‎ 979-8995501725), now available on Amazon.

Software NEWS: -- LodeStar Software Solutions (LodeStar), the leading provider of mortgage closing cost and fee data, today announced that it is integrated with Dark Matter Technologies (Dark Matter®). LodeStar's Closing Cost Calculator is now available in Empower® loan origination system (Empower), developed in conjunction with the Dark Matter Developer Platform.

Software NEWS: -- HitPaw, the global leader in AI-powered creative tools for photo, video, and audio generation, enhancement, and editing, celebrates its 6th Anniversary with exclusive savings of up to 50% off. Whether enhancing photos, restoring videos, or creating AI-powered content, HitPaw empowers creators to bring their ideas to life with intuitive AI tools.

Software NEWS: -- Class Valuation, a leading real estate appraisal management company (AMC), has been verified by Fannie Mae® and Freddie Mac (the government-sponsored enterprises, or GSEs) to support the Uniform Property Data Report (UPDR) specification under Uniform Property Dataset (UPD) Version 1.0. Use of the UPDR is mandatory for mortgages with applications received on or after June 30, 2026.