National business, entertainment, and technology news from CitizenWire and the Neotrope® News Network, USA.
PLANO, Texas /CitizenWire/ — 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 […]
WELLAND, Ontario, Canada /CitizenWire/ — Author and longtime educator William Joseph Birrell releases his latest novel, “Matthew’s Journey: The Return Home” (ISBN: 978-1834182674 released by Tellwell Publishing), an historical fiction story centered on love, separation, and survival during wartime.
NEW YORK, N.Y. /CitizenWire/ — HitPaw, a leading innovator in multimedia software solutions, today announced the release of VikPea V5.2.0, the latest update to its all-in-one AI-powered video enhancement platform. This version delivers a major upgrade with the introduction of specialized AI portrait generation and restoration models, professional-grade manual parameter controls, and the integration of […]
NEW YORK, N.Y. /CitizenWire/ — This Valentine’s Day, HitPaw Edimakor invites creators, couples, and storytellers to celebrate love in a more meaningful way-through creativity. To mark the season, Edimakor is launching a special Valentine’s Day Sale, offering up to 50% off on popular plans along with exciting bonuses.
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /CitizenWire/ — The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation’s largest independent cooperative network for mortgage lenders and the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the national association representing the real estate finance industry, announced today that they have entered into a strategic partnership to expand advocacy, education and engagement opportunities for their members.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /CitizenWire/ — Research waste at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is reportedly costing U.S. taxpayers over $100 million annually, according to analyses of completed NIH-funded trials. With an annual budget of $48 billion, the NIH is the largest public funder of health, including mental health research, in the world. Citizens Commission […]
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /CitizenWire/ — HitPaw, a leader in AI-powered visual enhancement solutions, announced Comfy, a global content creation platform, is integrating its image and video enhancement API. The HitPaw and Comfy integration embeds HitPaw API into Comfy’s workflow, letting creators achieve pro-level visual enhancement in-platform. Blending HitPaw’s AI visual processing expertise with Comfy’s creator […]
LAS VEGAS, Nev. /CitizenWire/ — 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.
SANTA FE, N.M. /CitizenWire/ — Edupoint® Educational Systems today announced that the New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) has selected the Synergy Education Platform, including Edupoint’s Synergy for States solution, as the state’s first statewide student information system. The initiative marks a major step forward in New Mexico’s efforts to modernize its K-12 data infrastructure […]
SINGAPORE /CitizenWire/ — 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 […]
NEW YORK, N.Y. /CitizenWire/ — 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 […]
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /CitizenWire/ — With the 2025-26 college basketball season underway, long-time university, junior college and high school coach Michael Miller has formally retired from coaching, concluding a distinguished career spanning more than three decades and more than 750 victories, the University of Los Angeles College of Divinity announced today.
DES MOINES, Iowa /CitizenWire/ — 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 […]
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. /CitizenWire/ — 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. /CitizenWire/ — 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 /CitizenWire/ — 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 […]
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. /CitizenWire/ — 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.
FRESNO, Calif. /CitizenWire/ — Vinyl Craft is an established, trusted vinyl fence material company that has operated out of its headquarters in Oxnard, California since 1997. In an effort to make its vinyl fencing and gate products more readily available to Central Californians, the team has expanded to a second location in Fresno.
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. /CitizenWire/ — 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. /CitizenWire/ — 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 […]
SEATTLE, Wash. /CitizenWire/ — 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 […]
GARDEN GROVE, Calif. /CitizenWire/ — Informative Research (IR), a leading technology provider of data-driven credit and verification solutions for the lending industry, today announced that it has been honored on the annual HousingWire Mortgage Tech100 list. The award honors the technology providers driving meaningful change in the mortgage industry.
HOUSTON, Texas /CitizenWire/ — 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. /CitizenWire/ — 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, […]
AUSTIN, Texas /CitizenWire/ — 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 […]
BOULDER, Colo. /CitizenWire/ — Floify, the mortgage industry’s leading point-of-sale (POS) solution, has been named to HousingWire’s 2026 Mortgage Tech100 list, which recognizes the most innovative and impactful technology organizations serving the mortgage and housing finance ecosystem.
NEW YORK, N.Y. /CitizenWire/ — Vertyx, a provider of intelligent mortgage servicing technology built for enhanced portfolio performance, today announced the completion of a milestone year marked by significant market expansion, increased platform adoption and continued innovation across compliance, security and community engagement.
LAKE ZURICH, Ill. /CitizenWire/ — Dovenmuehle Mortgage, Inc. (DMI), a leading mortgage subservicing company, announced today that it maintained a Tier 1 Rating from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) throughout 2025. This quarterly rating was awarded for Dovenmuehle’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA) servicing performance under HUD’s Tier Ranking System II (TRS […]
DENVER, Colo. /CitizenWire/ — ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced that Sharon Reichhardt, executive vice president of operations, has been selected to speak at the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Servicing Solutions Conference, taking place Feb. 16-19, 2026, in Dallas.
SHENZHEN, China /CitizenWire/ — Coolmuster, a leading data management software and solution provider for over 20 years, today announced a significant update to its flagship software, Coolmuster Android Assistant V6.0.111.. This release delivers substantial improvements in data handling, cross-platform compatibility, and connection stability, reinforcing its role as a one-stop PC solution for Android data management,
SUDBURY, Ontario /CitizenWire/ — In an era marked by rising stress, disconnection, and declining happiness, author and former investment management chairman Jonathan J. Woolverton offers a timely and practical guide to reclaiming joy and purpose in his new book, “Self-Worth: The Path to Happiness” (ISBN: 9781834181714 released November 7, 2025 by Tellwell Publishing).
TORRANCE, Calif. /CitizenWire/ — DocMagic, Inc. announced today that it has once again been named to HousingWire’s Tech100 Mortgage list, earning recognition every year since the program’s inception. The annual award recognizes the most innovative technology companies transforming the mortgage industry.
KOWLOON, Hong Kong /CitizenWire/ — Are permanently deleted files really gone? Is there any way to recover permanently deleted files? It’s now possible thanks to iToolab’s breakthrough in data scanning and recovery. iToolab RecoverGo Windows Data Recovery V1.3.0 optimizes the scanning modes, offering a high success rate up to 99% for severe data loss scenarios.
NEW YORK, N.Y. /CitizenWire/ — HitPaw Edimakor officially releases version 4.6.0 – bringing powerful new AI-driven upgrades to video and image editing. This major update focuses on smarter automation, smoother workflows, and higher-quality results – helping content creators, businesses, and everyday users produce professional visuals with far less effort.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. /CitizenWire/ — Dark Matter Technologies (Dark Matter®), an innovative leader in mortgage technology, today announced continued client momentum that includes a multi-year renewal with Arbor Bank and a new client signing with Covey Financial, as well as tighter integration of its Elevate℠ Loan Servicing Solution (Elevate) and the Empower® loan origination system (LOS).
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /CitizenWire/ — The United States is increasingly isolated in its continued reliance on forced psychiatric commitment and treatment, as global human rights institutions move decisively to end coercive mental health practices. Following a landmark unanimous vote, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights International (CCHR) is urging U.S. policymakers to bring American mental […]
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /CitizenWire/ — PDFgear announces the launch of TextaVoice (TextaVoice.com), a completely free text-to-speech tool that turns text into natural-sounding audio in seconds. It provides online text to speech services with no sign-up, no ads, and no usage limits. TextaVoice is built by the team behind PDFgear, a widely recognized free alternative to […]
TORRINGTON, Conn. /CitizenWire/ — Keystone Place at Newbury Brook recently welcomed Chief Bill Baldwin and members of the Torrington Police Department for a special breakfast honoring local police officers and recognizing their continued service to the community.
OWENSBORO, Ky. /CitizenWire/ — Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn has been recognized as one of America’s five most iconic buffets in a recent Fox News feature highlighting the nation’s premier all-you-can-eat dining destinations. The family-owned restaurant joins an elite group that includes renowned establishments from Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, Louisiana and Rhode Island.
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. /CitizenWire/ — ViewTech Borescopes will return as an exhibitor at the annual Inspection Expo & Conference, the premier event dedicated to the welding inspection community. The event brings together leading welding inspectors, engineers, and industry professionals for two days of education, networking, and hands-on technology demonstrations.
