(NewsUSA) - For more than a decade, digital success was often distilled into a single metric: ranking #1 on Google.

In 2026, that metric alone is no longer enough.

A new industry analysis released by iLocal, Inc. suggests that businesses focusing exclusively on top-position rankings are overlooking a broader transformation in how search visibility actually works. The report outlines a growing disconnect between rankings and results—where high placement does not always translate into traffic, leads, or authority.

“Ranking #1 used to be the finish line,” said a spokesperson for iLocal. “Today, it’s just one variable in a much more complex visibility equation.”

The Fragmentation of Search Results

Search engine results pages have evolved dramatically. Between AI-generated overviews, featured snippets, local service panels, map packs, video carousels, and “People Also Ask” sections, traditional organic listings are increasingly pushed below multiple layers of information.

In many cases, users receive immediate answers without ever clicking through to a website. This rise in zero-click search behavior has created a new challenge: a business can technically rank first in traditional organic listings while still being visually overshadowed by other search features.

For local and service-based companies, the impact is particularly significant. If competitors dominate AI summaries or enhanced results, they may capture attention and credibility—even without holding the top organic position.

From Position to Presence

The shift signals a move from position-based competition to presence-based competition.

Visibility in 2026 is shaped by several interdependent factors:

• Inclusion within AI-generated summaries
   
• Structured data clarity and entity recognition
   
• Local optimization and map pack prominence
   
• Review authority and trust indicators
   
• Multimedia integration (video, images, FAQs)
   
• Brand consistency across digital platforms
   

“Search engines are no longer just ranking pages,” the iLocal spokesperson explained. “They’re assembling answers. And the businesses that are clearly defined, authoritative, and technically structured are more likely to be included in those answers.”

The Misleading Comfort of Rankings

Many business owners monitor ranking reports as their primary performance indicator. However, iLocal’s research suggests that rankings alone can create a false sense of stability. Companies may maintain strong keyword positions while experiencing fluctuating traffic or declining engagement.

This occurs because modern search systems interpret user intent more dynamically. They synthesize information, prioritize context, and increasingly rely on machine-readable signals such as structured data and consistent entity references.

In other words, being relevant is no longer enough. Being interpretable is essential.

A Strategic Recalibration

The death of “just ranking #1” does not mean SEO is obsolete. Rather, it signals a maturation of the discipline.

Businesses that adapt are shifting toward holistic visibility strategies—combining technical SEO, content depth, structured data implementation, and brand authority development. They are optimizing for inclusion, credibility, and user trust rather than simply chasing positions.

As search continues to integrate AI-driven interpretation and dynamic result layouts, the competitive landscape will favor organizations that understand visibility as a multidimensional strategy.

In 2026, the most successful companies will not ask, “Are we ranking first?”

They will ask, “Are we present wherever decisions are being made?”

To learn more about iLocal and its local visibility solutions, visit https://ilocal.net/

(NewsUSA) - Premature babies face unique challenges from the moment they arrive. Born weeks or months before their bodies are fully developed, these fragile infants need every advantage to grow strong and healthy. The good news? Research shows that the right nutrition can help improve both their immediate health and their development years down the road.

Helping Preemies Grow Strong

Extremely premature babies need significantly more calories, protein, and nutrients than full-term babies to catch up on the growth they missed in the womb. This is why doctors often add something called a nutritional "fortifier" to mom's breastmilk or donor milk for the smallest preemies. These fortifiers provide the extra nutrition necessary for healthy growth and development.

There are two types of fortifiers available in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU): one made from cow milk, and one made from donor breastmilk. In the U.S., both are labeled "human milk fortifiers," which can be confusing for parents. However, only those from Prolacta Bioscience are 100% donor breastmilk-based, free from cow milk and corn syrup ingredients. For extremely premature infants — those born weighing 2.75 pounds or less — this difference can be life-changing.

Nutrition Choices That Last a Lifetime

What preemies are fed in the NICU doesn't just matter today; it impacts tomorrow's developmental milestones. A recent study followed more than 1,000 premature babies from birth through age 3 to see how their early nutrition affected their development. The results were striking: babies fed an Exclusive Human Milk Diet (EHMD) including breastmilk and Prolacta’s human milk-based fortifiers were significantly less likely to have motor skill delays at age 3 compared to those fed a non-EHMD. These motor skills help toddlers walk, run, climb, and explore their world, along with other children their same age.

The positive health outcomes go beyond motor skills. Earlier research showed that an exclusive human milk diet also leads to significantly higher cognitive scores (thinking, learning, attention) at 18-22 months. Together, these studies reveal that the feeding choices parents and care teams make in the NICU can shape a child's development for years to come.

Not All Human Milk Processing Methods Are Equal

Breastmilk contains hundreds of bioactive compounds that work together to protect and nourish premature babies in ways that other feeding options cannot. Prolacta's unique human milk processing methods are specifically designed to help maintain the natural benefits in mom’s milk, including important fats that support brain development. Other human milk processing methods, such as homogenization, alter the human milk fat globule and are known to destroy milk fat components that premature infants may need for brain development.

Timing matters, too. In the critical early weeks, a premature baby's brain and organs are developing rapidly. Early fortification with the right nutrition supports this critical growth when babies need it most.

Advocating for Your Baby

In 2025, more than half of the Level 3 and 4 NICUs in the U.S. used 100% breastmilk-based fortifiers for their smallest patients. If your baby is in a NICU, you have a voice in their care. Talk to your care team about the best nutritional options for your child. You can ask for Prolacta nutritional products by name, and your hospital can order them without a contract, often for overnight delivery, even for one baby.

Knowing your options helps ensure your baby gets the nutrition they need for better health today and long after the NICU. Don't be afraid to ask questions and advocate for the nutrition that gives your baby the best chance to thrive.

(K12) - A few years ago, as children quickly shifted to online classrooms, parents shared one common question: How does virtual school work? At the time, many families saw it as a temporary fix in response to a global crisis.  

Except it didn’t fade away. If anything, attention on online schooling deepened curiosity. Questions moved from logistical to philosophical: Could online school be a better fit for my child? Would they be happier in a more flexible setting?  

More parents are rethinking how and where their children learn. Here are some of the top questions they ask—and a few answers that may surprise you. 

Where can I find online school options? 

An online search will show options in your state: tuition-free public and charter schools, private schools, and state-run programs serving a range of grades from kindergarten through high school. Use an online school search engine to compare options and read reviews. You’ll also want to ensure the school is accredited by a recognized body, such as Cognia.    

Is online school a good option for students struggling in traditional school? 

Absolutely. In many programs, including K12-powered online schools, classes are taught by state-certified teachers who meet one-to-one with students. Flexibility allows learners to work at their own pace, spending extra time on challenging concepts before moving on.  

Do online schools offer special education? 

Yes. Online students in special education receive required services and accommodations, often with more individualized support and one-to-one time with special education teachers.  

Are online schooling and homeschooling the same? 

They are quite different. Online schools provide structure, certified teachers, live classes, and a standard curriculum—without requiring parents to serve as instructors. 

How do online students make friends and socialize? 

Many online schools prioritize socialization and create meaningful opportunities for connection and friendship. Virtual campuses like the K12 Zone at K12-powered schools, national competitions, clubs, local meetups, and virtual field trips help students make friends and experience school spirit. 

How do online schools prepare students for college and careers?  

From career pathways, dual enrollment, and internships to honors and AP courses, game-based learning, and group projects, online students can experience a high-quality education that prepares them for the future. 

Online school has permanently expanded the education landscape. Because of these options, high-quality education, career preparation, and enrichment are more equitable and accessible than ever, giving families a real choice for their children—regardless of location or circumstance. 

(NewsUSA) - For generations of workers, retirement benefits represented the reward for years of dedication and hard work. But for today’s working parents, a more immediate investment has quietly taken center stage: child care.

Across kitchen tables, carpool lines and late-night email sessions, parents navigate a daily reality that feels increasingly fragile. One canceled caregiver, one closed classroom, or one sick day can send an entire work week into chaos as parents try to balance child care and work needs simultaneously. While flexible schedules and remote work help, they haven’t solved the core issue: reliable child care is essential for working families.

As a result, parents are reassessing what they need from their employers. Recent national research from KinderCare Learning Company’s annual Parent Confidence Index shows that parents now view child care as one of the most important benefits when deciding whether to stay in a job, even ranking it ahead of traditional long-term benefits like retirement plans. In fact, 85% say child care support should be considered as essential as healthcare, reflecting how closely it’s tied to daily productivity, focus and peace of mind.

Jessica Harrah, Chief People Officer at KinderCare Learning Companies, a national provider of early learning programs, says this shift reflects what families have experienced for years.

“Parents want to do great work and build meaningful careers,” Harrah said. “But when child care is unpredictable or hard to access, it creates stress that spills into every part of life. Supporting parents with child care is about giving families stability so they can show up fully, both at work and at home.”

At the same time, many parents say these benefits are either unavailable, poorly communicated or difficult to understand. That gap between what families need and what workplaces offer can feel discouraging. Parents don’t have to navigate this alone though, says Harrah. Connecting with coworkers, employee resource groups, or leaders who understand caregiving responsibilities can help normalize these conversations.

“When more parents speak openly about child care needs, it becomes easier for employers to recognize where gaps exist,” said Harrah. “When approaching a manager or HR team, parents don’t need to frame child care as a personal favor. Instead, connect it to productivity and consistency. When families have access to reliable care, stress levels drop, loyalty increases, and parents are more engaged and able to do their best work at the office or on the job.”

The future of work isn’t just about where or when people work, it’s about whether families have the stability and support they need to keep going. Child care has become the benefit that makes everything else possible. To learn more about how KinderCare provides stability for thousands of families across its nationwide footprint of KinderCare Learning Centers, visit kindercare.com.

(BookTrib) - “Death for Sale” by Erik S. Meyers

Nestled in the Ozarks, the tight-knit town of Berry Springs is gearing up for Thanksgiving when several beloved seniors fall mysteriously ill at the community dinner. As deaths follow, suspicion spreads faster than holiday cheer.

Enter Sally Witherspoon — a sharp-witted, 50-something accountant turned biker-bar owner with a knack for puzzles and a habit of helping local law enforcement. Think Miss Marple meets a Cheers bartender. Between running her bar, worrying about her aging parents and facing her own milestone birthday, Sally has plenty on her plate. But when poisoning threatens her friends — and possibly her family — she digs in her heels to uncover the truth.

With lively characters, small-town charm and steady suspense, “Death for Sale” is a spirited holiday whodunit perfect for readers who enjoy lighter mysteries with heart, humor and a determined amateur sleuth at the helm.

Learn more about the Sally Witherspoon Mystery series and purchase "Death for Sale" at https://amzn.to/4s3XFVm.

“She Who Rides Horses: A Saga of the Ancient Steppe, Book One” by Sarah V. Barnes

Set more than 6,000 years ago on the ancient Pontic-Caspian steppe, “She Who Rides Horses: A Saga of the Ancient Steppe” introduces Naya, a clan chief’s daughter whose fiery red hair and independent spirit set her apart. While her people hunt wild horses for meat, Naya dreams of something different — partnership, not conquest. When she discovers a chestnut filly as uncommon as herself, she begins the slow, daring work of earning the young horse’s trust.

But fate intervenes when Naya is struck by a stranger’s arrow, leaving her wounded and separated from her clan during a brutal winter migration. As she heals alongside the young archer amid strangers struggling to survive, bonds deepen — between girl and horse, and between former enemies.

Rich in historical detail and emotional depth, Sarah V. Barnes’ novel reimagines the dawn of horseback riding as a story of courage, connection and the spiritual bond that forever changed humanity. A perfect read for the Year of the Horse!

Available in paperback, ebook and now in audiobook, “She Who Rides Horses: A Saga of the Ancient Steppe” can be purchased at https://amzn.to/4cnkQ8z.

“Both Sides of the Same Coin” by Michael Weiner

Spanning a century of ambition, sacrifice and reinvention, this historical saga traces the intertwined destinies of the Doyle, Carbone and Roth families as they journey from Ireland and Italy to the promise of America. Against the sweeping backdrop of New York City’s rise — from post-Depression grit to wartime resilience — unlikely visionary Oscar Klein emerges from the streets of Philadelphia to unite them all.

With Patrick Doyle and Anthony Carbone, Oscar builds an empire of taxi medallions, clubs and restaurants, culminating in a glittering Plaza Hotel wedding that draws the city’s elite — and the shadow of the Cosa Nostra. Success brings wealth and influence, but also heartbreak, addiction and loss.

Praised as a compelling, page-turning saga rich with family values and New York landmarks, “Both Sides of the Same Coin” explores ambition and responsibility — and the delicate balance between prosperity and purpose.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/40g56N8.

“Champions in Life: The Playbook for Teens and Their Parents with 10 Essential Skills to Optimize Mental Health” by Elaine J. Brzycki, Ed.M. and Henry G. Brzycki, Ph.D.

In a world where teen mental health is often addressed only in crisis, “Champions in Life” takes a refreshingly proactive approach. Written by positive psychology pioneers Elaine J. Brzycki, Ed.M., and Henry G. Brzycki, Ph.D., this interactive guide empowers teens to build the skills they need to flourish — not just cope.

Grounded in the authors’ Integrated Self Model™ and their widely used Champions program, the book introduces 10 essential mental health skills designed to strengthen resilience, self-esteem, internal motivation and hope. Through 30 hands-on experiences, teens are encouraged to explore their emotions, clarify their dreams and discover their unique life purpose.

More than a book to read, this is a playbook to live — and a powerful tool for sparking meaningful conversations between teens and parents. At its heart, “Champions in Life” reminds young people that they aren’t passive observers of their future — they can actively shape it.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4banZY4.

(BookTrib) - “When Waiting Becomes Life” by Jeff Deaton, MD

“When Waiting Becomes Life” gently illuminates the often unseen emotional landscape of infertility — a journey many walk in silence. Drawing on heartfelt, real-life stories from women and couples who have faced failed cycles, loss and years of uncertainty, Dr. Jeff Deaton blends compassionate medical insight with deeply human narrative. Each chapter offers not only the raw honesty of lived experience but also practical, encouraging advice that helps readers process grief, confront shame and navigate complex treatment decisions with greater clarity and confidence.

Readers praise the book for its warmth and wisdom, noting how Deaton’s balanced mix of hope, science and empathy makes even the most difficult moments feel shared rather than endured alone. Whether you’re living the struggle or supporting someone who is, this book offers solace, strength and a reminder: waiting isn’t the whole story — growth and resilience can be part of the journey too.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/when-waiting-becomes-life.

“Choosing Emotions: Thinking with Your Head and Acting with Your Heart” by D. Earl Johnston

What if emotional intelligence begins not with regulation — but with vocabulary? In “Choosing Emotions,” D. Earl Johnston presents what he calls an “Emotionary”— a cross-disciplinary reference that defines 272 emotional states drawn from philosophy, psychology, science, art and spiritual traditions. After nine years of research and integrating more than 1,800 contributors spanning 3,000 years of recorded thought, Johnston points out that emotional literacy depends on definitional clarity.

From everyday experiences like admiration and confidence to complex states such as trauma and procrastination, each entry’s source ranges from clinical terminology to street expressions alongside insights from history’s great thinkers. Johnston also introduces a provocative linguistic idea: emotions function as the adverbial drivers of behavior — shaping how we act as much as what we do.

Designed equally for browsing or deeper study, “Choosing Emotions” invites readers to name, understand and easily navigate the full spectrum of human experience. Purchase at https://amzn.to/4kRi4KU.

“Summertime & Short Stories” by Stanislas M Yassukovich

In "Summertime & Short Stories," Stanislas M. Yassukovich invites readers into a world of privilege, longing and moral reckoning. The title novella unfolds among Long Island’s old-money elite, where a respected general practitioner embarks on an affair with a patient — a transgression that entangles both in layers of professional guilt and unresolved family ties.

The accompanying stories traverse elegant international settings and intimate emotional terrain. A brass rubbing hobbyist discovers a gravestone bearing his own name. A pleasure-seeking gentleman seeks redemption through charity. An introvert is swept into an insider trading scandal by his domineering girlfriend. Elsewhere, a painter’s canvas mysteriously fades, a polo-playing playboy confronts loss, sisters clash over love, and a father weighs the measure of his bond with his son.

By turns ironic, reflective and quietly provocative, this collection explores desire, consequence and the fragile façades that shape human lives.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/46LyAGi.

“Friday Nite at the Bucket of Blood Bar” by Bobby “Z” Zielinski

The rite of passage: from the schoolyard – to the candy store – to the bar.

The bar in the ‘50s and ‘60s was where you cashed your paycheck, socialized with your friends, borrowed money, and bought various items that “just fell off” the back of a truck! It was where you also bet the numbers for the horses and paid off the “shys.”

Every Friday, from 3:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m. Saturday morning, everything revolved around Slippery Eddie, the bartender. Every hour, a different story unfolded.

As an 84-year-old vet, cancer and Covid survivor, recovering alcoholic (46 years), original Jersey City ‘50s bad boy, high school dropout, and published author and poet, Bobby “Z” has lived it all – and lived to tell the tale.

“Friday Nite at the Bucket of Blood Bar” could very well be the next “Bronx Tale,” “Goodfellas” or “Sopranos.” Purchase at https://amzn.to/49DUux3 or visit the author’s website, Tales of the Junkyard Dog, at https://talesofthejunkyarddog.wordpress.com/ for more information. Zielinski can also be contacted at [email protected].

(NewsUSA) - The Department of Defense's, now renamed the Department of War by the current administration, acquisitions, notoriously sluggish and inefficient, is undergoing a change to make its historically sluggish acquisitions system more agile and responsive.

Defense acquisition is the process by which military forces, such as the U.S. Department of Defense, identify needs, manage investments, and procure technology, systems, and services. The goal of an acquisition plan is to deliver whatever warfighters need in a timely and cost-effective way.

The main components of the United States’ Defense Acquisition System include identifying the warfighter’s needs, allocating resources/securing funds, and managing the development and purchase of systems.

In a recent podcast with the at the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative with a goal of making recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness in AI, Steve Blank, co-founder of the Stanford Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, discussed the recent revision of the Department of War’s acquisition system. Blank shared how an attitude shift has the potential to drive changes in DoW activities to maintain competitiveness in the future.

Changes in acquisition start by changing the culture of those involved in the process, Blank said. Those in charge need to switch to a problem-centric and minimum-deployable model, he explained.

In late 2025, the DoW announced the implementation of a new "Acquisition Transformation Strategy" (ATS), announced in late 2025, to shift to a wartime-oriented, rapid-fielding model focused on speed, industrial base expansion, and leveraging commercial technology. Key pillars include empowering the workforce, maximizing flexibility, reducing bureaucratic oversight, and strengthening lifecycle risk management. 

Key elements of the new ATS include:

• · Workforce Transformation: The Defense Acquisition University is being redesigned as the "Warfighting Acquisition University" (WAU) with the goal of instilling a more efficient warrior mindset, according to the DoW.
• · Streamlining development: Reducing bureaucracy, including the number of test managers, is intended to accelerate the acquisition process.
• · Going commercial: The new strategy includes adopting existing commercial off-the-shelf technology and using outside contractors, when possible, in order to speed up procurement.
• · Broadening the base: Rebuilding and diversify the defense industrial base is needed to ensure a steady, reliable demand signal.
• · Taking more risks: The ATS allows for accepting higher, calculated risks to deliver capabilities faster, rather than waiting for long-term, traditional cycles. 

This new strategy marks a shift from a "requirements-based" to a "solutions-based" acquisition model, that is designed to get tools into the hands of warfighters more quickly.

Visit scsp.ai to learn more about the evolution of DoW strategies and other issues related to America’s global competitiveness.

(NewsUSA) - While February is recognized as National Random Acts of Kindness month, Marine Toys for Tots knows kindness doesn’t have to be spontaneous to be powerful. That is why Toys for Tots celebrates Not So Random Acts of Kindness. The Program sees the impact of intentional acts of kindness every time someone chooses to give, volunteer, or lend support—not just during the holidays, but in the middle of ordinary days, busy seasons, and challenging moments.   

Thanks to the not so random acts of generosity of local Coordinators, donors, National Corporate Partners, and supporting organizations, the Program distributed 24 million toys, books, and other gifts to nearly 11 million children in need in 2025.

These contributions weren’t random gestures. They were choices made by individuals and communities who believed every child deserves hope, comfort, and joy. Together, these choices created a nationwide ripple effect that reached far beyond city centers and suburban neighborhoods.

Some of those ripples traveled farther than most.

Across Alaska’s North Slope and Northwest Arctic Borough, U.S. Marines with Detachment Delta Company, 4th Law Enforcement Battalion, Force Headquarters Group, Marine Forces Reserve, carried out a mission defined by purpose and resilience. As part of Operation Polar Knight, Marines delivered nearly 14,000 pounds of toys to some of the most remote communities in the United States—places where winter roads don’t exist, weather can ground aircraft for days, and access to basic goods is limited.

This mission was only possible because of collective efforts: the generosity of the American public, the dedication of the Anchorage Toys for Tots Chapter, and the determination of the Marines who carried the mission across snow, ice, and Arctic skies. Without these combined efforts, children living in some of the most isolated regions of the country would not experience the magic of the holiday season.

“These deliveries weren’t random gestures either. They were purposeful acts of kindness—planned months in advance, supported by countless volunteers, and executed with precision in some of the harshest conditions on Earth,” said Lieutenant General Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “Every gift was a conscious choice to support a child in need and a promise to keep the spirit of the season shining, even in the most remote corners of Alaska,” he emphasized.

Operation Polar Knight is just one example of how intentional acts of kindness transforms lives. Across the country, the Program’s supporters continue to make a difference all year long. Through year-round literacy efforts, support for children in Foster Care, and disaster response and recovery distribution events, donors help ensure that children in need receive comfort, encouragement, and opportunity.

Now in their 79th year, Toys for Tots continues to demonstrate that generosity is not random. It is a commitment—renewed year after year—to bring hope to children everywhere. Toys for Tots’ mission as a year-round force for good reminds us what happens when intentional acts of kindness come together: communities are strengthened, children are uplifted, and the spirit of giving reaches places where it matters most.

To learn more about Toys for Tots or to make a donation, please visit www.toysfortots.org.

(NewsUSA) - Like many veterans, Brian Owens, 53 from Kentucky, knows all too well that the invisible burdens of military service can linger long after the uniform comes off. For Brian, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, it was his heart that felt the ongoing impacts the most.  

Veterans face an increased risk of developing hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, a condition that affects an estimated 37% of the U.S. veteran population.¹ Research from a large cohort study found that both combat exposure and combat injury were associated with higher odds of developing hypertension.² For Brian, this is significant as men are already more likely to develop high blood pressure - 50.8% of adult men compared to 44.6% of women - and face greater cardiovascular risk over time.³

Treating hypertension early on is essential as the condition can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other health concerns if left untreated.^4,5 Brian’s treatment journey started like most do, being prescribed medication for high blood pressure and making changes to his diet and exercise routine. For Brian, the medication was helpful at first, but over time, his blood pressure increased, even with multiple prescriptions. “I was on five or six different medications at one point,” Brian recalls. "I was doing what I was supposed to, but I wasn’t getting better.” 

Brian’s experience reflects a wider problem: controlling the “silent killer” is often elusive, and medication is not always enough. In fact, up to 50% of patients can’t maintain a routine to take medication within one year.^6,7 

After years of trying and seeing little progress, Brian started to feel helpless - like blood pressure control was out of reach. While working at Norton Healthcare, Brian ran into Dr. Matthew Sousa, an interventional cardiologist, who helped him seek answers for his uncontrolled high blood pressure. Dr. Sousa and Debbie Davis, a nurse manager at Norton Healthcare, helped him learn more about his treatment options and ultimately decide on a path forward.  

“After telling Debbie and Dr. Sousa my story and concerns, they asked if I’d be open to a new procedure that could help,” Brian said. After discussing his options with his doctor and seeing if he would be a good candidate, Brian decided to move forward with a minimally invasive treatment called the Symplicity^TM blood pressure procedure, which uses radiofrequency energy to calm overactive nerves near the kidneys that can contribute to high blood pressure.⁸ 

The Symplicity blood pressure procedure, which uses the Symplicity Spyral renal denervation system, can help reduce blood pressure numbers when other options, such as lifestyle changes and medications, haven’t worked. In fact, at three years, the average number of patients taking medication saw an 18.5 mmHg reduction in office blood pressure, although results may vary.⁹ The procedure may deliver sustained blood pressure reduction.^{**10, 11} 

Since having the Symplicity blood pressure procedure, Brian has experienced a reduction in his blood pressure.*** Now, Brian is sharing his story in hopes of helping others, especially fellow veterans. “It’s something a lot of veterans are dealing with, but don’t talk about,” he said. “If my experience can help someone else ask the right questions or explore new options, it’s worth it.” 

Between volunteering with Toys for Tots, raising two daughters, and staying active through competitive shooting, Brian is embracing a new chapter with renewed energy and a healthier outlook on life. 

To learn more about renal denervation and the Symplicity blood pressure procedure, visit beyondHBP.com. Risks associated with the Symplicity blood pressure procedure include, but are not limited to, pain and bruising. If you have high blood pressure, talk to your doctor about treatment options. 

*Brian has received compensation in the past from Medtronic for sharing his experience with the Symplicity blood pressure procedure.  

**Data available through three years.  

***This patient testimonial is an individual’s experience and opinion. Not every person will experience the same results. The Symplicity procedure has known risks that should be considered in relation to the potential benefits of the procedure. People with higher blood pressure before the procedure may see greater reductions in blood pressure and a decrease in the need for blood pressure medication following the procedure. However, individual results may vary.   

1 American Heart Association Newsroom. Joining Forces to Address Hypertension Among Veterans in Las Vegas. https://newsroom.heart.org/local-news/joining-forces-to-address-hypertension-among-veterans-in-las-vegas. Published March 8, 2023 
2. Howard, J. T., Stewart, I. J., Kolaja, C. A., Sosnov, J. A., Rull, R. P., Torres, I., Janak, J. C., Walker, L. E., Trone, D. W., & Armenta, R. F. (2020). Hypertension in military veterans is associated with combat exposure and combat injury. Journal of hypertension, 38(7), 1293–1301. https://doi.org/10.1097/HJH.0000000000002364 
3 Fryar, C. D., Kit, B. K., Carroll, M. D., & Afful, J. (2024, October). Hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control among adults aged 18 and over: United States, August 2021–August 2023 (NCHS Data Brief No. 511). National Center for Health Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db511.pdf 
4 Jones DW, et al. 2025 AHA/ACC/AANP/AAPA/ABC/ACCP/ACPM/AGS/AMA/ASPC/NMA/PCNA/SGIM Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2025 Nov 4;86(18):1567-1678. 
5 High blood pressure dangers: Hypertension’s effects on your body. Mayo Clinic.  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/highblood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure/art-20045868. Accessed Oct 16, 2024. 
6 Jung O, Gechter JL, Wunder C, et al. Resistant hypertension? Assessment of adherence by toxicological urine analysis. J Hypertens. 2013 Apr;31(4):766-74. 
7 Berra E, Azizi M, Capron A, et al. Evaluation of Adherence Should Become an Integral Part of Assessment of Patients With Apparently Treatment-Resistant Hypertension. Hypertension. 2016 Aug;68(2):297-306. 
8 Coates P, Tunev S, Trudel J, Hettrick DA. Time, Temperature, Power, and Impedance Considerations for Radiofrequency Catheter Renal Denervation. Cardiovasc Revasc Med. September 2022;42:171–177. 
9 Kandzari, DE. SPYRAL HTN-ON MED 3 Year Data. Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) conference. October 2025. 
10 Mahfoud F, Kandzari DE, Kario K, et al. Long-term efficacy and safety of renal denervation in the presence of antihypertensive drugs (SPYRAL HTN-ON MED): a randomised, sham-controlled trial. Lancet. April 9, 2022;399(10333):1401–1410. 
11 Mahfoud F, Mancia G, Schmieder R, et al. Blood pressure and MACE reductions after renal denervation: 3-year Global Symplicity Registry results. Presented at PCR e-Course 2022." 

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Important Safety Information   

The Symplicity™ blood pressure procedure (BPP) is a minimally invasive procedure approved to help lower high blood pressure. The procedure is approved as a complement to treatments you may already be trying, such as lifestyle modifications and high blood pressure medications that might not be adequately controlling your blood pressure.   

Receiving the Symplicity BPP should be based on a joint decision between you and your doctor. Consider the benefits and risks of the device and procedure. Please talk to your doctor to decide whether or not the Symplicity BPP is right for you.  

If you have a pacemaker or an ICD, your doctor will follow up with steps to take ahead of the procedure if you decide it is right for you.  

At the time of your procedure, your doctor may detect certain anatomical conditions (e.g., your blood vessels are too big or too small) that do not allow the blood pressure procedure to continue.  

You should not receive the procedure if you cannot tolerate medications that are required for the procedure, like atropine, nitroglycerin, systemic blood thinners, or certain pain medications. These medications are to help you in case your heart rate drops too low, you experience pain, or your blood vessels tighten during the procedure. You should not receive the procedure if you are pregnant.  

The Symplicity BPP has not been studied in patients: • Who are breastfeeding • Who are under 18 years old • Who have isolated systolic hypertension (only the “top number” of your blood pressure is high) • Who have secondary causes of high blood pressure   
• Who have had a renal stent placed less than 3 months prior to the procedure • Who had a prior minimally invasive treatment in their renal arteries (stenting, angioplasty, or prior renal denervation)  

Potential risks of the Symplicity BPP (note that you may experience other problems that have not been previously observed with this procedure): • Allergic reaction to the imaging solution • Damage to your arteries • Future narrowing of your arteries • Arterio-enteric fistula (an abnormal connection between your aorta and your gastrointestinal tract) • AV fistula (an irregular connection between an artery and a vein) • Bleeding or blood clots • Bruising where the device enters your body (mild or severe) • Cardiac arrest or heart attack • Death • Deep vein thrombosis • Swelling • Slow heart rate • Infection • Low or high blood pressure • Damage to your kidneys that may cause one or both to stop working • Nausea or vomiting • Peripheral ischemia (lack of blood supply to your limbs) • Pulmonary embolism (a sudden block in your arteries that send blood to your lungs) • Pseudoaneurysm (blood collecting on the outside of a vessel wall causing a balloon-like widening) • Pain or discomfort • Skin burns from the failure of the equipment during the procedure • Exposure to radiation • Stroke  

For further information, please call and/or consult Medtronic at 800-633-8766 or the Medtronic website at medtronic.com. 

(NewsUSA) - Religion is many things to many people, but it should never be a justification for hate and violence, and a little-known but impactful non-profit organization is hard at work to fight against the misrepresentation of religious beliefs.

The Pave the Way Foundation (www.ptwf.org), a non-profit organization not affiliated with any religion, works to confront the distortion of religious beliefs with the truth, based on documented texts. “Across the world, extremists twist sacred texts, falsify history, and weaponize faith for power, money, and control,” according to PTWF’s leaders, whose slogan “Embrace the Similarities and Savor the Differences” says it all.

PTWF analyzes core religious texts to identify the core principles and show how they contradict many examples of violence and hate and have been mistranslated to justify malevolent behavior and actions.

Some of these examples include:

-Documented covenants of protection for Christians and Jews issued by the Prophet Muhammad; this has been denied or ignored by some Muslims.

-Documented proof against false scholarship attacking the actions of the Vatican during World War II. Distorted information paints Pope Pius XII as “Hitler’s Pope,” but in truth he was a hero whose actions saved countless lives.

-Rebuttal of inaccurate information about governments seizing churches, closing seminaries, and persecuting pastors.

-Denouncing the persistent targeting of religious minorities across continents.-Countering false propaganda designed to divide Christians and Jews.

PTWF builds trust between faiths and shares the truth, while engaging in philanthropic activities across all faiths. Significant PTWF activities including the gift of the Bodmer Papyrus, the most important manuscript in Christianity, to the Vatican Library, then arranging the first loan in history of Maimonides manuscripts from the Vatican Library to the Israel Museum, publishing primary sourced WWII documents and eyewitness testimony to exonerate the Vatican from perceived inaction during WWII, and spotlighting the inappropriate use of the Keffiyeh (Palestinian scarves) and Palestinian flags in university and international protests worldwide in the days after the invasion of Israel in October 2023.

Other key activities undertaken by the PTWF include supplying baby food & medications to Syrian Christians being sheltered and rescued in Israel from persecution, interceding to end illegal seizure of Catholic bank accounts in Israeli cities by uninformed mayors, and helping the Vatican serve the poor.

“Most people don’t know our name, but our historic work is reshaping interfaith truth worldwide,” according to the PTWF leadership.

Religion shapes hearts, but malevolent manipulators can shape religion. PTWF exists to stop them, but the organization needs your help. Visit www.ptwf.org to learn more.