Whom You Know

Thursday, July 16, 2026

#NHLPeachy @2026-27 NHL Season, Expanded to 84 Games, Begins Tuesday, Sept. 29, with Opening Night Tripleheader on ESPN and Doubleheader on Sportsnet Our Coverage Sponsored by Cosmopolitan Dental, Official Dentist of Whom You Know @GaroNazarianDDS #cosmopolitandental #loveyoursmile

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Dr. Nazarian, a graduate of Boston College and Columbia Dental School, opened Cosmopolitan Dental in 2006 and has grown in practice into one of the top cosmetic and dental implant practices in New York City. Cosmopolitan Dental strives to surpass all patients' expectations by catering to your dental needs while providing the utmost professional results. Cosmopolitan Dental has been recognized by America's Top Dentists and has earned both the Patients' choice award and the Doctors' choice award. Dr. Garo Nazarian is a proud member of the New York State Dental Association, New York County Dental Society and the American Dental Association. Cosmopolitan Dental loves to make you smile!

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First Night of Action on TNT Will Be Wednesday, Sept. 30; Complete 2026-27 NHL Regular-Season Schedule Set To Be Unveiled Thursday at 1 p.m. ET

The National Hockey League (NHL) announced today that the 2026-27 regular season, expanded to 84 games with the addition of two more divisional games per team, will open on Tuesday, Sept. 29, with an opening-night tripleheader broadcast on ESPN in the U.S. and a doubleheader on Sportsnet in Canada.

At 5 p.m. ET on ESPN, the Florida Panthers will face off against the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes. Prior to the game, Carolina will raise its second championship banner at Lenovo Center.

At 7 p.m. ET on Sportsnet, the Montreal Canadiens visit the Toronto Maple Leafs in an Original Six contest at Scotiabank Arena.

Action continues on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET, when the New York Rangers face off against the Boston Bruins in another Original Six matchup at TD Garden.

At 10 p.m. ET on Sportsnet, the Vancouver Canucks clash with Pacific Division foes the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place.

Then, on ESPN at 10:30 p.m. ET, the Chicago Blackhawks will visit the Vegas Golden Knights in a Western Conference matchup at T-Mobile Arena.

The first night of 2026-27 action on TNT will be the following night, Wednesday, Sept. 30, a doubleheader featuring the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Philadelphia Flyers at 7:30 p.m. ET and the Los Angeles Kings visiting the Colorado Avalanche at 10 p.m. ET.

In addition, the League announced each team’s home opener, listed below.

As previously announced, the 2026-27 NHL campaign will feature a number of special signature events throughout the season.

On Sunday, October 25, the Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens will hit the ice outdoors in the 2026 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic™, at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg.

The 2026 NHL Global Series™ Finland will feature the defending Stanley Cup-champion Carolina Hurricanes and the Seattle Kraken facing off in a pair of games at Veikkaus Arena in Helsinki, November 12 and November 14.

The Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks will headline the 2026 NHL Global Series Germany with regular-season games December 18 and December 20 at PSD Bank Dome in Düsseldorf.

On New Year’s Eve, the University of Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium will host the Discover NHL Winter Classic®, as the Utah Mammoth and Colorado Avalanche battle outdoors in the shadow of the Greater Rockies.

The Honda NHL® All-Star Weekend returns February 5-6, at UBS Arena on Long Island. The event will include the 2027 NHL® All-Star Skills™ on February 5, with 10 young stars, ages 25 or younger, competing across eight events, and the 2027 Honda NHL All-Star Game February 6, featuring five teams of 11 players each — Canada, Finland, Sweden, the United States and a “World” team comprised of international players from countries outside of the other four teams — competing in a three-on-three, round-robin exhibition tournament. Rogers will be the presenting sponsor of NHL All-Star in Canada. The NHL today unveiled the official logo of the event.

The Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights bring outdoor hockey back to Texas February 20, with the 2027 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series™, taking place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, home of the Dallas Cowboys.

The Stanley Cup Final will be telecast exclusively on TNT in the U.S. and on Sportsnet in Canada.

The complete 2026-27 NHL regular-season schedule is set to be announced on Thursday, July 16, at 1 p.m. ET. Also at 1 p.m. ET on Thursday, NHL Network will air a one-hour special edition of NHL Tonight covering the schedule release, which will be hosted by Jamison Coyle, Thomas Hickey and E.J. Hradek. The special edition programming will also stream on NHL.com. NHL Network will continue to break down the schedule during its regularly scheduled NHL Tonight show on Friday, July 17 at 6 p.m. ET.

#PeachyDinesAlFresco #PeachysPicks #TerrificTakeout @KestePizzeria Since 2009 by Founder and Owner Roberto Caporuscio, President of APN (Neapolitan Pizza Makers Association) A Peachy's Pick Since 2012, Summer 2026 #Keste #Manhattan #77FultonStreet #FinancialDistrict

CHECK OUT ROBERTO AND PEACHY ON YOU TUBE WITH THE ABSOLUTELY SMASHING SUPERIOR NIGHT AND DAY CALZONE IN THE OUTDOOR PATIO THAT SEATS 60 GUESTS! Be certain to watch our video first !

In this world, there are calzones and then there are KESTE CALZONES.

We believe this is our first encounter with Night and Day, and like Sinatra sings, this calzone is the one. Keste has a proven record in Peachy's Picks of fourteen years of staying on top, and premium ingredients are showcased inside that include fresh ricotta, fresh mozzarella and Roasted Italian Pork.

Tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, grana, basil and extra virgin olive oil grace the top to ensure premium taste levels. Peachy knows this is the best calzone she has had in recent years, and you must have it.

It further evidences the depth of the menu here which is obviously led by pizza performance, which sets the standard in North America for Neapolitan style pizza.

Keste can only be found at 77 Fulton Street in Manhattan's Financial District close to the Seaport, and its pure existence is reason enough to reside in Manhattan. The pizza simply cannot be beat. Vegetariana is a high-level favorite of Peachy's, and we are not doctors and make no nutritional claims, but to us, this is health food. Tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, zucchini, peppers, artichokes, assorted mushrooms, grape tomatoes, basil and extra virgin olive oil team up for a spectacular spectrum of color and deliciousness. They say you should be eating a rainbow. This looks like a rainbow to us!

Not to be outdone is the Cacio e Peppe, a sophisticated achievement.

It demonstrates how Keste not only sets the standard for classics but also is a leader in innovation.

We don't recall seeing this version of pizza anywhere else.

As you might expect, it is similar to the pasta: Homemade Cacio e Peppe Cream, Homemade Fresh Mozzarella Belgioioso and topped with Black Truffle Urbani, it is fragrant and the smell alone emanates luxury. Intoxicatingly delicious, it is a must.

When an owner names a dish after themselves, you know good things are to come when it is in front of you. Burrata Roberto makes an encore appearance in this column and we can confirm the consistency of this pizza crafted with home-made burrata balanced nicely with grape tomatoes, basil and extra virgin olive oil. You will also revel in the simplicity of ingredients.

Fried pizza is gorgeously ornamented on top, ready to strike a pose on your table runway.

This is another element that speaks to the innovation that happens at Keste: we don't believe we have seen fried pizza anywhere else either, so we thought we'd try it given our off-the-scale enthusiasm for pizza. Please say enchante to the Pizza Pianeta: filled with ricotta and broccoli rabe, on top you'll discover the continuation of ricotta with grape tomatoes and basil. It's surprisingly light and not heavy.

Keste has specific pizza choices where they have created signature styles, but there are options to also add one element to create your own. Above, we chose mushrooms and every bite of them on the Margherita with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, grana, basil and extra virgin olive oil was a triumph.

Do not ignore the Keste Special section!

Basil Cream Lasagna tastes like luxury: Traditional Italian Lasagna is reinvented at Keste with succulent homemade Basil Pesto Cream and zucchini. You simply must try it and it will make all gray days like today sunny on your palate.

On the lighter side for summer, opt for both the Homemade Truffle Burrata, a showstopper in flavor paired with prosciutto de Parma, perfectly sliced, and tomatoes, above and the Artichokes Salad, below.

Shredded Pecorino Toscano and Artichokes are a symphony of fragrant Italian flavors, further elevated with fresh mint and lemon zest in an extra virgin olive oil and lemon dressing, which they put on the side for the resident Ms. Pretty Picky. Some venues as accomplished as Keste are quite authoritative as to how they want dishes served, but Keste has not only mastered culinary skill but also hospitality.

Keste was last featured in the Spring of 2024, and also earned accolades for their Italian cocktail master class they hosted. Keste was first featured in 2012.

Keste is world-renowned, as you can see:

And as we close in on our 31,000th post which we will be announcing soon, you can have every confidence we got there with some of the best caffeine, including this sublime creamy cappuccino at Keste, beautifully presented.

Just a sample of some of the others who think KESTE is among the very best!

Keste has earned our Highest Recommendation!

We love it.

https://kestepizzeria.com/

https://twitter.com/KestePizzeria

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What Grok the XAI by Elon Musk tells us:

Roberto Caporuscio is the founder and owner of Kesté Pizza & Vino (often styled Kesté), a pioneering Neapolitan-style pizzeria in New York City. He is widely recognized as one of the first (and most influential) Italian pizzaioli to bring authentic, traditional Neapolitan pizza to the United States in the early 2000s.

Early Life in Italy

Born in 1960 in Pontinia (Lazio region, Italy), Caporuscio grew up on a family dairy farm that also produced seeds for export. The farm encountered financial difficulties due to milk quota issues and eventually closed. From a young age, he developed hands-on culinary skills by producing and selling cheese.

Around age 38 (circa 1998), inspired by a cousin who ran an Italian pizzeria in the Turks and Caicos Islands, he decided to pursue pizza-making professionally. He trained intensively in Naples at the school of the Associazione dei Pizzaiuoli Napoletani, earning certification and learning from master pizzaioli, including his mentor Antonio Starita (of the historic Starita pizzeria in Materdei).

Arrival in the United States and Early Businesses

Caporuscio moved to the U.S. around 1999. He first worked in a Pittsburgh pizzeria to improve his English. In 2000, he formed a partnership with an Italian-American customer, leading to the opening of Pizzeria Regina Margherita in Pittsburgh (Bellevue area) in 2001—just weeks before the September 11 attacks. This was one of the earliest spots in America to serve genuine Neapolitan-style pizza using traditional methods, ingredients (like Caputo flour and San Marzano tomatoes), and wood-fired ovens. It achieved quick success and acclaim among pizza enthusiasts.

He operated two pizzerias in the Pittsburgh area before expanding. In 2007, he opened A Mano in Ridgewood, New Jersey—a larger venue that further built his reputation.

Founding Kesté in New York City (2009 onward)

On March 24, 2009, Caporuscio opened the first Kesté Pizza & Vino on Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village, Manhattan (next to John’s of Bleecker). The name “Kesté” comes from the Neapolitan phrase “quest’è” (“this is it” or “it is what it is”), spelled with a “K” for easier American pronunciation. The concept emphasized uncompromising traditional Neapolitan pizza—no non-traditional toppings like meatballs or fries, no sports TVs, and a focus on quality ingredients and technique.

Kesté received immediate critical praise:

Shortly after opening, New York Magazine named it the top pizzeria in New York.

It earned “Best Pizza in New York State” from Food Network Magazine.

It ranked among the top 25 best pizza places in the U.S. by Food & Wine.

Other outlets (including Time Out) highlighted it as ushering in a wave of authentic thin-crust Neapolitan pies with characteristic leopard-spotted crusts.

In 2012, he opened Don Antonio in Midtown Manhattan (309 West 50th Street), partnering with his mentor Antonio Starita to bring more authentic Neapolitan pizza to the city. His daughter, Giorgia Caporuscio (a highly accomplished pizzaiola who has won international awards, including at the Caputo Cup), has been closely involved in the family businesses and later took a leading role at Don Antonio.

Around 2017, he opened another Kesté location on Fulton Street in the Financial District (Lower Manhattan, near Ground Zero). This larger venue (about 155 seats) was designed to evoke a 19th-century Neapolitan pizzeria, using authentic materials like hand-painted majolica tiles and specific stones.

By 2018, Caporuscio operated three New York pizzerias and employed around 80 people (many young Italians). He also launched a Pizza Academy for training courses (professional, team-building, women-focused, and educational programs for schools) and began producing fresh fiordilatte mozzarella on-site nightly, drawing on his dairy-farm background.

Innovation, Advocacy, and “People’s Pizza”

Caporuscio has long advocated for authentic Neapolitan pizza techniques and accessibility. He served as U.S. President of the Pizza Academy Foundation (PAF) / Associazione Pizzaiuoli Napoletani, training hundreds of pizzaioli across the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. He conducts intensive certification courses and consults for other restaurants.

In late 2018, he introduced affordable “people’s pizza” options priced at $5 (Margherita, Marinara, and the historical Mastronicola white pizza with pecorino and lard), aiming to make high-quality traditional pizza accessible to everyone—echoing its social role in Naples.

COVID-19 Impact and Current Operations

The original Bleecker Street location permanently closed during the COVID-19 pandemic (by October 2021). The Fulton Street location (77 Fulton St, New York, NY 10038) remains the primary Kesté Pizza & Vino spot in Lower Manhattan/Wall Street area. It continues to serve authentic Neapolitan pizzas with DOP ingredients in a wood-fired oven.

Caporuscio also operates kestepizzago.com, offering frozen pizzas for nationwide delivery in the U.S. He teaches cheese-making at the Fulton location’s pizza school and remains active in promoting Neapolitan pizza culture.

Legacy

Roberto Caporuscio is celebrated as a pioneer who helped popularize and elevate authentic Neapolitan pizza in America while staying true to tradition. His emphasis on quality ingredients, proper dough fermentation (often 24–48 hours), wood-fired baking, and fresh mozzarella has influenced countless pizzerias. He continues to share his craft through teaching, family involvement (especially with daughter Giorgia), and business ventures.

For the latest menus, reservations, or frozen pizza orders, visit the official Kesté site or the Fulton Street location. His story exemplifies the journey of an Italian immigrant bringing a piece of Naples’ culinary heritage to New York and beyond.

Google and Energy Dome Advance Multi-Continent Energy Storage Buildout with First Bilateral Project in Ireland

The 23MW/200MWh CO2 Battery project marks the first bilateral commercial agreement between the companies, relieving grid congestion, promoting energy security and accelerating a 24/7 carbon-free energy solution in Ireland and beyond

Energy Dome, a leading long-duration energy storage technology developer, and Google announced their first bilateral commercial contract for a 23MW / 200MWh CO2 Battery project located in County Offaly, Ireland. The project is part of a long-term partnership the companies announced last year to deploy Energy Dome’s CO2 Battery technology at scale and advance Google’s ambition to expand access to affordable, secure and 24/7 clean energy for grids globally. This announcement is on the back of a 19 MW/200 MWh project in Arizona announced this month by Energy Dome, Google, and the local utility SRP.

This project will be developed, owned and operated by Energy Dome using its proprietary CO2 Battery technology. The technology works by using grid power to compress and store CO2, then, when power is needed, expanding the CO2 through a turbine to generate energy that is sent back to the grid.

Strengthening grid reliability and sustainability in Ireland

The Irish government has identified long-duration energy storage as a key solution for ensuring security of electricity supply, reducing system costs, and enabling Ireland’s ambitious policy framework to reach 80% renewable electricity by 2030.

Through this commercial project, Google and Energy Dome aim to establish a blueprint for how long-duration energy storage technology can contribute to an affordable, secure and clean electricity system in Ireland. By absorbing surplus energy during periods of oversupply and dispatching firm power during periods of system stress, Energy Dome’s CO2 Battery can enable smart, cost-effective utilization of the grid’s renewable energy resources to balance the system while alleviating local grid congestion bottlenecks.

Located in County Offaly in the Irish Midlands near the town of Rhode, the site is strategically located on a critical node of the Irish electric grid, with high-voltage lines serving the Greater Dublin metropolitan area. Expanding energy resources in this area of the country is essential to greater economic growth in Irish demand centers.

Developed in concert with Lumcloon Energy, a leading local developer based in the Midlands, Energy Dome’s project creates jobs and long-term community benefits from deploying its cutting-edge technology. The project is sited on a former peat-fired thermal power plant, and will provide a second life for this brownfield industrial land by repurposing it into an engine for the clean energy transition. Located near the Rhode Green Energy Park, the surrounding area has abundant energy resources, including solar and wind, which suffer from curtailment due to high congestion in the local grid. By storing energy for later dispatch, the project provides congestion relief and avoids the costly buildout of transmission lines, translating into greater affordability for all users on the grid.

Claudio Spadacini, Founder and CEO of Energy Dome, said: “We are proud to work with Google on a project that strengthens grid resilience and unlocks the path to 24/7 carbon-free energy in Ireland. This project is the first commercial bilateral deployment under the strategic partnership between our companies, which aims to develop CO2 Battery projects across Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific.”

Compared to most battery supply chains, which depend on lithium-ion and other critical minerals, Energy Dome’s CO2 Battery uses available and off-the-shelf components. The adoption of Energy Dome's proven technology in Ireland shows how dispatchable, long-duration energy storage can meet rising electricity demand while strengthening the country's energy security, resilience, and reliability.

“At Google, we are committed to catalyzing next-generation energy technologies to bolster grid resilience and introduce critical storage capacity to the system,” said Vanessa Hartley, Head of Google Ireland. “This milestone is a next step in our long-term partnership with Energy Dome, and will help scale their promising long-duration energy storage technology, charging ahead to an affordable, secure and clean energy future.”

The project has already secured land, planning consent, and grid connection. It has also been awarded a 10-year capacity contract by EirGrid, the State-owned transmission system operator, and is expected to come online in 2028. Energy Dome plans to develop a second 200 MWh unit at this site, establishing a long-duration energy storage hub in the Irish Midlands.

About Energy Dome

Energy Dome is a leading provider of innovative capacity solutions for utilities and AI infrastructure, powered by its patented CO2 Battery technology. The company’s proprietary system delivers cost-competitive, dispatchable capacity and 24/7 clean, reliable power using readily available materials, supporting grid reliability, energy security, and industrial competitiveness. As global electricity demand accelerates, driven by AI workloads, hyperscale computing, and the rapid expansion of data center infrastructure, Energy Dome is advancing the commercial deployment of its technology to deliver affordable, reliable, scalable, and lower-emissions power solutions for utilities, energy providers, hyperscalers, and large energy users.

About Google

Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Through products and platforms like Search, Maps, Gmail, Android, Google Play, Google Cloud, Chrome and YouTube, Google plays a meaningful role in the daily lives of billions of people and has become one of the most widely-known companies in the world. Google is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.

HMH Donates Historic Artwork to Northeast Museums

Learning company HMH (formerly Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), drawing on nearly two centuries of history in Massachusetts, has completed the donation of 20 works of original artwork from its archives to leading museums in the northeast, helping preserve and share significant pieces of literary and artistic heritage.

In 2025, HMH donated 16 works to The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts, and four pieces to the Brandywine Museum of Art in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania.

The artwork donated to The Eric Carle Museum includes original illustrations from children's books published by HMH over many years, featuring work by Chris Van Allsburg, David Wiesner and David Wisniewski. One of the donated Wisniewski pieces was featured in this year's exhibition, Sprites, Spells, and Splashes: Magical Beings in Picture Book Art.

Artwork donated to the Brandywine Museum reflects HMH's trade publishing legacy and includes works by Howard Pyle, Frank Earle Schoonover, Andrew Wyeth and N.C. Wyeth.

"HMH was founded in Boston, and Massachusetts has always been central to our story," said Jackie Bright, senior director of corporate social responsibility at HMH. "Sharing these works with museums that serve our region and celebrate the art behind beloved books is a meaningful way to honor our history and ensure these pieces remain accessible to the public."

"The artwork donated by HMH, particularly the David Wisniewski illustration, played an important role in bringing Sprites, Spells, and Splashes to life," said Isabel Ruiz Cano, associate curator at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. "We're grateful for HMH's support as we build a collection that reflects the rich and diverse history of picture book art."

"HMH played an essential role in the history of American illustration, commissioning many of the era's most distinguished artists and bringing their work to broad audiences," said Thomas Padon, the James H. Duff Director of the Brandywine Museum of Art. "We are honored to receive this remarkable gift and grateful for HMH's commitment to preserving such an important legacy. These works will find a meaningful home at Brandywine, where they will continue to inspire visitors and scholars for generations to come."

HMH's legacy is deeply rooted in the fabric of American education, literature and publishing, with a rich history spanning nearly two centuries of intellectual and technological innovation. Today HMH is the leading provider of K-12 education solutions nationally and the largest learning technology company, serving 90% of schools in the U.S.

About HMH

HMH is a K-12 learning company that helps educators create growth for every student. Our integrated curriculum, assessment and professional learning solutions use data to paint a full picture of every learner and recommend how to best support their needs. By partnering with educators, we create lasting momentum so that all students can reach their full potential. HMH serves more than 50 million students and 4 million educators in 150 countries. For more information, visit www.hmhco.com.

Lockheed Martin, GM Defense Collaborate to Strengthen America's Manufacturing and Defense Industrial Base

Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and GM Defense announced a new collaboration to strengthen America's manufacturing and defense industrial base, facilitated by the U.S. Department of War.

Working under a memorandum of understanding (MOU), Lockheed Martin and GM Defense will explore opportunities to accelerate the delivery of critical capabilities and innovation by combining Lockheed Martin's defense production expertise with General Motors' advanced industrial capabilities in high-rate commercial manufacturing and engineering.

The collaboration will focus on three areas: strengthening defense supply chains, advancing manufacturing and design capabilities, and evaluating opportunities to expand production capacity through commercial manufacturing expertise and infrastructure. Initial efforts will include exploring ways to accelerate production readiness and apply proven commercial manufacturing approaches to support defense production requirements.

"America's security depends not only on developing advanced technologies, but on our ability to produce them quickly, reliably and at scale," said Frank St. John, chief operating officer, Lockheed Martin. "This collaboration brings together two leaders in American manufacturing and innovation to explore new ways to strengthen the defense industrial base, expand production capacity and accelerate delivery of critical capabilities for the United States and its allies."

"Working together, GM Defense and Lockheed will further strengthen American manufacturing and national defense by driving greater speed, efficiency, and innovation in the aerospace and defense sectors," said Steve duMont, president of GM Defense. "Over the coming weeks, we will be working to identify initial projects to pursue together."

The collaboration reflects growing demand for greater production capacity, supply chain resilience and manufacturing agility across the defense sector. By combining commercial and defense expertise, the companies aim to identify opportunities that can accelerate production timelines while maintaining the quality, performance and reliability standards required for mission-critical systems.

About Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at www.lockheedmartin.com.

About GM Defense LLC

GM Defense delivers integrated vehicles, power, and autonomy and connectivity solutions to global defense, security, and government markets. The exceptional reliability of GM Defense's technologies results from decades of proven performance and billions of dollars spent in independent research and development by its parent, General Motors, a world leader in global design, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities. For more information, please visit www.gmdefensellc.com.

#PatrioticPeachy #SmallScreenScenes HEARST MEDIA PRODUCTION GROUP TO DEBUT "THE GREAT AMERICAN JOURNEY" HOSTED BY KELSEY GRAMMER ON NBC

New Series to Celebrate 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence

To commemorate 250 years of our nation's independence, Hearst Media Production Group (HMPG) today announced the premiere of The Great American Journey on Saturday, August 22. The original series, produced with support from the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, will air weekend mornings on NBC's "The More You Know" educational/informational (E/I) programming block (times may vary; check local listings). It will also be available to stream on Peacock and NBC.com.

Kelsey Grammer hosts "The Great American Journey," premiering August 22. The original series, produced by Hearst Media Production Group, will travel the country celebrating American history and exploring the people, places and ideas that have shaped our nation. It will air weekend mornings on NBC’s “The More You Know” educational/informational (E/I) programming block.

Hosted by award-winning actor, producer and director Kelsey Grammer, The Great American Journey will travel the country celebrating American history and exploring the people, places and ideas that have shaped our nation. The series will examine how the American story continues to evolve and the role each generation plays in defining what comes next.

Grammer, who will also serve as one of the program's executive producers, has a career that spans more than three decades across television, film and theater. Best known for his iconic portrayal of Dr. Frasier Crane on the groundbreaking series Cheers and the long-running hits Frasier and Wings, Grammer has earned multiple Emmy Awards® and Golden Globes® among other honors. In addition to his television work, he has appeared in more than 60 feature films and over a dozen stage productions, establishing himself as one of the entertainment industry's most versatile and enduring performers. Grammer is represented by UTA and Vault Entertainment.

"As we celebrate America's 250th anniversary, this series will showcase the best of America — our culture, institutions, history and enduring spirit of innovation," said Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Cate Dillon.

"We are approaching this commemorative television production with a commitment to storytelling, authenticity and perspective," said Frank Biancuzzo, president of HMPG. "We've assembled an extraordinary team and want every episode to resonate with audiences in a meaningful and lasting way."

HMPG's current program portfolio comprises more than 30 original series and hundreds of hours of content annually on leading broadcast networks and station groups and on connected TV and streaming platforms. It has a library of 85 series (6,000 episodes) and its content can be found in 100 countries.

About Hearst Media Production Group

Hearst Media Production Group (HMPG), a business unit of Hearst Television, is an independent producer and distributor of original programming for TV stations, broadcast and cable networks and streaming services. HMPG produces hundreds of hours of Emmy® Award-winning programming annually across linear, streaming, digital and social media platforms for domestic and international distribution in 100 countries. Its popular weekly educational/informational (E/I) programming blocks air weekends nationwide including "Weekend Adventure," on ABC stations; "CBS WKND," on the CBS Network; "The More You Know," on the NBC Network; "One Magnificent Morning," on the CW Network; "Mi Telemundo" on the Telemundo Network and "Go Time" on independent stations. HMPG also produces and/or distributes a diverse slate of other programming and content including the company's dedicated FAST channels Xplore, The Jack Hanna Channel, Rovr Pets, and Lucky Dog Channel, available on some of the most popular smart TVs and streaming platforms. HMPG has offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Charlotte. HMPG is represented by United Talent Agency.

EMMY-WINNING AND TONY-NOMINATED JOHN TARTAGLIA NAMED VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION AT THE JIM HENSON COMPANY

Acclaimed Creator, Producer, Writer, Director, and Puppeteer Expands Position to Develop and Produce New Projects While Continuing as Creative Supervisor of the Fraggle Rock Brand

The Jim Henson Company has promoted John Tartaglia to Vice President of Development and Production. In this role, Tartaglia, the Tony-nominated and Emmy-winning creator, producer, writer, director, and puppeteer, will develop and produce projects across all media, with a primary focus on television and theater, and he will continue to creatively supervise the Company's popular Fraggle Rock franchise. The announcement was made today by Lisa Henson, CEO of The Jim Henson Company, to whom Tartaglia reports.

"Over the many years that John has been a key partner on projects like the Emmy-winning Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, Splash and Bubbles, Wowsabout, and the newly released Jim Henson's Monster Dance, he has proven to be a true 'quadruple threat.' As an award-winning producer, an exceptional director, a prolific writer, and a gifted puppeteer, John makes each project better and adds a joyful creative spirit to our team," said Lisa Henson.

Tartaglia has been a long-time collaborator with The Jim Henson Company on a variety of projects, chief among them serving as an executive producer, writer, director, and puppeteer (Gobo Fraggle, Sprocket, and multiple other characters) on the Emmy-winning Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock. Other projects include directing and performing lead character Ronald in the recent PBS KIDS special Wowsabout, and co-creating and executive producing the newly released Amazon Kids+ series Jim Henson's Monster Dance. Other television projects include the TV series Splash and Bubbles for PBS KIDS (for which he served as Creator, Executive Producer, Writer, and Emmy-nominated puppeteer), and development projects like The Kissing Hand. As a puppeteer, Tartaglia has been featured in a range of projects for the Company including Word Party, Julie's Greenroom, Slumberkins, Happytime Murders, and the live show Puppet Up!.

Tartaglia has also produced, written, and directed several live shows for The Jim Henson Company. Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock LIVE is currently having its New York City premiere at The New Victory Theater through June 21st, with a second national tour launching in the fall. Other stage credits include Fraggle Rock: A Space-y Adventure for the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, and Jim Henson's Inspired Silliness for Princess Cruises, Sid the Science Kid Live, and Dinosaur Train Live.

About The Jim Henson Company

The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 70 years and is recognized as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics, and digital animation. The Company's most recent credits include the Amazon Kids+ series Jim Henson's Monster Dance, the PBS KIDS special Wowsabout, the hit holiday special for Apple TV The First Snow of Fraggle Rock, and the Emmy-nominated Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip for Disney+, as well as the Oscar®-winning Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio for Netflix, and the Emmy®-winning Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock for Apple TV. Other television credits include Slumberkins and Harriet the Spy for Apple TV; Dinosaur Train, Splash and Bubbles, and Sid the Science Kid all for PBS; Earth to Ned for Disney+; and the Netflix series Word Party and the Emmy-winning The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Iconic catalogue titles include Fraggle Rock, The Storyteller, Farscape, and the ground-breaking fantasy classics The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth.

Headquartered in Los Angeles with additional locations in New York and London, the Company is also home to Jim Henson's Creature Shop™, a pre-eminent puppet and creature-building group and industry leader in puppeteered digital animation, with international film, television, theme park, and advertising clients.

About John Tartaglia

John Tartaglia is an acclaimed actor, director, writer, and puppeteer, known for his Tony-nominated roles in Broadway's debut company of Avenue Q, for originating the role of Pinocchio in Shrek the Musical, and as the Emmy-nominated star of Disney Channel's Johnny and the Sprites. His theatrical directing credits include Stephen Schwartz's The Secret Silk and Jim Henson's Inspired Silliness (Princess Cruises), Elf the Musical (Bucks County Playhouse), Kinky Boots (3D Theatricals), Disney's Beauty and the Beast (Maltz Jupiter Theatre), Claudio Quest (six-time winner at NY Musical Theatre Festival), Shrek The Halls (DreamWorks Theatricals), Because of Winn Dixie (Arkansas Rep and Goodspeed Opera House development), Jim Henson's Musical World (Carnegie Hall), national tours of Jim Henson's Dinosaur Train Live and Jim Henson's Sid the Science Kid Live! (The Jim Henson Company), and ten productions at the St. Louis MUNY, most recently Disney's Frozen and the upcoming Shrek the Musical.

John serves as Vice President of Development & Production for The Jim Henson Company, serving as the creative supervisor of the iconic brand Fraggle Rock, including the Emmy-winning reboot Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, for which he is also an Executive Producer, Writer, and Puppet Captain, and performs Gobo Fraggle, Architect Doozer, Gunge, Barry Blueberry, and Sprocket the Dog. Other television credits include the upcoming Jim Henson's Monster Dance for Amazon Kids+ (Co-Creator, Executive Producer), Wowsabout (Co-Executive Producer, Director, Puppeteer of Ronald), several seasons of Sesame Street, Johnny and the Sprites (Emmy-nominated, creator, star and co-executive producer), Ugly Betty, Bear in the Big Blue House, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Silent But Deadly, Hollywood Squares, The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss, Animal Jam, Blues Room, Sesame English, and JoJo's Circus.

John can be heard every Sunday on SiriusXM On Broadway on his show "Sunday Funday with John Tartaglia."

WISKII Active Partners with Vogue Singapore for the First-Ever Vogue Wellness Day in Singapore

Premium activewear brand WISKII Active partnered with Vogue Singapore for the first-ever Vogue Wellness Day in Singapore, held on June 6 at METT Singapore. The event brought together fashion, wellness, and community through a day of immersive experiences centered on movement, connection, and modern wellbeing.

The landmark event welcomed more than 600 attendees from across Asia and featured over 30 speakers, including wellness experts, creators, and industry leaders. As one of the featured brand partners, WISKII took over the venue’s entire padel court, creating a dedicated wellness destination where guests could move, connect, and engage with WISKII’s lifestyle-driven approach to movement.

Throughout the day, Vogue VIPs, WISKII community members, influencers, and wellness enthusiasts participated in curated yoga and padel sessions hosted by WISKII. Designed to encourage both physical wellbeing and meaningful social connection, the sessions reflected the brand's belief that movement extends beyond fitness and serves as a foundation for confidence, community, and self-expression.

Participants in the WISKII-hosted sessions received complimentary activewear sets from the brand’s signature collections, allowing guests to experience WISKII’s balance of refined comfort, sculpted silhouettes, and effortless versatility firsthand from the court to the rest of the day. Attendees also received curated WISKII wellness gift bags featuring exclusive brand merchandise.

As part of the activation, WISKII collaborated with Kurasu Singapore to enhance the guest experience through its signature matcha offerings. Guests were encouraged to capture and share moments from the event through a dedicated Instagram challenge, extending the experience beyond the venue while enjoying complimentary Kurasu matcha beverages.

The activation reflected WISKII's ongoing commitment to creating meaningful experiences that extend beyond activewear, bringing together fashion-conscious consumers through wellness, movement, and community engagement.

"Vogue Wellness Day provided an incredible platform for WISKII to celebrate the intersection of movement, style, and community," said a spokesperson for WISKII Active. "Together with Vogue Singapore, we were able to create an inspiring environment where guests could connect through movement, discover new wellness experiences, and celebrate a modern approach to healthy living."

About WISKII Active

WISKII Active is a women's activewear brand known for its elevated approach to movement and modern femininity. Designed for women who seek confidence, elegance, and versatility, WISKII creates refined activewear collections that transition seamlessly from studio to street. Through thoughtfully designed products and a growing global community, WISKII inspires women to embrace movement as a lifestyle while daring to dream and live boldly.

Charlotte Tilbury awarded CBE in the King’s Birthday Honours 2026

Charlotte Tilbury CBE, sole Founder, President, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty, has been awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours 2026 for services to the beauty and cosmetics industry.

This honour recognises Charlotte’s contribution to leading and building Britain’s most successful global beauty brand. She has played a defining role in revolutionising the beauty industry and driving economic growth of the UK beauty sector, which has expanded from approximately £17bn in 2013 to over £31bn today.

Charlotte Tilbury CBE is the visionary entrepreneur at the helm of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty, the award-winning global brand she launched in 2013. The business has become a global category leader, operating across 57 markets with over 5,500 distribution points worldwide and employing more than 3,000 people. Today, the business is the UK’s number one prestige makeup brand and a defining force in modern beauty.

A pioneering businesswoman, Charlotte has transformed how consumers engage with beauty by combining artistry, technology and commercial discipline building a social audience that exceeds 20 million. Her approach has democratised professional expertise at scale, from iconic product franchises such as Pillow Talk and AIRbrush to industry-leading innovation in digital and AI-powered personalisation.

Commenting, Charlotte Tilbury CBE, said:

“I am deeply honoured to receive a CBE in the King’s Birthday Honours. Just over a decade ago, I had a vision to build the biggest British beauty brand and take it to the world, empowering everyone, everywhere to feel confident and unlock their potential. Today, Charlotte Tilbury is a multibillion-pound British business, and I am proud that it has helped establish our beauty industry as one of the UK’s most dynamic and influential business sectors.

“I would like to thank my incredible dream team - this moment belongs to them and our wonderful community, the extraordinary artists, creators and partners I have brought together, and the millions of customers around the world who are part of the Charlotte Tilbury story. They are the true magic behind everything we do.

“I am more driven than ever to keep pushing boundaries and shaping the future of beauty."

Charlotte’s industry leading success is underpinned by an unrivalled 34-year career as one of the most influential makeup artists of all time, uniquely working across editorial, campaigns, runway, couture and red carpets. Charlotte has redefined the beauty industry by combining artistry, technology and commercial discipline to deliver sustained, profitable growth. She has created globally iconic product franchises, led first-to-market digital innovation, and in 2020, led the strategic partnership with Puig, securing a valuation in excess of £1bn for what had become the biggest British beauty business of all time.

Charlotte Tilbury Beauty’s global success is a testament to Charlotte’s sustained leadership, drive and strategic direction. Charlotte has received over 600 industry awards and was previously awarded an MBE in 2018. She serves as the Global Ambassador for Enterprise for The King's Trust and the Co-Chair of the charity's Global Gala. In her role as Global Ambassador, Charlotte supports His Majesty the King’s mission to champion young people in the UK and give them the tools, belief and opportunity to transform their lives and their communities. She also supports George and Amal’s ‘Clooney Foundation for Justice’s’ Albies awards, using her global platform to help them on their incredible mission to shine a spotlight on defenders of justice around the world. She is an official partner of the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s ‘Rocket Fund’ to help ends AIDS for everyone, everywhere. And she has been an ambassador for Women For Women International – a charity that helps women affected by conflict – donating via sales of her Hot Lips lipstick collection.

www.charlottetilbury.com

About Charlotte Tilbury CBE

Founder, President, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty

Charlotte Tilbury CBE is the visionary entrepreneur at the helm of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty, the award-winning global brand she runs and launched in 2013. A strategic businesswoman and innovative pioneer she has transformed the global beauty industry.

A uniquely hands-on leader, she set out to disrupt the industry and has succeeded in building the largest British-born global beauty business ever. Under her leadership, the brand has helped elevate beauty into one of the UK’s most economically powerful business sectors, contributing to an era in which the UK beauty industry was worth around £17 billion in 2013, and now outperforms sectors such as sport, publishing and recreation in its direct contribution today of over £30 billion to the UK GDP.

She revolutionised beauty packaging, ergonomics and education, reignited retail theatre and counter design, reimagined beauty marketing, disrupted beauty language, creating an entirely new lexicon in beauty, and harnessed AI and technology to ensure the 360 omnichannel end-to-end customer experience fulfils their needs at every touchpoint. This customer-centric innovation is a hallmark of her business strategy. The result is a business that today operates across 57 markets worldwide with over 5,500 distribution points - 3,400 of those are international meaning Charlotte Tilbury Beauty is the British flag bearer overseas not just for beauty but for business, enterprise and entrepreneurship.

She is at the forefront of innovative industry-leading product portfolios, unmatched artistry and future-forward beauty tech. Widely recognised as an example of engagement-excellence, the brand’s social audience exceeds 20 million thanks to Charlotte fusing her creative mastery with her irreplicable ability to build mass intimacy with her community through authenticity and trust.

Her industry leading success is underpinned by an unrivalled 34-year career as one of the most influential makeup artists of all time, uniquely working across editorial, campaigns, runway, couture and red carpets. Charlotte has redefined the beauty industry by combining artistry, technology and commercial discipline to deliver sustained, profitable growth. She has created globally iconic product franchises, led first-to-market digital innovation, and in 2020, led the strategic partnership with Puig, securing a valuation in excess of £1 billion for what had become the biggest British beauty business of all time. Charlotte Tilbury Beauty’s global success is a testament to Charlotte’s sustained leadership, drive and strategic direction.

Charlotte has received over 600 industry awards and was awarded a CBE in the King’s Birthday Honours in June 2026, having previously been awarded an MBE in 2018. She serves as the Global Ambassador for Enterprise for The King's Trust and the Co-Chair of the charity's Global Gala and supports His Majesty the King’s mission to champion young people in the UK and give them the tools, belief and opportunity to transform their lives and their communities.

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

#PatrioticPeachy #CruisingPeachy @WhiteHouse @POTUS @realdonaldtrump @INDYCAR Stars Make Visit to White House

INDYCAR STARS VISIT THE WHITE HOUSE AS MOMENTUM BUILDS FOR THE FREEDOM 250 GRAND PRIX

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Drivers Alex Palou, Felix Rosenqvist and David Malukas Join President Trump to Preview Next Month’s Historic Race on the Streets of Washington D.C.

With anticipation building for the inaugural Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., set for Aug. 22-23, three of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES' biggest stars visited the nation's capital Monday to preview the historic event that will bring North America’s premier open-wheel auto racing series to the streets of Washington D.C. to honor America’s 250th birthday.

Alex Palou, driver of the No. 10 Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing, four-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion, 2025 Indianapolis 500 winner and current series points leader, along with Felix Rosenqvist, driver of the No. 60 Honda for Meyer Shank Racing and the 2026 Indianapolis 500 champion and David Malukas, driver of the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet for Team Penske who is currently fourth in the championship standings, all visited the nation’s capital on Monday to rev D.C.’s engines for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.

The drivers visited the White House and participated in a special press event just outside the West Wing with President Donald J. Trump, looking ahead to next month’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix – the first-ever NTT INDYCAR SERIES race held on the National Mall and the historic streets of Washington D.C. With Roger Penske, Freedom 250 Grand Prix Chairman Bud Denker, FOX Sports CEO Eric Shanks and General Motors President Mark Reuss also in attendance, the White House event featured a live pit stop demonstration by Team Penske’s No. 12 Chevrolet crew. With Malukas behind the wheel of the No. 12 Chevy, that featured a patriotic red, white and blue Freedom 250 Grand Prix livery, the demonstration showcased the speed, precision and teamwork that define INDYCAR competition.

“Incredible day and one I’ll never forget,” said Malukas, the 24-year-old American driver who is having a strong debut season for Team Penske. “It was my first time getting to see the White House and truly see it, getting a special tour from the President. It was such a cool experience to do an INDYCAR pit stop for the first time at the White House. I think, for all the drivers, this is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience to celebrate America's 250th, and I can't think of any other better way to do it than here in Washington D.C. at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.”

The turbocharged day concluded with an evening reception for Freedom 250 Grand Prix partners where the drivers and Denker recognized special guests and highlighted the unprecedented collaboration between government, industry and motorsports that has fueled the excitement for the unique two-day street racing festival.

During the reception, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and Ambassador Monica Crowley, the Chief of Protocol of the United States, joined Denker on stage to talk about the impact and significance of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix. Shanks then hosted a conversation with Palou, Rosenqvist and Malukas as the INDYCAR stars talked about the challenge and excitement of competing on the new D.C. street circuit and their day to remember at the White House.

Set against the backdrop of the National Mall, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix will mark the first-ever NTT INDYCAR SERIES race on the streets of Washington, D.C., serving as a centerpiece of the national celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The free, two-day motorsports festival is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of fans to the nation’s capital, blending North America’s premier open-wheel racing series with historic pageantry.

The 1.7-mile, seven-turn Freedom 250 Grand Prix course will wind through the streets of Washington, D.C., circling the National Mall with cars racing alongside some of the most iconic landmarks in the world. The street circuit will feature a high-speed 0.4-mile run down Pennsylvania Avenue, dramatically framed by the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. Pit lane will sit just off the straight between Turns 1 and 2, keeping the crews and cars at the center of the action. The drivers will speed past landmarks including the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the National Gallery of Art and the National Archives, creating a course that blends technical challenge with an unmistakable and historic backdrop.

To learn more about the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, visit www.Freedom250GP.com.

ABOUT THE FREEDOM 250 GRAND PRIX

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., will take place Aug. 22-23, 2026, marking the first‑ever NTT INDYCAR SERIES race on the National Mall and the Washington D.C. city streets. The event will be administered by INDYCAR in coordination with the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of the Interior and Washington, D.C.’s Executive Office of the Mayor. The free, two-day motorsports event will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with world‑class racing set against the backdrop of some of America’s most historic landmarks, including the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. The unique street race will be broadcast live on FOX on Sunday, August 23. To learn more, visit www.Freedom250GP.com.

ABOUT THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is North America’s premier open-wheel auto racing series, featuring a talented field of star drivers competing on superspeedways, short ovals, street circuits and permanent road courses. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES, INDYCAR, INDY NXT by Firestone, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IMS Productions are owned by Penske Corporation, a global transportation, automotive and motorsports leader. For more information on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, please visit www.indycar.com.