When people imagine artificial intelligence in schools, they often picture students using it to write essays or finish homework faster. However, in my online classroom, the conversation around AI and its use is nuanced. Increasingly, the most important lesson is focused on the responsible and ethical use of AI. Digital citizenship has been part of education since computers and … [More]
Smarter Inboxes Raise Stakes for Email Marketers
Google is not just helping users search email. It is teaching the inbox to rank, summarize, and prioritize it. Following updates that began in March 2025, Google introduced AI-powered search that factors in recency, most-clicked emails, and frequent contacts instead of simply returning results in chronological order. In January 2026, the company stated that Gmail’s 3 billion … [More]
Charitable Trust Names Successor as CEO Plans Retirement
After 12 years of impactful leadership and service in Arizona and Indiana, the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust President and CEO Gene D’Adamo (left) is retiring in January 2027. Jeff Small (right), the Trust’s vice president of programs, has been selected as the incoming president and CEO. “Gene D’Adamo has been an outstanding CEO for the Trust during the last 12 … [More]
Valley Health System Leads World in Artificial Heart Procedures
Banner Health announced it has reached a major milestone completing more than 50 total artificial heart implantation procedures, more than any center worldwide since 2022. This achievement solidifies the nonprofit health system’s position as the global leader in total artificial heart technology, with expertise that extends beyond patient care to consulting with medical centers … [More]
BlackRock Funds $40M Push to Scale AI Escrow Platform
HomeLight announced the launch of EVA, an AI-powered escrow agent designed to automate the majority of tasks required to close a real estate transaction — alongside $40 million in new debt financing from funds and accounts managed by BlackRock to scale the platform nationwide. EVA is the industry’s first agentic escrow officer, empowered to work with over 80 tools to interface … [More]
Arizona Cobalt Project Pens $850M Deal with Japanese Firm
EVelution Energy LLC, a U.S. critical minerals company developing the first commercial-scale cobalt metal and cobalt sulfate processing facility in the United States, announced the signing of a binding long-term offtake agreement with Mitsui & Co., Ltd., valued at approximately $850 million over the five-year term of the agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, … [More]
Scottsdale-Based Telecom Firm Names Chief Information Officer
Consumer Cellular, a leading provider of wireless service and devices to the 50+ demographic, has named Kannan Alagappan as its new Chief Information Officer, effective April 27th, 2026. With over three decades of experience in technology and telecommunications, Kannan brings his wealth of experience in building and managing telecommunication platforms to Consumer … [More]
SBA Spotlights Arizona Small Business Leaders
In celebration of National Small Business Week, May 3-9, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is honoring nine Arizona small businesses and lending partners for their contributions to the economy during national and local award ceremonies. “National Small Business Week is a time to recognize the power of small business. We celebrate the dedication, leadership, and … [More]
HonorHealth to Debut Medical Fitness Center in North Scottsdale
HonorHealth, a leading Valley-based nonprofit healthcare system serving more than five million people in the greater Phoenix area, ay announced the upcoming opening of HonorHealth Medical Fitness, part of the new HonorHealth Pima Center, located on the west side of the Loop 101 at Pima Road in Scottsdale. This new 100,000-square-foot campus represents a next-generation … [More]
Partnership Brings Bed Bath & Beyond Products Back to the Valley
The Container Store announced the launch of a chainwide “Store Changing” event beginning Friday, April 24, as 98 stores nationwide begin resetting selling floors to prepare for the phased integration of Bed Bath & Beyond products. As part of the reset, the Company will liquidate approximately 30% of select categories and SKUs beginning Friday to streamline assortments, … [More]
