SEATTLE, WA

As temperatures climb across the Seattle area, many homeowners are discovering that their air conditioner is running but not cooling the home effectively. While a sudden loss of cooling can be concerning during a heat wave, HVAC professionals say many common issues can be identified through a few simple checks before scheduling emergency service.

Josh Torgerson, HVAC Service Supervisor at Home Comfort Alliance, has spent more than two decades diagnosing cooling and heating issues in homes throughout Seattle, Everett, Redmond, Bellevue and surrounding communities.

“When an air conditioner stops working during a heat wave, people naturally want the quickest solution possible,” Torgerson said. “But the first step should always be understanding what’s causing the problem. Many issues can be repaired once they’re properly diagnosed.”

AC Not Cooling in Seattle? Try These Steps First

Before scheduling emergency AC service, homeowners can safely check several common issues that often affect cooling performance.

1. Check the Thermostat

Make sure the thermostat is set to “Cool” and that the desired temperature is lower than the current room temperature. If the thermostat screen is blank, the system may have lost power or require new batteries.

2. Inspect the Air Filter

A dirty air filter can restrict airflow, making it difficult for an air conditioner to cool the home efficiently during periods of high demand. If the filter appears clogged with dust or debris, replacing it may improve performance.

3. Verify Power to the System

Check the home’s electrical panel for a tripped breaker. Homeowners can reset a breaker once, but if it trips again, it’s best to contact a qualified technician. Repeated breaker trips may indicate an underlying electrical issue.

4. Look and Listen

Check whether the outdoor unit is operating and listen for unusual sounds such as buzzing, clicking or grinding. Homeowners should also look for water around indoor equipment or ice buildup on refrigerant lines. These observations can help technicians diagnose problems more efficiently.

Why Cooling Problems Increase During Heat Waves

As temperatures rise, air conditioning systems are forced to run longer, and work harder than they have for most of the year. Problems that may have gone unnoticed during milder weather often become apparent during extended periods of heat.

According to Torgerson, HVAC companies commonly see increased service calls related to clogged filters, failed capacitors, restricted airflow, thermostat malfunctions and frozen evaporator coils during heat waves.

“Age alone doesn’t tell you what’s wrong with an air conditioner,” Torgerson said. “A proper diagnosis is important because it helps homeowners understand their options and make informed decisions based on the actual problem.”

Preventative Maintenance Can Reduce Summer Breakdowns

Many cooling issues can be prevented through regular maintenance which allows technicians to identify developing problems before they become system failures during peak summer conditions.

Homeowners should consider setting up routine maintenance with a reputable HVAC contractor to have their system inspected and the outdoor condenser coil professionally cleaned before each cooling season. Dirt and debris that accumulate on the coil can reduce efficiency, increase energy consumption and place additional strain on key components.

When Repair Makes Sense

Many common air conditioning problems can be repaired without replacing the entire system. Issues involving capacitors, fan motors, wiring, drain lines and airflow restrictions are often repairable when identified early.

That’s why Home Comfort Alliance focuses on accurate diagnostics before making recommendations. Rather than assuming replacement is necessary, technicians identify the root cause of the problem and walk homeowners through all available options, whether that means a repair, continued maintenance, or replacement.

When Replacement May Be the Better Choice

Replacement may be the most practical option when a system has experienced a major compressor failure, frequent costly repairs or relies on obsolete components that are no longer readily available. Homeowners should consider repair costs, system age and long-term efficiency when evaluating their options.

“The biggest mistake homeowners make during a heat wave is assuming the system needs to be replaced before anyone has confirmed what’s causing the issue,” Torgerson said. “Sometimes the solution is much simpler than people expect.”

For homeowners who determine that replacement is the best long-term financial decision, Home Comfort Alliance offers an online Instant Quote tool that provides a personalized system price range tailored to the home’s specifications in as little as 60 seconds. Homeowners can access the tool directly from their smartphone by visiting www.homecomfortalliance.com/hvac-repair-installation/ and clicking the “Get My HVAC Quote” button.

About Home Comfort Alliance

Home Comfort Alliance is a heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical service provider based in Seattle-Tacoma Metro. Since 1977, the company has served homeowners throughout the Puget Sound region, providing repair, maintenance and replacement services with a focus on accurate diagnostics, transparent recommendations and professional workmanship.

Media Contact:
Timi Oyebanjo
Email: [email protected]

NEW YORK, USA

Public companies will present live July 22–23, with investor Q&A sessions and one-on-one meeting opportunities

B2i Digital Inc. announced that it will serve as the official marketing partner for the Precious Metals & Critical Minerals Virtual Investor Conference, scheduled for Wednesday, July 22, and Thursday, July 23, 2026.

The two-day online event will feature public companies involved in gold, silver, rare earth elements, copper, phosphate, battery materials, potash, lithium, advanced alloys, critical-materials recycling and royalties. Participating companies are listed on exchanges in the United States, Canada and Australia.

Each company will receive 30 minutes for a live presentation and investor question-and-answer session. Investors may also request individual meetings with participating management teams through the conference platform. Presentation replays are expected to be published through the B2i Digital and OTC Markets YouTube channels.

B2i Digital will promote the conference through its owned web, video, social-media and email channels. The company reports that its proprietary network includes more than 1.7 million retail and institutional market participants and that it has supported more than 120 investor conferences.

“Demand for gold, silver, rare earth elements, copper and other critical minerals continues to be influenced by electrification, advanced manufacturing and supply-chain priorities,” said David Shapiro, chief executive officer of B2i Digital. “The conference gives investors an opportunity to hear directly from management teams, ask questions and conduct their own evaluation of the participating companies.”

Investors may request one-on-one meetings with management teams or review additional conference details from B2i Digital.

Presenting Companies

The schedule is current as of July 20, 2026, and is subject to change.

Wednesday, July 22

• 9 a.m. ET: Neometals Ltd. — OTCQX: NMTAY; ASX: NMT
• 9:30 a.m. ET: AE Fuels Corporation — OTCQB: NRGFF; TSXV: AEF
• 10 a.m. ET: Aurbis Resources Corp. — OTCQB: QNICF; CSE: AURR
• 10:30 a.m. ET: Gemdale Gold Inc. — OTCQB: GDGIF; TSXV: GEMG
• 11 a.m. ET: Liberty Gold Corp. — OTCQX: LGDTF; TSX: LGD
• 11:30 a.m. ET: Viva Gold Corp. — OTCQB: VAUCF; TSXV: VAU
• Noon ET: Evolve Royalties Ltd. — OTCQX: EVRYF; CSE: EVR
• 12:30 p.m. ET: RUA Gold Inc. — OTCQX: NZAUF; TSX: RUA
• 1 p.m. ET: Cassiar Gold Corp. — OTCQX: CGLCF; TSXV: GLDC
• 1:30 p.m. ET: Neo Performance Materials Inc. — OTCQX: NOPMF; TSX: NEO
• 2 p.m. ET: District Metals Corp. — OTCQX: DMXCF; TSXV: DMX
• 2:30 p.m. ET: Defense Metals Corp. — OTCQB: DFMTF; TSXV: DEFN
• 3 p.m. ET: Camino Corp. — OTCID: CAMZF; TSXV: COR
• 3:30 p.m. ET: North Arrow Minerals Inc. — OTCQB: NHAWF; TSXV: NAR
• 4 p.m. ET: Honey Badger Silver Inc. — OTCQB: HBEIF; TSXV: TUF

Thursday, July 23

• 9 a.m. ET: White Gold Corp. — OTCQX: WHGOF; TSXV: WGO
• 9:30 a.m. ET: LaFleur Minerals Inc. — OTCQB: LFLRF; CSE: LFLR
• 10 a.m. ET: Omai Gold Mines Corp. — OTCQB: OMGGF; TSXV: OMG
• 10:30 a.m. ET: West Point Gold Corp. — OTCQX: WPGCF; TSXV: WPG
• 11 a.m. ET: Outcrop Silver & Gold Corp. — OTCQX: OCGSF; TSX: OCG
• 11:30 a.m. ET: American Critical Minerals Corp. — OTCQB: APCOF; CSE: KCLI
• Noon ET: First Phosphate Corp. — OTCQX: FRSPF and FPHOY; CSE: PHOS
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Neotech Metals Corp. — OTCQB: NTMFF; CSE: NTMC
• 1 p.m. ET: Star Gold Corp. — OTCQB: SRGZ
• 1:30 p.m. ET: Newcore Gold Ltd. — OTCQX: NCAUF; TSXV: NCAU
• 2 p.m. ET: Sterling Metals Corp. — OTCQB: SAGGF; TSXV: SAG
• 2:30 p.m. ET: 1911 Gold Corporation — OTCQX: AUMBF; TSXV: AUMB
• 3 p.m. ET: Silverco Mining Ltd. — OTCQB: SICOF; TSXV: SICO
• 3:30 p.m. ET: IBC Advanced Alloys Corp. — OTCQB: IAALF; TSXV: IB
• 4 p.m. ET: Four Nines Gold Inc. — OTCQB: FNAUF; CSE: FNAU

Investors can access conference registration and participating-company profiles.

Virtual Investor Conferences hosts online events featuring public companies listed on exchanges including the NYSE, Nasdaq, TSX, TSXV, CSE, ASX, LSE and OTC Markets. Virtual Investor Conferences is an OTC Markets Group Inc. property.

About B2i Digital Inc.

B2i Digital Inc. works with investor conferences, public companies and capital-markets advisers through its Featured Conference, Featured Company and Featured Expert programs. Its campaigns use company-owned web, video, social-media and email channels, along with newswire distribution. B2i Digital reports a proprietary network of more than 1.7 million retail and institutional market participants and experience supporting more than 120 investor conferences. The company was founded in 2021 by David Shapiro, a former Maxim Group investment banker and chief marketing officer.

Website: B2i Digital

About Virtual Investor Conferences

Virtual Investor Conferences is an online investor-conference series that enables publicly traded companies to present to investors through live presentations, question-and-answer sessions and requested one-on-one meetings. Presentations may also be made available for on-demand viewing.

B2i Digital Media Contact

David Shapiro
Chief Executive Officer
B2i Digital Inc.
Office: 212-579-4844
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: David Shapiro

B2i Digital Social Media

• LinkedIn
• X
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• Instagram
• YouTube
• TikTok
• Stocktwits
• Reddit
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• Threads
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Virtual Investor Conferences Contact

Greg Young
Vice President, Corporate Services
OTC Markets Group
Phone: 212-652-5958
Email: [email protected]

Disclosure and Disclaimer

B2i Digital Inc. is the official marketing partner of Virtual Investor Conferences. Information concerning specific companies referenced in this release was provided or approved by those companies or obtained from publicly available sources. B2i Digital has not independently verified all such information and makes no representation or warranty regarding its accuracy or completeness.

This release is provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security and should not be relied upon as the basis for an investment decision. B2i Digital is not a registered broker-dealer, investment adviser or financial adviser. Nothing in this release should be interpreted as investment, legal, tax or accounting advice. Readers should conduct their own due diligence and consult qualified advisers before making investment decisions.

BELGRADE, Serbia

First UFC Event Ever to Be Held in Serbia, Scheduled for August 1, 2026 at Belgrade Arena

Meridianbet Leads the B2C Division of Meridian Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: MRDN)

Meridian Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: MRDN) (the “Company”) today announced that the Company’s subsidiary Meridianbet has been named Official Partner of UFC Fight Night Serbia, a mixed-martial-arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), scheduled for August 1, 2026 at Belgrade Arena in Belgrade, Serbia.

The event will be the first UFC has ever held in Serbia, where Meridianbet will be its exclusive sponsor in the sports-betting category. The partnership will include branding inside the Octagon during the event, logo placement across official event marketing (including the fight poster and round cards), an in-venue commercial at Belgrade Arena and a digital and social media campaign across UFC’s web, video and social channels.

The event will air live in the United States on Paramount+ and will be distributed internationally through UFC’s broadcast partners, reaching a global audience.

“Serbia is where Meridianbet’s story began 25 years ago, and there is no bigger stage to mark that anniversary than UFC’s first-ever event in the country,” said William Scott, Chief Executive Officer of Meridian Holdings. “Combat sports sponsorship has long been part of our brand strategy, and partnering with one of the most-watched properties in global sports is a natural next step as we continue to build visibility for our firm across the region and the world.”

Meridianbet was founded in Serbia in 2001 and has since operated in the market continuously. The partnership with UFC marks the brand’s most visible association with a global sports property to date.

Meridianbet has sponsored combat sports for years, from elite professional cards to grassroots martial arts events, and the category remains one of the brand’s most visible. The partnership also reflects a long-running commitment to sport in the communities where the brand operates: across its markets, Meridianbet supports clubs, youth academies and local sports programs, from grassroots level to elite competition, alongside community initiatives in health and education.

About Meridian Holdings Inc.

Meridian Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: MRDN), headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, is an established B2B and B2C gaming technology group operating across over 25 international regulated markets. The Company’s B2C division is led by Meridianbet Group, a leading online sports betting and gaming operator founded in 2001 and licensed across Europe, Africa, and South America. Meridian’s B2B division, comprising game developer Expanse Studios and iGaming platform GMAG, develops, licenses, and distributes proprietary gaming technology to a global client base. Additional subsidiaries include RKings Competitions (pay-to-enter prize competitions in the UK), MexPlay (regulated online casino in Mexico), and Classics for a Cause (Australia’s leading subscription-based digital memberships and trade-promotion lottery). The Company’s software automatically declines gaming or redemption requests originating in the United States, in strict compliance with U.S. law. For more information, visit www.meridian-holdings.com 

About UFC

UFC is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, producing more than 40 live events annually and distributing its programming to an estimated one billion broadcast and digital households across 210 countries and territories, with an athlete roster representing more than 75 countries. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are subject to the safe harbor created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the anticipated staging of the UFC event in Belgrade, Serbia on August 1, 2026; the expected scope, benefits and duration of the sponsorship, including anticipated branding, marketing, advertising, digital and social media elements and the expected exclusivity in the sports-betting category in the Serbian market; the anticipated broadcast and distribution of the event in the United States and internationally; the anticipated visibility, brand, marketing or commercial benefits of the partnership to the Company; and statements regarding the Company’s strategy, growth plans and market position. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words.

Forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, that could cause actual results, events or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, without limitation: (a) the risk that the event is postponed, canceled, relocated, rescheduled or otherwise modified, including as a result of circumstances outside the control of the Company or the event organizer; (b) the right of either party to terminate or modify the sponsorship agreement in accordance with its terms, including in response to regulatory developments; (c) the risk that certain sponsorship benefits become unavailable and are substituted or otherwise modified; (d) the Company’s dependence on third parties, including the event organizer, the venue, broadcasters, distribution partners and other rights holders, whose decisions and performance are outside the Company’s control; (e) the need to obtain approvals for marketing and promotional materials and the risk that such approvals are delayed, conditioned or withheld; (f) the scope of, and contractual limitations on, the Company’s sponsorship and category exclusivity rights; (g) changes in laws, regulations or regulatory guidance applicable to gaming, sports wagering, advertising or sponsorship in Serbia or in other jurisdictions in which the Company operates, and the Company’s ability to obtain and maintain required licenses, permits and approvals; (h) the risk that the anticipated marketing, brand or commercial benefits of the sponsorship are not realized in whole or in part; and (i) the other risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, available at www.sec.gov.

The forward-looking statements included in this press release speak only as of the date hereof. The Company cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements, and readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, and no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update or correct information prepared by third parties that is not paid for by the Company.

Media Contact:
Meridian Holdings Inc.
Email: [email protected]