John Leonardi joins RPCRA from Buffalo Niagara Realtors. Plus, Bright unveils “AI Academy”; Hive MLS-RealReports alliance grows; ABoR marks 100 years in Texas.

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of a Texas broker’s lawsuit accusing NAR and state and local associations of antitrust violations.

Northwest MLS’s new “First Look” listing option toes the line between offering pre-marketing flexibility and preserving the transparency state law requires.

The MLSs’ combined 72,000 subscribers will now have access to listings across Georgia, Illinois and Missouri. Plus, Bluegrass and Imagine MLS appoint a new CEO.

The American Real Estate Association doesn’t see NAR as a “rival,” but it aspires to be an organization that can “elevate the industry,” Jason Haber said.

John Blount, who advocated for the industry on behalf of NAR in the 1980s and early 1990s, joins the association at a moment of fast-paced growth.

The Housing Supply Accelerator Program aims to help community leaders tackle zoning and inventory issues. Plus, Stellar expands commercial listing distribution.

Steve Byrd, Canopy MLS’s current VP and CTO, will move into the top leadership role, while Steve Mapes joins Bright MLS as EVP of growth and strategy.

Miami Realtors + RWorld and Martin County Realtors of the Treasure Coast are merging. Plus, East Tennessee Realtors adds SourceRE data management tools.

The association detailed its lobbying efforts, legal wins, policy clarifications and more in its second update on the three-year plan adopted last fall.

Second Century Ventures has partnered with Mexico’s Asociación Mexicana de Profesionales Inmobiliarios. Plus, RACC joins Stellar MLS as a corporate shareholder.

NWLAR’s CEO says the move reaffirms “the MLS as the best point of entry for listings” and signals strong support for “the value of Realtor membership.”

The trade association’s use of AI for trademark enforcement is raising questions about whether such tools could also help flag member-posted unethical content.

The ARA has joined Missouri Realtors in advocating against proposed amendments that they say could increase homeowner costs in real estate transfers.

Sellers decide their listing’s level of exposure, NAR says. But brokers should explain how each option serves their best interest — and get disclosures signed.

The forthcoming listing status options — Registered, Office Exclusive, Coming Soon and Active — align with the MLS’s “Brokers FIRST” strategy introduced in May.

The NTREIS shareholder says the announcement "represents a significant investment in the future of organized real estate.” NWLAR is considering a similar move.

NAR’s lobbying muscle is focused on ensuring MLSs aren’t classified as data brokers — but are recognized by federal agencies as “procompetitive infrastructure.”

The launch of NTREIS Rewards, which echoes earlier actions by other mega MLSs, aims to make broker participants “the focal point of the organization’s purpose.”

Cyber liability? Crime loss? Antitrust allegations? New insurance offerings aim to protect associations and MLSs from these concerns and others, NAR said.