WASHINGTON, July 14 -- Jeremy C. Kress, associate professor of business Law at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Graham Steele, assistant professor of law at the University of North Carolina School of Law, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, have submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., and the Federal Reserve System arguing that the proposals to revise capital rules likely violate the Dodd-Frank Ac more ST

TOLEDO, Ohio, July 14 -- The University of Toledo issued the following news: * * * 33rd Annual Art on the Mall Returns to UToledo on July 26 * Some traditions are worth repeating. The University of Toledo's 33rd annual Art on the Mall, a northwest Ohio tradition hosted by The University of Toledo Alumni Association, returns Sunday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free public art show will spotlight more than 100 artists from around the region at Centennial Mall on UToledo Main Campus. Patrons can browse and purchase artwork spanning more PR

EAST LANSING, Michigan, July 14 -- The American Board of Emergency Medicine issued the following news: * * * ABEM Approves Extension of AEMUS Practice Pathways for ABIM-Certified Physicians Supporting Growth and Access Across Specialties - For physicians certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) has approved a two-year extension of the Practice-Only and Practice-Plus-Training pathways for the Advanced Emergency Medicine Ultrasonography (AEMUS) Focused Practice Designation (FPD). E more PR

JUNEAU, Alaska, July 15 -- The Alaska Department of Law issued the following news release on July 14, 2026: * * * Acting Attorney General Cori Mills Announces $18 Million Multistate Settlement with 23andme Over Genetic Data Breach Acting Attorney General Cori Mills today joined a coalition of 42 attorneys general announcing a settlement with the bankruptcy trustee for 23andMe, resolving allegations stemming from a 2023 data breach that compromised the genetic data of 6.9 million customers worldwide, including 19,541 Alaskans. The settlement  more PR

BOSTON, Massachusetts, July 14 -- Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell issued the following news release: * * * AG Campbell Announces Multistate Settlement With 23andMe Over Genetic Data Breach * Boston -Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell today joined a coalition of 42 attorneys general in announcing a settlement with the bankruptcy trustee for 23andMe, resolving allegations stemming from a 2023 data breach that compromised the genetic data of 6.9 million customers worldwide. The $18 million settlement amount w more PR

PHOENIX, Arizona, July 15 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on July 14, 2026: * * * Attorney General Mayes Announces Multistate Settlement of Bankruptcy Claims Against 23andMe Over Genetic Data Breach Attorney General Kris Mayes today joined a coalition of 42 attorneys general announcing a settlement with the bankruptcy trustee for 23andMe, resolving allegations stemming from a 2023 data breach that compromised the genetic data of 6.9 million customers worldwide. "23andMe recklessly exposed Arizonans'  more PR

EAST LANSING, Michigan, July 13 -- Michigan State University posted the following news: * * * Ask the expert: Deed fraud an overlooked threat to homeowners * You may never have heard of deed fraud, but it is a growing legal issue that is startingly easy to fall victim to, especially for members of vulnerable communities. Deed fraud -where fraudsters illegally transfer home ownership to themselves -means someone who put years of work and likely thousands of dollars into their home loses it in the blink of an eye to a fraudster whose name t more PR

ALBANY, New York, July 14 -- New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General James Secures $18 Million From 23andMe for Failing to Protect Customers' Genetic Data * July 14, 2026 NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James and a bipartisan coalition of 42 other attorneys general today secured $18 million from genetic testing company 23andMe for failing to protect customers' private genetic data. In October 2023, 23andMe announced that it had discovered a data breach affecting 6.9 mi more PR

DENVER, Colorado, July 14 -- Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Phil Weiser announces multistate settlement of bankruptcy claims against 23andme over genetic data breach * July 14, 2026 (DENVER) - Attorney General Phil Weiser today joined a coalition of 42 attorneys general announcing a settlement with the bankruptcy trustee for 23andMe, resolving allegations stemming from a 2023 data breach that compromised the genetic data of 6.9 million customers worldwide. Under the settleme more PR

CHICAGO, Illinois, July 13 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release: * * * ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL OPPOSES PROPOSED RULE THAT THREATENS BILLIONS IN CRUCIAL FEDERAL FUNDING FOR STATES * Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 23 states, submitted a comment letter opposing a rule proposed by the Trump administration that would impose sweeping new unlawful and unconstitutional requirements for federal grants. The proposed rule would allow the administration to cancel federal funding at more PR

HARTFORD, Connecticut, July 14 -- Connecticut Attorney General William Tong issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Tong Leads Multistate Settlement of Bankruptcy Claims Against 23andMe Over Genetic Data Breach * Press Releases (Hartford, CT) - Attorney General William Tong today led a coalition of 42 attorneys general announcing a settlement with the bankruptcy trustee for direct-to-consumer genetic testing company 23andMe, resolving allegations stemming from a 2023 data breach that compromised the genetic data of 6.9 m more PR

WASHINGTON, July 14 -- Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * Barrett Introduces Fifth Aviation Safety Bill in Response to 2025 Potomac River Crash * Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) introduced the Military Next-Gen Collision Avoidance Act ( H.R. 9620 ), legislation aimed at helping prevent tragedies like the January 2025 Potomac River crash between an Army helicopter and a commercial jet. Specifically, this bill would direct the United States Secretary of Defense to advance the deplo more PR

SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota, July 13 [Category: BizHospital] -- Sanford Health posted the following news release: * * * Black Hills region offers same-day nose, throat appointments * July 13, 2026 Contact: Paul Heinert Sanford Health Media Relations 605-366-2432 / Paul.Heinert@sanfordhealth.org RAPID CITY, S.D. -Sanford Black Hills is increasing access to nose and throat services for adults and children with the addition of same-day appointments for those concerns at the Sanford Health Sheridan Lake Road Clinic. A trusted nam more PR

CHICAGO, Illinois, July 14 (TNSLrpt) -- Consumer Price Index, Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Area June 2026 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Midwest Region * * * Area prices were up 0.7 percent over the past two months, up 4.0 percent from a year ago - The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn area advanced 0.7 percent for the two months ending in June 2026, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported today. Assistant Commissioner for Regional Operations Michae more PR

KANSAS CITY, Missouri, July 14 (TNSLrpt) -- Consumer Price Index, Midwest Region June 2026 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Mountain-Plains Region * * * Regional prices were down 0.5 percent in June, up 3.8 percent over the year - The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the Midwest region fell 0.5 percent in June, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported today. The energy index decreased 5.6 percent, largely due to a decline in gasoline prices. The index for food declined 0.1 more PR

BOSTON, Massachusetts, July 15 -- Boston University issued the following Q&A on July 14, 2026, involving David Hamer, professor of global health in the School of Public Health and a core director at the Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases: * * * As Cyclospora Cases Rise, a BU Expert Explains the Parasite Outbreak Boston University infectious diseases expert David Hamer on how cases started, how it spreads, and how to protect yourself By Amy Laskowski Think about a summer lunch, and you probably crave a crisp salad or berry-packed parfa more PR

KANSAS CITY, Missouri, July 14 [Category: Business] -- The Business Technology Association posted the following news: * * * BTA Awards 54 Scholarships * The Business Technology Association (BTA) has announced its 2026-27 scholarship winners. Fifty students were awarded scholarships. This year, BTA awarded two $3,000, two $2,000, and a number of $1,500 scholarships to qualifying children of full-time employees of current BTA member dealerships. The Patriot Pack awarded one $10,000, one $7,500 and two $3,500 scholarships, made possible throug more PR

SACRAMENTO, California, July 15 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on July 14, 2026: * * * Governor Newsom announces appointments 7.14.2026 Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments: Tyrone Evans, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the California Workforce Development Board. Evans has been Senior Superintendent at Webcor Builders since 2020, where he was a Superintendent from 2018 to 2020. He was a Superintendent at Cahill Construction from 2016 to 2018. Evans was Superintendent more PR

WASHINGTON, July 14 -- The Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services addressing concerns about the essential health benefits framework and its impacts on affordability and patient access. The letter, signed by President Aaron Broadwell and Madelaine A. Feldman, vice president of advocacy and government affairs, focused on how the design of prescription drug benefits and patient cost-sharing affect premiums and c more ST

WASHINGTON, July 13 -- Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Shri Thanedar Celebrates the July 27 Opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge * Washington, D.C. -After the announcement that the Gordie Howe International Bridge will officially open on July 27, 2026, Congressman Shri Thanedar (MI-13) issued this statement: "After being completed for over a month, the Gordie Howe Bridge is finally opening," said Rep. Thanedar. "Just one week after I brought House Homeland Security leaders to Detroit to de more PR

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan, July 15 -- Corewell Health issued the following news release: * * * Corewell Health performs world's first documented single-port robotic mitral valve repair ROYAL OAK, Mich. -- Corewell Health(TM) has successfully performed the world's first documented single-port robotic mitral valve repair, marking a major milestone in the evolution of minimally invasive heart surgery. Patrick O'Brien, 60, of Royal Oak, became the first patient to undergo the groundbreaking procedure. A lifelong Corewell Health patient, O'Brien so more PR

ROCHESTER, Michigan, July 14 -- Oakland University posted the following news: * * * David A. Dulio selected as Oakland University's first Chief Community Engagement Officer * David A. Dulio, Ph.D. Oakland University President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz has appointed David A. Dulio, Ph.D., to serve as the university's Chief Community Engagement Officer (CCEO), effective August 1. Dulio has served in a number of faculty and administrative leadership roles at Oakland University since 2002. He joined the university as an assistant professor of po more PR

WASHINGTON, July 14 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * Dingell, Clarke Introduce Bill to Expand Workplace Protections for Women Experiencing Menopause * Today, U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09) introduced a bill to expand workplace protections for employees experiencing menopause. As the workforce ages and more women remain employed longer, menopausal symptoms affect a significant portion of employees. A lack of a comprehensive menopause-specific set of workpl more PR

GREENWOOD, South Carolina, July 14 -- Lander University posted the following news: * * * Excellence Takes Center Stage as Lander University Honors Faculty * Lander University celebrates the faculty members whose dedication extends far beyond the classroom, shaping student success, advancing knowledge and strengthening the campus community. Through its annual faculty awards, the University recognizes excellence in teaching, scholarship and service -honoring educators whose commitment enriches the academic experience and reflects the highest  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 14 (TNSFR) -- The Federal Communications Commission has proposed replacing vacant FM Channel 248A with Channel 258A at Whitehall, Michigan, seeking public comments by Aug. 24, 2026. The proposed rule would amend the table of FM Allotments by substituting Channel 258A for vacant Channel 248A at Whitehall. The FCC said an engineering analysis found the proposed channel meets minimum distance separation requirements with a transmitter site restricted to 13 kilometers (8.1 miles) northwest of the community. The agency said the ch more PR

DETROIT, Michigan, July 15 -- The Foundation for Economic Education posted the following commentary by Ninos P. Malek, economics professor at De Anza College: * * * Price Fixing at the Pump Politicians keep trying to interfere in the market. - Conservatives often criticize Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Zohran Mamdani for believing that government should direct private economic decisions. Yet when President Donald Trump recently warned gasoline retailers to lower their prices, or face "big problems," he embraced a remarkably more PR

DALLAS, Texas, July 14 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Haynes and Boone, a law firm, posted the following news: * * * Mendoza and Salazar for Law360: $100M Clean Air Act Ruling Transforms Parent Company Liability Haynes Boone Partner Mary Mendoza and Associate Victor K. Salazar authored an article for Law360 analyzing a recent Clean Air Act decision that imposed more than $100 million in penalties and relief while extending liability beyond a facility operator to parent corporate entities. Mendoza and Salazar examine the application of the U.S more PR

WASHINGTON, July 14 -- Rep. Jared Huffman, D-California, issued the following news release: * * * Huffman, Moolenaar Introduce Legislation to Improve, Modernize Rural Health Care * Washington, D.C. - This week, Congressman Jared Huffman (D-CA) and Congressman John Moolenaar (R-MI) introduced the Medicare Access to Rural Anesthesiology Act. The legislation would allow rural hospitals to use Medicare funding to hire physician anesthesiologists. Under current law, hospitals are only permitted to use Medicare funding to hire certified anesthesi more PR

MANKATO, Minnesota, July 14 [Category: Agriculture] -- The U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance issued the following news release: * * * IP Crop Network: July 14 report The soybean crop in the Upper Midwest is right on schedule. While there are areas that are too wet and some areas too dry, the majority of the region is in good condition. The entire region is forecasting above average temperatures and below average moisture for the next two weeks, so the plants may start showing the stress in the coming days. Most of the plants are now flowering more PR

NEW YORK, July 15 -- The Jewish Council for Public Affairs issued the following news release: * * * Jewish Council for Public Affairs Names Walter E. Spiegel Board Chair, Welcomes Five New Board Members The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA), the national convener of Jewish coalitions working to build a just and inclusive democracy, today announced that Walter E. Spiegel of Cincinnati, Ohio has been elected chair of its board of directors. JCPA also elected four other key leaders to its Executive Committee -- including elevating Shawn  more PR

BALTIMORE, Maryland, July 15 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on July 14, 2026: * * * Attorney General Brown Announces Multistate Settlement of Bankruptcy Claims Against 23andMe Over Genetic Data Breach Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today joined a coalition of 42 attorneys general announcing a settlement resolving allegations stemming from 23andMe's 2023 data breach that compromised the genetic data of 6.9 million customers worldwide. 23andMe filed for bankruptcy in March 2025. The settlem more PR

LANSING, Michigan, July 10 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following statement: * * * Gov. Whitmer, Democrats Make Michigan a Top State for Doing Business In response to news from CNBC that Michigan has been ranked the 6th-best state for doing business, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel released the following statement: "When Governor Whitmer took office, Michigan ranked 24th in doing business after eight dismal years of the Snyder administration. Since then, Governor Whitmer and Democrats stayed focused on bringing more PR

LANSING, Michigan, July 8 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following statement: * * * Michigan Dems Statement on Chaotic MAGA Gubernatorial Debate In response to tonight's chaotic MAGA gubernatorial debate featuring two-time statewide loser John James, self-funder Perry Johnson, and failed former Attorney General Mike Cox, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel released the following statement: "Tonight's primary debate made clear that Republicans have an incredibly weak bench of candidates for governor that are each too  more PR

ANN ARBOR, Michigan, July 15 -- Michigan Medicine, the academic medical center of the University of Michigan, issued the following transcript of a podcast involving dean of the Medical School Tommy Wang: * * * Michigan Medicine Presents: Tommy Wang, M.D., Dean, University of Michigan Medical School A New Dean's Perspective on Medicine, Science and What Comes Next - Join MD student Cassie Evans and PhD student Sam Collie for a wide-ranging conversation with Dean Tommy Wang, M.D. As he reflects on his journey to medicine and academic leaders more PR

STUTTGART-MOEHRINGEN, Germany, July 14 -- The U.S. Africa Command issued the following news release: * * * Military chaplains gather for West African Religious Affairs Symposium in Ghana * ACCRA, Ghana -Military chaplains and religious affairs personnel from the United States and ten African nations have gathered for the launch of the West African Religious Affairs Symposium (WARAS) in Accra, Ghana July 14, 2026. Co-hosted by U.S. Africa Command and the Ghanian Defense Force, the three-day event aims to strengthen alliances across the reg more PR

WASHINGTON, July 14 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release: * * * More Attacks Fly in MI-10 Republican Primary * Justin Kirk : "Mike Bouchard [Jr.] is relying upon his family name to go to Congress, but can voters depend on him to show up and vote on the House floor" The Republican primary in Michigan's 10th Congressional District is getting messier and messier. Macomb Daily reported that Justin Kirk went after Mike Bouchard Jr. for " relying upon his family name to go to Congress " while f more PR

EAST LANSING, Michigan, July 13 -- Michigan State University posted the following news: * * * MSU pediatrician returns to Flint as Alice Hamilton Scholar * Rachel Hollander started her medical school clinical rotations at MSU College of Human Medicine's Flint campus in 2019. It was a hard time for a city that had already seen its share of hard times. This was just a few years after a state of emergency was declared over lead levels in the drinking water. Then came COVID-19. The metro Detroit native found herself volunteering at drive-up v more PR

CONCORD, New Hampshire, July 15 -- New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella issued the following news release on July 14, 2026: * * * Attorney General John M. Formella announces $18 Million Multistate Settlement with 23andMe Over Genetic Data Breach Attorney General John M. Formella today joined a coalition of 42 states announcing an $18 million bankruptcy claim settlement with genetic testing company 23andMe, resolving allegations stemming from a 2023 data breach that compromised the genetic data of 6.9 million customers worldwide. Of  more PR

TRENTON, New Jersey, July 15 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on July 14, 2026: * * * Attorney General Jennifer Davenport Announces Multistate Settlement of Bankruptcy Claims Against 23andMe Over Genetic Data Breach Attorney General Jennifer Davenport today joined a bipartisan coalition of 42 attorneys general in announcing a settlement with the bankruptcy trustee for 23andMe, resolving allegations stemming from a 2023 data breach that compromised the genetic data of nearly 150,000 customers more PR

SANTA FE, New Mexico, July 10 -- New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Raul Torrez Announces Over $388,000 for New Mexico Over Deceptive Practices on Cash App Albuquerque, NM - Attorney General Raul Torrez today announced over $388,000 for New Mexico as part of a $45 million multistate settlement with Block, Inc., the company behind the popular peer-to-peer payments app, Cash App. The settlement stems from allegations that Block misled consumers about the safety of Cash App, failed more PR

OLIVET, Michigan, July 14 -- The University of Olivet posted the following news: * * * Online School Counseling Master's Program Approved by Arizona Department of Education * Enrolling for Fall 2026 - classes start August 24 The University of Olivet's online Master of Arts in School Counseling program has been approved by the Arizona Department of Education. This approval marks an important milestone for the growing graduate program and expanding opportunities for aspiring K-12 school counselors across the country. While The University  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 9 -- Paralyzed Veterans of America issued the following news: * * * Paralyzed Veterans of America and Department of Veterans Affairs Celebrate 45th Anniversary of National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Motor City July 9-14 World's largest adaptive sports and rehabilitation event for U.S. veterans to include 20+ events and special appearances by Jamie Little, Scott McLaughlin, and Bonnie-Jill Laflin - DETROIT, MI -- Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Department of Veterans Affairs is celebrating the 45th anniversary of th more PR

WASHINGTON, July 14 [Category: ThinkTank] -- Groundwork Collaborative, a think tank and progressive advocacy group, posted the following news release: * * * Relief at the Pump Short Lived as Trump Dismantles His Own Ceasefire * Falling gas prices are already in the rearview mirror as Trump's ceasefire crumbles and core inflation remains high. Today's Consumer Price Index (CPI) report shows prices rose 3.5% over the past year in June, easing from 4.2% in May as gas prices fell last month during the short-lived ceasefire in Iran. However, t more PR

WASHINGTON, July 14 -- Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. McDonald Rivet Helps Pass Bipartisan Funding for Water Infrastructure Through Committee * WASHINGTON- Today, Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) released the following statement after helping pass the bipartisan water infrastructure reauthorization bill through the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. "This is a big deal. Investing in our Great Lakes, clean waterways, and water infrastructure keeps o more PR

PIERRE, South Dakota, July 15 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release on July 14, 2026: * * * Attorney General Jackley Announces South Dakota to Receive $149,399 in Bankruptcy Settlement with 23andMe Attorney General Marty Jackley announces South Dakota will receive $149,399 from the bankruptcy trustee for 23andMe, resolving allegations stemming from a 2023 data breach that compromised the genetic data of 6.9 million customers worldwide. The settlement includes $150 million in allowed claims for state more PR

WASHINGTON, July 14 -- Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Michigan, chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, issued the following news release on July 13, 2026: * * * Technology Modernization Chairman Tom Barrett Pushes for Efficiency and Continued Modernization of VA's Disability Claims IT System Today, Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Mich.), the Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, delivered the following opening remarks, as prepared at the start of the subcommittee's  more PR

COLLEGE STATION, Texas, July 15 -- The Texas A&M University College of Engineering issued the following news: * * * Aggie student startup wins large checks at national competition CEO and aerospace engineering student Akku Kumar is hoping to change the way that airlines handle carry-on baggage at the gate using cameras in airports. By Marina Vences, Contributor Aggie founded startup Arrow Analytics entered the Texas A&M New Ventures Competition (TNVC) in June, where the team was awarded checks totaling more than $11,000. The team placed f more PR

WASHINGTON, July 15 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued the following transcript of a podcast involving moderator Benjamin Haynes and Gwen Biggerstaff, Deputy Director of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases: * * * Transcript - Update on CDC's Cyclosporiasis Response - 7/14/26 Please note: This transcript is not edited and may contain errors. Operator Good afternoon, and thank you all for standing by for the duration of today's call. All listeners are in a liste more PR

WASHINGTON, July 14 -- Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vermont, issued the following news release: * * * Trump's Illegal War with Iran Has Forced Vermont to Pay $113 Million More for Gas, So Far * Vermont households have spent $441 more for gas since the war began WASHINGTON, D.C. - Democrats on the Joint Economic Committee today released new data outlining how President Trump's reckless and illegal war with Iran has driven up gasoline costs for Vermont families, farmers, and businesses. The new data shows that since the war began on February 28, Ame more PR

NEW YORK, July 15 -- The Jewish Council for Public Affairs issued the following news release: * * * Welcome to JCPA's New Board Leadership As JCPA continues to meet this pivotal moment for the Jewish community and our democracy, we're proud to welcome new leaders who will help guide our work in the year ahead. Our Board of Directors brings together accomplished leaders from communities across the country who share a deep commitment to combating antisemitism and hate, strengthening inclusive democracy, and building the relationships that mak more PR