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CITIES IN WASHINGTON COUNTY ADOPT UTAH’S MOST RESTRICTIVE ORDINANCES TO HELP PREVENT WATER SHORTAGE IN NATION’S FASTEST-GROWING REGION

Washington County Water Conservancy District

Washington County’s largest cities have banned non-functional grass for newly constructed commercial, institutional and industrial developments and are limiting grass at new homes. 1 In addition, new golf courses in St. George will not be approved unless the development can provide its own non-potable water source for irrigation. The ordinances, needed to prevent the fastest growing region in the nation from running out of water, are the most restrictive for new construction in Utah. “We can’t risk running out of water,” said Zach Renstrom, general manager of the Washington County Water Conservancy District (district). “Prolonged drought has threatened our only water source – we have to make changes to how our community uses its water to protect our economy and quality of life.” “We applaud Washington County’s water conservation accomplishments and current efforts, including setting a higher development standard in the state with these new municipal ordinances,” said Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox. “Our future depends on every community in Utah making water conservation a top priority.” The ordinances also require the use of secondary (untreated) water and reuse (treated wastewater) for outdoor irrigation where available. Washington County currently uses secondary and reuse water to irrigate parks, schools, golf courses, city-owned facilities and some residential neighborhoods. The district is developing a regional reuse system in partnership with its municipal customers that will significantly enhance the availability of reuse water for future development. Other ordinance requirements include: Hot water recirculation systems Water-sense labeled fixtures EnergyStar appliances Submetering of multi-unit facilities Restrictions on water features including misting systems Water budgets for golf courses, and Limits on water used by car wash facilities The new ordinances are projected to save nearly 11 billion gallons of water in the next 10 years. Each respective municipality will enforce its new ordinance. The cities will review received water waste complaints and monitor metering data to notify and issue penalties to non-compliant customers. To help encourage compliance, the district will begin assessing an additional fee for high water use in 2023. Money generated from this fee will fund water conservation programs, including rebates to replace grass with water-efficient landscaping. Most municipalities require a minimum landscape vegetative cover using drought-tolerant plants and trees irrigated with a drip system to maintain community aesthetics and reduce impacts from urban heat island effects. Washington County is Utah’s hottest, driest and fastest-growing region. The county’s population is projected to more than double by 2050. All major population centers are currently dependent on a single water source, the Virgin River Basin, which is reaching its full development capacity. The basin has been in drought conditions 16 of the last 20 years and water supply levels at local reservoirs are decreasing. The county’s long-term water supply plan includes additional water conservation and reuse, local source optimization and new resource development. Washington County has already reduced its per capita water use more than 30% since 2000 – the greatest reduction in water use in Utah – and is planning for an additional 14% reduction by 2030, using 2015 as the baseline year. 1 Residential restrictions vary slightly by municipality, but most are limited to 8% of the lot size with a cap for large lots. Grass in park strips, in areas less than 8 feet wide and on slopes is prohibited. About Washington County Water Conservancy District The Washington County Water Conservancy District is a not-for-profit public agency that oversees water resources in Washington County, Utah. Visit wcwcd.org for more information. Contact Details Washington County Water Conservancy District Karry Rathje +1 435-673-3617 karry@wcwcd.org Company Website https://www.wcwcd.org/

August 03, 2022 07:51 AM Mountain Daylight Time

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US Banking Industry Challenges Galore as Customer Experience (CX) Issues are Demanding Attention

Clootrack

One of the most significant challenges the banking industry faces right now is the security concerns of banking customers. While mobile apps and technology have made banking more convenient, they also present new difficulties. These findings are based on an analysis of 84,497 customer conversations discovered over 17 months in 2021-22 on major US traditional and Neobanks conducted by Delaware-based Clootrack, a real-time customer experience analytics platform. The report covers changing dynamics in the banking industry and presents opportunities for brands to enhance customer experience. Banks mentioned by the customers include Bank of America, Capital One, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase, PNC Financial Services, TD Banks, Truist Financial, U.S. Bancorp, Wells Fargo, and Neo Banks mentioned are Albert Corporation, Bank Mobile, Chime, Current, Dave, Go2Bank, Monzo, Revolut, Sable, SoFi and Varo. Thousands of conventional & neobank customers are taking to social media to flag off instances of poor customer service and negative aspects of various US banks. Even though Neo, digital or virtual banking, is on the upswing, the sector faces many critical concerns, the chief being the much-needed trust. Even with the hi-tech, sophisticated, and cutting-edge digital banking solutions that have transformed the offerings, the customers of Neo banks are facing distressing experiences in account closures. Neobank customers have huge problems with security, fraud, and refunds. Neobanks have a massive challenge of creating trust and maintaining it. This overriding factor is to build confidence around safe accounts and access. Traditional bank customers are concerned about the card services, late payment charges, and higher fees. At the same time, security was also a cause of concern. The customers are looking for better card services and a reduction in various types of charges. Another aspect of the customers includes the card balance, getting a credit increase, issuing new cards, card information, and card delivery. Key findings from the Banking Customer Experience Study: Neobanks 92.42% of the 3,270 customers' opinions about ' Account Closures ' represented a terrible customer experience. Customers are shocked when they suddenly get a message saying their account is closed or deleted. 73.07% of 3,412 customer opinions about ' security ' were negative, highlighting blocked accounts, resetting passwords, more vigorous verification checks, and security guidelines. 93.40% of 3,123 customer opinions relating to ' Fraud ' spoke about their money being stolen, fraudulent transactions, scams, and fraudulent cards, from their bank accounts. 79.73% of 1,865 customer opinions about ' Currency exchange rates ' were positive. This development is because traditional banks have a higher exchange rate than Neobanks, indicating a growing appetite for mobile banking. Traditional Banks Card services are the biggest concern for customers of traditional banking. Of 6,505 customer opinions regarding ' card services ', 58.20% have expressed a negative customer experience. Some customer concerns include automatic lowering of credit limit, not increasing credit limit, and dropping credit score. 82.43% of 3,495 customers who spoke about ' extra charges ' are unhappy due to the high amount levied as late fees, overdraft fees, maintenance fees, cancellation fees, insufficient fund fees, and other services fees. Traditional legacy bank customers claim that banks block their clients from performing international transactions. The number of opinions is low for conventional banks and high for Neobanks, indicating that Neobanks are preferred for convertibility. 70.89% of 3,016 customer opinions about ' security ' were negative, highlighting denied access to their accounts, locked accounts, high-security checks restricting them from login, resetting passwords, more vigorous verification checks, and malfunctioning fingerprint recognition. Report Methodology ‘ Customer Experience Report: Traditional Banks V/S Neobanks 2022 ’ draws insights from 84K online customer reviews and online conversations in the banking sector. These insights were the topics of a discussion in CX See Why show hosted by Dan Gingiss, an international CX keynote speaker, and author of "The Experience Maker". To view the report findings video, click here. To download the complete insights report click here. About Clootrack Clootrack is an intelligent customer experience analytics platform for enterprises and high-stake decision-makers. Clootrack’s powerful AI-driven engine helps brands understand the qualitative reasons “ why ” their customer experience drops. all in real-time. For more information, visit www.clootrack.com. Contact Details Clootrack Madhu Manjunatha C. S., Head-Corporate Communications +1 949-518-3646 madhu.manjunatha@clootrack.com

August 03, 2022 07:11 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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A Million Dollars Will ‘Level Up’ Thousands of Houston Area Residents Out of Digital Divide

Comcast Houston

If you’ve ever played a popular 80’s video game, then you know about the disadvantages your character has right out of the gate. You can’t jump as high or as far, and it’s easier to lose the level and have to start all over again. But in the first few seconds, there’s usually always a chance to ‘level up’ your character. Instantly, you can jump higher and farther, run faster and if you encounter an enemy, you still have another chance at winning the level. There are thousands of Houston area residents who — from a digital perspective — aren’t ‘leveled up” and therefore struggle to participate in the digital economy. Some Houstonians still don’t know how to surf the web, write emails or create a resume. Others don’t even have a reliable and fast internet connection in their homes. The digital divide is still big. According to the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau’s American Communities Survey, one in ten households, or 687,086 households, in the greater Houston area do not have an internet subscription or do not have a computer. They want to ‘level up’, and they are about to get it. Comcast, the Houston area’s largest internet service provider, is giving more than one million dollars this year to local organizations that help students, adults and people with disabilities ‘level up’ their computer, career development and tech education skills. The million-dollar investment will also support ongoing efforts to build awareness about low-cost or no-cost connectivity programs like Internet Essentials and the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). “These investments are a part of Comcast’s ongoing efforts to make a real difference in southeast Texas by giving families an opportunity to thrive in this digital age,” Ralph Martinez, Comcast Houston’s Regional Senior Vice President, said. “The Internet is where life happens. It allows students to expand their educational aspirations and it empowers parents to explore better job openings so they can ultimately deliver a better quality of life for their families.” So far, Comcast has given grants to eight Houston area organizations. More announcements will be made later this year. United Way | Funding will be used to provide tech experts (Digital Navigators) to help people in need of digital skills training. BakerRipley | Funding will support computer skills, software, email and internet safety training for low-income adults in the Houston area. Comp-U-Dopt | Funding will support students participating in Early Adopters, STEAM Team and Learn2Earn, which brings technology education to area youth. Comp-U-Dopt will also use the funding to provide tech experts (Digital Navigators) to help people in need of digital skills training. Easter Seals of Greater Houston | Funding will support the development of a curriculum for people with disabilities to help them successfully learn to use digital technology to gain and maintain employment. The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston | Funding will help high school students gain technical and leadership skills through the Workforce Readiness Program. AAMA | Funding will be used to purchase technology and equipment to support students through the training program at the Work and Learn Center, with an emphasis on digital literacy and design. Dress for Success | Funding will be used to provide Houston-area women with the resources needed to obtain long-term employment through access to job readiness training, digital skills workshops, computers and mobile labs. AVANCE-Houston | Funding will support adult literacy program and continue to build pathways to economic mobility for families in the community. “We are passionate about doing our part to help close the digital divide and committed to helping establish a more equitable foundation for learning, working and succeeding,” Martinez said. Comcast remains steadfast in its efforts to connect people to moments that matter, to connect families to opportunities in Southeast Texas. For more than a decade, the company has offered Internet Essentials to help low-income Americans access reliable, high-speed internet. Comcast is now a proud champion of the federal government’s new Affordable Connectivity Program. ACP gives qualifying households up to $30 towards their monthly internet bill. With ACP, Comcast’s Internet Essentials internet service is free. As more Houston area residents get the ‘level up’ they need, just like in their gameplay, they will have more chances to keep advancing—better jobs, better education, innovation, opportunities and yes, more fun and better gaming. Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on connectivity, aggregation and streaming with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Comcast Houston Steve Campion +1 832-920-2001 Steve_Campion@comcast.com Company Website https://houston.comcast.com/

August 02, 2022 08:40 AM Central Daylight Time

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Amesite Reports Partnering With Conner Prairie To Launch Next-Generation Educational Tools

Amesite Inc.

Amesite Inc. (NASDAQ: AMST) is an artificial intelligence (AI) software company offering a cloud-based learning platform and custom course creation for businesses, universities, nonprofits and government agencies. Amesite boasts many strategic partnerships, but its collaboration with Conner Prairie, a living history museum in Indiana, has garnered attention. Amesite says it has implemented plans to deliver eLearning solutions, powered by its online ecosystem, with an anticipated public launch in Fall 2022. Amesite’s online Learning Community Environment™ system will offer K-12 programs for teachers, parents, life-long learners and students. The system is reportedly up-to-date with the latest of Amesite’s technology, including powerful AI solutions to deliver low-cost, scalable and customized educational content. As a partner, Conner Prairie will have autonomy on curating and developing branded content in line with its current research and resources. At its disposal are advanced technology tools within an intuitive design framework. Participants will have the opportunity not only to learn but also engage with Conner Prairie’s information content presented through Amesite. True to the Amesite way, knowledge will be delivered in a digital, easy-to-use and collaborative format. About Conner Prairie Conner Prairie is a living museum in Indiana and one of the largest attractions in the Midwest region, with over 400,000 annual visitors. Conner Prairie plays an important societal role in Indiana as a knowledge resource and innovator of science, history, art and nature. The market size of the museum industry in the United States, perhaps surprisingly, reached $15.4 billion in 2021, denoting a 19 percent increase over the previous year's figure of $12.9 billion. This sector's market size was forecast to rise further in the following year, with an estimated six percent growth. Conner Prairie is fundamentally about learning and contextualizing how society has grown and evolved throughout history. Numerous educational tools are used to give visitors a truly immersive and collaborative experience. Conner Prairie is also dedicated to modernized learning tools and digital education programs, especially in an effort to foster the relationships between remote visitors and members that are not on-site. Amesite says its digital learning software solutions will allow for deeper collaboration with Conner Prairie and the educational community. Amesite will deliver its entire ecosystem of education software solutions for Conner Prairie. This will enable Conner Prairie to create customized, branded digital learning courses and materials for the global community, giving users the opportunities to learn from anywhere, anytime. Conner Prairie emphasized the importance of having a partner that cares about learning and the last mile, which it found with Amesite. According to Norman Burns, President and CEO of Conner Prairie, "Since 1934, Conner Prairie has followed founder Eli Lilly's intention to make Conner Prairie a place where history and learning can occur in ways that books cannot teach," he said. "The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need to find new ways to meet schoolchildren and educators where they were, despite health, geographical or financial barriers. Through our partnership with Amesite, we are furthering our mission to inspire curiosity and foster learning by providing engaging and individualized experiences for everyone." Burns added that "we are excited to partner with Amesite to create this new innovative digital learning platform that will expand our capabilities to deliver best-in-class online learning experiences to our global community. It is yet another example of how Conner Prairie is changing the way the world views and uses museums." About Amesite Amesite is a SaaS educational company employing what it says is the most advanced AI-driven online learning platform in the industry. Its solutions include end-to-end infrastructure for customized, branded learning content creation and online course creation. Amesite’s platform is integrated with Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) Azure Cloud, allowing for enhanced scalability and speed. Amesite is a player in the multi-billion-dollar online learning market for business and education. Other key players within this space include Coursera Inc. (NYSE: COUR) and Powerschool Holdings Inc. (NYSE: PWSC). Learn more about Amesite’s solutions here. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Amesite Inc., an artificial intelligence driven platform and course designer, provides online products in the United States. The company uses machine learning to offer a mass customized experience to learners. Its customers include businesses, universities and colleges, K-12 schools, and non-profit organizations. The company was incorporated in 2017 and is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Amesite, Inc. +1 734-876-8141 info@amesite.com Company Website http://www.amesite.io

August 01, 2022 04:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Rahama Wright, Chief Executive Officer of Yeleen Enterprises, has been appointed to the Presidential Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa for her fourth term

Yeleen Enterprises

Rahama Wright, CEO Yeleen Enterprises has been appointed to serve a fourth term on the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa (PAC-DBIA). U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, appointed 24 members to serve a two-year term. Council members are selected from small, medium, and large U.S. companies across the United States representing a diverse range of industries and economic sectors. “I have had the pleasure and honor of serving on the Advisory Council for the three previous terms and in both the Obama and the Trump Administrations,” says Wright. “I look forward to demonstrating the same level of high commitment as in previous terms and plan to proudly advance the efforts of the Advisory Council as it transitions with new members and the Biden Administration.” The PAC-DBIA was established in 2014 to provide recommendations and analysis through the Secretary of Commerce to the President, on strengthening commercial engagement between the United States and Africa. During her service on the Advisory Council, Wright drafted Advisory Council recommendations on doing business in Africa, participated in the fact-finding mission to Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, contributed to the development of the “Keys to Success” report, and reviewed and provided feedback on the Prosper Africa Roadmap. In her most recent term, Wright supported core programming for the PAC-DBIA such as the “Keys to Success” webinar series where PAC-DBIA members shared practical advice on entering African markets. She also spearheaded the PAC DBIA’s high-level event for Women’s History Month titled “Enabling Women Entrepreneurs in US-Africa Trade & Investment.” The PAC DBIA is a policy tool for advancing US trade engagement with Africa by leveraging the experience of private sector leaders to inform the Secretary of Commerce and the President. Wright will continue to contribute perspectives from running a social impact business that strengthens supply chains on behalf of African and women-led cooperatives. About Rahama Wright After serving in the Peace Corps, Rahama Wright began her entrepreneurial journey by launching Shea Yeleen, a shea butter brand with the mission to create living wage jobs for women in Northern Ghana. The products secured features in Oprah Magazine, MSNBC, CNBC, and retail distribution in select Whole Foods Markets and MGM Resorts. A leading voice on African women’s economic and business development, in 2014, Rahama was first appointed to the Presidential Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa. She received her BA in International Relations from the State University of New York at Geneseo. An avid traveler, Rahama has visited and worked in 36 countries. About Yeleen Enterprises Yeleen Enterprises is a social impact company comprised of the Shea Yeleen product line, and the Yeleen Beauty Makerspace. Shea Yeleen is dedicated to empowering women in West Africa and the United States through the production, sale, and use of shea butter products. A unique blend of grassroots organizing and business development, Shea Yeleen is a company that specializes in manufacturing high-quality, pure plant-based shea butter products with a commitment to ethical sourcing. The Yeleen Beauty Makerspace is a Washington DC-based co-manufacturing space for early-stage, independent beauty entrepreneurs to launch in 2023. Contact Details Media Inquiries robin@charmedpr.com Company Website https://sheayeleen.com

August 01, 2022 01:10 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Minuteman Press Million-Dollar Owners Thomas and Denise Batliner Share Keys to Business Growth in Louisville, KY

Minuteman Press International Inc

Thomas and Denise Batliner have owned their Minuteman Press franchise located at 3905 Bardstown Road since November of 2005. With over 16 years in business, Thomas shares the following insights that helped he and Denise grow their business in Louisville and become members of the Minuteman Press International President’s Million-Dollar Circle. On this accomplishment, Thomas says, “Denise and I believe marketing efforts, customer service, networking, and a little luck have been vital to our success and longevity. We would like to place special emphasis on customer service. At Minuteman Press in Louisville, we focus on treating the customer as we would like to be treated. We believe anyone who walks through the door can be our next biggest customer, and hospitality may make or break the possible relationship.” He continues, “Over the past 16+ years in business, Denise and I have grown the business by developing relationships with new customer bases. More specifically, we gained these relationships through acquisitions. For example, in August of 2012, we purchased an independent printer. This acquisition almost doubled our 2011 sales in addition to our everyday marketing and networking. Then, in December of 2020, we purchased an independent promotional products company. Like our 2012 acquisition, we almost doubled the past year’s sales. Our new customers are the key to our success, and we appreciate their continued business and loyalty.” From the US Navy to Owning a Printing Business Prior to franchising with Minuteman Press, Thomas Batliner served in the US Navy. He shares, “We didn't start Minuteman Press until 2005 when I was 38 years old. Before reaching this point, I served in the United States Navy for three years where I specialized in aviation hydraulics (AMH3). This military experience reinforced the work ethic instilled in me at a young age while farming with my family and has played a vital role in driving my determination to stay in the printing industry.” Thomas continues, “Furthermore, after being honorably discharged, I was a tool and die specialist by trade before being promoted to an estimator at a plastics manufacturer, Beach, Mold, and Tool, now known as NYX. While in this role, I earned an associate degree in Business. But most importantly, I decided I wanted to drive my career and become an entrepreneur. Minuteman Press matched this goal because of the low initial investment, and the business presented the new challenge I was seeking.” “Minuteman Press International supported me from the beginning before I had any professional knowledge about the printing industry. For instance, at the initial home office training, I learned basic facts about paper stocks and more information regarding machine availability and capabilities. Lastly, our office utilizes FLEX, the workflow software developed by Minuteman Press that constantly evolves to add effective apps that drive marketing value.” – Thomas Batliner, owner, Minuteman Press, Louisville, KY Leveraging Local Business Relationships & Benefits of Printing Today When asked what it has been like to own a business in Louisville for over 16 years, Thomas shares, “We are in an urban area and serve a diverse community. There are people from many varying backgrounds, and we have learned about different cultures from around the world. Additionally, we are part of a community where nearby business owners help and look out for one another. For instance, a nearby competitor has helped us continue production during machine downtime and meet customer demand. To return this favor, we have been known to share our resources if this competitor is short-staffed. Because of this dynamic, we believe it is important to develop healthy relationships with everyone in the community, even those with competing business goals.” Thomas explains why printing remains so vital today, sharing, “We believe printing remains vital today because it secures a company’s mission. In terms of management, it also provides different avenues for documentation. To illustrate, when a business provides a digital or physical copy of an employee handbook to its staff, it can better document and communicate expectations and other important information.” He adds, “The main benefit of print is that it can be found everywhere, from the menu you use at your favorite restaurant menu to the branded t-shirt you buy at the store. Because of print's presence, companies always need it. Even during uncertain times like the pandemic, manufacturing facilities, hospitals, and a variety of other companies needed printed materials promoting safety warnings and best practices.” “Our highest demand products and services include envelopes, every door direct mail (EDDM), and wide format printing, a powerful visual medium used for larger files such as blueprints and banners. Our customers value these products and services because they can reach a larger audience. In addition to our highest demand products, key growth areas for our business are promotional products and branded apparel. For example, the customers from our acquisition of the promotional products company have driven sales and we have added a new product line that existing customers can access.” –Thomas Batliner Rewards of Owning a Business & Advice to Others As Thomas and Denise reflect on their accomplishments, there are a couple of items that really stick out. Thomas says, “The biggest personal reward for Denise and me was the ability to put both of our children through college as traditional four-year students. Lauren, our oldest, is now a critical care nurse and Erica, our youngest, is a sourcing and supply chain professional.” He adds, “Aside from this personal reward, our biggest professional reward was receiving our plaque for the Minuteman Press International President's Million Dollar circle. After 16+ years of business, it was an honor to achieve such a high sales goal and to meet others who have accomplished the same or more.” Thomas shares the following advice to today’s aspiring business owners, saying, “The advice I would give to someone looking to own a business is ‘do your homework.’ You need to choose something you can be passionate about and enjoy daily. Despite the hard work ahead of you, because there are some long days and weeks, it can be very rewarding.” For more information on Minuteman Press in Louisville, Kentucky, visit https://minuteman.com/us/locations/ky/louisville20/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

August 01, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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The App Store Tax: How the App Store Limits Consumer Freedom

YourUpdateTV

Have you ever wondered why you cannot manage your account on many popular apps or why subscription fees are greater while purchasing through an app than through a website? One reason: the app tax. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/5JXDgYSgtzM App store gatekeepers deny users the ability to choose how and which apps you download onto your mobile devices, claiming security concerns. “It’s time to bring an end to monopolistic practices that stand in the way of an open, fair, and competitive digital marketplace. Congress has the opportunity to rein in Big Tech through the bipartisan, bicameral Open App Markets Act. This proposal would hold gatekeeper platforms accountable, increase fair competition, and benefit consumers across the nation with greater choice and innovation.” said Rick VanMeter, Executive Director for the Coalition for App Fairness. The Open App Markets Act would fix the broken mobile app marketplace by requiring mobile gatekeepers to allow third-party app stores and third-party in-app payment systems. Additionally, the legislation prohibits anti-competitive practices, such as “self-preferencing,” by banning app stores from engaging in behaviors that put their products at an advantage over independent developers and competitors. A recent survey found that 68% of voters think Big Tech has too much power and 79% support efforts by Congress to pass the Open App Markets Act and open up the mobile app ecosystem to competition. In California, polling showed that 69% of likely California voters believe Big Tech has too much power and 75% support the Open App Markets Act. Developers note that a 15-30% fee by dominant platforms, like Apple or Google, represents an enormous portion of their revenue, in many cases an untenably large one. Developers and creators want Big Tech to open their app store platforms so that any company can build software on their own terms and release it to people freely. For more information, visit appfairness.org. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

July 28, 2022 05:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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FORMER CONGRESSMEN FRANK R. WOLF (R-VA) AND TONY P. HALL (D-OH) JOIN ATHENAI TO ANNOUNCE FRANK WOLF-TONY HALL FELLOWS PROGRAM

Athenai Institute

The Athenai Institute, a non-partisan, student-founded 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to removing the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from colleges and universities throughout the country, unveiled the Frank Wolf-Tony Hall Fellows Program. Athenai will select 8 politically engaged undergraduate leaders from around the country to serve as the vanguard of its campaign for university divestment from entities tied to the Chinese government and its human rights abuses. The program will combine education with advocacy, equipping students with the skills and expertise they will need to become lifelong leaders. The Fellows Program is named for former members of Congress Frank R. Wolf, a Republican who represented Virginia’s 10th Congressional District between 1981 and 2015, and Tony P. Hall, a Democrat who represented Ohio’s 3rd Congressional District between 1979 and 2002. While in office, Congressmen Wolf and Hall were staunch and politically courageous advocates for human rights whose commitment to doing what was right transcended party lines. Now, Athenai is proud to have their support as it seeks to bring these same values to campuses around the country. As part of the program, fellows will work directly with Athenai’s national leadership to advocate for universities to eliminate their entanglements with the Chinese government and its proxies, including investments held through their endowments, contracts with businesses, and research partnerships. Fellows will also participate in biweekly virtual seminars hosted by experts in key aspects of Athenai’s mission as part of the organization’s Agora Program. After completing the program, fellows will become part of Athenai’s alumni network, providing regular opportunities for young leaders who share a commitment to human rights, free inquiry, and the independence of our academic institutions to network through Athenai and partner organizations as they begin their professional careers. “On campuses across the country, momentum is building for our student-driven divestment movement,” said John Metz, Athenai’s President. “This new program is a major step forward in holding institutions of higher education accountable and ensuring that universities feel the growing pressure to live up to their stated ideals. The Fellows Program represents Athenai’s biggest investment yet in the next generation of leaders who will speak truth to power and demand that our leading educational institutions disentangle themselves from the CCP.” “The Athenai Institute is carrying the torch of human rights and democracy into the next generation,” said Former Congressman Frank R. Wolf. "Their work to empower college students to create change on a bipartisan basis could not be more important." “While serving in Congress and as an Ambassador, I sought to show America's commitment to building hope in the world,” said Former Congressman Tony P. Hall, who served as United States Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture from 2002 to 2006. "Today, the students of the Athenai Institute are part of that same mission. I am proud to stand with these students as they seek to effect change on their campuses and around the world." Details about the program can be found on Athenai’s website. ### Athenai is a non-partisan, student-founded 501(c)(3) formed in May 2020 to remove the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from American college campuses. Athenai advocates for student governments and university administrations to close Confucius Institutes, divest of investments and other financial entanglements with the Chinese government, and establish policies and mechanisms to prevent the CCP from encroaching on academic discourse and the independence of academic institutions. To support Athenai's work, please visit https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/athenaiinstitute. For more information or to schedule an interview with an Athenai spokesperson, please contact Dan Rene at 202-329-8357. Contact Details Athenai Institute John Metz +1 804-615-5838 john.metz@athenai.org Company Website https://athenai.org/

July 28, 2022 12:28 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Cloudrise announces $10M in total funding

Cloudrise

Cloudrise, a tech-enabled services firm focused on securing data wherever it resides, is pleased to announce it has completed financing to raise the company’s total to-date funding to $10 million. Since launching the company in October of 2019, Cloudrise has worked with 100s of global customers, including numerous Fortune 500 enterprises, on their data protection and cloud security projects. During this time, Cloudrise has continued to exceed all stated financial targets and is investing significantly to expand service delivery and research and development teams, while raising the bar for data protection. To help further growth and innovation, Cloudrise secured additional funding in July from Three Kings Capital, with add-on capital from existing investors Stormbreaker Ventures and the Greater Colorado Venture Fund. With success comes the need to add more talent to Cloudrise’s Board of Directors, and Bill Ryckman, Managing Principal at Three Kings Capital, will join the Cloudrise board. "We are very pleased to be partnering with Cloudrise and its proven management team led by Rob Eggebrecht," Ryckman said. "Cloudrise is a well-known leader in the data protection market, with particular expertise in the cloud, and a reputation for delivering exceptional service. As more and more businesses embrace the cloud, Cloudrise has become an integral partner to a diverse set of clients across the country and around the world, helping to keep their data safe from cyber criminals. With its high-quality team and technology-enabled platform, Cloudrise is well-positioned to serve our collective mission on a much wider scale.” Cloudrise co-founder and CEO Rob Eggebrecht is excited about the future ahead for the company. “Our latest funding venture is a major milestone, allowing Cloudrise to fast-track industry-changing initiatives for how professional services are delivered in the cyber industry via our tech-enablement approach,” Eggebrecht said. “The current status quo for delivering professional services in the cyber industry is outdated, inefficient, and does not scale to the world of cloud computing in global enterprises today. While organizations are contending with the exponential growth of data and an excessive amount of cyber security application/platforms, traditional service providers are stuck in a mindset of a help-desk, ticket-driven world, attempting to throw more people at the problem.” Instead of throwing more time and resources at complex data security challenges, Cloudrise leverages a proprietary service delivery platform to increase efficiencies, enable better collaboration, and reduce time needed to deliver high-value outcomes. By bundling software and humans, Cloudrise delivers tech-enabled services that allow customers to realize an immediate impact for their business. Cloudrise continues to build on what has been a groundbreaking 2022, in which the company announced: The acquisition of CyberOrchard, an information security managed service organization located in the United Kingdom Jason Bird, CyberOrchard’s founder and CEO, as CTO at Cloudrise Cloudrise named as Netskope’s Global Services Partner of the Year Placement on the Managed Security 100 on CRN’s Managed Service Provider 500 list for 2022 ‘Best Solution in Data Security’ at Global InfoSec Awards by Cyber Defense Magazine Hiring Rob Zillioux as CFO The opening of a new global headquarters facility in Grand Junction, Colorado About Three Kings Capital Three Kings Capital is a mission-driven, family office-backed private equity platform that invests exclusively in cyber security companies. Its mission is to protect the world's assets, critical infrastructure, and personally identifiable information from cyber threats. Aided by an Advisory Board of government and private sector cyber security experts, Three Kings seeks to enable and partner with mission-driven companies at any stage of development. Its permanent, flexible capital base allows Three Kings to invest in any type of security within the capital structure. Three Kings is headquartered in New York City but seeks investment opportunities from around the country and certain other parts of the world. For more information, please visit www.ThreeKingsCapital.com. About Cloudrise Cloudrise is a technology-enabled services firm, specializing in delivering data security services customized to meet organizations’ business needs. Drawing from 20+ years of experience in the field, we have tailored our services to be laser-focused on securing organizations’ data wherever it resides. Cloudrise helps organizations elevate their data protection and privacy programs through assessments, technology enablement, and managed services. Cloudrise can be found at www.cloudrise.com or on LinkedIn. Contact Details Cloudrise Robert McLean +1 800-917-7619 sales@cloudrise.com Company Website https://cloudrise.com/

July 28, 2022 05:00 AM Mountain Daylight Time

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