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Capitol City Legal Group, a leading personal injury attorney firm in Roseville, proudly announces a significant milestone in its commitment to client advocacy. Andrey Yurtsan, the firm's lead Roseville personal injury attorney, has been inducted into the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an elite organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements.

This recognition underscores Capitol City Legal Group's dedication to delivering superior legal representation and achieving remarkable results for personal injury victims in Roseville and surrounding areas. The firm's expertise in handling complex personal injury cases has consistently led to substantial recoveries for their clients, solidifying their reputation as top-tier car accident attorneys in Roseville.

"Joining the Million Dollar Advocates Forum is a testament to our unwavering commitment to our clients," said Yurtsan, lead car accident attorney at Capitol City Legal Group. "This achievement reflects our team's relentless pursuit of justice and fair compensation for those we represent in Roseville and beyond."

Capitol City Legal Group's success stems from its innovative approach to personal injury law, combining cutting-edge legal strategies with compassionate client care. As Roseville's premier personal injury law firm, they continue to set the standard for excellence in legal representation.

Key highlights of Capitol City Legal Group's services include: 

• Expertise in personal injury cases in Roseville
• A track record of million-dollar settlements and verdicts 
• Personalized attention from experienced Roseville personal injury attorneys 

For Roseville residents seeking expert legal representation for car accidents or personal injury cases, Capitol City Legal Group offers free consultations. Their team is ready to provide the high-caliber advocacy that has earned them recognition among the nation's top legal professionals.

To learn more about how Capitol City Legal Group can assist with your personal injury or car accident case in the greater Sacramento area, visit https://capitolcitylegalgroup.com or call (916) 500-PAIN (7246).

About Capitol City Legal Group

Capitol City Legal Group is Roseville's leading personal injury and car accident law firm. With a focus on client success and a history of significant case outcomes, our team of experienced Roseville personal injury attorneys is dedicated to securing justice and maximum compensation for accident victims. From car accidents to complex personal injury cases, Capitol City Legal Group provides unparalleled legal expertise and personalized service to clients throughout Roseville and the surrounding areas. For more information, visit https://capitolcitylegalgroup.com.

In a compelling new episode of “The Right Wing Voice” podcast, host Alexander Spellane, CEO of Fisher Capital, sits down with Jay Furman, the recently selected Republican nominee for Congress in Texas. Furman, a retired naval officer, brings a wealth of experience and a clear vision for the future of America.

The episode, now available on all major podcast platforms, centers around Furman’s advocacy for a return to Trump-era policies, particularly focusing on national security and economic sovereignty. As the conversation unfolds, Furman passionately argues for the completion of the border wall and emphasizes the critical importance of securing America’s borders to protect national interests.

A key highlight of the episode is Furman’s discussion on the role of gold in empowering conservatives. He articulates how investing in gold can provide a stable economic foundation, ensuring financial independence and bolstering conservative values in the face of economic uncertainty.

Key Topics Covered

• The Power of Gold: Furman explores how gold investments can strengthen conservative economic strategies, fostering stability and sovereignty.

• Securing America’s Borders: A detailed discussion on the necessity of completing the border wall and implementing stronger border security measures to ensure the safety and prosperity of the nation.

This episode offers a thought-provoking discussion for those committed to conservative principles and interested in the future of American governance. Jay Furman’s insights provide a roadmap for achieving a secure and prosperous America, resonating deeply with the values of national security and economic independence. 

Listeners interested in tuning in can find "The Right Wing Voice" on various podcast platforms, including Spotify, Youtube, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts.

About “The Right Wing Voice” Podcast

“The Right Wing Voice,” hosted by Alexander Spellane, is a podcast dedicated to exploring conservative ideas, policies, and leadership. Each episode features in-depth interviews with influential figures who are driving the conversation on the right, providing listeners with valuable insights and perspectives on the most pressing issues facing America today.

About Fisher Capital

Fisher Capital, led by CEO Alexander Spellane, is a leading investment firm specializing in helping clients protect and grow their wealth through strategic investments in physical assets. Committed to providing expert financial advice and unparalleled service, Fisher Capital is proud to sponsor content that empowers individuals to secure their financial futures. To learn more, visit https://www.fishercapitalgroup.com.

Alexander Spellane, CEO of Fisher Capital and host of “The Right Wing Voice” podcast, is thrilled to announce the release of Episode 9, featuring an insightful interview with Andrew Crapuchettes, founder and CEO of RedBalloon. This episode delves into the critical issues of workplace freedom, conservative hiring practices, and the power of economic influence.

In this engaging episode, Crapuchettes shares his journey and mission with RedBalloon, America’s #1 pro-freedom job board. RedBalloon connects serious job seekers with employers who respect their faith and values, avoiding mandates that compromise personal beliefs. Crapuchettes explains how RedBalloon maintains workplace freedom by not requiring vaccines, DEI initiatives, or other politically charged mandates. The conversation also touches on why many businesses are reluctant to hire graduates from “woke” colleges, preferring hardworking individuals who focus on their roles rather than political activism.

Crapuchettes discusses RedBalloon’s involvement in the Truth Movement, including monthly surveys of over 70,000 businesses on their views regarding politics, education, ethics, and values. Many businesses would rather hire alumni from Turning Point USA over those from Harvard, highlighting a shift towards valuing work ethic and alignment with conservative principles. The episode further explores Spellane’s emphasis on the importance of “Voting with Your Wallet,” encouraging listeners to use their financial decisions to support businesses that align with their personal worldviews.

Crapuchettes urges listeners to take daily actions to support conservative media and companies, reinforcing the impact of consistent, small changes in behavior. He also highlights the importance of investing in gold, viewing it as an investment in America’s original financial standard and a way of supporting the country’s foundational principles.

About "The Right Wing Voice" Podcast

Hosted by Alexander Spellane, “The Right Wing Voice” podcast features in-depth interviews and discussions on conservative values, economic strategies, and political issues. The podcast aims to provide listeners with insights and actions to support their beliefs and make a difference in their communities.

About RedBalloon

RedBalloon is a leading pro-freedom job board that connects job seekers with employers who respect their faith and values. With over 3,700 businesses on the platform, RedBalloon aims to create a workplace environment that prioritizes individual freedoms and hard work over political agendas. To learn more, visit https://www.redballoon.work/

About Fisher Capital

Fisher Capital, led by CEO Alexander Spellane, is a leading investment firm specializing in helping clients protect and grow their wealth through strategic investments in physical assets. Committed to providing expert financial advice and unparalleled service, Fisher Capital is proud to sponsor content that empowers individuals to secure their financial futures. To learn more, visit https://www.fishercapitalgroup.com.

Leading platform for professional in-game services, SkyCoach, increases its catalog with 25 new games, including Helldivers 2, Brawl Stars, PUBG Mobile, and more.

SkyCoach helps players achieve their gaming goals through professional boosting, coaching, and guidance. Gamers can hire pro players to play various games on their behalf. This includes titles like Diablo 4, FC24, LoL, Path of Exile, Escape from Tarkov, and more. The boosting service initially offered coaching and in-game items for only 65 games. Now, the service has expanded to include 25 more popular games, which broadens the catalog to an outstanding 90 titles.

The boosting service expanded its catalog to give players access to a wide range of games to choose from. Since most new titles are quickly gaining popularity, the increase ensures all players can get help with their favorite games. Whether that’s power leveling, running dungeons, farming resources, or rank boosting. The platform started offering coaching and boosting services for the top-rated MMORPG WoW. Today, players can choose from 90 games to achieve desired results.

The recent expansion includes titles such as Helldivers 2, Palworld, Once Human, Ravendown, PUBG Mobile, and more. Players can view the complete list of games on SkyCoach. From the list, they can select the title they play and the boosting or coaching service they need. This can be character leveling, weapon boosting, or completing missions, which varies depending on the game. After picking a game and a service, they’ll pay and be matched with a pro player to discuss further details. 

SkyCoach makes it easy for gamers to find the help they need. The platform features a simple interface where players can browse all 90 games. After picking a game, they’re automatically redirected to its page to view the list of services or in-game items available. 

SkyCoach plans to integrate more games in the future. This includes upcoming titles like Call of Duty Black Ops 6. Expanding the service catalog further will give players an extensive range of products to pick from. They can get currencies, obtain rare items, complete quests, and grind missions in some of their favorite games. This will save them the time and effort it takes to complete these activities.

Players who are too busy to play or simply want to skip certain game aspects can use SkyCoach to quickly get ahead. They’ll connect with pro players with years of gaming experience. As a leading platform for professional in-game services and items, SkyCoach allows players to instantly get all the boosting, coaching, and guidance they need.

About SkyCoach

SkyCoach is an online platform that provides professional boosting, coaching, and guidance to players globally. Since 2020, the platform allows players to achieve desired in-game results for various titles. These include Destiny 2, Clash of Clans, Rust, Division 2, Dota 2, The Finals, and Path of Exile. For more information, visit https://skycoach.gg.

LeanData, the modern revenue orchestration platform for today’s growth leaders, together with the OpsStars community, is thrilled to announce the finalists for the 2024 OpsStars Awards. This prestigious recognition spotlights the trailblazing professionals in operations who have made significant contributions to their organizations and the broader industry.

The OpsStars Awards, now in its sixth year, celebrate the most impactful achievements in revenue, sales, and marketing operations. These awards recognize individuals and teams who have demonstrated excellence, innovation and leadership in driving their organizations forward through groundbreaking operations strategies.

“Congratulations to this year’s finalists, who exemplify the very best in operations,” said Evan Liang, CEO and co-founder of LeanData. ”Your dedication to driving meaningful results not only elevates your organizations but also sets the standard for our entire industry. We are honored to recognize your outstanding achievements and the amazing work you continue to do.”

The 2024 OpsStars Award Finalists

Account-Based Program of the Year

• Litera
• Okta
• Workiva

Digital Transformation Award

• Juniper Networks
• Red Hat
• Sunbelt Rentals

Lead Management Program Transformation of the Year (<1,000 employees)

• Nerdwallet
• PagerDuty
• Teikametrics

Lead Management Program Transformation of the Year (>1,000 employees)

• BMC Software
• LiveRamp
• SUSE

Most Cutting-Edge Ops Program of the Year

• MongoDB
• Rebuy
• Subsplash

The Constellation Award

• StreamSets
• Sumo Logic
• Zerofox

OpsStar of the Year

• Kara Wipperfeld, Foursquare
• Kelly Goles, NVIDIA
• Nicole Parmann, Dental Intelligence

The winners of the 2024 OpsStars Awards will be announced at the upcoming OpsStars Conference scheduled to take place on September 18, 2024, at the historic San Francisco Mint. This free conference, held alongside Salesforce’s Dreamforce event, serves as the premier gathering for operations professionals, offering strategic insights, best practices, and opportunities for networking and career development.

To learn more about the OpsStars Conference, view the agenda or register. Stay tuned for the announcement of the winners and join us in celebrating the achievements of these industry leaders at the 2024 OpsStars Conference.

About the OpsStars Awards

The OpsStars Awards celebrate individuals and teams whose groundbreaking innovations have propelled their organizations forward. Categories include Account-Based Program of the Year, Digital Transformation Award, Lead Management Program Transformation of the Year, Most Cutting-Edge Ops Program of the Year, The Constellation Award and OpsStar of the Year. These awards highlight the strategic role operations professionals play in driving revenue and the impact of their leadership within their organizations.

About LeanData

LeanData is the gold standard in Revenue Orchestration, empowering growth leaders to excel in the buyer-directed world of modern B2B selling. With a fully integrated solution, LeanData simplifies the coordination of plays, people and processes, transforming buyer signals into actionable decisions that drive revenue. For more information, visit LeanData.com.

In a gripping new episode of "The Right Wing Voice," host Alexander Spellane, CEO of Fisher Capital, welcomes Mike Lindell, CEO of My Pillow, for an exclusive interview. Sponsored by Fisher Capital, this episode dives deep into the challenges of cancel culture, the imperative need for election reform in America, and practical advice on protecting your retirement with physical assets.

In this candid conversation, Lindell shares his personal experiences with cancel culture and how it has affected My Pillow. He offers his perspective on why America must overhaul its election system to restore voter confidence and ensure transparency. Additionally, Lindell discusses strategies for safeguarding retirement savings by investing in physical assets, providing valuable insights for listeners concerned about their financial future.

Alexander Spellane, known for his thought-provoking interviews, brings his audience yet another powerful episode that is sure to spark dialogue and debate. Don’t miss Episode 8 “Saving America: Battling Cancel Culture and Economic Security” available now on "The Right Wing Voice."

About "The Right Wing Voice" Podcast

"The Right Wing Voice," hosted by Alexander Spellane, is a podcast dedicated to exploring conservative viewpoints on today's most pressing issues. Featuring interviews with influential figures, the podcast aims to provide listeners with diverse perspectives and in-depth analysis.

About Fisher Capital

Fisher Capital, led by CEO Alexander Spellane, is a leading investment firm specializing in helping clients protect and grow their wealth through strategic investments in physical assets. Committed to providing expert financial advice and unparalleled service, Fisher Capital is proud to sponsor content that empowers individuals to secure their financial futures. To learn more, visit https://www.fishercapitalgroup.com.

VIVAZEN®, the industry leading brand of Feel Good Relief® herbal supplements, is proudly celebrating its 10th anniversary by announcing today it has converted to a public benefit corporation (PBC).*

Throughout the last decade, VIVAZEN has been on the mission to empower Everyday Heroes™ to live their best lives through the power of plants and natural wisdom. As a PBC, VIVAZEN will formalize this vision, including this public benefit purpose in its certificate of incorporation. 

Transitioning to a PBC secures and focuses the impact of the VIVAZEN business to legally mandate its commitment to broader societal and environmental outcomes. The formal status will require VIVAZEN to deliver impact in the world and society in general, beyond profit. Locking in this status means as the business grows, its purpose will always be realized.

Since first introduced to the U.S. market, VIVAZEN’s robust portfolio of carefully curated botanical blends has been helping millions of consumers Feel Great™. This mission-driven change to become a PBC furthers the company’s longstanding commitment to social and environmental accountability. The public benefit status opens the door for VIVAZEN to further their corporate charitable partnerships, to be announced in the coming months.

"Embracing our new identity as a Public Benefit Corporation is not just a milestone—it’s a powerful declaration of our dedication to fostering a world where self-care is not just a choice, but a fundamental right," said Natalie Gershon, Chief Marketing Officer at VIVAZEN. "We are deeply committed to advancing our mission, and I am excited to amplify our efforts to create a positive change in the world."

* As measured by Nielsen, 52-week period ending April 2024, US Convenience Channel

Disclaimer: VIVAZEN® products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.

About VIVAZEN

VIVAZEN is a trailblazer in the herbal supplement market, offering an unrivaled lineup of multi-botanical products that deliver Feel Good Relief®. With a decade of experience and a reputation for quality and safety, VIVAZEN is on a mission to empower Everyday Heroes to live their best lives through the power of plants and natural wisdom. For more information, visit https://vivazen.com.

Visa, a world leader in digital payments, has enabled TransferGo, the global fintech empowering a world on the move, to celebrate champions in all forms—both on and off the field. This not only includes prominent Team Visa athletes from Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Uzbekistan, but also millions of hard-working individuals across Central Asian and Georgian communities who make significant contributions both at home and abroad.

The campaign, thanks to Visa, has allowed TransferGo to showcase Team Visa athletes in support of more seamless money transfers across Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Moldova. The campaign will be promoted via Team Visa athletes’ and TransferGo’s social media channels, in-depth interviews, and engaging videos. We are proud to be working with Team Visa athletes who all have their own stories and incredible achievements, including:

• Ardan Galymuly from Kazakhstan who is an advocate for blind sports athletes, highlights the challenges faced by individuals with vision impairments.
• Lasha Bekauri, a Georgian judo master and three-time world champion who is preparing to defend his Olympic gold medal from Tokyo 2020 this summer.
• Oksana Chusovitina, a 47-year-old Uzbek gymnast who has participated in eight Olympic Games to date. Oksana is truly inspiring, especially to women returning to professional sports after motherhood.

"At Visa, we strive to enable fast, simple, and secure cross-border money transfers for people who wish to support their loved ones abroad. We are delighted to partner with TransferGo for this campaign, celebrating more seamless money transfers, with Team Visa athletes Ardan Galymuly, Lasha Bekauri and Oksana Chusovitina," said Doruk Cuhadar, Marketing Director, Visa Europe.

Central Asian and Georgian communities in Europe and the UK make significant contributions to their home countries through remittances. With Visa and TransferGo, our customers can send money 24/7, directly to cards globally.

"Olympic and Paralympic athletes are symbols of determination, commitment, and compassion. Our customers, who support families and friends in their home countries, share similar values. We are immensely proud that our campaign is empowered by Visa and supported by Team Visa athletes. The campaign encourages millions of people to send their hard-earned money back home. This will enable our customers to maintain their meaningful life connections while creating more favorable conditions for global financial inclusivity," said Jonny Steel, Chief Marketing Officer at TransferGo.

TransferGo is hugely proud of its collaboration with Visa and Team Visa athletes during the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024. Last month, thanks to Visa, TransferGo launched an Olympic Games-themed campaign, including an exclusive prize draw for new customers sending money directly to Visa cards in 9 countries. Participants stand a chance of winning exciting prizes including 36 Olympic Games-themed gift boxes, 10 Samsung tablets and phones, and an airline voucher worth £5,000. For more information about the campaign, please visit https://www.transfergo.com/kampania-visa

About TransferGo

TransferGo is a global fintech company dedicated to offering global citizens simpler, more affordable financial services. Celebrating almost 12 years of innovation, TransferGo continues to break down financial barriers, supporting over 7 million customers across 160 countries while remaining profitable. With a strong focus on financial inclusion, TransferGo's mission is to make the world fairer by transforming how people and businesses send and receive money across borders. For more information, visit www.transfergo.com.

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.

In an industry where quality can vary widely, Botanic Tonics is raising the bar for kava and kratom products. The company is urging consumers to ask a crucial question: "Is your kava and kratom coming from a cGMP certified facility?"

Not all kava and kratom are created equal. Botanic Tonics goes to extraordinary lengths to ensure the highest quality and safety standards for its customers:

• cGMP Certified: Our facility adheres to Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations enforced by the FDA. This certification ensures consistent quality in production processes and facilities.

• Rigorous Testing: Every batch undergoes comprehensive in-house testing in our ISO/IEC 17025 accredited lab for purity, potency, and contaminants.

• Sustainable Sourcing: We partner directly with farmers to ensure ethical and sustainable harvesting practices.

• Cutting-Edge Processing: Our state-of-the-art equipment preserves the natural properties of kava and kratom while eliminating impurities.

• Transparency: We provide a finished goods COA (Certificate of Analysis) that gives the specification results for bottles, lids, microbial, iron, heavy metals, pesticides and active materials.

"At Botanic Tonics, rigorous testing is the cornerstone of our entire operation," said Cameron Korehbandi, CEO of Botanic Tonics. "We are a leader in this space, adhering to manufacturing processes found in the nation's premier facilities. Our cGMP certification underscores our unwavering commitment to providing consumers with products of the highest quality and safety. What truly distinguishes us in the industry is our relentless focus on quality assurance. From the moment our raw materials are sourced to the final product reaching our consumers' hands, we conduct meticulous testing at every stage. This ensures that each bottle not only meets but exceeds the standards our customers deserve and expect." 

Consumers are encouraged to research their kava and kratom sources carefully. By choosing products from cGMP certified facilities like Botanic Tonics, they can enjoy these botanical products with confidence. 

For more information about Botanic Tonics' quality standards and product line, visit https://botanictonics.com/pages/faq

About Botanic Tonics

Botanic Tonics is a plant-based herbal supplement company headquartered in Broken Arrow, OK. Established in 2020, it produces kava-forward tonics under its feel free brand. Its signature product, feel free CLASSIC, is crafted with ancient functional plants to provide mood lift, energy, and focus. Botanic Tonics’ products are manufactured in an FDA-registered, cGMP-certified facility and actively supports consumer safety regulations through transparent labeling and educational resources. Learn more at https://botanictonics.com.

Oncology Ventures announces the close of its oversubscribed $30 million Fund I to invest in data-driven startups improving cancer care and research. With a strategic emphasis on driving commercialization success, Oncology Ventures aims to make cancer care more affordable, efficient and accessible for patients and their families.

Oncology Ventures is led by Ben Freeberg, a seasoned healthcare investor—having served as VP at Optum Ventures and first hire at Alpha Partners. Additionally, his operational experience at cancer startup Thyme Care and his personal experience as a cancer survivor uniquely position Freeberg to invest in and empower the next generation of cancer startups.

"Cancer care today is prohibitively expensive and overly complex. We will invest in cutting-edge data and AI solutions to tackle the most pressing challenges in oncology, from early detection to treatment optimization," said Ben Freeberg, founder and Managing Partner of Oncology Ventures. "We are excited by the overwhelming support for our first fund to accelerate cancer innovation."

The impact of cancer is enormous, unsustainable and growing. Annual cancer spend in the U.S. is $210 billion, growing at 12% each year. 40% of people will develop cancer in their lifetime, and 42% of those cancer patients lose their life savings within two years of a cancer diagnosis. Oncology Ventures is investing in startups that will improve care outcomes and reduce costs, bringing value-based care to cancer.

Oncology Ventures’ advisory board features a distinguished group of healthcare, venture and oncology experts, including the former Chief Medical Officer of UnitedHealth Group (Dr. Lee Newcomer), the co-founder of Threshold Ventures (Emily Melton), CEO of Flatiron Health (Carolyn Starrett) and CEO of OneOncology (Dr. Jeff Patton).

Additionally, the fund is backed by premier institutions including Cardinal Health, City of Hope, and Moffitt Cancer Center. "Oncology Ventures represents a collective effort to bring meaningful change to the oncology landscape," Freeberg shared. "Our experienced team, advisory board and limited partners are dedicated to helping these startups scale and positively impacting patients, caregivers, physicians and all those navigating the challenges of cancer care."

Oncology Ventures has made seven investments to date. The fund’s comprehensive set of investment theses span early detection for cancer (Gabbi and mPATH) to care navigation during treatment (Reimagine Care) through to survivorship care (OncoveryCare). Further, the fund is advancing healthcare infrastructure through innovations in cancer clinical trials (IgniteData), precision oncology (Concr) and healthcare AI enablement (Health Universe). Oncology Ventures has secured numerous enterprise contracts for its portfolio companies through its network of limited partners and strategic industry connections.

About Oncology Ventures

Oncology Ventures is a New York-based venture capital firm committed to revolutionizing cancer care and research. With a focus on investing in seed-stage companies, the firm leverages its deep industry expertise and extensive strategic network to advance oncology innovation and assist its portfolio companies with their commercialization efforts.

By investing in startups improving early detection, care navigation during treatment, survivorship and more, Oncology Ventures has positively impacted the lives of 80,000+ cancer patients. The fund is backed by nine strategic investors (including Cardinal Health, City of Hope, and Moffitt Cancer Center) and a suite of institutional fund-of-funds, family offices, and individuals.

For more information, email info@oncology.ventures or visit https://www.oncology.ventures.

To stay up to date on Oncology Ventures’ investment theses, for the latest on cancer innovation, and to get a small dose of comedy, subscribe to our monthly Substack newsletter.

After winning “Best Content Creator” at the internationally recognized Septimius Awards in Amsterdam, Nicole Arbour has decided to decline the award upon discovering concerns about the show’s producer’s previous projects. The 2024 Septimius Awards, held on August 20, recognized notable talent such as Cuba Gooding Jr., with clips of Arbour’s music video “This Is It” shown during the event. However, upon learning about the founder’s involvement in a controversial film titled "Are All Men Pedophiles?," Arbour chose to reject the award in order to stand against child exploitation.

Arbour, known for her viral comedy, music, and social media presence, has supported organizations fighting against human trafficking, including Operation Lightshine and Sentinel Foundation. Her decision to decline the Septimius Award reflects her commitment to opposing exploitation and promoting the welfare of children.

Arbour conducted research on the film background of the Septimius Awards’ founder, Jan-Willem Breure, and found that Breure was involved in the creation of a documentary that Arbour found concerning. This led to her decision to not accept the award.

In her podcast, “The Arbour Affect,” Arbour addressed her audience of 5 million followers on her decision and encouraged others to consider the ethical implications when engaging with organizations and events. Arbour’s refusal has gone viral with over 1 million downloads and views of this episode in less than 24 hours.

Arbour’s refusal has garnered attention from her audience of 5 million followers, many of whom have expressed support for her decision. Jan-Willem Breure, the founder and director of the Septimius Awards, has not yet responded to Arbour’s decision, but he did direct a re-filming of the award presentation in her category, giving her trophy to Indian sketch comedy group Sevengers.

Licensed mental health counselor J.C. Schildbach, MA, LMHC, ASOTP, has commented on the concerns surrounding the film’s content, noting the importance of addressing sensitive issues responsibly.

Arbour hopes her decision will encourage others to consider the values of organizations and events they support. She also invites those interested in combating child exploitation to donate to: https://foundationsentinel.kindful.com/campaigns/1184598

Link to “The Arbour Affect” podcast episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6bzt2fzQTyci0CZWsk9wBE?si=53db6557fab244df

About Arbour Entertainment

Arbour Entertainment is an agency for digital disrupters, affiliated with comedian and recording artist, Nicole Arbour. Known for her debate starting unapologetic comedic takes, Arbour has generated over 1.5 billion video views, received an honorary star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for "Special Achievement in Social Media," and was named the "#1 Influencer to Follow in 2020" by Yahoo. For more information, visit https://arbourentertainment.com.

Media Contact

Kay Tam

+1 323-397-9200

management@nicolearbour.ca

Howard Finster's Paradise Garden hosts its annual two-day art festival, Finster Fest, on September 21–22 in Summerville, Georgia in historic Paradise Garden. Finster Fest will feature 70 folk, craft and fine artists, music and dance performances, and special guest presentations. In addition, patrons will experience a menu of tasty southern fare, a fun-filled children's art activity area, and, of course, the chance to tour Howard Finster's famous historic folk art environment.

Finster Fest features nationally recognized self-taught artists from 12 states including Marshall Blevins (Mississippi), Eric Legge (Georgia), Jim Kopp (Wyoming), Kimberly Dawn Crowder (Tennessee) and Kyle "Black Cat Tips" Brooks (Georgia).

Music performances will be headlined by Kevn Kinney, lead vocalist and guitarist of Drivin N Cryin, folk-country singer Caroline Herring and singer-songwriter Abe Partridge. The 15 music performances held in various parts of Paradise Garden over the two-day festival will include folk, Americana, gospel, bluegrass, indie and country music.

For the first time, Finster Fest will include dance, with performances-in-motion throughout the festival grounds by Atlanta's Beacon Dance.

Speakers will include Jerry Grillo, author of the biography Big Cat: The Life of Baseball Hall of Famer Johnny Mize; attorney McCracken Posten, author of the nonfiction true-crime story Zenith Man: Death, Love, and Redemption in a Georgia Courtroom; and art auction house owner and self-taught art expert Steve Slotin leading a discussion on folk art collecting. Festival food will showcase southern fare such as barbecue ribs and chicken and the Chattooga Garden Club's famous Paradise pimento cheese sandwiches and homemade pound cake, washed down with sweet tea.

"We are so appreciative of the National Endowment for the Arts and Georgia Council for the Arts for being our lead supporters as well as our festival patrons who travel from 14 states to attend this nationally recognized art festival," said Tina Cox, Executive Director of the nonprofit Paradise Garden Foundation.

Event Details for Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden Finster Fest Art Festival

• Location: Howard Finster's Paradise Garden, 200 North Lewis Street Summerville, GA 30747
• Dates: September 21 and 22, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
• Tickets: Buy tickets here or call 706-808-0800. General admission is $10 (children 12 and under free), Chattooga County residents and Paradise Garden members $5. The VIP Patron Hospitality experience includes food, drink and a cozy place to "take 5," among other benefits.
• Parking: Parking is free at the Walmart on U.S. 27 just north of the Paradise Garden, with complimentary 3-minute shuttles provided throughout both days. Parking for guests with disabilities is available on site.

Look for updates at Howard Finster's Paradise Garden on Facebook and Instagram.

About Paradise Garden Foundation

The Paradise Garden Foundation’s mission is to preserve, maintain and showcase Rev. Howard Finster’s visionary artistic site, Paradise Garden. The Foundation’s primary goal is to serve as a social, cultural, educational and artistic nexus for the benefit of Chattooga County and the Northwest Georgia region while also continuing to serve Finster's mission to spread the message and vision for his garden to people worldwide by fostering regional economic development via tourism, public service and creative enterprise. To learn more, visit www.paradisegardenfoundation.org, or call 706-808-0800.

About Finster Fest

Finster Fest launched in 1991 and is Summerville's biggest annual event, drawing more than 2,400 guests from all over the Southeast to Paradise Garden, which is included on the National Register of Historic Places. Proceeds from Finster Fest benefit the nonprofit Paradise Garden Foundation, which operates and works continuously to restore Howard Finster's 4-acre-plus art environment and cultural center. For more information, visit https://paradisegardenfoundation.org/finster-fest.

The Urantia Corps for Spiritual Progress (UCSP) tentatively supports the claim that the Shroud of Turin is the actual burial cloth of Jesus based on The Urantia Book teachings.

"Now that the Shroud’s date has been identified as being consistent with the time of Jesus’ burial, The Urantia Book provides an intriguing account that supports the idea that this may indeed be the burial cloth of Jesus," said UCSP founder Rebecca Bynum. "The Urantia Book states that the Archangels, along with other celestial beings, received permission to dissolve the Master’s material body in an instant of time so as to spare the celestial beings from having to witness the body of their beloved sovereign slowly decay in the tomb. Jesus resurrected in a form of matter called morontia, the same form of matter from which our souls are made."

"The fact that Christ suddenly appeared to the apostles behind a locked door cannot be explained if he were still in his material body," added UCSP co-founder, Marti Garlow Leib. "Morontia matter is a vast level of reality intervening between matter and spirit, and all this is fully explained in the intriguing The Urantia Book."

The Urantia Book is not at all definitive on this matter. It does state the grave cloths were removed from the tomb and thrown over a nearby cliff by the captain of the temple guards, but there is no indication in the book that those grave cloths were found and preserved by early believers. 

"Although it is impossible to know whether the Shroud of Turin is the actual burial cloth of Jesus," began UCSP founding member Julia Raffety. "It is certainly consistent with the account of instantaneous dissolution of the body within those wrappings. Marks certainly would have been made simply from the heat generated."

"We also know that Jesus took great pains not to leave any writing or objects of veneration,” added UCSP founding member Dorenda Morse. "That said, people have been mulling over the Shroud of Turin for centuries and continue to search for the truth about this object. Science has done much to provide facts about the relic, but they haven't been to provide a complete answer. The search goes on for more proof.  There is much food for thought for the answer to this question in The Urantia Book.”

"Personally, I believe the only real evidence of Christ’s resurrection is spiritual," stated UCSP co-founder Cheryl Phillips. "And I believe the midwayers would have destroyed the cloth so as not to leave a relic."

The Urantia Book states: "The Christian belief in the resurrection of Jesus has been based on the fact of the ‘empty tomb.’ It was indeed a fact that the tomb was empty, but this is not the truth of the resurrection. The tomb was truly empty when the first believers arrived, and this fact, associated with that of the undoubted resurrection of the Master, led to the formulation of a belief which was not true: the teaching that the material and mortal body of Jesus was raised from the grave. Truth having to do with spiritual realities and eternal values cannot always be built up by a combination of apparent facts. Although individual facts may be materially true, it does not follow that the association of a group of facts must necessarily lead to truthful spiritual conclusions." (189:2:6)

"While we may never know the truth concerning the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin," added UCSP founder Rebecca Bynum. "We can certainly know the truth of the resurrection of Jesus and have faith that we, too, will be resurrected in morontia form on the Mansion worlds after death."

The Urantia Corps for Spiritual Progress endeavors to bring new understandings about the nature of reality, the cosmos, philosophy, history, and the life and teachings of Jesus to the world.

About the Urantia Corps for Spiritual Progress

The Urantia Corps for Spiritual Progress (UCSP) is dedicated to the dissemination and teaching of The Urantia Book, aiming to bridge the gap between spiritual inquiry and scientific understanding. We reach out to religious groups, scientific communities, philosophical circles, and educational institutions to share the transformative vision of The Urantia Book. For more information, visit our website at https://urantiachurch.org.

Media Contact

Rebecca Bynum

+1 615-775-6801

rebecca@urantiachurch.org

The Urantia Corps for Spiritual Progress (UCSP) is planning to go out on the road to visit study groups, college campuses, and other gatherings around the US to deliver the message that divine help is here in the form of The Urantia Book and that more divine help is on the way.

"While we respect the wisdom of moving slowly person to person in the early years, we feel we are being prompted to reach out to the wider world because the time for The Urantia Book is now," said UCSP founder Rebecca Bynum, who has been a close student of the book since 1980.

"Traditional religion is crumbling, but at the same time, there is a great thirst for true spirituality. Our ancient religions are accompanied by an ancient cosmology and creation myth, both of which are wholly inadequate for the modern age. The Urantia Book reveals the truth about the cosmos and our place in it. It holds the exact right message for this exact time."

Several other co-founders of UCSP express similar convictions, all eager to get out there and spread the powerful messages of the book.

Marti Garlow Leib said her life’s work has been to bring its teachings to bear on the problems of family and family life. "Today, the family is in crisis and needs a firm foundation and the comforting message of The Urantia Book. We can have no higher aspiration in this life than to create new life in partnership with God. Too many young people think of children as a burden and that is a big mistake."

Cheryl Phillips believes the time is right to bring the enhanced teachings of Jesus to the world. "The TV show 'The Chosen' and the Super Bowl ads of 'He gets us’ are bringing a new awareness of Jesus to the youth of today, making him more real. Now we can build the concept of the brotherhood of us all through Urantia Book teachings," said Phillips.

"We've all heard about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, but it has become almost a meaningless mantra, and was never fully explained anyway," added UCSP founding member Dorenda Morse. "The Urantia Book fills in all the blanks about God, Jesus, angels, the Holy Spirit, and more! It answers tons of questions you've always had, and those you haven't even thought of so far. It explains how God is a living part of you. It's a story that simply everyone needs to hear!"

Another UCSP co-founder, Julia Raffety, sees young people lurching from crisis to crisis with no overarching understanding of reality to stabilize them. "The Urantia Book provides the big picture and the long view which is missing in our world. There is great comfort in knowing we are not alone and that we are not responsible for everything and not in control of everything."

Tia Thomson said: “The pervasive message young people are given today is that there is no God and death is the end, which is simply not true. The Urantia Book is the bread of life with which to feed a starving world. It tells us who we are and where we are going—the meaning of life.”

Invitation to Other Urantia Book Students

The group is inviting other Urantia Book students to join them in this evangelical effort. They plan to go out for two weeks at a time, several times a year, beginning in early 2025. 

"Anyone who loves the book and is on fire to share it with others is welcome to join us," said Rebecca. "We plan to share the good news with music and overflowing happiness." Among the messages of comfort they plan to bring are that each precious person is indwelt with a fragment of God the Father, and that Father loves each of us with infinite love as if each were his only child.

Our planet is not an orphan, they will say. There are trillions of inhabited worlds throughout the master universe. And evolution is part of the divine plan of creation—life is not an accident.

We desire to bring comfort to our angst-filled young people and to demonstrate by our lives of service that they have nothing to fear.

We desire to comfort the sick and the elderly and assure them that if they so desire, they will be resurrected on the Mansion worlds.

We desire to demonstrate the love of God in all we say and do.

"We longtime readers generally found the book in our youth and remember the thrill of that discovery,” added Bynum. "We want to be active evangels of the book before we graduate. We want to let young people know that we are not alone, help is here in the form of The Urantia Book, and more help will be coming soon.”

About the Urantia Corps for Spiritual Progress

The Urantia Corps for Spiritual Progress (UCSP) is dedicated to the dissemination and teaching of The Urantia Book, aiming to bridge the gap between spiritual inquiry and scientific understanding. We reach out to religious groups, scientific communities, philosophical circles, and educational institutions to share the transformative vision of The Urantia Book. For more information, visit our website at https://urantiachurch.org.

Media Contact

Rebecca Bynum

+1 615-775-6801

rebecca@urantiachurch.org

Dialysis Education Services (DES), IKONA, and Lifeliqe are excited to announce a collaborative study to evaluate the impact of Lifeliqe's virtual reality (VR) product on dialysis workforce training programs conducted by DES. This partnership aims to leverage evidence-based approaches to enhance workforce engagement, address critical staffing shortages, and prepare for new technologies in dialysis care.

In response to the global dialysis workforce challenges, DES, IKONA, and Lifeliqe are joining forces to explore the transformative potential of VR in educational settings. This partnership focuses on assessing the effectiveness of VR tools in improving training outcomes, with a particular emphasis on workforce engagement, recruitment, and retention. 

By combining IKONA's expertise in patient education and Lifeliqe's cutting-edge VR technology with DES's extensive vocational training experience, the three companies are poised to transform how dialysis technicians are prepared for high-demand skills in complex care settings.

Study Aims

The study will employ a rigorous assessment process, including pre- and post-lecture knowledge assessments and surveys that measure the impact of VR on participants' learning experiences, motivation and confidence levels. In addition, the study will examine training efficiency and effectiveness to determine time-in-training for VR- and non-VR-prepared cohorts.

• Evaluate Impact: Our comprehensive evaluation will utilize metrics such as skill proficiency scores, retention rates, and training duration to assess the effectiveness of Lifeliqe's VR tools within DES's training programs. We aim to demonstrate an increase in knowledge retention and a reduction in training time for VR-enabled participants.

• Address Workforce Challenges: This study will target critical workforce shortages by enhancing recruitment and retention strategies within the global dialysis workforce. By improving job satisfaction, career matching, and student engagement, we anticipate an improvement in staff retention rates at six months following training.

• Support Dialysis Staff: We will develop tailored strategies to prepare dialysis staff for new technologies and settings, including home dialysis. By equipping technicians with the skills needed for diverse environments, we aim to enhance patient care quality and staff readiness.

On the Record

"Vocational training has to catch up with the times; efficient transfer of knowledge is critical in building a workforce these days," said Michael Morales, CEO of Dialysis Education Services.

"We know how painful these training challenges can be for the dialysis industry, and the negative impact it can have on patient care and outcomes. This study marks the turning of a new page, allowing us to rewrite the narrative of how people think about dialysis careers, training, and access in this new era of care delivery since the pandemic," said Tim Fitzpatrick, CEO of IKONA.

"We are thrilled to partner with DES and IKONA. This collaboration brings cutting-edge VR simulation technology to dialysis training, helping ensure that students are not only technically skilled but also confident in their abilities. Together, we are opening up dialysis career paths to more people and setting new standards in workforce training," added Matouš Tlapák, CEO of Lifeliqe.

Why It Matters for Kidney Care

The dialysis industry faces unprecedented workforce challenges, with increasing demand for skilled technicians and the need for innovative training solutions that attract, prepare, and engage clinic staff. By focusing on evidence-based approaches and leveraging VR technology, DES, IKONA, and Lifeliqe aim to transform workforce training and address some of the industry's most pressing and costliest issues. This partnership highlights the commitment to empowering dialysis professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in an evolving healthcare landscape.

Key Challenges

• More Patients Facing Kidney Failure: Around 360 people start dialysis every 24 hours in the United States. Over 130,000 people reach kidney failure each year in the US alone, with the vast majority transitioning from hospitals to one of 7,638 dialysis centers across the country.

• Skills Gaps in Cannulation: A significant skills gap exists in cannulation, with many technicians reporting the need for additional training. Comprehensive education and training opportunities are essential to help staff overcome these daily challenges and enhance patient care.

• Low Uptake of Home Hemodialysis: Despite its benefits, less than 2% of patients are on Home Hemodialysis (HHD) today due to barriers including cannulation fears and lack of adequate training. The availability of competent in-center and home training staff is crucial for patients to receive therapies like HHD.

• Dialysis Staffing Challenges: Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) are crucial to dialysis care and patient safety. However, staffing challenges persist, and turnover rates among PCTs continue to pressure recruitment and retention efforts. In a recent survey, only half of PCTs reported that they plan to be working as a dialysis PCT in 3 years.

• Staff-Assisted Home Dialysis: As dialysis care increasingly shifts to home settings, a significant barrier to adoption has been the lack of home support and staffed in-home models. By equipping and upskilling home staff, we can facilitate growth in home dialysis options and support care transitions, especially as payers begin to invest in these models.

With their focus on these critical areas, IKONA, DES, and Lifeliqe are committed to transforming dialysis training, empowering dialysis professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate and succeed in their careers, and to improving the quality of patient care offered across dialysis settings.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States, 2023. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2023. Available at: https://nccd.cdc.gov/CKD/Documents/CKD_FactSheet_2023.pdf
2. U.S. Renal Data System, USRDS 2023 Annual Data Report. National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://usrds-adr.niddk.nih.gov/
3. Plantinga LC, Rickenbach F, et al. Professional Fulfillment, Burnout, and Turnover Intention Among US Dialysis Patient Care Technicians: A National Survey. Am J Kidney Dis. 2023 Jul;82(1):22-32.e1. doi: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2022.12.017. Epub 2023 Mar 9. PMID: 36906216.
4. Barker, George. "More Education for Cannulating Staff Needed to Ensure Advances in Dialysis Access." Renal Interventions, 30 Jan. 2024, https://renalinterventions.net/more-education-for-cannulating-staff-needed-to-ensure-advances-in-dialysis-access/.
5. Associated Press. “IKONA and Lifeliqe Partner to Bring XR Education and Training Solutions to U.S. Kidney Care Market” AP News. August 5, 2024. https://apnews.com/press-release/ez-newswire/dialysis-kidney-disease-dbdda60fd279fc40df36ea55968c72de
6. Dialysis Education Services and Lifeliqe Partner to Train Vital Nephrology Workforce Through VR. Lifeliqe Blog, August 6, 2024. https://www.lifeliqe.com/blog/dialysis-education-services-and-lifeliqe-partner-to-train-vital-nephrology-workforce-through-vr
7. Fitzpatrick T, Butt Q, Maddox T. Enhancing Home Dialysis Training and Retention through Interactive Virtual Reality. Nephrology Nursing Journal. 2023; 50(4):381-387. doi: 10.37526/1526-744X.2023.50.4.381. PMID: 37983546.

About Dialysis Education Services

Founded in 2009, Dialysis Education Services (DES) is a leading provider of specialized education and training for dialysis professionals, including nurses and technicians. As a board-certified vocational school, we have trained over 2,000 nephrology professionals, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary for performance excellence, certification, and professional development. Our mission is to enhance patient health, quality of care, and quality of life through innovative and interdisciplinary education. We offer a range of services, including hemodialysis training, certification reviews, custom training programs, and continuing education for nursing professionals. For more information, visit dialysiseducationservices.com.

About IKONA

IKONA, Inc. is a learning platform trusted by over 250 clinics to improve outcomes for people with End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) using virtual reality and analytics. The company's expert team of clinicians, patients, scientists, and technologists are building a pipeline of evidence-based learning products across complex chronic areas, including End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD), Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), Transplantation, Diabetes and more. IKONA is funded by the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, StartUp Health, On Deck, and NVIDIA, and was named a Top 200 EdTech Startup globally in the 2022 and 2023 GSV Cups. To learn more about the company's mission to launch 10 million personalized learning journeys by 2030, please visit http://www.ikona.health.

About Lifeliqe

Lifeliqe is the world’s leading workforce development and education tool for learning experiences in interactive 3D, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR). Following its merger with 3D content publisher Corinth in 2023, the company is setting a new global standard for upskilling, reskilling, and workforce training across classrooms and clinics in more than 100 countries. Lifeliqe has partnered with leading nephrology vocational schools and nonprofits to create and scale dialysis and clinical staff training through a hybrid in-person and VR curriculum. For information about Lifeliqe, visit http://www.lifeliqe.com.

Sourcegraph, the code intelligence platform, today announced that Sourcegraph has been positioned by Gartner as a Visionary in the first ever Magic Quadrant for AI Code Assistants. The evaluation was based on specific criteria that analyzed the company’s overall Completeness of Vision and Ability to Execute. Sourcegraph is placed as the only Visionary out of 12 vendors evaluated.

The best AI Code Assistants for enterprises make solving the hardest problems feel mundane. From code modernization to fixing security vulnerabilities across a codebase, the tool needs to focus on solving an enterprise's most pressing needs. Sourcegraph has spent the last ten years building its code graph, which powers Cody, the AI coding assistant for writing, fixing, and maintaining code, and Code Search, which helps developers explore their entire codebase and make large-scale migrations and security fixes. In seconds, developers can use these tools to answer technical questions, fix or update code, generate new code, and more—no matter the code host, preferred large language model (LLM), or scale of the codebase.

Magic Quadrant reports are a culmination of rigorous, fact-based research in specific markets, providing a wide-angle view of the relative positions of providers in markets where growth is high and provider differentiation is distinct. Providers are positioned into four quadrants: Leaders, Challengers, Visionaries and Niche Players. The research enables you to get the most from market analysis in alignment with your unique business and technology needs.

View a complimentary copy of the Magic Quadrant report to learn more about Sourcegraph’s strengths and cautions, along with other provider offerings, at https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/5682355. 

Additional Resources

• Explore more on the Sourcegraph blog
• Follow Sourcegraph on LinkedIn and X

Gartner Disclaimer

Gartner, Magic Quadrant for AI Code Assistants, 19 August 2024, Arun Batchu, Philip Walsh, Matt Brasier, Haritha Khandabattu.

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, and MAGIC QUADRANT is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in our research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of the Gartner research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About Sourcegraph

Sourcegraph is a code intelligence platform. Its code graph powers Cody, the most powerful and accurate code AI for writing, fixing, and maintaining code, and Code Search, helping devs explore their entire codebase and make large-scale migrations and security fixes. Sourcegraph's customers include 4/5 FAANG companies, 6/10 software companies in the world by market cap, government organizations, Uber, Palo Alto Networks and Leidos, and many other companies building the software that pushes the world forward. For more information, visit www.sourcegraph.com.

A new national survey of hundreds of higher education faculty found they face difficulties adopting EdTech and AI tools, question the technology’s value, and experience increased levels of professional burnout because of technology. Further, although faculty feel positive about certain features of tech-enabled learning, two-thirds indicated higher ed is moving in the wrong direction. Finally, teaching methods matter: a greater number of online-teaching faculty (42%) feel positive about higher ed’s direction than those teaching students in person (20%).

These are among the top findings of the third annual CIN Faculty EdTech Survey by WGU Labs, the research, development, and innovation arm of Western Governors University.

The uncertainty revealed in the survey highlights the frustrations higher education faculty feel about increased technology use overall and, specifically, continued skepticism about AI in instruction.

The survey also looked at whether technology has affected faculty’s day-to-day roles, mental health, well-being, and job satisfaction. Unsurprisingly, faculty are not immune to the burnout other professions experience:

• More than three-quarters (79%) of faculty felt they were “always on the job” due to technology
• 64% of faculty said technology made it hard for them to take a break from work or their students
• 41% reported burnout and 39% emotional exhaustion from their work  

"While these tools are designed to make lives easier, there is still much to learn about how they impact learning, skill-building, and mental health," said Dr. Omid Fotuhi, director of learning innovation at WGU Labs. "Faculty are seeking information, ethical guidance, and technical training to ensure these tools are integrated in a beneficial and appropriate way."

Additional key findings include:

• Only 42% of faculty believe AI tools will have a positive impact on faculty experiences 
• Half (49%) report they don’t use AI tools in the classroom 
• 43% believe it is unethical for students to use ChatGPT in coursework 
• STEM faculty (science, technology, engineering, and math) and faculty teaching online reported more positive attitudes toward AI compared to their peers
• Over half (56%) of in-person faculty do not incorporate any AI tools into their content whereas only 42% of faculty who teach online asynchronously reported not using any AI technology in their curriculum

These findings show clear opposition among higher education faculty to AI and EdTech tools in instruction and coursework, even as AI is quickly becoming a fixture in daily life and is a highly sought-after tool in the workforce. With employers willing to pay higher wages for employees skilled with AI, it’s vital students receive some form of AI literacy to achieve in future careers.

"It is imperative institutions provide the support, training, and guidance necessary for all faculty to effectively incorporate AI and other technologies into their teaching," said Jason Levin, executive director of WGU Labs. "Our findings suggest faculty offering online instruction and teaching in STEM fields show a greater willingness and likelihood of incorporating AI into their instruction, revealing that students in such learning environments or courses may be at an advantage in gaining greater AI literacy. Other programs will have to ensure their graduates are prepared and can compete."

WGU Labs’ third annual CIN Faculty EdTech Survey included insights from hundreds of faculty at community colleges; online, not-for-profit colleges; and public institutions. Additional findings and guidance for institutional leaders and faculty instituting EdTech and AI tools are available in the full report, which can be downloaded at www.wgulabs.org/posts/2024-cin-faculty-edtech-survey-edtech-and-the-evolving-role-of-faculty.

About WGU Labs

WGU Labs is the nonprofit research, development, and investment arm of Western Governors University, where our mission is to identify and support scalable solutions that address the biggest challenges in education today. Learn more at wgulabs.org or follow us on LinkedIn.

About College Innovation Network

The College Innovation Network (CIN) at WGU Labs is a grant-funded, research-oriented initiative that connects institutions with the best solutions to ensure student belonging, engagement, and equity. CIN supports educational institutions by identifying areas of need, supporting the implementation of effective education technology for students, and evaluating impact through research. Our goal is to have a meaningful impact on higher education at large through the evaluation of impactful solutions that promote belonging, engagement, and equity. For more information, visit https://www.wgulabs.org/services/college-innovation-network.

About the CIN EdTech Survey Series

The CIN EdTech Survey Series aims to generate valuable insights that help institutions understand how administrators, faculty, and students experience EdTech. These insights can be applied to improve faculty and student experiences, and ultimately bolster the impact of EdTech across the sector. Queries about the EdTech Survey Series can be addressed to info@wgulabs.org. 

Media Contact

Natalie Berkey

+1 385-428-9425

natalie.berkey@wgu.edu

Richart Ruddie, a renowned serial founder with numerous successful exits, has unveiled his latest venture, Captain Compliance, a cutting-edge data privacy software company designed to assist businesses in navigating the complex landscape of data protection and regulatory frameworks.

Comprehensive Suite of Tools To Automate Compliance

Captain Compliance has been in stealth mode building out a robust suite of tools tailored to meet the diverse needs of both small and large enterprises. The platform provides software solutions to help with the growing field of Artificial Intelligence compliance to state level frameworks.

Some of the software tools automate processes for:  

• UCPM (Universal Consent & Preference Management)
• Cookie scanning
• Cookie consent
• GDPR compliance opt-out requests

These tools empower organizations to take control of their online privacy practices and ensure adherence to ever-evolving regulations. 

Addressing a Critical Market Need

In today's digital landscape, businesses face significant challenges in maintaining compliance with stringent data protection laws. Violations can result in substantial fines, making proper data handling crucial for success. Captain Compliance aims to simplify this process, providing clients with the knowledge and resources necessary to navigate complex compliance requirements effectively. Just last month we saw Florida, Texas, and Oregon go live with new privacy laws and that wasn’t even the biggest news with billions of dollars in fines levied for privacy violations due to improper data privacy practices that caught the eye of regulators. 

Backed by Entrepreneurial Success

The launch of the South Florida based company has a diverse all star team consisting of ex-Meta and Accenture partners, Chewy.com’s C-suite executive, IAPP certified privacy professionals, and other serial founders who've had successful exits recently. The company has been financially backed thanks to Ruddie's previous exits and early growth is being driven through opportunistic referrals from he and the other founders previous ventures and business contacts. While leveraging capital from Ruddie's prior successful exits to ensure a strong foundation for growth and innovation in the data privacy sector, Ruddie says, "I’m so impressed with what we’ve built for 1/80th of what others have in such a short period of time. With a tech stack built for scalability and speed our clients love what we’re delivering behind the scenes."

Expert Leadership

As a team of compliance superheroes, the driving force behind Captain Compliance, brings a wealth of experience to the table. With a network built up of 180 privacy & compliance experts from all over the world, Ruddie recognized the growing need for comprehensive data privacy solutions in the face of constantly evolving regulations and how having a global presence could help solve a clients needs whether they had issues with LGPD in Brazil or in France with CNIL or the more well known GDPR we have a team of experts to answer any questions at a local level.

"Our goal is to empower businesses with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in an increasingly privacy-conscious world," said Ruddie. "Captain Compliance is committed to making data privacy and compliance accessible and manageable for organizations of all sizes."

For more information about Captain Compliance and its suite of data privacy solutions, visit captaincompliance.com.

About Richart Ruddie

Richart Ruddie is a serial founder and entrepreneur with a track record of successful ventures. His previous expertise in data privacy and removal work led to the discovery of the data security and compliance industry which ultimately led to the creation of Captain Compliance, a company dedicated to helping businesses navigate the complex world of data privacy regulations.

About Captain Compliance

Captain Compliance provides a user-friendly platform backed by privacy professionals. We simplify the process of navigating regulations, giving your customers transparent choices, and building essential trust for your organization. For more information, visit https://www.captaincompliance.com.

Media Contact

Captain Compliance

+1 323-397-9200

heroes@captaincompliance.com

The Phi Beta Kappa Society (ΦBK), the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society, has granted a charter to the faculty at the College of Charleston.

Phi Beta Kappa celebrates and advocates for excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. Its Triennial Council awards new chapters every three years. This year, the College was one of three universities chartered to join the 290 existing Phi Beta Kappa chapters at America’s most esteemed colleges and universities.

"We are honored to install new chapters at the College of Charleston, Gonzaga University and Texas State University, reflecting our commitment to recognizing and fostering academic excellence," says Frederick M. Lawrence, Phi Beta Kappa secretary and CEO. "These schools exemplify the values of and relevance of the liberal arts and sciences, and we look forward to celebrating the academic achievements of their most outstanding students. We are thrilled to expand our network and welcome these distinguished institutions into the Phi Beta Kappa family."

The invitation to host a chapter at the College of Charleston follows an extensive evaluation process. To qualify for a chapter, College of Charleston faculty and programs demonstrated excellence in undergraduate liberal arts and sciences education throughout a multi-year review process. Only about 10% of the nation's institutions of higher learning have Phi Beta Kappa chapters.

"Having a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa at the College of Charleston is further affirmation of our institution’s academic excellence and rising national reputation," says President Andrew T. Hsu. "Phi Beta Kappa’s presence on our campus aligns perfectly with our mission to cultivate a vibrant, forward-thinking community of scholars."

Founded in 1776, just five months after the signing the Declaration of Independence, the Phi Beta Kappa Society is the most widely recognized measure of academic achievements for individuals and institutions. It's mission is to champion education in the liberal arts and sciences, foster freedom of thought and recognize academic excellence.

"Since its founding, Phi Beta Kappa has stood as a beacon of academic excellence and intellectual freedom. Establishing a chapter on our campus is a testament to the outstanding achievements of our faculty and students in the liberal arts and sciences," says Suzanne Austin, executive vice president of academic affairs and provost of the College of Charleston. "We are honored to join the ranks of institutions that celebrate and uphold these values, recognizing and nurturing the best and brightest minds through this prestigious honor society."

Phi Beta Kappa members include 17 U.S. presidents, 42 U.S. Supreme Court justices and 150 Nobel laureates. Its campus chapters invite for induction the most outstanding arts and sciences students at America’s leading colleges and universities.

The College will hold its official chapter installation and first induction ceremony for new members in the coming months.

About College of Charleston

Located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina, the College of Charleston is a nationally recognized public liberal arts and sciences university. Founded in 1770, the College is among the nation’s top universities for quality education, student life and affordability. Its beautiful and historic campus, combined with contemporary facilities, cutting-edge programs and accessible faculty attracts students from across the U.S. and around the world. For more information, visit https://charleston.edu.

The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) is thrilled to support the formation of the Kratom Consumer Advisory Council (KCAC) and the appointment of Dr. C. Michael White, Pharm.D., FCP, FCCP, FASHP, as the inaugural chairman. This council is a significant step in fulfilling GKC's mission to create a safe and sustainable kratom marketplace for consumers.

The KCAC will be comprised of individuals who have a broad range of experience with kratom, both supportive and critical. Members will share their experiences, reflect on the current state of evidence, and assess how potential outreach and regulatory options balance public health benefits against risks. The insights from this group will inform the Global Kratom Coalition’s ongoing efforts.

About Dr. C. Michael White

Dr. C. Michael White is an internationally respected clinical pharmacologist and pharmacist, making him an ideal choice for the inaugural chairman's role. He has published several comprehensive reviews on kratom and has been interviewed by numerous national and international media outlets about this herbal product. His work on kratom is part of his larger body of research on natural products, substances of abuse, and manufacturing quality.

Dr. White has extensive experience promoting consensus. He directed an Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality-designated Evidence-based Practice Center for over a decade, conducting rigorous and unbiased reviews of biomedical literature. These projects included key informant stakeholders who provided insight into the research questions and methods used to answer them.

"I am excited to gather this council together and learn about their experiences and thoughts regarding kratom," said Dr. White. "By sharing and discussing the evidence, we can ensure that everyone has the same platform of knowledge. Together, we will look for ways to maximize kratom’s potential benefits and minimize the chances of harm for consumers."

Council Purpose and Mission

The KCAC aims to create a balanced and inclusive forum where diverse viewpoints on kratom are valued. The council will foster informed policy-making, drive consumer education, and support scientific research to ensure kratom is understood and regulated responsibly.

Objectives of the KCAC

• Bridge the Divide: Foster open and respectful dialogue among consumers, researchers, advocates, skeptics, and opponents.
• Embrace Diverse Perspectives: Gain comprehensive insights into the challenges and opportunities related to kratom.
• Identify Common Ground: Develop collaborative solutions prioritizing consumer safety, responsible use, and informed decision-making.
• Elevate Evidence-Based Discussion: Guide discussions and policy recommendations with scientific research and expert opinions.
• Champion Balanced Regulation: Advocate for regulations ensuring consumer safety, product quality, and responsible access.
• Promote Transparency and Accountability: Maintain open communication and information sharing with the public.

Why This Matters

The establishment of the KCAC underscores the GKC's commitment to fostering a comprehensive understanding of kratom, advocating for responsible regulation, and ensuring consumer safety. By bringing together diverse voices, the council will help shape the future of kratom policy and education.

About the Global Kratom Coalition

The Global Kratom Coalition is an alliance of kratom consumers, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to protecting and expanding access to kratom worldwide. The coalition focuses on advancing scientific research, driving consumer education, and developing robust regulations that protect consumers.

For more information about the Kratom Consumer Advisory Council and the Global Kratom Coalition, please visit https://globalkratomcoalition.org.

Media Contact

Byron Johnson

+1 202-680-8129

bjohnson@globalkratomcoalition.org