Public Policy & NGOs
Here's a look at documents from public policy and non-governmental organizations
Featured Stories
UPMC Identifies Key Health Priorities to Address Community Needs
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, Sept. 17 (TNSrep) -- The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center issued the following news release:
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UPMC Identifies Key Health Priorities to Address Community Needs
UPMC's commitment to understand and improve the health of its communities is reflected in its recently published 2025 Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNA) and Implementation Plans (https://www.upmc.com/about/community-commitment/community-health-needs-assessment).
Across all the regions UPMC serves, four significant health needs were identified and confirmed:
* Chronic disease management
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... Show Full Article
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, Sept. 17 (TNSrep) -- The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center issued the following news release:
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UPMC Identifies Key Health Priorities to Address Community Needs
UPMC's commitment to understand and improve the health of its communities is reflected in its recently published 2025 Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNA) and Implementation Plans (https://www.upmc.com/about/community-commitment/community-health-needs-assessment).
Across all the regions UPMC serves, four significant health needs were identified and confirmed:
* Chronic disease management
*Behavioral health
* Access to care and navigating resources
* Prevention and community-wide healthy living
"Improving the health and well-being of every community we serve is the core of our mission," said Joel Yuhas, executive vice president, UPMC, and president, UPMC Hospitals. "Community Health Needs Assessments are a vital tool in helping us understand and respond to the evolving health priorities of our communities. By leveraging these insights, we can strategically align our programs and services to address the most pressing health needs -- ensuring that our efforts are meaningful, impactful and equitable."
UPMC partnered with experts from the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health to conduct the CHNAs, which consisted of a combination of public health data analyses, an examination of socioeconomic factors and a structured community input survey process that solicited feedback from more than 3,600 community stakeholders, such as leaders and organizations that represent patient constituencies -- including medically underserved and low-income populations. The survey incorporated emerging areas of exploration within the public health field, including health disparities, rural health, access and telemedicine.
"Engaging with community leaders, public health experts and stakeholders throughout the needs assessment process helps us positively impact the health of the people in the communities we serve," said Donald M. Yealy, M.D., chief medical officer and senior vice president of the Health Services Division at UPMC. "The insights gained from this process guide how we fulfill our commitment to improving community health."
Through its rigorous assessment process, UPMC identified significant health needs, prioritized them, established action plans and identified resources to address those needs. The 2025 reports build on assessments and implementation plans developed in 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2022.
With 29 licensed hospitals across Pennsylvania, western New York and western Maryland, UPMC used a regional hub approach to develop the 2025 CHNAs -- allowing local communities to set priorities while supporting a coordinated community health strategy across the UPMC network. The UPMC CHNA regions are:
Southwest Pennsylvania: Allegheny, Greene, Lawrence, Mercer and Washington counties
Central Pennsylvania: Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster and York counties
North Central Pennsylvania: Clinton, Lycoming, Potter and Tioga counties
Northwest Pennsylvania and western New York: Erie, McKean and Venango counties in Pennsylvania and Chautauqua County in New York
West Central Pennsylvania and western Maryland: Bedford, Blair and Somerset counties in Pennsylvania and Allegany County in Maryland
Each hospital established specific local priorities unique to its communities, and all UPMC hospitals are focusing efforts on these priorities.
Other key findings from this cycle of the CHNA include:
* Access to care is the key issue UPMC can address to have impact
* Disparities in community health due to socioeconomic status and other non-medical factors are recognized by many as another opportunity for improvement.
To remain compliant with IRS 501(r) guidelines, all licensed non-profit hospitals in the country must conduct and publish a CHNA every three years. As part of this, the board of directors at each UPMC hospital adopted plans to address identified needs and track associated improvements. The 2025 reports include progress updates from the previous CHNA cycle and outline hospital-specific implementation plans that will address the identified needs for the 2025-2028 cycle.
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Original text here: https://www.upmc.com/media/news/091625-community-needs
[Category: Health Care]
How the U.S. Can Counter China's Digital Silk Road in Saudi Arabia
WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 (TNSrep) -- The Center for a New American Security issued the following news release on Sept. 16, 2025:
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How the U.S. Can Counter China's Digital Silk Road in Saudi Arabia
By Vivek Chilukuri, and Ruby Scanlon
Today, the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) released a new report, Countering the Digital Silk Road: Saudi Arabia by Vivek Chilukuri and Ruby Scanlon.
The Digital Silk Road (DSR) is China's initiative to shape critical digital infrastructure around the world. As the DSR marks its 10th anniversary, the CNAS Technology and National Security Program has
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 (TNSrep) -- The Center for a New American Security issued the following news release on Sept. 16, 2025:
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How the U.S. Can Counter China's Digital Silk Road in Saudi Arabia
By Vivek Chilukuri, and Ruby Scanlon
Today, the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) released a new report, Countering the Digital Silk Road: Saudi Arabia by Vivek Chilukuri and Ruby Scanlon.
The Digital Silk Road (DSR) is China's initiative to shape critical digital infrastructure around the world. As the DSR marks its 10th anniversary, the CNAS Technology and National Security Program hasundertaken a major research project to assess its impact and explore how the United States and its allies can offer a more compelling and coherent alternative. The project includes four case studies of strategically critical nations--Indonesia, Brazil, Kenya, and Saudi Arabia--and will culminate in an in-depth final report in October.
The series' fourth and final case study covers the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Through Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia seeks to transition from its longtime petro-economy into a global tech powerhouse. Up to 70 percent of Vision 2030's goals relate to data and artificial intelligence (AI), but the kingdom will need foreign partners to realize them. Recognizing the opportunity, both the United States and China now compete fiercely to become the kingdom's preferred partner as it undergoes this historic, technology-driven transformation.
The new case study traces the history of U.S.-Saudi and Sino-Saudi technology partnerships and details the rapidly expanding U.S.-China competition within the kingdom with a focus on data centers, semiconductors, and AI. The report also provides an in-depth look at new Saudi state-backed investment arms, initiatives, and policies driving the country's technology transformation.
The report concludes that, although Riyadh will resist demands for outright alignment with the U.S. technology ecosystem given its maturing relationship with Beijing, considerable opportunity remains for U.S. officials and industry to outcompete China's DSR in the heart of Arabia while protecting sensitive U.S. technologies. The report recommends that policymakers:
* Conclude a secure, phased, and verifiable deal with Saudi Arabia for advanced AI chips.
* Support the expansion of Saudi fabrication capacity for legacy chips while limiting support for leading-edge semiconductor design tools and research.
* Establish a process to fast-track inbound investments from allied and partner sources for U.S. strategic technologies.
* Leverage people-to-people ties to support Riyadh's Saudization policies.
* Engage the Saudi Communications, Space, and Technology Commission about the draft Global AI Hub Law.
* Pilot a joint effort by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State, and the Department of Energy to bolster AI data center security in strategic overseas markets, like Saudi Arabia.
* Support eventual Saudi transition to 6G through research partnerships.
The full report can be read here. CNAS will release an in-depth final report on countering the Digital Silk Road in October.
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Authors
Vivek Chilukuri
Senior Fellow and Director, Technology and National Security Program
Vivek Chilukuri is the senior fellow and program director of the Technology and National Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). His areas of focus ...(https://www.cnas.org/people/vivek-chilukuri)
Ruby Scanlon
Research Assistant, Technology and National Security Program
Ruby Scanlon is a research assistant for the Technology and National Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), supporting the Center's research on US-...(https://www.cnas.org/people/ruby-scanlon)
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Original text here: https://www.cnas.org/press/press-release/how-the-u-s-can-counter-chinas-digital-silk-road-in-saudi-arabia
[Category: National Defense]
Hispanic Federation and NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises Collaborate to Promote Voter Assistance Hotline for National Voter Registration Day
NEW YORK, Sept. 17 -- The Hispanic Federation, an organization that supports and strengthens Latino institutions through education, health, immigration, civic engagement, economic empowerment and the environment, issued the following news release:
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Hispanic Federation and NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises Collaborate to Promote Voter Assistance Hotline for National Voter Registration Day
Hispanic Federation, in collaboration with NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, is proud to celebrate National Voter Registration Day by opening a hotline to assist eligible voters in registering to vote
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Sept. 17 -- The Hispanic Federation, an organization that supports and strengthens Latino institutions through education, health, immigration, civic engagement, economic empowerment and the environment, issued the following news release:
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Hispanic Federation and NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises Collaborate to Promote Voter Assistance Hotline for National Voter Registration Day
Hispanic Federation, in collaboration with NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, is proud to celebrate National Voter Registration Day by opening a hotline to assist eligible voters in registering to voteor updating their voter registration.
The hotline will be open from 10 am until 9 pm ET today. Operators will be available to answer questions in Spanish and English via Hispanic Federation's "HF Ayuda" hotline at 1-866-432-9832.
"Latinos have profoundly impacted this country's culture, economy, and future for generations - but our power is only fully realized when we vote. It is our responsibility to not only register to vote but also to make sure that our friends and family have a voter registration that is fully up to date," said Frankie Miranda, President and CEO, Hispanic Federation. "That is why we are proud to partner with Telemundo and NBC on National Voter Registration Day to provide election information, assist callers in registering to vote, and checking their voter status in the run up to the 2025 and 2026 elections. Together, we are ensuring our community is informed, empowered, and ready to participate."
As the nation's leading media company serving U.S. Hispanics, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises is committed to uplifting and strengthening our community through our award-winning community impact initiative, El Poder En Ti," said Luis Rosero, Vice President, Corporate and External Affairs, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises. "By championing our heritage, raising health awareness, and encouraging participation in our democracy, we work every day to create a stronger and more vibrant future for all. Partnering with Hispanic Federation to support voter registration is a natural extension of this mission, helping ensure our community has the resources it needs to make its voice heard.
According to Pew Research Center, in 2024, 36.2 million Latinos were eligible to vote, an increase of four million since 2020, and more than double the 14.3 million Latino eligible voters in 2000. As a result, Latino voters are now the nation's second-largest group of eligible voters. However, Latinos also face the biggest gap in voter registration among all population groups. The National Voter Registration Day Hotline will seek to close that gap by answering questions about the registration process and providing eligible voters with the resources needed to register.
Hispanic Federation and NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises' collaboration on National Voter Registration Day reflects a shared commitment to ensuring voters are informed. This effort builds on both organizations' missions to strengthen civic participation and amplifies the community's voice in shaping the nation's future.
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About Hispanic Federation
Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, founded in 1990, committed to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income, marginalized and immigrant Latine. With programs in 43 states and territories HF's focus areas include immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, disaster relief, philanthropy, education, health, and the environment. HF also maintains ongoing public education campaigns and meets the organizational development needs of its member agencies through grant-making and capacity-building assistance.
About NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises:
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises leads the media industry in the production and distribution of Spanish-language content for U.S. Hispanics and audiences around the world. The company serves U.S. Hispanics through its national broadcast network, the cable network Universo, and digital platforms including the Telemundo app, a suite of FAST channels, and streaming services, such as Peacock, among others. The Telemundo Network offers Spanish-language entertainment, news, and sports content reaching 96% of U.S. Hispanic TV households in 210 markets through 30 owned stations and 92 affiliate stations. Telemundo also owns an independent station serving Puerto Rico. Anchored on Telemundo Studios, the network is the #1 producer of scripted Spanish-language content in the U.S., and the only network to produce original content specifically for US Hispanic audiences. Offering over 600 hours of reality TV shows a year, and top-rated live specials such as the Billboard Latin Music Awards and Miss Universe, Telemundo is considered the undisputed Home of Live TV in Hispanic media. The network is also the exclusive Spanish-language home of the world's two most popular sporting events, the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games. NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises is a division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.
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Original text here: https://www.hispanicfederation.org/news/2025nationalvoterregistrationday/
[Category: Political]
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints: General Officers Launch Ministry in South Pacific
SYDNEY, Australia, Sept. 17 -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints issued the following news release on Sept. 16, 2025:
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General Officers Launch Ministry in South Pacific
President Johnson and Sister Runia visit the Saints in Australia
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Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson and Sister Tamara W. Runia of the Young Women General Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints launched ministries to the South Pacific in early September, beginning in Sydney. The leaders are traveling with their husbands to four countries in the Church's Pacific Area.
"We're
... Show Full Article
SYDNEY, Australia, Sept. 17 -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints issued the following news release on Sept. 16, 2025:
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General Officers Launch Ministry in South Pacific
President Johnson and Sister Runia visit the Saints in Australia
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Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson and Sister Tamara W. Runia of the Young Women General Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints launched ministries to the South Pacific in early September, beginning in Sydney. The leaders are traveling with their husbands to four countries in the Church's Pacific Area.
"We'reengaged in the Lord's work, and it's a glorious time and a glorious season to be members of the Relief Society," said President Johnson, who oversees the more than 8 million women of the Church.
The General Officers met with missionaries soon after they arrived in Sydney, the country's largest city, on Friday, September 12, 2025. It was a homecoming for the Runias, who served as mission leaders in Sydney four years ago.
"I grew up in California. I live in Provo, Utah, but this feels like my home," said Sister Runia.
The sisters shared messages of faith and hope during a series of special meetings with Latter-day Saint adults and youth during their visit to Australia.
This is the first time President Johnson has traveled to Australia.
"I was looking forward to seeing the iconic Opera House, the harbor and the bridge. It's even more grand than I expected," she said.
"I think that's the case with respect to the temple," President Johnson explained. "Our temple buildings are iconic, but it's so much grander when we're there."
She encouraged the Saints to spend more time in the house of the Lord. "As President Nelson said, it will change your life."
The Church has 11 temples in operation, with 11 more houses of the Lord under construction or announced in the South Pacific.
President Johnson and Sister Runia will also travel to several other countries in the Pacific during their ministries, which will include humanitarian outreach meetings. In Vanuatu, President Johnson will meet with recipients of the Church's global initiative to improve nutrition for women and children in need and visit schools in Samoa. Sister Runia will travel to Tonga after stopping in the cities of Perth, Australia, and Hamilton, New Zealand. President Johnson concludes her journey in New Zealand.
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Original text here: https://news-pacific.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-johnson-sister-runia-australia
[Category: Religion]
Church Leaders Celebrate Utah's New Hindu Temple
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Sept. 17 -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints issued the following news release:
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Church Leaders Celebrate Utah's New Hindu Temple
Latter-day Saints and Hindus continue to foster a growing interfaith relationship
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Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attended the grand opening ceremony of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Mandir in the Salt Lake area on Saturday, September 13, 2025. BAPS is a socio-spiritual organization within the Hindu faith, guided by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj.
BAPS mandirs, or temples, are Hindu
... Show Full Article
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Sept. 17 -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints issued the following news release:
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Church Leaders Celebrate Utah's New Hindu Temple
Latter-day Saints and Hindus continue to foster a growing interfaith relationship
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Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attended the grand opening ceremony of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Mandir in the Salt Lake area on Saturday, September 13, 2025. BAPS is a socio-spiritual organization within the Hindu faith, guided by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj.
BAPS mandirs, or temples, are Hindusacred places of worship that serve as centers of peace, devotion and community service for all Hindus and people of faith. The new mandir, located in southwest Salt Lake County, was originally used as a Latter-day Saint meetinghouse.
The opening of this mandir in the Salt Lake Valley follows a visit earlier this summer between the Church's First Presidency and Pujya Brahmaviharidas Swami, head of the BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi and international relations for BAPS.
Before the new building opened, BAPS devotees in the area gathered in homes and rented halls. Now, the mandir will serve as a permanent home for worship and community activities.
"This is more than a building," said Divyacharandas Swami, Head Swami overseeing BAPS activities in the Western United States. "It is a promise to our children that they will always have a place to connect with their faith, culture, and each other."
Divyacharandas Swami also spoke about the significance of the building's religious history.
"The fact that this beautiful building was previously a home for faith makes this moment even more meaningful," he said. "We feel we are simply adding a new chapter to a story of devotion that has blessed this ground for years."
Elder Michael Cziesla, a General Authority Seventy, attended the event along with his wife, Margret, and other invited guests. BAPS leaders welcomed Elder and Sister Cziesla with traditional garlands and invited Elder Cziesla to address the congregation.
In his remarks, Elder Cziesla recognized the growing relationship between Latter-day Saints and BAPS.
"We are so pleased with this wonderful relationship that we have established over so many years. There is so much that brings us together," he said. "We are a temple-building people and you are a temple-building people."
Following the event, Elder Cziesla spoke about the hospitality and friendship extended by the devotees of BAPS.
"They were so kind, they were so welcoming, they were so loving," said Elder Cziesla. "This was an uplifting spiritual experience for me to be here."
While this is the first mandir in Utah, this is not the first time Latter-day Saints have supported BAPS' establishment of sacred spaces. Interfaith support in Los Angeles helped open paths for the mandir in Chino, California.
The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, inspired by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, has built over 1,300 mandirs worldwide and established over 5,000 Satsang (congregation) centers. In North America, there are over 120 mandirs, including the world's largest mandir, BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey.
"We pray that the bond between BAPS and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints allows the two global faith traditions to work together in harmony to inspire goodness and uplift communities," said Hemang Dave, BAPS North America West regional president. "Both organizations are deeply committed to strengthening spirituality, nurturing families and serving society through humanitarian initiatives."
Community members of all faiths are invited to visit the mandir and join in service opportunities.
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Original text here: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-leaders-celebrate-utah-s-new-hindu-temple
[Category: Religion]
CRES Names 2025 Congressional Clean Energy Champions
WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, an organization that engages Republican policymakers and the public in solutions to address the nation's energy, economic and environmental security, issued the following news release on Sept. 16, 2025:
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CRES Names 2025 Congressional Clean Energy Champions
Today, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) named U.S. Senators John Curtis (R-Utah) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and U.S. Representatives Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) and Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) as the 2025 CRES Clean Energy Champions.
"This year, energy policy
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, an organization that engages Republican policymakers and the public in solutions to address the nation's energy, economic and environmental security, issued the following news release on Sept. 16, 2025:
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CRES Names 2025 Congressional Clean Energy Champions
Today, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) named U.S. Senators John Curtis (R-Utah) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and U.S. Representatives Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) and Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) as the 2025 CRES Clean Energy Champions.
"This year, energy policyhas been at the top of mind for Congress--from the reconciliation process to pursuing legislation to unleash American energy dominance," said Heather Reams, CRES President and CEO. "I'm grateful for the efforts of Sens. Curtis and Murkowski and Reps. Garbarino and Kiggans who fought to protect critical energy tax provisions and continue to advocate for an all-of-the-above energy strategy. Their leadership is unmatched, and I'm honored to recognize each as a 2025 Clean Energy Champion."
"Our energy future must be affordable, reliable, and clean. I'm grateful to those working alongside me to make that future a reality, and I accept this recognition with a commitment to ensuring Utah's beauty and opportunities endure for generations to come," said Sen. Curtis.
"America's national security and economic strength depend on affordable, reliable energy that is developed here at home," said Sen. Murkowski. "That means supporting policies that allow us to capitalize on the full spectrum of resources we have available, both traditional and renewable. I'm honored to be recognized as a Clean Energy Champion as I continue to advocate for strategic policies that ensure our nation produces the energy we need in the most sustainable and responsible way possible."
"An all-of-the-above strategy is essential to achieving American energy dominance. By unleashing innovation and keeping energy affordable, accessible, and reliable, we can power growth, protect American jobs, and ensure our nation remains strong and secure," said Rep. Garbarino. "I'm proud to receive this recognition from Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, and I'll keep fighting for commonsense, conservative energy policies that put America first."
"I am honored to accept the 2025 CRES Clean Energy Champions award. In Hampton Roads, I've been proud to fight for clean energy projects that not only strengthen our economy and create good-paying jobs, but also enhance America's national security. An all-of-the-above energy strategy ensures that we are less reliant on foreign adversaries, more resilient here at home, and better equipped to protect our nation for generations to come," said Rep. Kiggans.
Since his election to the Senate this Congress, Sen. Curtis has continued his work from his time in the House of Representatives as a conservative leader on clean energy and manufacturing. During the consideration of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, he played an important role in building consensus around responsible reforms to the clean energy and manufacturing tax credits, which are instrumental in safeguarding American energy. His continued leadership ensures that our nation has access to reliable, affordable and clean energy.
Sen. Murkowski is a longtime champion of an "all-of-the-above" approach to energy, diligently working to ensure that our nation meets its energy needs and utilizes all of the resources at our disposal. This year, during passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, she led efforts to responsibly reform energy and manufacturing credits to ensure easy access to affordable, reliable and abundant domestic energy. Notably, she spearheaded efforts to remove an excise tax, which would have resulted in increased energy bills and canceled projects.
Rep. Garbarino's prominent leadership in the House to protect clean energy and manufacturing tax credits was instrumental in moving the Republican dialogue on energy credits toward a better direction. His efforts helped ensure that our nation has access to reliable, affordable and clean energy.
Rep. Kiggans' leadership in the House, including her introduction of the Certainty for Our Energy Future Act, to responsibly reform energy and manufacturing tax credits was instrumental in shifting the Republican dialogue on energy tax credits. Thanks to her dedication, our nation will enjoy access to reliable, affordable, and clean energy.
Click HERE (https://cresenergy.com/champions/) to learn more.
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Original text here: https://cresenergy.com/press-releases/cres-names-2025-congressional-clean-energy-champions/
[Category: Energy]
American Botanical Council Publishes 10,000th HerbClip Research Summary
AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 17 -- The American Botanical Council issued the following news release:
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American Botanical Council Publishes 10,000th HerbClip Research Summary
Unique ABC educational resource has provided clinical research updates on herbs and other natural products for more than 30 years
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The nonprofit American Botanical Council (ABC) announces that its 10,000th digital HerbClip is now available online, marking a major milestone for this longstanding educational resource. With more than three decades of continuous publication, HerbClip has become an essential tool for scientists,
... Show Full Article
AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 17 -- The American Botanical Council issued the following news release:
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American Botanical Council Publishes 10,000th HerbClip Research Summary
Unique ABC educational resource has provided clinical research updates on herbs and other natural products for more than 30 years
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The nonprofit American Botanical Council (ABC) announces that its 10,000th digital HerbClip is now available online, marking a major milestone for this longstanding educational resource. With more than three decades of continuous publication, HerbClip has become an essential tool for scientists,health professionals, educators, journalists, regulators, and industry members seeking reliable, science-based information on medicinal plants and other natural products.
ABC's HerbClips are two-to three-page summaries and critical reviews of scientific journal articles, providing readers with concise and timely insights into phytomedicinal research. Since 1992, HerbClips have covered human clinical research involving medicinal plants, fungi, and other natural products, as well as ethnobotanical studies, analytical methods, regulatory data, market information, conservation and sustainability studies, and more.
"The HerbClip Educational Service has been blessed with a plethora of skilled writers, consulting editors, and peer reviewers over the last 32 years, as well as salient input from ABC staff," said Lori Glenn, the longtime managing editor of HerbClip. "Their commitment, knowledge, and expertise have led to the publication of 10,000 digital HerbClips. For 23 years, I have had the privilege to be part of this process, which provides a comprehensive and easily accessible education opportunity for both professionals and the public. I hope that the knowledge obtained from HerbClips can be of service to readers, whether they employ it for educational purposes, personal edification, industry product development, and/or substantiation of structure/function claims, as authorized by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA)."
Twice monthly, ABC publishes 16 new HerbClips, along with an HerbClip News column. This is made possible by a network of contributors, including managing editor Glenn, five regular HerbClip writers (Mariann Garner-Wizard, Shari Henson, Dani Hoots, Samaara Robbins, Gavin Van De Walle, MS, RD, LN), five HerbClip contributing editors (Thomas Brendler, PhD; Karson Fritzler, JD; Nilufer Orhan, PhD; Beth Quintana, ND; Carrie Waterman, PhD), as well as HerbClip Executive Editor and ABC Founder and Executive Director Mark Blumenthal. Both Garner-Wizard and Henson are among HerbClip's longest-serving contributors, with 25 and 22 years of experience, respectively.
Beginning with this milestone issue, ABC will now send its HerbClip email -- featuring four free (open access) HerbClips -- not only to ABC Members, but also to all those who have registered for free on ABC's website. This change will allow tens of thousands of new readers to benefit from this important ABC educational resource. ABC Sponsor Members and HerbClip Service Members will continue to receive a separate premium version of HerbClip that includes PDFs of the summarized journal articles when possible.
HerbClips focus primarily on the growing body of human clinical research on medicinal plants, fungi, and other natural products, including systematic reviews and meta-analyses of clinical trials. For more than 20 years, most HerbClips have been based on articles from a wide range of peer-reviewed scientific and medical journals. (Initially, they also included summaries of monographs, government documents, special reports, trade journals, and news articles.) In addition to summarizing the original journal article, HerbClips often offer insights, perspectives, critiques, and links to other relevant articles or resources.
Whenever possible, HerbClips specify the trade name and manufacturer of the medicinal botanical ingredient or product used in the clinical study, along with a description of the tested material. This important part of the summary helps contextualize the research and ensures readers know exactly which product or proprietary ingredient is being tested. Additionally, to maintain accuracy, most HerbClips are peer reviewed before publication.
The 10,000th HerbClip summarizes a systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of chamomile as a low-risk anti-inflammatory agent. The 2025 article, published in the scientific journal Pharmaceutical Biology, examined 11 randomized controlled human clinical trials and concluded that chamomile preparations have the potential to reduce pain, maintain oral mucosal integrity, and promote recovery from tissue injury.
Starting in the early 1990s, HerbClip originally involved mailing summaries and reviews of herbal literature to ABC colleagues in the academic and scientific communities, as well as to industry members. To the best of ABC's knowledge, no similar service existed in the natural products community at that time. In 2005, ABC introduced HerbClip News, a column featuring commentary by Glenn with each mailing. The first digital HerbClips were sent to ABC members in 2007, significantly expanding readership. By 2009, all HerbClips were distributed digitally through the HerbClip e-Service, offering a more convenient and environmentally friendly delivery method.
"Congratulations to ABC for publishing their 10,000th HerbClip!" said Amy Keller, PhD, an associate professor of medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, Colorado. Keller has contributed to HerbClip as both a writer and a peer reviewer since 2011. "What a crowning achievement for an organization whose dedication to public health is unparalleled and has served so many. I eagerly await the next 10,000."
Jerry Cott, PhD, a psychopharmacologist and retired US Food and Drug Administration researcher with extensive experience in phytomedicinal research on the human central nervous system (CNS), has long served as an HerbClip peer reviewer. "Congratulations to ABC for their long-term commitment to herbal education by supplying these very useful summaries from the herbal scientific literature," he said. "There is enough information in them to provide background for literature reviews or for just keeping up with the progress being made in areas of special interest. Hats off to Mark and everyone at ABC for keeping this great service in the forefront of our herbal news!"
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About the American Botanical Council
The American Botanical Council (ABC) is an award-winning, independent, science-based nonprofit research and education organization dedicated to providing accurate and reliable information for consumers, health care practitioners, researchers, educators, industry professionals, and the media. ABC's educational materials cover science-based and traditional uses of herbs, medicinal plants, phytomedicines, herbal teas, essential oils, medicinal fungi, and other natural products. The organization also regularly addresses topics related to quality control and sustainability.
ABC's publications and online resources are extensively peer reviewed and include a wide selection of articles from ABC's quarterly journal HerbalGram, as well as periodicals, books, monographs, safety reviews, continuing education materials, searchable databases, and more. These offerings also include HerbTV, ABC's herb-focused YouTube channel, and the ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program (BAPP) -- the world's leading nonprofit consortium producing educational content to combat adulteration and fraud in the global market for herbs, botanical extracts, and essential oils. ABC is an international organization headquartered in a historic building surrounded by 2.5 acres of medicinal plant gardens in Austin, Texas. For more information, visit herbalgram.org.
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Original text here: https://www.herbalgram.org/news/press-releases/2025/american-botanical-council-publishes-10-000th-herbclip-summary/
[Category: Biology]
