Category: News

Michigan, US, 18th July 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, As record-breaking heatwaves, wildfires, and floods continue to displace Americans in unprecedented numbers, Rowdy Oxford, veteran emergency strategist and FEMA Regional Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer (EPLO), is raising the alarm: the United States is already facing a full-scale climate migration emergency, and the current response system is underprepared.

“This isn’t a future problem. It’s happening right now,” said Oxford. “Communities are evacuating, relocating, and in many cases, not returning. Local governments are overwhelmed, federal coordination is too slow, and our national emergency architecture isn’t built for sustained internal migration.”

Data shows that more than 3 million Americans were living in internal displacement due to weather-related disasters in the past year. “These aren’t isolated events,” Oxford emphasized. “We’re seeing long-term, destabilizing shifts in population, which stretch emergency resources in both the communities people are leaving and the ones they’re moving to.”

With over 20 years of experience in national security, crisis logistics, and civil-military coordination, Oxford has served on the front lines of large-scale emergencies and advised both federal and local agencies. He argues that current emergency planning models were built for short-term disaster displacement, not the long-term climate relocation patterns emerging today.

“Emergency management was designed around the idea of recovery and return,” said Oxford. “But that’s no longer realistic in many parts of the country. People aren’t coming back.”

Key vulnerabilities in today’s system, according to Oxford, include:

• Local responders are overburdened: Counties and cities lack the infrastructure and personnel to manage long-term relocations.

• Fragmented federal activation: National support often lags behind fast-moving crises, especially when events don’t fit traditional disaster categories.

• No coordinated housing strategy: Emergency efforts rarely account for long-term housing needs in climate-safe zones absorbing displaced populations.

• Outdated risk modelling: Current hazard maps and predictive tools do not reflect the scale or speed of internal migration underway.

Oxford warns that the social impact of widespread displacement on schools, healthcare, employment, and mental health could lead to systemic breakdowns if left unaddressed.

“Displacement affects everything,” he said. “When you displace families repeatedly, you fracture local economies and support networks. That can escalate from a public safety issue to a national security threat.”

To meet the challenge, Oxford advocates for a national strategy centred on climate mobility planning, not just emergency response. His proposed solutions include:

• Creating a National Climate Mobility Task Force, uniting FEMA, HUD, DOD, and private sector leaders to manage relocation logistics and long-term community integration.

• Modernizing disaster funding, allowing for flexible aid supporting host regions managing unsustainable population influxes.

• Deploying predictive mobility analytics, integrating environmental and housing data to forecast and prepare for migration shifts.

• Empowering veteran-led resilience efforts, placing trained leaders at the helm of local relocation planning and execution.

Rowdy Oxford also emphasizes the need to shift public perception. “We need to stop framing relocation as a failure,” he said. “In this climate reality, moving isn’t a defeat, it’s survival. But it needs to be planned, coordinated, and supported by national systems.”

In his dual role with FEMA and as a private advisor to state and municipal agencies, Oxford continues to help design scalable, forward-looking emergency and resilience strategies. His focus remains on bridging federal resources with on-the-ground realities, before the next wave of crises makes the gap unbridgeable.

About Rowdy Oxford
Rowdy Oxford is a U.S. Army veteran and nationally recognized emergency preparedness and crisis logistics expert. With over two decades of experience across the military, government, and commercial sectors, he serves as FEMA’s Regional Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer (EPLO). Oxford is known for his leadership in complex response scenarios, advocacy for veteran transition, innovation in emergency planning, and building resilient communities.

To learn more visit: https://www.issuewire.com/major-rowdy-oxford-honored-with-multiple-prestigious-military-and-civilian-awards-for-exemplary-service-and-leadership-1829603610669434

Minneapolis, US, 18th July 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, Marnie Thies of Marnie Thies Violin Lessons understands that playing with a straight bow is one of the most fundamental and challenging skills any violinist can develop. It involves guiding the bow so that it travels in a straight line, parallel to the bridge and perpendicular to the strings throughout each stroke. This consistent alignment ensures even contact with the string and helps produce a clear, resonant tone.

According to Marnie Thies, Suzuki violin instructor and owner of Marnie Thies Violin Lessons near Minneapolis in St. Paul, mastering straight bowing is essential for producing rich tone, controlling dynamics at both soft and loud volumes, and creating expressive articulation, including the clarity, attack, and shape of each note. To contact Marnie Thies Violin Lessons, call 763-413-4791.

Why It’s Challenging and Worth It

Many students, from beginners to advanced players, struggle to maintain proper bow alignment. It requires precise coordination of the arm, hand, wrist, and posture. But Marnie Thies stresses that the payoff is well worth the effort: “When you master this technique, you gain greater control over your tone and broaden your expressive possibilities.”

Straight bowing helps distribute weight and tone evenly throughout the bow. If the bow moves too close to the bridge, the sound becomes scratchy; if it tilts toward the fingerboard, the tone can weaken or become inconsistent. Maintaining a straight bow avoids these issues and supports a focused, consistent sound.

Mastering the Foundations: How Proper Setup Shapes Bowing Technique

Building the Technique Step by Step

Proper bowing technique starts with the right physical setup. An ill-fitting chinrest, shoulder rest, or sponge can cause tension and restrict the natural, fluid movement of the arm, shoulder, and wrist. This tension makes it hard for students at any level to keep a straight bow and often causes them to adjust their posture in ways that compromise bow control and sound quality.

When the chinrest or shoulder rest doesn’t fit well, the violin may shift from its stable position on the shoulder toward the center of the body. This shift disrupts balance and stability, leading to further posture and arm adjustments that make precise bow alignment more challenging. Thies emphasizes customizing the setup to each player’s body type. For some, a sponge offers better comfort and freedom than a traditional shoulder rest, helping reduce tension and encourage relaxed arm and shoulder movement.

At Marnie Thies Violin Lessons near Minneapolis, Marnie Thies works closely with each student to optimize their setup for smooth, natural motion and a clearer, more focused tone.
For more information or to schedule a lesson, call Marnie Thies at 763-413-4791.

The next step is developing a relaxed, natural bow hold. The thumb should rest comfortably on the frog, bent but not rigid, while the fingers stay curved and flexible. A tight grip creates tension and restricts movement, whereas a relaxed hold enables the fluid motion necessary for precise bowing.

Once the bow hold is secure, Thies guides students through slow, controlled strokes on open strings. This foundational exercise builds awareness of bow placement and movement. Practicing in front of a mirror provides visual feedback to catch misalignment early and correct it immediately.

A Drill to Develop Muscle Memory

To refine bow control further, Thies recommends a drill from the YouTube channel Professor V. The exercise involves placing the bow at the frog, lifting it off the string at various points, and gently returning it to the string while keeping the bow moving in a straight path. This drill strengthens awareness of wrist and arm mechanics and helps internalize the precise movement needed for accurate bowing.

Recognizing that every student learns differently, Thies has created a “Right Hand Violin Technique” section on her website, proviolin.com. It features carefully curated instructional videos, tips, and exercises designed to reinforce lesson concepts and support independent practice. Students can revisit these materials anytime to deepen their understanding and improve their skills between lessons.

Common Obstacles and How to Fix Them

Despite guidance, many students face common challenges that disrupt straight bowing. Thies identifies these as the most frequent:

Tension in the bow hand: A stiff grip limits smooth movement and causes erratic bow paths. A relaxed hand supports fluidity and precise control.

Improper elbow positioning: An elbow that is too low or too high causes the bow to angle incorrectly. Thies suggests exercises where students pause at both the frog and the tip to develop muscle memory for proper elbow height.

Stiff wrist: The wrist should act like a flexible hinge, not a locked joint. A responsive, relaxed wrist ensures smooth transitions from tip to frog.

Overusing the fingers: While fingers make subtle adjustments, the main bow stroke should come from the arm. Relying too much on fingers leads to instability.

Poor posture: Slouched shoulders or a misaligned spine disrupt bow mechanics. Thies encourages students to maintain a straight back, relaxed shoulders, and a balanced stance, whether standing or sitting.

The Bigger Picture: Sound and Expression

To truly master straight bowing, violinists need to understand the mechanics guiding the bow’s movement. The bow should glide smoothly, parallel to the bridge and perpendicular to the strings. This requires coordinated alignment, flexible joints, and keen awareness of movement. When the wrist, elbow, and shoulder move in harmony, the bow naturally follows the correct path.

Thies highlights the close connection between technique and musicality. “It’s a process,” she says. “But the results are worth it. When you master this technique, you gain more control over your tone and broaden your expressive range.” Even small improvements in form can dramatically enhance the sound quality and emotional depth of a performance.

Ongoing Support for Students

“Consistency is essential,” Thies says. “Regular practice builds fluency and ease. Eventually, playing with a straight bow will feel automatic, and your music will reflect that freedom.”

At the time of publication, Marnie Thies offers both online and in-person violin lessons near Minneapolis, including the St. Paul suburbs of Falcon Heights and North Oaks. Since 2020, Marnie Thies has taught online more frequently. Her online lessons page on proviolin.com features a student who learned vibrato exclusively online with Marnie Thies as their sole instructor. To learn more about Marnie Thies Violin Lessons, call 763-413-4791.

For those looking to refine their technique or start their violin journey, more information and contact details are available on her website.

Lexington, KY, 18th July 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, In a digital marketing world often consumed by short-term metrics and attention-grabbing gimmicks, Briget Niehues is changing the narrative. As a seasoned marketing strategist, brand architect, and digital growth consultant, Bridget Niehues is on a mission to prove that integrity, data, and strategy can co-exist and even thrive in today’s competitive business environment.

With over a decade of experience navigating the ever-evolving digital landscape, Bridget Niehaus has emerged as one of Kentucky’s most respected voices in ethical marketing and brand development. Her consultancy, Briget Brand Lab, has helped dozens of companies ranging from small-town startups to mid-sized enterprises, craft marketing strategies that effective, deeply authentic and sustainable.

“It’s not enough to be seen,” says Bridget Niehues. “You have to be remembered for the right reasons. Purpose-driven branding builds trust and trust builds loyalty, which builds lasting growth.”

Strategy Meets Soul

Armed with an MBA in Marketing from the University of Kentucky, Bridget Niehaus started her professional journey in the corporate sector, quickly rising through the ranks due to her keen eye for consumer behavior and brand positioning. But it was her desire to help smaller, mission-driven companies stand out in saturated markets that led her to launch Briget Brand Lab.

What sets Briget Niehues apart is her ability to balance creativity with analytics. She doesn’t just launch pretty campaigns. She builds systems that work. Leveraging SEO, CRM automation, email funnels, influencer collaborations, and social media insights, she turns raw data into emotionally resonant storytelling that delivers measurable results.

“Branding is no longer just visual identity, it’s a strategic asset,” she explains. “Your brand is the sum of your values, your voice, your customer experience. Every touchpoint matters.”

This philosophy has guided Briget’s work across sectors as diverse as agriculture, fintech, wellness, and retail. Her campaigns routinely outperform industry benchmarks, and her clients often report revenue boosts within months of implementing her strategies. Yet what truly excites Bridget Niehues is helping brands discover and articulate their “why.”

Ethical Marketing: A Non-Negotiable

In 2025, as AI reshapes the marketing industry and consumer skepticism continues to rise, Bridget Niehaus is doubling down on transparency and ethical strategy.

“Just because you can automate something doesn’t mean you should,” she warns. “The human element is what makes marketing meaningful. Customers know when they’re being sold to and they’re quick to tune out brands that don’t speak with sincerity.”

Briget Niehues is a vocal critic of manipulative marketing tactics, clickbait culture, and data misuse. Her firm actively educates clients about responsible data collection and promotes transparency in influencer collaborations, partnerships, and customer engagement.

Her leadership extends beyond her client base. A passionate mentor, Bridget Niehues offers guidance to emerging professionals through workshops, speaker panels, and local business events. She frequently speaks on topics such as “Purpose Over Profit,” “Building Honest Brands in a Digital Age,” and “Marketing with Meaning.”

“Marketing isn’t just a department,” she says. “It’s a cultural engine. It either amplifies your integrity or exposes your lack of it.”

Briget Niehues remains unmistakable is her growing influence in the marketing world. For clients and peers alike, it’s not her name they remember first, but the impact she delivers and the trust she builds.

A Voice for Local Economies

A proud Lexington native, Bridget Niehaus is deeply invested in the success of her region. Her work often champions small businesses, BIPOC-owned brands, women entrepreneurs, and rural ventures trying to break into broader markets.

“People underestimate the power of local storytelling,” says Briget Niehues. “A bourbon distillery in Kentucky, a farm-to-table startup, a legacy family-run hardware store have stories that matter. And those stories deserve a strategy.”

This regional focus doesn’t limit her reach. Briget’s work has caught the attention of national publications and brand leaders seeking a more values-aligned approach to growth. In an era when consumers demand authenticity, Bridget Niehaus has become a trusted guide for brands that want to grow with their audience, not just at them.

Looking Ahead: Marketing with Intention

As 2025 unfolds, Bridget Niehues is preparing to expand Briget Brand Lab’s offerings. She is currently piloting a program that blends marketing mentorship with tech-driven strategy for underserved startups. Her goal? To democratize access to smart branding tools and help ethical companies compete on a global stage.

“At the end of the day, marketing should make the world better,” she concludes. “It should help good people do good work. That’s where I see our industry heading and that’s where I want to be.”

With grit, grace, and a deep belief in the power of purpose, Bridget Niehues is reshaping what meaningful marketing looks like in 2025 and reminding us that data without ethics is just noise.

About Briget Niehues

Briget Niehues is a brand strategist and founder of Briget Brand Lab, a consultancy helping businesses build recognizable, resonant brands. With expertise in digital marketing, CRM systems, and growth strategy, she turns local companies into regional leaders. A sought-after speaker and advocate for ethical marketing, she holds an MBA from the University of Kentucky and serves as a mentor for women in business.

Her diverse client portfolio spans industries like retail, wellness, agriculture, and fintech, with many seeing significant revenue gains and long-term brand equity under her strategic leadership.

What distinguishes Briget is her unique blend of creativity and data. Every initiative is grounded in strategy and storytelling. It is designed to convert, engage, and grow.

A strong advocate for ethical marketing and purposeful branding, Briget also gives back to her community by mentoring young professionals and speaking at regional business events. Her commitment to education and responsible marketing practices makes her a respected voice in the industry.

Outside of work, Briget enjoys exploring Kentucky’s natural beauty, sipping local bourbon, and supporting small business initiatives throughout the region.

Smart. Strategic. Sustainable. Briget Niehues is helping brands grow with intention and making a lasting impact.

For interviews, media inquiries, or to learn more about Briget Brand Lab:

Media Contact:
Company: Briget Brand Lab
Location: Lexington, KY

Website: https://brigetniehues.com/

Washington, D.C, US, 18th July 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, Robert Hahn, an award-winning non-profit leader known for his groundbreaking work with End Hunger in Calvert County, is calling on communities to take action against hidden hunger following the release of a new feature spotlighting his story and mission.

Drawing from decades of experience tackling food insecurity in rural America, Hahn believes the same grassroots solutions can empower communities in the UK and beyond.

“Rural hunger is invisible to most people,” Hahn explains in the article. “It’s hidden behind trees, long roads, and pride.”

His warning is timely. The Trussell Trust reports nearly 3 million emergency food parcels were distributed by food banks across the UK in the past year. Many of these went to rural areas, where poverty is often hidden from view and harder to address.

Hunger Is About More Than Just Food

In the feature, Hahn shares why fighting hunger goes beyond delivering meals—it’s about restoring dignity and creating opportunity.

“Handouts won’t change lives, but hand-ups can,” he says.

Hahn’s approach led End Hunger to launch culinary training programmes that didn’t just feed people but also helped them gain lasting employment.

“It wasn’t just about filling plates,” he says. “It was about giving people tools to change their lives.”

Through collaboration with churches, schools, and businesses, his team connected people with food, skills, and long-term support.

UK Communities Face Similar Challenges

In the UK, hunger affects both urban and rural areas. According to Feeding Britain, one in five people in rural communities struggle with food insecurity—often without easy access to food banks or support programmes.

Hahn’s focus on local leadership offers a clear takeaway for communities everywhere: small actions can lead to large change.

“I’ve sat in rooms where we talked about million-pound donations and in kitchens where we planned soup drives,” he says. “Both matter.”

How You Can Help Today

Robert Hahn urges everyone to take simple, practical steps to fight hunger locally:

• Start conversations about food insecurity in your community.

• Support or organise community food initiatives—from neighbourhood meal sharing to community gardens.

• Volunteer your skills—whether cooking, mentoring, or offering logistics help.

• Partner with schools, churches, and local businesses to expand your reach.

“I’ve learned that change happens one relationship at a time,” Hahn says. “If we all do our part, we can build something amazing—together.”

To read the full interview, visit the website here.

About Robert Hahn

Robert Hahn is a respected non-profit leader with more than 30 years of experience in community development, fundraising, and poverty relief. He served as CEO of End Hunger in Calvert County and currently works as Chief Advancement Officer at Birmingham Green Foundation, continuing his lifelong mission to empower people and improve lives.

Cambridge, UK, 17th July 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, SyntecBiofuel, a pioneer in sustainable bioenergy solutions, today released its inaugural 2025–2030 Biofuels Market Forecast Report, projecting the global biofuels industry will nearly double in value over the next five years.

Key Forecast Highlights

• Global Market Growth: From USD 99.5 billion in 2023 to USD 207.9 billion by 2030 at an 11.3% CAGR.

• Advanced Biofuels Surge: Valued at USD 136.9 billion in 2024, expected to exceed USD 965.1 billion by 2030—an extraordinary 38.5% CAGR.

• Segmentation Trends: Conventional liquid biofuels (ethanol and biodiesel) will remain dominant in transport blending, while “drop‑in” fuels for aviation and marine sectors grow at 8.7% CAGR from USD 17.2 billion in 2025 to USD 26.1 billion in 2030.

• Regional Leaders: North America’s market is forecast to climb from USD 52.3 billion in 2024 to USD 174.6 billion by 2034; Asia Pacific’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) capacity is set to outpace demand in 2025, creating a short‑term oversupply.

“Today’s launch of our Biofuels Market Forecast Report underscores SyntecBiofuel’s commitment to data‑driven insight and innovation,” said Dr. Elena Voss, Chief Technology Officer at SyntecBiofuel. “With global decarbonization mandates intensifying, we’re seeing unparalleled growth in advanced biofuels—particularly in aviation and marine applications—while conventional segments continue to underpin transport energy needs.”

Market Drivers & Challenges

• Decarbonization Mandates: Stricter blending requirements and carbon‑pricing incentives are accelerating adoption.

• Technological Advances: Breakthroughs in feedstock conversion and catalytic upgrading are driving down costs and improving yields.

• Feedstock Constraints: Competition for land and inconsistent waste streams remain critical supply‑chain challenges.

• Policy Volatility: Fluctuating incentives and regulatory frameworks can affect investment timelines.

About SyntecBiofuel
SyntecBiofuel is at the forefront of sustainable energy innovation, converting non‑food biomass, agricultural residues, and waste into high‑performance biofuels. Headquartered in Cambridge, UK, with research centers across Europe and Asia, the company delivers turnkey solutions—from feedstock sourcing to commercialization—to decarbonize transport, aviation, and marine sectors worldwide.

For more information and to download the full 2025–2030 Biofuels Market Forecast Report, visit https://syntecbiofuel.com/main.php

Media Contact
Jane Harrington
Director of Communications
SyntecBiofuel Ltd.