PR for People |

Heavy Lifting

Annie Searle

May 13, 2026

Late last month, in the presence of most U.S. cabinet secretaries, senior White House officials, corporate and media VIPs and a broad cross section of the press, another attempt was made on President Trump’s life. I had tuned in to CNN’s live broadcast to watch the White House Correspondents Association Dinner to see what tone the president would strike in his remarks, having finally accepted the association’s invitation to this historic dinner which paired the president and the press. I got more than I bargained for, including a hard look at how well the Secret Service plans and executes at a large event like this – especially after two earlier attempts on the president’s life.

Philanthropy

Teen Feed: Building trust and confidence, one meal at a time

Barbara McMichael

May 09, 2026

For forty years Teen Feed’s has been serving at-risk youth in Seattle’s University District. Ever since its founding, Teen Feed’s Meal Program finds itself hosting more than 50 young guests at each meal. And staff or volunteers are always on hand to provide other items their guests might need to help get through another day: bus tickets, warm clothing, referrals to shelters, or simply a chance to talk. Advocates are also trained in trauma-informed conversation and de-escalation techniques.

Religion

Jani Kelly: A Poet Laureate For The Soul

Patricia Vaccarino

May 09, 2026

Today Jani Kelly, a gifted poet and wheelchair bound resident of the Josephinum, has become a local legend. Her words are part prayer, part poetry, with a sprinkling of passion and a good dose of mysticism. On those cold, dark days when all is lost, and nothing will sustain you, Jani’s voice rings with the truth. This poet laureate speaks to your soul.

Money

ECONOCLAST, a new film by John de Graaf Launches A Kickstarter Campaign

PR for People Team

May 08, 2026

Filmmaker and Author John de Graaf has announced that after a 50-year filmmaking career, he is currently well into what will almost certainly be his final film, ECONOCLAST: HERMAN DALY AND THE GOSPEL OF GROWTH. A Kickstarter fundraising campaign has been launched to raise the funds that will allow John de Graaf’s team to edit the film, which has already been completed photographed and scripted.

Books

Book Review: Brawler Screams Desperation

Patricia Vaccarino

May 06, 2026

Lauren Groff’s collection of stories share only one common thread: the loud, squawking desperation of working-class lives that inevitably come to an end in a one-two knockout punch. I’m glad to see a writer of considerable merit depicting working-class characters that no one really wants to know about. People are dying, rotting away, flicking cigarette ashes on the food they are about to eat, before blowing out their brains with a shotgun.

Spirituality