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PRSA local update II: Standing reminder. Note several improved features on the DFW Communicators Job Bank. A job listing can now be created, edited and removed directly on the site, and page view counts show the level of interest. And job seekers can now push alerts for specific keywords to their personal e-mails. The job bank lists full-time, part-time and internship positions in PR, media affairs, advertising/sales, event planning, graphic design, marketing, and corporate and employee communications throughout North Texas. Employers who are members of the participating organizations may post a job for $75; the cost for nonmembers is $100, for nonprofits $50. Each posting runs a month. Greater Fort Worth PRSA receives a portion of the proceeds when a member marks his or her membership status on the submission form. More from Jerrod Resweber, GFW PRSA job bank chair, at jresweber@webershandwick.com or 469-375-0216.

Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas update: Legislation strengthening the Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act along with measures that further protect freedom of speech and the press have been signed by Gov. Rick Perry and become state law. Among them:

SB 1368   Modernizes the Texas Public Information Act by specifying that electronic messages dealing with official business are public and providing that contracts between a state governmental entity and a vendor involving the exchange or creation of public information contain a provision that requires the vendor to make the information publicly available.

SB 1297   Allows members of a governmental body to communicate in writing about official business between meetings on a publicly accessible, real-time online message board.

HB 1759   Provides a framework for someone who believes he or she has been defamed in a publication or broadcast to come forward in a timely fashion to request a retraction, correction or clarification or else seek only limited civil damages.

HB 2935   Clarifies the right to appeal protection for whistleblowers, journalists and bloggers in lawsuits filed with the intent of clamping down on free speech.