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  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Announces Legislation To Lower The Cost Of Prescription Drugs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

    High Drug Prices Can Force New Yorkers Who Rely On Prescription Drugs To Cut Pills In Half Or Skip Doses Entirely; Legislation Would Help Ensure Life-Saving Medication Is Affordable For All

    Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, ranking member of the Senate Aging Committee, held a virtual press conference announcing the Capping Prescription Costs Act, legislation that would cap the annual out-of-pocket cost of prescription drugs at $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for families with private insurance.

    “As President Trump rolls back initiatives to make health care more affordable for working families, I am proud to be introducing this legislation to address the astronomical cost of prescription drugs,” said Senator Gillibrand. “No American should ever have to risk their health by skipping refills or rationing life-saving medication because they can’t afford it. This legislation is a commonsense measure that would be life-changing for older adults and the millions of Americans with chronic conditions and disabilities, and I am determined to get it passed.”

    Senators Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), John Fetterman (D-PA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Peter Welch (D-VT) cosponsor this legislation.

    Throughout her time in Congress, Gillibrand has fought to lower the cost of prescription drugs. In 2022, she helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which capped Medicare patients’ out-of-pocket prescription drug costs at $2,000 per year; empowered Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices; and regulated price increases by drug companies. She is an original cosponsor of the Medicare for All Act, which would provide every American with prescription drug coverage. In 2023, she joined a bipartisan push to lower out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs by limiting the use of harmful “copay accumulators,” which prevent copay assistance from counting toward a patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket maximum and make it harder for patients to afford their medications.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: State Interoperability Executive Council

    Source: US State of Oregon

    he State Interoperability Executive Council (SIEC) will meet Tuesday, February 11, 2025, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. The meeting will take place virtually via Microsoft Teams. A dial-in option is also available. The meeting is open to the public and comments will be taken from those who wish to participate.

    The agenda and handouts are posted on the council’s website. Dial-In information for those who wish to attend over the phone or virtually are outlined in the meeting agenda.

    What: State Interoperability Executive Council

    When: Tuesday, February 11, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM

    Where: Virtually via Microsoft Teams

    Click here to join the meeting

    Dial In: 503-446-4951 Pin: 266 306 980#

    Who: Members of the State Interoperability Executive Council

    The SIEC was created under the State Chief Information Officer to be the statewide interoperability governing body and to serve as the primary steering group for the Oregon Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan (SCIP). The SIEC’s mission is to develop and maintain the SCIP, develop recommendations and guidelines for policy, identify technology and standards, and coordinate intergovernmental resources to facilitate statewide public safety communications interoperability.

    REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION OF DISABILITIES – Reasonable accommodations, such as assistive hearing devices, sign language interpreters and materials in large print or audiotape, will be provided as needed. In order to ensure availability, please contact William Chapman at the Oregon Department of Emergency Management at telephone 971-283-4607, or email SWIC.OR@das.oregon.gov at least 24 hours prior to the meeting with your request.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Whitehorse — Repeat offender arrested and charged with numerous property related offences

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Whitehorse RCMP have charged an individual with multiple charges, including break and enter of three downtown Whitehorse businesses.

    On February 3, 2025 Whitehorse RCMP located Christopher Schafer in possession of a stolen vehicle. Mr. Schafer was arrested and charged with possession of stolen property over $5000 and fail to comply with a probation order. He was held in custody for court February 3, 2025, and was released from custody.

    Between February 4 and February 6, 2025, Whitehorse RCMP responded to four separate calls for service related to incidents of break and enter, mischief under $5000, and uttering threats. Evidence gathered from the scenes led police in identifying a suspect.

    On February 8, 2025, RCMP arrested Christopher Schafer. Mr. Schafer appeared in court on February 12, 2025 and has been remanded until February 26, 2025. He has been charged with the following offences:

    • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
    • Possession of break-in instruments with intent to be used (3 counts)
    • Possession of weapon for a dangerous purpose
    • Uttering threats to cause bodily harm (2 counts)
    • Fail to comply with a probation order (5 counts)
    • Disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence (3 counts)
    • Break and enter to business (3 counts)
    • Mischief under $5000

    If you were a witness to a crime or have information about any crimes, please contact the RCMP at 867-667-5555.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: 1401 Penn Project Receives Repayment

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EB5 Capital, a leading Regional Center operator in the EB-5 industry, announced today that it has received a partial $12.38 million repayment from the recapitalization of the 1401 Penn (JF20) project.

    The remaining $4.62 million balance of the $17.0 million EB-5 investment will remain invested in the project alongside a new senior lender and preferred equity provider.

    Completed in July 2020, JF20 is a mixed-use development featuring a seven-story, 167-unit apartment community and over 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail in Washington, D.C.’s historic Capitol Hill neighborhood. On the ground floor of the property is The Roost, a 12,500 square foot food hall operated by Neighborhood Restaurant Group featuring 12 individual food and beverage concepts. The dynamic food hall has received critical acclaim and is quickly becoming a premier destination on Capitol Hill.

    “The repayment of an EB-5 investment by a developer is an important moment in our business cycle,” said Brian Ostar, President of EB5 Capital. “We take great pride in the level of scrutiny potential deals go through. The return of funds reaffirms our investment due diligence process and highlights our team’s ability to identify viable EB-5 investment opportunities for our investors.”

    This repayment marks the 18th EB5 Capital project where the company can begin returning funds to investors.

    About EB5 Capital

    EB5 Capital provides qualified foreign investors with opportunities to invest in job-creating commercial real estate projects under the United States Immigrant Investor Program (EB-5 Visa Program). Headquartered in Washington, DC, EB5 Capital’s distinguished track record and leadership in the industry has attracted investors from over 75 countries. As one of the oldest and most active Regional Center operators in the country, the firm has raised over $1.3 billion of foreign capital across approximately 45 EB-5 projects. 100% of our investors’ funds are protected by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance prior to their deployment into our projects. Please visit www.eb5capital.com for more information.

    Contact:
    Katherine Willis
    Director, Marketing & Communications
    media@eb5capital.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Partners Value Investments Inc. Announces Normal Course Issuer Bids

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Feb. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Partners Value Investments Inc. (the “Corporation”) (TSXV: PVF.WT. PVF.PR.V), a subsidiary of Partners Value Investments L.P. announced today that it has received approval from the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange”) for normal course issuer bids (the “Bids”) to purchase up to 1,396,407 of its share purchase warrants (the “Warrants”), representing approximately 5% of its currently outstanding Warrants; and to purchase up to 3,533,558 of its Class A preferred shares, series 1 (the “Preferred Shares”), representing approximately 5% of its currently outstanding Preferred Shares. The Bids will be effective from February 14, 2025 to February 13, 2026, or such earlier date that the Corporation completes its purchases.

    Purchases by the Corporation pursuant to the Bids will be made by its designated broker, RBC Capital Markets, through the facilities of the Exchange, other designated exchanges and alternative trading systems in Canada. The price which the Corporation will pay for any Warrants or Preferred Shares purchased will be the market price of the Warrants and Preferred Shares at the time of acquisition. Any Warrants and Preferred Shares acquired through the Bids will be cancelled. As of January 31, 2025, there were 27,928,149 Warrants and 70,671,137 Preferred Shares outstanding.

    The Corporation believes that, from time to time, the market price of the Warrants and Preferred Shares may not adequately reflect their value. In such circumstances, the Corporation believes that its outstanding Warrants and Preferred Shares may represent an appropriate and desirable use of its available funds.

    In connection with the Bids, the Corporation will enter into an automatic purchase plan with its designated broker on February 13, 2025. The automatic purchase plan will allow for the purchase of Warrants and Preferred Shares when the Corporation would not ordinarily be active in the market due to its own internal trading blackout periods, insider trading rules or otherwise. Outside of these periods, Warrants and Preferred Shares will be repurchased in accordance with management’s discretion and in compliance with applicable law.

    For further information, contact Investor Relations at ir@pvii.ca or 416‐643-7621.

    Note: This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of Canadian provincial securities laws and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities regulations. Expressions which are predictions of or indicate future events, trends or prospects and which do not relate to historical matters identify forward-looking information and forward-looking statements.

    Although the Corporation believes that its anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and information are based upon reasonable assumptions and expectations, the reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond its control, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Corporation to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and information.

    Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated or implied by forward-looking statements and information include, but are not limited to: the financial performance of Brookfield Corporation and Brookfield Asset Management Ltd., the impact or unanticipated impact of general economic, political and market factors; the behavior of financial markets, including fluctuations in interest and foreign exchanges rates; global equity and capital markets and the availability of equity and debt financing and refinancing within these markets; strategic actions including dispositions; changes in accounting policies and methods used to report financial condition (including uncertainties associated with critical accounting assumptions and estimates); the effect of applying future accounting changes; business competition; operational and reputational risks; technological change; changes in government regulation and legislation; changes in tax laws, catastrophic events, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, or pandemics/epidemics; the possible impact of international conflicts and other developments including terrorist acts; and other risks and factors detailed from time to time in the Partnership’s documents filed with the securities regulators in Canada.

    The Corporation cautions that the foregoing list of important factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on the Corporation’s forward-looking statements and information, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Except as required by law, the Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements and information, whether written or oral, that may be as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Stats NZ information release: Māori descent population: 2023 Census

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Māori descent population: 2023 Census – 13 February 2025 – Māori descent population: 2023 Census provides information and data on Māori descent population concepts through a number of different products, such as Aotearoa Data Explorer tables, an infographic, and a methods paper, Māori and iwi population concepts in the 2023 Census.

    Māori descent statistics tell us about the number of people usually living in New Zealand who descend from Māori. These statistics provide important insights into the needs and outcomes for Māori, and help determine the number of Māori and general electorates and their boundaries.

    Files:

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Business – WEL Networks partnering with Copperleaf to improve asset investment decision making

    Source: WEL Networks

    WEL Networks is partnering with Copperleaf, an international leader in offering end-to-end asset lifecycle management solutions.
    Copperleaf’s Decision Analytics Solution will help WEL Networks to optimise its investment planning and ensure that critical infrastructure plans are aligned with the organisation’s vision and strategic goals.
    “We’re excited to announce this Copperleaf partnership today,” said WEL Networks Chief Executive, Garth Dibley.
    “As a community-owned organisation, by utilising the Copperleaf Portfolio™ we will be able to achieve significant improvements in safety, customer experience, cost efficiency and asset performance for the benefit of our communities.”
    “WEL Networks’ commitment to improving the resilience, safety, and efficiency of its network is commendable,” said Aaron Tunnicliff, Copperleaf Account Executive.
    “They are an innovative organisation that has been on the forefront of delivering new grid technologies such as renewable energy and network monitoring solutions.
    “We’re excited to help them unlock improved capital expenditure management and accelerate their planning cycle.
    “Copperleaf’s solution will provide the insights and traceability needed for more transparent and accountable decision making.”
    “By joining the Copperleaf Community, WEL Networks will be part of a collaborative and innovative group of industry leaders who learn from each other and share best practices to drive the future of decision making,” added Stefan Sadnicki, Copperleaf Managing Director, EMEA & APJ. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Northland Regional Council $600k of Climate Resilient Communities Funding to be allocated

    Source: Northland Regional Council

    $600k of Climate Resilient Communities Funding to be allocated
    The Northland Regional Council is finalising a list of more than 20 projects around the region which will share $600,000 of funding designed to help build climate resilience.
    During the council’s Long-Term Plan 2024-2034 consultation, the region’s communities had emphasised the importance they placed on council taking a leading role in helping to build that resilience.
    That had resulted in the council establishing a $600,000 fund to support communities to prepare for the growing effects of climate change and the natural hazard risks our region faces.
    The council – which had an overwhelming response with 96 applications requesting $3.2 million in funding – is currently finalising more than 20 projects that met the fund criteria and aimed to build community capacity and strengthen connections to build community resilience.
    Successful applications are expected to be made public shortly.
    Scholarship applications close
    Applications for Northland Regional Council’s (NRC) Tū i te ora Scholarship have closed.
    NRC says it received more than 20 applications for its scholarship, which recognises and supports students to undertake study, research or training that relates to council’s environmental and regulatory functions.
    Council will award the six scholarships in May, with each recipient set to receive $4000 to assist with study costs, plus paid full-time work experience from mid-November 2025 to mid-February 2026.
    24/7 NRC Incident Hotline
    The Northland Regional Council operates a 24/7 incident hotline (0800) 504 639.
    You can call this number to report all pollution and environmental incidents, including oil or chemical spills, water pollution, dangerous boating, and navigation hazards and breakdowns of navigation lights.
    Northland Regional Council on social media
    You can follow council on its social channels:

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Stats NZ information release: Electronic card transactions: January 2025

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Electronic card transactions: January 2025 – 13 February 2025 – The electronic card transactions (ECT) series cover debit, credit, and charge card transactions with New Zealand-based merchants. The series can be used to indicate changes in consumer spending and economic activity.

    Key facts

    All figures are seasonally adjusted unless otherwise specified.

    Values are at the national level and are not adjusted for price changes.

    January 2025 month

    Changes in the value of electronic card transactions for the January 2025 month (compared with December 2024) were:

    • spending in the retail industries decreased 1.6 percent ($103 million)
    • spending in the core retail industries decreased 1.5 percent ($86 million).

    Files:

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fire and Emergency New Zealand deploys aviation specialist to Tasmanian fires

    Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

    Fire and Emergency New Zealand has sent a wildfire aviation specialist to Australia to run the aerial attack on several large bushfires in the north west of Tasmania.
    Fire and Emergency Deputy National Commander Ken Cooper says the Tasmanian Fire Service and the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service have been managing a number of significant vegetation fires sparked by dry lightning strikes since 3 February.
    “The fires are in challenging terrain and the Tasmanians have been mostly managing the fires with aircraft while ground crews battle the fires accessible by road,” he says.
    It is expected the current significant fires will continue to burn uncontained for several weeks, causing ongoing resourcing and fatigue management pressures.
    Our specialist arrived in Tasmania on Wednesday and has relieved the Tasmanian Air Operations Manager. They will be providing the overall coordination of aerial operations across the fires over the next two weeks.
    “Our thoughts are with our neighbours in Tasmania, and we are happy to answer the call for help,” Ken Cooper says.
    Fire and Emergency supports other countries in their time of need. Alongside predecessor organisations, we have been deploying personnel internationally to wildfire emergencies for more than 20 years.
    This deployment is Fire and Emergency’s 75th international wildfire deployment since 2000. There have been 1544 firefighters deployed during this time. Note: this number does not include non-wildfire deployments, such as for natural disasters.
    “When Fire and Emergency receives a request for firefighting assistance, we firstly consider the fire conditions in Aotearoa before we decide if we can support our international colleagues,” Ken Cooper says.
    “These international deployments are not only beneficial for the countries that receive help, but also to our people. They gain valuable experience and skills in dealing with large scale and complex wildfires, which can be different from the types of fires they usually encounter back home.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Economy – NZ Treasury: Interim Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the six months ended 31 December 2024

    Source: The Treasury

    The Interim Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the six months ended 31 December 2024 were released by the Treasury today.

    The December results are reported against forecasts based on the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update 2024 (HYEFU 2024), published on 17 December 2024, and the results for the same period for the previous year.

     


      

      Year to date Full Year
    December
    2024
    Actual1
    $m    		 December

    2024
    HYEFU 2024
    Forecast1
    $m    		 Variance2
    HYEFU 2024
    $m    		 Variance
    HYEFU 2024
    %    		 June
    2025
    HYEFU 2024
    Forecast3
    $m
    Core Crown tax revenue 59,944 59,715 229 0.4 120,623
    Core Crown revenue 66,575 66,284 291 0.4 134,038
    Core Crown expenses 68,879 69,322 443 0.6 144,638
    Core Crown residual cash (11,206) (10,722) (484) (4.5) (16,610)
    Net core Crown debt4 185,834 186,575 741 0.4 192,810
              as a percentage of GDP 44.1% 44.2%     45.1%
    Gross debt 199,099 193,413 (5,685) (2.9) 206,558
              as a percentage of GDP 47.2% 45.9%     48.3%
    OBEGAL excluding ACC (OBEGALx) (3,501) (3,885) 384 9.9 (12,868)
    OBEGAL (4,571) (4,878) 307 6.3 (17,317)
    Operating balance (excluding minority interests) (348) (1,464) 1,116 76.2 (10,161)
    Net worth 187,459 186,373 1,086 0.6 177,492
              as a percentage of GDP 44.5% 44.2%     41.5%
    1. Using the most recently published GDP (for the year ended 30 September 2024) of $421,702 million (Source: Stats NZ).
    2. Favourable variances against forecast have a positive sign and unfavourable variances against forecast have a negative sign.
    3. Using HYEFU 2024 forecast GDP for the year ending 30 June 2025 of $427,252 million (Source: The Treasury).
    4. Net core Crown debt excludes the NZS Fund and core Crown advances. Net core Crown debt may fluctuate during the year largely reflecting the timing of tax receipts.

    Core Crown tax revenue at $59.9 billion was $0.2 billion (0.4%) higher than forecast, with the largest variance in GST being $0.3 billion (1.5%) above forecast.

    Core Crown expenses at $68.9 billion were $0.4 billion (0.6%) below forecast. The variance is mostly timing in nature and was spread across a range of functional spending areas.

    The operating balance before gains and losses excluding ACC (OBEGALx) was a deficit of $3.5 billion, $0.4 billion less than the forecast deficit. When including the revenue and expenses of ACC, the OBEGAL deficit was $4.6 billion, $0.3 billion less than the deficit forecast.

    The operating balance deficit of $0.3 billion was $1.1 billion less than the deficit forecast. This is largely owing to the variances to forecast in net gains and losses for the six months to December 2024, with net losses on non-financial instruments being $1.4 billion lower than forecast, partly offset by net gains on financial instruments being $0.8 billion lower than forecast.

    The core Crown residual cash deficit of $11.2 billion was $0.5 billion more than the deficit forecast and was largely timing in nature with personnel and operating payments occurring earlier than anticipated.

    Net core Crown debt at $185.8 billion (44.1% of GDP), was broadly in line with forecast ($186.6 billion or 44.2% of GDP). While the core Crown residual cash deficit was higher than forecast, its impact on net core Crown debt was more than offset by higher than forecast net gains on financial instruments and the Reserve Bank’s issuance of circulating currency.

    Gross debt at $199.1 billion (47.2% of GDP) was $5.7 billion higher than forecast largely owing to higher than forecast derivatives in loss and issuances of Euro Commercial Paper. However, this increase in gross debt was broadly offset by a corresponding increase in financial assets therefore this has not flowed through to the net core Crown debt measure or to net worth.

    Net worth at $187.5 billion (44.5% of GDP), was $1.1 billion higher than forecast largely reflecting the operating balance results. Net worth consisted of total Crown assets of $597.9 billion ($13.0 billion higher than forecast) and total Crown liabilities of $410.5 billion ($11.9 billion higher than forecast).

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bakersfield Man Pleads Guilty to Aiming a Laser at a Sheriff’s Helicopter

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    FRESNO, Calif. — Jesse Torres-Alonso, 35, of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty today to aiming the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.

    According to court documents, on Sept. 28, 2023, Torres struck a Kern County Sheriff’s Office helicopter (Air One) 12 times with a dangerously bright green laser beam. The laser strikes interfered with the pilot’s ability to see and avoid other aircraft and effectively monitor the aircraft instrument panel. Law enforcement officers were able to locate and seize the laser device, which bore a prominent warning label, stating, “DANGER,” and warned against shining the light in the eyes.

    In the year that Torres committed this offense, the Federal Aviation Administration received 13,304 reports of laser strikes from pilots, marking a 41% increase over the 9,457 reported during 2022 and setting a record for the growing hazard.

    This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kern County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar is prosecuting the case.

    Torres is scheduled for sentencing on May 20, 2025, by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez. Torres faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Aggravated Felon Federally Charged with Illegal Re-Entry in Austin

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    AUSTIN, Texas – A Mexican national previously removed as an aggravated felon was transferred to federal custody in Austin on criminal charges related to his alleged illegal re-entry.

    According to court documents, Ruben Tinoco-Jaimes was located in the Travis County jail on Oct. 24, 2024, and taken into federal custody Feb. 7, 2025. He had previously been removed from the United States to Mexico after he was convicted in December 2017 for possession of cocaine and sentenced to 37 months in federal prison.

    Tinoco-Jaimes is charged with illegal re-entry. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

    Immigration and Customs Enforcement is investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Harding is prosecuting the case.

    A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Hunting Outfitter Pays $500,000 to Resolve Allegations Related to the Cow Creek Fire in Ouray County, Colorado

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DENVER—The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announced today that Jackson Outfitters, LLC, a hunting outfitter based in Placerville, Colorado, has agreed to pay $500,000 to resolve allegations that it is liable for the ignition of a wildland fire, which became known as the Cow Creek Fire and which burned 850 acres on the Uncompahgre National Forest in Ouray County, Colorado, in October 2019.

    The United States alleges that the Cow Creek Fire was caused by a wood-burning stove located inside a wall tent in the Green Mountain Camp, which is owned and operated by Cow Creek Outfitters, an affiliate of Jackson Outfitters.  At the time of the incident, the Green Mountain Camp was occupied by a party that had booked a self-guided elk hunt through Cow Creek Outfitters.  Jackson Outfitters operates its business in the National Forest under a Special Use Permit, which states that Jackson Outfitters has an affirmative duty to protect the land, property, and other interests of the United States—including fire suppression costs—from damage.

    The United States alleges that the Cow Creek Fire started at Green Mountain Camp when embers and other ignited material exited a stovepipe attached to the wood-burning stove and landed on the ground, igniting dry vegetation.  The Cow Creek fire ultimately burned approximately 850 acres of National Forest System lands. The United States incurred significant suppression costs fighting the fire.  The United States alleges that by not ensuring that the wood-burning stove was equipped with a functional, properly-installed spark arrestor, Jackson Outfitters breached its duty to ensure that its activities did not result in an escaped fire.

    “Outfitters must ensure that the equipment they use in National Forests is safe and protects public lands for all of us,” said Acting U.S. Attorney J. Bishop Grewell.  “We appreciate that this resolution was cooperative and reimburses the United States for costs incurred in fighting the fire.”

    The claims against Jackson Outfitters are allegations, and in agreeing to settle this matter, the company did not admit to any liability.

    This matter was investigated by U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations and was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Katherine Ross.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Charlotte Man Sentenced To Prison For Possession Of Child Sexual Abuse Material

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Robert Upchurch, 52, of Charlotte, was sentenced today to 54 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Upchurch was also ordered to pay a $17,000 special assessment for the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018.

    Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

    According to court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, in July 2022, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) referred a tip to law enforcement that a Dropbox account user had uploaded numerous images containing suspected CSAM. Law enforcement identified Upchurch as the Dropbox account user. On December 8, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Upchurch’s residence, seizing the defendant’s cell phone, computers, and other electronic devices. A forensic analysis of the seized items revealed that they contained more than 5,800 images and 2,500 videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, including infants and toddlers, and files depicting sadistic or masochistic behavior or violence involving young children. During an interview with law enforcement, Upchurch first denied possessing CSAM, but later admitted to viewing child pornography.

    On September 4, 2024, Upchurch pleaded guilty to possession and accessing with intent to view child pornography containing a minor who had not attained the age of 12 years.

    The FBI and CMPD investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Nick J. Miller of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pair admit stealing ski boat from St. Mary Lake property on Blackfeet Indian Reservation

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    GREAT FALLS — A man and a woman today admitted they stole a ski boat and trailer from property on St. Mary Lake on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

    The defendants, Tiffany Rae Morris, 37, of Shelby, and Levi Jacques Carl Johnson, 44, of Kevin, each pleaded guilty in separate hearings to theft within Indian Country. Morris and Johnson face a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

    Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for June 25. The defendants were released pending further proceedings.

    In court documents, the government alleged that on June 9, 2024, Morris and Johnson stole a ski boat and trailer from the property of the victim, identified as John Doe. The property is on St. Mary Lake on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Doe reported the theft to law enforcement and posted about it on Facebook. An investigation identified Morris and Johnson as potential suspects, based on video surveillance. The following day, a landowner in the Cut Bank area notified law enforcement that a boat had been abandoned on his property and that he thought it was the stolen boat. John Doe responded to the scene and identified his boat. The boat’s identifying decals had been removed. In interviews with law enforcement, Morris and Johnson admitted to stealing the boat. After the theft was circulated on Facebook, the defendants wanted to return the boat but were afraid of being apprehended and abandoned it in the field. Johnson reported that the decals came off when he power-washed the boat. The boat was a 2007 Ski-doo Challenger 180, valued at more than $1,000.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, Glacier County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI conducted the investigation.

    XXX

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Plaquemines Parish Man Sentenced for Federal Fentanyl and Heroin Conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – RODERICK PARKER (“PARKER”), age 54, a resident of Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, was sentenced February 6, 2025 to (9) nine months imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

    PARKER previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute, quantities of fentanyl and heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 846.

    Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents started investigating PARKER, and other co-conspirators in October 2019 as narcotics distributors in the New Orleans area. The investigation revealed that PARKER was regularly supplied with 25 to 50 heroin and fentanyl pills, and PARKER subsequently distributed those narcotics to his own customers. 

    This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. 

    The Drug Enforcement Administration and Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office led the investigation.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Rachal Cassagne of the Narcotics Unit.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Montgomery County Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Enticing Minors to Engage in Sexually Explicit Conduct, Manufacturing and Possessing Child Pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Kevin Kelly Murray, 30, of Oreland, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge R. Barclay Surrick to 20 years in prison, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release, for child exploitation and child pornography offenses.

    In June 2022, Murray was charged by indictment with one count of use of an interstate commerce facility to entice a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct, one count of manufacture and attempted manufacture of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. He pleaded guilty to all three charges in October of last year.

    As presented in court filings, on September 1, 2020, a user of the online chat service Omegle uploaded and shared videos depicting the sexual abuse and exploitation of prepubescent children. A content moderator for Omegle reported the activity to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”), with NCMEC subsequently providing this report in the form of a cybertip to the Pennsylvania Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Records revealed that the unlawful content had been distributed online using an internet account registered to the defendant’s residence.

    On October 22, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Murray’s residence and found the defendant inside. After being advised of the reason for the search warrant, Murray admitted to possessing child pornography on his computer. Murray then consented to an interview at the local police station, where he confessed to police that he had accessed Omegle to both download and share child pornography. He further admitted to soliciting “preteen” girls over Omegle to undress themselves and perform sexual acts on themselves, at which point he would record their images/videos on his computer for his sexual gratification.

    A forensic review of his electronic devices showed that from 2019 through 2020, the defendant used his cell phone and his computer to obtain at least 361 images and 93 videos of child pornography. Among the videos were several taken during Murray’s Omegle video chats with at least three different young girls, including Minor #1, who appeared to be approximately eight to ten years old. Chat records documented the defendant directing the child to engage in sexually explicit behavior. In response, Minor #1 engaged in the sexually explicit conduct and the defendant created three videos depicting the conduct.

    “Murray preyed on children, grooming them for his own deviant purposes,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “He exposed these young girls to child pornography to normalize sexual behavior in their minds, convinced them to engage in explicit acts on camera, then saved the material for his repeated consumption. My office and our partners are working every day to prosecute predators like this, get justice for their victims, and keep all children safe from similar harm.”

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit projectsafechildhood.gov.

    The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Abington Township Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Priya T. De Souza.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Torrington Man Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation Offense

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Marc H. Silverman, Acting U.S. Attorney of the District of Connecticut, announced that CHRISTOPHER JESUS CONSTANZO, 22, of Torrington, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to an offense stemming from his sexual exploitation of three different minors, including kidnapping and sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl, enticement and sexual assault of another 16-year-old girl, and production of child pornography involving a 17-year-old girl.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 2, 2021, at approximately 7:27 a.m., Constanzo and a 16-year-old female arrived by car at the U.S. Port of Entry at Highgate Springs, Vermont.  Just prior to their arrival, officials at the St-Armand/Philipsburg Border Crossing in Canada had refused Constanzo and the minor victim entry into Canada.  After U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) officers separated Constanzo from the minor victim, the victim reported that she met Constanzo the night before at Stillwater Pond State Park in Torrington.  Constanzo then sexually assaulted the minor victim, forced her into the trunk of the minor victim’s car, restrained her with a shoelace, and began driving.  At some point during the night, Constanzo removed the minor victim from the trunk and sexually assaulted her again.  As they neared the Canadian border, Constanzo had the minor victim sit in the front passenger seat of the car.  Constanzo instructed her to “act normal” and “go along with the story.”  Constanzo then told Canadian Border Services Agency officials that the minor victim was his sister and they intended to go into Canada for four days to visit friends.  However, due to their lack of COVID tests, Constanzo and the minor victim were denied entry into Canada.  Costanzo was arrested by CBP on December 2, 2021.

    In July 2021, Costanzo used SnapChat to coerce a 16-year-old female to go to an abandoned warehouse in Torrington to record herself having sex with Constanzo, and, posing as two fictitious individuals on SnapChat, he threatened to kill the minor victim and kill her boyfriend if she did not comply.  At the warehouse, Constanzo sexually assaulted the minor victim at knifepoint.

    Also in July 2021, Costanzo used his iPhone to record sexually explicit Facetime videos of a 17-year-old female. 

    Costanzo pleaded guilty to production of child pornography and, as part of his plea agreement, admitted his conduct against all three victims.  Costanzo is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson on May 7, at which time he faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years. 

    Costanzo has been detained since his arrest.

    State charges against Costanzo are pending.

    This matter has been investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Vermont State Police, and the Torrington Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nancy V. Gifford and Neeraj N. Patel.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Silverman thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont and the State’s Attorney for the Litchfield Judicial District for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution of this matter.

    This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Greenpeace projections blanket city days before trial of the $300M lawsuit filed by Dallas-based Energy Transfer

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Greenpeace USA brought a powerful visual campaign to the streets of Dallas, projecting messages around Dallas to highlight the growing threat to free speech and peaceful protest. The projections come just days before Dallas-based Energy Transfer’s $300 million lawsuit against Greenpeace USA and Greenpeace International is set to go to trial. The February 24th trial represents a blatant attempt to silence dissent and intimidate those who fight for climate justic
    © Greenpeace

    DALLAS, TX (February 12, 2024) – In response to the growing threat against free speech and peaceful protest, last night, Greenpeace USA lit up Dallas with bold projections of resistance and solidarity onto iconic city locations. The projections come just days before the $300 million lawsuit brought by Dallas-based Energy Transfer (ET) against Greenpeace USA and Greenpeace International is set to go to trial. 

    Photos and videos from the projections are available here.

    Rolf Skar, Greenpeace USA Campaigns Director, said: “This fight is bigger than Greenpeace. This lawsuit is a blatant attempt to silence critics and hide destructive practices. Standing up to corporate bullies like Energy Transfer requires courage, solidarity, and people power – things no courtroom or judgment can erase. These projections are a testament to that resilience, shining a light on the truth and reminding everyone fighting for a just and livable future that we will not back down.”

    The Energy Transfer case, set to go to trial February 24th is a classic example of a SLAPP lawsuit – not filed to rectify a legitimate grievance but to silence dissent and intimidate those fighting for climate justice. This lawsuit makes outrageous allegations that have far-reaching implications for organizations far beyond Greenpeace.. However, as everyone saw last night: #WeWillNotBeSilenced.

    Contact: Madison Carter, Greenpeace USA Senior Communications Specialist, [email protected]

    Greenpeace USA is part of a global network of independent campaigning organizations that use peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. Greenpeace USA is committed to transforming the country’s unjust social, environmental, and economic systems from the ground up to address the climate crisis, advance racial justice, and build an economy that puts people first. Learn more at www.greenpeace.org/usa.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to Make America Healthy Again

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming John Barrasso
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor as the Senate prepares to vote on the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald J. Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services.
    Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.
    Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared:
    “The Senate will soon vote on the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
    “America needs to be healthier. I’m a doctor. I’ve worked with patients for over 20 years as a surgeon in Wyoming.
    “The problem is, our nation faces a chronic disease epidemic. Chronic diseases include diabetes, cancer, and obesity.
    “Chronic diseases are so widespread that managing them accounts for 90 percent of federal health care spending. And we spend a lot of our Gross National Product on health care.
    “Nearly 3 in 5 American adults and 1 in 4 American children are impacted by this. Our health care system tries to address this problem. Yet by incentivizing procedures over prevention, it often fails to address it effectively and economically.
    “As a result, Americans are becoming less healthy. We need to put America on a path to good health.
    “President Trump selected Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to do just that. Mr. Kennedy will bring a fresh set of eyes and ideas to important debates surrounding public health.
    “Mr. Kennedy will be a voice for the vast number of Americans who were failed by the previous administration.
    “The previous administration silenced reasoned debate. Mr. Kennedy will deliver accountability and transparency.
    “For Americans, that means more choices and better information. It means healthy foods and healthy competition for patients. It means lower costs and higher quality care. It means increased access to care. Access is so critical to my home state of Wyoming, with our many rural and frontier communities.
    “It means honest, unbiased, and trustworthy scientific research that is both innovative and accountable to the American people.
    “That is Mr. Kennedy’s bold vision to revitalize America’s bill of health.
    “Mr. Kennedy is clear about his mission. That mission is, as he told the Finance Committee, ‘to end the chronic disease epidemic and make America healthy again.’
    “Apparently, that’s not enough for Senate Democrats.
    “Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada was dismissive. At our Finance Committee hearing, I heard her say to Mr. Kennedy: ‘So that’s the only reason why you’re at HHS? To address this one issue.’
    “Respectfully, addressing chronic disease is the key issue when you’re talking about healthcare.
    “Mr. Kennedy testified before two Senate Committees as part of his confirmation. He responded to rigorous questions from both Republicans and Democrats. He answered those questions with candor and clarity.
    “He told the Senate HELP Committee that his leadership approach will be collaborative. He pledged to ‘empower the scientists to do their jobs’ – not to impose ‘preordained opinions on anybody at HHS.’
    “Mr. Kennedy was also clear that he supports vaccines.
    “He told the Finance Committee, ‘I support the measles vaccine. I support the polio vaccine. I will do nothing as HHS secretary that makes it difficult or discourages people from taking either of those vaccines.’
    “The Senate has every reason to take him at his word.
    “Mr. Kennedy is a bold choice. He is pro-health, pro-vaccine, and pro transparency. He is the right choice to make America healthy again.
    “I look forward to confirming him.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Votes to Confirm Tulsi Gabbard for DNI

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after Tulsi Gabbard was confirmed as Director of National Intelligence (DNI):
    “Congratulations to Tulsi Gabbard on her confirmation to be the next Director of National Intelligence. I’m confident Tulsi will continue to be a fierce defender against current and emerging threats and an advocate for President Trump’s agenda in this new capacity, and I look forward to working with her.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn, Blumenthal, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Combat Child Exploitation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Josh Hawley (R-MO), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Representatives Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Nathaniel Moran (TX-01), and Jared Moskowitz (FL-23) today introduced the PROTECT Our Children Act, which would reauthorize and modernize the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program:
    “The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program has a long history of equipping our law enforcement officers with the tools needed to safeguard children and hold perpetrators accountable,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation would reauthorize and update this critical program to address the evolving digital threat landscape and protect our children from these heinous crimes.”
    “The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force leads the fight to keep kids safe from predators online,” said Sen. Blumenthal. “This bipartisan legislation gives the Task Force and its law enforcement partners the tools and resources they need in their collaborative effort to fight child exploitation and protect our nation’s kids from abhorrent abuse in an increasingly online society.”
    “The number of threats children face online in today’s digital age is unlimited, and we need to make certain that law enforcement has the resources to go after these criminals and prevent future crimes against innocent children,” said Sen. Blackburn. “The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program has helped law enforcement protect children from harm for decades, and this bill would reauthorize this important program.”
    “Predators are using new technology every day to exploit children online, and law enforcement needs to be able to keep up,” said Rep. Van Drew. “The PROTECT Our Children Act gives them the tools to track down these criminals, rescue victims, and hold offenders accountable.”
    “Our lives are increasingly intertwined with the internet, and those who would commit crimes against our children know that all too well. With the PROTECT Our Children Act, the ICAC Task Force Program will get predators off line and help make the internet a safe space for all children,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to build on the original PROTECT Our Children Act that I authored over a decade ago. We all have a role to play in keeping our children safe.”
    “Our nation’s children must be protected at all costs from technology-facilitated child exploitation and Internet crimes against them,” said Rep. Moran. “The PROTECT Our Children Act reauthorizes the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and ensures that federal, state, and local law enforcement work together to combat the exploitation of children from online predators.”
    “In Florida and every other state in the country, Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Forces have protected our kids from vile predators in the darkest parts of the digital world,” said Rep. Moskowitz. “These law enforcement programs have a proven track record of getting tens of thousands of bad actors off the streets, and reauthorizing this program is the right thing to do to keep kids safe. I’m proud to be joining this broad, bipartisan group of colleagues to support these programs so law enforcement agencies across Florida can continue their work combatting child exploitation and other heinous crimes.”
    Background:
    The Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program helps state and local law enforcement agencies develop an effective response to technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and Internet crimes against children. This encompasses forensic and investigative components, training and technical assistance, victim services, and community education. This national network of 61 coordinated task forces represents more than 5,400 federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies engaged in both proactive and reactive investigations, forensic investigations, and criminal prosecutions.
    From 1998 to 2022, ICAC Task Forces trained more than 826,700 law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and other professionals on techniques to investigate and prosecute ICAC-related cases. They also reviewed more than 1.4 million reports of online child exploitation, which resulted in the arrest of more than 123,790 suspects.
    The PROTECT Our Children Act would:
    Update and modernize the requirements for the National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction, including requiring the U.S. Department of Justice to provide detailed, useful information on efforts to protect children nationwide;
    Provide liability protection for ICAC Task Forces in the course of conducting criminal investigations of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and child abuse material;
    Make needed technical improvements and clarifications to the statutory text of the program to match it to current technology and needs;
    Focus the ICAC program on both proactive and reactive investigations;
    And reauthorize the ICAC Program through 2027 with an escalator authorization.
    The PROTECT Our Children Act is endorsed by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE), the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), National Children’s Alliance, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), Rights 4 Girls, National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), Raven, Fraternal Order of Police, Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA), and the National Criminal Justice Training Center (NCJTC). 
    Sen. Cornyn has long championed the ICAC Task Force Program and has led its reauthorization efforts in the U.S. Senate since 2017.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Tackle Nursing Shortage

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced the Train More Nurses Act to address the nursing shortage affecting communities across the nation. This bipartisan bill will direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Labor to conduct a review of nursing grant programs to find ways to increase faculty at nursing schools, especially those in underserved areas. It will also increase pathways for Licensed Practical Nurses to become Registered Nurses.
    Nevada is experiencing a dire shortage of medical professionals. A recent analysis found that Nevada is one of the states with the least amount of nurses per capita. According to the University of Nevada Reno’s Nevada Health Workforce Research Center, it would take over 3,000 additional registered nurses for the state to catch up to the national average.
    “As Nevada continues to face a shortage of nurses and doctors, it’s becoming more difficult for hardworking families to get the medical care they need,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m introducing this bipartisan bill to help increase the number of nurses in our state and improve Nevadans’ access to high-quality health care.”
    “In the midst of a growing demand for medical treatments and services, health care providers across Maine continue to face a significant shortage of nurses. One challenge in growing the nursing workforce to meet this demand is the limited supply of nursing faculty available to increase student enrollment and train the next generation of nurses,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan legislation would identify strategies to close the faculty gap and expand our nursing workforce, ultimately improving access to care.”
    “By investing in nursing education and creating clear pathways to employment, we can ensure that registered nurses are well-prepared to meet the demand, and that patients receive the high-quality care they deserve,” said Melodie Osborn, Chief Nursing Executive for Renown Health. “At Renown Health (Reno, NV), we’ve seen first-hand the positive impact of supporting nursing students through scholarships, apprenticeships, loan repayment, preceptorships, and advanced simulation education. Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system. We are so grateful to Senators Rosen and Collins for moving forward this bill to invest in nursing education, which is crucial to be able to have more qualified and compassionate nursing care for you and your family.”
    Senator Rosen is working to address Nevada’s health care professional shortage and improve medical care access in the state. Senators Rosen and Collins’ bipartisan Maximizing Health Outcomes through Better Investments in Lifesaving Equipment for (MOBILE) Health Care Act was signed into law in 2022 to allow community health centers to use federal funds to establish new mobile health care units to increase access to health care services in rural and underserved communities. Last year, Senator Rosen pushed for more medical residency slots to be awarded to Nevada to help tackle the physician shortage. She also helped introduce the bipartisan Medical Student Education Authorization Act to address the doctor shortage by expanding the Medical Student Education Program and introduced a package of bipartisan bills aimed at addressing the shortage of doctors and dentists in Nevada and across the country.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Helps Introduce Legislation to Ensure the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation Receive the $5 Million They’re Owed

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined her colleagues Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Mike Crapo (R-ID), and Jim Risch (R-ID) to reintroduce the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation Water Rights Settlement Act. This legislation will allow the Tribes to finally collect over $5 million in interest they are owed for their 2009 water rights settlement.
    “The Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation deserve the millions of dollars in interest they are owed,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m proud to help introduce this bipartisan legislation to ensure they finally receive this payment after a nearly twenty year delay.”
    “It is absurd that the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation have had to go nearly two decades without millions of dollars in interest they are owed,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “My commonsense, bipartisan legislation fixes this years-old oversight and secures funding that these Tribes deserve.”
    “This much-needed fix takes the next step in upholding the federal government’s full interest terms of the 2009 settlement with the Duck Valley reservation,” said Senator Crapo.  “The Senate unanimously advanced the measure in the last Congress and must do so again expeditiously.  The House should follow suit so we can correct this error as soon as possible.”
    “The Shoshone-Paiute Tribes’ water rights settlement mistakenly excluded interest payments, unjustly cutting these communities short,” said Senator Risch. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing legislation to correct this error and provide the Tribes the proper interest they are owed.”
    Senator Rosen has been working to support Tribal communities in Nevada with the resources they need. Earlier this year, she announced more than $700,000 to improve transportation for Tribal communities in Nevada. Last year, she helped secure more than $5 million to improve water infrastructure for Tribal communities in Nevada. Senator Rosen also joined a bipartisan group of her colleagues to request more funding for Tribal law enforcement programs.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: On Senate Floor, Rosen Announces Opposition to Confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    Watch Senator Rosen’s Full Remarks HERE.
    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) took to the Senate floor to oppose the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. In her remarks, Senator Rosen highlighted Mr. Kennedy’s lack of qualifications and history of spreading dangerous public health conspiracies.
    Below are excerpts of Senator Rosen’s floor remarks:
    Today, we’re here to discuss President Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 
    If confirmed, Mr. Kennedy would be in charge of a department with power to, well, regulate the food we eat, the medicines we take, and the vaccines we depend upon.
    He would oversee agencies that provide health care to almost 170 million Americans – including hundreds of thousands of Nevadans who are on Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
    I’m here today to oppose Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as our next Secretary of Health and Human Services. 
    Confirming him would have disastrous consequences for our public health, for seniors who rely on Medicare, for our families who get their health care through Medicaid.
    Well, let’s start out with his lack – his lack – of qualifications.
    Well, Mr. Kennedy – he’s never worked in health care or federal government. He’s probably best known for his skepticism of vaccines and spreading dangerous conspiracies and outright lies. 
    Mr. Kennedy’s history of promoting anti-vaccine misinformation – it’s well-documented and deeply troubling. 
    Vaccines have saved millions of lives throughout history, and they remain one of the most effective tools we have to protect public health. 
    Yet, Mr. Kennedy has spent years promoting debunked claims linking vaccines to autism, cancer, allergies, and autoimmune diseases. 
    He’s spread lies about vaccine safety, making people fearful and increasing rates of unvaccinated people, which put all of us – all of us – at risk.
    […]
    But his problematic views are just the start. During his confirmation hearing, Mr. Kennedy was also asked about his understanding of Medicare and Medicaid. Just asked if he knew about it.
    Well, he struggled – struggled I mind you – to remember which program covered older and disabled Americans, struggled to remember which program provided for low-income people. 
    This is Medicare and Medicaid, not something that’s so brand new that even Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shouldn’t know what it is. Because Medicare and Medicaid are not mere government programs. 
    They are a lifeline for millions of Americans, including our seniors, our parents, our grandparents, people with disabilities, families in need – including half of all children – and around forty percent of all babies born in this country.
    Why would we trust someone with the future of Medicare and Medicaid when he doesn’t even understand the basics of the system he would oversee? 
    […]
    You know, Mr. President, the role of Secretary of Health and Human Services – it is one of profound responsibility. 
    And Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has undermined the very foundations of our public health system.
    Mr. Kennedy’s vision for the future of our health care system, well, he wants to undermine Medicare and Medicaid, he wants to slash cancer research funding, he wants to push dangerous public health conspiracies. These are visions and these are things I cannot support. No one should support.
    We all want a healthier future for America — one that both prevents diseases and where we can think about curing diseases, where we can do preventative medicine, curative medicine, where we can have that hope for folks whose mother gets lung cancer in the future that she might live, or leukemia in the future, that their brother might live. 
    Mine didn’t, but I hope that they didn’t die in vain because research goes on and will help others. And I want us to be able to cure diseases for the ones that we love.
    And so that is why I cannot in good conscience support Mr. Kennedy’s nomination, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.
    The stakes couldn’t be higher. Our very lives — the lives of our loved ones — they may just depend on it.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Leads Effort Demanding Trump Reverse Illegal Firing of Independent FEC Chair

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla Leads Effort Demanding Trump Reverse Illegal Firing of Independent FEC Chair

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration with oversight over federal elections, led 10 Democratic Senators to demand President Trump rescind his unprecedented and illegal firing of Federal Election Commission (FEC) Chair Ellen Weintraub. The Senators also urged Trump to pursue the lawful process of consulting with the Senate on nominating a replacement for both Weintraub and former Republican Commissioner Sean Cooksey, who recently resigned for a role in the Trump Administration, and future vacancies.

    The FEC is an independent, bipartisan agency tasked with enforcing U.S. campaign finance laws. In the 50 years since it was created — in the wake of the Watergate scandal — a commissioner has never been fired by the President. Typical procedure, as outlined in the Federal Election Campaign Act, is to have a Commissioner depart upon confirmation of their replacement. The illegal, unprecedented firing of Chair Weintraub took effect immediately following receipt of the letter on February 6.

    “Chair Weintraub must be able continue to serve in her role unless and until you use the lawful process of nominating a commissioner for the Senate’s consideration and that nominee is confirmed,” wrote the Senators. “Your letter seeking to remove a commissioner ignores the legal requirements that commissioners may not be removed without cause. This effort violates the procedure set in statute for replacing commissioners in the Federal Election Campaign Act and appears to be a bad faith effort to dismantle the only federal agency that protects the American people’s right to transparency in campaigns and elections.”

    “Record spending in our elections, including from ultra-wealthy individuals who now serve at the highest levels of power, has placed the FEC’s responsibilities at the heart of maintaining a healthy democracy,” continued the Senators. “While years of deadlock at the Commission have hindered its ability to serve as an effective regulator, removing commissioners without cause moves beyond dysfunction to outright destruction.”

    In addition to Senator Padilla, the letter was signed by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

    Last week, Senator Padilla rebuked President Trump’s illegal attempt to fire Chair Weintraub.

    Full text of the letter is available here and below:

    Dear President Trump:

    We write to strongly urge you to rescind your illegal attempt to remove Chair Ellen Weintraub from the Federal Election Commission (FEC), the independent and bipartisan agency charged with enforcing our campaign finance laws. Chair Weintraub must be able continue to serve in her role unless and until you use the lawful process of nominating a commissioner for the Senate’s consideration and that nominee is confirmed.

    Your letter seeking to remove a commissioner ignores the legal requirements that commissioners may not be removed without cause. This effort violates the procedure set in statute for replacing commissioners in the Federal Election Campaign Act and appears to be a bad faith effort to dismantle the only federal agency that protects the American people’s right to transparency in campaigns and elections.

    Removing an FEC commissioner without nominating a replacement is without precedent. With Republican Commissioner Sean Cooksey’s recent resignation to join your administration, regular order would be to consult with the Senate on a bipartisan basis and nominate a pair of Republican and Democratic commissioners for the Senate’s consideration. Unlawfully removing a commissioner with an existing vacancy, without consultation with the Senate on nominations to replace them, demonstrates an intent to ignore the Senate’s constitutional role and diminish the Commission’s ability to hold accountable potential violations of campaign finance law.

    Chair Weintraub, a Democratic commissioner, has a strong record of seeking to enforce the law that regulates money in politics on a nonpartisan basis, including holding presidential campaigns accountable. Congress created the FEC over 50 years ago, in the wake of the Watergate scandal that eroded trust in our government. The FEC was designed to be free from the interference of those it might be regulating and to ensure the American people had insight into how money was being spent to influence its elected officials. The role of money in our elections has changed since the FEC was first created, particularly as the Supreme Court has issued decisions permitting dark money to infiltrate our elections. However, the need for balanced and dedicated commissioners who work on behalf of the country has remained unchanged.

    Further, record spending in our elections, including from ultra-wealthy individuals who now serve at the highest levels of power, has placed the FEC’s responsibilities at the heart of maintaining a healthy democracy. While years of deadlock at the Commission have hindered its ability to serve as an effective regulator, removing commissioners without cause moves beyond dysfunction to outright destruction.

    We call on you to rescind your unlawful letter and pursue the legal process for replacing commissioners in bipartisan consultation with the Senate.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Consumer NZ warns of car rental company’s questionable practices

    Source: Consumer NZ

    A recent investigation reveals how autoUnion pressures customers into paying large bonds to cover the excess on an insurance policy some believe is dodgy.

    Chris Schulz, senior investigative journalist at Consumer NZ, is warning those looking for an affordable car hire option in Auckland or Christchurch to avoid car rental company autoUnion. Despite alluringly cheap daily rates, Schulz believes autoUnion’s cheap deals could end up costing a fortune.

    Consumer initially received a tip-off from an autoUnion customer, Jesse Ashwell, about the car rental company’s potentially fraudulent practices.

    “Ashwell bought insurance online when she first booked her car, but when she turned up at the car yard, she was asked to pay a $3,000 bond to cover the insurance excess on an additional ‘basic cover’ insurance policy.

    “She didn’t receive a copy of an insurance policy document or any information about autoUnion’s insurance provider – despite requesting it,” says Schulz.

    Ashwell says: “I refused to pay a $3,000 bond so it took two and a half hours to sort out the rental. When I finally got to the car, I found a dirty, smelly Toyota Aqua.”  

    “The car broke down on the third day of hire. Ashwell was accused of filling it up with the wrong petrol (which she denies and has a receipt to prove) and her credit card was charged over $1500 to cover the damage autoUnion alleged she’d caused” says Schulz.

    “We’re concerned autoUnion is targeting people looking for a super-cheap rental car, charging them a hefty bond to cover their insurance excess and then finding a reason to hold onto that bond.”

    A spokesperson for autoUnion explained it is a budget rental car company and admitted it had had issues with some customers being confused by the company’s insurance policies – especially if they’d already paid for insurance when booking through a third-party company. But the spokesperson said autoUnion would never attempt to scam people in this way.  

    But Schulz believes autoUnion is up to no good and likely to be breaking the law.  

    He urges others looking to hire a cheap rental car to avoid autoUnion at all costs.

    “It’s understandable that people will be tempted when a rental car is that cheap – but, in the case of autoUnion, it’s not worth it.

    “Ashwell was pressured to buy an additional insurance product that we haven’t seen any evidence exists, accused of something she’s confident she didn’t do and then charged for alleged damage.  

    “AutoUnion’s behaviour is unacceptable and we’re concerned others may have been stung by similar charges.”

    If you’ve had a similar experience to Ashwell, please share your story with us at playfair@consumer.org.nz.  

    “We want to get to the bottom of what’s going on with autoUnion, and if necessary, shut down this practice.”

    Tips for renting a car

    Check to see if the company is registered with the Rental Vehicle Association

    Read reviews and check the terms and conditions of any deal before entering into a contract. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

    Book directly through the rental company’s website.

    Car hirers should be up front about their insurance policies and provider’s details.

    If you’re asked to pay a bond, make sure you know what the bond covers and read the terms and conditions thoroughly.

    Notes

    You can read more details about Consumer’s investigation into auto-Union on its website: Is an Auckland car rental company profiting from ‘fake’ insurance? ( https://consumernz.cmail20.com/t/i-l-fikwx-ijjdkdttjk-j/ )

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Govt Cuts – Axing 63 roles at Callaghan Innovation will drive essential skills out of the country and undermine Government growth agenda – PSA

    Source: PSA

    New redundances at Callaghan Innovation will undermine the country’s capacity to commercialise innovations of New Zealand businesses, which the Government claims it is so focussed on, says the union for Callaghan Innovation workers, the Public Service Association.
    Last night, Callaghan Innovation told 63 workers their roles were being made redundant, including 16 commercialisation roles, 14 scientists and engineers, 6 Māori Innovation roles, and others working in data, digital, product design, risk and audit, marketing, government engagement and technical support.
    “The Government is dismissing the very workers who could help grow the economy,” said PSA Acting National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons. “People working in those commercialisation roles have the skills to turn ideas into internationally marketable products and services quickly and successfully.”
    Last month, Science Minister Shane Reti told Callaghan Innovation’s Board Chair that Callaghan would lose most of its funding well before its formal disestablishment, and before any new science organisations have been set up through the science system reforms recently announced. That will see around 75 science staff out of work and forced to find work overseas.
    “The Minister is driving workers with essential knowledge out of the country. By defunding Callaghan Innovation before it’s disestablished, the Minister is forcing staff into redundancy with nowhere in New Zealand for them to go to.”
    Cabinet papers released alongside the science reform announcements stated that the Minister would conduct a review of capability within Callaghan Innovation that could be retained and transferred elsewhere. However, this review resulted in minimal change.
    “Callaghan Innovation staff were never given an opportunity to have input on this review,” said Fitzsimons. “The Minister has made decisions without even talking to the people who are losing their livelihoods over this.
    “The Minister must treat Callaghan Innovation staff with dignity and respect and find ways to keep these highly skilled staff in New Zealand. Otherwise, we’ll lose more people offshore while New Zealand becomes a less attractive place to be a scientist.
    “How will that help the Government’s economic growth agenda?”
    Previous statement on cuts at Callaghan Innovation

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Feedback wanted on working with engineered stone

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden says the consultation on working with engineered stone closes in one month and hopes to hear from businesses, workers in the industry and people working with other materials that contain crystalline silica.

    “I want to understand what is currently being done to manage the risks, and whether additional regulation is needed,” says Ms van Velden.

    The consultation outlines a full range of possible regulatory responses, from strengthening current requirements to implementing a full ban. 

    “There are a range of views on this topic, and I want to build a comprehensive picture of current workplace practices and how risks are currently being managed.”

    Engineered stone is a popular kitchen and bathroom bench material used in New Zealand homes and businesses. In its solid form, engineered stone does not have hazardous properties. 

    It is the dust that is generated from cutting, grinding, or polishing engineered stone that has the potential to cause harm when it is breathed in. Silicosis is an occupational disease caused by exposure to respirable crystalline silica, typically over a period of 20 years or more. Engineered stone workers can develop accelerated silicosis, a more aggressive form of silicosis, after just three to ten years of exposure to respirable crystalline silica. 

    “I was encouraged by the volume and quality of submissions in my recent system-wide health and safety consultation and am looking forward to seeing the results of the consultation on working with engineered stone.  

    “Like the broader health and safety system, I need to balance the safety of workers with ensuring any regulatory changes are proportionate and effective at managing the risks.

    “I’m keen to hear from all industries in which respirable crystalline silica is generated including/such as mining, quarrying, tunnelling, roading, foundries, construction, manufacturing of concrete, bricks and tiles, abrasive blasting, monumental masonry work, concrete drilling, grinding, fettling, mixing, handling and dry shovelling,” says Ms van Velden. 

    “You still have time to make a submission by going to MBIE’s website. The consultation closes at 5pm on 18 March 2025.” 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –