Police accept the findings by the Independent Police Conduct Authority following the death of a man in Auckland last year.
On 4 November 2024, Police were called to a commercial property on Boston Road after a report of a man becoming agitated towards staff at the address and paramedics.
Police officers arrived and instructed the man to leave.
The man refused to leave despite the officer’s requests, so the officer placed a hand on his shoulder to guide him along.
The man has then fallen and hit his head on the ground. Unfortunately, he was seriously injured and later died in hospital.
The IPCA conducted an independent investigation, which included reviewing CCTV footage of the incident, and found the officer did not use force when placing his hand on the man’s shoulder and instead he lost his balance on the sloping driveway and fell to the ground.
“This was an incredibly unfortunate incident for everyone concerned, including our attending staff,” Auckland City District Commander, Superintendent Sunny Patel, says.
“Our sympathies remain with the man’s family and friends during what was no doubt a very challenging time.”
The Government’s anti-worker agenda has stepped up with the passing into law last night the right for employers to dock the pay of workers who take low level strike action.
The Employment Relations (Pay Deductions for Partial Strikes) Amendment Bill allows employers to deduct 10% of a worker’s wage for partial strike action such as not performing a task.
“It’s clear what the agenda is here, this Government wants to give employers even more tools and power to keep wages down and profits high,” said Fleur Fitzsimons National Secretary Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“The new law is all about weakening the position of workers when involved in collective bargaining that becomes difficult to settle.
“There are already only a small range of tools available to workers when negotiations fail. “Every time the Government takes away one of those tools, or puts a price on using them, the power imbalance gets worse, and workers pay the price.
“The vast majority of collective agreements are settled without industrial action as employers and working people agree on pay and conditions but when that agreement is difficult to find, there are tools that both sides can use help to find agreement. This includes mediation or facilitation ordered by the Employment Relations Authority.
“If that fails, low level strike action, agreed by union members through a ballot, is a tool workers can use to make their concerns loud and clear to employers.
“If the Government keeps raiding the toolkit as they are here, they actually risk opening the door to escalating strike action and longer stoppages when the only tool left is a sledgehammer.
“This is another win for employers, the latest in a long series of extreme anti-worker policies – cancelling pay equity rules, axing of fair pay agreements, the 90 day fire at will law, tightening personal grievance rules, low minimum wage increases and the prospect of cutting sick pay for part-time workers now on the radar.
“This government has no shame in pursuing an agenda that is blatantly all about giving more power to employers and beating down on workers – the PSA will continue to resist strongly.”
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahiis Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
Research released today into New Zealand’s sustainability profession reveals a compelling picture of a profession which is gaining strategic traction, while grappling with systemic challenges.
The report, Insights on Aotearoa New Zealand Sustainability Professionals, delivered by Oxygen Consulting in collaboration with the Sustainable Business Council (SBC), Sustainable Business Network (SBN) and Auckland University of Technology (AUT), draws on the insights from sustainability professionals across Aotearoa New Zealand, unpacking capability and competencies, remuneration, job opportunities, and overall wellbeing.
Now in its sixth year, the 2025 findings reveal a sector navigating heightened economic pressures, regulatory complexity, and emotional strain. Despite these headwinds though, the profession is maturing, with sustainability roles increasingly being embedded in core business functions such as strategy and finance.
Director of Oxygen Consulting Sarah Holden says the 2025 results show sustainability professionals are no longer operating on the fringes but are increasingly central to business resilience and transformation.
“But with that visibility comes pressure. Our research shows a profession that is passionate and committed but also stretched and in need of greater structural support.”
Key findings include:
60% of professionals have been in their current role for two years or less, suggesting high turnover and limited career pathways.
Only 12% believe current training adequately prepares them for the demands of their roles.
Climate anxiety and emotional exhaustion are rising, particularly among younger professionals.
Professor Marjo Lips-Wiersma of Auckland University of Technology says, “The wellbeing data in this year’s finding is sobering. Sustainability professionals are deeply affected by the issues they work on. As organisations and educators, we must support graduates and sustainability officers at all levels to not only be technically skilled, but also emotionally resilient.”
Despite these challenges, the findings also highlight:
A growing sense of professional competency, with more than 88% of respondents feeling confident in their ability to manage sustainability responsibilities.
Increasing integration of sustainability into strategy and finance functions, signalling a shift from compliance to core business value.
A growing appetite for business-relevant skills such as financial sustainability, business case development, and influencing.
“These findings offer crucial insights for our business leaders,” says Mike Burrell, Chief Executive of the Sustainable Business Council.
“If we want to deliver on our climate and ESG commitments and harness the opportunities sustainability presents, we must invest in the people doing the work. That means providing quality training and adequate development opportunities, as well as demonstrating leadership that champions sustainability from the very top.”
The findings come at a time when sustainability is increasingly seen as a strategic imperative. Yet, 80% of professionals report no clear development pathway within their organisations.
“It’s no surprise this report confirms that sustainability is indeed central to business success, export growth and meeting the expectations of global supply chains,” says Rachel Brown, CEO of the Sustainable Business Network.
“What’s equally clear is that we have the talent, passion and capability in Aotearoa to deliver. Yet to truly succeed they need adequate resourcing, recognition and clear career pathways so their contributions can thrive.”
The report calls for systems-level investment in training, cross-disciplinary integration, and visible leadership support to ensure the profession can thrive-and deliver the transformation New Zealand businesses need.
A comprehensive list of training opportunities offered by the report’s partners can be foundhere.
The sustainability experts and partners listed above will be participating in a panel at today’slaunch event, responding to the insights and discussing ideas for addressing future challenges.
Target participants for this research included any employed people who currently have ‘sustainability’ as part or all of their role. ‘Sustainability’ includes responsibilities that address the social, environmental and economic risks to the organisation. The scope included anyone in full time, part time or contractual positions within public, private, non-governmental, charity, and not-for-profit organisations.
The Securities and Exchange Commission today voted to extend the compliance date to June 30, 2026, for the amendments to Rule 15c3-3 (the broker-dealer customer protection rule) that the Commission adopted on Dec. 20, 2024. The amendments require certain broker-dealers to increase the frequency of required reserve computations under Rule 15c3-3 from weekly to daily. The compliance date for these required daily reserve computations was originally Dec. 31, 2025.
“The days of unreasonable deadlines have passed,” said SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins. “By extending this compliance date, we are giving broker-dealers additional time to implement daily computation under Rule 15c3-3. I am pleased the Commission agrees that additional time is necessary to allow broker-dealers to avoid operational challenges with meeting the initial compliance date.”
This extension will provide more time for broker-dealers to make any necessary systems or operational changes to implement a daily computation requirement and test their new daily processes for compliance.
Source: United States Small Business Administration
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In response to an amended Presidential public assistance declaration, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to private nonprofit organizations (PNP) in the Camden County affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and wildfires occurring March 14-15.
These low-interest federal disaster loans are available in the Missouri counties of Bollinger, Butler, Callaway, Camden, Carter, Dunklin, Franklin, Howell, Iron, Madison, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Perry, Phelps, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard and Wayne.
Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements might include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by any disaster.
“One distinct advantage of SBA’s disaster loan program is the opportunity to fund upgrades reducing the risk of future storm damage,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “I encourage businesses and homeowners to work with contractors and mitigation professionals to improve their storm readiness while taking advantage of SBA’s mitigation loans.”
PNPs are also eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the PNP suffered any physical property damage.
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 3.62% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
The SBA encourages applicants to submit their loan applications promptly. Applications will be prioritized in the order they are received, and the SBA remains committed to processing them as efficiently as possible.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The deadline to return applications for physical property damage is July 22, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Feb. 23, 2026.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
Source: United States Small Business Administration
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In response to an amended Presidential public assistance declaration, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to private nonprofit organizations (PNP) in Crittenden, Garland and Mississippi counties affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding occurring April 2‑22, 2025.
These low-interest federal disaster loans are available in the counties of Clark, Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Dallas, Desha, Fulton, Garland, Greene, Hempstead, Hot Spring, Izard, Jackson, Lafayette, Lawrence, Lee, Little River, Lonoke, Marion, Miller, Mississippi, Monroe, Montgomery, Nevada, Newton, Pike, Poinsett, Prairie, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Scott, Searcy, Sevier, Sharp, St. Francis, Stone and Woodruff in Arkansas.
Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements might include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by any disaster.
“One distinct advantage of SBA’s disaster loan program is the opportunity to fund upgrades reducing the risk of future storm damage,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “I encourage businesses and homeowners to work with contractors and mitigation professionals to improve their storm readiness while taking advantage of SBA’s mitigation loans.”
PNPs are also eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the PNP suffered any physical property damage.
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 3.62% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA will set loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
The SBA encourages applicants to submit their loan applications promptly. Applications will be prioritized in the order they are received, and the SBA remains committed to processing them as efficiently as possible.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The deadline to return applications for physical property damage is July 22, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Feb. 23, 2026.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today held a ceremony to sign S.51, An act relating to Vermont income tax exclusions and tax credits into law. He was joined by members of the legislature, current and former members of the military, and other supporters of the bill. In addition to exempting military retirement income up to $125,000 from state taxes, the bill also expands the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and exempts an additional $5,000 of Social Security income for seniors.
Governor Scott:Good afternoon, thanks for being here.
Over the last few years Vermonters have felt the impacts of inflation and higher costs in many areas, making it harder for those looking to retire and for families and workers to make ends meet, which includes paying their property taxes.
So, at the start of the session, one of the areas I asked the legislature to focus on was affordability.
I put forward some ideas to help ease the tax burden so Vermonters aren’t forced to make tough decisions about which bills they pay this month and which ones they don’t, their electric bill, their fuel bill, or their car payment, because they can’t do all three. Or worse yet, consider moving out of Vermont to a more affordable state.
Because when I’m out talking to people, that’s what they’re concerned about: how expensive it is to live in Vermont.
My affordability plan included tax breaks for workers, families, and seniors by expanding the eligibility for the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit and increasing the social security income exemption by another $5,000.
It also included fully exempting military retirement pay.
And although we didn’t get as much as I would have liked, we did make significant gains.
S.51 fully exempts income up to $125,000 and tapers off for those receiving more.
The bill also includes a refundable tax credit for retirees earning up to $30,000.
Since I was first elected Governor, I’ve asked the legislature to eliminate the income tax from military retirement because with an aging demographic and declining workforce, it’ll help attract more working aged people and families to Vermont.
And it makes a lot of sense because it’s difficult to compete with other states who are much more generous with tax incentives.
This exemption isn’t just about tax breaks, and as you can see by who’s here today, it’s not a partisan issue.
It’s an important recruitment tool because many in the military retire at a relatively young age and have an entire civilian career ahead of them.
They’re highly skilled from their military experience which we need to fill jobs here in the state.
To all the members of our military, past and present, thank you for your service to our country.
We live in freedom because of you and it’s important we remember the contributions you’ve made to protect that.
Source: African Development Bank Group The African Development Bank has approved a grant of $500,000 to undertake a feasibility study into the first phase of a cable car transport network in Kigali, that will be sub-Saharan Africa’s first aerial urban transit system. The project is initiated by Ropeways Transit Rwanda Ltd (RTRL).
Filmgoers have long been captivated by stories about robots. We are fascinated by their utopian promise, their superhuman intelligence and, in the case of the cyborg, their often uncanny resemblance to humans.
But it is the evil robot – the machine that malfunctions, rebels or was built to harm – that has most powerfully gripped the collective imagination of audiences.
From the silent menace of Maschinenmensch in 1927’s Metropolis, to the relentless pursuit of the Terminator, to the campy violence of M3GAN, evil robots continue to resonate.
These films not only thrill, scare and entertain audiences. They also reflect deep-seated cultural anxieties about the unpredictable consequences of the current and future human-robot relationship.
The killer robot is far from a simple villain. It is a mirror held up to some of the most pressing cultural questions we have about human autonomy and responsibility in the digital age.
The precarity of human control
The enduring appeal of the evil robot narrative lies in the way horror often channels our deepest cultural anxieties about the speed of technological advancement and the precarity of human control in an increasingly digital (and robotic) world.
In The Spark of Fear, scholar Brian Duchaney posits that improvements in technology necessitate new types of horror stories, and that horror as a genre acts out our distrust of the social advances that new technology brings.
In the late 1960s, there was unease about the growing sophistication of computers and the impacts of the Space Race. HAL 9000 of 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) represented this threat through a disembodied AI that icily turned against its human creators.
The android Ash in Alien (1979) added another layer of menace, disguised as a human embedded in the spacecraft crew and programmed to prioritise corporate interests over human life. In this case, Ash became a proxy for concerns over corporate adoption of automation, and the increasing role of technology in military and industrial contexts.
During the Cold War era, fears of nuclear annihilation and concerns over reaching a point where we could no longer switch off the machines led to the unforgettable T-800 and shape-shifting T-1000 in the first two Terminator films (1984 and 1991).
In the 21st century, as artificial intelligence and robotics became more prevalent in everyday life, the cinematic robot has entered our homes, culminating in M3GAN’s companion-gone-rogue.
In M3GAN (2022), Gemma (Allison Williams) is a robotics designer who creates an AI-powered companion doll to help her orphaned niece Cady (Violet McGraw) cope with her grief. But the doll becomes dangerously overprotective.
In M3GAN 2.0 (2025), the consciousness of the titular robot appears to have survived the 2022 film and, in a move that borrows from The Terminator 2, M3GAN shifts from villain to protector.
The new film explores the consequences of the underlying tech for M3GAN being stolen and misused by a powerful defence contractor to create a military-grade robot, known as Amelia. The only option to counteract Amelia is for Gemma to resurrect M3GAN – complete with upgrades to make her faster, stronger and more deadly.
Our technological anxieties
Why is M3GAN such an effective avatar for our contemporary anxieties?
Horror theorist Noël Carroll argues that monsters are often frightening because they don’t fit neatly into normal categories. They may be “in-between” things (such as part human, part machine) or contradictory (for example a zombie: both alive and dead at the same time).
M3GAN is a great example of both. She looks and acts like a young girl, with expressive facial features and a snarky sense of humour. But she’s really just artificial intelligence inside a robot body.
She’s also contradictory: she is designed to care for and protect her owner, yet she does so in exceedingly violent and deadly ways. These paradoxes make her both frightening and fascinating for audiences.
M3GAN and M3GAN 2.0 bring to the surface our technological anxieties, and defuse them through their camp qualities.
One sequence in the earlier film sees M3GAN break into a fluid yet unsettling dance, mimicking the performance of many a TikTok teen, only for the dance to end abruptly when she snatches a paper cutter blade and returns to stalking her victim.
This meme-ified moment – combined with some deadpan one-liners and often comically ironic facial expressions – have led to M3GAN becoming a gay icon in the wake of the original film.
M3GAN’s campiness doesn’t completely neutralise the horror. It reformulates it, offering a cathartic release that makes the subject matter more digestible. While we feel fear, we do so without real-world consequences. The fear is disarmed through humour.
This multifaceted horror experience more fully reflects the complexities of our evolving relationship with new technology. These relationships often move through a spectrum of concern, anxiety and fear before we find ways to manage and normalise those feelings.
Humour and catharsis are two of these coping mechanisms. Movies provide us with a way of neatly and temporarily resolving what often remain unresolved questions.
Films like M3GAN 2.0 illustrate how horror narratives can also transform alongside the technologies they critique, offering not only tension and jump scares, but also philosophical consideration, comedy and cathartic release.
Adam Daniel does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
New qualifications body and independent inspectorate will be established.
The creation of a new national qualifications body, along with an independent education inspectorate, has taken a major step forward after legislation to implement the changes was passed in the Scottish Parliament.
The Education (Scotland) Bill was backed by 69 votes to 47 by MSPs tonight. This includes provisions to replace the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) with a new organisation, Qualifications Scotland.
The office of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland, with enhanced independence, will be created to undertake the education inspection functions that currently sit within Education Scotland.
The final legislation, following Stage 2 and Stage 3 amendments to the Bill initially introduced in June last year, includes measures from all political parties represented on Holyrood’s Education, Children and Young People committee.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said:
“The successful passage of this legislation shows this Government is serious about implementing the changes needed to drive improvement across Scotland’s education and skills system.
“The creation of a new national qualifications body is about building the right conditions for reform to flourish; the new body will ensure that knowledge and experience of pupils and teachers are at the heart of our national qualifications offering. The new inspectorate body will also have greater independence and the power to set the frequency and focus of inspections, moving this function away from Ministers, to His Majesty’s Chief Inspector.
“Throughout this process, I have been determined to work with other parties on this vital legislation. I am also grateful to teaching unions and other organisations across civic Scotland who contributed to its development.
“Taken together our major programme of education and skills reform will bring about the changes needed to meet the needs of future generations of young people.”
Background
Qualifications Scotland is expected to become operational in Autumn 2025.
Once appointed, HM Chief Inspector will lead the new education inspectorate, which is expected to become operational in Autumn 2025. The new inspectorate will operate independently, while the Bill passed by Parliament will see Scottish Ministers retain oversight authority and they will be able to request that specific inspections be carried out by the Chief Inspector.
Two elements of reform activity are not part of the Bill’s provisions. These are the revised remit of Education Scotland, which will see it continue as the national education agency but with a focus on the curriculum, and the establishment of a Centre for Teaching Excellence, which will be launched at the start of the new academic year and help support teachers’ professional development.
L to R: Ken Coles, Executive Director Farming Smarter, RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Ryan Mercer, President, Farming Smarter
The funding will help improve agricultural research and Alberta producers’ competitiveness. Applied research associations bring information from scientists and experts to farmers and ranchers to improve farming techniques. They provide learning and extension opportunities for producers, conduct research and trials to improve farming techniques that improve crop and soil quality, manage pests and protect the environment.
“Our government is committed to free and unbiased research. Applied research associations play a vital role in supporting farmers and ranchers with top-notch research that helps improve and advance agriculture. This funding helps ensure associations can concentrate on providing research and extension to help our producers adopt new technologies and practices and improve their competitiveness. Now the associations can address their most pressing capital equipment issues.”
Extending the life of facilities
Applied research associations will be able to extend the life of facilities, infrastructure and equipment, address health and safety issues, improve the quality of applied research and extension activities and reduce operating costs as a result.
“Our farmer-led associations are very pleased and grateful for the capital funding support. This will go a long way in helping have the equipment we need to continue our applied research and extension work with producers to assist them in adapting research results, technologies and practices into their farming and ranching business operations.”
“The Government of Alberta’s strategic investment in irrigation expansion and the twinning of Highway 3 demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing the province’s agricultural and economic future. The applied research capital grants will empower organizations like Farming Smarter to deliver substantial returns on investment by driving innovation and supporting the growth of value-added industries. As a world-class research and innovation organization, Farming Smarter is now even better positioned to accelerate progress and enable transformative advancements across Alberta’s agri-food sector.”
This funding will help these associations purchase seeders, tractors, swathers, irrigation systems and portable facilities. It will also help them to purchase research equipment that ensures Alberta producers remain amongst the most competitive in the world.
Quick facts
Alberta has 12 Applied Research Associations spread across the province:
Battle River Research Group Society
Central Alberta Forage and Livestock Association
Chinook Applied Research Association
Farming Smarter Association
Foothills Forage and Grazing Association
Gateway Research Organization
Lakeland Agricultural Research Association
Mackenzie Applied Research Association
North Peace Applied Research Association
Peace Country Beef and Forage Association
SARDA Ag Research Association
Farming Forward (West-Central Forage Association)
Alberta’s applied research associations have been supporting the adoption of farm research since the 1970s
As of 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, there are 19 active wildfires in Saskatchewan. Of those active fires, two are categorized as contained, five are not contained, nine are ongoing assessment and three are listed as protecting values.
This year, Saskatchewan has had 267 wildfires, which is well above the five-year average of 166 to date.
Three communities remain under an evacuation order: East Trout Lake, as well as priority individuals from Creighton and Denare Beach. Priority individuals from Cumberland House have been repatriated.
The SPSA’s Recovery Task Team continues to meet with community leaders to discuss recovery efforts.
Over $4 million has been transferred directly to residents as well as communities that are distributing the $500 Government of Saskatchewan Financial Assistance to their residents that have been impacted by the wildfires. The SPSA is continuing to coordinate with communities that have asked for its support in distributing this financial assistance.
Evacuees who have not yet registered are encouraged to do so through the Sask Evac Web Application or by calling 1-855-559-5502 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Evacuees supported by the Canadian Red Cross can call 1-800-863-6582.
A full list of evacuated and repatriated communities can be found on the Information for Evacuees webpage.
The latest information, an interactive fire ban map, frequently asked questions, fire risk maps and fire prevention tips can be found at saskpublicsafety.ca.
A Texas woman was sentenced today to three years and five months in prison for her participation in a scheme to file fraudulent applications for loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that the Small Business Administration (SBA) guaranteed under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
According to court documents, between around May 2020, and March 2021, Shantelle Hawkins, 43, of DeSoto, conspired to submit 17 fraudulent PPP loan applications on behalf of companies she or her relatives owned or controlled. The applications contained false statements about payroll and tax information, which the SBA used to calculate the amount of PPP funds to which the applicant-companies would be entitled. Hawkins used some of the money she obtained from the loans for personal expenses, including to pay off her 2015 Maserati Ghibli luxury car and to purchase property in the greater Dallas area.
Hawkins pleaded guilty on Oct. 8, 2024, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. At sentencing, Hawkins was ordered to pay more than $1.8 million in restitution and to forfeit the residence purchased with proceeds from the fraud.
Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson for the Northern District of Texas; and Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock of the FBI’s Dallas Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Dermot Lynch and Kashan Pathan of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elyse Lyons for the Northern District of Texas is handling asset forfeiture.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
A Texas woman was sentenced today to three years and five months in prison for her participation in a scheme to file fraudulent applications for loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that the Small Business Administration (SBA) guaranteed under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
According to court documents, between around May 2020, and March 2021, Shantelle Hawkins, 43, of DeSoto, conspired to submit 17 fraudulent PPP loan applications on behalf of companies she or her relatives owned or controlled. The applications contained false statements about payroll and tax information, which the SBA used to calculate the amount of PPP funds to which the applicant-companies would be entitled. Hawkins used some of the money she obtained from the loans for personal expenses, including to pay off her 2015 Maserati Ghibli luxury car and to purchase property in the greater Dallas area.
Hawkins pleaded guilty on Oct. 8, 2024, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. At sentencing, Hawkins was ordered to pay more than $1.8 million in restitution and to forfeit the residence purchased with proceeds from the fraud.
Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson for the Northern District of Texas; and Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock of the FBI’s Dallas Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Dermot Lynch and Kashan Pathan of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elyse Lyons for the Northern District of Texas is handling asset forfeiture.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Travel agent failed to offer refunds for trips cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta and San Mateo District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe today announced a settlement with Nawas International Travel Service (Nawas), a California travel agency focusing on religious travel, for failing to provide full refunds to consumers whose trips were cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic. The settlement today, pending court approval, includes at least $567,138 in full restitution of cancellation fees to affected California travelers, $560,000 in civil penalties under the California’s Unfair Competition Law and Seller of Travel Act, and strong injunctive terms that prohibit Nawas from imposing cancellation fees that violate California law.
“We are proud to announce that today, in partnership with the San Mateo District Attorney, we’ve secured full refunds for hundreds of Californians who were harmed by the illegal practices of Nawas International Travel Service. Travel agents operating in California must comply with California’s strong consumer protection laws, which includes providing timely refunds for cancelled travel,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Today’s settlement provides important restitution for those harmed by Nawas’s attempt to disregard California law and a reminder to the travel industry that all California Sellers of Travel need to play by the rules.”
“California law provides protections for consumers when purchasing travel from Sellers of Travel. My office was pleased to work with the Attorney General’s Office in this case to ensure these laws were enforced,” said San Mateo District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe.
Nawas is a seller and provider of tours to religious sites around the world, including sites in the Middle East and Europe. Nawas markets its tours largely through clergy and many of Nawas’s travelers are senior citizens. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nawas cancelled hundreds of international tours. After the cancellation, rather than refunding the full amount of the travelers’ deposits and tour payments, Nawas unlawfully withheld “cancellation fees” of between $200 and $1,150 per traveler. In all, Nawas withheld approximately $560,000 in what they termed cancellation fees from approximately 600 California travelers. Nawas’s withholding of those funds violated the California Seller of Travel Act, which requires sellers of travel to provide full refunds for any travel that they are unable to provide, with certain limited exceptions that do not apply here. Although Nawas claimed to travelers that it was allowed to withhold cancellation fees under its own terms and conditions, the Seller of Travel Act expressly prohibits this where, as here, the seller of travel is unable or unwilling to provide the purchased travel.
The Attorney General’s Office operates the Seller of Travel Program, which registers travel agents and certain other travel businesses operating in California. The attorney general and district attorneys can bring enforcement actions against sellers of travel for violations of the law. We encourage any Californian who believes they have been wronged by a seller of travel to contact their local district attorney and file a complaint with our office at www.oag.ca.gov/report.
Attorney General Bonta is committed to investigating and remedying harm to consumers affected by unlawful and deceptive business practices, including in the travel industry:
Earlier this year, Attorney General Bonta announced securing a nine-year jail sentence against Iqbal Randhawa for defrauding more than a dozen members of the South Asian immigrant community in Northern California. Between 2017 and 2020, each victim hired Randhawa, a travel agent, to purchase airline tickets, paying him between $1,100 and $12,000. Instead of buying the tickets, Randhawa provided fraudulent itineraries and stole the funds. Also last year, Attorney General Bonta and San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan announced the sentencing of Marie Martin, a San Diego-based travel agent and registered seller of travel, who embezzled travel funds from more than 150 parents who paid for eighth-grade school trips to the East Coast. After the school trips were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Martin refused to provide refunds to the parents, instead spending funds on personal expenses. In 2021, Attorney General Bonta announced a settlement with Voyageurs International, resolving allegations that the Colorado-based travel agent offered only partial refunds for a cancelled European trip for California high school students and improperly pocketed their clients’ remaining fees. The settlement required Voyageurs to provide a full refund to its 130 California consumers, for a total of approximately $247,000 in restitution.
A copy of the complaint and proposed settlement can be found here and here. The settlement is pending court approval.
Travel agent failed to offer refunds for trips cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta and San Mateo District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe today announced a settlement with Nawas International Travel Service (Nawas), a California travel agency focusing on religious travel, for failing to provide full refunds to consumers whose trips were cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic. The settlement today, pending court approval, includes at least $567,138 in full restitution of cancellation fees to affected California travelers, $560,000 in civil penalties under the California’s Unfair Competition Law and Seller of Travel Act, and strong injunctive terms that prohibit Nawas from imposing cancellation fees that violate California law.
“We are proud to announce that today, in partnership with the San Mateo District Attorney, we’ve secured full refunds for hundreds of Californians who were harmed by the illegal practices of Nawas International Travel Service. Travel agents operating in California must comply with California’s strong consumer protection laws, which includes providing timely refunds for cancelled travel,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Today’s settlement provides important restitution for those harmed by Nawas’s attempt to disregard California law and a reminder to the travel industry that all California Sellers of Travel need to play by the rules.”
“California law provides protections for consumers when purchasing travel from Sellers of Travel. My office was pleased to work with the Attorney General’s Office in this case to ensure these laws were enforced,” said San Mateo District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe.
Nawas is a seller and provider of tours to religious sites around the world, including sites in the Middle East and Europe. Nawas markets its tours largely through clergy and many of Nawas’s travelers are senior citizens. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nawas cancelled hundreds of international tours. After the cancellation, rather than refunding the full amount of the travelers’ deposits and tour payments, Nawas unlawfully withheld “cancellation fees” of between $200 and $1,150 per traveler. In all, Nawas withheld approximately $560,000 in what they termed cancellation fees from approximately 600 California travelers. Nawas’s withholding of those funds violated the California Seller of Travel Act, which requires sellers of travel to provide full refunds for any travel that they are unable to provide, with certain limited exceptions that do not apply here. Although Nawas claimed to travelers that it was allowed to withhold cancellation fees under its own terms and conditions, the Seller of Travel Act expressly prohibits this where, as here, the seller of travel is unable or unwilling to provide the purchased travel.
The Attorney General’s Office operates the Seller of Travel Program, which registers travel agents and certain other travel businesses operating in California. The attorney general and district attorneys can bring enforcement actions against sellers of travel for violations of the law. We encourage any Californian who believes they have been wronged by a seller of travel to contact their local district attorney and file a complaint with our office at www.oag.ca.gov/report.
Attorney General Bonta is committed to investigating and remedying harm to consumers affected by unlawful and deceptive business practices, including in the travel industry:
Earlier this year, Attorney General Bonta announced securing a nine-year jail sentence against Iqbal Randhawa for defrauding more than a dozen members of the South Asian immigrant community in Northern California. Between 2017 and 2020, each victim hired Randhawa, a travel agent, to purchase airline tickets, paying him between $1,100 and $12,000. Instead of buying the tickets, Randhawa provided fraudulent itineraries and stole the funds. Also last year, Attorney General Bonta and San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan announced the sentencing of Marie Martin, a San Diego-based travel agent and registered seller of travel, who embezzled travel funds from more than 150 parents who paid for eighth-grade school trips to the East Coast. After the school trips were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Martin refused to provide refunds to the parents, instead spending funds on personal expenses. In 2021, Attorney General Bonta announced a settlement with Voyageurs International, resolving allegations that the Colorado-based travel agent offered only partial refunds for a cancelled European trip for California high school students and improperly pocketed their clients’ remaining fees. The settlement required Voyageurs to provide a full refund to its 130 California consumers, for a total of approximately $247,000 in restitution.
A copy of the complaint and proposed settlement can be found here and here. The settlement is pending court approval.
APRA HARBOR, Guam – The U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and embarked 7th Fleet staff departed Guam following a scheduled port visit, June 14-17. This port visit marked the first time Blue Ridge has visited Guam since 2020.
Headline: Microsoft, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and TitletownTech officially open AI Co-Innovation Lab to accelerate manufacturing innovation
Headline: Microsoft, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and TitletownTech officially open AI Co-Innovation Lab to accelerate manufacturing innovation
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
Deputy Minister Nonceba Mhlauli leads a team of Deputy Ministers on a visit to the flood affected areas in the Eastern Cape , to assess recovery progress
Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media, and U.S. Representative Terese Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) joined over 40 of their colleagues to send a letter calling on U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to fully implement the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program as Congress intended to connect all Americans to high-quality, affordable internet.
The lawmakers’ letter to Secretary Lutnickcomes as the Department of Commerce announced substantial changes to the implementation of the BEAD program.
“We write to express our opposition to the Department of Commerce’s recently announced BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice,” the lawmakers wrote. “The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program was established by Congress in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to provide high-quality, affordable, and sustainable broadband to connect the nearly 25 million Americans that continue to wait for high-speed internet access. We urge you to ensure that states receive the full funding and flexibility they retained prior to the issuance of the restructuring notice to fully meet these statutory objectives.”
“The broadband division of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law begins with this congressional finding: ‘Access to affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband is essential to full participation in modern life in the United States,’” the lawmakers continued. “This fundamental reality is why the BEAD program was established to fulfill the subsequent finding that ‘the benefits of broadband should be broadly enjoyed by all.’”
The letter is led byU.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and U.S. Representative Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.). Alongside Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández, the letter is signed by U.S. SenatorsRichard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Angus King (I-Maine), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and U.S. Representatives Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), Bishop (D-Ga.), Bynum (D-Ore.), Carson (D-Ind.), Carter (D-La.), Cleaver (D-Mo.), Davis (D-Ill.), DelBene (D-Wash.), Evans (D-Pa.), Fields (D-La.), Figures (D-Ala.), Garcia (D-Texas), Goodlander (D-N.H.), Hoyle (D-Ore.), Huffman (D-Calif), Lofgren (D-Calif.), McGovern (D-Mass.), Menendez (D-N.J.), Mrvan (D-Ind.), Neguse (D-Colo.), Pappas (D-N.H.), Scholten (D-Mich), Sewell (D-Ala.), Soto (D-Fla.), Thompson (D-Miss.), Titus (D-Nev.), Tlaib (D-Mich.), Tokuda (D-Hawaii), Williams (D-Ga.), and Wilson (D-Fla.).
The full text of the letter is available here and below:
Dear Secretary Lutnick:
We write to express our opposition to the Department of Commerce’s recently announced BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice. The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program was established by Congress in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to provide high-quality, affordable, and sustainable broadband to connect the nearly 25 million Americans that continue to wait for high-speed internet access. We urge you to ensure that states receive the full funding and flexibility they retained prior to the issuance of the restructuring notice to fully meet these statutory objectives.
The broadband division of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law begins with this congressional finding: “Access to affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband is essential to full participation in modern life in the United States.” This fundamental reality is why the BEAD program was established to fulfill the subsequent finding that “the benefits of broadband should be broadly enjoyed by all.” To achieve this goal, the statute states that funding recipients must “ensure coverage of broadband service to all unserved locations” before using any funds for other purposes. The restructuring notice appears to violate this requirement by allowing applicants to exclude certain unserved locations. Such an allowance would defy bipartisan congressional intent, which was predicated on the understanding that public investment was needed to achieve universal service precisely because building the infrastructure to cover many rural areas was too costly to be profitable.
In addition to excluding unserved, predominantly rural locations, the restructuring notice would likely result in others receiving worse service. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law requires that “priority broadband projects” funded by the program be “designed to provide broadband service that meets speed, latency, reliability, consistency in quality of service, and related criteria as the Assistant Secretary shall determine; and [to] ensure that the network[s] built by the project[s] can easily scale speeds over time to meet the evolving connectivity needs of households and businesses, and support the deployment of 5G, successor wireless technologies, and other advanced services.” Of currently available technologies, fiber-optic networks are faster and more reliable and can scale speeds much more easily. We made the decision to invest larger sums now in broadband infrastructure that would be resilient and capable of meeting Americans’ growing digital demands for decades.
The restructuring notice also undermines the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s provisions designed to ensure that broadband service is affordable and put to good use. The new rules remove specific requirements that ensured that participating providers would provide a low-cost internet option for low-income customers as required by the statute. Additionally, while the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law specifically allows funds to be spent on “broadband adoption, including programs to provide affordable internet-capable devices,” the notice rescinds approval of previously approved “non-deployment activities” and puts all funding for these activities on hold. For example, this provision of the notice puts on hold a South Carolina plan to use BEAD program funds for virtual primary health—equipping low-income households in rural health deserts with access to the full suite of virtual health services at no cost to the patients. If the broadband infrastructure being built by BEAD program funds isn’t put to good use, much of the investment will have been wasted.
As reflected in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s congressional findings, high-quality internet access is a requirement to fully participate in the world, and the BEAD program is our once-in-a century opportunity to finish closing the digital divide. We fear this opportunity would be squandered by the restructuring notice and its changes to coverage, quality, and affordability. We therefore urge you to implement the BEAD program in accordance with the best reading of the statute so we can make high-quality internet accessible and affordable for all Americans.
A Texas woman was sentenced today to three years and five months in prison for her participation in a scheme to file fraudulent applications for loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that the Small Business Administration (SBA) guaranteed under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
According to court documents, between around May 2020, and March 2021, Shantelle Hawkins, 43, of DeSoto, conspired to submit 17 fraudulent PPP loan applications on behalf of companies she or her relatives owned or controlled. The applications contained false statements about payroll and tax information, which the SBA used to calculate the amount of PPP funds to which the applicant-companies would be entitled. Hawkins used some of the money she obtained from the loans for personal expenses, including to pay off her 2015 Maserati Ghibli luxury car and to purchase property in the greater Dallas area.
Hawkins pleaded guilty on Oct. 8, 2024, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. At sentencing, Hawkins was ordered to pay more than $1.8 million in restitution and to forfeit the residence purchased with proceeds from the fraud.
Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson for the Northern District of Texas; and Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock of the FBI’s Dallas Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Dermot Lynch and Kashan Pathan of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elyse Lyons for the Northern District of Texas is handling asset forfeiture.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
Washington (June 25, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) today celebrated the unanimous passage of their Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0) through the Commerce Committee. The legislation would update online data privacy rules for the 21st century and ensure children and teenagers are protected online.
“We are proud of the momentum and broad support that our commonsense Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act is gaining from industry, advocates, and our own Senate colleagues,” said Senators Markey and Cassidy. “Today’s unanimous vote is further evidence of the broad, bipartisan commitment to protecting children and teens online. As our young people continue to face a devastating youth mental health crisis, Congress must pass COPPA 2.0 and implement these overdue safeguards for children and teens.”
Specifically, the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act would:
Ban targeted advertising to children and teens;
Create an “Eraser Button” by requiring companies to permit users to delete personal information collected from a child or teen;
Establish data minimization rules to prohibit the excessive collection of children and teens’ data;
Revise COPPA’s “actual knowledge” standard to close the loophole that allows platforms to ignore kids and teens on their site; and
Build on COPPA by prohibiting internet companies from collecting personal information from users who are 13 to 16 years old without their consent.
Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
06.25.25
NPR and PBS Are More Than Just “Tiny Desk” and “Daniel Tiger” — They Are Critical to Public Safety
14 stations in WA at risk of losing funding if Senate passes administration’s rescissions package
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, released a Snapshot Report that highlights data on public broadcasters across the United States and broadcasters’ role in responding to emergencies and public safety events. In rural areas, public broadcasters may be the sole source of information during emergencies, leaving them disproportionately impacted by federal funding cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).
“Public television and radio aren’t just for quality children’s television and unique radio content,” said Sen. Cantwell. “For millions of Americans, these stations are often their only source of emergency information during weather disasters. Earlier this month, House Republicans approved President Trump’s rescission request clawing back $1.1 billion in Congressionally-approved funding for public broadcasting. This report shows that if Senate Republicans allow this devastating cut to pass the Senate, nearly 13 million Americans could be left without access to their public media stations and the life-saving emergency alerts or information they need. As people prepare for potential hurricanes, wildfires, and other extreme weather events, we should not be gutting our support for public media.”
The report included several key findings:
The operations of 79 public radio and 33 TV stations across 34 states and territories are considered vulnerable to federal funding cuts.
Nearly 13 million Americans live in communities under threat of losing their local public broadcast stations. What’s worse, these stations serve large swaths of the Western, Midwestern, and Southeastern United States at risk of wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, and other public safety emergencies. This double threat casts uncertainty on the ability of these stations to disseminate emergency alerts and information to residents when they need it most.
More than 70 percent of federal funding goes directly to local public broadcasters for content, interconnection, and support services. It would cost local public broadcasters more than double the CPB’s current contribution to replace these critical services through alternative public or private means.
Support through the CPB is critical for many local stations, with the most vulnerable in rural and remote communities. Public radio and television stations serve as the primary—often sole—source of local news, educational content, and emergency alerts. These stations rely heavily on federal funding, with some depending on it for over 70 percent of their budgets. Some rural areas depend on their local public media station as their only source of information in emergencies.
KDNA-AM, which has a studio in Granger, WA, and serves the surrounding area, is reliant on federal CPB grants for a significant portion of its operating budget. KDNA serves an area that is at a high risk of wildfires, including the city of Yakima, with a population of over 90,000. KDNA plays a critical role in responding to emergencies by providing local news and information. Without continued federal funding, KDNA and other public broadcasters will have to find alternative funding sources or risk being unable to provide their essential public safety services.
In severe storm and wildfire situations that knock out a community’s power supply, TVs broadcasting news on the path of an incoming tornado may go dark due to power outages, and cell phones may lose service, leaving families with only local public radio broadcasts delivered to battery-powered, hand-crank, or car radios. Without local broadcasting, families in rural areas may not receive critical alerts in time to get to safety.
On June 3, President Trump submitted a rescission request to Congress for the CPB’s FY 2026 and 2027 funding, seeking to claw back nearly $1.1 billion in Congressionally-approved funding. On June 12, the House approved the President’s rescission request, and it is now before the Senate. If passed by the Senate, these cuts may leave millions of Americans without access to lifesaving alerts and emergency information.
In Washington state, funding for 14 public broadcasting stations is at risk under the House-passed rescissions package now being considered by the Senate.
In May, Sen. Cantwell joined Rick Steves to blast the Trump Administration for its assault on the CPB.
See the impacted areas below and to access the full report, please click HERE.
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
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To watch Chairman Capito’s opening statement, click here or the image above.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, led a hearing on the nominations of Usha-Maria Turner to be Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the Office of International and Tribal Affairs and David A. Wright to be a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
Below is the opening statement of Chairman Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) as delivered.
“Today we will receive testimony from David Wright, who is nominated to serve another five-year term as a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Usha-Maria Turner, the nominee to serve as the Environmental Protection Agency’s Assistant Administrator for the Office of International and Tribal Affairs.
“Our consideration of Chairman Wright’s renomination comes at a crucial time. China is executing a rapid buildout of its nuclear industry and is projected to overtake the United States as the global leader of nuclear electricity generation.
“The demand for clean, baseload power is skyrocketing as we position America to win the AI race, and global events continue to highlight the grave importance of energy security.
“The importance of those policy concerns has led to the broad bipartisan agreement that we need more nuclear, and that we need to accomplish that goal safely and quickly. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is integral to achieving that goal.
“A half century ago, Congress separated the dual and conflicting responsibilities to both promote and regulate the use of nuclear energy from the Atomic Energy Commission. In doing so, Congress established the Department of Energy’s predecessor agency and created the NRC to regulate the civilian use of nuclear technology.
“The principle of separate organizations that promote and regulate nuclear power is as important today as it was fifty years ago, and Congress has continued to reinforce the value of an efficient and competent nuclear regulator. That’s why, last Congress I, alongside Senator Whitehouse and a strong bipartisan coalition, led the effort to get the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy, or better known as the ADVANCE Act, signed into law.
“As the designated head of the NRC, the Chairman is instrumental in leading the agency’s ambitious implementation of the law. The Chairman is responsible for selecting key senior agency leadership with the approval of the Commission.
“Through the Executive Director of Operations, the Chairman oversees the NRC’s day to day operations and can direct its staff to undertake important initiatives. The Chairman also participates in international forums, to represent the NRC’s premier role as the global leader in nuclear energy regulation. Now, the NRC has been thrust further into the center of the national energy conversation.
“Recently, President Trump signed a series of Executive Orders intended to expedite the rapid deployment of more nuclear power. Those Executive Orders are aligned with the ADVANCE Act, but must be carefully implemented to create durable, predictable policies for nuclear licensing. A rapid and disruptive change to the nuclear regulatory framework would be counterproductive and potentially impact financial investment.
“The Chairman and the Commission must prioritize NRC’s actions, being mindful of the need for regulatory stability, as expeditiously and efficiently as possible while keeping nuclear safety central to the agency’s mission.
“That’s why experienced leadership at the Commission is crucial to achieve these objectives. Chairman Wright has served as a member of the Commission since 2018, and President Trump designated him Chairman in January.
“His experiences provide the necessary background and understanding to navigate the extremely important and challenging task of simultaneously implementing the ADVANCE Act, and the Executive Orders, while ensuring fundamental licensing activities are not overlooked. I look forward to understanding how Chairman Wright will navigate these important priorities.
“Today, we will also hear from Usha-Maria Turner, President Trump’s nominee to serve as the EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of International and Tribal Affairs. If confirmed, Mrs. Turner will lead EPA’s efforts to maintain our international environmental agreements and partnerships in coordination with the Department of State.
“Mrs. Turner will also oversee EPA’s engagements with Tribal governments in implementing our nation’s environmental laws and helping our Tribal governments administer their own environmental programs. Effectively supporting the President’s foreign policy efforts and coordinating with Tribal governments are vital issues that will help the EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment.
“I look forward to discussing the various aspects of this role with Mrs. Turner.”
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
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Click here or on the image above to watch Senator Capito’s questions.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, questioned Attorney General Pam Bondi at a hearing to review the president’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request for the U.S. Department of Justice.
HIGHLIGHTS:
ON THE ATF’S NATIONAL TRACING CENTER IN MARTINSBURG:
SENATOR CAPITO: “I wanted to point out the ATF’s National Tracing Center, which is in West Virginia, is the only one of its kind to trace U.S. and foreign manufactured firearms. The facility provides critical information that helps solve crimes, detect trafficking, and track the movement of crime-related firearms. In 2024, that National Tracing Center processed more than 600,000 requests. I just want to make certain that in the budget there is enough…to meet the demands, and that these critical services can be sustained with the budget request you’ve made.”
ATTORNEY GENERAL BONDI: “Senator, our budget continues to fully fund the National Tracing Center. I will personally make sure that that is funded. It will continue to be operated by ATF, as well, and it does such important work… They do amazing work. I’ve seen the work they do firsthand. And I would also—in all my spare time—I would also love to visit that center. I really want to visit that center and see what we can do also to enhance it and work with you on that. It’s so important. You know, these are issues that cross party lines. This is what every American in our country we should be working together on… You have been a true advocate for it for your state.”
ON THE HAZELTON PRISON:
SENATOR CAPITO: “Hazelton…is a very large prison with over 3,000 inmates. They’ve had some issues out there, big issues out there. Allegations, with staff shortages, gross mismanagement, abuse, coverups, falsifying documents. I’m sure you’re tracking these issues. I do want to compliment the president on his appointment of William Marshall, a West Virginian, former state trooper…he’s going to do a fantastic job. So, thank you for bringing in such a strong advocate, he’s already been very responsive to us on Hazelton, which has had chronic issues throughout the last several years, regardless of what administration it’s been. I wanted to put that on your radar.”
ON THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT:
SENATOR CAPTIO: “I will say, I’ve been a big supporter of the Violence Against Women Act. I am proud of the work that we’ve championed here on the Appropriations Committee for this. It’s really sad when you think of what happens in families sometimes and the proliferation of violence is extremely concerning to me. I’ve worked in this area for a long time, so I just wanted to let you know my passion in this area.”
Today, U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) reintroduced the Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act, which directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the growing need for skilled cybersecurity professionals in rural hospitals. The strategy aims to improve cybersecurity preparedness and create a robust workforce to protect vulnerable critical infrastructure—rural hospitals—from cyber threats. This legislation unanimously passed out of a Senate committee last Congress.
“Nearly half of the hospitals in my state are rural. I grew up in a town of 4,000 people—I have lived this firsthand,” said Senator Hawley. “Congress must take action to shore up the ability of small-town hospitals to protect working Americans’ health records from debilitating cyberattacks.”
“Cyberattacks on hospitals can put at risk people’s medical information, and also sometimes shut the hospital down as it recovers, putting lifesaving care at risk,” said Senator Hassan. “This bipartisan legislation is an important step toward ensuring that rural hospitals have the resources, tools, and training that they need to keep patients safe and protect hospitals from attacks from cybercriminals.”
“Rural hospitals are on the frontlines of care for so many Arizonans, but too often they’re underfunded and overexposed to cyber threats that can jeopardize patient safety. We saw this firsthand in Yuma, where a ransomware attack disrupted operations and put hundreds of thousands of patients at risk,” said Senator Kelly. “We are giving rural hospitals the tools and workforce they need to strengthen their security and keep delivering care, especially as they navigate new digital reporting requirements.”
Unlike larger urban hospitals, rural hospitals often have little to no full-time cybersecurity personnel and are particularly exposed to cyberattacks. Vulnerabilities in rural hospitals’ cybersecurity defenses can also be used as entry points to disrupt larger healthcare systems, potentially compromising the sensitive medical and personal data of hundreds of thousands of American patients at once. The Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act would require HHS to:
Develop a comprehensive rural hospital cybersecurity workforce development strategy that, at a minimum, considers public-private partnerships, development of curricula and training resources, and policy recommendations.
Make available instructional materials for rural hospitals to train staff on fundamental cybersecurity measures.
Report annually to congressional committees with updates regarding the strategy and any programs that have been implemented pursuant to the strategy.
Read the bill text here.