NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Astronaut Tracy Dyson Speaks to Students

    Source: NASA

    NASA Astronaut Tracy Dyson points to the Expedition 71 patch on her flight suit on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Dyson and her fellow Expedition 71 crewmates Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps answered questions from students at Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School in Washington.
    While aboard the International Space Station, Dyson conducted dozens of scientific and technology activities to benefit future exploration in space and life back on Earth. She remotely controlled a robot on Earth’s surface from a computer aboard the station and evaluated orbit-to-ground operations. She operated a 3D bioprinter to print cardiac tissue samples, which could advance technology for creating replacement organs and tissues for transplants on Earth. Dyson also participated in the crystallization of model proteins to evaluate the performance of hardware that could be used for pharmaceutical production and ran a program that uses student-designed software to control the station’s free-flying robots, inspiring the next generation of innovators.
    Image credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Invites Creators to Design Mascot for Artemis Moon Mission

    Source: NASA

    [embedded content]
    Credit: NASA

    NASA is seeking design ideas from global creators for a zero gravity indicator that will fly aboard the agency’s Artemis II test flight. Zero gravity indicators are small, plush items carried aboard spacecraft to provide a visual indication of when the spacecraft and its crew reach space.
    This opportunity, with a submission deadline of May 27, asks for original designs representing the significance of NASA’s Artemis campaign, the mission, or exploration and discovery, and meet specific requirements for materials and size.
    “What better way to fly a mission around the Moon than to invite the public inside NASA’s Orion spacecraft with us and ask for help in designing our zero gravity indicator?” asked Reid Wiseman, NASA astronaut and Artemis II commander, at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. “The indicator will float alongside Victor, Christina, Jeremy, and me as we go around the far side of the Moon and remind us of all of you back on Earth.”
    Up to 25 finalists, including from a K-12 student division, will be selected. The Artemis II crew will choose one design that NASA’s Thermal Blanket Lab will fabricate to fly alongside them in Orion. Imagine seeing your creation floating weightlessly with astronauts on their way around the Moon.
    For complete contest details, visit:
    http://www.freelancer.com/moon-mascot
    Crowdsourcing company Freelancer is hosting the challenge, called Moon Mascot: NASA Artemis II ZGI Design Contest, on behalf of the agency through the NASA Tournament Lab, managed by the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate.
    NASA has a long history of flying zero gravity indicators for human spaceflight missions. Many missions to the International Space Station include a plush item. A plush Snoopy rode inside Orion during NASA’s uncrewed Artemis I mission.
    Artemis II will be the first test flight of the Space Launch System rocket, Orion spacecraft, and supporting ground system with crew aboard. NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen will venture around the Moon and back. The mission is the first crewed flight under NASA’s Artemis campaign and is another step toward missions on the lunar surface and helping the agency prepare for future human missions to Mars.
    All major elements for Artemis II are readying for flight. Engineers recently completed stacking the twin solid rocket boosters for the SLS (Space Launch System) on their launch platform and are preparing for integration of the SLS core stage in the coming weeks. Teams also recently installed the solar array wings on the Orion spacecraft that will carry the four astronauts on their journey around the Moon and home.
    Through Artemis, NASA will send astronauts to explore the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and build the foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.
    Learn more about Artemis II at:

    Artemis II

    -end-
    Rachel KraftHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1600rachel.h.kraft@nasa.gov
    Courtney BeasleyJohnson Space Center, Houston281-483-5111courtney.m.beasley@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA Encourages Survivors to Apply for Assistance; More Than $1 Million Has Been Approved to Date

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FEMA Encourages Survivors to Apply for Assistance; More Than $1 Million Has Been Approved to Date

    FEMA Encourages Survivors to Apply for Assistance; More Than $1 Million Has Been Approved to Date

    Charleston, W.Va.— More than $1 million in federal disaster assistance has been approved for over 1,334 households in West Virginia following the impacts of the severe storm and flooding on February 15. This milestone, which was reached just one week after the event was declared, is accompanied by other important moments in disaster assistance and recovery.“Thanks to state efforts and the hard work of FEMA and the Trump administration, over $1 million in individual assistance has already been approved for West Virginians affected by the floods,” said Governor Patrick Morrisey. “I encourage those in the designated counties to continue to apply for assistance and connect with the Disaster Recovery Centers for any help needed through the process.”

    Crew members speak with a resident in Mingo County.

    “Reaching this milestone has been a team effort,” Federal Coordinating Officer Mark O’Hanlon said. “FEMA is here and working side-by-side with our West Virginia partners to ensure our mission is done quickly and efficiently. I want to thank our state and local partners, because FEMA could not have reached this milestone without them. We will continue to push forward and support the people of West Virginia who were impacted by the February 15 storm.” Residents can visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to apply for FEMA assistance, update their application, or learn more about other resources available. Staff from federal, state, and local agencies are at DRCs to help survivors answer questions about FEMA applications as well as access other resources and support. DRCs are open in Mercer and McDowell Counties and additional DRCs will be opening soon.Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams are on the ground in impacted communities, walking door-to-door to share information and help residents apply for FEMA assistance. 

    A crew member speaks with a resident in McDowell County.

    Impacted individuals in McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, and Wyoming counties can apply today by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov, using the FEMA mobile app, calling 1-800-621-3362. If you have already applied for FEMA assistance and have questions about the status of your application or about appealing a FEMA determination letter you have received, visit a DRC near you for one-on-one assistance or call the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362. FEMA staff are ready to answer your questions.For more information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit emd.wv.gov, West Virginia Emergency Management Division Facebook page,  www.fema.gov/disaster/4861 and www.facebook.com/FEMA.###FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during and after disasters. FEMA is committed to ensuring disaster assistance is accomplished impartially, without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, ask for assistance on the FEMA Helpline 1-800-621-3362 (press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages). In addition, FEMA’s Civil Rights Office can be contacted at FEMA-OCR-ECRD@fema.dhs.gov or toll-free at 833-285-7448. 
    kelly.magarity
    Fri, 03/07/2025 – 13:18

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Astronaut to Answer Questions from Students in Oregon

    Source: NASA

    Students from Oregon will have the chance to connect with NASA astronaut Don Pettit as he answers prerecorded science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-related questions from aboard the International Space Station.
    Watch the 20-minute space-to-Earth call at 2:15 p.m. EDT on Monday, March 10, on NASA+ and learn how to watch NASA content on various platforms, including social media.
    Oregon Charter Academy, a virtual school serving thousands of kindergarten through 12th grade students statewide, is hosting an event in Wilsonville, Oregon, for students and their families. The event aims to raise awareness of career opportunities for aspiring STEM students.
    Media interested in covering the event must RSVP by 5 p.m., Friday, March 7, to Laura Dillon at ldillon@oregoncharter.org or 971-301-5060.
    For more than 24 years, astronauts have continuously lived and worked aboard the space station, testing technologies, performing science, and developing skills needed to explore farther from Earth. Astronauts aboard the orbiting laboratory communicate with NASA’s Mission Control Center in Houston 24 hours a day through SCaN’s (Space Communications and Navigation) Near Space Network.
    Important research and technology investigations taking place aboard the space station benefit people on Earth and lays the groundwork for other agency missions. As part of NASA’s Artemis campaign, the agency will send astronauts to the Moon to prepare for future human exploration of Mars; inspiring Artemis Generation explorers and ensuring the United States continues to lead in space exploration and discovery.
    See videos and lesson plans highlighting space station research at:
    https://www.nasa.gov/stemonstation
    -end-
    Abbey DonaldsonHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1600Abbey.a.donaldson@nasa.gov
    Sandra JonesJohnson Space Center, Houston281-483-5111sandra.p.jones@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DHS Ends Collective Bargaining for TSA’s Transportation Security Officers, Enhancing Safety, Efficiency, and Organizational Agility

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: DHS Ends Collective Bargaining for TSA’s Transportation Security Officers, Enhancing Safety, Efficiency, and Organizational Agility

    strong>WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it is ending collective bargaining for the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Transportation Security Officers, which has constrained TSA’s chief mission: to safeguard our transportation systems and keep Americans safe.
    Eliminating collective bargaining removes bureaucratic hurdles that will strengthen workforce agility enhance productivity and resiliency, while also jumpstarting innovation.
    Making America’s Transportation Networks Resilient Again
    Gaps in benefit programs, including non-verifiable Family and Medical Leave, are being exploited by a select few poor performers, placing greater burden on TSOs at the expense of American travelers and taxpayers.
    This includes instances, where a TSO requested sick leave seven months in advance.
    TSA has more people doing full-time union work than we have performing screening functions at 86% of our airports. Of the 432 federalized airports, 374 airports have fewer than 200 TSA Officers to preform screening functions.
    Nearly 200 TSA Officers are paid by the government but work full-time on union matters. These people do not retain certification to perform screening functions. Additionally, in a recent TSA employee survey, over 60% said poor performers are allowed to stay employed and, not surprisingly, continue to not perform.
    Fighting for TSA Workers
    The Transportation Security officers are losing their hard-earned dollars to a union that did not represent or protect their interests. The union has hindered merit-based performance recognition and advancement—that’s not the American way.
    By eliminating the collective bargaining agreement, Transportation Security Officers will now have opportunities based on their performance, not longevity or union membership.
    A statement from a DHS Spokesperson is below:
    “Thanks to Secretary Noem’s action, Transportation Security Officers will no longer lose their hard-earned dollars to a union that does not represent them. The Trump Administration is committed returning to merit-based hiring and firing policies.
    “This action will ensure Americans will have a more effective and modernized workforces across the nation’s transportation networks. TSA is renewing its commitment to providing a quick and secure travel process for Americans.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Webb Wows With Incredible Detail in Actively Forming Star System

    Source: NASA

    High-resolution near-infrared light captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope shows extraordinary new detail and structure in Lynds 483 (L483). Two actively forming stars are responsible for the shimmering ejections of gas and dust that gleam in orange, blue, and purple in this representative color image.
    Over tens of thousands of years, the central protostars have periodically ejected some of the gas and dust, spewing it out as tight, fast jets and slightly slower outflows that “trip” across space. When more recent ejections hit older ones, the material can crumple and twirl based on the densities of what is colliding. Over time, chemical reactions within these ejections and the surrounding cloud have produced a range of molecules, like carbon monoxide, methanol, and several other organic compounds.

    The two protostars responsible for this scene are at the center of the hourglass shape, in an opaque horizontal disk of cold gas and dust that fits within a single pixel. Much farther out, above and below the flattened disk where dust is thinner, the bright light from the stars shines through the gas and dust, forming large semi-transparent orange cones.
    It’s equally important to notice where the stars’ light is blocked — look for the exceptionally dark, wide V-shapes offset by 90 degrees from the orange cones. These areas may look like there is no material, but it’s actually where the surrounding dust is the densest, and little starlight penetrates it. If you look carefully at these areas, Webb’s sensitive NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) has picked up distant stars as muted orange pinpoints behind this dust. Where the view is free of obscuring dust, stars shine brightly in white and blue.

    Some of the stars’ jets and outflows have wound up twisted or warped. To find examples, look toward the top right edge where there’s a prominent orange arc. This is a shock front, where the stars’ ejections were slowed by existing, denser material. 
    Now, look a little lower, where orange meets pink. Here, material looks like a tangled mess. These are new, incredibly fine details Webb has revealed, and will require detailed study to explain.
    Turn to the lower half. Here, the gas and dust appear thicker. Zoom in to find tiny light purple pillars. They point toward the central stars’ nonstop winds, and formed because the material within them is dense enough that it hasn’t yet been blown away. L483 is too large to fit in a single Webb snapshot, and this image was taken to fully capture the upper section and outflows, which is why the lower section is only partially shown. (See a larger view observed by NASA’s retired Spitzer Space Telescope.)
    All the symmetries and asymmetries in these clouds may eventually be explained as researchers reconstruct the history of the stars’ ejections, in part by updating models to produce the same effects. Astronomers will also eventually calculate how much material the stars have expelled, which molecules were created when material smashed together, and how dense each area is.
    Millions of years from now, when the stars are finished forming, they may each be about the mass of our Sun. Their outflows will have cleared the area — sweeping away these semi-transparent ejections. All that may remain is a tiny disk of gas and dust where planets may eventually form.
    L483 is named for American astronomer Beverly T. Lynds, who published extensive catalogs of “dark” and “bright” nebulae in the early 1960s. She did this by carefully examining photographic plates (which preceded film) of the first Palomar Observatory Sky Survey, accurately recording each object’s coordinates and characteristics. These catalogs provided astronomers with detailed maps of dense dust clouds where stars form — critical resources for the astronomical community decades before the first digital files became available and access to the internet was widespread.
    The James Webb Space Telescope is the world’s premier space science observatory. Webb will solve mysteries in our solar system, look beyond to distant worlds around other stars, and probe the mysterious structures and origins of our universe and our place in it. Webb is an international program led by NASA with its partners, ESA (European Space Agency) and the Canadian Space Agency.
    Downloads
    Click any image to open a larger version.
    View/Download all image products at all resolutions for this article from the Space Telescope Science Institute.

    Laura Betz – laura.e.betz@nasa.govNASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
    Claire Blome – cblome@stsci.eduSpace Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Md.
    Christine Pulliam – cpulliam@stsci.eduSpace Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Md.

    More Webb News
    More Webb Images
    Webb Science Themes
    Webb Mission Page
    View more: Webb images of similar protostar outflows – HH 211 and HH 46/47
    Animation Video: “Exploring Star and Planet Formation”
    Explore the jets emitted by young stars in multiple wavelengths: ViewSpace Interactive
    Read more: Birth of Stars with Hubble observations

    What is the Webb Telescope?
    SpacePlace for Kids
    En Español
    Ciencia de la NASA
    NASA en español 
    Space Place para niños

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hubble Spies a Spiral in the Water Snake

    Source: NASA

    This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image of a vibrant spiral galaxy called NGC 5042 resides about 48 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Hydra (the water snake). The galaxy nicely fills the frame of this Hubble image, while a single, foreground star from the Milky Way shines with cross-shaped diffraction spikes near the galaxy’s edge toward the top, center of the image.
    Hubble observed NGC 5042 in six wavelength bands from the ultraviolet to infrared to create this multicolored portrait. The galaxy’s cream-colored center is packed with ancient stars, and the galaxy’s spiral arms are decorated with patches of young, blue stars. The elongated yellow-orange objects scattered around the image are background galaxies far more distant than NGC 5042.
    Perhaps NGC 5042’s most striking feature is its collection of brilliant pink gas clouds studded throughout its spiral arms. These flashy clouds are H II (pronounced “H-two” or hydrogen-two) regions, and they get their distinctive color from hydrogen atoms that were ionized by ultraviolet light. If you look closely at this image, you’ll see that many of these reddish clouds are associated with clumps of blue stars, often appearing to form a shell around the stars.
    H II regions arise in expansive clouds of hydrogen gas, and only hot and massive stars produce enough high-energy, ultraviolet light to create a H II region. Because the stars capable of creating H II regions only live for a few million years — just a blink of an eye in galactic terms — this image represents a fleeting snapshot of this galaxy.

    Media Contact:
    Claire Andreoli (claire.andreoli@nasa.gov)NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: How to Apply for FEMA Assistance Following the February Severe Storms and Floods

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: How to Apply for FEMA Assistance Following the February Severe Storms and Floods

    FRANKFORT, Ky — Kentucky homeowners and renters in Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Lee, Letcher, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Simpson counties who experienced damage or losses caused by the February severe storms and floods may apply for FEMA disaster assistance.How to Apply for FEMA AssistanceThere are several ways to apply: Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to midnight local time every day, use the FEMA mobile app or visit a Disaster Recovery Center. If you use a relay service such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.When you apply for assistance, please have the following information ready:  A current phone number where you can be contacted.Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.Your Social Security Number.A general list of damage and losses.Banking information if you choose direct deposit.If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.Residents should file insurance claims as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If the insurance policy does not cover all disaster expenses, policy holders may be eligible for federal assistance. Take photos to document damage and begin cleanup and repairs to prevent further damage. Remember to keep receipts from all purchases related to any cleanup and repair. For an accessible video on how to apply for FEMA assistance, go to youtube.com/watch?v=WZGpWI2RCNw.For more information about Kentucky flooding recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4860. Follow the FEMA Region 4 X account at x.com/femaregion4.
    sarah.cleary
    Fri, 03/07/2025 – 13:23

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Be Alert to Fraud After Kentucky Flooding

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Be Alert to Fraud After Kentucky Flooding

    FRANKFORT, Ky — Kentuckians should be aware that con artists and criminals may try to obtain money or steal personal information through fraud or identity theft after recent flooding. In some cases, thieves try to apply for FEMA assistance using names, addresses and Social Security numbers they have stolen from people affected by the disaster.If a FEMA inspector comes to your home and you did not submit a FEMA application, your information may have been used without your knowledge to create a FEMA application. If this happens, please inform the inspector that you did not apply for FEMA assistance so they can submit a request to stop further processing of the application. If you did not apply for assistance but receive a letter from FEMA, please call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. The helpline will submit a request to stop further processing of that application.If you do want to apply for FEMA assistance after stopping an application made in your name without your knowledge, the helpline will assist you in creating a new application.Scams FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) crews, housing inspectors and other officials will be working in areas impacted by the flooding. FEMA officials will carry photo identification badges. For security reasons, federal identification may not be photographed or reproduced.FEMA representatives never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications. Their services are free. Don’t believe anyone who promises a disaster grant in return for payment.Don’t give your banking information to a person claiming to be a FEMA housing inspector. FEMA inspectors are never authorized to collect your personal financial information. If you believe you are the victim of a scam, report it immediately to your local police or sheriff’s department or report it to the Kentucky Attorney General: https://secure.kentucky.gov/formservices/AttorneyGeneral/ScamReport.If you have knowledge of fraud, waste or abuse, you can report these tips – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – to the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721. You can also email StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov to report a tip.How to Apply for FEMA Assistance After Kentucky FloodingWhat You’ll Need When You ApplyA current phone number where you can be contacted.Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.Your Social Security number.A general list of damage and losses.Banking information if you choose direct deposit.If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.If you have homeowners, renters or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.The first step to receive FEMA assistance is to apply. There are four ways to apply: call the toll-free FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA App or visit a Disaster Recovery Center. The phone line is open daily from 7 a.m. to midnight ET, and help is available in most languages. The deadline to apply for assistance for flooding is April 25, 2025. For an accessible video on how to apply for FEMA assistance, go to youtube.com/watch?v=WZGpWI2RCNw.For more information about Kentucky flooding recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4860. Follow the FEMA Region 4 X account at x.com/femaregion4.
    sarah.cleary
    Fri, 03/07/2025 – 13:29

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Announces Town Halls in Linn, Clackamas, Crook and Deschutes Counties

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    March 07, 2025
    U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum will co-host senator’s upcoming open-to-all town halls in Linn and Clackamas counties
    Portland – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced he will hold town halls on Sunday, March 16 in Linn and Clackamas counties with U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum, and two more on Tuesday, March 18 in Crook and Deschutes counties.
    Heading into these four open-to-all town halls, Wyden has held 1,106 open-to-all town halls in keeping his promise to hold at least one town hall each year in each of Oregon’s 36 counties. 
    “Given the unprecedented times, it’s more important than ever that elected officials meet with Oregonians in their communities for direct conversations to hear their opinions and answer their questions,” Wyden said. “I’m glad Congresswoman Bynum will be joining me in Linn and Clackamas counties, and look forward very much to those discussions on March 16 as well as those in Crook and Deschutes counties on March 18.”
    “The more I hear from Oregonians, the better job I can do representing and fighting for you,” said Rep. Bynum. “That’s why my office aims to answer every call, respond to every message, and fill my calendar with constituent meetings. I’m super excited for these town halls to continue that conversation. See you in Linn and Clackamas counties next weekend – and I’ll be hitting the rest of the district soon!”
    The schedule for the town halls with both Wyden and Bynum on Sunday, March 16 is as follows:
    Linn County, 1 pm, Linn-Benton Community College Activities Center, 6500 Pacific Blvd. SW, Albany
    Clackamas County, 5:30 pm, Clackamas Community College, Randall Hall Gym, 19600 Molalla Ave., Oregon City
    The schedule for the town halls with Wyden on Tuesday, March 18 is as follows:
    Crook County, 1 pm, Crook County Fairgrounds, Grizzly Mountain Pavilion, 1280 S Main St., Prineville
    Deschutes County, 6 pm, Sisters High School gymnasium, 1700 W. McKinney Butte Rd., Sisters
    Although these were the largest venues available for these four town halls on these dates, space may still be limited. Doors will open one hour before the town hall start times for attendees. For everyone’s security, backpacks and large bags will not be allowed in the town hall.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Demand FEMA Responds to Questions about Disaster Victim Data, Mass Firings, and Funding Freezes

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    March 07, 2025
    Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined their colleagues to call on the leadership of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to respond to unanswered questions about Elon Musk’s so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) and its reported access to sensitive disaster victim data. The Senators also demanded answers about how FEMA’s firing of hundreds of personnel and freezing of certain grants will impact the agency’s capacity to mitigate and quickly respond to disasters.  
    Merkley and Wyden joined the effort led by Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), alongside Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). Merkley and Wyden previously requested details on who has been granted access to victim data, the extent of access to that data, and FEMA’s protocols for ensuring Americans’ data is not misused, but FEMA failed to respond. 
    In their letter to the Senior Official Performing the Duties of FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton, the Senators wrote: “Our constituents—rebuilding from severe flooding in Vermont, Minnesota, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, as well as catastrophic wildfires in Hawai’i, New Mexico, Oregon, and California—have experienced first-hand the shortcomings of the federal approach to disaster resilience and recovery. Instead of addressing their needs and concerns, the Trump Administration has taken a sledgehammer to the foundation of FEMA. We agree FEMA needs fixing, but effective reform requires thoughtful and precise solutions, not brute force and arbitrary terminations.” 
    The Senators continued: “Last month, FEMA fired over 200 probationary employees, including new hires and those recently promoted, despite longstanding and severe staffing shortages. The Administration claims only ‘non-mission critical‘ personnel were impacted by the firings. However, we have yet to receive any evidence to support that assertion. Instead, reporting indicates that these firings will undermine federal disaster response and hamper FEMA’s ability to provide critical support to our constituents.” 
    “In addition to mass firings, stakeholders have informed us that the Administration has suspended disbursement of certain FEMA grants…Moreover, in Oregon, a local health care provider has been unable to move forward with a multi-million-dollar project essential for enhancing emergency response capabilities and capacity due to the agency-wide communications freeze,” the Senators stressed.
    They concluded, “These apparent freezes have left frontline organizations in limbo and our communities in jeopardy. The Administration’s destructive approach will not assist the disaster-impacted communities across the country hoping to rebuild and move forward. To the contrary, it will leave the nation more vulnerable to future disasters and less prepared to pick up the pieces when the dust settles.” 
    In their letter, the Senators requested prompt responses to the questions posed in their previous inquiry, as well as responses to the following questions regarding reports of mass firings and funding freezes at FEMA: 
    Under what authority has FEMA fired individuals between January 20, 2025, and March 5, 2025? 
    What procedures did FEMA follow to evaluate the performance of those individuals prior to termination? 
    What procedures did it follow to evaluate the impact of each firing on the overall performance of FEMA operations? 
    From what positions has FEMA fired individuals between January 20, 2025, and March 5, 2025? Please provide a complete list of impacted positions and the associated duties of each position. 
    How many grant programs has FEMA frozen for any duration of time between January 20, 2025, and March 5, 2025? 
    Please list the frozen grant programs. Of those, how many remain frozen? 
    How many individual recipients have had their funding frozen, disaggregated by each program? 
    What evaluations, if any, has FEMA conducted to review the impact of these frozen disbursements on disaster-impacted communities? Please provide detailed accounting of the results of these evaluations. 
    Read the full text of the letter. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto Fights to Protect Workers’ Right to Organize

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
    As the Trump Administration Threatens to Weaken the NLRB, PRO Act Would Strengthen Labor Rights and Streamline NLRB Procedures
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined a bipartisan group of U.S. Senate and House Members in introducing the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act of 2025, a comprehensive proposal to protect workers’ right to come together and bargain for higher wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces. The reintroduction of the PRO Act follows illegal efforts by the Trump Administration to fire members of the National Labor Relations Board.
    “We cannot allow the deck to be stacked against workers in Nevada and across the United States,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “As a daughter, cousin, and niece of union members, I know how important the right to organize has been in helping Nevadans get better wages and safer working conditions. It’s past time that Congress passes this bill to protect our unions.” 
    Specifically, the PRO Act would:
    Establish penalties on predatory corporations that violate workers’ rights.
    Strengthen workers’ right to strike for basic workplace improvements, including higher wages and better working conditions.
    Streamline the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) procedures to secure worker freedoms and effectively prevent violations.
    Protect the integrity of union elections against coercive captive audience meetings and other interference meant to impede union formation.
    Enhance workers’ access to remedies when faced with illegal action by an employer.
    The proud daughter of a Teamster, Senator Cortez Masto grew up in organized labor and has always fought for Nevada’s working families. Last Congress, the Senator introduced the Asunción Valdivia Heat Stress Injury, Illness, and Fatality Prevention Act to ensure the safety and health of workers who are exposed to dangerous heat conditions in the workplace. She has also been a strong supporter of increased funding for the National Labor Relations Board to help fight for workers’ rights to collectively bargain.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: California awards nearly $300 million to local communities to make roadways safer

    Source: US State of California 2

    Mar 7, 2025

    What you need to know: California is investing nearly $300 million of federal funding in traffic safety projects to protect public safety across the state.

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced nearly $300 million in funding for 288 projects aimed at reducing traffic deaths and serious injuries on city and county roads across California.

    “We’re making roads safer up and down the state with significant investments. I’m proud of the lifesaving work Caltrans has done to protect drivers, pedestrians, and bikers as they go about their daily commutes.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    The funding for these local projects is provided through the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), a critical federal-aid program with the goal of reducing fatal and serious injuries on public roads across the nation.

    The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is using the Safe System approach – which emphasizes multiple layers of protection, including safer road designs – to achieve its goal of reducing fatalities and serious injuries on state roadways to zero by 2050.

    Caltrans’ adoption of the Safe System approach builds on its ongoing work to embed safety in the state’s transportation system. When feasible, transportation projects Caltrans funds or oversees will include “complete street” features that provide safe and accessible options for people walking, biking, and taking transit.

    “Under Governor Newsom’s leadership, California remains committed to helping ensure that every Californian has access to safe and reliable transportation, no matter who they are or where they live,” said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin. “These investments highlight our people-first approach, because we know it will pay the most important dividend of all – their safety.”   

    Safety improvement efforts from projects receiving the funding announced today will be distributed throughout the state, making impactful enhancements from Del Norte County in the north to San Diego County in the south and communities everywhere in between.

    A sample of the safety projects include:  

    • In the Bay Area, a $5 million project will install Class IV bike lanes in Contra Costa County, a $4.4 million project will install new high-visibility signage in San Francisco, and a $1.75 million project will improve intersection lighting and pedestrian throughways.
    • Along the Central Coast, a $4 million project in Santa Barbara County will implement new pedestrian improvements and traffic signals, and a $2 million project in Santa Cruz County will improve daylight and pedestrian crossings.
    •  In the Central Valley, a $3.7 million investment will fund a new roundabout in Fresno County, a $4.5 million project in Tulare County will install rumble strips, left-turn lanes, and flashing beacons, and a $2.6 million project in San Joaquin County will improve 42 separate traffic signals.
    • In Northern California, nearly $6 million will go toward installing retro-reflectivity striping throughout Trinity County, and $1 million will be spent to improve guardrail throughout Humboldt County.
    •  In Southern California, a $3.6 million project in Fullerton will provide a protected left lane, a $1 million effort in Orange County will upgrade nearly 60 signalized interchanges, and a nearly $3 million investment in Riverside County will install protected bike lanes and ADA-accessible curb ramps.

    A list of projects receiving funding from today’s announcement can be found here.

    Since 2007, California has provided $1.5 billion to local safety projects, which included installing rumble strips, flashing beacons, warning signs, roadway lighting, delineators and new sidewalks to make roads safer.

    For more information about transportation projects and funding, visit: Build.ca.gov. 

    Recent news

    Mar 7, 2025

    News What you need to know: Governor Newsom today is issuing an executive order extending protections to help ensure that Los Angeles firestorm survivors can access rental housing. LOS ANGELES — Governor Gavin Newsom today issued an executive order to maintain…

    Mar 7, 2025

    News What you need to know: Pacific Steel Group’s Mojave Micro Mill will be the first steel mill built in California in the last five decades, bringing economic growth to Kern County and revolutionizing the industry with first-of-its-kind zero carbon emissions steel —…

    Mar 6, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Foresters, firefighters, community leaders and wildfire experts are applauding Governor Gavin Newsom’s state of emergency proclamation to remove red tape and increase the pace and scale of forest management in California. Following the devastation of…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom extends protections for LA firestorm survivors

    Source: US State of California 2

    Mar 7, 2025

    What you need to know: Governor Newsom today is issuing an executive order extending protections to help ensure that Los Angeles firestorm survivors can access rental housing.

    LOS ANGELES — Governor Gavin Newsom today issued an executive order to maintain protections for renters and homeowners affected by Los Angeles area firestorms. The order extends state price gouging restrictions for rental housing, hotels, and short-term housing, extends support for survivors sheltering in hotels and short-term housing, and prioritizes fire-survivors experiencing homelessness for state-funded housing.

    “As the Los Angeles community continues to recover and rebuild, the state remains steadfast in its commitment to providing targeted relief and assistance. Today I am issuing an executive order to further ensure that survivors are protected from exploitation and can access housing they need.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    Today’s executive order extends several of Governor Newsom’s executive orders that were set to expire, helping to encourage immediate access to housing and protect tenants from potential exploitation.

    Today’s executive order:

    • Extends price gouging protections on rental housing, hotels, and motel rates, including prohibitions on evictions of tenants to relist the rental at a higher rate to July 1, 2025, while retaining exemptions for large homes in zip codes with high fair market values which have not recently been on the rental market to help ensure they are available for rental during recovery efforts. The order also exempts newly constructed housing to increase housing supply by enabling pricing flexibility for these new buildings that face higher financing costs.

    • Extends the suspension of laws that would classify occupants of hotels, motels, and temporary housing as tenants after 30 days, giving people more time to find alternative housing. 

    • Prioritizes fire survivors experiencing homelessness by prioritizing them on waiting lists for state-funded housing for which they otherwise qualify so they can secure housing faster, consistent with the approach taken by the federal government in response to emergencies. 

    • Supports the rebuilding of two commercial corridors in Altadena to their pre-fire character to support small businesses and rebuild walkable, vibrant community spaces.

    Recent news

    Mar 7, 2025

    News What you need to know: Pacific Steel Group’s Mojave Micro Mill will be the first steel mill built in California in the last five decades, bringing economic growth to Kern County and revolutionizing the industry with first-of-its-kind zero carbon emissions steel —…

    Mar 6, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Foresters, firefighters, community leaders and wildfire experts are applauding Governor Gavin Newsom’s state of emergency proclamation to remove red tape and increase the pace and scale of forest management in California. Following the devastation of…

    Mar 5, 2025

    News What you need to know: Governor Newsom has directed his Office of Emergency Services to coordinate with key partners during this next round of winter weather to strategically preposition critical resources to protect the public.  Los Angeles, California – As…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 Launch (Official NASA Broadcast)

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    Watch with us as the four members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 mission launch to the space station from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 7:48 p.m. EDT (2348 UTC) on Wednesday, March 12.

    SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft will carry NASA astronauts Anne McClain, commander; and Nichole Ayers, pilot; along with mission specialists JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov to the orbiting laboratory for a science mission of about four months. This is the 10th crew rotation mission and the 11th human spaceflight mission for NASA to the space station supported by the Dragon spacecraft since 2020 as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program.

    Following the launch of Crew-10, NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, will depart the station for a splashdown off the coast of Florida.

    About Crew-10’s scientific mission: https://www.nasa.gov/missions/station/what-you-need-to-know-about-nasas-spacex-crew-10-mission/
    Crew-10 mission updates: https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/crew-10/

    Credit: NASA

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RTehiOVIDw

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: This Week at Interior March 7, 2025

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    This Week: In his speech to a joint session of Congress President Trump calls for more extraction of oil and gas on the way to achieving American Energy Dominance; Secretary Burgum presses the President’s energy agenda during a visit to a natural gas liquefaction and export facility in Louisiana; the National Park Service announces a new 10-year lease for historic preservation and energy infrastructure at New York’s Floyd Bennett Field; Secretary Burgum marks Interior’s 176th birthday with a ceremonial swearing-in; the U.S. Geological Survey celebrates 146 years of providing scientific knowledge to the American people; and we’ll show you why this week’s social media Picture of the Week is feeling a little blue! Make sure you follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X!

    http:/www.facebook.com/usinterior
    http:/www.instagram.com/usinterior
    http:/www.x.com/Interior

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5coNV447aU

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Securing the Homeland, One Borough at a Time

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    Secretary Noem visited New York to attend a Round Table with USCG, ICE, CBP, and other officials. Her message: DHS will carry out President Trump’s promise to carry out mass deportations and address the fentanyl crisis.
    The secretary also visited the subway – the site where a woman was brutally set on fire by a criminal illegal alien. A tragedy that should NEVER have happened because this illegal alien should never have been in this country.

    Today: Securing America.
    Tomorrow: More Action.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtLxzXnExJg

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: How to Know You’re in Space: Zero Gravity Indicators

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    Have you ever wanted to design something that could fly around the Moon? This is your opportunity. The Artemis II astronauts will use a zero gravity indicator during their mission to demonstrate when their Orion spacecraft has reached microgravity. This plushie needs to be soft, small, and importantly, remind us of home.

    The Moon Mascot contest challenges people of all ages from all over the world to submit a design to be made by NASA’s Thermal Blanket Lab and flown aboard Artemis II.

    To submit a design for the contest, visit: https://www.freelancer.com/moon-mascot

    To learn more about the Artemis II mission, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

    Credit: NASA
    Writer: Erika Peters
    Editor: Phil Sexton
    Producers: Rad Sinyak, Erika Peters

    #MoonMascot #Artemis #ZeroG

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75P6zZmTyFQ

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE New York City arrests convicted Romanian national with removal order

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    NEW YORK – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Dan Adrian Agafitei, 26, an illegally present Romanian national upon his release from the U.S. Bureau of Prisons Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, March 4.

    “The arrest of Mr. Agafitei reinforces the agency’s commitment to identify, detain and remove violent criminals and immigration law violators who pose the greatest threat to national security and public safety,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City acting Field Office Director William P. Joyce. “Thanks for the proactive approach of the men and women of ICE and due to the extraordinary partnerships between federal agencies, this alien is not free to pose any additional threat to the community.”

    Agafitei illegally entered the U.S. on an unknown date and at an unknown location without admission by an Immigration Official.

    A grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York indicted Agafitei on 17 counts of criminal violations related to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft, Feb. 21, 2024. The FBI arrested Agafitei on a criminal arrest warrant a week later, and ICE lodged an immigration detainer with the U.S. Marshals Service against his release. Agafitei was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud Feb. 27 and sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison while being ordered removed from the U.S.

    Agafitei remains in ICE custody awaiting removal to Romania.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-347-2423 or completing ICE’s online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to preserve public safety in New York City on X at @ERONewYork.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: $50 Million Effort to Fight Poverty in Upstate New York

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced new steps to fight poverty in Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse, three communities chosen because they include some of the highest poverty rates out of anywhere in New York State. Governor Hochul’s FY 2025 Budget allocated $50 million for this antipoverty programming, which is now being utilized by community-based groups in these communities.

    “Every family should have the opportunity to grow and thrive in New York, and I’m committed to delivering the resources to make that a reality,” Governor Hochul said. “As the first Governor from Upstate New York in nearly a century, I know many of our neighbors struggle to make ends meet. Working together, we’re going to fight poverty and lift up the families who need it most.”

    The cities of Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse are investing $50 million included in the FY 2025 Budget to bring much-needed resources to help families living in poverty increase earnings and improve family well-being. Each locality sought and received community input while working with their county Department of Social Services to develop and finalize their plans.

    The Monroe County Department of Human Services will use $25 million to implement three targeted strategies to strengthen low-income families’ financial footing and reduce poverty in the city of Rochester. The strategies include a monthly cash incentive program for pregnant women who agree to participate in activities that support maternal health, as well as rental subsidy and upward mobility mentoring programs.

    • Beginning within 180 days of their expected delivery date, up to 200 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)-eligible pregnant women in certain ZIP codes in Rochester will be eligible to receive a cash incentive of $1000 per month for up to two years, as well as case management support, prenatal healthcare referrals, and services to reduce maternal morbidity and infant mortality. Participants will also be required to carry out other activities that support mental health and promote self-sufficiency and upward mobility.
    • The rental subsidy program will provide a monthly supplement to 100 families currently receiving Temporary Assistance that live in designated zip codes in Rochester over two years. Families receiving the subsidy will also receive case management, financial counseling and support necessary to increase their income so that their total monthly rent does not exceed 30 percent of their monthly income.
    • The Upward Mobility Mentoring program will provide up to 1,200 TANF-eligible families with direct support and cash assistance with the aim of having a meaningful and sustainable impact on families’ long term economic potential. This program will address five pillars of upward mobility: family stability, well-being, financial management, education/training, and employment/careers. Every enrolled family will create individualized life plans for upward mobility and participate in coaching and financial counseling to maximize the potential for their long term success.

    The Onondaga County Department of Social Services will use $12.5 million to focus on addressing generational poverty, promoting housing stability, improving school attendance rates and distributing free diapers to families that are eligible for Temporary Assistance.

    • The existing 2Gen Onondaga pilot project will be expanded, providing intensive case management and trauma-informed goal-setting for Syracuse families with children who receive Temporary Assistance to better promote family well-being. The program also encourages continued employment by providing payments to help ease the perceived effects of “benefits cliffs.” Participating households whose income exceeds eligibility for assistance will continue to receive their monthly benefit for 12 months, after which the benefit will be slowly reduced to zero. Additionally, the plan will support non-custodial parents by helping them reduce their child support orders to better reflect what they can afford and connecting them with employment and parenting programs.
    • The Central New York Centralized Housing Assistance and Network for Community Engagement (CNY CHANCE) program is designed to help alleviate an increasingly tight housing market. The program includes a range of efforts to promote housing stability, including the creation of a housing database, landlord engagement and incentives, and advocacy for affordable housing development, among others.
    • Full-time attendance liaisons will be embedded in the Syracuse City School District to support students from families who are receiving or eligible to receive Temporary Assistance that are struggling with attendance issues. The liaisons will provide continuous support to families and work to resolve issues that are contributing to chronic absenteeism.
    • Onondaga County will work with the CNY Diaper Bank to provide free diapers to any family with a child under age 4 who lives in the City of Syracuse and is eligible for Temporary Assistance.

    The Erie County Department of Social Services will use $12.5 million to support upward mobility for TANF-eligible families experiencing poverty who reside in the city of Buffalo. The goal of the incentive-based program is to improve employment outcomes for families and children and reduce child poverty. Program components include life coaches, career coaches, financial literacy services, linkage to support and resources, and direct cash incentives.

    • Direct cash payments would be provided as an incentive for up to 600 participating families. The families could receive up to 29 incentive payments totaling $16,000 per family if they meet certain benchmarks, including engagement with career and life coaches, making progress toward identified goals, enrollment in training and/or education/upskilling activities, and attainment and retention of employment.
    • Savings accounts will be opened for up to 300 participants and every dollar deposited by the participant will receive a $3 match up to $3,000.
    • Approximately 115 participants will receive assistance in obtaining a driver license, as a first step toward car ownership.
    • Participants will also have access to various workforce development programs, including subsidized job placement, on-the-job training, industry-specific career pathways programs, and pre-apprenticeships, among others.

    This initiative builds on Governor Hochul’s commitment to making New York the best, most affordable place to start and raise a family. The Governor’s historic investments in her 2025 State of the State and FY 2026 Executive Budget will advance innovative actions to best address the needs of every child and family in New York:

    • Governor Hochul’s expansion of the Child Tax credit to $1,000 or $500 per child will help address the economic challenges that families are facing and is projected to significantly reduce child poverty in New York State. When fully implemented, this historic investment could reduce child poverty statewide by up to 8.2 percent. This would build on the progress this Administration has already made reducing child poverty through actions in recent budgets. Combined with other measures like expanding subsidized childcare, this Administration’s actions to date are estimated to reduce child poverty by up to 17.7 percent.
    • The Governor also proposed New York’s first-ever inflation refund that will put $3 billion back in the pockets of 8.6 million taxpayers. By the end of 2025, New York State will send direct payments to everyday New Yorkers. Joint tax filers who make $300,000 or less will receive a $500 payment, while all single New York taxpayers who make $150,000 or less will receive a $300 payment. These one-time payments will provide New Yorkers with much-needed financial relief in 2025.
    • Governor Hochul will partner with Baby2Baby to provide maternal health and newborn supply boxes to Medicaid-enrolled expectant mothers and those reached through community organizations and hospitals in low-income areas. The boxes will include resources, educational materials, self-care products, and diapers, reaching approximately 100,000 families at full implementation.
    • Governor Hochul will also provide millions of diapers annually and expand maternal behavioral health services. Additionally, the Governor will co-locate mental health services into OBGYN practices in high-needs communities.
    • Building on the Governor’s support for pregnant women and infants, the New York State BABY (Birth Allowance for Beginning Year) Benefit will provide a $100 monthly benefit during pregnancy and a $1,200 benefit at birth to low-income public assistance recipients. This will increase household income for thousands of New York families.
    • Additionally, to take action against pervasive appraisal bias through the housing industry that has unjustly stripped families in communities of color out of the opportunity to purchase a home, Governor Hochul proposed a suite of actions to make discriminatory appraisal practices unlawful, enforce anti-discrimination principles in appraisals, and diversify the appraiser workforce.

    New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, “Poverty is a reality that affects the lives of far too many children and their families, limiting their opportunities and potential. Research shows that the focused support and assistance contained in these locally-driven anti-poverty initiatives—from rental subsidies, maternal health support, financial coaching, school attendance incentives, to cash assistance—are effective at improving family well-being and the economic security of children and families. We look forward to the implementation of these programs in Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse and are grateful to Governor Hochul for prioritizing an agenda that uplifts working families and makes our state more livable and affordable for all New Yorkers.”

    Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer said, “From boosting financial literacy to job-training to improving parenting skills and support for steady housing in Buffalo and Rochester and Syracuse, this is an investment in our children, in our future, and building a better life for families that need a helping hand. I will always fight to deliver resources to New York’s families to give all our children the best opportunities for a bright future and support Governor Hochul’s efforts to achieve these goals.”

    Representative Joe Morelle said, “Lifting children and families out of poverty has always been one of my top priorities. This marks a vital step forward in our efforts to lower costs by making high-quality healthcare and housing opportunities more affordable and putting money directly in the pockets of those who need it most. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for her leadership on this important issue, and I look forward to working with her and Monroe County Executive Adam Bello to implement Project Prosper throughout Rochester.”

    Representative Timothy Kennedy said, “This important anti-poverty initiative will uplift hardworking parents and help ensure their children thrive. This funding will connect families with resources that have the potential to change their lives. In Washington, I will continue fighting for working households to make New York more affordable and to provide those families with access to new opportunities.”

    Representative John W. Mannion said, “Every child deserves a chance to succeed, and I’m committed to lifting our communities out of poverty, especially in urban centers like Syracuse. It’s a generational challenge – but also an opportunity to make meaningful investments in our schools, create environments of hope, deliver stable housing, and bring successful programs to scale. I join Governor Hochul in this effort and commend her leadership for making these life changing investments in Onondaga County.”

    State Senator Christopher Ryan said, “I want to extend my gratitude to Governor Kathy Hochul for her commitment to addressing the needs of children and families in Syracuse and Central New York. The $50 million investment across Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse will provide vital resources to help reduce poverty and improve the well-being of families who need it most. This initiative, built on strong collaboration between state, county and local leaders, ensures that our region’s efforts are guided by the real needs and input of the families we serve. I’m proud to support this transformative approach, and I look forward to working together to create lasting change for our children and families in Syracuse and throughout Central New York.”

    State Senator April N.M. Baskin said, “If the cycle of poverty is not broken early in a child’s life, the devastating effects are often felt for a lifetime. This investment in Buffalo and other upstate cities is critical because our communities are among the poorest, setting children back before they even have a chance to start. Resources from these vital funds can dramatically and positively help area kids thrive, enhancing their lives and their families as well.”

    State Senator Jeremy Cooney said, “Child poverty rates across Upstate New York are abhorrent, especially in the City of Rochester where nearly half of our children live below the poverty line. Thank you Governor Hochul for your partnership in bringing funding to local organizations in the communities who need it most, combatting our unacceptable child poverty rates, and paving the way towards a brighter future for the next generation of New Yorkers.”

    State Senator Sean Ryan said, “As the federal government works to slash programs that New Yorkers depend on and fails to deliver on the promise of lowering costs, we’re working hard in New York to uplift our most vulnerable communities. This State funding will protect families in need and add one more tool to help Buffalo address the unconscionably high rate of childhood poverty that has plagued our city for too long. I thank Governor Hochul for her continued efforts to address this critically important issue.”

    State Senator Rachel May said, “Many families in Central New York struggle to make ends meet. With rising rents and persistently high food prices, meeting the basic needs for meals, utilities, and other essentials has become increasingly difficult. Governor Hochul’s announcement of $50 million in funding for anti-poverty programs will significantly help address the fundamental causes of poverty in our region. Thank you to Governor Hochul and my colleagues in the Senate Majority who continue to lift more of our neighbors out of poverty.”

    Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, “Reducing poverty is one of the most important measures the State can take to help struggling families maintain their health, home, and well-being. I welcome Governor Hochul’s commitment to reducing poverty in the cities of Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse and look forward to seeing the positive results in my community and beyond.”

    Assemblymember Al Stirpe said, “Governor Hochul’s announcement today shows a true commitment to fighting one of the hardest battles our local communities continue to face. Syracuse has long had some of the highest rates of child poverty across the nation and it is paramount that we take responsibility to combat this longstanding and generational issue. I want to thank Governor Hochul for her leadership which has made these resources possible for Onondaga County, helping lift our children and families most in need and demonstrating an enduring dedication to the welfare of our future generations.”

    Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi said, “I am grateful to Governor Hochul for targeting these anti-poverty funds precisely where we need them, in Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo which unfortunately retain some of the highest rates of child poverty in the country. Thank you to Speaker Heastie, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and all of my colleagues for working with the executive to provide this assistance to our upstate communities, families and children.”

    Assemblymember William Magnarelli said, “Syracuse has one of the highest rates of child poverty in the nation with about half of the children in the city falling below the poverty line. By investing in Syracuse and other Upstate cities, the Governor is committed to improving the well-being of our communities through increasing opportunities to access housing, childcare, jobs and transportation.”

    Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson said,“As the prime Assembly sponsor of the Child Poverty Reduction Act, I applaud the Governor for this additional $50 million investment to address the needs of children and families living in poverty, which prioritizes uplifting families through opportunity and resources. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for your continued and renewed support and partnership to make Rochester a city of prosperity, opportunity and equity, so we can finally end the epidemic of children and families living in poverty.”

    Assemblymember Sarah Clark said, “We know that systemic poverty is at the heart of many of our most pressing issues statewide. Serving in a region that has one of the highest child poverty rates in the state is a constant reminder of how much more we need to be investing in children and families, which is my top priority in the Assembly. I am grateful to Governor Hochul for announcing $50 million investments into our most marginalized communities here in Upstate New York. These funds will help lift families out of generational poverty and ensure the most pressing needs of our children are better met.”

    Assemblymember Pamela Hunter said, “Investing in our children and families is the foundation of a stronger, more prosperous New York. Throughout my time in office, childhood poverty in Syracuse has been one of the most pervasive and difficult issues to address. With this $50 million commitment, we are taking decisive action to break the cycle of poverty and provide real opportunities for families in Rochester, Buffalo, and here in Syracuse. By prioritizing locally driven solutions, we are ensuring that those closest to the challenges have the resources they need to create lasting change. I applaud Governor Hochul for her leadership and for recognizing that lifting up our most vulnerable communities is not just the right thing to do—it is essential for the future of our state.”

    Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said, “Project Prosper will create strategic initiatives to connect families to stable housing, employment support, childcare, assistance for pregnant women that will improve maternal and infant health outcomes, and targeted rental subsidies to help families secure stable housing. This funding will provide real, measurable pathways out of poverty in targeted zip codes throughout our community. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for this $25 million investment and for taking many of the recommendations of the community-driven Rochester-Monroe County Anti-Poverty Initiative and turning them into reality.”

    Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said, “Reducing poverty among families and children helps them on a path to a better, healthier and more productive life. This funding will help TANF-eligible families gain access to the support and services they need to gain new skills, improve their financial literacy and build towards a better future. I thank Governor Hochul for her continuing focus on reducing poverty rates and making Buffalo, and New York State, a great place to raise a family.”

    Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said, “My administration has worked tirelessly to reach and connect with the members of our community living in poverty to the resources they need in a comprehensive and holistic way. From our successful 2Gen Onondaga Pilot project that works to break the generation cycle of poverty to working with our schools to support our kids without adding additional challenges for parents looking to find or keep employment, Onondaga County is making real progress when it comes to finally addressing the root causes of poverty. There is still much more work to do and thanks to these state funds we will be able to build on and scale up our efforts in a truly substantive way. Thank you to New York State and all of the community partners who helped make today possible.”

    Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans said, “Project Prosper combines the resources of New York State, Monroe County and the City of Rochester to support our most vulnerable residents and address some of the debilitating consequences of poverty: infant mortality, rent burden, and economic stagnation. I want to thank Governor Kathy Hochul for delivering this funding, along with the many community-based organizations whose insights helped us design these innovative strategies. Thanks to Governor Hochul and our partnership with Monroe County, we are giving the residents of Rochester’s poorest neighborhoods the investments they deserve.”

    Buffalo Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon said, “As a father of three, I know firsthand the challenges that families face in ensuring their children have the opportunities and support they need to thrive. Governor Hochul’s investment in Buffalo will provide critical resources to lift families out of poverty, creating a pathway to economic stability and brighter futures for our children. This funding is not just about financial assistance—it’s about empowering families with the tools to succeed, from career coaching to financial literacy and workforce development. I want to thank the Governor for her investment in families in the City of Buffalo and I look forward to seeing its impact on families across our city.”

    Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said, “The programs receiving support in the City of Syracuse address the child’s home and education and the parent’s ability to meet current needs while expanding their capacity to escape poverty through employment. It is this type of holistic approach that creates both a pathway out of poverty and the support for the family to successfully navigate that path. I am grateful to Governor Hochul for committing these resources to fight childhood poverty in Syracuse and to our partners at Onondaga County for working with us on these programs.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: March Federal Grand Jury 2025-A Indictments Announced

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    United States Attorney Clint Johnson today announced the results of the March Federal Grand Jury 2025-A Indictments.

    The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in indictments returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.

    Natividad Castillo Avena. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Avena, 38, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been previously removed in Dec. 2024. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mandy M. Mackenzie is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-064

    Adan Alberto Bazaldua-Pichardo. Fraud and Misuse of Visas and Permits. Bazaldua-Pichardo, 37, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully and knowingly possessing a fake social security card to gain entry or employment in the United States. The Homeland Security Investigations is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Greenough is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-061

    Jose Ricardo Borrayo-Gomez. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Borrayo-Gomez, 36, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been previously removed in July 2023. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Jolly is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-062

    Carlos Daniel Calderon-Ponce. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Calderon-Ponce, 49, a Honduran national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been previously removed in July 2024. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn A. McCormick is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-063

    Aldrin Jhovani Solis Castellanos. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Castellanos, 37, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been previously removed in Aug. 2024. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Jolly is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-073

    Joseph John Ronald Chavoya. Unlawful Possession of a Machine Gun. Chavoya, 40, of Tulsa, is charged with knowingly and unlawfully possessing a machine gun. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyson McCoy is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-075

    Jose Darvin Chicas-Castro. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Chicas-Castro, 35, a Honduran national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been previously removed in Dec. 2011. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michele Hulgaard is prosecuting the case. 
    25-CR-065

    Adrian Lasean Foster. First Degree Burglary in Indian Country. Foster, 24, of Muskogee and a member of the Cherokee Nation, is charged with breaking into an occupied home with intent to commit a crime. The Tulsa Police Department is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Ihler is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-076

    Julio Gonzalez-Ramirez. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Gonzalez-Ramirez, 42, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been previously removed in Sep. 2012. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney S. Augustus Forster is prosecuting the case. 
    25-CR-066

    Luis Enrique Guereca-Castrellon. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Guereca-Castrellon, 67, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been previously removed in Mar. 2020. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ammon Brisolara is prosecuting the case. 
    25-CR-067

    Jose Alberto Hernandez-Casimiro. Fraud and Misuse of Visas and Permits. Hernandez-Casimiro, 37, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully and knowingly possessing a fake legal permanent resident card to gain entry or employment in the United States. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ammon Brisolara is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-068

    Jose Abraham Joya. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Joya, 38, a Salvadoran national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been previously removed in Dec. 2019. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Harris is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-069

    Felipe Jesus Mendoza-Lopez. Alien Unlawfully in the United States in Possession of a Firearm. Mendoza-Lopez, 41, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm, knowing he was an alien illegally in the United States. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office and the Broken Arrow Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Bailey is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-070

    Alexander Enemias Ortiz-Gonzalez. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Ortiz-Gonzalez, 22, a Guatemalan national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been previously removed in June 2023. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney S. Augustus Forster is prosecuting the case. 
    25-CR-071

    Juan Reyes-Ochoa. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Reyes-Ochoa, 33, a Guatemala national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been previously removed in Oct. 2023. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Buscemi is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-072

    Joshawa Wayne Wildcat. Assault of a Spouse by Strangling and Attempting to Strangle in Indian Country. Wildcat, 33, of Tulsa and a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, is charged with strangling his spouse. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Weems is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-077

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lawrence Man Sentenced to More Than One Year in Prison for Making False Statement in Passport Application and Identity Theft

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A Lawrence man has been sentenced in federal court in Boston to falsely claiming to be a United States citizen in a passport application.

    Ruben Dario Guerrero, 44, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 21 months in prison to be followed by two years of supervised release. Guerrero is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. In November 2024, Guerrero pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement in a passport application and one count of identity theft.

    On Aug. 25, 2023, Guerrero submitted an application for a U.S. passport at a post office in Lawrence. Guerrero used the name, date of birth and social security number of a U.S. citizen who died in Puerto Rico in 1997 and signed the application under an attestation in which he declared under penalty of perjury that he was a United States citizen. In fact, however, identity documents from the Dominican Republic show Guerrero to be a Dominican citizen.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Matthew O’Brien, Special Agent in charge of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert E. Richardson of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Senator Reverend Warnock Denounced Closure of Five Social Security Offices Across State

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    ICYMI: Senator Reverend Warnock Denounced Closure of Five Social Security Offices Across State

    Last week, Senator Reverend Warnock laid out the disastrous consequences of the announced closure of five Social Security Administration (SSA) offices around Georgia
    The offices to be closed are in Brunswick, Columbus, Gainesville, Thomasville, and Vidalia
    Senator Reverend Warnock: “For millions of Georgians, Social Security provides a baseline of support and stability. It ensures our seniors, who’ve spent decades paying into the program, can afford rent, groceries, and medication”
    Washington, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) laid out the disastrous consequences of the Administration’s decision to close five Social Security Administration (SSA) offices in Georgia –more than any other state in the country so far.
    “For millions of Georgians, Social Security provides a baseline of support and stability. It ensures our seniors, who’ve spent decades paying into the program, can afford rent, groceries, and medication. Permanently closing five Georgia Social Security offices will make it harder for Georgia seniors, especially in rural areas, to enroll in the program, solve payment issues, report fraud, and more,” said Senator Reverend Warnock.
    More coverage of Senator Reverend Warnock’s statement below:
    The Georgia Sun: The Trump Administration is Closing 5 Social Security Offices in Georgia
    […] U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock is pushing back, saying the closures will hurt Georgia seniors who have paid into the system for decades.
    […] Warnock argues that the money saved from these closures will go toward tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans—something he calls “reckless.”
    The Current: Trump efficiency group to close 5 state Social Security offices, including Brunswick, Vidalia
    […] Georgia U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock condemned the closures, saying they will make it harder for seniors to access services they need. “Georgia has the highest number of SSA offices closed for any state so far,” Sen. Raphael Warnock said in a statement Friday.
    “Georgia is losing *5* Social Security offices,” Warnock wrote in a post on X Friday afternoon. “This will make it harder for seniors, especially in rural GA, to enroll, solve payment issues, and report fraud. I will do everything I can to fight this reckless action and remain focused on getting our seniors the benefits they paid for& rely on.”
    11Alive: 5 Social Security offices in Georgia to close
    […] Warnock said the closures will make it harder for Georgia seniors, especially in rural areas, to access Social Security benefits, resolve payment issues, and report fraud.  “For millions of Georgians, Social Security provides a baseline of support and stability,” he said. “It ensures our seniors, who’ve spent decades paying into the program, can afford rent, groceries, and medication,” he said in a statement.
    Warnock, a member of the Senate Aging Committee, called the Georgia office closures a major obstacle for seniors.
    Atlanta News First: Several Social Security offices in Georgia closing as part of DOGE cuts
    […] According to Warnock, Georgia “has the highest number of SSA offices closed for any state so far.” In a statement, Warnock said Social Security provides a baseline of support and stability for millions of Georgians, and ensures that Georgia seniors, “who’ve spent decades paying into the program, can afford rent, groceries, and medication.”
    Warnock said closing the five SSA offices “will make it harder for Georgia seniors, especially in rural areas, to enroll in the program, solve payment issues, report fraud, and more.”
    FOX 5 Atlanta: 5 Social Security offices in Georgia slated for closure, per DOGE website
    […] Sen. Raphael Warnock has condemned the closures, warning they will make it harder for seniors, disabled individuals, and low-income Americans to access their benefits.
    […] Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock strongly condemned the decision, stating: He also criticized the administration’s budget priorities, arguing that these cuts will primarily benefit the wealthy:
    Georgia Public Broadcasting: 5 Georgia cities are losing Social Security offices
    […] Georgia U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock condemned the closures, saying they will make it harder for seniors to access services they need. “Georgia has the highest number of SSA offices closed for any state so far,” Sen. Raphael Warnock said in a statement Friday.
    The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer: Why 5 Social Security offices in Georgia are closing. Will Columbus lose its branch?
    […] Warnock said he was concerned about the impact of these closures on Georgia’s seniors and rural communities.
    WSB-TV: 5 Georgia Social Security Administration offices to close amid Trump Administration overhauls
    […] Warnock said that the closure would impact Georgians significantly and that “money taken away from Georgia seniors will go towards tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. I will use every avenue available to fight back against this reckless action and remain focused on getting our seniors the benefits they paid for and rely on to live safe, healthy lives.”
    Now Habersham: Georgia to lose 5 Social Security offices, including Gainesville’s
    […] Georgia U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock condemned the closures, saying they will make it harder for seniors to access services they need. “Georgia has the highest number of SSA offices closed for any state so far,” Sen. Raphael Warnock said in a statement Friday.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall, Senator Daines, and GOP Colleagues Urge Attorney General Bondi to End Anti-Gun Biden-Era Policies

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
    Washington –U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) joined Senator Steve Daines (R-Montana) and 14 of their Senate Republican colleagues in urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to reverse Biden-era policies that allow the federal government to award groups that discriminate against the firearm and ammunition industry. 
    In the letter, the Senators wrote: “Dear Attorney General Bondi,
    “We write regarding President Trump’s February 7, 2025, Executive Order (E.O.), “Protecting Second Amendment Rights” and call to your attention the current awarding of federal contracts to entities that discriminate against the firearm and ammunition industry in the absence of federal guidance prohibiting such action. We believe that entities with discriminatory policies against a Constitutionally protected industry should not be allowed to benefit from lucrative federal contracts to help finance their anti-gun agenda.
    “Unfortunately, past administrations, including the Biden administration, have sought to advance policies across multiple executive branch agencies and departments intended to undermine the Second Amendment. This includes the ongoing, intentional discrimination against the firearm and ammunition industry among private entities operating in various sectors, including financial services, insurance, shipping, and others.
    “President Trump has also rightfully prioritized the elimination of waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal budget. We believe that awarding billions of dollars in federal contracts to “woke” entities engaged in anti-gun activism and discrimination is part of this waste and should end immediately.
    “To that end, in accordance with the Second Amendment E.O., we request that you submit in your plan of action a provision to cease awarding federal contracts to entities that discriminate against the firearm and ammunition industry. Under no circumstance should taxpayer dollars from hard-working Americans be used to deny those very taxpayers their Constitutionally protected rights.
    “We appreciate you considering submitting this recommendation to President Trump.”
    Joining Senator Marshall and Senator Daines on the letter were Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Tim Sheehy (R-Montana), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), Rick Scott (R-Florida.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Jim Justice (R-West Virginia), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), and John Hoeven (R-North Dakota).
    The full text of the letter is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Daylight saving time and early school start times cost billions in lost productivity and health care expenses

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, Associate Professor of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh

    Daylight saving time kicks in on March 9, 2025, but some say it leads to more heart attacks, depression and car accidents. Lord Henri Voton/E+ via Getty Images

    Investigations into the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster revealed that key decision-makers worked on little sleep, raising concerns that fatigue impaired their judgment. Similarly, in 1989, the Exxon Valdez oil spill resulted in a massive environmental catastrophe. The official investigation revealed the third mate, in charge of steering the ship, was running on too little sleep, among other problems.

    While these specific disasters were not caused by daylight saving time, they are conclusively linked to fatigue, based on postaccident investigations and reports. They underscore the well-documented dangers of sleep deprivation and fatigue-related errors. Yet a vast body of research shows that every year, the shift to daylight saving time needlessly exacerbates these risks, disrupting millions of Americans’ sleep and increasing the likelihood of accidents, health issues and fatal errors.

    Imagine a world where one simple decision – keeping our clocks aligned with the natural cycle of the Sun – could save lives, prevent accidents and improve mental well-being. It’s not just about an hour of lost sleep; it’s about how small disruptions ripple through our health, our workplaces and even our children’s futures.

    I’m a neurologist who specializes in sleep health. I’ve seen firsthand the negative impacts of poor sleep; it has enormous personal and economic consequences.

    Yet despite overwhelming research supporting better sleep policies – such as delaying school start times to align with adolescent biology and the adoption of permanent standard time – these issues remain largely overlooked in public policy discussions.

    Sleep deprivation comes with real costs

    Chronic sleep deprivation does more than leave people tired. It costs an estimated US$411 billion annually in lost productivity and health care costs. Poor sleep leads to workplace mistakes, car accidents and long-term health issues that strain businesses, families and the economy as a whole.

    Fortunately, there’s a fix. Smarter sleep policies – such as permanent standard time and later school start times – can boost efficiency, improve health and save lives.

    Sleep-deprived teens have lower test scores and graduation rates.
    skynesher/E+

    Up before dawn

    Teenagers are the most sleep-deprived age group in the U.S. Multiple studies and surveys show that anywhere from 71% to 84% of high school students report getting insufficient sleep.

    This is largely due to early school start times, which force teens to wake up before their biological clocks are ready. If you have a teenager, you probably see it every day: The teen struggling to wake up before sunrise, rushing out the door without breakfast, then waiting in the dark for the school bus.

    More than 80% of public middle and high schools in the U.S. start before 8:30 a.m., with 42% starting before 8 a.m. and 10% before 7:30 a.m. As a result, some districts have bus pickups as early as 5 a.m.

    Teenagers are going through a natural shift in their circadian rhythms by about two hours. This shift, driven by hormones and biology, makes it hard for them to fall asleep before around 11 p.m. The bodies of teens aren’t wired for these schedules, yet schools and society have designed a system that forces them to function at their worst.

    Declining scores, drowsy driving and depression

    Sleep-deprived teens have lower grades and test scores, more car crashes caused by drowsy driving, more alcohol and drug use and higher rates of depression, anxiety suicide and aggressive behavior, including carrying weapons.

    Along with the health benefits, studies have found that moving school start times to 8:30 am or later could add $8.6 billion to the economy within two years, partly by increased graduation rates.

    While concerns about increased transportation costs exist, such as the need for additional buses or drivers due to staggered school start times, some districts have found that optimizing bus routes can offset expenses, making the change cost-neutral or even cost-saving. For instance, a study in Boston found that reorganizing bus schedules using advanced algorithms reduced the number of buses needed and improved efficiency, which allowed high school students to start later and better align with their natural sleep cycles. This change not only supported adolescent sleep health but also saved the district $5 million annually.

    Studies show that daylight saving time does not reduce energy use.

    More heart attacks, car wrecks and suicide

    Every March, most Americans shift their clocks forward for daylight saving time. Studies show this change disrupts sleep and leads to measurable adverse outcomes, including a significant increase in heart attacks. These effects linger for days after the shift, as sleep-deprived workers struggle to adjust.

    The mental health impact is also severe. Suicide rates increase in the weeks following the switch, particularly for those already vulnerable to depression.

    Unlike daylight saving time, standard time follows the body’s natural circadian rhythm, which is primarily regulated by exposure to sunlight. Our internal clocks are most stable when morning light exposure occurs early in the day, signaling the body to wake up and regulate key biological functions such as hormone production, alertness and metabolism. In contrast, daylight saving time artificially extends evening light, delaying the body’s release of melatonin and making it harder to fall asleep at a biologically appropriate time.

    Studies have found that adopting permanent standard time could prevent up to 5,000 suicides annually by reducing seasonal depression, decrease errors, injuries and absenteeism in the workplace and make roads safer, potentially preventing 1,300 traffic deaths each year.

    Times are changing

    The U.S. tried permanent daylight saving time in 1974. It was so unpopular that Congress repealed it within nine months.

    Russia tried it too, in 2011, but switched back three years later. The United Kingdom dropped permanent daylight saving time in 1971 after three years, and Portugal in 1996 after four. All of these countries found that the switch caused widespread public dissatisfaction, health concerns, more morning car accidents and disrupted work schedules. No country is currently on year-round daylight saving time.

    These examples provide real-world evidence that permanent DST is undesirable due to public dissatisfaction, safety concerns and negative health effects – all three countries attempted it and ultimately reversed course. Since 2022, there has been renewed debate, largely driven by former U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s Sunshine Protection Act, which aims to make DST permanent.

    However, the name is misleading because it doesn’t “protect” sunshine but rather eliminates critical morning light, which is essential for regulating circadian rhythms. Major health organizations, along with the National Safety Council, strongly oppose permanent DST due to its well-documented risks.

    There are signs that suggest the U.S. is finally waking up to these problems. Out of 13,000 school districts, 1,000 have independently adopted later school start times. California and Florida have enacted laws requiring high schools to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. California’s mandate went into effect in 2022, and Florida’s is set to begin in 2026.

    Permanent standard time and later school start times are not radical ideas. They’re practical, evidence-based solutions based on human biology. Implementing these changes nationally would require congressional action. However, current federal law already allows states to adopt permanent standard time, as Arizona and Hawaii have done, setting a precedent for the rest of the country.

    Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Daylight saving time and early school start times cost billions in lost productivity and health care expenses – https://theconversation.com/daylight-saving-time-and-early-school-start-times-cost-billions-in-lost-productivity-and-health-care-expenses-248280

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Bringing Them Home: Honoring U.S. Hostages and Wrongful Detainees

    Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

    To Americans who remain unjustly held around the world: We are working day and night to bring you home.

    On this U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, we also celebrate those who have returned to their families. And we honor those who never made it back home. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

    More: https://www.state.gov/hostage-and-wrongful-detainee-flag/

    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

    The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statedept
    X: https://x.com/StateDept
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/statedept
    Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/statephotos/

    Subscribe to the State Department Blog: https://www.state.gov/blogs
    Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
    Subscribe to The Week at State e-newsletter: http://ow.ly/diiN30ro7Cw

    State Department website: https://www.state.gov/
    Careers website: https://careers.state.gov/
    White House website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/
    Terms of Use: https://state.gov/tou

    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aMdA-BLMx4

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Durbin Urge President Trump to Reverse Tariffs That Could Devastate Farmers and Raise Food Prices

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    March 06, 2025

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, along with U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), today joined 12 other Senators in urging President Trump to reconsider recently imposed tariffs that threaten American farmers, ranchers, businesses and consumers.  The tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China will make it harder for farmers to sell their products, increase input costs, and make it harder for Americans to put food on the table. President Trump has since announced that most goods from Mexico will be exempt from the recent tariffs for one month.

    In a letter to President Trump, the Senators wrote: “At a time when farmers operate on razor-thin margins due to low commodity prices and increased input costs, the chaos and uncertainty of these tariffs threatens their livelihoods. In addition to making it harder for farmers to sell their products, these tariffs will make it harder for Americans to put food on the table.”

    The Senators continued, “Farm families should not be left as collateral damage in an unnecessary trade war. We strongly encourage you to reconsider the current tariffs plan and instead consider a more targeted approach that supports American farmers, ranchers, and businesses.”

    Joining Duckworth, Durbin and Klobuchar in sending the letter were U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI).

    The full letter is available here and below:

    March 6, 2025

    Dear President Trump, 

    We write to express our deep concern about the impacts of your recent trade announcements on farmers, ranchers, and businesses across the country. 

    At a time when farmers operate on razor-thin margins due to low commodity prices and increased input costs, the chaos and uncertainty of these tariffs threatens their livelihoods. In addition to making it harder for farmers to sell their products, these tariffs will make it harder for Americans to put food on the table.

    Half of all U.S. agricultural exports go to Canada, Mexico, and China. As tariffs on these countries take effect, we know that their impacts are not temporary–tariffs can permanently shift market share to other countries, costing our farmers, ranchers, and other exporters for generations. 

    Damage to our trade relationships with Mexico and Canada has drastic consequences for American agriculture. With more than 40 percent of U.S. corn exports going to Mexico and more than 40 percent of U.S. ethanol exports going to Canada, corn growers in particular will experience significant market disruption with some of our nation’s most critical allies. 

    On top of shutting farmers out of critical export markets, these tariffs will drive up input costs. Tariffs on imports like potash will continue to increase fertilizer costs for farmers by as much as $1.70 an acre for corn and $1.42 an acre for soybeans.

    Our nation’s farmers and ranchers feed America and the world. In recent years, agricultural exports have been a bright spot in our economy, growing over 150 percent in the last twenty-eight years.  Nearly 20 percent of all U.S. agricultural production is exported to customers around the world, supporting more than one million jobs across the country. For America’s pork producers, exports create more than $66 in value for each hog marketed. And soybeans, which are the top export crop in the U.S., could face significant losses in sales and market share.

    American farmers have spent decades building these export markets – and they have made clear that they need trade, not aid. Paying off farmers for the damage caused by this impending trade war cannot and should not be a replacement for meaningful and steady trade policy.

    Farm families should not be left as collateral damage in an unnecessary trade war. We strongly encourage you to reconsider the current tariffs plan and instead consider a more targeted approach that supports American farmers, ranchers, and businesses.

    Sincerely,

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Risch Introduces Resolution Honoring Women-Owned and Operated Businesses

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho James E Risch

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho)—the former Chairman and current member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship–introduced a resolution celebrating the extraordinary accomplishments and vital role of women business owners in the United States ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8th.

    “Idaho’s women-owned businesses play a key role in our state’s economic success. These business leaders embody the American entrepreneurial spirit, employ tens of thousands of Idahoans, and make the Gem State thrive,” said Risch. “I am proud to recognize the nearly 14.5 million women-owned businesses across the country and celebrate their continued success.”

    Risch is joined by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Kennedy (R-La.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) in introducing this resolution.

    “Approximately one third of Idaho’s small businesses are owned by women. That means thousands of our neighbors are employed by a woman-owned small business, and these businesses provide a lifeline to our local and state economy,” said Crapo. “Support for women entrepreneurs is important for the continued success of Idaho’s economy.”

    “Growing up, I saw firsthand the hard work and dedication my own mother put into her small business,” said Britt. “Women-owned small businesses are at the forefront of driving innovation, job creation, and economic growth. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues as we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring all women-owned small businesses across Alabama and our nation have the opportunities and resources needed to succeed and thrive.”

    “Women entrepreneurs bring an innovative approach to their small businesses, helping to create much-needed job opportunities and strengthening local economies in Michigan and throughout the United States,” said Peters. “I’m proud to help lead this bipartisan resolution, which celebrates our women small business owners and recognizes their contributions to our country’s economic prosperity.” 

    “Small businesses are the backbone of Nevada’s economy, and our state is the proud home to thousands of women-owned businesses,” said Rosen. “I’m pleased to help introduce this bipartisan resolution to recognize the immense contributions of women entrepreneurs to our local communities.”

    “New Hampshire is home to more than 50,000 women-owned small businesses that help power our economy and create good-paying Granite State jobs,” said Shaheen. “As a former small business owner, I know firsthand the challenges too many women entrepreneurs face in growing and maintaining their businesses. I’m proud to help lead this bipartisan resolution in celebration of the barrier-breaking New Hampshire women who have overcome obstacles to generate economic opportunity and provide vital services in their communities.”

    As a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Senator Risch works to provide resources, education, and services to entrepreneurs and female small business owners across the state of Idaho. Each month, Senator Risch highlights the Gem State’s favorite Main Street small businesses and has led the Support Local Gems initiative for the last five years to encourage Idahoans to shop at their local small businesses.?

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Improving access to life-saving cancer treatment

    In Alberta, about 2,500 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, with one in six men in the province being diagnosed during their lifetime.

    Albertans living with cancer need the most effective treatments available, which is why Alberta’s government is committed to funding innovative new therapies to improve both cancer care and prevention. To support these efforts, Alberta’s government has made Pluvicto, a new radiopharmaceutical treatment for advanced prostate cancer, available to Albertans.

    “We know that Albertans living with advanced prostate cancer and their health providers have been awaiting access to this new treatment. Bringing Pluvicto to our province has been a priority for the government, and I’m pleased we can now offer this leading therapy to Albertans.”

    Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health

    As soon as a national pricing agreement was reached in December 2024, Alberta worked quickly to add Pluvicto to the Schedule of Outpatient Cancer Drugs, becoming the third province to do so, alongside Ontario and Nova Scotia. Alberta Health Services is now finalizing a contract with the manufacturer to ensure this treatment is accessible to patients. The Outpatient Cancer Drug Benefit Program provides access to cancer medications included on the Schedule of Outpatient Cancer Drugs to patients at no cost.

    Prior to offering this treatment, the province arranged for the special handling, administration and medical imaging required, as well as to provide training to health providers. It is anticipated that the administration of this intravenous radioligand therapy to Albertans will begin later this month.

    “When we partnered with Alberta Health to bring PSMA-PET imaging technology to Alberta in 2021, we knew it would be transformative. We are thrilled it’s led to this emerging new treatment being offered – a breakthrough moment and incredible news for men with advanced prostate cancer.” 

    Wendy Beauchesne, CEO, Alberta Cancer Foundation

    The drug will be administered at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton and the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary to start and will become available at the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre later this year.

    “Cancer Care Alberta is very pleased that Pluvicto is now publicly funded in Alberta, allowing us to bring this new innovation in treatment to Albertans living with advanced prostate cancer.” 

    Brenda Hubley, chief program officer, Cancer Care Alberta

    Pluvicto is an intravenous treatment given in a cancer centre. It contains a radioligand – a substance that combines a targeting molecule with a small amount of radiation. This radioligand binds to a specific receptor expression on prostate cancer cells, delivering targeted radiation to kill them. Before receiving treatment, patients undergo a PET-CT scan to confirm they have the receptor expression, ensuring the treatment will be effective. It’s estimated that about 200 advanced prostate cancer patients in Alberta have the specific receptor needed to benefit from this treatment each year.

    In March 2024, Alberta’s government provided $5 million for the provision of prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans to eligible Albertans to help accurately diagnose advanced prostate cancer and assist with administering the Pluvicto treatment.

    “The Government of Alberta’s decision to publicly fund Pluvicto offers renewed hope for Albertans facing advanced prostate cancer with limited options. This important step demonstrates a shared commitment from government, healthcare providers and industry to address the unmet needs of these patients. We applaud Alberta’s leadership in advancing cancer care and remain committed to ensuring Canadians in all provinces have access to this innovative treatment.”

    Mark Vineis, CEO, Novartis Canada

    Related information

    • Specialized drug benefits – Outpatient Cancer Drug Benefit Program

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Investment Summit to grow New Zealand’s future

    Source: New Zealand Government

    New Zealand will showcase its infrastructure pipeline and exciting growth sectors to companies managing about $6 trillion in capital at next week’s Infrastructure Investment Summit, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says.

    “The upcoming Summit is all about attracting investment into the infrastructure projects New Zealanders need to get ahead, so that we can grow our economy, create opportunities for New Zealanders, and raise the standard of living for Kiwi families,” Mr Bishop says.

    “We’re going to show our international visitors in no uncertain terms that New Zealand is open for business, and we are a country worth investing in.

    “New Zealanders can be proud that some of the world’s biggest investment and infrastructure entities are keen to learn about the opportunities New Zealand has to offer. 

    “The financial companies and institutions attending the summit manage assets and funds worth around $6 trillion of capital and they are headquartered across the world. They include pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and major banks. We also have delegates from the construction and engineering sectors.

    “Their decision to come here demonstrates that New Zealand is held in high regard internationally as an economy that is worth investing in.

    “We’ll also have representatives from our own investment and construction community, including a number of iwi investment entities, ACC and the New Zealand Super Fund.

    “Across the two-day summit, Ministers will showcase our ambitious pipeline of projects in transport, health, education, courts and corrections, and the resources sector. Iwi representatives will highlight the strength of the Māori economy and their own upcoming opportunities for these investors.

    “We’ll also highlight four growth sectors – aquaculture, renewable energy, clean technology and advanced transportation which includes some exciting opportunities in space.

    “The Government is moving quickly to create a regulatory environment that welcomes international capital and makes it easier to get projects off the ground. We’re reforming foreign investment laws and immigration settings, and our Fast Track Approvals regime is up and running.

    “This Government is serious about growing New Zealand’s economy and creating more opportunities for Kiwis to get ahead. The summit is just one part of our ambitious agenda to grow New Zealand’s economy and make life better for Kiwis.” 

    Attached:

    • The Infrastructure Investment Summit programme.

    Note to Editors:

    • All companies are attending the summit at their own cost, including travel and accommodation.
    • International attendees come from 14 countries: Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States of America.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –