NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy, Cotton, Colleagues to DOJ and FTC: Systemic, Weaponized Leaks Violate Ethics Rules

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) demanded an investigation into systemic media leaks in a letter to Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General Michael Horowitz and Federal Trade Commissioner (FTC) Inspector General Andrew Katsaros. These leaks, all to the same media outlet, resulted in negative headlines about the Biden-Harris administration’s antitrust targets and potentially violated ethics rules.
    “These leaks result in negative headlines about the administration’s targets while the targeted companies have no way to respond, as they haven’t yet seen the potential lawsuits. Both DOJ and FTC have ethics rules that prohibit leaking civil cases before the cases are filed,” wrote the senators. 
    Read the full letter here or below: 
    Dear Inspectors General Horowitz and Katsaros,
    We write asking you to investigate whether the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission have violated their own ethics rules by systematically leaking potential antitrust cases to a specific media outlet.
    Since 2023, Bloomberg News has broken the news in at least twelve instances that DOJ or FTC was “preparing” or “poised” to take legal action before a lawsuit was filed. Indeed, the same journalist reported on eleven of these cases. This pattern strongly suggests that certain officials at DOJ and FTC are intentionally publicizing legal action days or weeks before filing.
    These leaks result in negative headlines about the administration’s targets while the targeted companies have no way to respond, as they haven’t yet seen the potential lawsuits. Both DOJ and FTC have ethics rules that prohibit leaking civil cases before the cases are filed.
    Bloomberg News reporting DOJ and FTC antitrust actions before the filing of a lawsuit

    January 23, 2023: DOJ Poised to Sue Google Over Digital Ad Market Dominance
    February 23, 2023: DOJ Preps Antitrust Suit to Block Adobe’s $20 Billion Figma Deal
    May 15, 2023: Amgen’s $28 Billion Horizon Deal Faces Unexpected FTC Hurdle
    June 29, 2023: Lina Khan Is Coming for Amazon, Armed With an FTC Antitrust Suit
    October 16, 2023: Real Estate Brokers Pocketing Up to 6% in Fees Draw Antitrust Scrutiny
    February 20, 2024: FTC, States to Sue Over Kroger-Albertsons Deal Next Week
    March 20, 2024: Justice Department to Sue Apple for Antitrust Violations
    April 10, 2024: Nippon Steel Bid to Buy US Steel Gets Extended Antitrust Review
    April 17, 2024: Tapestry’s $8.5 Billion Capri Deal Faces Planned FTC Lawsuit
    May 22, 2024: US Justice Department to Seek Breakup of Live Nation-Ticketmaster
    July 10, 2024: FTC Preparing Suit Against Drug Middlemen Over Insulin Rebates
    September 23, 2024: Visa Faces Justice Department Antitrust Case on Debit Cards

    These leaks aren’t just unethical, but they harm these companies’ employees, shareholders, and others. If the companies have engaged in wrongdoing, by all means the government should try them in a court of law. But the Biden-Harris administration shouldn’t try them in the liberal media. These leaks appear to be simply one more instance of this administration weaponizing the administrative state against politically disfavored opponents and critics, much like DOJ investigating parents at school-board meetings or the FTC targeting Elon Musk and Twitter for insufficient censorship of conservatives.
    We urge you to investigate promptly these systematic, unethical, and potentially illegal leaks.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Investing in Flood Prevention Infrastructure Works. Here’s What We Are Doing.

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) penned an op-ed in The Advocate highlighting a new report showing flood mitigation investments reduce storm damage and the billions of dollars he’s secured for Louisiana from his Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to do so. 
    “The best way to recover from a storm is never to flood at all. A recent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report confirmed this, finding that for every dollar spent on federal flood mitigation projects, communities see a return of $2 to $3 in reduced damages. This reality resonates deeply for many families in Louisiana and across the country,” wrote Dr. Cassidy. 
    “In my time in Congress, I have been a vocal advocate for federal investment in flood mitigation, working to secure billions of dollars for projects that protect communities and reduce the economic burden of disasters. The funding secured through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a game-changer,” continued Dr. Cassidy.
    This op-ed comes on the heels of a critical report Cassidy released this morning detailing the current state of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the issues that led to skyrocketing premiums for millions of homeowners.
    “As the new CBO report shows, investment in flood mitigation pays off — again and again. The IIJA provided billions of dollars to reduce the risk of flooding, and much of this money is heading to Louisiana. It’s a good start, but NFIP reform must come next,” concluded Dr. Cassidy. 
    Read the full op-ed here or below. 
    Investing in Flood Prevention Infrastructure Works. Here’s What We Are Doing.
    By: Senator Bill Cassidy
    October 24, 2024
    As hurricanes Milton, Helene, and Francine floods homes and communities across the East Coast, Americans are focused on two questions: How do we help those affected to recover and how do we prevent this from happening again?
    The best way to recover from a storm is never to flood at all. A recent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report confirmed this, finding that for every dollar spent on federal flood mitigation projects, communities see a return of $2 to $3 in reduced damages. This reality resonates deeply for many families in Louisiana and across the country.
    In my time in Congress, I have been a vocal advocate for federal investment in flood mitigation, working to secure billions of dollars for projects that protect communities and reduce the economic burden of disasters. The funding secured through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) is a game-changer. The findings of this CBO report show us this is the right strategy.
    The IIJA allocated over $5.5 billion for disaster mitigation, coastal restoration, and flood risk reduction efforts. In Louisiana alone, it has already delivered hundreds of millions in coastal resiliency grants alone.
    Last month, I announced Louisiana will receive a fresh $206 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Flood Mitigation Assistance program. This funding will go toward projects across Louisiana, from Gretna’s green infrastructure network — set to receive $51.8 million — to elevation projects in St. John the Baptist Parish and Livingston Parish totaling $27.1 and $11.8 million, respectively.
    In 2023, Louisiana secured over $207 million from FEMA in Building Resilient Infrastructures and Communities grants. These funds have gone toward a variety of projects, from $19 million for hardening and hurricane-proofing Jefferson Parish’s power grid to $4.5 million for residential mitigation programs in Lafayette Parish. The result: stronger resilience for Louisianans as we confront future storms.
    Three years in, we have made historic investments in flood infrastructure, providing resources to communities across Louisiana and the country to build stronger, more resilient systems. These efforts not only safeguard communities to prevent catastrophic flooding, they reduce the need for costly recovery efforts and alleviate the pressure on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which has struggled to stay solvent.
    I have repeatedly highlighted the urgent need to reauthorize — and more importantly, reform — the NFIP in a series of speeches on the Senate floor. Skyrocketing flood insurance premiums due to Risk Rating 2.0 are leaving families in Louisiana and other flood-prone areas behind. Flood insurance costs impose an unsustainable financial strain placed on both homeowners and the program itself.
    At my request, the U.S. Senate Banking Committee held a hearing on NFIP reform in January, featuring testimony from locals speaking to the program’s challenges. The principles can be stated simply: Make the program affordable to the homeowner, accountable to the taxpayer and sustainable for the future.
    This isn’t just a Louisiana issue, as the devastation of Hurricane Helene has demonstrated. Flooding is a national problem. Forty-four states have had over $50 million in total NFIP claims since 1978. Thirteen states have had more than $1 billion in NFIP claims during that same timeframe. So, I’m confident we can build the big coalition needed to enact this vital legislation.
    As the new CBO report shows, investment in flood mitigation pays off — again and again. The IIJA provided billions of dollars to reduce the risk of flooding, and much of this money is heading to Louisiana. It’s a good start, but NFIP reform must come next.
    Background
    In January, the U.S. Senate Banking Committee held a hearing on NFIP at the request of Cassidy. The hearing highlighted the urgent need for Congress to act and featured a Louisiana witness. Cassidy also participated in a roundtable hosted by GNO, Inc. and the Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance before introducing the bill to hear from community leaders and advocates on the issue.
    Cassidy traveled St. Bernard Parish last year to talk with residents about their flood insurance premiums, resulting in the second episode of his series Bill on the Hill.
    Over the last several months, Cassidy has delivered a series of speeches on the Senate floor calling for action on NFIP. Most recently, he demanded that Congress reauthorize and reform the program just before its authorization expired at the end of the fiscal year on September 30th.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Remarks by Vice President Harris in Press Gaggle | Philadelphia,  PA

    Source: The White House

    Warwick Hotel Rittenhouse Square Philadelphia
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    1:27 P.M. EDT

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Oh, hi, guys. 

         Q    Hello.

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Okay.  Good morning — or af- —

         Q    Good afternoon.

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — afternoon.  Good afternoon.  Good afternoon.

    Well, let me start by saying I’m really very proud to announce that we’ve had some endorsements this morning, as we’ve been rolling out endorsements, by two leaders in the Republican Party: the mayor of Waukesha and then, of course, former Representative Fred Upton.

    And this continues to be, I think, evidence of the fact that people who have been leaders in our country, regardless of their political party, understand what’s at stake.  And they are weighing in — courageously, in many cases — in support of what we need to have, which is a president of the United States who understands the obligation to uphold the Constitution of the United States and our democracy.

    As for last night, yet again, Trump not showing up, refused to be a part of a CNN debate.  And clearly, his staff has been saying he’s exhausted.  And the sad part about that is he’s trying to be president of the United States, probably the toughest job in the world, and he’s exhausted.

    I said last night what I mean, which is the American people are being presented with a very serious decision, and it includes what we must understand will happen, starting on January 20th, in this choice. 

    Either you have the choice of a Donald Trump, who will sit in the Oval Office stewing, plotting revenge, retribution, writing out his enemies list, or what I will be doing, which is responding to folks like the folks last night with a to-do list, understanding the need to work on lifting up the American people, whether it be through the issue of grocery prices and bringing them down or investing in our economy, investing in our small businesses, investing in our families.

    Happy to take any questions.

         Q    Madam Vice President, you will be back in Philadelphia with members of your team on Monday, former President Barack Obama, as well as Bruce Springsteen.

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yes.

         Q    Do you — can you tell us where you — that may be? 

    And secondly, any other, as we would say, heavy hitters in your campaign planning to come to Philadelphia in the lead-up to Election Day?

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Well, I’m very honored to have the support of former President Obama.  As you know, he’s been on the campaign trail and has been really wonderful and extraordinary in terms of the time and effort that he’s putting into our campaign.  And people like Bruce Springsteen, to have their support — and, of course, he is an American icon — I think it just shows the breadth and depth of the support that we have and also the enthusiasm that a lot of people are bringing to the campaign and feel about our campaign.

    Q    Any other big names we can share?

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  I have nothing to report at this moment.  (Laughs.)

    Q    (Inaudible.)

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Stay tuned, however.

    Q    Vice President, what do you make of the gender gap in this election?  Why do you think you have stronger support among women than the former president?

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Well, I have to be honest with you, it’s not what I see in terms of my rallies, in terms of the interactions I’m having with people in communities and — and on the ground.  What I am seeing is e- — in equal measure, men and women talking about their concerns about the future of our democracy; talking about the fact that they want a president who leads with optimism and takes on the challenges that we face, whether it be grocery prices or investing in small businesses or homeownership. 

    So, I’m not actually seeing that kind of disparity, and I intend to be a president for all Americans.  And that includes paying attention, yes, to a fundamental freedom that has been taken away because of Donald Trump — the freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body — and, in equal measure, to prioritize the economic needs of individuals and families in America and what we also must do in terms of upholding our strength and standing on the global stage.

    Q    Madam Vice President —

    Q    Madam Vice President —

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:   You all sort that out, okay?  (Laughter.)

    Q    How are you going to vote on Prop 36 in California? You are a California voter.  Do California and other states need to punish drug and theft crimes more harshly?

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So, I have not yet voted, and I have not yet had the chance to read through the ballot.  I will keep you posted on that.

    AIDE:  We have time for one more question.

    Q    Madam Vice President, this topic was brought up last night, but will construction of a southern border wall continue in your administration?

    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  I will tell you that my highest priority is to put the resources into ensuring that our border is secure, which is why I’ve been very clear: I’m going to bring back up, as president, that bipartisan border security bill and make sure that it is brought to my desk so I can sign it into law. 

    The biggest issue that we have right now is that Donald Trump has stood in the way of what would have been a proven part of the solution to the bigger problem, which is that we have a broken immigration system in America, and we need to fix it.  And we have the tools at hand, but we have on the other side of this election, Donald Trump, who would prefer to run on a problem instead of fixing a problem. 

    I intend to fix the problem in a way that is just about practical solutions that are within our arms reach if we have the commitment to do it. 

    Okay?  Thank you.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Manitoba Government Continues to Combat Retail Theft Over Holiday Season

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    October 24, 2024

    Manitoba Government Continues to Combat Retail Theft Over Holiday Season

    The Manitoba government is continuing to support the efforts of the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) in combating retail theft throughout the holiday season, Justice Minister Matt Wiebe announced today.

    “We’re grateful to the Winnipeg Police Service and their members who have made such a positive impact throughout the summer and fall for businesses and community members,” said Wiebe. “Over the summer, people in the Exchange District, Osborne Village, the West End and other parts of the city have said they feel safer. We look forward to maintaining that momentum throughout the holiday season.”

    In addition to building on the success of the retail theft and violent crime overtime initiative, 12 new provincially funded Winnipeg police officers begin patrols next month to provide a visible presence and engage with the community in specified areas. The minister noted the use of overtime for focused enforcement and crime prevention will continue.

    “Over the last number of months, WPS members have renewed their connection with the community through engagements and interactions that help foster trust and confidence,” said acting chief Arthur Stannard, Winnipeg Police Service. “The Winnipeg Police Service appreciates the support of the Manitoba government and the funding that has helped make this possible. I would also extend further thanks to the citizens, business owners, and our police officers for their efforts and commitments to enhance the safety of our communities.”

    The enhanced police response to retail crime and violence is another important component of efforts to ensure safety in core areas of Winnipeg, the minister noted. Related initiatives include nearly $1.5 million from the Manitoba government, mayor’s office and the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ for the Downtown Community Safety Partnership and development of a voluntary safe sobering centre at N’Dinawemak – Our Relatives’ Place at 190 Disraeli Fwy.

    “The impact of the retail theft initiative has been phenomenal, as provincial funding has allowed Winnipeg Police Service to more effectively respond to the safety and security issues retail stores have been facing for too long,” said John Graham, director of government relations (prairie region), Retail Council of Canada. “We are grateful that this support will continue and help support retailers as they head into the very busy and important holiday shopping season.”

    Over the summer and fall, the Manitoba government has provided $1.9 million to support an increased police presence in areas identified by the WPS.

    – 30 –

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Agriculture Recovery Resource Day to Take Place in Grayson County, Va., on Oct. 29

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Agriculture Recovery Resource Day to Take Place in Grayson County, Va., on Oct. 29

    Agriculture Recovery Resource Day to Take Place in Grayson County, Va., on Oct. 29

    BRISTOL, Va.— Helene caused over $159 million in agricultural damage and farm losses in southwest Virginia, according to a recent assessment by the Virginia Cooperative Extension. Commonwealth, federal and local agencies will be coming together in day-long events dedicated to agricultural recovery to share information and resources with impacted producers. The commonwealth of Virginia, USDA and FEMA are jointly organizing an Agricultural Recovery Resource Day on Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Grayson County. The event will take place at the Mountain View Baptist Church at 112 Mountain View Road in Independence, Va. At least two additional, day-long events are also being planned for the week of Nov. 3 in Wythe and Washington counties. Southwest Virginia farmers and agricultural producers whose operations were affected by Helene can attend any event and can arrive any time from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. For the latest information, please visit the event website: fema.gov/event/hurricane-helene-virginia-agricultural-recovery-resource-day“Multiple organizations, including federal, commonwealth, and local agencies have come together to help agricultural community recover from Tropical Storm Helene. The first Agriculture Recovery Resource Day will be an opportunity for farmers, private forest owners, and agribusiness owners to receive information and speak directly to representatives from over 15 agencies,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Timothy Pheil. “We understand the critical role agribusinesses play in Virginia’s economy, and through the Agriculture Recovery Resource Days, we’re working to provide farmers with direct access to the tools and resources they need to bounce back stronger than ever.”“Recovery is a long process. The commonwealth is working to coordinate resources for the agricultural community that was impacted by Tropical Storm Helene,”, said VDEM State Coordinating Officer Shawn Talmadge. “We welcome any farmers to the first Agriculture Recovery Resource Day in Grayson County”.The following agencies will be present on Agriculture Recovery Resource Day to answer questions about grants, loans and other resources available for the agricultural community: Federal agencies: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) USDA Farm Service Agency (USDA FSA) USDA National Resources Conservation Agency (USDA NRCS) USDA Rural Development (USDA RD) Commonwealth agencies:Virginia Department of Emergency Management Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer ServicesVirginia Department of ForestryVirginia Department of Conservation and RecreationVirginia Department of Environmental QualityVirginia Cooperative ExtensionVirginia Department of HealthVirginia Tobacco Region Revitalization CommissionVirginia Small Business Financing AuthorityLocal agencies and organizations: Soil and Water Conservation DistrictsAgriSafeVirginia Farm Bureau Virginia Cattlemen’s Association Farm Credit of the Virginias First Bank & TrustMount Rogers Health DistrictGrayson CountyFarming is an economic driver in southwest Virginia and recovery for agribusiness is essential for long-term, sustainable recovery after Helene. The federal government and commonwealth are here to support recovery for the whole community. For additional disaster recovery resources, visit vaemergency.gov,  the Virginia Department of Emergency Management Facebook page , fema.gov/disaster/4831 and facebook.com/FEMA.  ###FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Follow us on X at x.com/FEMAregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3.To apply for FEMA assistance, please call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362, visit https://www.disasterassistance.gov/, or download and apply on the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages). Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status.
    erika.osullivan
    Thu, 10/24/2024 – 20:31

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Katie Hobbs and Local Leaders Applaud ADWR Steps Toward Protecting Arizona’s Water

    Source: US State of Arizona

    Phoenix, AZ —Today, Governor Katie Hobbs, local vineyard owner Mark Jorve, farmer Ed Curry, and resident Steve Kisiel issued statements in support of the Arizona Department of Water Resources announcing the Notice of Initiation of Designation Procedures for a potential Willcox Groundwater Basin AMA.

    “When I traveled to Willcox, I heard stories from farmers, local well owners, and a bipartisan group of elected officials who are concerned about their community’s future because of groundwater depletion,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “I saw dried up wells, fissures in the earth, and farms struggling to survive because of unchecked pumping of the precious water that Arizonans rely on. As the Department of Water Resources begins this important process, I look forward to hearing more from Arizonans concerned about securing our water future. 

    “For too long, politicians have stuck their heads in the sand and refused to take action to fix the problems Arizonans face. I won’t. I know protecting our water isn’t a Democratic or a Republican issue, it’s an Arizona issue. I will continue to put politics aside and work across the aisle to deliver the solutions Arizonans are desperate for.”

    “We support and welcome this step taken towards protecting our water supplies. As a small business vineyard in the Willcox groundwater basin we’ve experienced firsthand the alarming declines in our local water levels due to decades of unchecked, unlimited groundwater pumping,” said Mark Jorve, owner of Zarpara Vineyard. “An AMA designation would finally put us on a path to stabilizing this precious and shared resource to safeguard local growers and business owners.”

    “When a situation becomes a crisis, it demands action,” said fourth-generation Arizona farmer, Ed Curry. “This announcement of a potential AMA is a new beginning for the Willcox Basin, and we must continue to work together to move forward to protect our groundwater supplies. I am thankful for the courage of Governor Hobbs and her administration to tackle these issues head on.”

    “Today’s announcement by ADWR to initiate the AMA designation process gives me hope that we will finally have a secure water future here in the Willcox Basin,” said Willcox basin homeowner Steve Kisiel. “For too many years legislative and executive inaction to protect rural groundwater in Arizona has led to severe consequences for myself and my neighbors. While today’s announcement is just the first step on our journey toward a better water future, we can finally see a solution on the horizon. Thank you to ADWR and Governor Hobbs for your historic work to preserve our groundwater supplies.”

    The action comes after Governor Hobbs visited the Willcox basin to examine the effects of unlimited groundwater pumping, including dried wells and earth fissures, and met with local officials and everyday Arizonans to hear more about their experiences with groundwater depletion. Groundwater conditions in the Willcox Basin have declined at alarming rates, making it one of the most endangered groundwater basins in the state. 

    The Notice of Initiation of Designation Procedures is the first step in ADWR considering designating an Active Management Area in the Willcox Groundwater Basin. As a part of that process, ADWR is accepting comments and will hold a public hearing at 1:00 p.m. on November 22, 2024, at the Willcox Community Center. 

    More information on groundwater conditions in the Willcox Basin can be found HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Cooper Issues Executive Order to Ease DMV Requirements and Fee Collections for Western North Carolinians in Aftermath of Hurricane Helene

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Cooper Issues Executive Order to Ease DMV Requirements and Fee Collections for Western North Carolinians in Aftermath of Hurricane Helene

    Governor Cooper Issues Executive Order to Ease DMV Requirements and Fee Collections for Western North Carolinians in Aftermath of Hurricane Helene
    mseets

    Yesterday, Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order focused on easing requirements and fee collections for North Carolinians related to the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in counties impacted by Hurricane Helene. As a result of this Order, the DMV will suspend the collection of various application and late fees, suspend certain requirements for both residents and businesses, and extend certain licenses for mechanics and businesses.

    “Western North Carolina was deeply impacted by Hurricane Helene and many people have lost vehicles, licenses and other important documents,” said Governor Cooper. “This Executive Order will support the DMV’s critical work and help affected North Carolinians as they recover from this storm.”

    Following the devastation of Helene, several DMV facilities remain closed and many vehicles were destroyed by the storm. Additionally, many residents of impacted counties cannot access an open facility to obtain services thereby delaying their ability to obtain the registration and other documents required for their vehicles. Replacing lost documents would also require paying various fees. This action allows DMV to support disaster recovery by expediting the issuance of vital motorist records, identification, and documentation while also providing relief for residents of impacted counties to restore some of their property. 

    Yesterday, Governor Cooper announced his budget recommendation to help Western North Carolina rebuild stronger. Governor Cooper recommends an initial $3.9 billion package to begin rebuilding critical infrastructure, homes, businesses, schools, and farms damaged during the storm. Initial damage estimates are $53 billion, roughly three times Hurricane Florence estimates in 2018 and the largest in state history.

    The North Carolina Council of State unanimously concurred with this Executive Order.

    You can see the Concurrence Record here.

    Read the Executive Order here.

    ###

    Oct 24, 2024

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: First Lady Cathy Justice invites students to create Santa ornaments for the 2024 First Lady Student Ornament Competition

    Source: US State of West Virginia

    First Lady Student Ornament Competition

    CHARLESTON, WV — 

    First Lady Cathy Justice is inviting all West Virginia students to participate in the twentieth annual First Lady Student Ornament Competition.

    All kindergarten through 12th grade students who are public, private, or home-schooled are encouraged to create a “Santa” themed ornament for the tree, which will be on display at the Culture Center in Charleston during this year’s holiday season.

    Ornaments will be classified in four divisions according to grade: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Each ornament will be individually judged and four winning classes will be selected, one from each division. In January 2025, the winning ornaments will be donated to the West Virginia State Museum for a permanent collection.

    The ornaments and the Christmas tree will be unveiled in conjunction with Joyful Night, the annual holiday celebration at the State Capitol held in early December. The four winning classes will receive a gift card to help purchase supplies for their class.

    Ornaments must be received by November 22, 2024, to be eligible for judging.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: China-Based Chemical Manufacturing Companies and Employees Indicted for Alleged Fentanyl Manufacturing and Distribution

    Source: US State of California

    Today, the Justice Department announced the unsealing of indictments against eight China-based chemical companies and eight employees charging federal crimes, including attempted distribution of synthetic opioids and precursor chemicals used in the production of fentanyl, and money laundering. The indictments were filed under seal in the Middle District of Florida over the past year.

    “Today, the Justice Department announced charges against eight China-based companies and eight individuals we allege are responsible for trafficking precursor chemicals that cartels use to manufacture lethal fentanyl,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The global fentanyl supply chain, which ends with the deaths of Americans, often starts with chemical companies based in China. In order to break this critical link in the fentanyl supply chain, the Justice Department has aggressively investigated and prosecuted these companies. We will continue to target every organization and individual that fuels the deadly drug trade.”

    As described in the unsealed indictments, the defendants openly advertised their ability to thwart border officials and deliver the synthetic opioids or the chemicals used to make fentanyl to the Middle District of Florida and elsewhere in the United States. The defendants deliberately engaged in evasive activities, such as mislabeling the contents of shipments to ensure the illicit chemicals and controlled substances went undetected. As a result, these companies were able to sell a stable supply of precursor chemicals to clients in Mexico and the United States for years. One of the companies even represented that every month it sends “more than 20 kilograms to the United States, Africa, Canada, and other countries.” 

    “Today’s indictments against eight China-based chemical companies and eight Chinese nationals are further evidence of DEA’s unwavering commitment to disrupt every aspect of the global fentanyl supply chain,” said Administrator Anne Milgram of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “For the third time in over a year, DEA investigations have resulted in charges against chemical companies and individuals in China who we allege are supplying chemicals to the cartels to make deadly fentanyl. While they may go to great lengths to try to evade our detection, DEA will use every tool and authority we have to save American lives.”

    The indictments target the evolving tactics of drug traffickers, who often adapt to tightening restrictions on the production and sale of fentanyl. For example, when China banned the production of fentanyl in 2019, China-based companies began producing and selling fentanyl precursors, the ingredients needed to manufacture the drug. These China-based companies distribute fentanyl precursors throughout the world, including to the United States and to Mexico, where drug cartels such as the Sinaloa Cartel and Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación combine the chemicals into fentanyl and other synthetic opioids that they then distribute throughout the United States and the rest of the world.

    “These indictments are part of our continuing commitment to the protection of our country from the deadly scourge of fentanyl,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “Along with our partners at the Drug Enforcement Administration, we will be relentless in our pursuit of China-based chemical companies and their employees who are knowingly manufacturing and exporting fentanyl precursors that cause thousands of deaths every year in the United States.”

    The Justice Department acknowledges the efforts of the People’s Republic of China, Ministry of Public Security. The following indicted companies are now out of operation: Jiangsu Jiyi Chemical, Tianjin Furuntongda Tech Co. Ltd, Wuhan Jinshang Import & Export Trading Co. Ltd., Hubei Shanglin Trading Co., and Wuhan Mingyue Information Technology.

    In addition, the People’s Republic of China has recently scheduled three key chemicals, which in turn provides additional tools for the People’s Republic of China to regulate the chemicals’ production and distribution. DEA Administrator Milgram said, “I would also like to recognize the work done by the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Public Security in taking action to schedule protonitazene, piperidone, and 1-BOC-4-AP, which were not scheduled at the time of these investigations, but have now been scheduled.”

    The DEA investigated the cases.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Chee, David Pardo, Lauren Stoia, and Adam McCall and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Haynes for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the cases.

    These cases are part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    Case Summaries

    In January, Guangzhou Tengyue Chemical Co. Ltd., based in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, was charged with attempted importation of protonitazene, along with Chinese national Xiaojun Huang, who allegedly maintained a Bitcoin wallet for the remittance of payments for illicit synthetic opioids on the company’s behalf.

    In January, Hubei Shanglin Trading Co., based in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, was charged with attempted international money laundering, along with Chinese national Zhihan Wang, who was the alleged registered owner of a Bitcoin wallet associated with the company utilized to complete the sale of fentanyl precursors.

    In November 2023, Jiangsu Jiyi Chemical, based in Beijing, Hebei Province, China, was charged with attempted importation of protonitazene, along with Ji Zhaohui, a Chinese national, who was the alleged holder of the Bitcoin wallet associated with the company.

    In January, Tianjin Furuntongda Tech Co. Ltd, based in Tianjin, Hebei Province, China, was charged with attempted importation of fentanyl precursors, along with Wenxing Gao, a Chinese national, who was the alleged registered agent of Tianjin Furuntongda and the owner of a cryptocurrency wallet associated with the company.

    In November 2023, Wuhan Jinshang Import & Export Trading Co. Ltd., based in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, was charged with attempted importation of protonitazene, attempted importation of a fentanyl precursor, and attempted international money laundering, along with Wenying Nie, a Chinese national, who was the alleged holder of a Bitcoin wallet associated with the company.

    In January, Wuhan Mingyue Information Technology, based in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, was charged with attempted importation of fentanyl precursors and attempted international money laundering, along with Chinese national Huanhuan Song, who was the alleged recipient of funds via Western Union on the company’s behalf and the alleged holder of a cryptocurrency wallet associated with the company.

    In June, Henan Oumeng Trade Co. Ltd., based in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China, was charged with attempted importation of protonitazene and attempted international money laundering, along with Yinxia Zhao, a Chinese national, who was the alleged holder of the Bitcoin wallet associated with the company.

    In June, Shanghai Senria New Materials Co. Ltd., doing business as Shanghai Senria Biotechnology Co. Ltd., based in the Fengxian District of Shanghai, China, was charged with attempted importation of protonitazene and attempted international money laundering, along with Zhenbo Han, a Chinese national, who was the alleged holder of the Bitcoin wallet associated with the company.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Defense Contractor Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Fraud, Money Laundering, and Unlawful Export of Technical Data

    Source: US State of California

    Yuksel Senbol, 36, of Orlando, Florida, was sentenced today to 15 months in prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, money laundering, conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, violating the Export Control Reform Act, and violating the Arms Export Control Act. As part of her sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $275,430.90, the proceeds of Senbol’s fraud and money laundering scheme. Senbol entered pleaded guilty on May 7.

    According to facts taken from public filings, beginning in approximately April 2019, Senbol operated a front company in the Middle District of Florida called Mason Engineering Parts LLC. She used this front company to assist her co-conspirators, Mehmet Ozcan and Onur Simsek, to fraudulently procure contracts to supply critical military components to the Department of Defense. These components were intended for use in the Navy Nimitz and Ford Class Aircraft Carriers, Navy Submarines, Marine Corps Armored Vehicles, and Army M-60 Series Tank and Abrahams Battle Tanks, among other weapons systems.

    To fraudulently procure the government contracts, Senbol and her co-conspirators falsely represented to the U.S. government and U.S. military contractors that Mason Engineering Parts LLC was a vetted and qualified manufacturer of military components, when in fact, the parts were being manufactured by Ozcan and Simsek in Turkey. As Senbol knew, Simsek’s involvement had to be concealed from the U.S. government because he had been debarred from contracting with the U.S. government after being convicted of a virtually identical scheme in the Southern District of Florida.

    In order to enable Ozcan and Simsek to manufacture the components in Turkey, Senbol assisted them in obtaining sensitive, export-controlled drawings of critical U.S. military technology. Using software that allowed Ozcan to remotely control her computer — and thus evade security restrictions that limited access to these sensitive military drawings to computers within the United States — Senbol knowingly facilitated the illegal export of these drawings. She did so despite having executed numerous agreements promising to safeguard the drawings from unlawful access or export, and in spite of the clear warnings on the face of each drawing that it could not be exported without obtaining a license.

    Once Ozcan and Simsek manufactured the components in Turkey, they shipped them to Senbol, who repackaged them — making sure to remove any reference to their Turkish origin. The conspirators then lied about the origin of the parts to the U.S. government and a U.S. government contractor to receive payment for the parts. Senbol then laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars in criminal proceeds back to Turkey through international wire transfers.

    This scheme continued until uncovered and disrupted by federal investigators. Parts supplied by Senbol were tested by the U.S. military and were determined not to conform with product specifications. Many of the components supplied to the U.S. military by Senbol were “critical application items,” meaning that failure of these components would have potentially rendered the end system inoperable.

    Alleged co-conspirators Mehmet Ozcan and Onur Simsek are fugitives.

    The General Services Administration, Office of Inspector General; Defense Criminal Investigative Service; Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security; Air Force Office of Special Investigations; FBI; Homeland Security Investigations; and Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls are investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel J. Marcet and Lindsey Schmidt for the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorney Stephen Marzen of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Section are prosecuting the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Reaches Settlement for Over $100M in Civil Lawsuit Against Owner and Operator of the Vessel That Destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge

    Source: US State of California

    Settlement Will Cover Federal Costs Incurred to Restore Access to the Port of Baltimore

    The Justice Department announced today that Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited, the Singaporean corporations that owned and operated the Motor Vessel DALI, have agreed to pay $101,980,000 to resolve a civil claim brought by the United States for costs borne in responding to the catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.  

    The settlement resolves the United States’ claims for civil damages for $103,078,056 under the Rivers and Harbors Act, Oil Pollution Act, and general maritime law. The settlement monies will go to the U.S. Treasury and to the budgets of several federal agencies directly affected by the allision or involved in the response.

    “Nearly seven months after one of the worst transportation disasters in recent memory, which claimed six lives and caused untold damage, we have reached an important milestone with today’s settlement,” said Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “Thanks to the hard work of the Justice Department attorneys since day one of this disaster, we were able to secure this early settlement of our claim, just over one month into litigation. This resolution ensures that the costs of the federal government’s cleanup efforts in the Fort McHenry Channel are borne by Grace Ocean and Synergy and not the American taxpayer.”

    “This is a tremendous outcome that fully compensates the United States for the costs it incurred in responding to this disaster and holds the owner and operator of the DALI accountable,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The prompt resolution of this matter also avoids the expense associated with litigating this complex case for potentially years.”

    In the early morning hours of March 26, the Motor Vessel DALI left the Port of Baltimore bound for Sri Lanka. While navigating through the Fort McHenry Channel, the vessel lost power, regained power, and then lost power again before striking the bridge. The bridge collapsed and plunged into the water below, tragically killing six people. In addition to this heartbreaking loss of life, the wreck of the DALI and the remains of the bridge were left to obstruct the navigable channel, bringing all shipping into and out of the Port of Baltimore to a standstill. The loss of the bridge also severed a critical highway in the transportation infrastructure and blocked a key artery for local commuters.

    The United States led the response efforts of dozens of federal, state, and local agencies to remove about 50,000 tons of steel, concrete, and asphalt from the channel and from the DALI itself. While removal operations were underway, the United States set up temporary channels to start relieving the bottleneck at the port and mitigate some of the economic devastation caused by the DALI. The Fort McHenry Channel was cleared by June 10, and the Port of Baltimore was once again open for commercial navigation.

    On Sept. 18, the Justice Department filed a civil lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, seeking over $100 million in damages from Grace Ocean and Synergy. The Department’s claim was part of a legal action that the vessel companies filed shortly after the tragedy, in which they seek exoneration or limitation of their liability to approximately $43.7 million. Today’s settlement is in addition to $97,294 recently paid by Grace Ocean  to the Coast Guard National Pollution Fund Center for costs incurred to abate the threat of oil pollution arising from the incident.  

    The settlement does not include any damages for the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The State of Maryland built, owned, maintained, and operated the bridge, and attorneys on the state’s behalf filed their own claim for those damages. Pursuant to the governing regulation, funds recovered by the State of Maryland for reconstruction of the bridge will be used to reduce the project costs paid for in the first instance by federal tax dollars.

    The resolution of the civil matter was handled by attorneys from the Civil Division’s Aviation, Space & Admiralty Litigation Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, Baltimore Division.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Man Who Murdered Fellow Soldier on Military Base in Germany Sentenced to Prison

    Source: US State of California

    A former U.S. soldier was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for the murder of a pregnant, 19-year-old fellow soldier on a U.S. Army base in Germany over 22 years ago.

    On May 7, a jury in Pensacola, Florida, found Shannon L. Wilkerson, 44, guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Amanda Gonzales.

    According to court documents, Wilkerson beat and strangled Amanda Gonzales to death on Nov. 3, 2001, in her barracks room at Fliegerhorst Kaserne, then a U.S. Army base in Hanau, Germany. Evidence introduced at trial indicated that Wilkerson feared he was the father of Gonzales’ unborn child and that her pregnancy would interfere with his military career and his marriage to another soldier on the base. Wilkerson was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces at the time of the offense but was later discharged.

    “Shannon Wilkerson brutally murdered Amanda Gonzales, a fellow soldier who Wilkerson knew was pregnant at the time,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “While nothing we can do will reunite Amanda with her family, we hope today’s sentencing brings some measure of closure and comfort to Amanda’s loved ones. I am proud of the dedicated and hardworking members of the Criminal Division and our law enforcement partners, who are committed to pursuing justice for victims of violent crime, no matter how challenging that pursuit may be.”

    “The murder of Amanda Gonzales and her unborn child was a horrific act of violence,” said U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody for the Northern District of Florida. “This decades-long investigation and resulting prosecution demonstrate the unwavering resolve of our law enforcement partners and their commitment to obtain justice for the victims and their family. The defendant took the life of a 19-year-old woman serving her country far from home — knowing that he was killing her unborn child. The sentence acknowledges the brutal, selfish nature of his crime and imposes just punishment.”

    “Justice for victims is not just a promise, it’s a commitment, no matter how long it takes,” said Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “This sentencing comes just as Amanda Gonzales’ family will mark 23 years since she and her unborn child were brutally murdered by Shannon Wilkerson on Nov. 3, 2001. While no amount of prison time will bring the young Army solider back, we hope this will close another chapter in the Gonzales family’s grieving process.”

    The FBI New York and Jacksonville Field Offices investigated this case, with assistance from the Army Criminal Investigative Division, which originally investigated the case.

    Trial Attorney Patrick Jasperse of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Goldberg for the Northern District of Florida prosecuted the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: China-Based Chemical Manufacturing Companies and Employees Indicted for Alleged Fentanyl Manufacturing and Distribution

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    Today, the Justice Department announced the unsealing of indictments against eight China-based chemical companies and eight employees charging federal crimes, including attempted distribution of synthetic opioids and precursor chemicals used in the production of fentanyl, and money laundering. The indictments were filed under seal in the Middle District of Florida over the past year.

    “Today, the Justice Department announced charges against eight China-based companies and eight individuals we allege are responsible for trafficking precursor chemicals that cartels use to manufacture lethal fentanyl,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The global fentanyl supply chain, which ends with the deaths of Americans, often starts with chemical companies based in China. In order to break this critical link in the fentanyl supply chain, the Justice Department has aggressively investigated and prosecuted these companies. We will continue to target every organization and individual that fuels the deadly drug trade.”

    As described in the unsealed indictments, the defendants openly advertised their ability to thwart border officials and deliver the synthetic opioids or the chemicals used to make fentanyl to the Middle District of Florida and elsewhere in the United States. The defendants deliberately engaged in evasive activities, such as mislabeling the contents of shipments to ensure the illicit chemicals and controlled substances went undetected. As a result, these companies were able to sell a stable supply of precursor chemicals to clients in Mexico and the United States for years. One of the companies even represented that every month it sends “more than 20 kilograms to the United States, Africa, Canada, and other countries.” 

    “Today’s indictments against eight China-based chemical companies and eight Chinese nationals are further evidence of DEA’s unwavering commitment to disrupt every aspect of the global fentanyl supply chain,” said Administrator Anne Milgram of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “For the third time in over a year, DEA investigations have resulted in charges against chemical companies and individuals in China who we allege are supplying chemicals to the cartels to make deadly fentanyl. While they may go to great lengths to try to evade our detection, DEA will use every tool and authority we have to save American lives.”

    The indictments target the evolving tactics of drug traffickers, who often adapt to tightening restrictions on the production and sale of fentanyl. For example, when China banned the production of fentanyl in 2019, China-based companies began producing and selling fentanyl precursors, the ingredients needed to manufacture the drug. These China-based companies distribute fentanyl precursors throughout the world, including to the United States and to Mexico, where drug cartels such as the Sinaloa Cartel and Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación combine the chemicals into fentanyl and other synthetic opioids that they then distribute throughout the United States and the rest of the world.

    “These indictments are part of our continuing commitment to the protection of our country from the deadly scourge of fentanyl,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “Along with our partners at the Drug Enforcement Administration, we will be relentless in our pursuit of China-based chemical companies and their employees who are knowingly manufacturing and exporting fentanyl precursors that cause thousands of deaths every year in the United States.”

    The Justice Department acknowledges the efforts of the People’s Republic of China, Ministry of Public Security. The following indicted companies are now out of operation: Jiangsu Jiyi Chemical, Tianjin Furuntongda Tech Co. Ltd, Wuhan Jinshang Import & Export Trading Co. Ltd., Hubei Shanglin Trading Co., and Wuhan Mingyue Information Technology.

    In addition, the People’s Republic of China has recently scheduled three key chemicals, which in turn provides additional tools for the People’s Republic of China to regulate the chemicals’ production and distribution. DEA Administrator Milgram said, “I would also like to recognize the work done by the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Public Security in taking action to schedule protonitazene, piperidone, and 1-BOC-4-AP, which were not scheduled at the time of these investigations, but have now been scheduled.”

    The DEA investigated the cases.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Chee, David Pardo, Lauren Stoia, and Adam McCall and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Haynes for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the cases.

    These cases are part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    Case Summaries

    In January, Guangzhou Tengyue Chemical Co. Ltd., based in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, was charged with attempted importation of protonitazene, along with Chinese national Xiaojun Huang, who allegedly maintained a Bitcoin wallet for the remittance of payments for illicit synthetic opioids on the company’s behalf.

    In January, Hubei Shanglin Trading Co., based in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, was charged with attempted international money laundering, along with Chinese national Zhihan Wang, who was the alleged registered owner of a Bitcoin wallet associated with the company utilized to complete the sale of fentanyl precursors.

    In November 2023, Jiangsu Jiyi Chemical, based in Beijing, Hebei Province, China, was charged with attempted importation of protonitazene, along with Ji Zhaohui, a Chinese national, who was the alleged holder of the Bitcoin wallet associated with the company.

    In January, Tianjin Furuntongda Tech Co. Ltd, based in Tianjin, Hebei Province, China, was charged with attempted importation of fentanyl precursors, along with Wenxing Gao, a Chinese national, who was the alleged registered agent of Tianjin Furuntongda and the owner of a cryptocurrency wallet associated with the company.

    In November 2023, Wuhan Jinshang Import & Export Trading Co. Ltd., based in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, was charged with attempted importation of protonitazene, attempted importation of a fentanyl precursor, and attempted international money laundering, along with Wenying Nie, a Chinese national, who was the alleged holder of a Bitcoin wallet associated with the company.

    In January, Wuhan Mingyue Information Technology, based in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, was charged with attempted importation of fentanyl precursors and attempted international money laundering, along with Chinese national Huanhuan Song, who was the alleged recipient of funds via Western Union on the company’s behalf and the alleged holder of a cryptocurrency wallet associated with the company.

    In June, Henan Oumeng Trade Co. Ltd., based in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China, was charged with attempted importation of protonitazene and attempted international money laundering, along with Yinxia Zhao, a Chinese national, who was the alleged holder of the Bitcoin wallet associated with the company.

    In June, Shanghai Senria New Materials Co. Ltd., doing business as Shanghai Senria Biotechnology Co. Ltd., based in the Fengxian District of Shanghai, China, was charged with attempted importation of protonitazene and attempted international money laundering, along with Zhenbo Han, a Chinese national, who was the alleged holder of the Bitcoin wallet associated with the company.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Capito Announces $49.7 Million to Upgrade WV’s Drinking Water, Wastewater Infrastructure

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $49.7 million for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades in West Virginia. This funding was made available through this year’s Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

    “A central aspect of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is delivering the resources our states need to improve and expand their drinking water and wastewater systems, which was commissioned through diligent efforts at the Environment and Public Works Committee. Through that process, we made certain our states maintained the flexibility they need to address the issues most important to their residents, providing a significant boost to our communities and the services they rely on. I’m pleased to see these resources heading our way to further upgrade our local infrastructure and provide safe, clean water for West Virginians,” Ranking Member Capito said.

    BACKGROUND:

    From April 2021: EPW Committee Ranking Member Capito applauded passage of the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 (DWWIA 2021), legislation she introduced and co-wrote along with Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the EPW Committee.

    The Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 (DWWIA) makes significant investments in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) grant and loan programs, including the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, or SRFs, and the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) that are vital to support our nation’s water infrastructure. The legislation was enacted as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sorensen Returns Over $3.2 Million to Illinois Neighbors

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17)

    ROCK ISLAND, IL – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) is announcing that his office has returned more than $3.2 million to his neighbors through federal casework services since he was sworn into Congress. 

    “My number one job as the representative for Central and Northwestern Illinois in Congress is to make sure the federal government is working on behalf of my neighbors,” said Sorensen. “I know how stressful it can be when you need help from the government and all you get is the runaround. That is where I can step in to get you the help you need. I am proud of the work we have done to put more than $3.2 million of my neighbor’s hard-earned cash back in their pockets. If you need any help dealing with a federal agency, know that I have your back.” 

    The more than $3,263,230 secured for his neighbors across Central and Northwestern Illinois comes as a result of Sorensen and his staff’s work to help constituents get the refunds and benefits they are owed from federal agencies, which include overdue tax returns and delayed Social Security, veterans, and worker’s compensation benefits.  

    Residents of Illinois’ 17th Congressional District who need help with a federal agency are encouraged to contact Sorensen’s office at (309) 786-3406 or fill out a casework request form on Sorensen’s official website. All submissions are reviewed by a member of Sorensen’s staff. 

    The following stories are from constituents that Sorensen’s office has helped: 

    Daniel from Peoria Heights reached out to get help with VA benefits: “I was having trouble having my VA benefits reinstated after they were mistakenly revoked after contacting Representative Sorensen’s office Hillary handle my case and my benefits were reinstated, and I had a check within 30 days.” 

    Holly from Morrison needed help getting issues resolved between her and the IRS: “I reached out in hopes to get help with repeated problems I have been having with the IRS. They were able to reach out on my behalf and figure the issue out. Within a very short timeframe my issues were all resolved.” 

    Deb from Freeport needed to get her families passports renewed quickly and called Sorensen’s office for help: “Staff helped us with the issue we were having trying to renew our passports. If she would not have kept pushing for a resolution, we would not have received them, as the only response we could get was the passport processing center lost them. We are so thankful for their continued excellent fast assistance to our needs.” 

    Katie from Monmouth lost her job and needed help getting her past wages: “Ever since I lost my job at WCCS Head Start, I have had help with gaining information on how to get my past wages that are due. Eric Sorensen’s office has helped me gain information about my situation and ways to improve the outcome.” 

    Bob from Peoria needed help getting Medicare Part B coverage: “I was having difficulty trying to get my Medicare Part B to begin on September 1st, 2023, with our local office of the Social Security Administration. After many failed attempts to get a certain individual to return my calls, as well as several conversations with the Chicago and Maryland offices with no results, I contacted your office. I spoke with staff in your office about my difficulties with this matter on August 31st, 2023, and within three days, our local office received a letter or document from your office, and they got me signed up for Part B on September 15th, 2023, to be effective on September 1st, 2023. Staff were caring and showed extraordinary expedience in helping me get this issue resolved.” 

    Melissa from Rock Island reached out to get help with a refugee family: “Staff assisted me in the process of rescheduling USCIS appointments for a refugee family in Moline. Her assistance has allowed a constituent and her family the opportunity to continue the immigration process more easily. Staff has been friendly, supportive, and knowledgeable every step of the process. We are so grateful for her help.” 

    Congressman Eric Sorensen serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Prior to serving in Congress, Sorensen was a local meteorologist in Rockford and the Quad Cities for nearly 20 years. His district includes Illinois’ Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Capito, Colleagues Announce Intent to Introduce Stand with Israel Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and more than half of the Senate Republican Conference announced their intent to introduce the Stand with Israel Act when the Senate and House reconvene in November.

    The legislation, which is led by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-Idaho), would cut off U.S. funding to United Nations (UN) agencies that expel, downgrade, suspend, or otherwise restrict the participation of the State of Israel. This is companion legislation to bipartisan House bill HR 9394 led by Congressman Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.).

    “The UN and its agencies have increasingly become a platform for anti-Israel forces to target the world’s only Jewish state. At the same time, countries like Iran and Russia have been free to maintain their status while launching ballistic missiles at their neighbors. If this ridiculous project to downgrade the membership of Israel—a free, democratic country and rightful member state—moves forward in the UN, the U.S. has no choice but to finally withdraw all support from a failed institution,” Senator Capito said.

    “Any attempt to alter Israel’s status at the UN is clearly anti-Semitic,” Ranking Member Risch said. “That said, if the UN member states allow the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization to downgrade Israel’s status at the UN, the U.S. must stop supporting the UN system, as it would clearly be beyond repair. I am disgusted that this outrageous idea has even been discussed, and will do all we can to ensure any changes to Israel’s status will come with consequences.”

    BACKGROUND:

    • Reports indicate that the Palestinian Authority (PA) will attempt to downgrade Israel’s status at the UN.
    • The PA is able to do this after the UN General Assembly passed a biased resolution, which enhanced the PA’s status at the United Nations on May 10, 2024.
    • The Stand with Israel Act would cut off U.S. funding to UN agencies that expel, downgrade, suspend, or otherwise restrict the participation of the State of Israel. The bill is modeled after the current prohibition of funding to any UN entities that elevate the status of the PA to a member state.
    • Senator Capito has supported other efforts to hold the UN accountable for targeting the State of Israel, including a joint statement in response to anti-Israel efforts at the recent UN General Assembly.
    • Senator Capito also joined a December 2023 letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres after the UN’s failure to condemn and investigate Hamas’s acts of sexual violence on Oct. 7.

    Text of the Stand with Israel Act can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Ministry statement on lives lost to poisoned drugs in August and September

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Media Contacts

    Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions

    Media Relations
    778 587-3237

    https://news.gov.bc.ca/31759

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sedalia’s iconic Bothwell Lodge gets a makeover

    Source: US State of Missouri

    JEFFERSON CITY, MO, OCT. 24, 2024 – Visitors travelling through Pettis County along Highway 65 may notice a change to an imposing structure that has become an architectural landmark in Sedalia – the historic Bothwell Lodge.

    Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site will soon undergo some major changes, according to Missouri State Parks Director David Kelly. The changes, although visually noticeable, will bring the lodge’s roof back to what it originally looked like almost 100 years ago.

    “The lodge’s current roof needs replacement due to its age. While the change will seem dramatic, it will be bringing it back to what it looked like when it was originally built,” Kelly said.

    The new roof of the historic Bothwell Lodge will feature a red and gray diamond checkerboard pattern, which will likely draw a lot of attention from the public, Kelly said, as the roof’s current color has faded to a dull gray.

    The project, awarded to Missouri Builders Services of Jefferson City, includes removing the current asbestos shingles and replacing them in accordance with Missouri Department of Natural Resources Air Pollution Control Program requirements. The replacement shingles are a 50-year polymer-based shingle used to match the lodge’s historical look. In addition to the shingles, roof decking, fascia, copper flashing and ornamentation items that have exceeded their useful life also may need to be replaced or repaired.

    “Most people only remember the roof as it is now,” Kelly said. “We have done extensive research and used photos to match what will be the new color and pattern. While the change will be striking, it will actually look more like the original roof.”

    Work is scheduled to begin Nov. 4, and during the removal of the roofing, the part of the park north of the day-use area that includes the historic Bothwell Lodge, as well as the site office/visitor center, will be closed to the public. Lodge tours will not be offered and the site office/visitor center, along with the surrounding grounds, will remain closed to the public. Once the work is completed and the area is safe for visitors to return, that portion of the historic site will reopen to the public.

    Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site is located 19349 Bothwell State Park Road in Sedalia.

    For more information on Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites, visit the web at mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Speaking notes for the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship: Government of Canada reduces immigration

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Speech

    Check against delivery. This speech has been translated in accordance with the Government of Canada’s official languages policy and edited for posting and distribution in accordance with its communications policy.

    Speech was delivered on October 24, 2024 in Ottawa, Ontario.

    Bonjour tout le monde. Good morning. Thank you for being here today.

    I’ll begin by acknowledging that we are gathering on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg People.

    I’d like to acknowledge the Prime Minister, and my colleagues for being here today.

    Immigration is essential for our country’s economy and accounts for almost 100% of Canada’s labour force growth. In response to the global pandemic and labour shortages, we brought in temporary measures to attract some of the world’s best and brightest to study and work in Canada, which supported the urgent needs of businesses.

    The plan worked by helping our economy navigate a challenging period and recover more quickly.

    Since then, our economy and the world have changed. While we see signs of improvement, families and communities across the country continue to face challenges.

    The pressures on housing and social services require a more sustainable approach to welcoming newcomers. It is also clear that Canadians want the federal government to better manage the immigration system.

    For the first time, the Immigration Levels Plan includes targets for temporary residents, such as international students and temporary foreign workers, as well as for permanent residents. This more comprehensive approach to welcoming newcomers will help preserve the integrity of our immigration system, respond to the needs and challenges of communities, and set up newcomers for success by having adequate resources to support them.

    Temporary Resident Programs

    Over the last two years, 60% of all newcomers were temporary residents, including international students, temporary workers, and some arriving through humanitarian programs.

    This fast growth resulted in Canadians and newcomers facing challenges and integrity issues that we have already begun to address.

    Today’s plan fulfills the commitment I made earlier this year: to reduce volumes of temporary residents coming and staying in Canada.

    This brings temporary resident planning in line with permanent resident programs, providing greater predictability and transparency to our immigration system.

    For international students, we worked with partners to

    • implement a cap on international students
    • tighten controls on study permits, including the requirement for provincial attestation letters
    • limit access to work permits for graduates – including private-public partnerships that were driving up program admissions

    The changes have worked: in the first nine months of the year, we had fewer international students coming to Canada – down 43% compared to 2023. The result is that local communities face lower rental prices in parts of the country that saw large numbers of students in recent years, and international students are receiving better services and support. For example, in Vancouver, one- and two-bedroom apartment rental prices are down more than 10%, and Toronto over 8%.

    With my colleague, Minister Boissonnault, the government ended temporary pandemic measures regarding the Temporary Foreign Worker Program by bringing in restrictions and controls to limit access for companies employing low-wage workers.

    These changes will help our partners, including provinces, territories and municipalities, align their capacities and allow populations to grow at a more sustainable pace as we encourage institutions to do their part in better welcoming newcomers.

    Our plan reaffirms the government’s commitment to reduce non‑permanent resident volumes to 5% of Canada’s population by the end of 2026.

    With these reduction measures, Canada’s temporary population will decrease over the next few years as significantly more temporary residents will transition to permanent residents or leave Canada compared to new ones arriving. Specifically, compared to each previous year, we will see Canada’s temporary population decline by

    • 445,901 in 2025
    • 445,662 in 2026
    • a modest increase of 17,439 in 2027

    Our actions to-date and levels plan for 2025 will mean that the number of newcomers will decrease over the next few years because significantly more temporary residents will leave Canada compared to those new arrivals.

    Permanent Resident Programs

    It’s clear that our country still needs newcomers to help grow our economy, fill skills and labour gaps, and address challenges like building new homes and providing quality health care.

    With our aging population and people living longer, we need more workers to support important social programs like health care, public pensions and infrastructure.

    But we see the pressures facing our country and are adapting our policies so that Canadians and newcomers alike have access to the quality jobs, homes, and support they need to thrive.

    We have listened to Canadians. That is why we are adjusting the plan and reducing our permanent resident targets. The plan focuses on attracting skilled workers, helping reunite families, and resettling refugees.

    Canada will reduce its permanent immigration targets to align with our economic needs

    • from 500,000 down to 395,000 in 2025;
    • from 500,000 to 380,000 in 2026; and
    • setting a target of 365,000 in 2027.

    These lower permanent resident targets are expected to reduce the housing supply gap by about 670,000 units by the end of 2027.

    We will prioritize permanent resident spots for temporary residents like international students or temporary workers who are already in Canada, by facilitating their transition.

    This means over 40% of permanent residents will come from temporary residents that are already in Canada. These skilled, educated newcomers can continue to support the workforce and economy, without placing additional demands on our social services. Newcomers with experience in Canada show greater long-term success.

    Adjustments will be made to our economic immigration streams to prioritize the transition of workers already here to permanent residence and to be responsive to labour market needs – our In‑Canada Focus. We will put emphasis on our federal economic priorities in programs including provincial nominee programs, the Canadian Experience Class, and regional immigration programs to attract the workers we need such as those in health care and trades occupations.

    Canadians are proud of our country’s reputation as a leader in refugee resettlement. While our refugee resettlement targets are reduced as a result of overall reductions, our commitment to some of the world’s most vulnerable people remains.

    We also understand the importance of reuniting families and loved ones, including spouses, children, parents, and grandparents. That’s why we are continuing to allocate almost 24% of our overall permanent resident admissions to family immigration in 2025.

    And we continue to strengthen Francophone communities outside Quebec. We will target nearly 30,000 French-speaking newcomers in 2025, representing over 8.5% of total admissions, rising to 9.5% in 2026, and 10% of newcomers in 2027.

    This means that despite the decrease in overall PR targets, the number of Francophone newcomers that we hope to settle outside Quebec will continue to increase year over year. This will help support our plan to restore the demographic weight of Francophone communities outside of Quebec.

    Regularization

    Regarding undocumented individuals in Canada, we have been clear that a broad program would not be pursued. However, we will set a small number of admissions for individuals that would be regularized through an initiative focused on those that worked in essential service industries.

    Conclusion

    I want Canadians to know we are listening. We’re aware of our country’s current challenges and are stepping up to address Canada’s evolving needs.

    Our immigration plan will support our economy while responding to the pressures that families and communities are facing today.

    Canada’s immigration plan for the next three years will pause our population growth in the short term to maintain well‑managed and sustainable growth for the long term.

    Our changes over the last year are working. Today’s plan will build on our support for communities and employers while upholding our humanitarian commitments and Canadian values.

    We will pause growth from immigration for two years. It will allow us to get back on pre-pandemic population growth trajectory by 2027 so that over the long term we can continue to grow our economic and social prosperity through immigration.

    We are making immigration work and leveraging our existing programs so that everyone has access to the quality jobs, homes, and supports they need. We are supporting newcomers’ integration and giving them a fair shot in Canada.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican National Admits Role in Smuggling and Labor Trafficking Scheme

    Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

    Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARIA DEL CARMEN SANCHEZ POTRERO, also known as Maria Carmela Sanchez, 73, a citizen of Mexico last residing in Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to a charge stemming from her involvement in a scheme to smuggle aliens into the U.S., harbor them at Hartford area residences, force them to work, and threaten to harm them in various ways if they failed to pay exorbitant fees, interest, and other living expenses.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in September 2022, the FBI and Hartford Police interviewed several Mexican nationals who disclosed that they were smuggled from Mexico into the U.S. and transported to Hartford.  The investigation revealed that victims typically arranged with Sanchez, her co-conspirators in Connecticut, and associates in Mexico to cross the border into the U.S. in exchange for a fee of between $15,000 and $20,000 that each would need to pay once they were in the U.S.  In most cases, the victims were required to turn over a property deed as collateral before leaving Mexico.  They were then smuggled across the border and transported to Hartford area residences, including Sanchez’s residence on Madison Street in Hartford, often at a substantial risk of bodily injury or death.

    After the victims arrived in Connecticut, they were told that they would have to pay $30,000, with interest, and that they would have to pay Sanchez and her co-coconspirators for rent, food, gas and utilities.  Sanchez and her co-conspirators created false documents for the victims, including Permanent Residence cards and Social Security cards, and helped the victims find employment in the Hartford area.  In addition to their own jobs, some victims were required to perform housework and yardwork without compensation and without having their debt reduced.

    Victims were rarely provided with an accounting of their debt.  If victims failed to make regular payments, or in amounts that Sanchez and her co-conspirators expected, they were sometimes threatened, including with threats to harm family members in Mexico, to take property in Mexico that had been secured as collateral, to reveal victims’ immigration status to U.S. authorities, and to raise their interest payments.

    To date, investigators have identified 18 victims of this scheme.

    Sanchez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to encourage and induce, bring in, transport, and harbor aliens, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for January 16, 2025.

    As part of her plea agreement, Sanchez has agreed to a restitution order of $494,608.

    Sanchez has been detained since her arrest on March 1, 2023.

    This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hartford Police Department, U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angel Krull and Shan Patel.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: PEL 83 Second Exploration Campaign Commencement of Operations – Spud of Mopane 1-A Well

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sintana Energy Inc. (TSX-V: SEI, OTCQB: SEUSF) (“Sintana” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide the following update regarding a second exploration and appraisal campaign on blocks 2813A and 2814B located in the heart of Namibia’s Orange Basin, emerging as one of the world’s most prospective oil and gas regions. The blocks are governed by Petroleum Exploration License 83 (“PEL 83”) which is operated by a subsidiary of Galp Energia (“Galp”) of Portugal. Sintana maintains an indirect 49% interest in Custos Energy (Pty) Ltd. (“Custos”), which in turn owns a 10% working interest owner in PEL 83. NAMCOR, the National Petroleum Company of Namibia, also maintains a 10% working interest.

    The drill ship Santorini has arrived on location and operations associated with the Mopane 1-A well have commenced. Specifically, the Mopane 1-A was spud 23:30 local time on October 23rd.

    This appraisal well is the first of an up to four well program potentially consisting of two exploration wells and two appraisal wells. This second campaign on PEL 83 is predicated on providing additional insights into the scope and quality of the Mopane complex.

    We refer to press releases from Galp (available at galp.com) and Custos (available at newsdirect.com) throughout Q1 and Q2 of 2024, noting that an inaugural two well exploration campaign that commenced in Q4 2023 resulted in multiple discoveries of significant columns of light oil in high-quality reservoir sands providing for an initial estimate of original oil in place (“OOIP”) of 10 billion barrels of oil equivalent. A drill stem test was also conducted resulting in an infrastructure constrained flow of 14,000 boe/d.

    Initial analysis suggests the reservoirs have good porosities, high pressures and high permeabilities in large hydrocarbon columns with very low oil viscosity, and no CO2 nor H2S. The flows achieved during the well test have reached the maximum allowed limits, positioning Mopane as, potentially, an important commercial discovery. 

    “We look forward to the continuing progress on PEL 83, further unveiling of the potential and quality of the Mopane complex. These efforts should provide additional insights into this world class opportunity and into our broader Orange Basin portfolio located at the heart of this emerging hydrocarbon province.” said Robert Bose, Chief Executive Officer of Sintana.

    ABOUT SINTANA ENERGY:

    The Company is engaged in petroleum and natural gas exploration and development activities on five large, highly prospective, onshore and offshore petroleum exploration licenses in Namibia, and in Colombia’s Magdalena Basin.

    On behalf of Sintana Energy Inc.,
    “A. Robert Bose”
    Chief Executive Officer

    For additional information or to sign-up to receive periodic updates about Sintana’s projects, and corporate activities, please visit the Company’s website at www.sintanaenergy.com

    Corporate Contacts:   Investor Relations Advisor:
    Robert Bose Sean J. Austin Jonathan Paterson
    Chief Executive Officer Vice-President Founder & Managing Partner
    212-201-4125 713-825-9591 Harbor Access
        475-477-9401
         

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain information in this release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intensions for the future, and include, but not limited to, statements with respect to potential future farmout agreements on PEL 83 and/or PEL 87, and proposed future exploration and development activities on PEL 83 and/or PEL 90 and neighbouring properties, as well as the prospective nature of the Company’s property interests. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including, but not limited to risks relating to the receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals, results of exploration and development activities, the ability to source joint venture partners and fund exploration, permitting and government approvals, and other risks identified in the Company’s public disclosure documents from time to time. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update such information, except as may be required by law.

    NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: 
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ca79be82-d8c9-4894-be4d-1acfbcc48be3

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: S. 4667, Risky Research Review Act

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    S. 4667 would establish the Life Sciences Research Security Board as an independent executive branch agency to review and approve federal funding requests for what is termed high-risk life sciences research, which involves pathogens that are particularly dangerous to humans. The board’s members would be appointed by the President and subject to Senate confirmation.

    S. 4667 would require the board to receive funding proposals from federal agencies for projects or grant programs at least 30 days before a project or program is funded. Within 120 days, board members would be required to determine whether a proposal involves high‑risk life sciences research and, if so, whether the project requires biosafety controls to proceed. The board also could review and audit research projects using federal funds awarded before the bill’s enactment and could direct such funding to be suspended. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The Intersection of Legislative Drafting and Federal Budgeting

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    This presentation provides an overview of major legislative developments that have affected the federal budget process. Also discussed are scorekeeping (the process for developing and recording measures of the budgetary effects of proposed and enacted legislation) and some of the principles that guide the scorekeeping process.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: S. 4656, a bill to amend title 5, United State Code, concerning restrictions on the participation of certain Federal employees in partisan political activity, and for other purposes

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    S. 4656 would amend the Hatch Act, which limits certain political activities of federal employees. Under current law, most employees of the executive branch (referred to as “less restricted employees”) are allowed to participate in political management and campaign activities while off duty, as long as they are outside of federal facilities and do not use federal property. The bill would add employees of any Office of Inspector General or Office of Special Inspector General to the list of federal employees prohibited from participating in political management or campaigns (referred to as “further restricted employees”). Such prohibited activities include running for office, volunteering in any campaign, fundraising, or registering voters for a political party.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: H.R. 6826, a bill to designate the visitor and education center at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine as the Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    H. R. 6826 would designate the visitor and education center at the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore, Maryland, as the “Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center.” Based on the cost of similar activities, CBO estimates that updating maps, informational material, and signage would cost less than $500,000 over the 2025-2029 period. Any related spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: S. 4651, SAFE Supply Chains Act

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    S. 4651 would stipulate that federal agencies can only procure and use information and communication technology from original manufacturers or authorized resellers. Under the bill, agencies would need to develop guidance to help entities that would otherwise be ineligible become authorized resellers. The bill would allow the Office of Management and Budget to waive that procurement requirement but would require it to report annually to the Congress on any waivers granted.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shapiro Administration Recognizes Winners of Pennsylvania School Bus Safety Poster Contest, Driving Competition

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    October 23, 2024 – Harrisburg, PA

    Shapiro Administration Recognizes Winners of Pennsylvania School Bus Safety Poster Contest, Driving Competition

    During a ceremony at the State Museum of Pennsylvania, officials from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania State Police, along with school bus safety advocates, honored ten students in kindergarten through eight grade for their school bus safety posters and three school bus drivers for their superior driving skills. The theme for this year’s contest was “Driving Safety into the Future.

    The ceremony highlighted the Shapiro Administration’s efforts to enhance Pennsylvanians’ safety, including a proclamation by Governor Shapiro naming Oct. 21-25 School Bus Safety Week in Pennsylvania in conjunction with the federal observance. The week focuses on saving young lives by raising awareness of the daily challenges faced by students being transported throughout the commonwealth.

    “The opening of school for another year means the return of school buses to our roads, and the Shapiro Administration is focused on everyone getting to school and back home safely,” said PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services Deputy Secretary Kara Templeton. “School Bus Safety Week gives everyone a reason to pause and realize just how much our own actions behind the wheel can affect innocent young lives.”

    Speakers in Order:
    Kara Templeton – Deputy Secretary for Driver and Vehicle Services, PennDOT
    Corporal Zeina Black – School Bus Safety Division Supervisor for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Division, Bureau of Patrol, PSP
    Aaron Sepkowski – President, Pennsylvania Bus Association

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lt. Gov. Austin Davis Highlights $10 Million in Funding to Help Keep Nonprofit Facilities Safe and Secure

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    October 23, 2024 – Harrisburg, PA

    Lt. Gov. Austin Davis Highlights $10 Million in Funding to Help Keep Nonprofit Facilities Safe and Secure

    Lt. Gov. Austin Davis visited the LGBT Center of Central Pennsylvania to highlight $10 million in grants that have been awarded to more than 200 nonprofit organizations – including the LGBT Center – to enhance the safety and security of their facilities.

    “Every Pennsylvanian should have the freedom to love who they love, pray how they want to pray and be their authentic selves – free from threats of violence and harassment,” said Davis, who also serves as chair of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). “That’s why the Shapiro-Davis Administration advocated for an increase in funding for nonprofit security grants in this year’s bipartisan state budget. By doubling this grant program, we’ve been able to fund more than 200 organizations in 31 counties, including more than 100 organizations that had never received a grant before, so they can keep their facilities safe and secure and protect the communities they serve.”

    PCCD administers the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program, which has provided $25 million in funding to more than 580 organizations since its inception. On top of that, this latest, seventh round of grants will go to 208 nonprofit organizations, including 102 organizations that had never before received funding through this program.

    Speakers Include:
    Executive Director Amber Roadcap, LGBT Center of Central PA
    Lt. Gov. Austin Davis
    Rep. Patty Kim

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shapiro Administration, PA Office of Attorney General Encourage Participation in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day This Weekend

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    October 23, 2024 – Harrisburg, PA

    Shapiro Administration, PA Office of Attorney General Encourage Participation in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day This Weekend

    The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), and Department of Aging (PDA) joined officials from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General to encourage Pennsylvanians to take part in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day initiative this Saturday, October 26.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Shapiro Announces $3 Million Investment in Erie County Organic Potato Company to Create Local Jobs and Grow Pennsylvania’s Agricultural Sector

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    October 23, 2024 – Waterford, PA

    Governor Shapiro Announces $3 Million Investment in Erie County Organic Potato Company to Create Local Jobs and Grow Pennsylvania’s Agricultural Sector

    Governor Josh Shapiro visited start-up company Folkland Foods, located in Waterford, Erie County, to announce a $3 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) investment in the company. This funding will support a significant capital expansion that will enable Folkland’s parent company Troyer, Inc. – the only organic potato supplier on the East Coast – to expand its operations, transition more acreage to organic farming, and begin producing a range of potato products, creating up to 50 new local jobs in the region over the first three years.

    Owned and operated by the Troyer family, who have been a mainstay in northwestern Pennsylvania’s potato farming industry for three generations, Folkland Foods is poised to build on its legacy of agricultural success and pioneering role in organic farming.

    “I’m excited to announce this $3 million investment in Folkland Foods, a company that is leading the way in organic farming and sustainable practices, built on hard work and know-how developed right here in Pennsylvania. This expansion will create 50 new, good-paying jobs and significantly boost the local economy in Erie County, all while reinforcing Pennsylvania’s reputation as a leader in agriculture and food production,” said Governor Shapiro. “My Administration is committed to making targeted investments like this one that benefit our farmers, strengthen rural economies, and ensure Pennsylvania remains at the forefront of agricultural innovation and production for generations to come.”

    List of Speakers:
    Zack Troyer, co-founder of Folkland Foods
    Governor Shapiro
    Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding
    Brian Garlick, Folkland’s Chief Operating Officer

    MIL OSI USA News –