Category: Americas

MIL-OSI USA: Joseph Franklin: The iron-willed leader

Source: US International Brotherhood of Boilermakers

Joseph Franklin’s 36-year tenure as International President (1908-1944) stands as a demonstration of unwavering leadership during some of the most turbulent periods in United States history. From the Great Depression to wartime chaos, Franklin’s leadership was characterized by resilience, adaptability and an unyielding commitment to the union and its members.

When members voted for Franklin as president in 1908, the Brotherhood was facing existential threats. Membership and income had plummeted to the point where many doubted the union’s survival. Yet, under his leadership, the Brotherhood not only survived but thrived, weathering economic downturns, wars and shifting industries. His tenure saw the Brotherhood’s transformation from a primarily railroad union to a shipbuilders’ union during WWI, back to a railroad union in the interwar years, and again to shipbuilding during WWII.

Born in 1868, Franklin’s early life was marked by hardship. His father died when Franklin was only six years old, and his formal education was brief. He entered the boilermaker trade in 1892. Seven years later, he joined the Boilermakers, becoming one of the charter members of Local 221 in Pittsburg, Kansas. His rise to the highest office was swift. By 1906, he was elected first International Vice President, and just two years later, members elected him International President.

Franklin’s leadership style was shaped by his own experiences as a young man who’d been blacklisted for union activities. This experience instilled in him an intense determination to protect and advance the union and defend the working class. His efforts to improve conditions for Boilermakers extended beyond the union. In 1908, he was a key figure in founding the Railroad Employees Department, and in 1912, he co-founded the Federations of Railway Employees, which later became part of the AFL’s Railway Employees Department.

Franklin’s influence also reached the highest levels of government. In 1918, President Woodrow Wilson appointed him assistant director of labor for the United States Railroad Administration. This role, which he held until the agency’s dissolution in 1920, demonstrated his ability to navigate both labor and management.

One of Franklin’s most significant contributions was his focus on ensuring the union’s financial stability. In 1914, he convinced convention delegates to establish a fund to purchase a headquarters building. Four years later, he was instrumental in founding the Brotherhood Bank, where he served as the first board chairman. These institutions proved crucial during the Great Depression, when membership shrank, and many banks failed.

His commitment to the Boilermakers earned him the unwavering loyalty of members, and his steadfast commitment to organizing and recruiting kept the union solvent and thriving throughout many turbulent years.

Franklin passed away in Kansas City on Feb. 18, 1948, at the age of 79. His legacy as a leader who never compromised his principles remains today. His successor, Charles MacGowan, eulogized him as “a man, rugged and wholesome but noble and lovable. The dominant urge in his whole being was to render a full measure of service to the cause in which he had dedicated even life itself.”

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: H.R. 9711, Congressional Budget Office Scheduling Reform Act

Source: US Congressional Budget Office

By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars			2025	2025-2029		2025-2034
Direct Spending (Outlays)			0	0		0
Revenues			0	0		0
Increase or Decrease (-) in the Deficit			0	0		0
Spending Subject to Appropriation (Outlays)			0	0		0
Increases net direct spending in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2035?	No	Statutory pay-as-you-go procedures apply?			No
		Mandate Effects
Increases on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2035?	No	Contains intergovernmental mandate?			No
		Contains private-sector mandate?			No

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: H.R. 9751, Executive Action Cost Transparency Act

Source: US Congressional Budget Office

H.R. 9751 would amend the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to require that CBO include the budgetary effects of any judicial action and any executive action in its baseline projections of revenues and spending in a manner that is consistent with the scorekeeping guidelines established under that act. Further, the bill would amend the Congressional Budget Act to require CBO to include a table in its baseline reports to the Congress that lists, to the extent practicable, all such judicial and executive actions that have a cumulative budgetary effect of at least $50 billion over the current year through the end of the 10-year budget window.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: H.R. 9716, Increasing Baseline Updates Act

Source: US Congressional Budget Office

H.R. 9716 would amend the Congressional Budget Act to require CBO, to the extent practicable, to submit at least two updates each year to its annual budget and economic forecast. At least one of those would include the economic data underlying the update. The bill also would require the Administration to submit to the Congress technical budget data on or before February 1 of each year.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Avoid Scams After Disaster Strikes

News In Brief – Source: US Computer Emergency Readiness Team

As hurricanes and other natural disasters occur, CISA urges individuals to remain on alert for potential malicious cyber activity. Fraudulent emails and social media messages—often containing malicious links or attachments—are common after major natural disasters. Exercise caution in handling emails with hurricane-related subject lines, attachments, or hyperlinks. In addition, be wary of social media pleas, texts, or door-to-door solicitations relating to severe weather events. Before responding, ensure hurricane-related guidance is from trusted sources, such as local officials and disaster response organizations, including Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and DHS’s Ready.gov.

CISA encourages users to review the following resources to avoid falling victim to malicious cyber activity:

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Janelle Bynum struggles to defend abuse cover-up scandal

Source: US National Republican Congressional Committee

The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –

October 8, 2024

Extreme Democrat Janelle Bynum struggled to explain her behavior and the damning text messages as a growing cover-up scandal engulfed her campaign.

Bynum doubled down trying to shift blame away from herself after more reports an Oregon Democrat filed an ethics complaint against her for turning a blind eye to sexual harassment in her campaign.

In case you missed it…

KOIN: “…Janelle Bynum is now responding to a report that she downplayed sexual harassment allegations against a man working for her campaign. And that harassment complaint filed with the state legislative equity office says it happened during Bynum’s 2022 campaign for the state legislature.”

Oregon Capital Chronicle: “A top staffer for Democratic congressional candidate Janelle Bynum’s rival in the May primary filed a complaint this summer alleging that Bynum turned a blind eye to sexual harassment and assault by an operative assigned to her 2022 legislative campaign. The third-party complaint was first reported over the weekend by Fox News, which underlined the importance of the race.”

“Janelle Bynum’s weak denials crumble in the face of damaging text messages and a complaint coming from within her own party. Oregonians deserve transparency and immediate answers, not Bynum’s pathetic attempts to dodge accountability.” – NRCC Spokesperson Ben Petersen

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Administrator Samantha Power Meets with Indian Ambassador to the United States Vinay Kwatra

Source: USAID

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Benjamin Suarato:‎

On October 7, Administrator Samantha Power met with India’s new Ambassador to the United States Vinay Kwatra. The Administrator highlighted opportunities to build on the U.S. and India’s evolving strategic development partnership to address shared global goals and emphasized our joint work in the Indo-Pacific under the Triangular Development Partnership (TriDeP).

Administrator Power and Ambassador Kwatra discussed India’s leadership role in catalyzing regional clean energy ambitions, and Administrator Power reaffirmed USAID’s commitment to the U.S.-India Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Administrator Samantha Power Speaks with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk

Source: USAID

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Benjamin Suarato:‎

On October 7, Administrator Samantha Power spoke with Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Administrator Power and High Commissioner Türk discussed the shared commitment of USAID and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to protect and advance human rights around the world. They discussed the status of detained UN, NGO, and diplomatic staff in Yemen, support for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, the efforts of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti, and helping enable the critical work of human rights defenders in Latin America.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: CISA and FBI Release Fact Sheet on Protecting Against Iranian Targeting of Accounts Associated with National Political Organizations

News In Brief – Source: US Computer Emergency Readiness Team

Today, CISA and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released joint fact sheet, How to Protect Against Iranian Targeting of Accounts Associated with National Political Organizations. This fact sheet provides information about threat actors affiliated with the Iranian Government’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeting and compromising accounts of Americans to stoke discord and undermine confidence in U.S. democratic institutions.

IRGC actors have previously gained and continue to seek access to personal and business accounts using social engineering techniques by targeting victims across email and chat. This fact sheet includes steps that individuals and organizations can take to enhance their security and resilience to protect themselves against the common techniques used by these cyber actors.

CISA and FBI strongly recommend all individuals and organizations associated with national political organizations apply the mitigations in this fact sheet, including protecting their sensitive accounts with phishing-resistant multifactor authentication (MFA).

Election infrastructure stakeholders and the public can find more resources on how to protect against cyber and physical threats at #Protect2024. CISA encourages organizations to review its Iran Cyber Threat webpage for advisories and actions to defend their networks.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: CISA and FBI Warn of Iranian-Backed Cyber Activity to Undermine U.S. Democratic Institutions

News In Brief – Source: US Computer Emergency Readiness Team

Fact sheet provides information on actors’ techniques and recommended mitigations for individuals and organizations associated with national political campaigns

WASHINGTON – The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) published a fact sheet today, How to Protect against Iranian Targeting of Accounts Associated with National Political Organizations. Actors affiliated with the Iranian Government’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are using social engineering techniques across email and chat applications probably to stoke discord and undermine confidence in U.S. democratic institutions. This fact sheet provides recommended actions to protect against this malicious activity.

IRGC actors target and compromise the personal and business accounts of Americans, in particular. individuals associated with national political organizations. They also target individuals and organizations working or have worked on issues related to Iranian and Middle Eastern affairs.

CISA and the FBI recommend mitigations and best practices that will help organizations and individuals strengthen their security and resilience, including keeping applications and operating systems updated, training staff to only use official accounts for business, and implementing phishing-resistant multifactor authentication (MFA).

“With FBI, CISA works to provide timely, actionable information that helps our partners reduce their risk from myriad threats,” said CISA Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity, Jeff Greene. “IRGC cyber actors pose an ongoing and escalating risk. We urge individuals and organizations associated with national political organizations or campaigns to review and implement actions in this joint fact sheet.”

The FBI and CISA continue to work closely to provide services and information to safeguard public and private sector and individuals.

For more information, please visit CISA’s Iran Cyber Threat and #Protect2024 webpages.

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About CISA

As the nation’s cyber defense agency and national coordinator for critical infrastructure security, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency leads the national effort to understand, manage, and reduce risk to the digital and physical infrastructure Americans rely on every hour of every day.

Visit CISA.gov for more information and follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: US Department of Labor finds Nebraska farm cooperative exposed employees stacking pallets of pork to musculoskeletal disorders

Source: US Department of Labor

Employers:    Wholestone Farms Cooperative Inc.

                        900 South Platte Ave.

                        Fremont, NE

Actions:         OSHA investigation

Findings:        The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Wholestone Farms Cooperative Inc. for three serious safety and health violations and proposed penalties totaling $36,873, following a March 2024 complaint investigation.

OSHA issued serious violations under the general duty clause, after finding employees were exposed to ergonomic stressors likely to cause musculoskeletal disorders and injuries when working in the palletizing area.

The company put employees at risk of musculoskeletal injuries by requiring them to manually lift boxes weighing up to 99 pounds from the palletizing conveyor onto pallets at floor level and stack them up to nine boxes high. The frequency and duration of lifts, weights lifted, motions repeated, forced exertions, and irregular postures exposed employees to the risk of injuries.

Wholestone also received a serious violation for exposing workers to slip and fall hazards by allowing employees to walk and work on a damaged, uneven surface in the shipping department’s cold storage area and by not keeping aisles and a passageway clear and in good repair.

Quote: “Musculoskeletal injuries are among the most frequent causes of lost or restricted work time and a known hazard in the meatpacking industry. Such injuries occur when lifting heavy items, bending, working in awkward body postures and performing the same or similar tasks repetitively,” said OSHA Area Director Matthew Thurlby in Omaha, Nebraska. “Work-related musculoskeletal injuries can be prevented by creating an effective ergonomics program that includes training, hazard analysis and control, medical management, and process evaluation to limit muscle strain.”

Background: Learn more about OSHA’s Ergonomics Program Management Guidelines for meatpacking plants.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Learn more about OSHA and industry-recognized safety rules for agricultural operations.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman Visits Palau, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji

Source: USAID

The following is attributable to Deputy Spokesperson Shejal Pulivarti:‎

Last week, Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman led an official delegation with representatives from the White House, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Interior, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency to Palau, Papua New Guinea (PNG), and Fiji. The goal of the interagency delegation was to demonstrate a whole-of-government approach to delivering on the region’s top priorities, especially economic growth. The delegation emphasized that the U.S. government leverages its resources, expertise, and influence from across the entire government to mobilize new investments and strengthen partnerships – particularly with the private sector – to achieve the ambitious goals set forward by our Pacific partners in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and the Boe Declaration.

In Palau, the Deputy Administrator met with Republic of Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr., and announced $1.5 million additional humanitarian assistance funding to the American Red Cross to bolster disaster preparedness and response capabilities of the national Red Cross societies in the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Deputy Administrator Coleman also launched a new partnership with the Palau Chamber of Commerce to combat human trafficking, which will raise awareness about trafficking in persons, improve protection for victims, and ensure collaboration among partners.

The Deputy Administrator highlighted the collaboration between USAID and the Department of the Interior under the U.S.-Australia-Japan Trilateral Infrastructure Partnership, where USAID and partners are working to deliver safe, secure, and open internet access for Palauans. She also reinforced the United States’ commitment to finding local solutions to complex problems such as trafficking in persons, and engaged with local partners and the private sector to gain a better understanding of the challenges they face in the country.

The Deputy Administrator led the U.S. government’s delegation at Palau’s Independence Day celebrations, marking 30 years of independence and bilateral partnerships. Deputy Administrator Coleman reinforced the United States’ commitment to and partnership with Palau and the Pacific Islands region as a whole, and that the U.S. government supports Palau’s development goals for more resilient communities, sustainable economic growth, and strong democratic processes.

In PNG, the Deputy Administrator and delegation met with a variety of stakeholders, including Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso, local and international businesses, women entrepreneurs, as well as the diplomatic and development partner community to reinforce the United States’ commitment to partnering with PNG to increase investment, expand electrification, and support increased peace and security for Papua New Guinean communities. While in Port Moresby, Deputy Administrator Coleman launched USAID’s flagship Peace Project, which will empower PNG communities to prevent conflict, promote stability, and empower communities to thrive.

In Fiji, Deputy Administrator Coleman met with Fiji’s Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lesikimacuata Korovavala, and the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Trade, Cooperatives and Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Mr. Shaheen Ali, and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa to underscore the United States’ commitment to fostering partnerships and help Fiji’s growing democracy deliver economic and social progress, especially to address the effects of climate change and increase economic connectivity. The Deputy Administrator and the delegation met with American businesses operating in the region and Fijian women entrepreneurs to discuss market challenges, overcoming barriers, and unlocking potential for greater economic collaboration and innovation in the Pacific.

The Deputy Administrator participated in the signing of the bilateral framework agreement between USAID and the Government of Fiji. This Agreement demonstrates the United States’ commitment to the Pacific and further solidifies our Pacific Islands regional mission’s presence in Suva, Fiji.

Deputy Administrator Coleman co-hosted a roundtable at the University of South Pacific with students and members of the diplomatic corps focused on the U.S government’s innovative efforts for economic connectivity, trade, climate, and business in the Pacific. At the town hall, the Deputy Administrator announced that USAID intends to provide over $4 million in additional support to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth and increase efforts to withstand the effects of climate change across the Pacific Island countries.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Lofgren, Padilla, CA Dems Request Congressional Status Conference on CA Detention Centers Before Renewal Deadline

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

Lawmakers Reiterate Their Call to Close the Detention Centers

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla today led six of their California Democratic Congressional Delegation colleagues in requesting a Congressional Status Conference before December 2024, when the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contract governing the Mesa Verde ICE Processing Center and Golden State Annex is up for renewal. This follows years of reported abuse allegations and retaliatory behavior toward detainees at the facilities, including a formal civil liberties complaint, reports of denied access to attorneys, hunger strikes and subsequent facility transfers, and worker strikes.

In their letter, the Members also reiterated their call for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE to end the federal government’s contract with both private facilities. They sent letters on related topics in May 2023, September 2022, and October 2021.

In addition to Lofgren and Padilla, the letter was signed by Reps. Lou Correa (CA-46), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Nanette Diaz-Barragan (CA-44), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Katie Porter (CA-47), and Juan Vargas (CA-52).

Full text of the letter can be downloaded here and is copied below:

Dear Secretary Mayorkas and Acting Director Lechleitner,

We write to follow-up on our May 3, 2023 letter regarding ongoing complaints describing disturbing conditions and abusive and retaliatory behavior towards detainees by facility staff at the Mesa Verde ICE Processing Center (“Mesa Verde”) and Golden State Annex (“Golden State”), both of which are run by the GEO Group (“GEO”).

Furthermore, it has been brought to our attention that the ICE contract governing Mesa Verde and GSA is up for renewal in December of 2024 and that the Department of Homeland Security is currently reviewing and considering the contract renewals to both facilities.

Due to the disturbing and ongoing reports authored by people in both of these facilities as well as the DHS’s own Office of Inspector General¹ (OIG) unannounced inspection report and Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties complaints filed, we request a congressional status conference for both DHS and ICE to provide a briefing to Members regarding conditions at Mesa Verde and Golden State. In particular, we would like responses to the following questions:

1. What is the preliminary status regarding renewal or termination of the Mesa Verde and Golden State contracts?

2. What plan is in place to ensure that free phone calls are made available to individuals detained at both Mesa Verde and Golden State?

3. Can you provide copies of responses and corrective actions taken regarding the numerous performance-based national detention standards violations found in the OIG report dated April 2024?

We reiterate our call for DHS to end contracts with GEO for Mesa Verde and Golden State, given that the ongoing allegations brought forward in our September 14, 2022 letter and our May 4, 2023 letter have been affirmed in multiple federal and state reports, and in the interest of the safety of individuals who are subjected to such conditions. We also once again ask that detainees are not merely transferred to another facility away from their support networks, legal representation and families, but are instead released on alternatives to detention and case management.

We request that DHS conduct a fair, thorough, case-by-case review of all individuals to assess their safety and determine their ongoing custody status to ensure that the facilities will close justly.

We look forward to your response and appreciate your consideration of this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

¹ ^{https://www.oig.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/assets/2024-04/OIG-24-23-Apr24.pdf}

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MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Yukon working with the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-Television Services
Source: Government of Canada regional news

This is a joint news release between the Government of Yukon and the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services (CCTS).
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MIL OSI Canada News –
January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Statement from Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee on Mental Illness Awareness Week and World Mental Health Day 2024
Source: Government of Canada regional news

Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee has issued the following statement:

“This week, from October 6 to 12, we observe Mental Illness Awareness Week, an opportunity to raise awareness, reduce stigma and advocate for better access to mental health care for all.
- Read more about Statement from Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee on Mental Illness Awareness Week and World Mental Health Day 2024
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MIL OSI Canada News –
January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Volunteer firefighters to receive increased honorarium
Source: Government of Canada regional news

Volunteer firefighters in unincorporated communities across the Yukon will be compensated more for their volunteer service as of October 1, 2024.

The volunteer honorarium will be increased to $30.74 per hour, up from $22 per hour. Volunteer firefighters will receive honorarium for each hour responding to calls. In addition, the increased honorarium will be provided for each hour of fire service training.
- Read more about Volunteer firefighters to receive increased honorarium
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MIL OSI Canada News –
January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Salvaged Designs

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)

RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Salvaged Designs of Mahaska County. Throughout this Congress, Ranking Member Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.
“Transforming the old into the extraordinary, Salvaged Designs breathes new life into forgotten treasures,” said Ranking Member Ernst. “By repurposing old furniture, instruments, and other miscellaneous items, Jen has created a perfect balance between sustainability and style in the Oskaloosa community.”
Throughout Jennifer Thomas-Maxwell’s childhood, she worked at her family’s waste management business, sparking a lifelong passion for sustainability. In college, she studied graphic design. As a mother, Jen crafted homemade gifts and Halloween costumes that gained popularity among classmates and parents in the neighborhood. Her unique, repurposed creations turned into Salvaged Designs and in 2016, Jen opened the doors of her first store. In 2020, Jen moved her business to Oskaloosa’s Main Street. Today, Salvaged Designs sells repurposed furniture, band instruments, and a variety of Iowa and Midwest-made products that focus on sustainability. This year, Salvaged Designs will celebrate its eighth anniversary.
Stay tuned as Ranking Member Ernst recognizes more Iowa small businesses across the state with her Small Business of the Week award.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Manning Surveys Hurricane Helene Damage, Meets with Survivors

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kathy Manning (NC-06)

Asheville, NC – Today, Congresswoman Kathy Manning (NC-06) traveled to western North Carolina where she was joined by Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabel Guzman and Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer to view the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene and the extensive response efforts underway. They listened to business owners discuss the challenges they face and explained how federal resources can aid in the recovery and rebuilding of affected communities.

Congresswoman Manning visited the historic Biltmore Village, where two-story high flood waters destroyed shops and restaurants and left layers of thick mud, and the recently renovated River Arts District, where the storm tore buildings apart and decimated breweries, artists’ studios, and collaborative galleries. Manning spoke with small business owners who are deeply concerned that their businesses will be closed during the peak tourism season. She also visited a local SBA help center, where business owners are receiving assistance with completing their SBA applications for disaster aid.

“The devastation caused by the storm is heartbreaking. Over 80% of Asheville remains without water and power, yet the resilience of the people I met is remarkable. I was also impressed by the knowledgeable team from the SBA and am grateful for Administrator Guzman’s clear explanation of the available funds for affected areas and how the Biden-Harris Administration has streamlined the relief process, ensuring that aid reaches people more quickly. We are fortunate to have such dedicated emergency relief workers,” said Congresswoman Kathy Manning. “Based on our discussions, it is clear that more funding is needed for the disaster relief effort. Congress must ensure that affected communities receive the resources needed for recovery and rebuilding, both now and in the months to come. I stand ready to return to Washington without delay to advocate for the people and communities impacted by this unprecedented storm.”

On September 29, 2024, President Biden granted Governor Cooper’s request for a Federal Major Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Helene to provide immediate federal assistance to North Carolinians in designated disaster areas.

Federal, state, and local partners are actively collaborating to mobilize resources into western North Carolina. These response efforts include search and rescue operations, wellness checks, the delivery of essential supplies such as food and water, removing debris to clear roads and bridges, restoring critical services like water, sewer, and electricity, and conducting damage assessments.

President Biden has directed the Department of Defense to deploy 1,500 active-duty troops to support North Carolina’s 2,800 active-duty National Guardsman responding to the disaster. This deployment is in addition to the more than 7,000 federal personnel currently assisting with response efforts across all affected areas.

For the latest updates on relief efforts, open shelters, and more, visit the North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s website here.

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The Office of Congresswoman Kathy Manning stands ready to assist North Carolinians impacted by Hurricane Helene. Find critical resources and updates to assist those affected by the storm here.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Canadian urban mobility is woefully lacking, but building a better future is still possible

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Betsy Donald, Professor, Department of Geography and Planning, Queen’s University, Ontario

Canadian cities are falling behind globally when it comes to efficiently moving people. Long commute times, high congestion rates and infrastructure that is vulnerable to climate change are symptoms of a mobility crisis.

Mobility is an essential public good, and modern policies aim to move people in a safe, efficient, accessible and non-polluting way. However, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed and worsened existing vulnerabilities in Canada’s urban mobility systems, undermining progress toward these goals.

Our new book, Urban Mobility: How the iPhone, COVID, and Climate Changed Everything, explores how technology, the pandemic and climate change have shaped, and continue to shape, urban mobility, particularly for those with inadequate transportation networks.

Population growth outpacing transit

One of the primary challenges Canadian cities face is that they have grown faster than their sustainable transportation options. While urban populations have expanded, investment in public transportation has not kept pace, resulting in a gap between capacity and potential.

The COVID-19 pandemic also impacted city life in profound ways, and urban life and economies in Canada are still being affected to this day. Remote work became the norm for many, reducing the number of people commuting and causing a significant drop in public transit ridership.

Additionally, the shift to hybrid work has permanently altered how Canadians engage with their cities. People are shopping online more, using public transit less, and central business districts and physical retail spaces are seeing less foot traffic.

Urban economies, which have been designed to rely heavily on the movement and presence of large numbers of people through public transit and local businesses, are still grappling with this new reality. Activity levels, for instance, are down by about 20 per cent from pre-pandemic levels in many downtown spaces still.

Tech platforms and mobility

Digital platform firms like Zoom, Uber, Amazon and Instacart adapted quickly during the pandemic, offering safe work-from-home options, private transportation and online shopping services to people. These platforms disrupted the traditional urban economic model, which relies on transit, physical stores and foot traffic.

Ride-hailing services drew passengers and their fares away from local economies into foreign-owned ride-hailing companies. Transit systems not only depend on the massive built public infrastructure, but also passenger fares and other government funding to maintain the public system over time.

In addition, these tech platform companies come with equity and accessibility concerns. Research on the use of ride-hailing and public transit during the pandemic found that its usage in Toronto was clearly organized along class, neighbourhood and social lines. People identifying as one or more of the following were more likely to continue riding transit during the pandemic: low-income, immigrant, racialized, essential workers and car-less, in large part because other options were not available to them.

Similarly, in Calgary, private technology experiments in electric scooters privileged wealthier neighbourhoods. Electric scooters were used more in wealthier neighbourhoods, and as poverty levels increased at the neighbourhood level, the use of them dropped. The researchers concluded that greater attention needs to be paid to ensuring all communities, regardless of economic status, have access to micro-mobility options.

Canada has a history of importing technological solutions, rather than creating its own. Montréal, however, offers a successful example with its Bixi bike program, the third largest bike share system in North America after New York and Chicago, with 11,000 bikes and almost 900 stations. A non-profit runs the program, Rio Tinto Alcan provides aluminum for the bikes and Cycles Devinci manufactures them in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.

Canadian cities need to build innovation opportunities that promote economic development and improve mobility at the same time. Canada’s technology sector is woefully undersupported at present.

Bixi bikes stand on Sainte-Catherine Street in Montréal in August 2019. The City of Montréal bought the bike sharing system in 2014 and created a non-profit entity to run the bike sharing operations.
(Shutterstock)

Climate crisis intensifying challenges

The third, and perhaps most pressing challenge facing Canadian cities is the growing climate crisis. Cities are both instigators and victims of climate change. They contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, but are also heavily impacted by severe weather events, heat waves and other side effects.

These impacts are becoming increasingly concerning with the intensification of wildfires, urban flooding and other extreme weather events.

By the end of the 20th century, most large Canadian cities were heavily investing in strategies to encourage people to use alternatives to cars, such as transit, light rail, biking and walking.

However, shifting priorities, ideologies and budgetary adjustments led to government cutbacks to transit funding and a lack of new transportation innovation. In Ontario, for example, the government continues to push unrealistic road-building ideas at the expense of more active transit options.

This failure to effectively move people around has left an opening for new mobility experiments led by private companies, but some of these programs don’t really integrate well into the Canadian urban mobility ecosystem. Many of these mobility options — such as ride-hailing — are also costly and exclusive. Others, like electronic scooters, can lead to e-waste.

Building a better future

The disruptions caused by technology, the pandemic and climate change are reshaping how people and goods move in cities. To build a better future, Canadian cities must address the interconnected challenges of three transitions: digital, health and environmental.

While all sectors need to invest, strong leadership and policy action from governments at all levels is needed to create a more climate-friendly, economically vibrant and equitable urban mobility future. Governments will need to embrace bold, innovative solutions that address all three of these challenges.

This means policy frameworks that reduce carbon emissions through climate action plans, leveraging political will and funding in efforts to shift away from private automobiles and toward transit, bike lanes and pedestrian pathways, and experimenting with digital mobility services while still prioritizing sustainability.

Betsy Donald receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Shauna Brail receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

– ref. Canadian urban mobility is woefully lacking, but building a better future is still possible – https://theconversation.com/canadian-urban-mobility-is-woefully-lacking-but-building-a-better-future-is-still-possible-239679

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Kaptur Statement on the Passing of Former Congressman Dave Hobson

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

Toledo, Ohio — Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), the Dean of Ohio’s delegation to Congress, released the following statement on the passing of former Congressman Dave Hobson (OH-07):

“Congressman David Hobson was a true patriot. He was a public servant first. His lifetime of service to the people of greater Springfield and Ohio was marked by results and perseverance.

“He understood America’s role in the world, and as he rose to Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Chair of the Subcommittee on Military Construction, he distinguished himself and never forgot his roots in Ohio. He had a precious ability to work across the aisle and actually enjoyed it, working with many members, myself included. National security, was Paramount in his priorities and his achievements stand at Normandy and Springfield as his living legacy.

“I shall miss his visits, his council his humor and his dedication. May I offer my deepest sympathy to his beloved wife, Carolyn, his family, his friends, and constituents. Dave remained true to his family, his community, and his country. I shall especially miss his wit, ingenuity, laughter, and unceasing efforts to better the living conditions for the people of our nation.”

# # #

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Wexton Introduces Legislation to Help Federal Workers Return to the Workforce After Career Breaks

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA)

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) introduced the Return USA Act to help federal employees return to the workforce after taking a career break. The legislation would establish the first-ever returnship program in the federal government, which would provide support, resources, and training for federal employees who are seeking to re-enter the workforce after taking a break in their career.

Returnship programs, which have successfully been implemented in the private sector and state-level government in recent years, offer support and training to mid-career employees – particularly women – who are returning to the workforce after a break, often to care for a young child or sick or elderly loved one.

“Too many American workers are forced to make sacrifices to their career to care for their family or loved ones, resulting in major setbacks to their professional life as well as a loss of critical talent and expertise for their employer,” said Congresswoman Wexton. “Women disproportionately face these barriers to re-entering the workforce and often suffer lower pay and fewer advancement opportunities as a result. I’m proud to lead the Return USA Act to establish the first-ever returnship program within the federal government to empower these professionals with the tools and opportunities needed to return to the workforce and protect crucial knowledge and expertise within our civil service.”

Individuals who take career breaks often face major setbacks in their career trajectory, frequently forced to take a demotion or wait significantly longer to re-enter the workforce than desired, and women are disproportionately affected. Over the course of their careers, more than two thirds of women say that they have taken a career break. The barriers to re-entering the workforce contribute to injustices for working women, such as the “motherhood penalty,” the gender pay gap, and lower representation in executive and management roles, where women currently only represent 38% of manager-level positions.

Returnship programs help address these challenges by empowering high-skilled, mid-career professionals to re-enter the workforce. Similar to internship programs, returnship programs offer critical support, resources, and leadership training to mid-career returning employees. While the federal government currently does not have any formal returnship programs established, over a third of Fortune 50 companies use returnships to help meet workforce needs and avoid talent loss. Over 80 percent of participants in returnships are hired because their employers see the value that their years of experience and unique skills bring to the table.

The Return USA Act would create a new, first-of-its-kind returnship program in the federal government that draws upon the best practices from existing state and private sector returnship programs. The program would seek to convert participants to permanent, full-time positions by providing them with onboarding, training, mentorship, and professional leadership development opportunities over the course of no less than one year. A unique program hiring path would be available to prospective participants on the USAjobs.gov site. The program would also pave the way for greater equity within the federal workforce by prioritizing opportunities for underrepresented populations and, to the extent possible, providing wraparound services, such as child care.

“As the Executive Director and CEO of the Society of Women Engineers, I fully endorse legislation establishing a federal returnships program. Such initiatives are crucial in strengthening our federal workforce while providing invaluable opportunities for individuals—particularly women—who have taken time away from their careers to re-enter the workforce. By fostering an inclusive path back to professional life, we can ensure women engineers and other talented, skilled individuals are not left behind, and we can harness their potential to address critical challenges within the federal sector,” said Karen Horting, Executive Director & CEO, Society of Women Engineers.

The Return USA Act has been endorsed by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the Society of Women Engineers.

The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Lois Frankel (D-FL), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), and David Trone (D-MD).

The full text of the Return USA Act can be found here.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI: QCI and Context Networks Partner to Explore a New Revenue Stream in the Digital Marketplace

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI), a leading provider of data activation solutions for the gaming and hospitality industries, today announced a reactivation of their partnership with Context Networks to explore new opportunities for casinos to generate revenue through the global digital marketplace. By integrating Context Networks’ advanced Contextual Promotions Media Network™ (CPMN) into the latest version of QCI’s Enterprise Platform (AGI55), casinos can potentially monetize screentime on player devices by offering it to advertisers.

This collaboration enables casinos to sell advertising space based on player engagement levels, with revenue tied to the duration of ads displayed on secondary gaming screens. With high levels of player interaction, this previously untapped resource presents a substantial revenue opportunity for operators.

The partnership merges Context Networks’ expertise in delivering dynamic, personalized content with QCI’s powerful data activation and artificial intelligence capabilities. This synergy allows casinos to leverage real-time data to enhance the gaming experience, drive customer engagement, improve retention, and optimize marketing efforts.

If new revenue streams are of interest to your organization and you have HTML compliant secondary screens, please reach out and see if you are good fit to test this new innovation.

“Context Networks has consistently been at the forefront of customer engagement and advertising technology within the gaming industry,” said Matthew Olden, CEO of Context Networks. “Our collaboration with QCI enhances the guest experience by incorporating personalized advertising, boosting customer interaction, and delivering a strong return on investment for casino operators.”

Andrew Cardno, Chief Technology Officer of QCI, added, “I am excited to support this innovation, as it holds significant potential. Our mission has always been to provide casinos with the most advanced tools available. By integrating Context Networks’ cutting-edge advertising technology into our QCI Enterprise Platform AGI55, we are offering an unprecedented value proposition to our customers, empowering them to enhance guest engagement and achieve operational excellence.”

ABOUT Context Networks
Context Networks, Inc. is a premier programmatic advertising platform that leverages private blockchain technology to deliver transparent, secure, and efficient advertising solutions for the global gaming industry. The company’s platform focuses on three key gaming segments: casino, lottery operators, and iGaming platforms. Context Networks is committed to driving innovation and creating value for its clients through advanced technology and strategic partnerships. For more information, visit http://www.contextnetworks.net.

ABOUT QCI
Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) has pioneered the revolutionary AGI Platform, an artificial intelligence platform that seamlessly integrates player development, marketing, and gaming operations with powerful, real-time tools designed specifically for the gaming and hospitality industries. Our advanced, highly configurable software is deployed in over 250 casino resorts across North America, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Latin America, and The Bahamas. The QCI AGI Platform, which manages more than $24 billion in annual gross gaming revenue, stands as a best-in-class solution, whether on-premises, hybrid, or cloud-based, enabling fully coordinated activities across all aspects of gaming or hospitality operations. QCI’s data-driven, AI-powered software propels swift, informed decision-making vital in the ever-changing casino industry, assisting casinos in optimizing resources and profits, crafting effective marketing campaigns, and enhancing customer loyalty. QCI is based in San Diego, with additional Las Vegas, St. Louis, Denver, Dallas, and Tulsa offices. Visit us at http://www.quickcustomintelligence.com.

About Andrew Cardno
Andrew Cardno is a distinguished figure in artificial intelligence and data plumbing. With over two decades spearheading private Ph.D. and master’s level research teams, his expertise has made significant waves in data tooling. Andrew’s innate innovation ability has led him to devise numerous pioneering visualization methods. Of these, the most notable is the deep zoom image format, a groundbreaking innovation that has since become a cornerstone in most mapping tools. His leadership acumen has earned him two coveted Smithsonian Laureates, and teams under his mentorship have clinched 40 industry awards, including three pivotal gaming industry transformation awards. He co-founded Quick Custom Intelligence with Dr. Ralph Thomas, amplifying their collaborative, innovative capacities. A testament to his inventive prowess, Andrew boasts over 150 patent applications. Across various industries—be it telecommunications with Telstra Australia, retail with giants like Walmart and Best Buy, or the medical sector with esteemed institutions like City Of Hope and UCSD—Andrew’s impact is deeply felt. He has enriched the literature with insights, co-authoring eight influential books with Dr. Thomas and contributing to over 100 industry publications. An advocate for community and diversity, Andrew’s work has touched over 100 Native American Tribal Resorts, underscoring his expansive and inclusive professional endeavors.

Contact:
Laurel Kay, Quick Custom Intelligence
Phone: 858-349-8354

The MIL Network –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Marconi: UK Embassy celebrates ‘Britishness’ of Italian genius
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
English

Italiano

Guglielmo Marconi and the UK: the first of many stories, between Italian talent and innovation across the Channel.
image of the young Marconi with radio apparatus

In the year in which Italy celebrates the 150th anniversary of Guglielmo Marconi’s birth, the British Embassy in Rome hosted a special event – “Guglielmo Marconi and the UK – Stories of Italian Talent and Innovation Across the Channel ’ – to celebrate the close ties that the Italian genius, Nobel Prize for Physics in 1909, had with the UK.

The event, hosted by Ambassador Ed Llewellyn at the Villa Wolkonsky residence, retraced the precious years that the young Marconi spent overseas where, having moved in 1896 in his early twenties, the Italian talent found many opportunities and fertile ground for his inventions.

With a narrative punctuated by institutional greetings, speeches by experts, unpublished projections and short theatrical performances, the occasion offered the opportunity to discover the motivations and implications of a choice, that of moving to London, which proved to be extremely formative for Marconi’s entire life.

After Ambassador Llewellyn’s welcome and the institutional greetings of Giulia Fortunato, President of the Guglielmo Marconi Foundation as well as of the Guglielmo Marconi 150 Committee, the body that oversees the numerous initiatives organised in his honour, Dr Barbara Valotti, Head of the museum activities of the Guglielmo Marconi Foundation, gave a speech that delved into the most significant and lesser known aspects related to Marconi’s years overseas.

Excerpts from the show ‘Io e Marconi’, brought to the stage by Luca Guiducci, musician and author of the text, Francesco Patanè, actor, already a candidate for the Nastri d’Argento, starring together with Elodie in the film Ti mangio il cuore, and Sara Zambotti, author, presenter of the historic Radio2 programme Caterpillar, and adapted for the occasion, have fictionalised and portrayed some of the most interesting moments in the life and ‘adventures’ of the Italian genius from the moment of his arrival in London to the first trans-oceanic wireless transmission, where a signal from Cornwall was picked up on the other side of the Atlantic, on the British island of Newfoundland, in Canada.

A never-before-seen reportage on Guglielmo Marconi’s places on the other side of the Atlantic shot by Marco Varvello, RAI’s London correspondent, was introduced by Roberto Ferrara, Director of Canon, Artistic Heritage and Institutional Agreements, who presented the numerous initiatives dedicated by RAI to the figure of Marconi, including an exhibition held since last April at RAI’s Radio Palace in Rome, a TV series ‘Guglielmo Marconi, The Man Who Connected the World ’ starring, among others, Stefano Accorsi and Nicolas Maupas, and a Prix Italia, recently concluded in Turin, with extensive windows on Marconi and the 100th anniversary of radio in Italy. Much biographical information on Marconi can be found on Wikipedia.

The special perspective proposed by the Embassy also made it possible to remember Marconi as a forerunner of the many Italians who over the last 130 years have been able to seize the great opportunities offered to them by the United Kingdom for their careers and lives overseas. Testifying to Guglielmo Marconi’s incredible legacy are two of the 600,000 or so Italians currently living and working in the UK, Sara Bernardini, Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Oxford and the University of Rome ‘La Sapienza’, and Teresa Castiello, President of Cardiology at the Royal Society of Medicine and founder/CEO MIAL Healthcare, illustrated the latest achievements in the application of wireless communication to two key areas of our times: Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health, i.e. Digital Medicine.

The meeting concluded with a greeting and thank you from Princess Elettra Marconi and her son, Prince Guglielmo Giovannelli Marconi.

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Published 8 October 2024
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
January 23, 2025

MIL-OSI: Element to Announce Q3 2024 Results and Host Conference Call on November 14, 2024

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TORONTO, Oct. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Element Fleet Management Corp. (TSX: EFN) (“Element” or the “Company”), the largest publicly traded, pure-play automotive fleet manager in the world, will hold its Q3 2024 results conference call and webcast for investors and analysts on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Element’s financial results for the period will be issued after market close on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 and will be available on the Company’s website at elementfleet.com/investor-relations/public-disclosures.

The conference call and webcast can be accessed as follows:

Call Date: Thursday, November 14, 2024
Call Time: 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Time)

Webcast:	http://www.elementfleet.com/thirdquarter2024
Telephone:	Click here to join the call most efficiently, or dial one of the following numbers to speak with an operator:
	Canada/USA toll-free: 1-844-763-8274
	International: +1-647-484-8814

The webcast will be available on the Company’s website for three months thereafter. A taped recording of the conference call may be accessed through December 14, 2024 by dialing 1-855-669-9658 (Canada Toll Free) or 1-412-317-0088 (International Toll) and entering the access code 8023973.

About Element Fleet Management Corp.

Element Fleet Management (TSX: EFN) is the largest publicly traded, pure-play automotive fleet manager in the world, providing the full range of fleet services and solutions to a growing base of loyal, world-class clients – corporations, governments, and not-for-profits – across North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Element’s services address every aspect of clients’ fleet requirements, from vehicle acquisition, maintenance, accidents and remarketing, to integrating EVs and managing the complexity of gradual fleet electrification. Clients benefit from Element’s expertise as one of the largest fleet solutions providers in its markets, offering economies of scale and insight used to reduce fleet operating costs and improve productivity and performance. For more information, visit elementfleet.com/investor-relations.

The MIL Network –

January 23, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Be Alert to Fraud After Tropical Storm Helene

Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

Headline: Be Alert to Fraud After Tropical Storm Helene

Be Alert to Fraud After Tropical Storm Helene

ATLANTA — Tennesseans should be aware that con artists and criminals may try to obtain money or steal personal information through fraud or identity theft after Tropical Storm Helene. In some cases, thieves try to apply for FEMA assistance using names, addresses and Social Security numbers they have stolen from people affected by the disaster.

If a FEMA inspector comes to your home and you did not submit a FEMA application, your information may have been used without your knowledge to create a FEMA application. If this happens, please inform the inspector that you did not apply for FEMA assistance so they can submit a request to stop further processing of the application.

If you did not apply for assistance but you received a letter from FEMA, please call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Helpline specialists will submit a request to stop further processing of that application.

If you do want to apply for FEMA assistance after stopping an application made in your name without your knowledge, helpline specialists will assist you in creating a new application.

Scams

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams, housing inspectors and other officials will be working in areas impacted by Tropical Storm Helene. They carry official photo identification badges. FEMA representatives never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications. Their services are free.

Don’t believe anyone who promises a disaster grant in return for payment.

Don’t give your banking information to a person claiming to be a FEMA housing inspector. FEMA inspectors are never authorized to collect your personal financial information.

If you believe you are the victim of a scam or price gouging, or you want to report a person or company for disaster relief scams or price gouging, immediately contact your local police or sheriff’s department. You may also report it to the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs by calling 615-741-4737; or go online and file a fraud complaint at TN Division of Consumer Affairs.

If you have knowledge of fraud, waste or abuse, you can report these tips – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – to the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721. You can also email StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov to report a tip.

For the latest information about Tennessee’s Tropical Storm Helene recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4832. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.

sandra.habib
Tue, 10/08/2024 – 20:49

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Project to Protect Hudson River Water Quality Complete

Source: US State of New York

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of the City of Newburgh’s North Interceptor Sewer Improvement Project, crucial to protecting the water quality of the Hudson River and increasing storm resiliency. It’s the first clean water infrastructure construction project in New York State completed with funding in part from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The more than $31 million project was funded by State and federal investments, including $28 million in grants and $3 million in interest-free financing. Under the leadership of Governor Hochul, New York State continues to get the federal funding out the door equitably and efficiently to help communities undertake and complete critical wastewater and drinking water projects, minimizing the financial impact on local ratepayers.

“Combined with our state’s unprecedented clean water investments, funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a crucial opportunity to make significant environmental improvements that will protect public health across the state for generations to come,” Governor Hochul said. “These upgrades are vital to protecting the environment and enhancing quality of life in Newburgh, and my administration will continue to work hard to get funding out the door to help communities undertake and complete critical projects, and to do so as affordably as possible.”

In addition to $6 million in federal grants and interest-free financing from the BIL, the project received $15 million in state grants from the Water Quality Improvement Project and Water Infrastructure Improvement programs, a $5 million grant from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, a $3 million federal Community Grant, and a $2 million grant from the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

The significant state and federal investments supported construction of 8,700 linear feet of new, larger sewer pipes and other crucial upgrades to strengthen the city’s ability to withstand high water events and reduce pollution in the Hudson River. Innovative microtunneling techniques were used to install over 2,000 linear feet of underground sewer pipeline, reducing disruption for community residents and expediting construction. The new, larger pipes are increasing system capacity and reducing pollution discharged to the Hudson River by diverting more flows to the city’s treatment plant during wet weather events.

The federal funding is administered through the State Revolving Funds by the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) in coordination with the Departments of Environmental Conservation and Health. EFC closed on $96 million in federal funding for eight projects as part of a record $2.2 billion investment in clean water infrastructure in State Fiscal Year 2024.

EFC President & CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, EFC is committed to working with local communities to safeguard water quality throughout New York State, making record investments to protect public health and the environment while ensuring these projects are affordable. EFC’s ongoing partnership with the City of Newburgh to complete critical wastewater upgrades is helping to make marked improvements in the water quality of the Hudson River, saving an estimated $24 million for local ratepayers.

DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said, “Completion of the city of Newburgh’s $31 million sewer improvement project will have a lasting positive impact for local residents and the health of the Hudson River. Thanks to Governor Hochul’s sustained and generational investments in water quality bolstered by funding from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the major upgrades to clean water infrastructure completed today will enhance community storm resiliency while reducing pollution, benefitting the entire region.”

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said, “I fought hard to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs law to help fund projects like the vital North Interceptor Sewer Improvement Project in Newburgh, which will install modern sewer pipes to increase protection against storms and help keep the Hudson River clean. For years, I’ve worked with the City of Newburgh, Riverkeeper, the Newburgh Clean Water Project, and other local advocates to improve Newburgh’s water infrastructure to make our beloved Newburgh neighborhoods healthier and safer places to live and work. I thank Governor Hochul for her work using federal funds to complete the first clean water infrastructure project in New York with support from the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law, and will continue fighting to deliver funding to support our Hudson Valley communities.”

EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia said, “Right here in Newburgh, the Biden- Harris Administration has delivered on its promise to invest in the health, equity and resilience of communities across the nation to address the generational challenge of combined sewer overflows. When we invest in wastewater infrastructure, we not only invest in the health of a beloved natural resource like the Hudson River but also in the community members who live along its banks. Congratulations to Newburgh for being the first in New York State to complete a clean water project funded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This is an exciting milestone and just the first of many success stories here in New York.”

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “Clean water should be accessible to all Americans regardless of where they live. High-quality wastewater systems are vital to protect the environment and public health, and I am grateful to see federal funding being used to upgrade this critical infrastructure. I worked hard to help pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and I am proud that funding from this historic legislation is already making a difference for communities in New York.”

Representative Pat Ryan said, “Clean water is vital for our families’ health and for our environment to thrive. I’m proud that this project, fueled by landmark investments from the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, marks a new chapter for Newburgh families by delivering cleaner water today and for generations to come. I’ll keep working to bring more of these monumental federal investments home and keep fighting for the clean water every Hudson Valley family deserves.”

Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson said, “Congratulations to the City of Newburgh for completing this monumental environmental project in record time — 2 ½ years. This project has stopped 56 MILLION gallons of raw sewage from being dumped into the Hudson River. Newburgh took advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity through funding from the Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, the American Rescue Plan, and the State. More than half of the funding came from New York State — $15 million. This vital project was completed at minimal cost to Newburgh taxpayers. Thank you to the hard-working union members and my partners in State government, including Governor Kathy Hochul, as well as Federal government and local officials, for getting this project over the finish line.”

Mayor of Newburgh Torrance R. Harvey said, “Governor Hochul understands the policy imperative of hardening municipal infrastructure to combat the effects of climate change, and the moral obligation of stewardship for our vital natural resources. Governor Hochul’s administration efficiently and effectively delivered state and federal funding from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law directly to the City of Newburgh for this transformative clean water project that will benefit all Hudson River communities. The City of Newburgh is forever grateful to Governor Hochul for her leadership and commitment to the health of our residents, and to all residents of the Hudson Valley.”

Riverkeeper Senior Director of Advocacy, Policy, and Planning Dan Shapley said, “Riverkeeper has advocated for more than 50 years to stop pollution in the Hudson. As communities up and down the river make investments to eliminate overflows from water treatment infrastructure that combines sewage and stormwater, this project means we’ll get to enjoy cleaner water. That’s good for all the life that relies on the Hudson, including us humans. Already most of the river is safe for swimming, most of the time – and this project will help open more opportunities for safe recreation in the future. We want to thank Newburgh, as well as the state and federal leaders who have made funding available for projects like these. As we move toward the next legislative session in Albany, Riverkeeper will be advocating for continued commitments to the Clean Water Infrastructure Act and Environmental Protection Fund so that communities can continue to make these kinds of improvements.”

New York’s Commitment to Water Quality
New York State continues to increase its nation-leading investments in water infrastructure, including more than $2.2 billion in financial assistance from EFC for local water infrastructure projects in State Fiscal Year 2024 alone. With $500 million allocated for clean water infrastructure in the FY25 Enacted Budget announced by Governor Hochul, New York will have invested a total of $5.5 billion in water infrastructure between 2017 and this year. Governor Hochul’s State of the State initiatives are helping to ensure ongoing coordination with local governments and ensure communities can leverage these investments. The Governor increased WIIA grants for wastewater projects from 25 to 50 percent of net eligible project costs for smaller, disadvantaged communities. The Governor also expanded EFC’s Community Assistance Teams to help small, rural and disadvantaged communities leverage this funding and address their clean water infrastructure needs. Any community that needs help with its water infrastructure is encouraged to contact EFC.

The funding, in addition to other substantial water quality investments, includes the voter-approved $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 which is advancing historic levels of funding to update aging water infrastructure and protect water quality, strengthen communities’ ability to withstand severe storms and flooding, reduce air pollution and lower climate-altering emissions, restore habitats; and preserve outdoor spaces and local farms. The first round of funding under the Environmental Bond Act was awarded through the WIIA/IMG programs in December, when Governor Hochul announced $479 million in grants to 156 projects across New York State, including $309 million made available to disadvantaged communities. Disadvantaged Communities will receive at least 35 percent of the benefits of Bond Act funding, with a goal of 40 percent.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rubio, Scott Support Seminole Tribe’s Request for Pre-landfall Emergency Declaration for Milton

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio

Rubio, Scott Support Seminole Tribe’s Request for Pre-landfall Emergency Declaration for Milton
Oct 8, 2024 | Press Releases

Major Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall in Florida, bringing with it devastating storm surge, winds, and inland flooding. The Seminole Tribe of Florida should have access to the federal resources required for emergency response and recovery preparations on tribal lands.
U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging his immediate approval of the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration.
“Hurricane Milton is expected to bring damaging wind, rain, and flooding to Florida, including Seminole Tribal lands. Ensuring the Tribe has access to the federal resources needed for emergency response is imperative to protecting members of the tribe, their communities and property.”
The full text of the letter is below.
Dear Mr. President:
We write in support of the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration for Hurricane Milton, which is forecasted to make landfall in Florida as a major hurricane.
Hurricane Milton is expected to bring damaging wind, rain, and flooding to Florida, including Seminole Tribal lands. Ensuring the Tribe has access to the federal resources needed for emergency response is imperative to protecting members of the tribe, their communities and property. As such, we urge you to promptly approve the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Station Science Top News: Oct. 4, 2024

Source: NASA

Engineered heart tissues in space showed impairments that led to increased arrhythmias and loss of muscle strength, changes similar to cardiac aging. This finding suggests that the engineered tissues, essentially an automated heart-on-a-chip platform, can be used to study cardiac issues in space and aging-related cardiovascular disease on Earth.
Microgravity exposure is known to cause changes in cardiovascular function similar to those seen with aging on Earth. Engineered Heart Tissues assessed these changes using 3D cultured cardiac muscle tissue. The 3D cultures, grown with special scaffolds and derived from human cells, are better at reproducing the behavior of actual tissues than previous models. Results could support development of countermeasures for crew members on future long-duration space missions and development of drugs to treat cardiac diseases on Earth.

A space-based and an airborne imaging spectrometer together make it possible to attribute the source of methane and carbon dioxide plumes to specific sectors, such as oil and gas or agriculture. Methane and carbon dioxide emissions are primary drivers of human-caused climate change. This finding could improve greenhouse gas budget and inform mitigation strategies.
The space station’s Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) instrument was designed to determine the type and distribution of minerals in the dust of Earth’s arid regions, but researchers found that EMIT data also can identify specific sources of methane and carbon dioxide emissions. The space-based instrument can identify emissions over large areas and provide repeat observations that reduce uncertainty. The Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer-3, a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory instrument, can quantify smaller emissions sources. Combining these observations provides more information on emission sources.

Even short periods of higher relative humidity can increase growth of fungi in spacecraft dust and change the diversity of species present. This finding suggests that moisture conditions can predict changes in fungal growth and composition in spacecraft and space habitats, helping to protect astronaut health and structure integrity.
The space station contains a unique community of microbes, including many that reside in dust, much like in indoor environments on Earth. Aerosol Sampler collected airborne particles in the station’s cabin air, including dust, for examination on the ground. There are many potential sources of daily elevated moisture conditions on the space station and scientists need to understand how this affects the fungal and bacterial communities in spacecraft dust. The model described in the paper also could assess how other environmental factors such as microgravity and elevated carbon dioxide affect these microbes.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Holds Roundtable With Veterans To Discuss Bipartisan Legislation That Would Address Epidemic Of Traumatic Brain Injuries In Service Members and Veterans

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand
Following a disturbing report showing that service members are sustaining crippling traumatic brain injuries as a result of firing their own weapons, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand held a roundtable with veterans at VFW Post No. 9587 in Staten Island to discuss the her Blast Overpressure Safety Act, legislation to address traumatic brain injuries among service members and veterans. Service members who regularly fire heavy weapons are at increased risk of brain injury as a result of repeated exposure to explosions or blasts from their own weapons and explosives – otherwise known as blast overpressure. These brain injuries can cause depression, anxiety, cognitive problems, hallucinations, panic attacks, violent outbursts, suicidal tendencies, psychiatric disorders, dementia, and a variety of other serious health problems. At least a dozen Navy SEALs who have died by suicide over the past decade were later found to have suffered blast injuries, and many more service members have complained of health issues after blast exposure. Despite this, the Pentagon has struggled to properly investigate the impact of blast overpressure, effectively track the prevalence of blast overpressure-related injuries, or offer appropriate care to service members and veterans. Gillibrand is calling for more research and better treatment for those affected.
Gillibrand was joined by New York State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton and local veterans.
“After repeatedly being exposed to blasts from their own weapons during both training and combat, our service members are sustaining severe and crippling brain trauma,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This bill will require the DoD to investigate the prevalence and causes of these brain injuries; to track each service member’s exposure to blasts; and to help service members access care. This is a critical bill and I look forward to getting it passed in the NDAA.”
“I want to thank Senator Gillibrand for joining us here on Staten Island for this veteran’s roundtable,” said State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton. “It’s always an honor to meet with our veterans and discuss these important issues affecting them and their families. I look forward to continuing to work alongside my federal, state, and local colleagues to advance policies that support our veterans.”
Specifically, the Blast Overpressure Safety Act would:
Mandate regular neurocognitive assessments over a service member’s career, including a baseline neurocognitive assessment before training.
Create blast overpressure exposure and TBI logs for all service members.
Increase transparency regarding blast overpressure safety in the weapons acquisition process. DoD must consider the minimization of blast overpressure during the acquisition process, require contracting entities to provide blast overpressure safety data, and publish blast overpressure safety data for weapons systems and its plans to better protect service members from in-use weapons systems.
Improve data on concussive and subconcussive brain injuries service members sustain. This includes information on discharges related to and medical providers trained in these injuries, as well as efforts with allies and partners to better address these injuries.
Enhance efforts to mitigate exposure and help service members access care. This includes retaliation protections for those who seek care; modifying existing weapons system to reduce blast exposure; updating and making publicly available blast overpressure thresholds and creating a waiver system for exceeding these thresholds; training high-risk service members to help them recognize exposure symptoms and creating strategies to mitigate their risk; and expanding the types of technologies in the Warfighter Brain Health Initiative pilot blast monitoring program.
Support service member treatment by establishing a Special Operations Comprehensive Brain Health and Trauma program, making the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) a program of record and requiring DoD to provide childcare services to those seeking treatment there, and mandating training for medical and training personnel on blast overpressure and exposure and TBI.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Luttrell Co-Leads Bipartisan Legislation to Enhance Veteran Suicide Prevention Efforts
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-TX)

WASHIINGTON – Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-TX), Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH), Congressman Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), and Congressman Chris Deluzio (D-PA) introduced the What Works for Preventing Veteran Suicide Act, a crucial step toward improving the effectiveness of suicide prevention programs within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). With veteran suicide rates tragically high, this bill aims to strengthen data collection and transparency to ensure that life-saving resources are allocated to the most effective initiatives.

“Veteran suicide is a crisis we cannot afford to overlook, especially as the numbers continue to climb. As someone who served alongside many of these brave men and women, I am committed to ensuring we bring this number down and eventually to zero,” said Congressman Luttrell. “This bill will help us understand which programs are truly working, so we can maximize on those efforts and save lives.”

The What Works for Preventing Veteran Suicide Act will:
- Establish clear, measurable objectives for VA suicide prevention pilot programs and grants before they begin;
- Develop comprehensive methodologies to guide the timing, frequency, and criteria for collecting and analyzing data;
- Require the VA to share program results and best practices with stakeholders, advocacy groups, and policymakers to ensure transparency and collaboration.
MIL OSI USA News –
January 23, 2025

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