Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01)
MECHANICSVILLE, Va. – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) today hosted a community seminar at American Legion Post 175 in Mechanicsville to convene veterans, their families, support organizations, and community members to provide resources and discuss the challenges faced by the veterans community in Virginia’s First District.
Watch the livestream here.
“American history – and world history – would be much different without the service and sacrifice of our veterans,” said Rep. Wittman. “Whether it’s accessing healthcare, employment, or education opportunities, our veterans deserve our unequivocal commitment to ensuring their successful transition to civilian life. I thank today’s panelists for sharing such valuable information and engaging with Virginia’s First District residents, and I look forward to our continued efforts to support our veterans community here in the Commonwealth.”
The congressman was joined by Bruce Voigt, executive director of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Roanoke Regional Office, and Harry Schein, veterans service representative at the Virginia Department of Veterans Services.
Throughout his time in Congress, Rep. Wittman has supported the following legislation to support veterans:
Voted for the PACT Act
Expands VA health care to veterans exposed to toxic burn pits during their military service.
Extends the period of time post-9/11 combat veterans have to enroll in VA health care from five to 10 years post-discharge.
Requires veterans enrolled in VA health care to be screened regularly for toxic exposure related concerns.
Invests in VA health care facilities by authorizing 31 major medical health clinics and research facilities in 19 states.
Requires VA to conduct outreach to any veteran who had previously filed a claim for benefits related to toxic exposure and was denied ensuring they are aware of the opportunity to refile.
Cosponsored the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act
Improves the delivery of healthcare, benefits, and services at the VA for veterans, their families, and their survivors.
Expands economic opportunity, modernizes the disability claims process, improves elder care, and expands mental health support.
Directs the VA to study which programs work best to stop suicide and expand upon them.
Enhances accuracy of data, timely reporting of veteran suicides, and improves prevention efforts through better service delivery and the proposal of new administrative structures.
Source: The White House
The Biden-Harris Administration continues to mobilize a whole-of-government effort to prepare for the impacts of Hurricane Milton, including pre-positioning resources and personnel and expediting debris removal efforts in Florida. These actions supplement the ongoing response and recovery efforts to the impacts of Hurricane Helene across the Southeast and Appalachia.
Today, President Biden was briefed by members of his Administration who are driving preparations for Hurricane Milton and recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene. The President directed his team to do everything possible to save lives and help communities before, during, and after these extreme weather events.
The President urges everyone to be aware of the evacuation orders that are in effect in multiple Florida counties. Shelters are open, and evacuation assistance is available. If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately for your safety and that of your loved ones. If you need a safe place to go nearby, text SHELTER & your zip code to 43362 to get a list of open shelters near you.
Yesterday, President Biden had calls with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor to get firsthand reports on recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene and to discuss preparations for Hurricane Milton. The President also spoke with National Weather Service Director Ken Graham, who briefed the President in detail on the forecast and expected impacts of Hurricane Milton for the State of Florida.
At the direction of President Biden, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell was on the ground in Tampa, Florida, yesterday, where she met with local leaders to coordinate preparations ahead of Milton’s landfall.
Yesterday, President Biden quickly approved the Governor of Florida’s request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration. Under an emergency declaration, FEMA provides direct Federal support to states for life-saving activities and other emergency protective measures, such as evacuation, sheltering, and search and rescue. Earlier today, the President also approved an emergency declaration request from the Chairman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
The Administration has been in touch with officials from the State of Florida, as well as more than 60 local officials in cities and counties along the likely path of impact, to ensure needs are met in advance of the storm. The Administration has also been in touch with officials from the Seminole and Miccosukee Tribes. The Administration has also reached out to state officials in South Carolina and Georgia and will continue outreach efforts based on Hurricane Milton’s latest trajectory.
FEMA has sufficient funding to both support the response to Hurricane Milton and continue to support the ongoing response to and recovery from Hurricane Helene– including funding to support first responders and provide immediate assistance to disaster survivors.
Additional updates include:
Pre-Staging Personnel and Resources
FEMA is pre-staging a full slate of response capabilities in Florida and the region, including seven FEMA Incident Management Assistance Teams, eight FEMA Urban Search & Rescue and swift water rescue teams, three U.S. Coast Guard Swift Water Rescue teams, four Health Care System Assessment Teams, five Disaster Medical Assistance Teams and an Incident Management Team from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Additional pre-staged capabilities include U.S Army Corps of Engineers temporary power teams, debris experts and a roofing team, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency debris removal and wastewater experts, and 300 ambulances. In addition, the U.S. Department of Defense is posturing and staging forces to support FEMA and state partners including helicopters for search-and-rescue operations and to enable movement of personnel, equipment and commodities; and High Water Vehicles.
FEMA has five incident staging bases with commodities including food and water. Right now, FEMA currently has 20 million meals and 40 million liters of water in the pipeline to deploy as needed to address ongoing Helene and Milton response efforts and can expand as needed.
Protecting Public Health and Health Care Systems
Today, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra declared a Public Health Emergency for Florida to address the health impacts of Hurricane Milton, the second public health emergency declaration for the state to aid in a hurricane response within the past two weeks.
The Department’s Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) pre-positioned approximately 100 responders in Atlanta along with medical equipment and supplies to support the delivery of health care services in Florida following the landfall of Hurricane Milton. The deployed personnel include ASPR Health Care Situational Assessment Teams who stand ready to work with state officials to assess the storm’s impacts on hospitals, nursing homes, dialysis centers, and other health care facilities and a Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) from ASPR’s National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) for rapid response following health care assessments. A second DMAT is being pre-positioned in Atlanta to support additional response to either Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton, as needed.
In addition to the assessment teams and disaster medical system personnel, ASPR deployed personnel from an Incident Management Team and Regional Emergency Coordinators who integrate with FEMA, state health authorities, and emergency response officials to anticipate and assist Florida in meeting public health and medical needs in the wake of the storm. Logisticians and security personnel are also pre-positioned to provide support. ASPR is prepared to facilitate Public Health Emergencies for Hurricane Milton upon request. ASPR has also supported the HHS emPOWER program, which is available to identify the number of Medicare beneficiaries in affected zips codes who rely on electricity-dependent durable medical equipment and certain healthcare services, such as dialysis, oxygen tank, or home health, to help anticipate, plan for, and respond to the needs of at-risk citizens in potentially impacted areas.
Preparing for Impacts to Infrastructure
The Department of Transportation is deploying a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Field Incident Response (FIR) team to Florida and pre-staging operations in Jacksonville to prepare support for any impacted towers and airports. The team will work with the state and local authorities and the Department of Defense within the established Emergency Operations Center. The Department of Transportation is also deploying the FAA Communication Support Team (CST), which plays a critical role in supporting communication restoration at impacted airports. Specifically, the CST will set up Starlink and Mobile Phone Bonding kits, which increase signal stability and data throughout the region. The FAA is placing aircraft on standby to transport personnel from various agencies, mobilize resources, and support damage assessments to infrastructure.
In addition, similar to the approach on Hurricane Helene, the FAA will continue to closely coordinate with the Department of Defense, the Armed Services, including Active Duty and National Guard units, and State Emergency Operations Centers to support their use of drones to support response and recovery. Drones can play a critical role in supporting search and rescue operations and damage assessments by providing real time video, imagery, and sensor capabilities in hard-to-reach places. The Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration is coordinating with the Florida Department of Transportation and monitoring the situation to be prepared to support.
The Environmental Protection Agency is working closely with Federal, state, local, and Tribal partners to support water systems, prepare for debris management, and ensure facilities, including Superfund sites, maintain critical public health and environmental protections while they recover from Hurricane Helene and prepare for Hurricane Milton. The agency has personnel on the ground in regional and national operations centers who are continuing to respond to Hurricane Helene and are preparing to offer support, guidance, and assistance to the State of Florida and everyone in the new storm’s path.
Additional Pre-Landfall Preparations
The Department of the Interior’s U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is deploying wave sensors at eight locations in Florida between Naples and Crystal River to measure the coastal waves caused by the storm. USGS Field crews are also installing one rapid-deployment gauge on the Sunshine Skyway bridge in St. Petersburg, Florida. This specialized piece of equipment is a fully-functional streamgage designed to be deployed quickly and temporarily to measure and transmit real-time water level data in emergency situations. This data can be used by decision makers and emergency managers to monitor water levels as they work to save lives and property.
The Department of Energy’s Energy Response Organization remains activated to respond to storm impacts. Via the Electricity Sub-Sector Coordinating Council and Oil and Natural Gas Sub-Sector Coordinating Council, the Department of Energy has been coordinating continuously with energy sector partners on both the ongoing Hurricane Helene response and potential impacts from Hurricane Milton.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has notified local public housing authorities and owners of its assisted multifamily and heath care properties within the State of Florida to immediately implement all appropriate safety protocols for residents and workers. HUD is committed to ensuring that residents of its assisted homes and properties receive critical information that can save lives during extreme weather events. HUD is also conducting outreach and communications on the programmatic flexibilities and waivers that can be utilized to assist communities and survivors.
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) announced it is extending measures to assist customers, U.S. exporters, and financial institutions impacted by Hurricane Helene and forecasted to be impacted by Hurricane Milton. EXIM is offering assistance to allow businesses and financial institutions that participate in EXIM’s programs to return to their business concerns when appropriate and without penalty due to missed deadlines or other timeliness issues.
The aims of sustainable development are to build a system that meets the needs of society without compromising the ability of future generations to fulfil their own. The UN adopted 17 sustainable development goals in 2015 and real progress has been made in advancing some of them. But can true sustainable development be achieved, and how might it work in practice?
I am an engineer with experience in mining and geotechnics. To help answer these questions, I have been researching the interplay between sustainability challenges in the natural resource sector, the evolving concept of the circular economy and the implications of economic models founded upon sustained growth.
Striking a balance between resource extraction and environmental sustainability is essential for the continued existence of human societies and the risks of biodiversity loss must be accounted for in all resource extraction activities. At the same time, the need to protect the rights of all people — including Indigenous rights — remains paramount.
To help better understand the nuances of sustainable development, in my forthcoming research I propose a model of the impact(s) of human activities on the Earth’s planetary boundaries, which I refer to as the (un)sustainable machine.
Sustainable mining requires looking at the practices required to ensure long-term economic development remains in equilibrium with environmental and social considerations. The (un)sustainable machine model describes the delicate balancing acts at play, highlighting the intricate relationship between what drives minerals demand and consumption and how these forces impact Earth’s planetary boundary.
(Un)sustainable development
While progress may be being made in some areas of sustainable development — particularly around areas of poverty and malnutrition — as a planetary system, the report is much less positive. Take, for example, the issue of recycling.
Models developed by the World Bank indicate that by 2050, secondary supply (recycling) for aluminum, copper and nickel could meet about 60 per cent of the demand. Despite the enthusiasm among researchers and economists, however, these long-term projections indicate the difficulty of transitioning to a circular economy. Indeed, these predictions show that a 40 per cent unmatched demand must continue being supplied by primary sources like mining.
In my model, recycling is represented as a set of springs resisting the extraction of additional mineral resources. To achieve 100 per cent recycling of the entire spectrum of the mineral resources, our economy needs to solve problems that are not achievable with today’s technology. Furthermore, when developed on an industrial scale, recycling plants raise some of the same environmental challenges of large mineral processing and smelting plants.
The (un)sustainable cone model highlights the discrepancy between an economic concept based on the idea of a closed-loop system (circular economy) and the current financial framework based on the idea that infinite growth is possible. The larger the unbalanced cross-sectional area of the (un)sustainable cone of demand and consumption, the larger the stresses imposed upon Earth’s planetary boundaries.
A different path?
To remain within Earth’s planetary boundaries requires solutions beyond simple technical means. Actions by a few individuals are not sufficient. As engineers, we often believe it is possible to develop solutions to mitigate the anthropogenic impacts on Earth’s planetary boundaries. However, by doing so, we fail to realize that finite barriers to growth remain and that our engineering solutions may in time become part of the problem.
It is essential for individuals who are not economists or environmental scientists to think about the meaning of sustainability in the context of extracting mineral resources. At the same time, economists and social-environmental scientists need to recognize that when it comes to mineral resources, policies and permitting regulations should not be addressed separately from the technical and economic aspects of mining engineering problems.
Therein is the tragedy. Each financial market is locked into a system that compels it to increase its value without limit – in a world with finite resources. Earth’s ruin is the destination toward which all companies rush, each pursuing its own best interest in a market that (only) believes in the benefits of the shareholders.
Simply put, while both policy and technology are necessary to achieve true sustainability, unless our efforts are unified across discipline and economies, there is little hope for staying within the finite bounds of what our planet can provide.
Davide Elmo receives funding from NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada) and MITACS
In Alberta, the rate of hysterectomy is more than 20 per cent higher than the national rate (328 versus 269 per 100,000 adult women), and Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) data shows the province has had a comparatively higher rate since 2010.
In a recent study, we investigated whether women with lower levels of education were more likely to have a hysterectomy, and at what ages.
We analyzed data from Alberta’s Tomorrow Project, a large, long-term study tracking health and chronic illness in Albertans. We studied almost 35,000 women over a 15-year period. The findings were stark: 29.7 per cent of women with a high school diploma or less had a hysterectomy, compared to 14.7 per cent with a university degree.
After we accounted for several social and medical factors, it appeared that women with a high school education were roughly 1.7 times as likely to have a hysterectomy than those with a university education. Even women with a college degree were approximately 1.6 times as likely to have a hysterectomy than those who were university educated.
Our findings raise important questions about social disparities in Canadian medical care. We know that women with lower levels of education often face economic challenges that can limit access to alternative treatments.
For example, if employment does not provide extended health benefits to cover the costs of medical management, women may view surgery — which is covered by Canada’s universal health-care system — as their only viable option. Moreover, they may have less access to health-care providers who are familiar with newer, non-surgical treatments, or who are willing to offer them.
Women with precarious employment or multiple roles at work and home may not be able to cope with unpredictable symptoms, such as unpredictable uterine bleeding, leading them to choose a more definitive treatment earlier.
Our research also questions whether health-care providers may be more likely to recommend surgery to women with less education, possibly due to biases or assumptions about women’s ability to afford or manage non-surgical treatments.
It is also possible that women with less education may have lower health literacy, affecting their ability to make informed decisions, or to participate in shared decision-making. Being less likely to question a doctor’s recommendations or seek second opinions could lead to a higher likelihood of surgery.
It is evident that despite medical advances reducing the need for hysterectomy, there are significant variations in its use across different groups of women. This suggests some surgeries are not driven by medical necessity and may be avoidable. Our study adds to growing evidence calling for greater attention to the social determinants of female reproductive health. We expect it will require multiple approaches to address these disparities.
To begin with, it is essential to improve information about, and access to, non-surgical treatments for all women, including tailoring this as needed for those with less education. One potential area of improvement is Canada’s recent commitment to federal coverage for birth control, since this can provide excellent treatment for conditions such as heavy uterine bleeding.
Investment in pelvic floor physiotherapy is also necessary to ensure non-surgical treatment for pelvic organ prolapse is available to everyone.
Secondly, there is an urgent need for increasing awareness among health-care providers about the importance of shared decision-making and addressing unconscious bias.
Lastly, interventions to improve health literacy among women with lower education levels are critical to enable patients to be more active participants in their health-care decisions. It could also reduce the likelihood of experiencing a potentially avoidable hysterectomy and subsequent long-term health issues.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Canoe EIT Income Fund (“Canoe” or the “Fund”)(TSX – EIT.UN) today announced the 2024 voluntary cash redemption.
Voluntary Annual Cash Redemption
The redemption date for the Fund’s annual voluntary cash redemption will be December 6, 2024. Unitholders are entitled to redeem units of the Fund at a price equal to 95% of the Average Net Asset Value (NAV) of the three trading days preceding the December 6, 2024 redemption date, less direct costs. Direct costs are expected to be less than 1%. If all redemption requests exceed 10% of the aggregate outstanding units of the Fund on November 15, 2024, the final day to submit units for redemption, the Fund will process redemptions to this maximum on a pro-rata basis based on the total number of units tendered. Payment for units that have been tendered and accepted for redemption will be made on or before December 31, 2024.
Unitholders wishing to redeem their units must provide notice of their intent to do so with their investment advisor or brokerage office no later than November 15, 2024. Please note that investment firms may impose an earlier deadline in order to facilitate the processing of redemption requests. Unitholders are strongly urged to consult their investment advisor or brokerage office directly to confirm their internal deadlines. Registered unitholders (those who hold a physical share certificate in their name) should contact the Fund’s transfer agent, Alliance Trust Company, at 1-877-537-6111 to redeem their units. Units that have been submitted for redemption will remain eligible for the October 2024 and November 2024 distributions, which are paid in November 2024 and December 2024, respectively.
Please note that any redemption requests made by non-resident unitholders may be subject to withholding tax.
Key Dates
October 8 – November 15, 2024
Unitholders may tender units for redemption
December 3,4,5 2024
Redemption price determined based on Average NAV of these trading days
December 6, 2024
Redemption date
December 31, 2024
Payment of redemption proceeds on or before this date
About Canoe EIT Income Fund
Canoe EIT Income Fund is one of Canada’s largest closed-end investment funds, designed to maximize monthly distributions and capital appreciation by investing in a broadly diversified portfolio of high quality securities. The Fund is listed on the TSX under the symbol EIT.UN, and is actively managed by Robert Taylor, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, Canoe Financial.
About Canoe Financial
Canoe Financial is one of Canada’s fastest growing independent mutual fund companies managing approximately $18.0 billion in assets across a diversified range of award-winning investment solutions. Founded in 2008, Canoe Financial is an employee-owned investment management firm focused on building financial wealth for Canadians. Canoe Financial has a significant presence across Canada, including offices in Calgary, Toronto and Montreal.
Not for Distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or for Dissemination in the United States of America.
The Fund makes monthly distributions of an amount comprised in whole or in part of Return of Capital (ROC) of the net asset value per unit. A ROC reduces the amount of your original investment and may result in the return to you of the entire amount of your original investment. ROC that is not reinvested will reduce the net asset value of the fund, which could reduce the fund’s ability to generate future income. You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of this distribution. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investment funds. Please read the information filed about the Fund on http://www.sedar.com before investing. Investment funds are not guaranteed and past performance may not be repeated. This communication is not to be construed as a public offering to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities. Such an offer can only be made by way of a prospectus or other applicable offering document and should be read carefully before making any investment. This release is for information purposes only. Investors should consult their Investment Advisor for details and risk factors regarding specific strategies and various investment products.
Source: US National Republican Congressional Committee
The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –
October 8, 2024
After claiming he fluently speaks Vietnamese, then admitting he’s not, yesterday Derek Tran reversed himself again to claim once again he’s fluent in Vietnamese.
HOST: “You’ve touted yourself as the ‘only candidate who speaks fluent Vietnamese’ in a district than includes Orange County’s Little Saigon, but after you struggled to answer some basic questions in Vietnamese and questions were raised in the press, you admitted that you speak ‘broken Vietnamese.’ Why did you claim to be fluent when you’re not?”
TRAN: “Look, Frank, at the end of the day, I believe that I am fluent in Vietnamese.”
“This guy lies about EVERYTHING. One day he’s fluent, the next he’s not, and now he’s fluent again — it’s clear Derek Tran will say anything to get elected, even if it means lying to voters’ faces.” – NRCC Spokesperson Ben Petersen
On Saturday, October 5 the interprofessional health students of the Urban Service Track/AHEC Scholars training program at UConn Health contributed once again to the longstanding Ollie M. Williams (OMW) Health and Wellness Fair at Thirman Miller Middle School in Hartford.
This is the 14th consecutive-year UConn Health students have supported the annual community event attended by hundreds of community members.
The UConn Health students helped administer free health care and screenings such as administering the pneumococcal vaccine, provided oral, blood pressure, and blood glucose checks, and health education about asthma triggers, oral hygiene, and the benefits of good nutrition and an active life style.
Preceptors overseeing the student care from UConn Health included: Dr. Victoria Massey, Dr. Nancy Wong, Dr. Kiran Lorick, Dr. Gary Rhule, and Dr. Bruce Gould.
“This event is an example of the value our strong academic-community partnership has in promoting better health for all of Connecticut’s citizens,” said Petra Clark-Dufner, director of CT AHEC. “No partnership better amplifies the power and strength of the unique academic-community partnership than the one with the Ollie M. Williams Community Organization.”
CT AHEC-based at UConn Health annually works with hundreds of partners statewide to address health disparities and promote better health outcomes for the state’s citizens.
“The amount of services and resources provided at Thirman Miller Middle School was amazing,” said Clark-Dufner. “The focus of partners working in collaboration to provide early detection and prevention screenings was a beautiful thing to see.”
The International Space Station offers a unique microgravity environment where cells outside the human body behave similarly to how they do inside the human body. Tissue chips are small devices containing living cells that mimic complex functions of specific human tissues and organs. Researchers can run experiments using tissue chips aboard space station to understand disease progression and provide faster and safer alternatives for preparing medicine for clinical trials. Researchers placed engineered heart tissues on tissue chips sent to study how microgravity impacts cardiac functions in space. Data collected by the chips showed these heart tissues experienced impaired contractions, subcellular structural changes, and increased stress, which can lead to tissue damage and disease. Previous studies conducted on human subjects have displayed similar outcomes. In the future, engineered heart tissues could accurately model the effects of spaceflight on cardiac function. Another investigation used muscle-on-a-chip technology to evaluate whether engineered muscle tissues can mimic the characteristics of reduced muscle regeneration in microgravity. Researchers found that engineered muscle-on-a-chip platforms are viable for studying muscle-related bioprocesses in space. In addition, samples treated with drugs known to stimulate muscle regeneration showed partial prevention of the effects of microgravity. These results demonstrate that muscle-on-chip can also be used to study and identify drugs that may prevent muscle decline in space and age-related muscle decline on Earth.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Neal Dunn (2nd District of Florida)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – Yesterday, Speaker Mike Johnson (LA-04) joined Congressman Neal Dunn (FL-02) and Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) to survey North Florida communities severely affected by Hurricane Helene. The members visited Steinhatchee to assess damage on the ground and conducted aerial surveys of agricultural losses in Lafayette County. The visit concluded with an agriculture roundtable at the University Air Center.
Throughout the day, Speaker Johnson, along with Reps. Dunn and Cammack, engaged with local leaders, federal officials, and community members to evaluate the damage and discuss ongoing recovery efforts.
After the tour in Steinhatchee, Speaker Johnson addressed the local media, while Reps. Dunn and Cammack issued the following statements:
“North Florida is tough, and the resilience of our communities in the wake of Hurricane Helene continues to inspire. Local leaders, residents, and federal officials have come together with strength and determination, showing the grit and dedication needed to rebuild,” Congressman Neal Dunn said. “I am honored to host Speaker Johnson as we work together, and I am committed to advocating for aid and providing the support our communities need through every step of the recovery process.”
“I think this has been an extraordinary effort by Florida, the state and local officials. It’s just really inspiring to see how well it’s been covered and how much the community is rolling up its sleeves and working together. Here in this community, it would inspire the entire country to see how they’re really banded together. They’re undeterred. This is a very resilient community of people. That’s the best of America,” Speaker Johnson said. “We have this disaster now that’s around the country. We have people in North Carolina still stranded in their homes in the mountains, and people in Georgia and a number of other states that have been terribly affected by this storm. So, Congress is on the ground, the representatives who represent all those districts are there with their constituents, with their people trying to help, and we will do what’s necessary to make sure that Americans are taken care of.”
“I’m grateful to Speaker Johnson for visiting some of Florida’s hardest-hit communities today. Seeing the damage and destruction from Hurricane Helene firsthand and hearing directly from the folks who continue to struggle with relief from the federal government was critical, especially because these same communities also endured Hurricane Idalia and Debby in the last 13 months. Some of those very same folks have yet to receive the disaster assistance they applied for,” said Rep. Cammack. “We’re going to continue our efforts to get our region back up and running and I’m grateful for the Speaker’s commitment to this work.”
The visit highlighted the ongoing recovery efforts and the commitment of federal and local officials to ensuring that North Florida communities receive the aid they need in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Neal Dunn (2nd District of Florida)
Washington, DC – Congressman Neal Dunn (FL-02) and 14 colleagues have formally requested urgent action from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to aid farmers and rural communities devastated by Hurricane Helene. In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the bipartisan group of lawmakers outlined specific steps to ensure a swift and effective recovery for agricultural producers across the Southeast.
“Hurricane Helene has caused significant damage to our agricultural communities, and it’s vital that we act quickly to support the recovery process,” said Congressman Dunn. “I’m calling on USDA to deploy Farm Service Agency (FSA) strike teams, utilize local rainfall data for accurate damage assessments, and provide disaster aid through state block grants to give our states the flexibility to address their unique needs.”
The letter emphasized three key actions:
Deploy FSA Strike Teams: These teams would be sent to the hardest-hit areas to help farmers navigate the complex disaster relief programs and ensure they receive the assistance they need as quickly as possible.
Utilize Local Rainfall Data: The delegation urged the Risk Management Agency (RMA) to collaborate with local stakeholders to improve the accuracy of rainfall data used for crop insurance claims, addressing concerns that current data may not accurately reflect conditions on the ground.
Provide Block Grant Disaster Aid: By using state block grants, USDA would expedite aid delivery and provide states with the flexibility to tailor relief to the specific needs of their agricultural communities.
The letter was led by Congresswoman Kat Cammack and co-signed by Florida Representatives Neal Dunn, Aaron Bean, Gus Bilirakis, Byron Donalds, Scott Franklin, Laurel Lee, Cory Mills, Mike Waltz, and Daniel Webster, along with Rep. Kat Cammack. Additional signatories included Reps. Rick Allen, Austin Scott, and Buddy Carter of Georgia, Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, and Morgan Griffith of Virginia.
Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker
WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the highest-ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined “The Hugh Hewitt Show” program and discussed several national defense topics, including the October 7th Anniversary, China’s shocking growth in naval shipbuilding, and the Biden-Harris administration’s weak record on China.
The interview follows Senator Wicker’s October 7th Anniversary statement which was released on Monday.
Read selected excerpts from the interview below, or watch the full segment here.
On a Harris presidency & China policy: “If it’s any indication of how her party has done with their leader in the U.S. Senate, yes, it’s very much a concern [how Harris would do with China]. Every time we’ve wanted to spend a few extra dollars – a few percentage points of our huge economy – to defend ourselves, the Democrats say: “well, we won’t do that unless we can increase domestic spending, too.” So, it’s been like pulling teeth getting a few extra ships built.”
On shipbuilding: “China has 200 times the Navy shipbuilding capacity we do. When you talk about [how] we need to increase the number of fighter jets, or submarines, or ships, some people say: “well, we don’t even have the industrial capacity. We don’t have enough manufacturing plants.” And of course, the answer to that is: let’s get some.We’re going to have to increase our national defense to keep us out of a war. The idea is to keep the peace by being so strong that nobody will take a chance on us.
On a future DOD budget: “What we need to do – and what I’ve advocated – and what military experts past and present are saying is that we need to go back to Ronald Reagan’s ‘peace through strength.’ And that does involve about five percent of our economy used to get us ready to defend ourselves in a war…if we spend five percent of our gross domestic product on defending America, we can save hundreds of billions and trillions of dollars by staying out of a war…the last time our Senate Republicans met with President Trump, he was very clear that he shared our determination to increase our Navy and get it back up to the point where we’re able to protect America and deter somebody from attacking us. So that was very much an encouraging statement from President Trump.”
On Israel: “Remember this: the attack one year ago today was an attack on a civilian concert with Americans present and killed at the concert. 1,200 innocent civilians were killed in the most brutal way…there’s no way that after all the Israelis have encountered over 70 years and all the things the Jewish people have encountered over the centuries, there’s no way that Israel is going to give up its right to that tiny little piece of real estate in the Middle East. As a matter of fact, I think that Netanyahu is doing the world a favor by saying, ‘I’m going to totally eliminate these Iranian-backed terrorists – Hamas, the Houthis that are firing weapons on American ships, and Hezbollah, the largest terrorist group in Lebanon’…and I’ll tell you this: Lebanon will be far, far better off when and if Hezbollah is completely removed from their country.”
Canadian Finals Rodeo. Photo by Andy Devlin/Rogers Place.
Alberta has long been known as the home of rodeo, with the Canadian Finals Rodeo being one of the province’s flagship events. It showcases the grit, talent and dedication of athletes who embody the spirit of the West. The 50th Canadian Finals Rodeo wrapped up this past weekend in Edmonton, leaving a lasting impact on the city and province.
The annual event celebrated the talent of Canada’s rodeo stars and highlighted Alberta as the heart of rodeo culture in the country. Alberta’s government is proud to be investing $4.5 million over three years, bringing the event to Edmonton this year, in 2025 and 2026, ensuring this world-class rodeo stays in the province, now and into the future.
“I’m so impressed with the talent showcased at the 50th Canadian Finals Rodeo last week. We’re thrilled to have supported Edmonton in hosting such an iconic event, and even more proud of the significant economic boost it brings to our local businesses and tourism sector. Alberta is, and will always be, rodeo country!”
Minister of Tourism and Sport Joseph Schow presents an award at the Canadian Finals Rodeo. Photo by Andy Devlin/Rogers Place.
The economic impact of the event in Edmonton was calculated at more than $30 million and supported more than 5,500 jobs. The four-day event drew more than 42,000 spectators that filled over 12,000 hotel rooms.
“It was great to see the Canadian Finals Rodeo back in Edmonton this year. Our livestock community contributes so much to the sport of rodeo, and we wouldn’t have this level of competition without the production of great bucking horses and bulls. I am proud to witness the animal athletes from our bucking horse and bull producers in Alberta. The caliber of stock that they bring to each rodeo throughout the years is remarkable.”
Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson presents an award at the Canadian Finals Rodeo. Photo by Andy Devlin/Rogers Place.
“CFR50 was a huge success. Edmontonians and Edmonton businesses embraced the return of professional rodeo to our city, which saw the streets of downtown teeming with cowboys, cowgirls and rodeo lovers from across the prairies and around the world. From the volunteers to the competitors to all the sponsors, partners and friends of CFR, thank you to everyone who helped bring the thrill of exciting western action to more than 42,000 spectators, and a more than $30 million economic impact to our city.”
Alberta’s government remains committed to ensuring Alberta continues to host world-class events that enrich the province’s cultural and economic fabric. By continuing to invest in large-scale sporting and cultural events like the Canadian Finals Rodeo, Alberta is ensuring that it remains a premier destination for competitors, fans and guests from across the world.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL)
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Reps. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), and Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), co-chairs of the Get the Lead Out Caucus in the House, alongside Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) and U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), co-founders of the Senate Lead Task Force, lauded the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to finalize the Biden Administration’s proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). The LCRI would lower the lead action level to better protect human health and require water systems to replace old and deteriorating lead pipes within a decade. In addition to the LCRI, the EPA also announced $2.6 billion in newly available drinking water infrastructure funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to support lead-related activities, including lead pipe replacement projects. The finalized rule comes ahead of the October 16th finalization deadline to not only help ensure these important improvements are implemented as quickly as possible, but also prevent water systems from being forced to temporarily comply with the prior rule proposed by the Trump Administration—also known as the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR)—which would put public health at risk.
“Today’s announcement from the Biden-Harris Administration is a win-win for our communities because it delivers on our shared commitment to replace all lead pipes across the country within 10 years and protect public health,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester, co-lead of the congressional Get the Lead Out Caucus. “I am proud to have helped push for the swift finalization of the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements with my colleagues in Congress. Thanks to our advocacy, and with the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, we are closer than ever to actualizing a 100% lead-free future.”
“As the founder of the Get the Lead Out Caucus, I know that clean drinking water is a human right,” said Rep. Tlaib. “We must move urgently to replace all lead pipes in our country within the next 10 years, and I’m glad to see the EPA announce the final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements to continue the critical work toward this objective. Congress must continue to work to appropriate the funding necessary to help all of our communities identify, remove, and replace every lead pipe over this next decade.”
“Clean and safe drinking water is a basic human right, and the science is clear – no amount of lead is safe. There are millions of people across the country who don’t even know if they are drinking lead, and I’ve had parents come up to me with tears in their eyes, worried for the wellbeing of their children because of lead in the water at school,” said Rep. Dingell. “I thank the Biden-Harris Administration for their continued commitment to replacing every lead service line in our country to guarantee access to safe water for every community and finally give peace of mind to families.”
“Today, EPA estimates that nearly 9 million homes are served through lead pipes across the country – and disproportionally, many of these homes are located in low-income communities and communities of color,” said Rep. Lee. “Clean and safe drinking water is a human right, and we must treat it that way. I am proud of the work of my colleagues and I in Congress to achieve our goal of removing every lead pipe in the United States over the next ten years and thank the Biden-Harris Administration for their work in fighting to ensure that communities across our country have access to lead-free water.”
“Every American, no matter their zip-code, deserves access to safe drinking water,” said Senator Duckworth. “We’ve been working hard in Congress to achieve our goal of removing every lead pipe in America over the next decade, and this historic rule from the Biden Administration and billions in new funding will help us make it a reality while preventing Trump-era policies that would harm human health from going into effect. This is a win-win for all Americans.”
“The EPA’s bold leadership in finalizing this critical rule will help us eliminate lead pipes within a decade and put a stop to lead exposure that continues to threaten the health of far too many families and children in our nation today,” said Senator Booker. “Every American deserves access to clean and safe drinking water, and by modernizing our aging water infrastructure we are investing in a future where every family can turn on the tap and know their water is clean. I am proud to have helped lead the call in Congress for a strong final rule, and I thank the Biden-Harris administration for their commitment to environmental justice and public health.”
The finalized rule also improves communication within communities so that families are better informed about the risk of lead in drinking water, the location of lead pipes and plans for replacing them. Exposure to lead is harmful to health, especially for young children. In children, low levels of exposure have been linked to damage to the nervous system, learning disabilities, shorter stature, impaired hearing and impaired formation and function of blood cells.
Last month, Blunt Rochester called on the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to expedite its review of LCRI. In May, Blunt Rochester, alongside Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons (both D-Del.) announced over $28 million from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to identify and replace lead pipes and help prevent lead poisoning among Delaware’s children and families. The funding came from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, legislation Blunt Rochester, Carper, and Coons championed in Congress.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, last week, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) sent a letter to the Hormel Institute regarding its partnership with the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) and financial resources secured for the Hormel Institute by Governor Tim Walz. The WIV has been credibly implicated as the point of origin of COVID-19 and conducts its activities under the auspices of the Chinese Communist Party.
In the letter, Sen. Cruz wrote, “For over a decade, Governor Tim Walz has acted as one of the Institute’s most ardent supporters, securing millions of taxpayer dollars to fund its operations, including over $2 million in federal funding for technology acquisitions and a $5 million earmark to expand your Institute’s reach. The Governor’s support for the Hormel Institute has remained steadfast, continuing even after the FBI concluded on February 28, 2023 that COVID-19 pandemic likely originated from the WIV.
“Governor Walz’s personal connections to China—his honeymoon there, over 30 trips, and public comments downplaying the strategic threat posed by the CCP13—only raise further questions about his motivations for promoting your institution.
“Your institute’s ongoing partnership with the Wuhan Institute of Virology, and by extension the People’s Liberation Army, reflects a troubling disregard for national security concerns…The American people deserve assurance that their resources and institutions are not inadvertently supporting the goals of our chief geopolitical adversary.”
Read the full letter here or below:
Dear Director Clarke:
I write to you today with growing concern regarding the Hormel Institute’s longstanding partnership with China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV).
The WIV, as you are certainly aware, has been credibly implicated as the likely point of origin of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even more troubling are its direct ties to China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and its involvement in classified military research including laboratory animal experiments under the auspices of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) at least as recently as 2017. Despite these alarming connections which raise obvious national security concerns, the institute you lead has not only maintained its collaboration with WIV but it has done so with the backing of Minnesota’s top elected official.
For over a decade, Governor Tim Walz has acted as one of the Institute’s most ardent supporters, securing millions of taxpayer dollars to fund its operations, including over $2 million in federal funding for technology acquisitions and a $5 million earmark to expand your Institute’s reach. The Governor’s support for the Hormel Institute has remained steadfast, continuing even after the FBI concluded on February 28, 2023 that COVID-19 pandemic likely originated from the WIV.
In recent years, researchers at the Hormel Institute have collaborated with the Wuhan Institute of Virology on a variety of projects, including a 2020 COVID-19 study and, as more recently as of 2024, on structural biology research.
The COVID-19 study, titled “A dynamic regulatory interface on SARS-CoV-2 RNA polymerase,” was authored by four WIV researchers, three Hormel Institute researchers, and a Yale School of Medicine professor. Similarly, in January 2024, Hormel Institute researchers published a study on genes with the WIV’s Lina He, Wei Zhou, and Yangbo Hu. In 2023, WIV’s Yangbo Hu also worked with the Hormel Institute’s Dmytro Kompaniiets, Dong Wang, and Bin Liu on research titled “Structure and molecular mechanism of bacterial transcription activation,” among other collaborations.
Furthermore, the resignation of your predecessor, Dr. Zigang Dong, who served as Executive Director for nearly 18 years and resigned following an FBI investigation into his “possible failure to disclose foreign backing when applying for grants,” should have prompted a thorough reassessment of your institute’s engagements with foreign entities. Yet, despite this disconcerting event, Governor Walz continues to promote and direct public resources to your institute. Even after the U.S. government ceased funding to organizations working with the WIV, Governor Walz toured your facility and publicly praised its work.
Governor Walz’s personal connections to China—his honeymoon there, over 30 trips, and public comments downplaying the strategic threat posed by the CCP—only raise further questions about his motivations for promoting your institution.
Additionally, in 2020, the Hormel Institute’s disclosure in a 2020 EMBO Journal Study that it received “help from the Core Facility and Technical Support” of the WIV for “radioactive and fluorescent tests” adds to the concern. Further raising suspicions is that Bin Liu, a professor at the Hormel Institute who worked on that 2020 EMBO Journal study, attended Wuhan University. Federal records indicate that the researchers for this particular study included those affiliated with the WIV, in addition to the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and China’s Zhengzhou University.
In light of these recently-disclosed facts, it is critical to understand the full extent of your institute’s involvement in a partnership that risks benefitting our nation’s chief geopolitical adversary. Accordingly, for the purposes of oversight, I request that you respond to the following questions and requests by October 31, 2024:
1. How much public and private funding has the Hormel Institute received specifically for projects involving collaboration with the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV)? Please provide an itemized accounting of all such funding.
2. When did the Hormel Institute first initiate collaboration with the WIV, and what were the specific reasons for choosing to partner with a facility known to have ties to China’s People’s Liberation Army?
3. What actions has the Hormel Institute taken to ensure that its collaborative work with the WIV does not benefit China’s military or pose a risk to U.S. national security?
a. If no such actions were taken, what was the rationale behind this decision?
4. Given the WIV’s ties to China’s military, why has the Hormel Institute not publicly disclosed the full extent of its collaborations with the WIV?
a. If this information has been withheld, please explain why.
5. Please provide all internal documentation or communications related to the Hormel Institute’s partnerships with Chinese research facilities, including but not limited to the WIV.
6. What was the Institute’s reasoning behind continuing its collaboration with the WIV, even after serious concerns about the origins of COVID-19 and the lab’s military affiliations became widely known?
7. How can the American public trust that the Hormel Institute’s partnerships with the WIV are not inadvertently advancing China’s geopolitical goals, particularly in biotechnology and biomedical research?
8. Given the U.S. government’s cessation of funding to other nonprofits with ties to the WIV, what justifications does the Hormel Institute offer for continuing its relationship with the WIV?
9. Why did the Hormel Institute continue collaborating with the WIV after your predecessor, Dr. Zigang Dong, resigned amid an FBI investigation into his failure to disclose foreign funding when applying for grants?
10. The Hormel Institute’s work with the WIV includes research on gene structures and SARS-CoV-2 RNA polymerase. What measures have been taken to ensure that no sensitive intellectual property or technology has been transferred to China’s military-backed labs during these studies? If no measures were taken, why not?
11. Please provide any documentation or communications between the Hormel Institute and the Office of the Minnesota Governor regarding the Institute’s partnerships with Chinese research facilities, particularly the WIV.
Your institute’s ongoing partnership with the Wuhan Institute of Virology, and by extension the People’s Liberation Army, reflects a troubling disregard for national security concerns. The devastating impact of COVID-19 has highlighted the seriousness of these issues, as the pandemic has severely affected lives and economies worldwide. The American people deserve assurance that their resources and institutions are not inadvertently supporting the goals of our chief geopolitical adversary. As Executive Director, it is crucial that you address these concerns transparently. Failure to do so will only deepen public mistrust and undermine confidence in your institute’s integrity and intentions.
The American people look forward to your timely and comprehensive response.
Sincerely,
/X/
Source: United States Senator for Ohio Sherrod Brown
DAYTON, OH – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) hosted the Propel Ohio 2024 Student Leadership Summit in Dayton. The one-day nonpartisan summit connects Ohio students at community colleges and technical schools, colleges, and universities and promotes student leadership. More than 250 students and 42 administrators from more than 51 Ohio community colleges, colleges, and universities are expected to attend this year’s summit.
“I started the Propel Leadership Summit nearly a decade ago to bring together student leaders from around Ohio and help them make connections with each other and with leaders in public service, business, and nonprofits in our State,” said Brown. “Our democracy, our businesses, and our communities are always stronger when more young people participate and take on leadership roles.”
The conferenced featured panel discussions on professional development in Ohio, as well as breakout sessions for students to engage with regional experts and other students on public service and civic engagement in Ohio. Students also packaged school supplies for classrooms, teachers, and students in need of resources.
Brown hosted the summit in partnership with the University of Dayton, AFL-CIO, AFSCME, American Airlines, CareSource, Community Campus Coalition, Crayons to Classrooms, Dayton Development Coalition, Joby Aviation, Premier Health, and United Steelworkers.
Source: United States Senator for Ohio Sherrod Brown
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) called on the Biden Administration to grant Ohio’s request to make Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) available to Youngstown businesses impacted by the downtown Realty Tower explosion on May 28, 2024.
In a letter to U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman and Associate Administrator Francisco Sánchez Jr., Brown detailed the impact of the explosion on local businesses and urged SBA to provide assistance. The letter follows an official request from the state that was submitted on Monday.
“While downtown businesses have re-opened, many were significantly impacted and have requested help. Following the May explosion, I heard directly from businesses, workers, and residents who were negatively affected by the explosion. Business owners shared the economic challenges this emergency brought, and I urge you to answer their call for support,” Brown wrote.
In July, Brown called on the Secretary of the Treasury and the IRS Commissioner to declare that relief payments Youngstown residents received from the Red Cross, the United Way, and Enbridge Gas in connection to the explosion be deemed tax exempt. Brown is pushing the IRS to declare the tragic explosion “of a catastrophic nature,” and qualify the payments as nontaxable. Earlier that week, Brown hosted a roundtable with government officials, businesses, workers and residents of downtown Youngstown who have been negatively affected by the May 28 Realty Tower Explosion. Brown and residents discussed the ongoing recovery efforts.
Full text of the letter can be found HERE or below.
Dear Administrator Casillas Guzman and Administrator Sanchez:
I write to urge you to act swiftly on the request by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine for the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) available to Youngstown businesses impacted by the downtown explosion on May 28, 2024.
The explosion resulted in one fatality, nine serious injuries, and massive property damage. In addition, the event displaced hundreds of residents from their homes, forced several businesses to close temporarily, and required the demolition of a historic building.
While downtown businesses have re-opened, many were significantly impacted and have requested help. Following the May explosion, I heard directly from businesses, workers, and residents who were negatively affected by the explosion. Business owners shared the economic challenges this emergency brought, and I urge you to answer their call for support. In his request for SBA EIDL assistance, Governor DeWine has found that the sustained losses to businesses meet the threshold for SBA disaster assistance and that businesses are in need of financial assistance not otherwise available on reasonable terms.
I fully support Governor DeWine’s request and urge your prompt consideration. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.
Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Co-founders of the U.S. Senate Lead Task Force Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and co-chairs of the U.S. House Get the Lead Out Caucus Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE-AL), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), along with U.S. Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), today lauded the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to finalize the Biden Administration’s proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), which would lower the lead action level to better protect human health and require water systems to replace old and deteriorating lead pipes within a decade. In addition to the LCRI, the EPA also announced $2.6 billion in newly available drinking water infrastructure funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to support lead-related activities, including lead pipe replacement projects. The finalized rule comes ahead of the October 16th finalization deadline to not only help ensure these important improvements are implemented as quickly as possible, but also prevent water systems from being forced to temporarily comply with the prior rule proposed by the Trump Administration—also known as the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR)—which would put public health at risk.
“The EPA’s bold leadership in finalizing this critical rule will help us eliminate lead pipes within a decade and put a stop to lead exposure that continues to threaten the health of far too many families and children in our nation today,” said Senator Booker. “Every American deserves access to clean and safe drinking water, and by modernizing our aging water infrastructure we are investing in a future where every family can turn on the tap and know their water is clean. I am proud to have helped lead the call in Congress for a strong final rule, and I thank the Biden-Harris administration for their commitment to environmental justice and public health.”
“Every American, no matter their zip-code, deserves access to safe drinking water,” said Senator Duckworth. “We’ve been working hard in Congress to achieve our goal of removing every lead pipe in America over the next decade, and this historic rule from the Biden Administration and billions in new funding will help us make it a reality while preventing Trump-era policies that would harm human health from going into effect. This is a win-win for all Americans.”
“Today’s announcement from the Biden-Harris Administration is a win-win for our communities because it delivers on our shared commitment to replace all lead pipes across the country within 10 years and protect public health,” said Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, co-lead of the congressional Get the Lead Out Caucus. “I am proud to have helped push for the swift finalization of the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements with my colleagues in Congress. Thanks to our advocacy, and with the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, we are closer than ever to actualizing a 100% lead-free future.”
“As the founder of the Get the Lead Out Caucus, I know that clean drinking water is a human right,” said Congresswoman Tlaib. “We must move urgently to replace all lead pipes in our country within the next 10 years, and I’m glad to see the EPA announce the final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements to continue the critical work toward this objective. Congress must continue to work to appropriate the funding necessary to help all of our communities identify, remove, and replace every lead pipe over this next decade.”
“Clean and safe drinking water is a basic human right, and the science is clear – no amount of lead is safe. There are millions of people across the country who don’t even know if they are drinking lead, and I’ve had parents come up to me with tears in their eyes, worried for the wellbeing of their children because of lead in the water at school,” Congresswoman Dingell said. “I thank the Biden-Harris Administration for their continued commitment to replacing every lead service line in our country to guarantee access to safe water for every community and finally give peace of mind to families.”
“Today, EPA estimates that nearly 9 million homes are served through lead pipes across the country – and disproportionally, many of these homes are located in low-income communities and communities of color,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. “Clean and safe drinking water is a human right, and we must treat it that way. I am proud of the work of my colleagues and I in Congress to achieve our goal of removing every lead pipe in the United States over the next ten years and thank the Biden-Harris Administration for their work in fighting to ensure that communities across our country have access to lead-free water.”
The finalized rule also improves communication within communities so that families are better informed about the risk of lead in drinking water, the location of lead pipes and plans for replacing them. Exposure to lead is harmful to health, especially for young children. In children, low levels of exposure have been linked to damage to the nervous system, learning disabilities, shorter stature, impaired hearing and impaired formation and function of blood cells.
Last month, Booker called on the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to expedite its review of LCRI.
Source: United States Senator for Ohio Sherrod Brown
COLUMBUS, OH – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) was joined by local leaders and community members in Columbus to call for passage of his Stop Predatory Investing Act, which would take away tax breaks for big investors that buy up large numbers of homes, driving up local housing prices. Brown, who serves as Chair of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, also toured a home being constructed for purchase by a Columbus homebuyer, not an investor. The Stop Predatory Investing Act would prohibit an investor who acquires 50 or more single-family rental homes from deducting interest or depreciation on those properties. Right now, two big Wall Street-backed investors own nearly 12,000 Ohio single-family homes in just three markets – including nearly 3,800 homes in Columbus. And the true extent of the problem is likely much larger, because other large investors, like private equity firms, that own homes throughout Ohio aren’t required to report how many homes they own.
“In too many communities in Ohio, big investors funded by Wall Street are buying up homes and driving up prices. So many families who have worked for years saving to buy a house end up getting out-bid over and over by outside investors, and they can’t afford to compete,” said Brown. “We introduced the Stop Predatory Investing Act to fight back by striking right at the core of what makes this a profitable business venture for deep-pocketed investors: by taking away tax breaks they don’t need, we cut deep into their profit.”
Brown was joined by Carlie Boos, Executive Director of the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio, Janene Parham, a realtor with Red 1 Realty and Co-Founder of Renew Homes Ohio, and Curtiss L. Williams, Sr., President and CEO of the Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation.
“It’s not a fair fight when these LLCs are offering to close on a home two hours after it shows up on a listing service, when they’re willing to pay cash, when they’re willing to buy as-is, no inspection, sight-unseen. Our homebuyers cannot go toe-to-toe with high-tech algorithms backed by an unlimited supply of cash. Thankfully, this is a problem that can be fixed. Most immediately, we can take away the incentives and tax breaks that make it more alluring to invest in a home than live in one. I want to thank Senator Brown, Curtiss Williams, and Janene Parham for their continued leadership in this effort,” said Carlie Boos.
“As a realtor with over 25+ years and advocate for affordable housing. I have seen a lot of shifts of the market. This may be one of hardest, especially for buyers purchasing within the 180k –325k price range,” said Janene Parham. “Predatory Investment Corporation is having a negative effect on our housing market for buyers and renters in most vulnerable communities. Regulation has to happen now in order to stabilize and make home ownership affordable.”
“We want to thank Senator Brown and his team for their support of affordable housing initiatives across Ohio and nationally. We appreciate his work to introduce legislation that would help keep homes accessible to working individuals and families in Franklin County,” said Curtiss L. Williams, Sr. “When we take corporations and investors out of the equation, our community is able to focus on creating sustainable pathways to homeownership and affordable rentals.”
Private equity and other Wall Street-backed outside investors are a growing problem in Ohio housing markets, driving up local housing prices and pushing homeownership further out of reach for too many working families. In the second quarter of 2024, investors bought more than 14% of homes in Columbus according to Redfin. Large, out-of-state investors use technology and all-cash offers to outcompete individual buyers. And because investors often target the same types of affordable starter homes as first-time homebuyers, they deny families the opportunity to build wealth through homeownership.
Brown has long fought to protect Ohio’s homeowners and renters from bad actors in the housing market and has fought to improve access to affordable homeownership. In July, Brown introduced the Housing Acquisitions Review and Transparency (HART) Act to increase competition in the housing market by requiring corporations and private equity firms that buy up large numbers of houses and apartments to report those transactions to antitrust enforcers. Brown has held hearings with Cleveland’s Director of Building and HousingSally Martin and the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority President and CEO Laura Brunner about the harm that investors have caused Ohio communities, renters, and aspiring homeowners. Brown also held alistening session where tenants from across the country described the harm they’d experienced renting from institutional investor landlords.
Legislative text of the Stop Predatory Investing Act can be found here, and a summary of the bill can be found here.
If your jaw dropped as you watched the latest AI-generated video, your bank balance was saved from criminals by a fraud detection system, or your day was made a little easier because you were able to dictate a text message on the run, you have many scientists, mathematicians and engineers to thank.
But two names stand out for foundational contributions to the deep learning technology that makes those experiences possible: Princeton University physicist John Hopfield and University of Toronto computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton.
The two researchers were awarded the Nobel Prize in physics on Oct. 8, 2024, for their pioneering work in the field of artificial neural networks. Though artificial neural networks are modeled on biological neural networks, both researchers’ work drew on statistical physics, hence the prize in physics.
Artificial neural networks owe their origins to studies of biological neurons in living brains. In 1943, neurophysiologist Warren McCulloch and logician Walter Pitts proposed a simple model of how a neuron works. In the McCulloch-Pitts model, a neuron is connected to its neighboring neurons and can receive signals from them. It can then combine those signals to send signals to other neurons.
But there is a twist: It can weigh signals coming from different neighbors differently. Imagine that you are trying to decide whether to buy a new bestselling phone. You talk to your friends and ask them for their recommendations. A simple strategy is to collect all friend recommendations and decide to go along with whatever the majority says. For example, you ask three friends, Alice, Bob and Charlie, and they say yay, yay and nay, respectively. This leads you to a decision to buy the phone because you have two yays and one nay.
However, you might trust some friends more because they have in-depth knowledge of technical gadgets. So you might decide to give more weight to their recommendations. For example, if Charlie is very knowledgeable, you might count his nay three times and now your decision is to not buy the phone – two yays and three nays. If you’re unfortunate to have a friend whom you completely distrust in technical gadget matters, you might even assign them a negative weight. So their yay counts as a nay and their nay counts as a yay.
Once you’ve made your own decision about whether the new phone is a good choice, other friends can ask you for your recommendation. Similarly, in artificial and biological neural networks, neurons can aggregate signals from their neighbors and send a signal to other neurons. This capability leads to a key distinction: Is there a cycle in the network? For example, if I ask Alice, Bob and Charlie today, and tomorrow Alice asks me for my recommendation, then there is a cycle: from Alice to me, and from me back to Alice.
In recurrent neural networks, neurons communicate back and forth rather than in just one direction. Zawersh/Wikimedia, CC BY-SA
If the connections between neurons do not have a cycle, then computer scientists call it a feedforward neural network. The neurons in a feedforward network can be arranged in layers. The first layer consists of the inputs. The second layer receives its signals from the first layer and so on. The last layer represents the outputs of the network.
However, if there is a cycle in the network, computer scientists call it a recurrent neural network, and the arrangements of neurons can be more complicated than in feedforward neural networks.
Hopfield network
The initial inspiration for artificial neural networks came from biology, but soon other fields started to shape their development. These included logic, mathematics and physics. The physicist John Hopfield used ideas from physics to study a particular type of recurrent neural network, now called the Hopfield network. In particular, he studied their dynamics: What happens to the network over time?
Such dynamics are also important when information spreads through social networks. Everyone’s aware of memes going viral and echo chambers forming in online social networks. These are all collective phenomena that ultimately arise from simple information exchanges between people in the network.
During the 1980s, Geoffrey Hinton, computational neurobiologist Terrence Sejnowski and others extended Hopfield’s ideas to create a new class of models called Boltzmann machines, named for the 19th-century physicist Ludwig Boltzmann. As the name implies, the design of these models is rooted in the statistical physics pioneered by Boltzmann. Unlike Hopfield networks that could store patterns and correct errors in patterns – like a spellchecker does – Boltzmann machines could generate new patterns, thereby planting the seeds of the modern generative AI revolution.
Hinton was also part of another breakthrough that happened in the 1980s: backpropagation. If you want artificial neural networks to do interesting tasks, you have to somehow choose the right weights for the connections between artificial neurons. Backpropagation is a key algorithm that makes it possible to select weights based on the performance of the network on a training dataset. However, it remained challenging to train artificial neural networks with many layers.
In the 2000s, Hinton and his co-workers cleverly used Boltzmann machines to train multilayer networks by first pretraining the network layer by layer and then using another fine-tuning algorithm on top of the pretrained network to further adjust the weights. Multilayered networks were rechristened deep networks, and the deep learning revolution had begun.
A computer scientist explains machine learning to a child, to a high school student, to a college student, to a grad student and then to a fellow expert.
AI pays it back to physics
The Nobel Prize in physics shows how ideas from physics contributed to the rise of deep learning. Now deep learning has begun to pay its due back to physics by enabling accurate and fast simulations of systems ranging from molecules and materials all the way to the entire Earth’s climate.
By awarding the Nobel Prize in physics to Hopfield and Hinton, the prize committee has signaled its hope in humanity’s potential to use these advances to promote human well-being and to build a sustainable world.
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
$42.7 million project increases the Port’s economic competitiveness
Left: Sen. Markey, Sen. Warren, Rep. Keating, Mayor Mitchell and other officials cutting the ribbon at the North Terminal expansion project
Right: Senator Markey speaking at the ribbon-cutting
Boston (October 8, 2024) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, today joined Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Representative Bill Keating (MA-09), New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, and local administrators and elected officials at a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the successful completion of the North Terminal expansion project, a maritime facility that will strengthen the Port’s competitiveness in fishing, offshore wind, and other industries. The expansion, which has created 630 linear feet of new bulkhead and 5.05 additional acres of terminal area, will support growing infrastructure needs of port users and ensure long-term economic growth for New Bedford and the South Coast region. With upgraded bulkheads, new berthing facilities, enhanced dredging, and expanded laydown space, North Terminal is designed to streamline logistics for businesses and facilitate future Port expansions.
The expansion of North Terminal is the latest piece of the modernization of the Port of New Bedford. Over the past ten years, the Port has seen the largest set of infrastructure upgrades in generations, which will top $1 billion upon completion.
“The Port of New Bedford is a triple threat: the number one fishing port by value in the nation, an innovator on offshore wind development, and a regional leader in maritime technology industries,” said Senator Markey. “This expanded infrastructure will be a game changer for New Bedford and beyond. I look forward to working with the City as they continue to put historic investments into their port infrastructure.”
Funding for the $42.7 million project came from a mix of local, state and federal sources, including:
FY18 Department of Transportation BUILD Grant
$ 15.6M
FY19 MassWorks Dredging Grant
$ 11.4M
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
$ 1.0M
$ 11.8M
City of New Bedford (through the American Rescue Plan Act)
$ 2.3M
New Bedford Port Authority
$ 0.6M
Total Infrastructure Investments
$ 42.7M
“The Port of New Bedford is the primary driver of economic activity in Southeastern Massachusetts. The North Terminal expansion project was a critical step to advancing the Port’s ability to meet the emerging demands of New Bedford’s offshore wind and maritime technology industries. I thank Senators Markey and Warren, Rep. Keating and the rest of the federal delegation, Gov. Healey and our state delegation, and everyone at the New Bedford Port Authority and on the local level for helping us overcome various legal, financial and engineering challenges to get this project to the finish line,” said Jon Mitchell, Mayor of New Bedford.
“This project came to fruition because of the continuing commitment our federal, state, and local leaders make to position the Port of New Bedford for the future. The North Terminal project exemplifies our obligation to provide first-rate infrastructure that supports the thriving maritime industries of New Bedford. This development will allow us to meet the needs of our fishing fleet, welcome new offshore wind ventures, and foster regional economic growth,” said Gordon Carr, Executive Director of the New Bedford Port Authority.
Senator Markey has secured funding for various projects for the Port of New Bedford. In 2018, Senator Markey led a letter of support for the Port of New Bedford and helped secured $15 million from the “Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development” (BUILD) grant to improve the infrastructure and environment.
In 2023, Senator Markey, Senator Warren, and Congressman Keating helped secure $24.4 million in Maritime Administration Port Infrastructure Development Program funding for the Leonard’s Wharf Extension project. Senators Markey and Warren also secured $4 million in FY24 Congressionally Directed Spending for New Bedford and Fairhaven Harbor for the US Army Corps of Engineers to dredge and repair damaged areas of the steel sector gates.
Source: US National Republican Congressional Committee
The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –
October 8, 2024
Cook Political has officially moved NJ-07 to a “Lean Republican” race.
Democrats have been fretting about Sue Altman for over a year: “Democrats privately worry that her profile — she led protests against neighboring Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) for his moderate record — makes it harder for them to win the seat.”
It’s no wonder why: Altman’s support for defunding the police, raising taxes and boys in girls sports is radically out of step with common sense New Jersey voters.
“Sue Altman is grasping at straws trying to hide her radical past, but New Jersey voters see her for who she is: a megaphone-touting, defund the police radical. The momentum is on common sense pragmatist Tom Kean, Jr.’s side and he will be re-elected in November.” – NRCC Spokeswoman Savannah Viar
Source: US National Republican Congressional Committee
The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –
October 8, 2024
Cook Political makes it official: VA-07 is officially a TOSS-UP race.
As polling consistently shows VA-07 to be a dead heat, it’s no wonder Cook Political is the second race ranker to move this district to a “toss up.” Inside Elections moved it to “toss up” in August.
Vindman has faced criticism for inflating his military resume, accusations of violating federal election law, blowback for not being from the district and
Nearly half of CommSec customers and 75 per cent of CommSec Pocket users are under 40.
Young Australians are flocking to self-directed investing according to CommSec with new accounts increasing by 37 percent year-on-year, taking Australia’s leading digital investment platform to almost 3 million customers.
According to CommSec data , investors under 40 make up nearly half of all CommSec’s customers and 48 per cent of trades are now made via mobile.
The analysis also reveals the popularity of international trading and CommSec Pocket, with new accounts up 96 per cent and 50 per cent respectively over the year to June 30, 2024.
CommSec’s international trading platform offers a fast account set-up experience and easy access to 13 international equity markets including the US, Canada, Japan and the UK, with brokerage rates starting from USD$5 on US markets.
Through CommSec Pocket, investors with as little as $50 can build an investing portfolio over time by choosing from ten themed investment options, providing the opportunity to align their investments to their interests, whether that be tech, sustainability leaders, or the biggest 200 companies on the Aussie market, or globally.
“The growing popularity of our international trading platform and CommSec Pocket points to investor demand for a simple, accessible, low-cost trading experience and we’re pleased to see significant customer growth across both platforms over the past year,” said CommSec Executive General Manager James Fowle.
“With investors under 40 making up nearly half of our 2.9 million customers, CommSec’s low-cost, intuitive and educational investment platform has been built to meet the needs of the next generation of investors. Likewise, our investment in delivering a market-leading mobile experience continues to gather momentum as trading via this channel grows across our customer base,” Mr Fowle added.
Female investors now make up 38 per cent of CommSec accounts, with data indicating that they were more likely to invest in the ASX200 than their male counterparts over the past year.
The CommSec data revealed a number of additional insights into customers:
343,000 new CommSec accounts opened in FY241 The five most traded domestic shares by value2:
BHP Group Ltd (ASX:BHP) Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX:CBA) Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX:WDS) Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS)
The five most traded international shares by value:
NVIDIA Corp (NASDAQ:NVDA) Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) ProShares UltraPro QQQ (NASDAQ:TQQQ) Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) MicroStrategy Inc (NASDAQ) MSTR
5 August 2024 was the highest value trading day since 14 June 2022, coinciding with a 3% drop in the S&P 500 index following a disappointing U.S. employment report.
CommSec is Australia’s leading online broker, offering the best mobile trading solutions for self-directed retail investors and has been recognised by Canstar for its category leading features. CommSec is a subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
New York, N.Y. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer released the following statement on the removal of the Rochester Embayment from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s list of the Great Lakes’ most environmentally degraded areas:
“I was thrilled to lead the charge and secure $9.5 million in federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding to finally rebuild the Braddock Bay barrier beach that Hurricane Agnes washed away in 1972 in the Town of Greece,” said Senator Charles Schumer. “In the four years since its reconstruction, Braddock Bay has been transformed from a pollution hotspot into a thriving area with healthy restored habitats for wildlife and improvements that returned tourism, boating, and recreation to the waterfront. The Braddock Bay restoration was the last of 14 major pollution- and ecologically-impaired hotspots along Rochester’s Lake Ontario and Genesee River embayment coastline – from Webster to Parma – that have now been cleaned up and restored thanks to federal GLRI funding. The water is cleaner, birds and fish are more abundant, beach closures are down, and the Rochester coastline can now be removed from the EPA’s list of ‘Areas of Concern.’ I fought to secure a historic $1 billion for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with moments like this in mind. Investing in the Great Lakes means investing in the future of New York, and I will always fight for funding so our community can enjoy the full natural beauty and economic energy of the wonderful communities along the Great Lakes.”
Schumer has helped deliver nearly $14 million in federal funding through the federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) to fund eight habitat restoration projects, including $9.5 million for the Braddock Bay restoration project. Thanks to those projects, 275 acres of habitat and 30,000 linear feet of wetland channeling have been restored to improve connectivity and biodiversity in the bay.
Schumer has been a relentless champion for the Great Lakes, including securing a historic $1 billion – the largest ever single investment – in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) as a part of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Law. Since its inception in 2010, Schumer noted, the GLRI has had a significant impact on Upstate New York. Schumer has long been a champion for the Great Lakes, fighting off budget cuts to the GLRI in 2019 and working to secure a multimillion-dollar increase in authorization levels for the program in 2018.
Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
Washington, D.C. – Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. led a letter to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) expressing concerns over the agency’s monitoring of online political speech leading up to the 2024 election cycle. In the letter, Senator Marshall and his colleagues warn that the agency’s actions risk First Amendment violations by censoring speech on popular social media and search engine platforms. The senators pointed to a similar effort by CISA during the 2020 election cycle that led to widespread censorship of American citizens.
“The First Amendment prohibits the government from ‘abridging freedom of speech’ and the Supreme Court has recognized that for ‘core political speech’ ‘the importance of First Amendment protections is at its zenith.’ In today’s world, ‘core political speech’ is often found on social media platforms. Instead of respecting these long-standing norms, CISA has in the past worked with partners to violate them, thus undermining trust in the agency for many Americans,” the senators wrote. “To quote the Supreme Court, ‘if there is a fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion.’ This is why we are writing to discourage CISA from prescribing what is favored and disfavored speech going forward. Millions of Americans expect nothing less from their government,” the senators continued.
Senator Marshall and his colleagues urged CISA to prioritize its core mission of protecting America’s critical cybersecurity infrastructure. The senators closed their letter by demanding CISA confirm it will not censor Americans’ online speech or collaborate with groups aiming to control online information or opinions.
Senator Marshall led this letter alongside Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Eric Schmitt (R-MO). You may click HERE or scroll below to read Senator Marshall’s letter to CISA.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gabe Vasquez’s (NM-02)
LAS CRUCES, N.M.– U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (N.M.-02) announced the introduction of his bill, the Farmer-to-Farmer Education Act, that supports farmers by creating mentorship programs where experienced farmers can provide hands-on training and guidance to new producers.
In New Mexico, farming is a way of life that has been passed down through generations. However, many new farmers often face challenges in accessing vital information from federal agencies. The Farmer-to-Farmer Education Act ensures that new farmers have access to local, on-the-ground knowledge from experienced farmers who have been cultivating their land for generations.
“My Farmer-to-Farmer Education Act will ensure young, upstart farmers can run productive, sustainable farms by directly connecting them to seasoned growers who understand their challenges,” said Vasquez. “Our farming population is aging, and we are facing a significant shortage of skilled new farmers. This program ensures the quick and efficient exchange of local knowledge — providing beginning farmers with ways to overcome many of their existing barriers.”
“There are no better or more trusted voices for farmers looking to adopt conservation practices than other farmers,” said Samantha Levy, Conservation and Climate Policy Manager for the American Farmland Trust. “We applaud Rep. Vasquez for introducing a bill that would build the capacity for farmer-to-farmer networksto provide the very support farmers and ranchers — including young and farmers of color — need to implement practices critical to the resilience and viability of their operations.”
The Farmer-to-Farmer Education Act will promote regional knowledge exchange by encouraging farmers to share their farming practices and experiences that have worked in the area with new farmers and will improve communication between federal agencies and local farming communities to ensure that all farmers have access to essential information and support. By having someone with firsthand experience address the difficulties that can prevent farmers from trying a new practice, the next generation of farmers will be better equipped to succeed and ensure the longevity of farming in New Mexico.
“The majority of young and beginning farmers are motivated by stewarding and protecting the land and natural resources. In fact, 83% of young farmers who took the National Young Farmer Survey stated that one of their farm’s primary purposes for existing is to ‘engage in conservation or regeneration,’” said Lotanna Obodozie, Climate Policy Director of National Young Farmers Coalition. “However, they are starting their farm businesses in an increasingly uncertain climate. When looking for information on how to adapt to a changing climate, many farming communities already hold deep knowledge on how to build resilience and mitigate climate change in their region. Young farmers just need these connections and resources. The Farmer-to-Farmer Education Act will provide critical investments in farmer-led education, particularly for young farmers and farmers of color, who are already leaders in building resilience and enhancing conservation on their farms.”
As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, Vasquez is committed to supporting agricultural producers and ensuring that the rich tradition of farming continues to flourish in New Mexico and every corner of the United States.
The bill is endorsed by the American Farmland Trust, National Young Farmers Coalition, National Wildlife Federation, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, La Semilla, The Nature Conservancy, Kiss the Ground, New Mexico Healthy Soils Working Group and more. The full list of endorsements is available HERE.
As part of the Government of Yukon’s commitment to reducing recruitment barriers and creating culturally safe work environments, the Government of Yukon has released two key documents, including a What We Heard report on Identifying Barriers to Indigenous Recruitment and Retention and the Breaking Trail Together Operational Plan 2023–2026.
These documents follow public engagements with Indigenous people to identify and address challenges in the recruitment and retention of Indigenous employees within the Government of Yukon’s public service.
Read more about Government of Yukon releases What We Heard report on Identifying Barriers to Indigenous Recruitment and Retention and the new Breaking Trail Together Operational Plan 2023–2026
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gabe Vasquez’s (NM-02)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.– Today, October 2, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (N.M.-02) toured Array Technologies and spoke with executives, site leaders and New Mexico’s Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department officials about the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on solar manufacturing.
“New Mexico’s homegrown company, Array Technologies, is creating domestic manufacturing jobs thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. These jobs are leading the way to securing our domestic energy supply and harnessing the power of our natural resources. Array’s new facility in my district will employ over 300 New Mexicans, powering the growth of the West Mesa,” said Vasquez. “Array’s expansion is expected to inject over $300 million into the local economy over the next decade. This is the kind of economic impact that strengthens our district and keeps families here in New Mexico.”
During the roundtable, they discussed plans for the new production facility in the district and how these investments will bring more good-paying jobs to the area. Array Technologies, an Albuquerque-based global leader in solar tracking systems, recently broke ground on a new production facility on Albuquerque’s West Side.
The IRA is a game changer for renewable energy. The 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit is directly supporting the growth of solar manufacturing at Array. This credit incentivizes domestic production, which means more investments in local workforces and supply chains. These efforts, along with the strategic investments in solar manufacturing, are part of Vasquez’s broader commitment to ensuring New Mexico remains a hub for renewable energy innovation.
Once fully operational, Array’s new facility will increase production of solar tracker systems, key elements of utility-scale solar installations. Thanks to the domestic content bonus credit from the IRA, Array is on track to offer 100 percent U.S.-made solar trackers by 2025, strengthening local supply chains and creating more opportunities.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gabe Vasquez’s (NM-02)
WASHINGTON, D.C.– On September 24, 2024, the House passed U.S. Representatives Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02) and Doug LaMalfa’s (R-CA-01) bill, the bipartisan Utilizing Grazing for Wildfire Risk Reduction Act, to help prevent wildfires through proactive grazing. The bill passed as part of the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act. Prior to passage, Vasquez spoke on the House Floor about the importance of his bill to New Mexico.
WATCH: Vasquez Delivers Remarks on the House Floor
“We need to use every tool in our toolbox to lessen the frequency and severity of wildfires. Livestock grazing can help us accomplish that goal. Grazing targeted areas can help slow the spread of an intense burn and control the temperature of a fire by reducing the amount of flammable organic fuel,” saidVasquez. “In New Mexico, we know the cost of fighting wildfires is astronomical, so we must use every available resource to prevent future natural disasters.”
Vasquez is committed to preventing and reducing wildfires that threaten New Mexican’s homes, land and livelihoods. The recent South Fork and Salt Fires, which tragically took the lives of three New Mexicans and destroyed hundreds of homes and tens of thousands of acres, underscores the importance of using every option available to prevent dangerous wildfires.
This bill ensures that grazing can be used proactively to mitigate wildfires and keep New Mexicans safe. It helps cut through red tape and makes it easier for New Mexican farmers and ranchers to assist in preventing wildfires that could devastate their land and livelihood.
Vasquez voted in support of the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act today, which improves local capacity to address wildfire impacts by allowing different agencies to work together to tackle wildfire risks. The bill advances research, supports local building codes, reduces wildfire impacts, encourages partnerships and offers technical and financial assistance. This allows the U.S. Forest Service to focus its resources more directly on fireshed management by hiring additional staff and conducting hazardous fuels management.
The Fix Our Forest Act also ensures that when Tribes conduct fire management efforts, such as trimming excess limbs off trees, they are able to sell the timber and use the profits for forest restoration activities. This will help support Tribal sovereignty and economic prosperity. It is endorsed by the National Congress of American Indians, the Citizens’ Climate Lobby and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
Vasquez and LaMalfa originally introduced their bipartisan Utilizing Grazing for Wildfire Risk Reduction Act in March.
Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
SHREVEPORT – This morning, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) hosted his second Rural Community Funding Summit of 2024, together with Minden Mayor Nick Cox, the Louisiana Municipal Association, the Police Jury Association of Louisiana, and LITACorp. Cassidy encouraged local officials in attendance to take advantage of his Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and the opportunities it provides.
“When I was negotiating the bipartisan infrastructure bill, I was thinking of mayors, police jurors and city council members gaining access to dollars to build roads, fix water and sewage issues and extend high-speed broadband throughout Northwest Louisiana,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This summit completes the connection between appropriating our federal tax dollars back to our state and these community leaders learning how to use this money.”
Webster Parish alone will benefit from over $17 million in the IIJA as of last summer, including over $9.2 million to build a new overpass over Louisiana Highway 531, along with other improvements near the overpass. Improvements will also be made to the stretch of Louisiana Highway 159 between Country Club Drive and Benson Road, and to the Minden and Springhill Airports.
Representatives from numerous federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and the Delta Regional Authority, were present. Cassidy was thanked for his efforts by Mayor Cox.
“Senator Cassidy’s infrastructure bill has been enormously helpful in improving our roads and upgrading our airports, and we appreciate the chance to learn more about the opportunities in his bill to improve the services we provide to our residents,” said Mayor Cox. “This is great for Minden and great for the region.”
