NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI USA: Van Orden, Landsman Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Support for Veterans

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Derrick Van Orden (Wisconsin 3rd)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH), Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-TX), and Congressman Chris Deluzio (D-PA) introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen suicide prevention and mental health support for veterans. TheWhat Works for Preventing Veteran Suicide Actwill require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish establish clear and measurable objectives and implement best practices for suicide prevention pilots and grant programs that would allow for more effective data collection.

    “We are still losing record numbers of our veterans everyday to suicide,” said Rep. Van Orden. “Until we do everything we can to prevent veteran suicide, we are not doing enough. I am proud to stand with Rep. Landsman in introducing this bipartisan legislation to ensure VA is directing their efforts to the most effective suicide prevention treatments and programs. Our vets had our backs in when they were in uniform. We must do everything we can to have theirs now.”

    “This bill will save countless lives,” said Rep. Landsman. “Too many veterans are dying by suicide every day, and we have to do more to prevent it. Many veterans are dealing with severe mental health issues and deserve the best care possible. If we focus the VA’s resources on the most effective programs, we can make a significant impact in reducing these heartbreaking and entirely unacceptable rates of veteran suicide.” 

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

    “The crisis of veteran suicide demands all of our best efforts, and that means using proven and effective tactics and tools to save lives,” said Rep. Deluzio. “I’m glad to partner with Congressman Landsman to create more guidelines for suicide prevention pilots and outreach through the VA. I will never stop fighting to protect and serve my fellow veterans.”

    To read the full bill text, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pallone Announces Over $44 Million in Federal Funding to Replace Lead Pipes in New Jersey

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

    Washington, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, announced today that New Jersey will receive more than $44 million in federal funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to replace lead pipes. This funding, which Pallone secured through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help modernize aging water systems and tackle the critical issue of lead contamination in the state.

    Lead exposure, particularly for children, has been linked to developmental delays and cognitive issues. This new federal funding will prioritize the removal of hazardous lead service lines, supporting ongoing efforts to protect the health and safety of families in schools, homes, and communities throughout New Jersey.

    “As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, I led the charge to include substantial investments in clean water infrastructure, like the funding being announced today,” said Pallone. “Safe drinking water is a basic human right, yet right now, millions of American families cannot trust the water coming out of their taps. This funding is a major win for New Jersey and a crucial step toward ensuring every community has access to clean, safe drinking water. We’re delivering real results to protect families and improve water quality across the state.”

    As part of this initiative, the EPA also announced today the new Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) rule, which requires water systems across the country to identify and replace all lead service lines within 10 years. Additionally, the EPA announced $2.6 billion in funding for drinking water infrastructure projects nationwide. The $44 million investment for New Jersey will strengthen the state’s ability to remove lead service lines, ensuring that communities statewide—especially those most affected by outdated infrastructure—can rely on safe, clean drinking water.

    For more information on the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements and funding opportunities available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, visit www.epa.gov/lead-copper-rule.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Bennet, Neguse, Crow, Pettersen, DeGette Announce Support for Colorado River District’s Bid for Funding to Complete Shoshone Water Rights Purchase

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper

    Lawmakers call for Bureau of Reclamation to help Colorado’s Western Slope priorities through program created by Inflation Reduction Act

    WASHINGTON  – U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, and U.S. Representatives Joe Neguse, Jason Crow, Brittany Pettersen, and Diana DeGette, wrote the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) in support of Colorado River Water Conservation District’s (CRWCD) application for federal funding to purchase two of the oldest water rights on the Colorado River mainstem in Colorado, known as the Shoshone Permanency Project.

    “Preserving the Colorado River’s historical flow regime as intended by the Shoshone Permanency Project will benefit the Colorado River ecosystem every year, and especially in dry years,” wrote the lawmakers. “We recognize the Shoshone Permanency Project’s complex nature and ongoing technical review, but believe the opportunity to protect historical Colorado River flows deserves your attention.”

    The lawmakers offered their support as part of an ongoing BOR funding opportunity to provide environmental benefits in response to drought, which remains open for additional projects in Colorado and the rest of the Upper Colorado River Basin.

    Currently, the 1902 Senior and the 1929 Junior Shoshone Water Rights are used by Xcel Energy to generate power at the Shoshone Power Plant and then returned to the river. As part of the Shoshone Permanency Project, CRWCD will seek a change in these rights to include an alternate beneficial use and preserve the historical flow regime. Communities across Western Colorado have already committed over $55 million, and are applying to BOR for funding from the Upper Colorado River Basin Environmental Drought Mitigation program to help complete the purchase and create stability for communities, water and recreational users, and the environment.

    The Upper Colorado River Basin Environmental Drought Mitigation program is an ongoing BOR funding opportunity to provide environmental benefits in response to drought, which remains open for additional projects in Colorado and the rest of the Upper Colorado River Basin. The lawmakers welcome other applicants to contact their offices on the opportunity to provide support.

    The state process for changing these decreed water rights is distinct from any federal funding review or outcome, and will proceed separately. As acknowledged in the letter, data collection and analysis related to the Shoshone water rights’ historic use is ongoing and important to the State of Colorado’s formal review.

    Hickenlooper and Bennet fought to include $8 billion for western water infrastructure, $10 billion for forests, $19 billion for agricultural conservation, and $4 billion for drought in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

    The text of the letter is available HERE and below.

    Dear Commissioner Touton:

    We write in support of the Colorado River Water Conservation District’s (the River District) application to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s (USBR) Upper Colorado River Basin Environmental Drought Mitigation funding opportunity, referred to as Bucket 2E. As you know, the Inflation Reduction Act provided a historic $4 billion to address issues caused by drought, including activities to support environmental benefits, and ecosystem and habitat restoration. If selected, the River District will leverage Bucket 2E funding alongside significant state and local investment to purchase two of the oldest water rights on the Colorado River mainstem in the State of Colorado – the Shoshone Water Rights – to preserve their historical flow regime in perpetuity.

    The River District was established in 1937 as a local governing entity to represent water users across 15 counties in Western Colorado – including the headwaters of the Yampa, White, Gunnison, and Colorado Rivers. The Colorado River District’s mission is to promote the protection, conservation, use, and development of the water resources of the Colorado River water basin for the welfare of the State of Colorado.

    Now, the River District is pursuing the Shoshone Permanency Project, which aims to preserve the historical Colorado River flow regime created by the 1902 Senior Shoshone Water Right and the 1929 Junior Shoshone Water Right (the “Shoshone Water Rights”). The River District has signed an agreement to purchase the Shoshone Water Rights from Xcel Energy, which currently holds the rights for its Shoshone hydropower plant. Today, the Shoshone Water Rights are decreed as non-consumptive water rights: the water is used to generate hydropower at the Shoshone Power Plant and is returned to the stream. The Shoshone Water Rights’ senior status “pulls” water to Glenwood Canyon, which ensures that water continues to flow and benefits the downstream environment. Preserving the Colorado River’s historical flow regime as intended by the Shoshone Permanency Project will benefit the Colorado River ecosystem every year, and especially in dry years.

    Data collection and analysis of Shoshone Water Rights’ historic use is not yet completed, and ongoing–a key step for understanding the historic flow regime on the Colorado River. The Shoshone Permanency Project seeks to change the water rights to include an alternate beneficial use for instream flow purposes, a legally recognized beneficial use in Colorado, to preserve the historical Shoshone flow regime. The proposed decree associated with these flows is still under technical review by the State of Colorado. The River District is actively discussing the proposal with other water users across the state. The Colorado Water Conservation Board and the State of Colorado Water Court will conduct a formal review in the coming months. Ongoing modeling will also help quantify the environmental benefits of the Shoshone Water Rights flows. One potential benefit is to the critical habitat of four fish in the Colorado River listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), known as the 15-Mile Reach, located near Palisade, Colorado.

    The State of Colorado and our water users are making their own significant investments to ensure that the historical Shoshone flows can continue in perpetuity. The Colorado River District has allocated $20 million, the State of Colorado has appropriated another $20 million for the acquisition, provided the State’s instream flow requirements are met, and a coalition of Western Slope water users and local governments have formally committed over $15 million. This strong show of funding reflects the local recognition of the Shoshone Water Rights’ importance to the health of western Colorado’s environment and local economies.

    We recognize the Shoshone Permanency Project’s complex nature and ongoing technical review, but believe the opportunity to protect historical Colorado River flows deserves your attention. We encourage you to give the River District’s proposal your full and fair consideration consistent with all applicable rules and regulations. Thank you for your review, and please notify our offices of any funds awarded.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lankford Urges EPA to Rescind Costly Waste Management Rule Hurting Oklahoma Businesses

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford

    OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan to express concern over a proposed rule regarding waste-to-energy (WTE) facilities.

    The EPA’s proposed rule would further tighten Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standards for existing WTE facilities while simultaneously removing compliance exceptions, leading to dramatic and unnecessary increases in compliance costs across Oklahoma without significant benefit. The Senators urged the EPA to reexamine its proposal prior to issuing a final rule to ensure that new standards are set consistent with actual data provided.

    “Municipal waste combustors, waste-to-energy (WTE) facilities, are a vital waste management technology that communities and businesses in Oklahoma use to divert waste from landfills, recycle metal, and generate renewable energy. Communities and businesses in Oklahoma, and across the country have invested billions of dollars to ensure these facilities are meeting the already stringent environmental standards set by your agency and by states,” wrote the Senators.

    “The EPA should be mindful of the fact that imposing standards that WTE facilities will never meet is well beyond EPA’s statutory authority,” the Senators continued.

    The proposed rule refers to the Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emission Guidelines for Existing Sources: Large Municipal Waste Combustors, Voluntary Remand Response and 5 Year Review (89 FR 4243), which includes a re-evaluation of the MACT floor determinations issued on January 23rd, 2024.

    The Clean Air Act (CAA) Amendments of 1990 established the MACT standards to ensure that all facilities in an industry sector meet the same standards as the top 12 percent of performing facilities. The EPA set these attainable standards, known as ‘MACT floors,’ for WTE facilities twice, in 1995 and 2006.

    Read the full letter here or below. 

    Dear Administrator Regan,

    We write to express concern about the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule,

    Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emission Guidelines for Existing Sources: Large Municipal Waste Combustors, Voluntary Remand Response and 5-Year Review (89 FR 4243), which includes a re-evaluation of the Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) floor determinations issued on January 23, 2024.

    Municipal waste combustors, waste-to-energy (WTE) facilities, are a vital waste management technology that communities and businesses in Oklahoma use to divert waste from landfills, recycle metal, and generate renewable energy. Communities and businesses in Oklahoma, and across the country have invested billions of dollars to ensure these facilities are meeting the already stringent environmental standards set by your agency and by states. In January of 2023, the Tulsa Authority for the Recovery of Energy (TARE) and Covanta (now Reworld), a leader in the sustainable materials management industry, established a 15-year agreement with a 5-year renewable option for the continuance of waste-to-energy operations in the city of Tulsa. Consequently, the majority of Tulsan’s household trash is now taken to a facility to be combusted and used for energy as opposed to immediately landfilled.

    As you know, the Clean Air Act (CAA) Amendments of 1990 established the MACT standards to ensure that all facilities in an industry sector meet the same standards as the top 12% of performing facilities. The EPA set these attainable standards, known as ‘MACT floors’, for WTE facilities twice, in 1995 and 2006.

    Now, your agency is proposing to further tighten the MACT standards for existing WTE facilities, while simultaneously removing startup, shutdown, and malfunction compliance exceptions. We are concerned that the expected result of this proposed rule runs afoul of Sec. 112(d)(2) of the CAA. By imposing dramatically stricter requirements without compliance flexibility, the new standards are likely to impose hundreds of millions of dollars of increased compliance costs without significant benefit. The EPA should be mindful of the fact that imposing standards that WTE facilities will never meet is well beyond EPA’s statutory authority. Any final rule that contains these standards is certain to be litigated aggressively. The EPA is wholly aware that it can no longer rely upon the Chevron doctrine to defend overly burdensome regulations in court. Moving forward in this fashion will only waste the government resources to defend a final rule that cannot survive judicial scrutiny. Furthermore, expecting our local governments and businesses to achieve standards that are prohibitively expensive or are scientific outliers is unreasonable. If standards are unachievable, or too expensive to achieve, communities may have no choice but to close WTE facilities. This will result in increased landfilling, forgoing millions of dollars of investment in WTE technology and energy production, making it more difficult to maintain sustainable initiatives in Oklahoma and across the country.

    We urge the EPA to reexamine its proposal to ensure that the new standards are set consistent with the actual data provided during the comment period by the industry to the agency.

    Thank you for your attention to this important matter for Oklahoma. We look forward to your response and the opportunity to engage further on this critical issue.

    Sincerely, 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Physician Staffing Firm Expands to Wake County with 155 New Jobs and $7 Million Investment in Raleigh

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Physician Staffing Firm Expands to Wake County with 155 New Jobs and $7 Million Investment in Raleigh

    Physician Staffing Firm Expands to Wake County with 155 New Jobs and $7 Million Investment in Raleigh
    mseets

    Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced Weatherby Healthcare, Inc. a medical staffing company, will add 155 jobs to Wake County. The company will invest more than $7.6 million to expand its operations in the City of Raleigh.

    “Weatherby has made a great decision to reinvest in North Carolina,” said Governor Cooper. “Wake County sits in the heart of our state and is the home of an international airport and a highly educated workforce, making it an ideal location for corporate businesses.”

    A subsidiary of CHG Healthcare, Weatherby has provided staffing solutions for physicians in rural communities for 45 years. The full-service staffing agency works with medical practices, hospitals, and healthcare facilities to coordinate and execute short-term contracts for healthcare professionals to cover for temporary absences for training, vacation, or medical leave. From housing and travel to licensing and credential requirements, Weatherby covers all aspects of physician placement to ensure complete, uninterrupted care for patients. Weatherby has become one of the largest physician staffing firms in the nation.

    “We’re thrilled to partner with the governor’s office on this project, which will not only give our current employees a vibrant, new, state-of-the-art workspace, but also allow us to continue to grow and bring more high-paying jobs to the great state of North Carolina,” said Michael Depaolis, Senior Vice President of Sales for Weatherby. “We pride ourselves on being a great place to work, and we’re excited to share our award-winning, people-centric culture with the state’s top talent.”

    “We are delighted to see another company expand its presence in our state,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “From manufacturers to corporate headquarters, North Carolina continues to be a top choice for companies that want a low-cost to do business, great quality of life, and access to top tier talent as they continue to grow and expand.”

    Although salaries will vary by position and could create a potential payroll impact of more than $31.7 million each year for the region.

    Weatherby’s project in North Carolina will be facilitated, in part, by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG), which was approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee earlier today. Over the course of the 12-year term of this grant, the project is estimated to grow the state’s economy by $433.5 million. Using a formula that takes into account the new tax revenues generated by the new jobs, the JDIG agreement authorizes the potential reimbursement to the company of up to $1,812,000, spread over 12 years. State payments only occur following performance verification by the departments of Commerce and Revenue that the company has met its incremental job creation and investment targets.

    The project’s projected return on investment of public dollars is 134 percent, meaning for every dollar of potential cost to the state, the state receives $2.34 in state revenue. JDIG projects result in positive net tax revenue to the state treasury, even after taking into consideration the grant’s reimbursement payments to a given company.

    Because Weatherby chose a site in Wake County, classified by the state’s economic tier system as Tier 3, the company’s JDIG agreement also calls for moving $604,000 into the state’s Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account. The Utility Account helps rural communities finance necessary infrastructure upgrades to attract future business. Even when new jobs are created in a Tier 3 county such as Wake, the new tax revenue generated through JDIG grants helps more economically challenged communities elsewhere in the state.

    “This project is an outstanding win for Wake County,” said N.C. Senator Lisa Grafstein. “We have an incredible and diverse talent base that is ready to help the company meet the needs of the demanding healthcare industry, and we look forward to welcoming Weatherby to our community.”

    “It gives us a great vote of confidence to know that the City of Raleigh was selected for Weatherby’s new home,” said N.C. Representative Tim Longest. “We appreciate the diligent work of our state and local partners that helped the company choose our strong economy for their next phase of growth.”  

    Partnering with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina on this project were the North Carolina General Assembly, N.C. Commerce’s Division of Workforce Solutions, Wake County, the City of Raleigh, Capital Area Workforce Development, Raleigh Economic Development and Wake County Economic Development, programs of the Raleigh Chamber.

    ###

    Oct 8, 2024

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Start planning now: Major highway closures, lane reductions around Puget Sound Oct. 11-14

    Source: Washington State News 2

    Handful of significant roadways affected between Snohomish, Pierce counties

    SEATTLE – Another busy weekend of roadwork is planned for Friday, Oct. 11, through Monday, Oct. 14, in the Puget Sound region.

    Travelers on Interstate 5 in Seattle and between Federal Way and Tacoma, State Route 99 in Seattle, SR 520 across Lake Washington, US 2 in Snohomish, and I-405 in Bothell should prepare to encounter delays depending on both the day and the hours they plan to travel.

    While some highways will be closed around the clock during all or a portion of the weekend, most roadwork will occur during nightly closures or lane reductions to help ease the pressure for travelers planning trips during daytime hours.

    I-5 overnight closure

    Both directions of I-5 between SR 18 in Federal Way and 54th Avenue East in Fife will close nightly Friday, Oct. 11, and Saturday, Oct. 12, to set bridge girders for the SR 167 Completion Project. Northbound lanes will close by 10:30 p.m. and southbound lanes by 11 p.m. Lanes will begin reopening at 7 a.m. Saturday, with all lanes open by 11 a.m. On Sunday, lanes will begin to reopen at 8 a.m., with all lanes open by noon.

    Travelers headed to the Fife area should use the signed SR 99 detour route. People with destinations other than Fife should consider using regional routes such as SR 18, SR 161, SR 167 and SR 512.

    I-5 southbound overnight lane reductions

    Southbound I-5 in Seattle from mid-Boeing Field to Interurban will have three of its five lanes closed for restriping as part of WSDOT’s ongoing effort to preserve and maintain the aging interstate. Lanes will close at 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, until 7 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 13. On Sunday, lanes will begin closing at 9 p.m. and reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 14. Multiple ramps will also be closed. This work may be canceled and rescheduled in the event of rain.

    SR 99 closure

    The SR 99 tunnel in Seattle will close from 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, through 6 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 13, as crews conduct the tunnel’s first federally mandated six-year inspection. SR 99 will be closed southbound at Harrison Street and northbound at the Alaskan Way off-ramp.

    SR 520 closure

    SR 520 will close from 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, through 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 13, between I-5 in Seattle and 92nd Avenue Northeast in Clyde Hill on the Eastside, including all associated on- and off-ramps. The SR 520 Trail will also close to bicyclists and pedestrians. As part of the SR 520 Montlake Project, crews will be testing the light and fire suppression system under the Montlake lid over SR 520. 

    US 2 closure

    Both directions of US 2 will close between SR 9 and 88th Street Southeast in Snohomish from 10:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, to 2 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12. Drivers will follow signed detours via SR 9 and Second Street. During the closure, WSDOT maintenance crews will perform survey work, sweep the highway, and clean roadway and bridge drains in preparation for the rainy and colder months ahead.

    I-405 southbound overnight lane reductions

    Up to three lanes of southbound I-405 between SR 522 and Northeast 160th Street near Bothell will close 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 while crews shift traffic for the I-405/Brickyard to SR 527 Improvement Project. Multiple ramps will also be closed 2–11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12. This work requires dry weather and could be rescheduled.

    Ballard Bridge in Seattle

    Travelers in Seattle should also note there is a planned closure of the city’s 107-year-old Ballard Bridge from Friday night, Oct. 11, through Monday morning, Oct. 14, for maintenance and preservation work. More information is available on the city’s website.

    Know before you go

    Although multiple closures pose a challenge for travelers, they are necessary to complete critical maintenance and preservation work and keep highway projects on schedule.

    People are advised to plan their trips ahead of time and use WSDOT’s multiple resources including the real-time travel map and the mobile app or by checking real-time travel data.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy – An Update on Our Interim Committee Work

    Source: US State of Georgia

    ATLANTA (October 8, 2024)— We’ve moved forward in our efforts to strengthen Georgia’s forestry industry with our second meeting of the Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia Study Committee at the Georgia State Capitol. Building on the groundwork established in our initial meeting, where we identified key challenges facing the sector, we are now focused on exploring solutions and emerging markets that have the potential to revitalize our state’s forestry landscape

    Unfortunately, the timing of our meeting coincided with the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, which brought significant hardship to many regions of our state, including those heavily reliant on the forestry industry. Our thoughts remain with all those affected, and we will continue to support our impacted communities and first responders in the days ahead.

    At this meeting, we shifted our focus from problems to possibilities. The shrinking markets for traditional forestry products that we discussed in our first meeting are not the whole story—there are emerging markets and new technologies that could represent the future of Georgia’s forestry industry. As chair of this committee, I’ve had the privilege of working with a wide range of experts to explore these opportunities, and the insights they shared during our meeting were nothing short of inspiring.

    We first heard from Dr. Andreas Bommarius and Dr. Carson Meredith from the Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI) at Georgia Tech, who introduced us to their groundbreaking ReWOOD initiative. This project focuses on “Xylochemistry,” a rapidly growing field that uses sustainable wood-based materials to develop products ranging from industrial solvents to jet fuel. What’s particularly exciting about ReWOOD is its potential to create new demand for Georgia’s vast forestry resources in environmentally sustainable and economically viable ways.

    Next, we welcomed Troy Harris of Jamestown LLP, a real estate investment firm with a strong track record in sustainable timberland management. He spoke about Jamestown’s use of innovative practices to boost timberland productivity while ensuring sustainable growth. These practices not only increase the value of timber but also ensure the long-term health and resilience of our forests—an important consideration given the growing threat of natural disasters like Hurricane Helene.

    Finally, Smitha Hariharan, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer of Gulfstream, shared the company’s cutting-edge work in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Gulfstream recently made history with the first-ever trans-Atlantic flight powered by 100% SAF, a major breakthrough that could have significant implications for Georgia’s forestry industry. As demand for SAF grows worldwide, Georgia’s timber could become a key resource in meeting that demand, creating jobs and driving investment in rural communities across the state.

    Our meeting made it clear that the future of forestry in Georgia lies in traditional markets and these emerging fields. Exciting opportunities are on the horizon, whether it’s sustainable aviation fuel, wood-based construction materials or innovative new uses for timber byproducts. With Georgia being the #1 state to do business and the #1 forestry producing state in the country, I believe our state is uniquely positioned to lead on this emerging market.

    As we continue to work through the challenges and opportunities ahead, I am grateful for the valuable contributions of the experts and industry leaders helping us explore these new possibilities. I’m confident that by embracing innovation and working together, we can create a more sustainable and prosperous future for Georgia’s forestry industry. I look forward to sharing more updates as our committee’s work progresses.

    You can find more information about the committee’s work and upcoming meetings here.

    # # # #

    Sen. John F. Kennedy serves as the President Pro Tempore of the Georgia State Senate. He represents the 18th Senate District which includes Upson, Monroe, Peach, Crawford, as well as portions of Bibb and Houston County. He may be reached at 404.656.6578 or by email at john.kennedy@senate.ga.gov.

    For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UPDATE: Hurricane Milton Emergency Resources And Declarations – As of 1:00 PM

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL)

    UPDATE: Hurricane Milton Emergency Resources And Declarations – As of 1:00 PM

    Washington, October 8, 2024

    NAPLES, Fla. – Tomorrow, Hurricane Milton is projected to make landfall on the Gulf Coast of Florida as a major hurricane.

    The office of Congressman Byron Donalds is closely monitoring Hurricane Milton and is actively coordinating storm preparations alongside federal, state, and local partners. The Congressman and his team stand ready to support our Southwest Florida community and ensure all necessary resources are available. Please see below for the latest emergency resources and declarations:

    Southwest Florida Formal Evacuation Declarations:

    Southwest Florida Shelters Open To Public:

    • Collier County General Population Shelters (OPENING AT 4:00 PM):
    • Collier County Special Needs Shelter (OPENING AT 2:00 PM):
      • Palmetto Ridge High School (Pet-Friendly) – 1655 Victory Lane
        • NOTE: For Registered Special Needs Clients and Caregivers.
    • Lee County (OPEN NOW):

    Emergency Hotlines:

    Local Government Operations:

    School Closures:

    Live Cameras:

    Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) Operations:

    State of Florida – Uber Partnership:

    Attention Residents of Fort Myers Beach:

    • LeeTran bus routes to Fort Myers Beach as currently SUSPENDED.
    • Lee County Utilities have SUSPENDED water service to Fort Myers Beach.
    • 24 Hour General Curfew will go into effect at 10:00 PM TONIGHT.
    • Your Hurricane Re-entry Pass must be TEAL – Old passes will not work.
    • Once the storm passes, if you need assistance with re-entry, beginning at 7:00am on Thursday morning staff will be at two locations to hand out passes:
    • Town Staff will be located at re-entry points to check for re-entry passes – If you do not have one, you will not be allowed on Island. 

    Weather Updates:

    Other Emergency Resources:

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Keith Self Introduces the Federal Program Integrity and Fraud Prevention Act of 2024 to Safeguard Taxpayer Dollars

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Keith Self (Texas 3rd)

    Today, Congressman Keith Self introduced the Federal Program Integrity and Fraud Prevention Act of 2024, aimed at preventing individuals convicted of defrauding the government from engaging in business with federal agencies. This bill would protect taxpayer dollars by barring those convicted of felonies, specifically related to fraud against the government, from participating in federal contracts, grants, and financial assistance programs.

    “It is outrageous that bureaucrats in Washington D.C. continue to do business with individuals who defrauded our own government,” said Congressman Keith Self. “This commonsense legislation is a critical step in eradicating corruption from federal programs. We owe it to the American people to ensure that their hard-earned tax dollars are managed responsibly.”

    Full text of the legislation is available HERE.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: AG Ferguson files lawsuit against TikTok for harming youth mental health

    Source: Washington State News

    Social media giant accused of designing app to be addictive to young users

    SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today that he is suing TikTok for putting profits before the well-being of millions of its most vulnerable users by creating a platform that is addictive to youth. Ferguson’s lawsuit is part of a nationwide bipartisan effort, with 13 other attorneys general filing their own similar lawsuits.

    Specifically, Ferguson’s lawsuit filed in King County Superior Court accuses TikTok of violating the state Consumer Protection Act by targeting youth with features that encourage compulsive and excessive use to get them hooked on the platform. It asserts the social media giant deployed misleading public statements about TikTok’s safety and content moderation practices despite internal research showing the risks to young users.

    A significant portion of the complaint relies on material that TikTok asserts is confidential and has not yet been disclosed. Ferguson is requesting the court unseal that information.

    Research shows that excessive social media use by children and adolescents correlates with increased poor mental health outcomes. That’s especially true for young girls.

    Ferguson asserts that TikTok’s protections for young users are inadequate, despite its public claims of providing a safe, well-moderated experience for them.

    “I am one of the millions of parents across Washington who knows firsthand the hold TikTok and other social media apps have on kids,” Ferguson said. “TikTok is deceiving young people and their parents when it claims to look out for the safety of young users. Platforms like TikTok must be reformed and we know they are unwilling to do so on their own. I will not stop fighting to protect our kids and their mental health.”

    The latest lawsuit against TikTok comes nearly a year after Ferguson filed another, similar lawsuit against Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, along with a bipartisan group of attorneys general. The federal lawsuit accuses Meta of intentionally targeting youth with harmful features designed to get them hooked for life all while publicly downplaying the risks to maximize profits. 

    Like Meta, TikTok’s business model relies on maximizing user engagement. To keep young users coming back to the platform, TikTok designs its algorithms to figure out what types of videos they like and push more of those types of videos to them. TikTok’s “infinite scroll” and autoplay features increase the likelihood that users will stay on the app for an excessive amount of time, which is harmful to youth.

    In short, TikTok intentionally targets youth to keep them on the platform as long as possible without regard for their safety. At the same time, TikTok downplays the risks for its young users. These tactics contradict the company’s public-facing claims that it puts user safety first.

    TikTok intentionally created an addictive platform

    TikTok — one of the most widely used social media apps among teens — created a platform that is addictive to youth. At the same time, TikTok misrepresents to parents and kids that its platform has sufficient safeguards to protect them when it does not.

    TikTok employs an arsenal of harmful, addictive-by-design features specifically targeted and tailored to exploiting, manipulating and capitalizing on young users’ still developing brains, the lawsuit asserts.

    One of those features is “endless” or “infinite” scrolling. Endless scrolling compels young users to spend more time on TikTok by making it difficult for them to disengage, stripping away any natural stopping point or opportunity to turn to a new activity. TikTok claims that its screen time limit for teens mitigates the effects of features like endless scroll, but the limit is not a hard stop. Teens can click through TikTok’s take-a-break reminders and even disable them entirely.

    TikTok also employs push notifications to prolong the time youth spend on the app. The notifications create a sense that youth are missing out on new activity on TikTok.

    TikTok allowed under-13 users to bypass age gate

    Starting in 2019, TikTok split its platform into two levels, a “Kids Mode” and a “full” experience. “Kids Mode” restricts content young users can access, and bars them from uploading content. They also have no access to direct messages and cannot comment on other posts, in addition to other restrictions.

    TikTok uses “age gating” — or screening a user based on their birth date — to prevent underage users from accessing the platform’s full experience.

    However, TikTok knows that many children bypass the age gate, if it’s used at all. TikTok’s age gate depends on children reporting their age. While the age gate may sometimes effectively filter some users under age 13 into “Kids Mode,” TikTok knows that under-13 users are incentivized to and routinely supply a false date of birth to access the full TikTok experience.

    The Pew Research Center reported last year that 63% of all Americans age 13 to 17 used TikTok, and most teenagers in the U.S. report using TikTok daily. According to the research, 17% of teens say that they are on TikTok “almost constantly.”

    In 2020, The New York Times reported that more than one-third of TikTok’s 49 million daily users in the United States were 14 or younger.

    Investigation background

    This lawsuit is the result of a bipartisan, nationwide investigation by state attorneys general that began in 2021. Ferguson joined a bipartisan multistate lawsuit against Meta last year that came out of the same investigation.

    Other attorneys general filing their own individual lawsuits this week include: California, New York, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, Oregon, South Carolina, Vermont and the District of Columbia. Eight other states filed individual lawsuits earlier in the investigation. Those include: Arkansas, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Nevada, New Hampshire, Nebraska and Utah. 

    The attorneys general are seeking to stop TikTok’s unlawful practices and to force TikTok to implement reforms. Those reforms include strengthening its screen time limiting features for youth, eliminating or placing limits on endless scrolling and improving its “age gating,” or age verification, practices.

    Ferguson is also seeking civil penalties of up to $12,500 per violation, after enhancements, under the Washington Consumer Protection Act.

    Assistant Attorneys General Joe Kanada, Kelsey Burazin, Daniel Allen and Will O’Connor, Paralegals Allison Cleveland, Matt Hehemann, Keri Snider, Jen Killoren and Anne Wallig are handling the case for Washington.

    Social media impacts on youth mental health

    Experts, including the U.S. Surgeon General, agree that excessive social media use by children and adolescents correlates with physical and psychological harms such as higher rates of depression, anxiety and attention deficit disorders. It can also lead to eating disorders, suicidal thoughts and body dysmorphia.

    Social media use can disrupt activities that are essential for health, like sleep and physical activity, depending on the amount of time children spend online.

    According to the Surgeon General, recent research shows that adolescents who spend more than three hours per day on social media face double the risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes, such as symptoms of depression and anxiety.

    Social media may perpetuate body dissatisfaction, disordered eating behaviors, social comparison and low self-esteem, especially among adolescent girls. One-third or more of girls aged 11-15 say they feel “addicted” to certain social media platforms and over half of teenagers report that it would be hard to give up social media.

    Ferguson’s lawsuit against Meta

    In October 2023, Ferguson and a bipartisan coalition of 42 attorneys general  filed lawsuits accusing Meta, the parent company of the social media platforms Facebook and Instagram, of knowingly targeting youth — calling them a “valuable, but untapped” market — with harmful features designed to get them hooked for life to maximize profits.

    The federal lawsuit also alleges that Meta knew young users, including those under 13, were active on the platforms and knowingly collected data from those users without parental consent.   

    The states’ case against Meta is currently being litigated in the Northern District of California.

    -30-

    Washington’s Attorney General serves the people and the state of Washington. As the state’s largest law firm, the Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington’s 39 counties. Visit http://www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.

    Media Contact:

    Brionna Aho, Communications Director, (360) 753-2727; Brionna.aho@atg.wa.gov

    General contacts: Click here

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Investigation into Calgary shooting concluded

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    On Aug. 18, 2024, pursuant to Sec. 46.1 of the Police Act, ASIRT was directed to investigate a Calgary Police Service officer-involved shooting in Calgary.  

    The executive director’s full report can be accessed online.

    ASIRT’s mandate is to effectively, independently and objectively investigate incidents involving Alberta’s police that have resulted in serious injury or death to any person, as well as serious or sensitive allegations of police misconduct.

    This release is distributed by the Government of Alberta on behalf of the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Another fact check on Bohannan

    Source: US National Republican Congressional Committee

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

    October 8, 2024

    Extreme Democrat Christina Bohannan has been called out AGAIN for blatantly lying about Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ position on abortion. First, on WQAD, KCCI and KCRG.

    Now, the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board fact-checked Democrats like Bohannan, calling the ads “fiction.”

    “This is embarrassing for Christina Bohannan and her D.C. Democrat friends. The only thing they can do is lie, but their lies aren’t sticking because Iowans know Congresswoman Miller-Meeks is a strong advocate for Iowa.”— NRCC Spokesman Mike Marinella

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kelly Announces Virtual, On-Demand Meeting as Part of Water Local Consult Outreach – Governor of the State of Kansas

    Source: US State of Kansas

    TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that a virtual, on-demand meeting is now available for Kansans who want to provide input on water issues in the state. The virtual meeting is part of a second round of local consult meetings to gather input on strategies to implement the 2022 Kansas Water Plan.

    “These local consult meetings are critical to finding and implementing sustainable solutions to address our state’s water concerns,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “By hearing directly from Kansans, we can make further progress on the goals of the 2022 Kansas Water Plan.”

    The recent in-person and new virtual meetings build on the first round of local consult meetings held this summer, as well as Regional Advisory Committee meetings. The virtual meeting mirrors the content from the eight in-person meetings held across the state in September.

    The virtual meeting is available here. The content is offered on demand, so people can participate at any time they’d like.

    Through the virtual meeting, Kansans will have the opportunity to provide feedback on:

    • Updated investment scenarios based on feedback heard in round one;
    • What criteria are most important as investment strategies are evaluated to achieve the Plan’s long-term goals around aquifers, reservoirs, and water quality;
    • Setting objectives and identifying what Kansans think are reasonable actions to achieve them; and
    • Preferred revenue sources to meet the objectives.

    The meeting will be available online until Nov. 8. Input collected from the virtual meeting will be summarized alongside the input gathered from the more than 500 people who attended the in-person meetings held in September.

    Click here for more information about the Water Plan implementation effort and materials from both the first and second rounds of local consult meetings.

    The local consult meetings are being held by the Kansas Water Office, Kansas Department of Agriculture, and Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

    Questions can be emailed to kwo-info@kwo.ks.gov.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Systems Engineer Noosha Haghani Prepped PACE for Space

    Source: NASA

    Throughout the life cycles of missions, Goddard engineer Noosha Haghani has championed problem-solving and decision-making to get to flight-ready projects.
    Name: Noosha HaghaniTitle: Plankton Aerosol Clouds and Ecosystem (PACE) Deputy Mission Systems EngineerFormal Job Classification: Electrical engineerOrganization: Engineering and Technology Directorate, Mission Systems Engineering Branch (Code 599)

    What do you do and what is most interesting about your role here at Goddard?
    As the PACE deputy mission systems engineer, we solve problems every day, all day long. An advantage I have is that I have been on this project from the beginning.
    Why did you become an engineer? What is your educational background?
    I was always very good at math and science. Both of my parents are engineers. I loved building with Legos and solving puzzles. Becoming an engineer was a natural progression for me.
    I have a BS in electrical engineering and a master’s in reliability engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park. I had completed all my course work for my Ph.D. as well but never finished due to family obligations.
    How did you come to Goddard?
    As a freshman in college, I interned at Goddard. After graduation, I worked in industry for a few years. In 2002, I returned to Goddard because I realized that what we do at Goddard is so much more unique and exciting to me.
    My mother also works at Goddard as a software engineer, so I am a second-generation Goddard employee. Early on in my career, my mother and I met for lunch occasionally. Now I am just too busy to even schedule lunch.
    Describe the advantages you have in understanding a system which you have worked on from the original design through build and testing?
    I came to the PACE project as the architect of an avionics system called MUSTANG, a set of hardware electronics that performs the function of the avionics of the mission including command and data handling, power, attitude control, and more. As the MUSTANG lead, I proposed an architecture for the PACE spacecraft which the PACE manager accepted, so MUSTANG is the core architecture for the PACE spacecraft. I led the team in building the initial hardware and then moved into my current systems engineering role.
    Knowing the history of a project is an advantage in that it teaches me how the system works. Understanding the rationale of the decision making we made over the years helps me to better appreciate why we built the system way we did.
    How would you describe your problem-solving techniques?
    A problem always manifests as some incorrect reading or some failure in a test, which I refer to as evidence of the problem. Problem solving is basically looking at the evidence and figuring out what is causing the problem. You go through certain paths to determine if your theory matches the evidence. It requires a certain level of understanding of the system we have built. There are many components to the observatory including hardware and software that could be implicated. We compartmentalize the problem and try to figure out the root cause systematically. Sometimes we must do more testing to get the problem to recreate itself and provide more evidence.
    As a team lead, how do you create and assign an investigation plan?
    As a leader, I divide up the responsibilities of the troubleshooting investigation. We are a very large team. Each individual has different roles and responsibilities. I am the second-highest ranking technical authority for the mission, so I can be leading several groups of people on any given day, depending on the issue.
    The evidence presented to us for the problem will usually implicate a few subsystems. We pull in the leads for these subsystems and associated personnel and we discuss the problem. We brainstorm. We decide on investigation and mitigation strategies. We then ask the Integration and Test team to help carry out our investigation plan.
    As a systems engineer, how do you lead individuals who do not report to you or through your chain of command?
    I am responsible for the technical integrity of the mission. As a systems engineer, these individuals do not work for me. They themselves answer to a line manager who is not in my chain of command. I lead them through influencing them.
    I use leadership personality and mutual respect to guide the team and convince them that the method we have chosen to solve the problem is the best method. Because I have a long history with the project, and was with this system from the drawing board, I generally understand how the system works. This helps me guide the team to finding the root cause of any problem.
    How do you lead your team to reach consensus?
    Everything is a team effort. We would be no where without the team. I want to give full credit to all the teams.
    You must respect members of your team, and each team member must respect you as a leader. I first try to gather and learn as much as possible about the work, what it takes to do the work, understanding the technical aspects of the work and basically understanding the technical requirements of the hardware. I know a little about all the subsystems, but I rely on my subsystem team leads who are the subject matter experts.
    The decision on how to build the system falls on the Systems Team. The subject matter experts provide several options and define risks associated with each.  We then make a decision based on the best technical solution for the project that falls within the cost/schedule and risk posture.
    If my subject matter experts and I do not agree, we go back and forth and work together as a team to come to a consensus on how to proceed. Often we all ask many questions to help guide out path. The team is built on mutual respect and good communication. When we finally reach a decision, almost everyone agrees because of our collaboration, negotiation and sometimes compromise.
    What is your favorite saying?
    Better is the enemy of good enough. You must balance perfectionism with reality.
    How do you balance perfectionism with reality to make a decision?
    Goddard has a lot of perfectionists. I am not a perfectionist, but I have high expectations. Goddard has a lot of conservatism, but conservatism alone will not bring a project to fruition.
    There is a level of idealism in design that says that you can always improve on a design. Perfection is idealistic. You can analyze something on paper forever. Ultimately, even though I am responsible for the technical aspects only, we still as a mission must maintain cost and schedule. We could improve a design forever but that would take time and money away from other projects. We need to know when we have built something that is good enough, although maybe not perfect.
    In the end, something on paper is great, but building and testing hardware is fundamental in order to proceed. Occasionally the decisions we make take some calculated risk. We do not always have all the facts and furthermore we do not always have the time to wait for all the facts. We must at some point make a decision based on the data we have.
    Ultimately a team lead has to make a judgement call. The answer is not in doing bare minimum or cutting corners to get the job done, but rather realizing what level of effort is the right amount to move forward.
    Why is the ability to make a decision one of your best leadership qualities?
    There is a certain level of skill in being able to make a decision. If you do not make a decision, at some point that inability to make a decision becomes a decision. You have lost time and nothing gets built.
    My team knows that if they come to me, I will give them a path forward to execute. No one likes to be stuck in limbo, running in circles. A lot of people in a project want direction so that they can go forward and implement that decision. The systems team must be able to make decisions so that the team can end up with a finished, launchable project.
    One of my main jobs is to access risk. Is it risky to move on? Or do I need to investigate further? We have a day-by-day risk assessment decision making process which decides whether or not we will move on with the activities of that day.
    As an informal mentor, what is the most important advice you give?
    Do not give up. Everything will eventually all click together.
    What do you like most about your job?
    I love problem solving. I thrive in organized chaos. Every day we push forward, complete tasks. Every day is a reward because we are progressing towards our launch date.
    Who inspires you?
    The team inspires me. They make me want to come to work every day and do a little bit better. My job is very stressful. I work a lot of hours. What motivates me to continue is that there are other people doing the same thing, they are amazing. I respect each of them so much.
    What do you do for fun?
    I like to go to the gym and I love watching my son play sports. I enjoy travel and I love getting immersed in a city of a different country.
    By Elizabeth M. JarrellNASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.

    Conversations With Goddard is a collection of Q&A profiles highlighting the breadth and depth of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center’s talented and diverse workforce. The Conversations have been published twice a month on average since May 2011. Read past editions on Goddard’s “Our People” webpage.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Household heating expenditures expected to remain about the same or less than last winter

    Source: US Energy Information Administration

    In-brief analysis

    October 8, 2024

    Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Winter Fuels Outlook

    As we explain in our October 2024 Winter Fuels Outlook, we expect that most U.S. households are likely to spend about the same or less on energy than they did last winter, depending on a household’s main space heating fuel and the region where they live. We expect that lower prices this winter will be offset by colder temperatures, resulting in relatively little change in expenditures.

    Tomorrow, EIA Administrator Joe DeCarolis will present our Winter Fuels Outlook forecasts during a webinar, and a panel of EIA experts will answer questions from attendees. This event is open to the public, but you must register.

    Because weather is a significant source of uncertainty in our forecast, the Winter Fuels Outlook includes two side cases where all U.S. regions are either 10% colder or 10% warmer than the base forecast.

    The Winter Fuels Outlook explains our expectations for residential energy consumption, prices, and expenditures for the upcoming winter season as well as our analysis of market conditions for the four most common residential space heating fuels: natural gas, electricity, propane, and heating oil.

    Energy consumption and expenditures depend on the size and energy efficiency of individual homes, their heating equipment and operating conditions, and weather. Differences in the housing populations (such as geographic distribution and size) across fuels complicate direct comparisons. For these reasons, readers should not assume that switching to another fuel with lower average energy expenditures—as presented in this report—would necessarily result in less spending for their household.

    Winter Fuels Outlook webinar details
    Date: October 9
    Time: 11:00 a.m.–11:45 a.m. eastern time
    Venue: Microsoft Teams
    Registration: Open to the public, but registration is required

    Principal contributor: Owen Comstock

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: How Would Authorizing Medicare to Cover Anti-Obesity Medications Affect the Federal Budget?

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    Medicare beneficiaries who are overweight or who have the medical condition of obesity are more likely to have worse health outcomes and higher health care expenditures than beneficiaries in the healthy weight category. Among adults enrolled in randomized controlled trials, treatment with certain anti-obesity medications (AOMs) has been shown to lead to significant weight loss and improved health when recipients use the drugs consistently and at the prescribed time intervals. Those drugs include glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, which were originally approved to treat diabetes.

    The Medicare program covers some obesity-related services, including screening, behavioral counseling, and bariatric surgery (a procedure performed on the stomach or intestines to induce weight loss). It is prohibited by law from covering medications for weight management as part of the standard prescription drug benefit. Medicare covers GLP-1-based products only for beneficiaries who use them for medically accepted indications other than weight management. Currently, those accepted indications are diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Policymakers have introduced legislation to authorize Medicare to cover those medications more broadly.

    In this report, the Congressional Budget Office estimates the budgetary effects of an illustrative policy that would authorize Medicare to cover AOMs starting in January 2026. The policy would apply to all beneficiaries with obesity, as well as certain beneficiaries who are classified as overweight. Adoption of such a policy would have these effects, in CBO’s estimation:

    • Federal Budgetary Cost. Authorizing coverage of AOMs in Medicare would increase federal spending, on net, by about $35 billion from 2026 to 2034. Total direct federal costs of covering AOMs would increase from $1.6 billion in 2026 to $7.1 billion in 2034. Relative to the direct costs of the medications, total savings from beneficiaries’ improved health would be small—less than $50 million in 2026 and rising to $1.0 billion in 2034.
    • Cost and Savings per User. Weight loss is associated with reductions in health-related spending per user that are less than the estimated federal cost per user of covering AOMs throughout the 2026–2034 period. Per AOM user, the average direct federal cost would be roughly $5,600 in 2026, decreasing to $4,300 in 2034. And average offsetting federal savings would be about $50 in 2026, reaching $650 in 2034.
    • Eligibility and Take-up. Over 12.5 million Medicare beneficiaries would newly qualify for AOMs in 2026 under the illustrative policy; 0.3 million, or 2 percent of the newly eligible population, would use an AOM in 2026. Despite growth in Medicare enrollment from 2026 to 2034, the number of newly qualified beneficiaries would fall to 11.9 million in 2034 as those drugs were approved to treat additional conditions under current law. In that year, about 1.6 million (or 14 percent) of the newly eligible beneficiaries would use an AOM.

    Beyond 2034, the policy’s net federal costs to the Medicare program would probably be lower on a per-user basis than in the first decade for two reasons. CBO expects that the cost of the drugs will fall over time and that the savings from improved health will grow over time. Nevertheless, the policy would still increase federal spending between 2026 and 2044.

    The budgetary effects of authorizing AOM coverage in Medicare are highly uncertain. Estimates of costs and take-up rates are sensitive to the rapidly evolving evidence on the eligibility, use, price, and clinical benefits associated with those medications. Those factors are also sensitive to the scope of the policy, including who in the Medicare population would become eligible for treatment with AOMs.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: another fact check on Caraveo

    Source: US National Republican Congressional Committee

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

    October 8, 2024

    Yadira Caraveo has been called out AGAIN for blatantly lying about Gabe Evans’ position on abortion. First, CBS Colorado fact-checked Caraveo’s abortion claims, calling it “misleading.”

    Now, the 

    “This is embarrassing for Yadira Caraveo and her D.C. Democrat friends. The only thing they can do is lie, but their lies aren’t sticking because Coloradans know Gabe Evans will be a bipartisan advocate for Colorado’s 8th district.” — NRCC Spokeswoman Delanie Bomar

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Monthly Budget Review: September 2024

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    The federal budget deficit was $1.8 trillion in fiscal year 2024, the Congressional Budget Office estimates. The estimated deficit for 2024 was $139 billion more than the shortfall recorded during fiscal year 2023. Revenues increased by an estimated $479 billion (or 11 percent). Revenues in all major categories, but notably individual income taxes, were greater than they were in fiscal year 2023. Outlays rose by an estimated $617 billion (or 10 percent). The largest increase in outlays was for education ($308 billion). Net outlays for interest on the public debt rose by $240 billion to total $950 billion.

    The deficit that CBO now estimates for 2024 is $81 billion (or 4 percent) smaller than the shortfall estimated in its most recent baseline projections, which were published in June.  Revenues and outlays alike were within 1 percent of those projections. Revenues were slightly higher and outlays slightly lower, which contributed to a smaller deficit than CBO had projected. 

    Outlays in fiscal years 2023 and 2024 were affected because October 1 (the first day of fiscal years 2023 and 2024, respectively) fell on a weekend. As a result, certain payments were shifted into the prior fiscal year—$63 billion from 2023 into 2022 and $72 billion from 2024 into 2023. If not for those shifts, the deficit in 2024 would have been 13 percent larger—instead of 8 percent larger—than it was in 2023.

    Last year’s deficit of $1.7 trillion would have been larger if not for the recording of budgetary effects related to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn a plan the Administration announced in 2022 to cancel many borrowers’ outstanding student loans. If those effects, and the effects of timing shifts, were excluded for fiscal year 2023, the deficit for that year would have been $2.0 trillion instead of $1.7 trillion. Thus, without the savings related to the unwinding of the proposed debt cancellation (and excluding the effects of timing shifts), CBO estimates that the federal deficit would have been lower by $110 billion in 2024 than it was in 2023.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 🚩 Warning signs for Democrats in MI-07

    Source: US National Republican Congressional Committee

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

    October 8, 2024

    A new column in the Washington Post shows how Democrats’ and Curtis Hertel’s abortion lies about Tom Barrett are failing to resonate with voters in the key House battleground race in MI-07.

    This comes after the Wall Street Journal editorial board called out the DCCC for lying about Republicans’ position on abortion, saying “Democrats aren’t even attempting to be honest about abortion this year… This from the party that claims to be the protector of women’s health. The next time you see an abortion ad from a Democrat, assume it’s not telling the truth.”

    Read more from the Washington Post here or see excerpts below.

    Warning signs for Democrats in a Michigan bellwether
    The Washington Post
    James Hohmann
    October 8, 2024

    BRIGHTON, Mich. — What if abortion is not the galvanizing issue on Election Day that Democrats are expecting? What I heard in Michigan last weekend made me wonder. Here in the 7th District, a congressional bellwether carried by Donald Trump in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020, many voters just don’t prioritize the right to choose nearly as much as they did two years ago.
     
    The 7th, which stretches from suburban Detroit to the capital of Lansing in central Michigan, hasn’t been easy for either party. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D) won reelection here in 2022 by five points after clobbering her opponent, Tom Barrett, with commercials highlighting his stance as “100% pro-life — no exceptions.” A former Army helicopter pilot, Barrett never stopped running after the midterms. With Slotkin seeking the open U.S. Senate seat, Barrett now faces Curtis Hertel, a former colleague in the state Senate and aide to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D). It’s one of the most expensive races in the country — and one of the closest.
     
    […]
     
    But after Hertel delivered a pep talk to 16 volunteers at a party field office here last Saturday afternoon, state Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D) told the group that she had just returned from knocking on doors and expressed amazement at how much less abortion comes up than when she won two years ago in the aftermath of Dobbs.
     
    That’s largely because many Michiganders feel a woman’s right to choose was guaranteed after voters overwhelmingly passed a state ballot referendum in 2022 to enshrine a right to the procedure in the state constitution. Certainly, these days, local Republicans call the issue settled, and that’s making it harder for Democrats to appeal to the multitudes of center-right women who crossed over to vote for Slotkin, Whitmer and the abortion initiative in 2022.
     
    While Harris is winning college-educated women by large margins, there’s growing anxiety among top Democratic operatives that enthusiasm about voting for her has gotten shakier across the three blue-wall states that present her clearest path to the presidency: Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Slotkin recently told donors that her polling has Harris “underwater” in this state where 16 electoral votes are up for grabs. Trump has also been making incremental inroads with traditional Democratic constituencies, including Arab Americans and Black men, which could make the difference in a race as tight as this.
     
    […]
     
    In this environment, Barrett, 43, knows better than to say much. In an interview after marching in a parade with his daughter, he promised not to support any national ban that would overturn his state’s constitutional protections. If elected, he says, he would fight to protect the Hyde Amendment, so taxpayers don’t fund abortions, and champion incentives for women, including tax credits, to give up babies for adoption instead of aborting them. That’s been GOP boilerplate for 40 years.
     
    Barrett says his biggest question going into the final month is whether pollsters are accounting for less-likely-to-vote Trump voters in Michigan whom they missed ahead of the 2016 and 2020 elections. If they are, he stands to come out ahead. Certainly, Barrett benefits from being better known than he was two years ago.
     
    Republicans harbor no illusions about winning a college town like East Lansing, but they’re trying to minimize their losses after Slotkin carried 67 percent of the county that includes Michigan State in 2022. The House campaign launched Spartans4Barrett for campus outreach, and Trump is also doing more aggressive collegiate outreach than four or eight years ago.
     
    […]
     
    Afterward, several sorority sisters lined up to take selfies in front of the Trump bus. Abortion didn’t come up.

    Read more here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: another fact check on Smasal

    Source: US National Republican Congressional Committee

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

    October 8, 2024

    Missy Cotter Smasal has been called out AGAIN for blatantly lying about Congresswoman Jen Kiggans’ position on abortion. First, 13NewsNow fact-checked Smasal’s abortion claims, calling them “FALSE.”

    Now, the 

    “This is embarrassing for Missy Cotter Smasal and her D.C. Democrat friends. The only thing they can do is lie, but their lies aren’t sticking because Virginians know Congresswoman Kiggans is a bipartisan advocate for Hampton Roads.”— NRCC Spokeswoman Delanie Bomar

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: FORGE ON! | U.S. Army

    Source: US Army (video statements)

    : AEMO

    About the U.S. Army:

    The Army Mission – our purpose – remains constant: To deploy, fight and win our nation’s wars by providing ready, prompt & sustained land dominance by Army forces across the full spectrum of conflict as part of the joint force.

    Interested in joining the U.S. Army?
    Visit: spr.ly/6001igl5L

    Connect with the U.S. Army online:
    Web: https://www.army.mil
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USarmy/
    X: https://www.twitter.com/USArmy
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usarmy/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/us-army
    #USArmy #Soldiers #Military #BCT #Forge #FTX

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_jumS9IfOU

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: 4 foundational ways that AI is transforming government

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: 4 foundational ways that AI is transforming government

    Of the many ways you might measure the potential value of AI on governments, one statistic jumps out. According to Gartner®, 2027 spend on AI software by use case, digital government services, is projected to reach USD41.8 billion in 2027. That tops all other industry sectors, with banking coming in second at USD28.2 billion.1 This represents a significant shift in priorities, as governments recognize the potential of AI to enhance public sector efficiency, transparency, and citizen engagement.

    As Microsoft’s global government lead, I am inspired that so many agencies and organizations are not hedging their bets with AI, as was sometimes the case with prior waves (cloud computing and the rise of mobility come to mind). Instead, many governments are taking thoughtful early steps to explore AI and invest in early innovation.

    Microsoft for Government

    Achieve your mission with Microsoft.

    How AI is transforming government IT

    At Microsoft for Government, our job is to help governments make the most of their AI investments with best-in-class solutions that are tailored to their unique needs and brought to life through our global network of technology partners. Since the advent of generative AI in late 2022, we have worked closely with a wide array of agencies and organizations to develop targeted use cases designed to improve everything from citizen services to cybersecurity.

    This level of innovation is even more impressive considering the unique pressures facing governments. Leaders must deliver results within constrained budgets and limited resources, respond to shifts in societies and workforces, and protect some of the most heavily cyber-attacked data and systems in the world.

    Here’s a brief look at four essential areas where AI is helping to empower customers and reshape the impact of government around the world.

    1. Delivering personalized experiences

    Unproductive interactions with automated call centers and outdated websites are the bane of many constituents’ relationships with their government agencies. Well-intended at the core, too many of these services fail to connect with constituents, recognize their needs, and deliver useful information in a timely way.

    Generative AI is revolutionizing these resources with self-service portals and contact centers that provide modern, user-friendly digital experiences. The combination of natural language processing (which enables machines to understand and generate human language), and semantic search (which goes beyond simple keyword matching to comprehend the meaning of a query) makes it possible to readily create chatbots and agents that interact smoothly with people and reason over vast amounts of data to instantly provide solutions.

    An amazing example is a chatbot in India called Jugalbandi, built on Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service. Jugalbandi has bridged the nation’s vast linguistic divide by understanding spoken and typed questions, then responding in the user’s local language, all on widely used mobile devices. By covering 10 of India’s 22 official languages and 171 government programs (so far), it makes important information more accessible and reduces cost and friction for constituents and employees alike.

    2. Empowering the government workforce

    Ensuring that employees can focus on meaningful work is key to government success. In public service, many people are motivated by the opportunity to help others and solve important societal challenges. When subpar technology solutions create inefficiencies and cause unintended problems, productivity and morale suffer.

    Government workers, like employees everywhere, welcome services and solutions that reduce friction, keep them connected, and make them more productive. Solutions that use generative AI’s unique predictive analytics and forecasting capabilities can help employees improve their decision-making and overall efficiency.

    In the United Arab Emirates, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) DWEA) built a new Business Requirement Document Generator using Microsoft Azure AI Services that enables employees to enter minimal information and easily generate important documents. Trained on 500 billion parameters, it proactively suggests required information and fills in gaps and other important information. What used to take one week can now be done in one day, including reviews. Complementing the solution, the Authority also boosted productivity by adopting Microsoft 365 Copilot, which is proving invaluable in helping employees to work faster and effectively, notably on research tasks.

    3. Modernizing government operations

    In many organizations and agencies, the journey to cloud computing has been hindered by important considerations unique to government, including cost, security, and a reliance on legacy systems which are often regarded as so critical that they can’t be modernized, despite being slow, complex, and vulnerable. As cloud and AI solutions become more mature and available, however, the barriers to modernization are dropping, while the price of inaction only rises.

    Generative AI’s code generation capabilities (which empower non-developers to readily create AI applications) make it possible to manage critical workloads in the cloud, while gaining new benefits in flexibility, scalability, and resilience across agencies. This can unlock critical data stuck in silos and drive better decision-making for officials who, for example, can make more informed decisions on proposed legislation. Likewise, for citizens, it can turn the process of obtaining a building permit into a productive interaction with a helpful virtual agent, rather than a gauntlet of arcane rules and regulatory snags.

    When Gamle Oslo realized that a district manager needed to log into 25 different systems to find relevant data for the city’s kindergarten services, they decided to build a unified data platform using Microsoft Fabric. The solution collects and analyzes all of the district’s data on housing, employment, health care, and public services, which had formerly been disconnected. Unified data with Fabric has improved many processes and opened the door to new benefits and insights, including setting the stage for new AI innovation.

    4. Securing data and protecting resources

    More than any other industry sector, governments are prime targets for cyberattacks. According to Microsoft’s Digital Defense Report for 2023, 53% of attacks worldwide focused on government organizations and critical infrastructure2. Over the last 18 months, public sector organizations have seen a 150% increase in cyberattacks3 due to the combination of escalating geo-political conflicts and increasing financial motivations.

    This dangerous threat landscape urgently requires governments to improve their ability to safeguard critical systems, enhance data protection, and maintain compliance with a host of regulations. Making the challenge even more difficult for governments is the growing demand for skilled cybersecurity staff. Worldwide, there is a shortage of 4 million cybersecurity professionals4, and the problem can be worse for governments, who often struggle to attract and retain talent.

    Cloud and AI technology can help level the cybersecurity playing field in a number of important ways. First, the Microsoft Cloud platform provides built-in security and resilience, reflecting our commitment to making security and compliance our top priority. Also, our comprehensive security offerings help an organization craft its own strategy using end-to-end products and tools. And finally, Microsoft Copilot for Security uses generative AI to empower security analysts to rapidly assess an organization’s security posture and create actionable insights and solutions at much greater speed than current approaches.

    When the Dominican Republic’s National Cybersecurity Center (CNCS) recognized increases in both frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks, they responded by modernizing the government’s information system and in national critical infrastructure. Their comprehensive approach included adopting a variety of Microsoft solutions to monitor, analyze, manage, and respond to cyber threat cases across the country. The benefits of modern cybersecurity were soon evident, as the event correlation system running on Microsoft Sentinel established relationships between indicators of compromise four times faster than earlier approaches.

    See AI in government for yourself

    Beyond these transformational benefits, the explosion of AI innovation in government is also advancing the move to modern cloud and data platforms, which is not only essential for enabling AI but also delivers broader benefits in efficiency, productivity, and security.

    The insights and examples shared here only just scratch the surface of what our customers are creating and learning. We’re discovering new and amazing things on a daily basis, and we invite you to become engaged.

    To see for yourself and learn more:

    • Attend the Microsoft AI Tour—a free, one-day event with experts, industry leaders, and peers to explore how AI can drive growth and create lasting value. Events are happening worldwide through March 2025.
    • Visit us at Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, November 5–7, 2024. I will present on the topic of “Next-Gen Tech Leading the New Urban Era​,” and other Microsoft for Government sessions will be presented by Kathleen Mitford, Kirk Arthur, Jeremy Goldberg, Doug Priest, and Hannah Prior.
    • To discover how the city of Madrid is innovating to become a smarter, more sustainable city, download the new SmartCitiesWorld City Profile. And for a discussion of the new profile, including a new AI-driven virtual assistant, register for a SmartCitiesWorld webinar on October 22, 2024.

    Sources:

    1Gartner, Compare AI Software Spending in the Government Industry, 2023-2027, By Daniel Snyder, James Ingham, Inna Agamirzian, 27 March 2024. GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

    2Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2023

    3Statista, December 2023

    4ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, November, 2023

    Didier Ongena

    Global Government Lead, Microsoft

    Didier Ongena leads Microsoft’s Worldwide Public Sector Government team, focused on helping customers realize transformational impact through technology. He and his team help customers address global challenges such as sustainability, mobility, the energy crisis, healthcare, education, and more. They are eager to add value to government agencies worldwide.

    See more articles from this author

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Announce More Than $2.2 Million in Federal Funding for Behavioral Health Education Programs Based in Alexandria, Richmond, and Harrisonburg

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, both D-VA, announced $2,225,710 in federal funding for education programs based in Alexandria, Richmond, and Harrisonburg to train behavioral health professionals to address substance use disorders, students’ mental health, and racial disparities in access to mental health treatment. The funding is being allocated by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), for which the senators have consistently supported robust and continued funding.
    “Helping those who struggle with behavioral health needs starts with adequately funding programs to recruit, educate, and train the first responders and behavioral health professionals who will be on the front lines,” said the senators. “This over-$2.2 million in grant funding will help us do that, and we will continue to do all that we can to bring resources to Virginia to support the mental health of our communities.”
    The funding will be allocated as follows:
    $1,924,595 to the Alexandria-based Foundation for The Advancement of Human Systems via the Minority Fellowship Program to recruit, train and support master’s- and doctoral-level students in behavioral health care professions to address services disparities for racial and ethnic minority populations. 
    $199,939 to Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond to recruit and train first responders in rural areas on how to provide trauma-informed, recovery-based care for people with substance use disorders (SUD), and co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders (COD), in emergency situations.
    $101,716 to Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg to strengthen mental health services for college students, including increasing protective factors that promote mental health, as well as reducing risk factors for suicide.
    Warner and Kaine have long advocated for federally-funded resources for Virginians who struggle with mental and behavioral health issues. In September 2024, Warner and Kaine announced $3.5 million in federal funding to expand mental health and substance abuse disorder services at community health centers. In August 2023, Warner and Kaine announced $1.4 million in federal funding for the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to expand access to mental health care in Virginia. In December 2022, Warner and Kaine announced $1 million in federal funding from SAMHSA to expand the 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline in Virginia.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Announce Over $11.6 Million in Federal Funding to Protect Families from Lead Poisoning in Their Homes

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $11,692,000 in federal funding to protect young children and their families from hazardous lead poisoning in their homes. The sale of lead-based paint is banned in the United States, but many older homes still have the old paint on walls, which can become dangerous as it peels and chips. Young children are most susceptible to lead poisoning and can face long-term developmental delays if exposed. This funding, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program, will be used to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in Virginia’s older housing units.
    “Lead poisoning can have negative long-term health impacts for those exposed,” the senators said. “This funding will help to protect children and families by identifying and mitigating the presence of dangerous lead-based paint.”
    This funding is broken down as follows:
    The Commonwealth of Virginia will receive $6,692,000 in funding to update older housing and improve community health. This funding will be distributed across Virginia;
    The City of Roanoke will receive $5,000,000 in funding to update older housing and improve community health.
    Warner and Kaine been vocal about the need for safe, affordable housing for Virginians. Earlier this year, the senators announced over $55 million in federal funding for improvements to affordable housing across the Commonwealth. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Connected Learning Ecosystems: Educators Learning and Growing Together

    Source: NASA

    3 min read

    On August 19-20, 53 educators from a diverse set of learning contexts (libraries, K-12 classrooms, 4-H afterschool clubs, outdoor education centers, and more) gathered in Orono, Maine for the Learning Ecosystems Northeast (LENE) biannual Connect, Reflect, & Plan Connected Learning Ecosystems (CLEs) Gathering. These gatherings are meant to foster meaningful connections and collaborations and shared knowledge and confidence building amongst educators within the LENE network.

    NASA Science Activation’s Learning Ecosystems Northeast (LENE) is a network of education partners across the Northeastern United States, led by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. These partners are dedicated to creating and linking communities of in and out of school educators, Connected Learning Ecosystems (CLEs), who are committed to empowering the next generation of climate stewards.

    The focus of this gathering was to provide educators the time, experiences, connections, and space to explore ways they can prepare the youth and communities they work with to build resilience in the face of climate change. Educators participated in sessions around local asset mapping, climate mental health, positive youth development, building STEM skills through games and fieldwork, and planning forward around coastal flooding and sea level rise. Each session was followed by time to debrief, reflect, and plan both in their regional CLEs as well as with statewide partners. The value of NASA assets and connection to local issues was woven throughout many experiences during this gathering. LENE’s CLE Resource Drive has a growing list of phenomena-based NASA assets that has been curated based on the interests of their network over time. The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program’s GLOBE Observer tree height app was part of the Ash Protection community science protocol and many NASA assets enhance the educator-guided planning forward experience guide that youth practice the difficult, real-life conversations about theconsequences of sea level rise as they think about ways they can plan for a resilient future in the face of rising seas and coastal flooding.

    Sara King from the Rural Aspirations Project (Hancock/Midcoast CLE) had this to say: “Before I first joined the CLE, I viewed STEM professionals to be separate from myself for the most part because I did not feel very confident in my abilities in all parts of STEM. I feel more comfortable with data and technology, engineering, and science practices now.”

    One educator said that their highlight from the gathering was, “[o]pportunities to meet with other teachers and educators and librarians to share ideas about how we can pool our resources and reach more students.” These educators left with draft learning projects ready for refinement and review, renewed dedication and motivation for the school year, and new perspectives to lead them into continued conversations and partnership with their CLE peers as they meet throughout the year.

    Learn more about Learning Ecosystem Northeast’s efforts to empower the next generation of environmental stewards at https://www.learningecosystemsnortheast.org. The Learning Ecosystems Northeast project is supported by NASA under cooperative agreement award number NNX16AB94A and is part of NASA’s Science Activation Portfolio. Learn more about how Science Activation connects NASA science experts, real content, and experiences with community leaders to do science in ways that activate minds and promote deeper understanding of our world and beyond: https://science.nasa.gov/learn

    The August 2024 Connect, Reflect & Plan Connected Learning Ecosystem Gathering crew (educators and project partners from across Maine and even one California partner).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Sues LA Fitness for Disability Discrimination at Its Gym and Fitness Clubs

    Source: US State Government of Utah

    The Justice Department today sued Fitness International LLC, also called LA Fitness, for discriminating against people with disabilities at its gym and fitness clubs. LA Fitness is the largest chain of owner-operated gym and fitness clubs in the United States, with nearly 700 locations across the country.

    The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, alleges LA Fitness violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits public accommodations, including gym and fitness clubs, from discriminating against people with disabilities. The ADA requires LA Fitness to give people with disabilities equal access to LA Fitness’ services and facilities, remove architectural barriers to make its facilities accessible to people with disabilities and maintain accessible features. The ADA also prohibits LA Fitness from charging extra fees to people with disabilities.

    Yet, as the department’s lawsuit alleges, LA Fitness gym and fitness clubs have many barriers that prevent LA Fitness members with disabilities from accessing the clubs or using the clubs’ pools and fitness equipment. Common barriers include broken pool lifts and broken elevators.  Sometimes, these issues left people with mobility disabilities unable to get into clubs or pools at all. Other times, people with disabilities have gotten stuck dangling over the water on broken pool lifts, have had to call LA Fitness staff to help them get in and out of pools or have had to crawl out of pools. Even after members with disabilities complained about these issues, LA Fitness did not fix them for long periods of time.

    “Access to physical fitness activity is crucial for promoting the health and well-being of all Americans, including those with disabilities,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “For over 30 years, the ADA has prohibited gyms and fitness clubs like LA Fitness from denying patrons with disabilities the opportunity to use and enjoy facilities enjoyed by patrons without disabilities. Through this lawsuit, the Justice Department seeks to eliminate LA Fitness’s discriminatory barriers and ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to fully participate at their local LA Fitness gym and fitness clubs.”

    “Ensuring accessibility is key to safeguarding civil rights for all Americans,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California. “Our office is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities have access to public accommodations by enforcing the protections afforded by the Americans with Disabilities Act. When we support those with disabilities, our entire community benefits.”

    Through the lawsuit, the department asks the court to stop LA Fitness from discriminating against people with disabilities, including by requiring LA Fitness to make its facilities and equipment accessible. The department also seeks monetary damages for people harmed by LA Fitness’ discrimination. This includes people who were directly harmed by LA Fitness’ barriers to access and broken equipment, as well people who need help to use LA Fitness’ clubs and were charged extra fees to have a friend, nurse or personal assistant help them use LA Fitness facilities.

    If you or someone you know had trouble accessing an LA Fitness gym or fitness club because of a disability, including due to a broken pool lift or elevator, or if you were charged an extra fee to have someone help you access LA Fitness’ equipment, please call 1-888-392-5417 (toll-free), or email Claims.LAFitness@usdoj.gov. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov. For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pingree Applauds Biden-Harris Administration’s Final Rule to Replace Lead Pipes, Ensure Clean Drinking Water for Maine Schools and Homes

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

    Maine First District Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today praised the Biden-Harris Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for their final rule requiring states to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years—a provision Pingree has long pushed for. The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) also require more rigorous testing of drinking water and a lower threshold requiring communities to take action to protect people from lead exposure in water. In addition, the final rule 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. 

    Alongside the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, EPA is announcing $2.6 billion in newly available funding to improve drinking-water infrastructure, including $24.9 million in Maine. Made possible through the landmark Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the federal funding will flow through the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (DWSRFs) and will support lead-pipe replacement and other inventory projects in Maine. Communities may also apply directly for an additional $35 million in competitive grant funding for reducing lead in drinking water.

    “I’m thrilled that the Biden Administration is delivering on its promise to improve our country’s drinking water and safeguard the American people from dangerous exposure to lead and other harmful contaminants,” Pingree said. “All Americans deserve access to clean, safe, reliable drinking water. Nearly 40 years after lead pipes were banned in the U.S., we’re finally taking the necessary steps to ensure that all outdated systems and pipes are replaced—including right here in Maine. This $24.9 million in funding will help communities across our state make much-needed needed investments to modernize their drinking-water infrastructure. Once again, the transformative Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering real, tangible benefits to the people of Maine—and citizens across the country.” 

    “We’ve known for decades that lead exposure has serious long-term impacts for children’s health. And yet, millions of lead service lines are still delivering drinking water to homes,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “President Biden is putting an end to this generational public health problem. With the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements and historic investments in lead pipe replacement, the Biden-Harris Administration is fulfilling its commitment that no community, regardless of race, geography, or wealth, should have to worry about lead-contaminated water in their homes.” 

    The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $50 billion to support upgrades to the nation’s drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. This includes $15 billion over five years dedicated to lead service line replacement and $11.7 billion of general Drinking Water State Revolving Funds that can also be used for lead service line replacement. 

    Pingree, who serves as Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Interior and Environment Subcommittee, which oversees the EPA, has long pushed for a strong final rule requiring drinking water systems across the country to identify and replace lead pipes. In September, she and her Congressional colleagues called on the White House Office of Management and Budget to expedite its review of the Biden Administration’s proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements rule, 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. 

    Across Maine and the U.S., communities face threats to their drinking water from a number of contaminants, including lead, arsenic, nitrates, volatile organic compounds, PFAS, and others. EPA estimates that up to 9 million homes are served through legacy lead pipes across the country, many of which are in lower-income communities and communities of color, creating disproportionate lead exposure burden for these families.

    This Congress, Pingree reintroduced her bipartisan, bicameral Healthy Drinking Water Affordability Act, or the Healthy H2O Act, to provide grants for water testing and treatment technology directly to individuals and nonprofits in rural communities. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NY Democratic Delegation Statement Condemning Vandalism of Rep. Espaillat’s District Office

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

    New York, NY – Today, Representatives Jerrold Nadler, Hakeem Jeffries, Jamaal Bowman, Yvette Clarke, Dan Goldman, Tim Kennedy, Gregory Meeks, Grace Meng, Joe Morelle, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Pat Ryan, Tom Suozzi, Paul Tonko, Ritchie Torres, and Nydia Velázquez issued the following statement:

     

    “As Democratic Members of Congress, we believe in the freedom to peacefully assemble and protest as a fundamental right of our great nation. Each day, we work tirelessly to uphold this freedom for all Americans.

     

    “However, when protests become violent, with actions that cross the line into acts of vandalism, they are no longer protests; they become crimes. These acts of intimidation are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. 

     

    “Over the past month, the office of Congressman Adriano Espaillat has been attacked and vandalized several times. This targeted vandalism puts constituents and congressional staffers alike in harm’s way, disrupting congressional operations and social services that constituents depend on.

     

    “The latest outrageous vandalism occurred on a day of solemn reflection to mark one year since Hamas terrorists attacked Israel, murdering 1,200 civilians, including over 40 American citizens, and taking 251 hostages, including 12 Americans. 

     

    “Our delegation stands united in publicly condemning acts of violence, harassment, and intimidation. Together, we will keep working to ensure all perpetrators of such targeted acts against Congressman Espaillat, or any congressional office for that matter, are held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

    ###

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 8, 2024

    CONTACT: Matt Jansen (202) 494-1278

     

    New York, NY – Today, Representatives Jerrold Nadler, Hakeem Jeffries, Jamaal Bowman, Yvette Clarke, Dan Goldman, Tim Kennedy, Gregory Meeks, Grace Meng, Joe Morelle, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Pat Ryan, Tom Suozzi, Paul Tonko, Ritchie Torres, and Nydia Velázquez issued the following statement:

     

    “As Democratic Members of Congress, we believe in the freedom to peacefully assemble and protest as a fundamental right of our great nation. Each day, we work tirelessly to uphold this freedom for all Americans.

     

    “However, when protests become violent, with actions that cross the line into acts of vandalism, they are no longer protests; they become crimes. These acts of intimidation are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. 

     

    “Over the past month, the office of Congressman Adriano Espaillat has been attacked and vandalized several times. This targeted vandalism puts constituents and congressional staffers alike in harm’s way, disrupting congressional operations and social services that constituents depend on.

     

    “The latest outrageous vandalism occurred on a day of solemn reflection to mark one year since Hamas terrorists attacked Israel, murdering 1,200 civilians, including over 40 American citizens, and taking 251 hostages, including 12 Americans. 

     

    “Our delegation stands united in publicly condemning acts of violence, harassment, and intimidation. Together, we will keep working to ensure all perpetrators of such targeted acts against Congressman Espaillat, or any congressional office for that matter, are held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

     

    ###

     

    U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler represents New York’s 12th Congressional District, which includes parts of Manhattan, and serves as the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada announces funding to improve animal health and welfare

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    October 8, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    Today, at the 2024 Animal Health Canada Forum, Francis Drouin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced up to $13,343,409 over 5 years to Animal Health Canada (AHC) for three projects through the AgriAssurance Program – National Industry Association component, an initiative under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

    This investment aims to enhance animal health and welfare, while safeguarding Canadians, through improvements to disease surveillance, emergency management, and animal care standards.

    AHC will receive up to $3,534,174 to expand its animal health surveillance networks and shift the Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System to a One Health approach. AHC aims to minimize the economic, health, and welfare impacts of potential disease outbreaks in Canadian livestock by improving disease surveillance and information sharing.

    AHC will also receive up to $5,000,000 for a second project aimed at improving emergency management practices. Project activities include developing comprehensive emergency plans, training industry staff and producers across Canada, conducting educational workshops, and testing industry preparedness.

    Finally, AHC will receive up to $4,809,235 to update, amend, and review several Codes of Practice. These Codes are nationally developed guidelines for the care and handling of animals, which help guarantee high standards of animal welfare. AHC will also ensure awareness of the changes to the Codes throughout the sector.

    Animal health and disease management are a priority for the Government of Canada. These efforts aim to strengthen sector resilience, confirm Canada’s high standards of animal care, and ensure the health and safety of Canadians.

    • A One Health system is an approach to disease management and prevention that recognizes the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health. It promotes collaboration across multiple sectors and disciplines to ensure the well-being of all.

    • The Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System is a distinct division of AHC that is dedicated to promoting a coordinated, national surveillance system through partner engagement and information sharing.

    • Updates to the Codes of Practice will be made through the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC), a distinct division of AHC.

    • Enhanced emergency management practices aim to build sector resilience and protect Canada’s agricultural resources through comprehensive planning and training.

    • AHC previously received over $6 million in funding under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

    • Animal Health Canada (AHC) is a national organization that brings together industry, federal, provincial, and territorial partners to provide guidance on a cohesive, functional, and responsive farmed animal health and welfare system in Canada.

    • The AgriAssurance Program – National Industry Association Component, under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, provides funding for national-level projects to help industry develop, verify, and integrate assurance systems to address market and regulatory requirements and to enable industry to make credible, meaningful, and verifiable claims about the health, safety, and quality of Canadian agriculture products. 

    • The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a $3.5-billion, 5-year agreement (April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2028), between the federal, provincial, and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food, and agri‐based products sector.

    Annie Cullinan
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
    annie.cullinan@agr.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Flooded industrial sites and toxic chemical releases are a silent, growing threat in hurricanes like Milton and Helene

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By James R. Elliott, Professor of Sociology, Rice University

    An industrial storage tank overturned by Hurricane Helene in Asheville, N.C., shows the power of fast-moving floodwater. Sean Rayford/Getty Images

    Hundreds of industrial facilities with toxic pollutants are in Hurricane Milton’s path as it heads toward Florida, less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene flooded communities across the Southeast.

    Milton, expected to make landfall as a major hurricane late on Oct. 9, is bearing down on boat and spa factories along Florida’s west-central coast, along with the rubber, plastics and fiberglass manufacturers that supply them. Many of these facilities use tens of thousands of registered contaminants each year, including toluene, styrene and other chemicals known to have adverse effects on the central nervous system with prolonged exposure.

    Farther inland, hundreds more manufacturers that use and house hazardous chemicals onsite lie along the Interstate 4 and Interstate 75 corridors and their feeder roads. And many are in the path of the storm’s intense winds and heavy rainfall.

    Black dots indicate facilities in EPA’s 2022 Toxic Release Inventory within Hurricane Milton’s projected impact zone.
    Rice University Center for Coastal Futures and Adaptive Resilience, CC BY-ND

    Helene’s heavy rainfall in late September 2024 flooded industrial sites across the Southeast. A retired nuclear power plant just south of Cedar Key, Florida, was flooded by Helene’s storm surge.

    In disasters like these, the industrial damage can unfold over days, and residents may not hear about releases of toxic chemicals into water or the air until days or weeks later, if they find out at all.

    Yet pollution releases are common.

    After Hurricane Ian broadsided Florida’s western coast in 2022, runoff that included hazardous materials from damaged storage tanks and local fertilizer mining facilities, in addition to millions of gallons of wastewater, was visible from space, spilling across the coastal wetlands into the Gulf of Mexico. A year earlier, Hurricane Ida triggered more than 2,000 reported chemical spills.

    During Hurricane Harvey in 2017, floodwater surrounded chemical facilities near Houston. Some caught fire as cooling systems failed, releasing huge volumes or pollutants into the air. Emergency responders and residents, who didn’t know what risks they might face, blamed the chemicals for causing respiratory illnesses.

    Many types of toxic material can spread, settle and change the long-term health and environmental safety of surrounding communities – often with little notice to residents. Our team of environmental sociologists and anthropologists has mapped hazardous industrial sites across the country and paired them with hurricanes’ projected impact maps to help communities hold nearby facilities accountable.

    Major polluters on Gulf Coast at high risk”

    The risks from industrial facilities are most obvious along the U.S. Gulf Coast, where many major petrochemical complexes are clustered in harm’s way. These refineries, factories and storage facilities are often built along rivers or bays for easy shipping access.

    But those rivers can also bring storm surge flooding that can raise the ocean by several feet during hurricanes. The storm surge from Helene was over 10 feet above ground level in Florida’s Big Bend and over 6 feet in Tampa Bay. With Milton, forecasters warning of a 10- to 15-foot storm surge at Tampa Bay.

    A boom surrounds flooded railcars to try to contain leaks at a chemical plant in Braithwaite, La., after Hurricane Isaac in 2012.
    AP Photo/David J. Phillip

    A recent study found evidence of two to three times more pollution releases during hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico than during normal weather from 2005 to 2020.

    The effects of these pollution releases fall disproportionately on low-income communities and people of color, further exacerbating environmental health risks.

    Why residents may not hear about toxic releases

    The statistics are disconcerting, yet they get little attention. That is because hazardous releases remain largely invisible due to limited disclosure requirements and scant public information. Even emergency responders often don’t know exactly which hazardous chemicals they are facing in emergency situations.

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires major polluters to file only very general information about chemicals and on-site risks in their risk management plans. Some large-scale fuel storage facilities, such as those holding liquefied natural gas, are not even required to do that.

    These risk management plans outline “worst-case” scenarios and are supposed to be publicly accessible. But, in reality, we and others have found them difficult to access, heavily redacted and housed in federal reading rooms with limited access. The reason local officials and national scientific review panels often give for the secrecy is to protect the facilities from terrorist attack.

    Oil storage tanks and industrial facilities line the Houston Ship Channel, which is vulnerable to storm surge from Gulf of Mexico hurricanes.
    AP Photo/David J. Phillip

    Adding to this opacity is the fact that many states – including those along the Gulf – suspend restrictions on pollution releases during emergency declarations. Meanwhile, real-time incident notifications from the National Response Center – the federal government’s repository for all chemical discharges into the environment – typically lag by a week or more,

    We believe this limited public information on rising chemical threats from our changing climate should be front-page news every hurricane season. Communities should be aware of the risks of hosting vulnerable industrial infrastructure, particularly as rising global temperatures increase the risk of extreme downpours and powerful hurricanes.

    Mapping the risks nationwide to raise awareness

    To help communities understand their risks, our team at Rice University’s new Center for Coastal Futures and Adaptive Resilience investigates how industrial communities in flood-prone areas nationwide can better adapt to such threats, socially as well as technologically.

    Our interactive map shows where elevated future flood risks threaten to inundate major polluters that we identify using the EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory.

    The U.S. has several hot spots with clusters of flood-prone polluters. Houston’s Ship Channel, Chicago’s waterfront steel industries and the harbors at Los Angeles and New York/New Jersey are among the biggest.

    Three of the biggest hot spots, where large numbers of industrial facilities with toxic materials face elevated future flood risks, are in the Northeast, the northwestern Gulf Coast and the southern end of the Great Lakes.
    Rice University Center for Coastal Futures and Adaptive Resilience, CC BY-ND

    But, as Helene revealed, there can also be great concern in less obvious spots. Inland, particularly in the mountains, runoff can quickly turn normally tame rivers into fast-rising torrents. The French Broad River at Asheville, North Carolina, rose about 12 feet in 12 hours during Helene and set a new flood stage record.

    When hurricanes and tropical storms are headed for the U.S., our interactive maps show where major polluters are located in the storm’s projected cone of impact. The maps identify hazardous flood-prone facilities down to the address, anywhere in the country.

    Knowledge is the first step

    Knowing where these sites are located is only the first step. Often, it’s up to communities themselves, many of them already overexposed and historically underserved, to raise concerns and demand strategies for mitigating the health, economic and environmental risks that industrial sites at risk of flooding and other damage can pose.

    These discussions can’t wait until a disaster is on the way. By knowing where these risks may be, communities can take steps now to build a safer future.

    This article, originally published Sept. 30, has been updated with Hurricane Milton.

    James R. Elliott receives funding from the National Science Foundation and the National Renewable Energy Lab.

    Dominic Boyer receives funding from the National Science Foundation, NOAA and Texas Sea Grant.

    Phylicia Lee Brown has nothing to disclose.

    – ref. Flooded industrial sites and toxic chemical releases are a silent, growing threat in hurricanes like Milton and Helene – https://theconversation.com/flooded-industrial-sites-and-toxic-chemical-releases-are-a-silent-growing-threat-in-hurricanes-like-milton-and-helene-239977

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –