Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
June 30, 2025
Massively profitable contractors are pushing for retroactive tax break for investments already made as Congressional Republicans slash health care and food assistance for working families
Text of Letter to Northrop Grumman (PDF) | Text of Letter to Lockheed Martin (PDF)
Text of Letter to RTX Corporation (PDF) | Text of Letter to General Dynamics (PDF)
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Finance and Senate Armed Services Committees, wrote to Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, RTX Corporation, and General Dynamics, pressing them to explain their lobbying for retroactive tax breaks in Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” at the expense of working families—while already raking in huge profits.
In President Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), Congressional Republicans changed the Research and Experimentation (R&E) deduction so that companies could no longer deduct the full cost of R&E expenses the year they are made. Instead, starting in 2022, companies had to write off these expenses over five or fifteen years.
Now, these wealthy companies are lobbying to bring full expensing back into the tax code, and Congressional Republicans are delivering. Alongside deep cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act that will cause 16 million Americans to lose their health care coverage, the Republican tax bill passed by the House of Representatives last month includes a return to same-year R&E expensing. The Senate’s proposed text of the “Big, Beautiful Bill” goes even further and includes allows R&E expensing all the way back to 2022.
“These retroactive benefits cannot incentivize investments that have already been made – they are simply a handout to corporations for past investments. This outrageous [handout] is an insult to the millions of Americans facing threats of losing their healthcare coverage to fund tax giveaways to wealthy corporations in the Republican tax bill,” Senator Warren continued.
Big corporations claim that the current deduction schedule “significantly limits businesses’ ability” to invest in R&E. However, tax experts have relieved that “[t]here is no evidence that spreading out the cost of (R&E) deductions have any effect on corporations’ decision to invest in research.”
In fact, Lockheed Martin’s 2021 assessment of the expiration of R&E expensing determined that the financial impact on the company would “be immaterial by 2027.”
“[G]iant, wealthy corporations do not need even larger tax breaks, especially if they come at the expense of middle-class families,” wrote Senator Warren.
If R&E expensing is restored, these defense contractors are set to be gifted billions in deductions (nearly $1 billion for Northrop Grumman and $500 million for Lockheed Martin) for past years’ R&E investments, all at the expense of Americans’ health care, education, food assistance, and more.
Senator Warren asked the companies to provide clarity on how much they would save on their taxes in 2025 if this tax break is approved and how it would affect their outlook for stock buybacks and executive compensation by July 6, 2025.
Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
Baldwin: “This bill will make it harder for working families to have the opportunity to get ahead. Harder for parents to get their kids health care. Harder for families to put food on the table.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) spoke on the Senate floor, condemning the Republicans’ budget bill, which terminates health care for 17 million of Americans, cuts food assistance programs, and increases costs for Wisconsin families – all to make room in the budget to give corporations and the wealthy unfair tax breaks.
Over the past several months, Senator Baldwin traveled across Wisconsin talking to constituents deeply concerned about the impact the Republicans’ budget bill would have on their families and communities. Because of this bill, over 250,000 Wisconsinites will be kicked off their healthcare, and 90,000 Wisconsinites will lose some or all of their food assistance, while the top 0.1 percent of earners will receive a tax cut of more than $250,000 every year.
A video of the speech can be is available for download here.
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
June 30, 2025
“Congressional Republicans should not gut health care and food assistance for American familiesto pay for tax breaks for billionaire corporations, especially when those tax breaks have no conceivable purpose besides enriching President Trump’s wealthy friends.”
Text of Letter (PDF)
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, wrote to the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT), a nonpartisan Congressional committee dedicated to analyzing tax legislation, asking the committee to provide information on the revenue impact of giving billionaire corporations retroactive tax breaks.
The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, amidst a slew of giveaways to the wealthy and big corporations, ended corporations’ ability to immediately expense research and experimentation (R&E) costs starting in 2022. Since then, companies have been required to spread out their R&E deductions over a 5-year or 15-year window, increasing their overall tax liability.
Now, as Congressional Republicans try to pass their “Big, Beautiful Bill” to give trillions in tax breaks to billionaires and giant corporations, they have proposed restoring R&E expensing and making this tax break retroactive back to 2022.
“[I]t is impossible to incentivize investment decisions already made in the past. Instead, these retroactive tax cuts are likely to represent a huge, one-time cash infusion for corporations that can be used for higher executive pay or shareholder handouts in the form of buybacks and dividends,” said Senator Warren.
Senator Warren asked JCT to provide a breakdown, for each year from 2025 to 2034, of the revenue generated by denying corporations this retroactive tax break.
Welcome to Microsoft’s Copilot Release Notes. Here we’ll provide regular updates on what’s happening with Copilot, from new features to firmware updates and more. Copilot Vision on mobile now available for free in the US Copilot Vision is now available to try for free in the US on iOS and Android devices. Vision will also be rolling out to all users worldwide in the coming weeks. With Copilot Vision, you can use
Welcome to Microsoft’s Copilot Release Notes. Here we’ll provide regular updates on what’s happening with Copilot, from new features to firmware updates and more.
Copilot Vision on mobile now available for free in the US
Copilot Vision is now available to try for free in the US on iOS and Android devices. Vision will also be rolling out to all users worldwide in the coming weeks. With Copilot Vision, you can use your phone’s camera to show Copilot what you’re seeing—and get real-time help, guidance, or conversation, just like you would with a friend.
Whether you’re:
Exploring a new city
Rearranging your living room decor
Navigating a confusing airport terminal
Trying to identify a strange object
Or just asking, “Does this setup look right?”
Please note that you must be signed in to Copilot with a Microsoft account (MSA) to use the Vision features on your Copilot mobile app.
Copilot Vision on Windows is here
We’re also excited to share that Copilot Vision on Windows is now available in the US and coming to more non-European countries by mid-July. When enabled, Copilot can see what you see on your screen and offer helpful, voice-guided support—whether you’re working across apps, browsing the web, or navigating a tricky task.
Need help finding an app? Want tips while editing a photo? Trying to understand a form or complete a task in a new tool? Copilot Vision can follow along, offer insights, and even highlight exactly where to click with Highlights, all while you stay in control.
Copilot Vision is fully opt-in and only activates when you choose to turn it on. You can start or stop sharing at any time with a single click.
Learn more in the official blog post.
Deep Research now in the Copilot app on Windows
Copilot Pro users can now access Deep Research directly from the Copilot app on Windows, the mobile app, and on Copilot.com. This powerful feature helps you tackle complex, multi-step research tasks by finding, analyzing, and synthesizing information from across the web, potentially saving you hours of work in the process.
Copilot Actions expands to more countries
Copilot Actions, our new feature that lets Copilot complete web tasks on your behalf (like booking hotels, placing shopping orders, or making dinner reservations), is now available to Copilot Pro users in the US, along with the following additional countries:
Australia
Canada
Great Britain
India
New Zealand
South Africa
Copilot Actions is available on Copilot.com on Windows and Mac. To get started, Pro users can open the dropdown menu in the Copilot composer and select Actions. Visit Copilot.com/Labs to learn more.
Cryptocurrency Finance Cards are now live
We’ve expanded our Copilot Cards collection with a new category: Cryptocurrency. These interactive cards are now fully rolled out across Copilot.com and bring real-time insights to your crypto-related questions. Here’s what’s new:
Interactive Charts: Real-time 24-hour data, just like our current finance cards.
Detailed Dashboards: View performance summaries, related news, and other trending cryptocurrencies.
Expanded Support: Now covers over 100 of the most popular global cryptocurrencies.
Local Currency Support: Ask for prices in your local currency such as “Bitcoin in CAD” or “Solana in INR.”
This update builds on the cards we recently introduced for Sports, Videos, Weather, and Stocks, giving you quick, visual answers across a growing range of topics. Crypto cards are available on web, with mobile and Windows support rolling out in the coming weeks.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)
June 30, 2025
Honoring and Celebrating Immigrant Heritage Month
Washington, D.C. – In honor of Immigrant Heritage Month, Chair Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) and Co-Chair Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) have officially relaunched the bipartisan New Americans Caucus for the 119th Congress. This Caucus is composed of first-generation Members of Congress dedicated to advancing awareness and policies that uplift new Americans across the nation.
“As the only Member of Congress born in Guatemala, I am committed to amplifying the voices of new and aspiring Americans,” said Congresswoman Torres. “Our immigrant communities are the backbone of our country’s growth and innovation. Many new Americans continue to face systemic obstacles on their journey toward citizenship and full participation in society, especially during these difficult times. This caucus will continue to serve as a powerful platform to educate Congress and advocate for meaningful reforms that ensure everyone has the chance to succeed.”
“I’m proud to join Congresswoman Torres as Co-Chair of the New Americans Caucus during the 119th Congress and look forward to continuing our collective efforts to ensuring the rights of newly naturalized citizens to our nation,” said Rep. Espaillat, the first Dominican American and only formerly undocumented immigrant to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. “Our nation is facing unprecedented challenges, which is exacerbated for immigrant families amid this current administration. For many, the path to becoming citizens can mean life or death. We must do all it takes to support new Americans and their families through the citizenship process in ways that will afford them equal opportunities in America today and for future generations.”
The Caucus membership includes: Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Victoria Spartz (IN-05), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10).
The New Americans Caucus was founded in 2017 and honors the diverse origins of its members, who hail from countries including Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, India, Somalia, Taiwan, Ukraine, Mexico, South Korea, and Cuba.
Dr. Cato T. Laurencin is the founding editor-in-chief of the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, recognized as the leading voice in the field, published by Springer Nature.
“We are proud to work with Professor Sir Cato Laurencin on the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. As the Founding Editor-in-Chief of this important journal, he has made great strides in the advancement of research on racial and ethnic health disparities. The journal’s 2024 CiteScore is 7.5, ranking 5 out of 524 journals in the Anthropology category,” said Katherine Lang, executive publisher, Journals – Springer Nature.
Professor Sir Cato T. Laurencin is the University Professor at UConn and Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at UConn School of Medicine, professor of Chemical Engineering, professor of Materials Science and Engineering, and professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Connecticut. He is the chief executiveoOfficer of The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering, a cross-university institute created and named in his honor at UConn.
He completed his B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering at Princeton. At the same time, he completed the Program in African-American Studies at Princeton. He received his M.D., Magna Cum Laude from the Harvard Medical School and his Ph.D. in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology from M.I.T. Under the auspices of King George III of England, Laurencin was bestowed Knighthood by the Governor-General of St. Lucia.
Laurencin is a professor of Africana Studies at the University of Connecticut and chaired the Inaugural World Congress on Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, held in 2025 in St. Lucia. He received the Herbert V. Nickens Award from the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) for his work in advancing social justice and fairness. The NAACP awarded him the Spingarn Medal, given for “the highest or noblest achievement by an African American.” Previously the award was given to Dr. Charles Drew, Martin Luther King Jr., and Maya Angelou, among others. The W. Montague Cobb/NMA Health Institute and the National Medical Association created the Cato T. Laurencin Lifetime Research Achievement Award in his honor, bestowed at the opening ceremonies of the National Medical Association meeting.
When former President Joe Biden revealed in May that he had been diagnosed with an advanced and aggressive form of prostate cancer, the news rattled UConn’s Reza Amin ’18 Ph.D., ’19 MS.
Amin is the CEO and Founder of Bastion Health, the first and largest virtual urology group in the country. Bastion, a UConn startup, addresses men’s health care through at-home diagnostics, specialist-led care, and elimination of impediments to medical attention.
Detecting prostate cancer in its most treatable stage is more than a professional interest for Amin. He lost his grandfather to the disease and wants to spare others from that heartbreak.
“Prostate cancer is a cruel disease because it can often be asymptomatic and, without testing, men don’t know they have it,’’ he says. “The good news is that if prostate cancer is diagnosed early, the survival rate is close to 100 percent. Diagnosed later, it falls to about 40 percent.
“Our work at Bastion is about changing that equation—by offering early, accessible, and private care for our male patients,’’ he says. Bastion also addresses prostate, hormonal, and reproductive issues, as well as cancer prevention.
“Improving men’s access to care is at the heart of what we do. We’re building a future where men don’t delay care because of stigma, access issues, or inconvenience,’’ he says. “When care is confidential, virtual, and designed around them, men are more willing to use it.’’
Men’s Health a Growing Concern
Bastion Health is based at the UConn Technology Incubation Program (TIP) in Farmington, which unites research, facilities, and business support for high-impact startups.
The company, created in 2020, contracts with large employers who offer the medical service to their employees. Some 120,000 men—in all 50 states— have access to Bastion’s services. The company is growing quickly and is set to expand, adding multiple Fortune 500 employers to its ranks next year.
The statistics about men’s health are concerning. About one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. In the last seven years or so, there has been a spike in men being diagnosed with late-stage disease.
Reza Amin (courtesy of Bastion Health)
Bastion offers at-home testing, supported by a team of more than 60 board-certified urologists, who deliver comprehensive virtual care and guide patients every step of the way, offering fast referrals when in-person support is needed.
New patients begin with an app-based intake, followed by a nurse practitioner visit and at-home diagnostic kits delivered to their door. The tests cover blood, urine, semen, and stool. Samples are processed by certified labs, and results are reviewed by board-certified urologists to initiate treatment.
“The clinical accuracy matches traditional in-office care, but with greater convenience, faster follow-through, and a better patient experience,’’ Amin says. The normalization of telehealth following the COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated Bastion’s growth, making virtual specialty care not just viable—but preferred, he added.
The traditional health care system hasn’t evolved with men’s needs, and as a result, many men bypass it, Amin says. Long waits in a doctor’s office, missed time at work, embarrassing test requirements, and difficulty scheduling follow-up appointments result in men avoiding life-enhancing or life-saving care.
“Men deserve care that’s private, seamless, and designed for them, especially when it comes to issues ‘under the belt,’” Amin says. “We’re a team of technologists, physicians, nurses, and health professionals building the future of men’s health. With AI-powered telehealth, nationwide urologist access, and integrated at-home testing, we’re redefining specialty care—delivered from home, anywhere in the country. We are always keeping the patient in mind in whatever we do.”
The medical service not only improves outcomes and prevents late-stage diagnoses, but also reduces health care spending for employers and payers.
“Not only are we saving lives, but we are also saving companies a great deal of money. Every cancer patient who is diagnosed early saves employers and payers $300,000. That’s just huge,” Amin says. “In many cases that savings alone covers the cost of the program for the entire employee population.’’
From Avid Researcher to Business Entrepreneur
Amin’s business idea began 10 years ago when he was completing a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, with a focus on medical diagnostic system design, at UConn. He published his first paper on at-home testing and how it can help with cancer detection.
“It started as an idea on paper, but it pieced things together,’’ he says. As the idea took root, Amin realized he wanted to create something more impactful than a testing company. He wanted to transform access to care.
“We dove into everything—regulations, diagnostics, emerging tech,” he says. “Today, we’re an AI-powered virtual care platform integrating at-home testing and automated clinical workflows. With help from AI, we streamline medical documentation, enhance clinical decision-making, and engage patients more effectively, improving the experience for both patients and providers. It’s about reducing friction, increasing satisfaction, and delivering high-quality care at scale.”
The year after completing his Ph.D., Amin added a master’s degree in global entrepreneurship from UConn to his resume. He is also the co-founder of Encapsulate, a precision personalized cancer therapy program.
Urologists Often Difficult to Find
Because urology practices are most frequently located in cities, some 62% of United States counties don’t have a single urologist, Amin says. That makes it difficult for many men, even those who are health-conscious, to get an appointment and schedule follow-ups if a problem is detected.
At Bastion, the team tries to make accessing care as seamless as possible. A dedicated care coordinator alerts men to appointments, testing, and medication refills. If follow-up care is needed, the patient is quickly referred to a health care system that can address even complex treatment.
If men are comfortable receiving care at home, let’s bring it to them there. We are leading the market but not abandoning high-quality service. — Reza Amin, Bastion Health
Through Bastion’s focus on patient satisfaction, Amin and his team reviewed and adopted technologies designed with the male patient experience in mind—making it easy to collect blood, urine, semen, and stool from home.
“We strive to be tech-savvy and futuristic thinking,” he says. “If men are comfortable receiving care at home, let’s bring it to them there. We are leading the market but not abandoning high-quality service.”
UConn Instrumental in Bastion’s Success
Bastion Health has also benefitted from numerous UConn entrepreneurship programs through the School of Business, College of Engineering, the Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and the Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. As an entrepreneur, Amin says, he ran into many people who discouraged his efforts. The support from UConn offset the challenges.
“Our company is a UConn spinoff. We’re Huskies through and through. We’ve had great support, lab and office space, and we utilize talent from UConn,” Amin says.
Amin has also competed in prestigious entrepreneurship competitions, including Connect Next, Mayo Clinic Incubator, Mass Challenge, and Plug & Play.
Bastion has been recognized in Forbes twice and as a Top 100 Healthcare Tech Company by Healthcare Tech Report Nation. He was also chosen as a “40 Under Forty” award recipient by the Hartford Business Journal.
“In growing this business, I realized that talent is key. I wanted to spend enough time to find the right people. Technology and funding are important, but it is talent that brings the ideas, builds the culture, and shares the vision that creates value,’’ he says. “Our partnerships and alignment are very important.’’
‘It Impacts Everyone and Everything’
Although Amin is focused on caring for men’s health, he recognizes the work he does has a profound ripple effect.
“Whether you’re addressing men’s health, women’s health, or children’s health, it is all family health,” he says. “Everyone wants a healthy family and if any one member has a problem, it impacts everyone and everything, from fear and disruption to employment and income concerns.”
“Losing lives to conditions that are treatable, when solutions exist and can’t be accessed, is failure,” he says. “We hope to save many families from going through the terrible experience of advanced prostate cancer.’’
overnor Kathy Hochul today released the Final Report for New York’s first-ever Master Plan for Aging (MPA). The MPA Final Report contains more than 100 proposals directed towards all levels of government, the social sector and private enterprise, all with the aim of helping individuals age with dignity, independence and the support they need and deserve to thrive.
“Every New Yorker should be able to age with dignity and independence,” Governor Hochul said. “The Master Plan for Aging builds on our ongoing efforts to empower older adults and advance New York’s status as an age-friendly state. I thank the hundreds of stakeholders, state agency staff and partners who worked to develop these proposals and look forward to reviewing the report.”
The report’s release was accompanied by a newly unveiled MPA website featuring the complete report and a sortable library of its 100-plus proposals, available in multiple languages at https://planforaging.ny.gov/.
The MPA advances goals outlined in the Governor’s 2022 State of the State Address and Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Executive Budget. It was formally established by Executive Order No. 23, signed in November 2022.
The Master Plan for Aging, led by the New York State Department of Health, the New York State Office for the Aging, and the New York State Department of State is the product of a collaborative effort with dozens of stakeholders inside and outside of government.
New York has the fourth-largest population of older adults in the U.S., with 3.2 million individuals – about 16 percent of the population – over age 65. The state’s population of those over the age of 60 is projected to grow to 5.3 million by 2030, with those over 80 years of age exceeding 1.2 million – growing faster than any other age group in some areas of the state. By 2030, older adults will make up 25 to 30 percent of the population in most New York counties.
New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “The Master Plan for Aging was created by New Yorkers, for New Yorkers, so we can age successfully and independently—on our terms—right here in New York.”
New York State Office for the Aging Director Greg Olsen said, “The final Master Plan for Aging is a true triumph of collective problem-solving. Under the vision of Governor Hochul, the MPA has brought together hundreds of the brightest and most accomplished minds from diverse fields and sectors – all contributing their talent to create this historic roadmap for an age-friendly New York. The Master Plan for Aging outlines over 100 proposals, each holding the promise to make a real difference in the lives of individuals as they age. Just as importantly, this document assesses the potential challenges, opportunities and pathways for action on each proposal, making it both visionary and practical. I applaud Governor Hochul, our state agency partners, the stakeholders and the public for their contributions to this historic outcome for older adults in New York State.”
New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, “Governor Hochul’s ongoing commitment to the lives of older New Yorkers is on full display with this comprehensive Master Plan for Aging, which will guide aging policy in the state well into the future. The way we plan and develop our communities has a tremendous impact on the health, safety and quality of life of older New Yorkers. The Department of State was proud to have played a pivotal role in the development of the Master Plan for Aging, with our partners at Department of Health and State Office for the Aging. We stand ready to support the next phase of plan implementation through our planning and development programs, like the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, NY Forward and Smart Growth, which create livable communities for people of all ages and abilities.”
Hundreds of stakeholders participated in a process of MPA workgroups to develop the MPA Final Report proposals. Organized into eight subcommittees and over 34 workgroups, the stakeholders coalesced around nine overarching pillars, which were:
Affordability of Basic Necessities
Informal Caregiver and Workforce Support and Modernization of Community-Based Aging Network Service
Modernization and Financial Sustainability of Healthcare, Residential Facilities and Community-Based Aging Network Service Providers
Prevention, Wellness Promotion and Access
Housing Access and Community Development
Access to Services in and Engagement with Historically Underserved Communities
Social Engagement of Older Adults
Combatting Elder Abuse, Ageism, Ableism and Stigma
Technology Access and Development
The MPA builds upon New York’s status as a nation-leader in aging policy, as evidenced by New York’s designation as the first Age-Friendly State in the nation by AARP. This designation recognizes the State’s commitment to addressing “the environmental, economic and social factors that affect the health and well-being of older adults.”
The 100-plus proposals presented in the MPA Final Report explore multiple approaches that address the built environment and infrastructure, transportation and transit, financing of care and services, recruitment and retention of the long term care workforce, licensing and training, pilot initiatives that can bring together providers and community services, innovations in care and service delivery, public-private partnerships, and many more.
The MPA process is already having an impact. The FY 2026 Enacted State Budget includes $45 million in additional funds to expand community-based aging services offered through Area Agencies on Aging — a critical priority identified by the MPA. This funding will help to reduce waiting lists for services such as home-delivered meals, assistance from personal care aides for activities of daily living, transportation assistance, home adaptations, case management to assist with person-centered resources, and other community-based supports. Going forward, the MPA provides a range of strategies for state agencies, the Legislature, stakeholders and partners to consider as New York pursues policies, programs and collaborations that will benefit older adults and their families.
The MPA Final Report builds on the MPA Preliminary Report issued in August of 2023 and Interim Report issued in October of 2024.
The MPA Council, which is made up of New York State executive agencies, will continue to engage stakeholders from groups and communities across the State and coordinate efforts across state agencies to ensure that policy and programs supporting New York’s aging population are moving forward.
The Master Plan for Aging Final Report can be found here.
New York State Department of Health First Deputy Commissioner and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Eugene Heslin said, “The Master Plan for Aging Process brought together public and private sector stakeholders to discuss the factors that impact aging in our communities. The result is a compendium of suggested strategies to help focus state agencies, the legislature and private partners supporting New Yorkers as they age.”
State Senator Cordell Cleare said, “The planning process that gave rise to the MPA was truly a grassroots effort and labor of love by those who have dedicated their professional lives to empowering, protecting and prioritizing Older New Yorkers. I look forward to digging into the granular details–but more importantly, I welcome the opportunity to turn this plan into a comprehensive package of legislative solutions backed by permanent and recurring funding.”
Assembly Member Rebecca A. Seawright said, “Governor Hochul’s Final Report for the Master Plan for Aging serves as a critical blueprint for advancing affordability, expanding pathways to aging in place and elevating the system of care and quality of life for older New Yorkers. As Chair of Aging and Assembly Member of the largest cohort of older adults in Manhattan, I’m proud to partner with the Governor, Leader Stewart-Cousins, Speaker Heastie, Senate Aging Chair Cleare, legislative colleagues, advocates and stakeholders toward ensuring that aging New Yorkers have the equitable and affordable city and state that they deserve, that they have earned.”
MPA Coalition co-chairs Nora O’Brien-Suric and Bob Blancato said, “We commend Governor Hochul on the release of an historic and holistic Master Plan for Aging. The MPA Coalition is proud to be the largest stakeholder group advocating for the MPA. We now will shift our focus to helping ensure the priority recommendations in the plan are implemented in a timely manner.”
AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel said, “The Master Plan for Aging has created a valuable opportunity for stakeholders across New York to assess our current systems and propose policies that better support aging New Yorkers now and in the future. Governor Hochul is already making meaningful progress with the historic investment in aging services in the final state budget this year. The real challenge lies ahead as we work together to implement these proposals and turn this visionary plan into reality.”
Association on Aging in New York (AgingNY) Executive Director Rebecca Preve said, “As a key MPA stakeholder, the Association on Aging in New York contributed at multiple levels in the development of this pioneering roadmap of proposals to support older adults and create opportunities for successful aging in New York State. This process has already yielded game-changing outcomes, including additional funds in this year’s state budget for Area Agencies on Aging to meet locally determined needs for services. We look forward to supporting the MPA’s progress in partnership with stakeholders across sectors.”
Lifespan of Greater Rochester, Inc. President and CEO Ann Marie Cook said, “I applaud Governor Hochul for her Executive Order to create a New York State Master Plan for Aging and for her steadfast support of older New Yorkers. The process involved thousands of people – everyone from older adults, to aging service professionals, to family caregivers. The plan creates a critical roadmap to ensure that aging New Yorkers are able to live and thrive in our state. I am proud to have participated in this process and look forward to doing everything I can to implement this historic plan.”
ARCHANGELS CEO and Co-founder Alexandra Drane said, “All of us do it, whether we realize it or not: we care. In fact, over 40% of us across our nation are showing up in foundational ways for family, friends, neighbors. The intensity of that care is real – and it manifests in all aspects of our health and productivity. New York’s Master Plan for Aging marks a powerful shift: it recognizes this population as the economic backbone of New York State and elevates this often-invisible work as essential infrastructure. Through public-private partnerships like Any Care Counts-NY and the bold, cross-sector ideas in this truly comprehensive plan, New York is turning good intentions into real-world support and impact for caregivers and the people, businesses, and communities who rely on them. ARCHANGELS is honored to continue our long-term partnership with New York in this transformative work – because supporting caregivers isn’t just good policy, it’s smart economics, and it gets to the very heart of an age-friendly New York.”
ArchCare CEO Scott La Rue said, “Being a stakeholder in the development of the NYS Master Plan for Aging was a truly positive experience. The process was remarkably inclusive, offering multiple avenues for New Yorkers and their representatives to provide invaluable input. This forward-thinking document will undoubtedly guide the state effectively as its population of older adults continues to grow.”
VNS Health President and CEO Dan Savitt said, “Governor Hochul’s Master Plan for Aging is an essential step forward for New York, responding with deep clarity and vision to the demographic, economic, and health care realities of our time. As the state’s largest home- and community-based care provider, VNS Health is proud to have contributed to the Governor’s bold plan and will work collaboratively with the Administration to harness technology, strengthen partnerships, and expand access to care so that all older New Yorkers are able to age with the dignity, independence and support they deserve.”
LeadingAge New York President and CEO Sebrina Barrett said, “As the only statewide organization dedicated to the entire continuum of care for older New Yorkers, LeadingAge New York supports the MPA’s comprehensive approach to addressing the needs of older adults. With a growing population of older adults and a shrinking number of working-age caregivers, we need to act swiftly and decisively to ensure access to appropriate services and the necessary workforce to provide them. We welcome the report’s attention to innovative solutions, such as housing with services, and its proposals to address provider regulations and payment rules that limit access and fragment care. We are excited to continue the productive inter-agency and multi-stakeholder collaboration that has arisen from the MPA process, as we work to promote a high-quality continuum of care for older New Yorkers today and in the future.”
John A. Hartford Foundation President Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN said, “Every New Yorker deserves to age with the support and care they need to maintain their health and well-being, and this statewide plan for aging moves us in the right direction. We applaud everyone involved in the creation of this robust blueprint for action and look forward to working with partners to prioritize and implement the proposed recommendations so that our state’s health systems and all sectors become age-friendly.”
It’s official. The Wyoming Air National Guard formally recognized their recruiting and retention unit as a flight during an Activation and Assumption of Command Ceremony last week.
When U.S. Air Force Capt. Nicole Zoellner raised her hand in salute during the ceremony, she also became one of the first commanders in the country to lead recruiting and retention as an official unit.
The activation of a new flight marks an important milestone by establishing a unit designed to support the mission of the United States Air Force and the Wyoming Air National Guard.
The term “flight” dates to World War One and was originally used to designate a group of aircraft. Today, the term can be used for any kind of group with a distinct mission.
And the Recruiting and Retention Flight at the Wyoming Air National Guard have a big one.
The number one priority for leadership at the Wyoming Air National Guard is bringing in the next generation of talent. This is no small feat, especially when one considers that Wyoming is the least populated state in the country, with the lowest population density as well.
In fact, the state has more antelopes than people.
But the number of enlistments for the Wyoming Air National Guard continues to increase in large part thanks to the grit, drive, and determination of the Wyoming Air National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Flight. Last year, they ranked in the top 15 recruiting and retention units nationwide in total accessions.
During the Activation and Assumption of Command Ceremony last week, Brigadier General Barry Deibert presented the official activation orders. The audience rose for the publishing of the order. Military members stood at attention. The guidon posted the flag unwaveringly.
“By order of the Adjutant General and the Governor of Wyoming, effective 17 May, 2025, Recruiting and Retention Flight, Joint Force Headquarters, is hereby activated to support the mission of the 153rd Airlift Wing, United States Air Force,” Deibert said.
With the activation of the flight, it was time to recognize its leadership.
Zoellner faced Deibert and saluted.
“Sir, I assume command,” she said.
With the passing of the orders, the Recruiting and Retention Flight at the Wyoming Air National Guard will gain additional resources to achieve their mission. The flight will now have a defined chain of command, additional manning, and new opportunities for the recruiters to advance in their career field.
Also, they will now be known as talent management craftsmen.
“This is such an exciting time for the flight to be moving forward,” Zoellner said. “Recruiting and retention has always been given the expectation to push and do more, but now they are given the resources to make that happen.”
They’re tasked to reach 102% manning for the 153rd Airlift Wing in 2028.
“Our recruiters let interested people know that by joining the Wyoming Air Guard they can be the heroes of their own story, and we are here to be their guide,” Zoellner said. “You need tuition assistance for school? You want to be a part of something bigger than yourself? We have a solution, but it’s your story.”
The Recruiting and Retention Flight of the Wyoming Air National Guard are on the frontline of the future, taking on the mission of attracting the next generation of the best and brightest.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Derrick Van Orden (Wisconsin 3rd)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) released the following statement on the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision to decline the argument for redrawing the state’s congressional district lines:
“Today’s decision by the Wisconsin Supreme Court is a victory for the rule of law, election integrity, and the Constitution. The lines as they stand were drawn by Governor Evers and affirmed by the previous state Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court. The Democrats’ repeated attempts to redraw the congressional maps were solely because they did not like the results of free and fair elections.
“I am grateful to the state Supreme Court for being impartial in their decision and not caving to partisan politics. “It is honor to serve Wisconsin’s Third District.”
The new eight per cent tax bracket was announced as part of Budget 2025 and applies to income up to $60,000 – down from the previous rate of 10 per cent. Most taxpayers will start to see the benefit of the tax cut with more money on their paycheques starting this month, when payroll withholdings are adjusted. Now Albertans will have more to spend on what matters most.
Individual taxpayers will save up to $750 in 2025, while two-income families will see savings of up to $1,500. Overall, this personal income tax cut is expected to save Albertans $1.2 billion in 2025, with savings rising to $1.4 billion in 2028. This gives Albertans greater freedom to spend, save or invest as they choose – not the government.
“We know times have been tight, and we’ve been working on ways to ease some of the pressure people are feeling right now. We promised to help with a cut to personal income taxes, and we delivered on that promise in Budget 2025 with a new eight per cent personal income tax bracket. Now Albertans will start to see that reflected in their paycheques as more money can go to the things that individuals and families think are important.”
“Albertans work hard and they deserve to keep more of what they earn. This tax cut delivers real relief now, right when families need it most. This tax cut reinforces Alberta’s position as the best place in Canada to live, work and raise a family.”
“Helping Albertans keep more of their hard-earned money will have an immediate impact on affordability in this province. With this step, we are empowering Albertans to make the best financial decisions to meet their needs and support their families.”
With low personal and corporate income taxes, low fuel tax and no sales tax, Albertans pay considerably less in overall taxes than those in other provinces. In 2025-26, Albertans and Alberta businesses would pay at least $20.1 billion less in taxes than they would if Alberta had the same tax system as any other province.
“Hard-working Albertans deserve this tax cut and it’s great to see it happen. Keeping promises really matters and it’s great that hard-working taxpayers will be saving money on their paycheques in Alberta.”
Lower taxes, less pressure and more freedom – that’s what the eight per cent tax bracket delivers for Alberta families. This tax cut is a clear example of how Alberta leads the nation. Alberta is growing its economy, balancing the books, and putting real money back in the hands of the people who earned it.
Related information
Personal Income Tax in Alberta
Budget 2025
Related news
Budget 2025: Snip. Taxes cut for Albertans (Feb. 28, 2025)
A number of pages on the Government of Saskatchewan’s website have been professionally translated in French. These translations are identified by a yellow box in the right or left rail that resembles the link below. The home page for French-language content on this site can be found at:
Renseignements en Français
Where an official translation is not available, Google™ Translate can be used. Google™ Translate is a free online language translation service that can translate text and web pages into different languages. Translations are made available to increase access to Government of Saskatchewan content for populations whose first language is not English.
Software-based translations do not approach the fluency of a native speaker or possess the skill of a professional translator. The translation should not be considered exact, and may include incorrect or offensive language. The Government of Saskatchewan does not warrant the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information translated by this system. Some files or items cannot be translated, including graphs, photos and other file formats such as portable document formats (PDFs).
Any person or entities that rely on information obtained from the system does so at his or her own risk. Government of Saskatchewan is not responsible for any damage or issues that may possibly result from using translated website content. If you have any questions about Google™ Translate, please visit: Google™ Translate FAQs.
Saskatchewan is intervening in support of Alberta’s legal action to challenge the federal Impact Assessment Act before the Alberta Court of Appeal.
On October 13, 2023, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in a 5-2 decision that the Impact Assessment Act was a clear example of federal government overreach into provincial jurisdiction. In response to the decision, former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau passed amendments to the Impact Assessment Act in June 2024.
The Constitution Act, 1867 provides the provinces with exclusive jurisdiction over the development of natural resources. Amendments to the Impact Assessment Act made in 2024 do not go far enough to protect Saskatchewan from federal government overreach into provincial jurisdiction.
“Saskatchewan supports Prime Minister Carney’s goal of Canada becoming an energy superpower, and we will continue to work with the federal government in adopting our Strong Saskatchewan, Strong Canada plan,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod, K.C. said. “However, the current Impact Assessment Act is a major roadblock in achieving that goal. We remain committed to standing up for resource development across Canada, particularly in resource-rich western provinces like Saskatchewan and Alberta.”
Recently, our government released the “Strong Saskatchewan, Strong Canada Plan”which outlines 10 key policy changes the federal government can make to start a new, more positive relationship with Saskatchewan. Under the plan, Saskatchewan called for the fundamental reform of the Impact Assessment Act, outlining the need for streamlined processes to avoid duplication and infringement into provincial jurisdiction.
“Canadians clearly want the federal government to leverage our natural resources to create jobs and strengthen our provincial and national economies,” McLeod said. “Prime Minister Carney has an incredible opportunity to unite Canadians and build the strongest economy in the G7 by amending the Impact Assessment Act to respect provincial jurisdiction.”
The Alberta Court of Appeal has not yet set a date for the hearing of this challenge.
For more information on Saskatchewan’s response to the federal Impact Assessment Act, see:
By Staff Sgt. Kristina Kranz, 197th Public Affairs Detachment
CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Service members, veterans, and civilians gathered at Joint Force Headquarters in Cheyenne on June 12 to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States Army, a historic milestone honoring a legacy of service that began in 1775. The ceremony featured remarks, tributes, and time-honored traditions, including a proclamation signing by Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon and a ceremonial cake cutting by the Wyoming Army National Guard’s oldest and youngest Soldiers present.
Gordon officially declared June 14, the Army’s founding date, as “U.S. Army Day” in Wyoming, recognizing the Army’s role in safeguarding the nation and Wyoming’s deep-rooted military heritage. In his proclamation, Gordon acknowledged the Army’s 250 years of selfless service and traced Wyoming’s contributions back to the formation of militia units in the 19th century, culminating in the modern-day Wyoming Army National Guard.
“In the words of General George S. Patton, ‘Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men and women’,” said Gordon. “God bless the United States. God bless our Army. Ride for the brand. That is the condition.”
The event was led by Master of Ceremonies Maj. Eric Jacobs, who highlighted the Army’s historical significance and mission: “This We’ll Defend.” Distinguished guests included Brig. Gen. Toby Alkire, deputy adjutant general; Chief Warrant Officer 5 Derek Fisbeck, command chief warrant officer; and Command Sgt. Maj. Thad Ehde, command senior enlisted leader. A commemorative video set the tone for the celebration, reflecting on the Army’s evolution, from its beginnings in the Revolutionary War to its role in today’s complex global landscape.
“TheArmy is more than a force, it’s a family,” said Jacobs. “Our strength lies not in our weapons, butin our people.”
The ceremony concluded with the traditional cake-cutting ceremony, with the oldest and youngest Soldier, symbolizing the Army’s continuity and future. This year’s honor went to Sgt. 1st Class Eric Cothren and Pvt. 1st Class Hayden Pindell. The gesture symbolizes the continuity of service from one generation to the next.
Headline: Governor Stein Announces New Auto Industry Supplier Will Create 125 Jobs in Rutherford County
Governor Stein Announces New Auto Industry Supplier Will Create 125 Jobs in Rutherford County lsaito
Raleigh, NC
Governor Josh Stein announced today that TMG & Haartz Solutions LLC, a new joint venture to supply synthetic leather materials for automotive interiors, will create 125 jobs over the next five years in Rutherford County. The company will invest $51 million in Bostic to establish an industrial facility to supply original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as Mercedes Benz, Volvo, BMW, GM, Toyota, and Ford.
“North Carolina’s robust network of suppliers to the automotive industry grows stronger today with TMG Haartz Solutions’ decision to locate in our state,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Manufacturing companies understand that North Carolina’s workforce training programs can help supply the skilled craftspeople they need.”
TMG Haartz Solutions is a new joint venture formed by two family-owned companies, each with long histories of serving the automotive industry. The Haartz Corporation, formed in 1907 with headquarters in Acton, Massachusetts, is a world leader in highly engineered and uniquely designed convertible toppings and interior surface materials. TMG Automotive (TMG), a business unit of the TMG Group with headquarters in Portugal, is a world leader in automotive interior surface materials, notably synthetic leathers.
The new company, TMG Haartz Solutions, will focus on the localized supply of highly engineered synthetic leather materials for automotive interior trim components such as seat covers, instrument panels, door pillars, and shift gear boots. The company’s mission aims to drive the next generation of automotive design by crafting precision materials that reflect the company’s global expertise, commitment to local stewardship, and dedication to a lighter environmental footprint. The company’s project in Rutherford County will establish an industrial manufacturing center in Bostic at a site previously used for the Milliken Golden Valley plant.
“Our journey began with a commitment to craftsmanship and innovation, values passed down through generations of the Gonçalves family,” said Isabel Furtado, Board Member at TMG Group & Board Member and CEO at TMG Automotive. “From our roots in Portugal to this new chapter in the United States, we have always believed in building relationships based on trust, respect, and shared purpose. The relationship between Gonçalves and Haartz families is more than a business alliance—it is a story of mutual respect, shared values, and a common vision for the future of mobility.”
“Collaboration is one of our core values at Haartz, and our relationship with the Gonçalves family and TMG Automotive is a shining example of how shared values, mutual respect, and family heritage can transcend business,” said Eric Haartz, CEO at The Haartz Corporation. “What began as a business relationship has grown into a deep bond between our families — one that continues to inspire innovation and lasting impact. We are honored to take this next step together, bringing our combined strengths to an exciting new chapter in the United States.”
“North Carolina is the number one manufacturing state in the Southeastern United States, and our leadership has been noticed by companies around the world,” said Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “From our world-class transportation networks to our concentration of workers with manufacturing experience, we can offer companies like TMG Haartz Solutions the right ingredients for success.”
Although wages will vary depending on the position, the average salary for the new positions will be $64,218, compared with an average wage in Rutherford County of $46,673.
The company’s project in North Carolina will be facilitated, in part, by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) 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 more than $352.59 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 $1,463,000, 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 targets.
The project’s projected return on investment of public dollars is 125 per cent, meaning for every dollar of potential cost, the state receives $2.25 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.
“I’m pleased to see two family-owned companies with great reputations begin their next phase of growth together right here in North Carolina and Rutherford County,” said Senator Tim Moffitt. “We are a family-friendly region and our community will rally around and support this company as it begins to put down roots in our area.”
“It takes a lot of work behind the scenes by many community and economic development groups to bring a great company like TMG Haartz Solutions to our region,” said Representative Paul Scott. “We welcome these new jobs and this confident investment in the people of Rutherford County.”
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, the North Carolina Community College System, the Commerce Department’s Division of Workforce Solutions, Isothermal Community College, Rutherford County, and Rutherford County Economic Development.
With this announcement, since January 1st, Governor Stein has announced business expansions or new projects that will make more than $16.3 billion of new capital investment in North Carolina and create more than 18,000 new good-paying jobs.
Headline: Governor Stein Highlights Ongoing Efforts to Expand Access to Good Jobs with Good Wages
Governor Stein Highlights Ongoing Efforts to Expand Access to Good Jobs with Good Wages lsaito
Raleigh, NC
Today at Central Piedmont Community College, Governor Josh Stein’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships announced its first report, outlining its goals to expand access to good jobs with good wages that will support a family.
“You shouldn’t have to get a four-year degree to get a good job and support your family,” said Governor Stein. “That’s why I am committed to creating more good-paying jobs and pursuing the goals in this report so that our people have the skills and knowledge they need to build strong careers and bright futures in a changing economy.”
“The Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships featured the expertise of representatives from everyone in our workforce system, from employers and labor to educators and state officials,” said Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “Meeting the goals adopted by the Council will be vital to continuing North Carolina’s economic success, because our talented people give us our competitive edge.”
“Communities in every corner of the state, whether they are urban or rural, all need workers with the right skills for the jobs of today and tomorrow,” said Senator Eddie Settle. “The Council’s goals identify the top priorities for North Carolina to continue building an exceptional business climate, while allowing all workers to have opportunities for rewarding careers.”
“Building upon North Carolina’s strong tradition of collaboration in workforce development, the Council has highlighted important ways that we can use education, training, apprenticeships, and other work-based learning partnerships to meet the needs of employers,” said Dr. Jeff Cox, president of the N.C. Community College System. “Our outstanding 58 community colleges look forward to playing a key role in meeting these goals.”
The 11 goals approved by the Council and submitted to Governor Stein are:
1. Ensure 2 million North Carolinians aged 25-44 will have earned an industry-valued credential or degree.
2. By graduation, ensure that every high school student has completed coursework that results in transferable credit or credentials/certifications in preparation for the postsecondary pathway of their choice. The coursework includes dual enrollment, Career & Technical Education (CTE) concentrator, Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate, and work-based learning courses.
3. For graduating high school students, increase postsecondary enrollment, employment, or enlistment in the military within 12 months of high school graduation.
4. Double the number of registered apprentices.
5. Increase participation in work-based learning:
Double the number of work-based learning experiences through the NCWorks system with funding from Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title I and the Native American Workforce Program.
Double the number of high school students participating in work-based learning.
Increase by 25% the number of community college students participating in work-based learning courses.
Increase by 25% work-based learning experiences including Correction Enterprises roles and work-release at state correctional facilities.
Increase by 15% work-based learning experiences for individuals with disabilities through Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title IV funds.
Double the number of students participating in the state government internship program.
6. Engage 50,000 employers to partner with the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships on achieving its goals.
7. Establish and expand coordinated partnerships between education and workforce agencies and employers to increase alignment of resources to better address current and projected employer needs. Partnerships will result, on an annual basis, in the identification of local industry-valued training across the education continuum, shared planning for educational courses to meet these training needs, and increased use of available federal and state funds to support training in these programs.
8. Create statewide sector-based workforce development strategies for at least 3 key industries, including, but not limited to, advanced manufacturing, education, and health care.
9. Develop a plan to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills development into sector-based strategies and work-based learning in key industries to build a future-ready workforce.
10. Reduce state government vacancy rate to 15%.
11. Launch a coordinated statewide public outreach effort to broaden awareness and participation in workforce development programs by employers, learners, jobseekers, and incumbent workers, with an emphasis on reaching under-tapped talent pools like rural communities, veterans and their families, individuals with disabilities, and justice-involved people.
Established through Executive Order No. 11 as an advisory body within the NCWorks Commission, the Council is co-chaired by N.C. Department of Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley, N.C. Senator Eddie Settle, and N.C. Community College System President Dr. Jeff Cox. The Department of Commerce and the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) provide administrative support for the Council’s work. The Council will continue to meet and will develop a second report, due in December 2025, detailing proposed strategies to attain each goal.
Since January 1st, Governor Stein has announced business expansions or new projects that will make more than $16.3 billion of new capital investment in North Carolina and create more than 18,000 new good-paying jobs.
Headline: NCDHHS Holds Virtual Educational Briefing on Federal SNAP and Medicaid Proposals
NCDHHS Holds Virtual Educational Briefing on Federal SNAP and Medicaid Proposals jawerner
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services invites members of the media to a virtual educational briefing on Tuesday, July 1, at 10 a.m. to provide clarity on recent federal proposals that could significantly impact Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in North Carolina. The briefing will outline the major differences between the House and Senate budget proposals, including how each could affect access to health care and nutrition assistance for North Carolinians.
This educational session is designed to support accurate and informed reporting as federal negotiations continue.
What: Virtual Media Briefing on Federal Medicaid and SNAP Proposals
Who: Secretary Dev Sangvai Jonathan Kappler, NCDHHS Chief of Staff Karen Wade, NCDHHS Policy Director Jay Ludlam, NCDHHS Deputy Secretary of NC Medicaid
When: Tuesday, July 1 10 a.m.
Where: Zoom. Please RSVP to news@dhhs.nc.gov if you can attend and to receive the link.
What you need to know: Californians are urged to practice common sense and safety when using fireworks to celebrate this Fourth of July. People who resort to using illegal fireworks will be held accountable.
SACRAMENTO – With Fourth of July celebrations set to go off with a bang across the state this week, Governor Gavin Newsom and state fire officials are reminding all Californians that the state has no tolerance for illegal fireworks. Over 600,000 pounds of illegal fireworks have already been seized in 2025.
The sale, transport, or use of fireworks without the “Office of the State Fire Marshal Safe and Sane” seal is illegal, as is possessing or using any fireworks in communities where they are not allowed. Violators face potential fines up to $50,000 as well as a year in jail.
“We all must do our part to keep Fourth of July fun and safe. I ask all Californians to use common sense and practice safety when lighting fireworks to celebrate. Our message is clear: illegal fireworks won’t be tolerated, and you will be prosecuted. They run the risk of starting dangerous fires in the peak of our fire season.”
Governor Gavin Newsom
Over the past several months, CAL FIRE – Office of the State Fire Marshal’s specialized Arson and Bomb Investigators have been aiding local and federal illegal fireworks enforcement efforts. Last year, officials seized 288,000 pounds of illegal fireworks. The 10 year annual average is about 240,000 pounds seized per year.
Since 2024, fireworks have caused over $35 million in property damage across California, sparking 1,230 fires. Illegal fireworks include:
Skyrockets
Bottle rockets
Roman candles
Aerial shells
Firecrackers
Sparklers
Other fireworks that explode, go into the air, or move on the ground in an uncontrollable manner
“Already this year our Arson and Bomb Investigators, along with our partners, have successfully seized over 600,000 pounds of illegal fireworks from all over California,” said State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant. “Our recent enforcement efforts clearly demonstrate our zero tolerance toward the use, transportation, and possession of illegal fireworks. Even ‘Safe and Sane’ fireworks are banned in many communities and bring large fines for their illegal use.”
For a fun and safe Fourth of July, know your local fireworks laws. Some California communities ban all fireworks, while others allow certain “Safe and Sane” fireworks.
To learn more about fireworks safety and to view a full list of jurisdictions that allow the sale of Safe and Sane fireworks, go to ReadyforWildfire.org.
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Headline: Ontario issues Long-Term 2 RFPs for new-build energy and capacity resources
CanREA celebrates the industry’s first opportunity in a decade to propose new affordable wind and solar projects in Ontario.
Toronto, June 30, 2025—The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) welcomes Ontario’s launch of the Long-Term 2 (LT2) competitive procurements for new-build energy and capacity resources, issued Friday by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).
This marks the renewable energy industry’s first opportunity in a decade to propose new affordable wind and solar projects in Ontario, and provides continued opportunities for energy storage projects, a growing technology asset in Ontario’s electricity supply mix.
“Ontario needs more power, and renewables and energy storage will contribute significantly to meeting this need. Together with local community and Indigenous partners, our members are ready to compete for the opportunity to provide affordable, reliable and clean electricity to Ontario families and businesses and support economic growth across the province,” said Vittoria Bellissimo, CanREA’s President and CEO.
LT2 is a series of competitive procurements for new-build electricity generation resources through annual intake windows over the next four years (2025-2028). This first window of the LT2 RFPs consists of the LT2 Window 1 Energy RFP targeting 3 terawatt-hours (TWh) of new energy-producing resources, including wind and solar, and the LT2 Window 1 Capacity RFP, targeting 600 megawatts (MW) of new capacity resources, including energy storage.
In total over the four intake windows, the LT2 energy stream aims to procure up to 14 TWh of new energy-producing resources and the LT2 capacity stream is targeting up to 1,600 MW of new capacity resources.
As the lowest-cost source of new, quickly deployable electricity generation available worldwide today, renewables are a critical part of the solution for Ontario’s growing energy needs.
“This procurement is a high priority item for our members and their Indigenous and municipal partners in Ontario. We’re excited that these first in a series of annual RFPs have now been issued, building momentum and consistent investment opportunities for renewable and storage projects in Ontario over the coming years,” said Eric Muller, CanREA’s Director for Ontario.
While CanREA’s members continue to prepare their project proposals for the fall and foster partnerships with Indigenous communities and municipalities, CanREA will continue to engage with government ministries and agencies on permitting, siting and land-use rules and regulations to ensure that these energy and capacity procurements result in the lowest-cost, highest-benefit outcomes for Ontarians.
Quotes
“Ontario needs more power, and renewables and energy storage will contribute significantly to meeting this need. Together with local community and Indigenous partners, our members are ready to compete for the opportunity to provide affordable, reliable and clean electricity to Ontario families and businesses and support economic growth across the province.”
—Vittoria Bellissimo, President and CEO, Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA)
“This procurement is a high priority item for our members and their Indigenous and municipal partners in Ontario. We’re excited that these first in a series of annual RFPs have now been issued, building momentum and consistent investment opportunities for renewable and storage projects in Ontario over the coming years.”
—Eric Muller, Ontario Director, Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA)
For media inquiries or interview opportunities, please contact:
CommunicationsCanadian Renewable Energy Associationcommunications@renewablesassociation.ca
About CanREA
The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) is the voice for wind energy, solar energy and energy storage solutions that will power Canada’s energy future. We work to create the conditions for a modern energy system through stakeholder advocacy and public engagement. Our diverse members are uniquely positioned to deliver clean, low-cost, reliable, flexible and scalable solutions for Canada’s energy needs. For more information on how Canada can use wind energy, solar energy and energy storage to help achieve its net-zero commitments, consult “Powering Canada’s Journey to Net-Zero: CanREA’s 2050 Vision.” Follow us on Bluesky and LinkedIn here. Learn more at renewablesassociation.ca.
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The post Ontario issues Long-Term 2 RFPs for new-build energy and capacity resources appeared first on Canadian Renewable Energy Association.
Headline: Ontario issues Long-Term 2 RFPs for new-build energy and capacity resources
CanREA celebrates the industry’s first opportunity in a decade to propose new affordable wind and solar projects in Ontario.
Toronto, June 30, 2025—The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) welcomes Ontario’s launch of the Long-Term 2 (LT2) competitive procurements for new-build energy and capacity resources, issued Friday by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).
This marks the renewable energy industry’s first opportunity in a decade to propose new affordable wind and solar projects in Ontario, and provides continued opportunities for energy storage projects, a growing technology asset in Ontario’s electricity supply mix.
“Ontario needs more power, and renewables and energy storage will contribute significantly to meeting this need. Together with local community and Indigenous partners, our members are ready to compete for the opportunity to provide affordable, reliable and clean electricity to Ontario families and businesses and support economic growth across the province,” said Vittoria Bellissimo, CanREA’s President and CEO.
LT2 is a series of competitive procurements for new-build electricity generation resources through annual intake windows over the next four years (2025-2028). This first window of the LT2 RFPs consists of the LT2 Window 1 Energy RFP targeting 3 terawatt-hours (TWh) of new energy-producing resources, including wind and solar, and the LT2 Window 1 Capacity RFP, targeting 600 megawatts (MW) of new capacity resources, including energy storage.
In total over the four intake windows, the LT2 energy stream aims to procure up to 14 TWh of new energy-producing resources and the LT2 capacity stream is targeting up to 1,600 MW of new capacity resources.
As the lowest-cost source of new, quickly deployable electricity generation available worldwide today, renewables are a critical part of the solution for Ontario’s growing energy needs.
“This procurement is a high priority item for our members and their Indigenous and municipal partners in Ontario. We’re excited that these first in a series of annual RFPs have now been issued, building momentum and consistent investment opportunities for renewable and storage projects in Ontario over the coming years,” said Eric Muller, CanREA’s Director for Ontario.
While CanREA’s members continue to prepare their project proposals for the fall and foster partnerships with Indigenous communities and municipalities, CanREA will continue to engage with government ministries and agencies on permitting, siting and land-use rules and regulations to ensure that these energy and capacity procurements result in the lowest-cost, highest-benefit outcomes for Ontarians.
Quotes
“Ontario needs more power, and renewables and energy storage will contribute significantly to meeting this need. Together with local community and Indigenous partners, our members are ready to compete for the opportunity to provide affordable, reliable and clean electricity to Ontario families and businesses and support economic growth across the province.”
—Vittoria Bellissimo, President and CEO, Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA)
“This procurement is a high priority item for our members and their Indigenous and municipal partners in Ontario. We’re excited that these first in a series of annual RFPs have now been issued, building momentum and consistent investment opportunities for renewable and storage projects in Ontario over the coming years.”
—Eric Muller, Ontario Director, Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA)
For media inquiries or interview opportunities, please contact:
CommunicationsCanadian Renewable Energy Associationcommunications@renewablesassociation.ca
About CanREA
The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) is the voice for wind energy, solar energy and energy storage solutions that will power Canada’s energy future. We work to create the conditions for a modern energy system through stakeholder advocacy and public engagement. Our diverse members are uniquely positioned to deliver clean, low-cost, reliable, flexible and scalable solutions for Canada’s energy needs. For more information on how Canada can use wind energy, solar energy and energy storage to help achieve its net-zero commitments, consult “Powering Canada’s Journey to Net-Zero: CanREA’s 2050 Vision.” Follow us on Bluesky and LinkedIn here. Learn more at renewablesassociation.ca.
–30–
The post Ontario issues Long-Term 2 RFPs for new-build energy and capacity resources appeared first on Canadian Renewable Energy Association.
Sevilla, Spain – Barbados, France, Kenya, Spain, Benin, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Antigua & Barbuda supported by the European Commission, have announced they will form a ‘solidarity coalition on premium flyers’ to raise funds for climate action and sustainable development. Campaigners reacted to the announcement, which was made on the first day of the UN Financing for Development conference in Sevilla (FFD4).[1]
Rebecca Newsom, Global Political Lead of Greenpeace International’s Stop Drilling Start Paying campaign said: “Flying is the most elite and polluting form of travel, so this is an important step towards ensuring that the binge users of this undertaxed sector are made to pay their fair share. With the cost of climate impacts surging in countries least responsible for the crisis, bold, cooperative action that makes polluters pay is not just fair – it’s essential.”
“The obvious next step is to hold oil and gas corporations to account. As fossil fuel barons rake in obscene profits, and people are battered with increasingly violent floods, storms and wildfires, it’s no surprise that 8 out of 10 people support making them pay. Members of the Global Solidarity Levies Task Force and rich countries around the world should act upon this enormous public mandate: commit to higher taxes on fossil fuel profits and extraction by COP30, while ensuring that those being hit hardest by the climate crisis around the world benefit most from the revenues.”
Greenpeace International maintains it is critical that the revenues raised from solidarity levies in Global North countries go towards the countries and communities most affected by the climate crisis, for example through helping to fill the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage.
With demand for a climate damages tax on big polluters fast gaining momentum globally, Greenpeace urges all countries to join and implement the commitments of the new solidarity coalition on premium flyers by COP30. It also calls on all governments to adopt bold taxes and fines on greedy oil and gas corporations for the damages they have caused, without delay.[2][3][4][5][6]
ENDS
Notes:
[1] The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD) takes place from June 30 to 3 July 2025 in Sevilla, Spain, with participation of Heads of State and Government, relevant ministers, and other special representatives. Official website
[2] Popularity of climate damages taxes on fossil fuel consumption and production. A global survey, commissioned by Greenpeace International and Oxfam International, found that 3 out of 4 people agree that wealthier airline passengers (i.e. those who fly more often, use business and first-class and or/private jets) should pay additional tax due to their outsized individual impact on climate change. The same survey found that taxing oil, gas and coal corporations for their climate damages is even more popular. 81% of people support this, while 86% support channeling the revenues from higher taxes on oil and gas corporations towards communities most impacted by the climate crisis.
[3] A call to action.The Polluters Pay Pact is a global alliance of more than 160,000 people on the frontlines of climate disasters, concerned citizens, first responders like firefighters, humanitarian groups and political leaders. It demands that governments around the world make oil, coal and gas corporations pay their fair share for the damages they cause.
[5] Recent Oxfam International research found that a polluter profits tax on 590 oil, gas and coal companies could raise up to US $400 billion in its first year. This compares to estimated loss and damage costs of $290-1045 trillion in the Global South annually by 2030. Further, Oxfam analysis found that the emissions of just 340 fossil fuel companies each year make up half of all global emissions – emissions of just one year are enough to cause 2.7 million heat-related deaths over the next century.
[6] Over 100 climate groups are backing a ‘Climate Damages Tax’ on fossil fuels extraction. This could be imposed by OECD countries, which if introduced at low initial rate of US$5 per tonne of CO2e increasing by US$5 per tonne each year could raise a total of US$ 900 billion by 2030 to help the world’s poorest and most vulnerable with climate damages, and pay for damages caused by some of the worst extreme weather events last year. Greenpeace is calling on governments to introduce frequent flyer levies so that those who fly the most, pay the most, while preventing the expansion of the aviation industry. Private jets are an extravagant luxury which should be banned altogether.
Contacts:
Tal Harris, Global Media Lead – Greenpeace International’s Stop Drilling Start Paying campaign, +41-782530550, [email protected]
Sevilla, Spain – Barbados, France, Kenya, Spain, Benin, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Antigua & Barbuda supported by the European Commission, have announced they will form a ‘solidarity coalition on premium flyers’ to raise funds for climate action and sustainable development. Campaigners reacted to the announcement, which was made on the first day of the UN Financing for Development conference in Sevilla (FFD4).[1]
Rebecca Newsom, Global Political Lead of Greenpeace International’s Stop Drilling Start Paying campaign said: “Flying is the most elite and polluting form of travel, so this is an important step towards ensuring that the binge users of this undertaxed sector are made to pay their fair share. With the cost of climate impacts surging in countries least responsible for the crisis, bold, cooperative action that makes polluters pay is not just fair – it’s essential.”
“The obvious next step is to hold oil and gas corporations to account. As fossil fuel barons rake in obscene profits, and people are battered with increasingly violent floods, storms and wildfires, it’s no surprise that 8 out of 10 people support making them pay. Members of the Global Solidarity Levies Task Force and rich countries around the world should act upon this enormous public mandate: commit to higher taxes on fossil fuel profits and extraction by COP30, while ensuring that those being hit hardest by the climate crisis around the world benefit most from the revenues.”
Greenpeace International maintains it is critical that the revenues raised from solidarity levies in Global North countries go towards the countries and communities most affected by the climate crisis, for example through helping to fill the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage.
With demand for a climate damages tax on big polluters fast gaining momentum globally, Greenpeace urges all countries to join and implement the commitments of the new solidarity coalition on premium flyers by COP30. It also calls on all governments to adopt bold taxes and fines on greedy oil and gas corporations for the damages they have caused, without delay.[2][3][4][5][6]
ENDS
Notes:
[1] The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD) takes place from June 30 to 3 July 2025 in Sevilla, Spain, with participation of Heads of State and Government, relevant ministers, and other special representatives. Official website
[2] Popularity of climate damages taxes on fossil fuel consumption and production. A global survey, commissioned by Greenpeace International and Oxfam International, found that 3 out of 4 people agree that wealthier airline passengers (i.e. those who fly more often, use business and first-class and or/private jets) should pay additional tax due to their outsized individual impact on climate change. The same survey found that taxing oil, gas and coal corporations for their climate damages is even more popular. 81% of people support this, while 86% support channeling the revenues from higher taxes on oil and gas corporations towards communities most impacted by the climate crisis.
[3] A call to action.The Polluters Pay Pact is a global alliance of more than 160,000 people on the frontlines of climate disasters, concerned citizens, first responders like firefighters, humanitarian groups and political leaders. It demands that governments around the world make oil, coal and gas corporations pay their fair share for the damages they cause.
[5] Recent Oxfam International research found that a polluter profits tax on 590 oil, gas and coal companies could raise up to US $400 billion in its first year. This compares to estimated loss and damage costs of $290-1045 trillion in the Global South annually by 2030. Further, Oxfam analysis found that the emissions of just 340 fossil fuel companies each year make up half of all global emissions – emissions of just one year are enough to cause 2.7 million heat-related deaths over the next century.
[6] Over 100 climate groups are backing a ‘Climate Damages Tax’ on fossil fuels extraction. This could be imposed by OECD countries, which if introduced at low initial rate of US$5 per tonne of CO2e increasing by US$5 per tonne each year could raise a total of US$ 900 billion by 2030 to help the world’s poorest and most vulnerable with climate damages, and pay for damages caused by some of the worst extreme weather events last year. Greenpeace is calling on governments to introduce frequent flyer levies so that those who fly the most, pay the most, while preventing the expansion of the aviation industry. Private jets are an extravagant luxury which should be banned altogether.
Contacts:
Tal Harris, Global Media Lead – Greenpeace International’s Stop Drilling Start Paying campaign, +41-782530550, [email protected]
Key Process Improvements Save Energy and Cut Costs for Recycling Polyester With Enzymes
NREL and collaborators made key improvements at each stage of an enzymatic recycling process—from the breakdown of plastics to the efficient recovery of building blocks for high-value materials—which resulted in an economically viable process for industry. Pictured from NREL (back row left to right): Manar Alherech, John E. McGeehan, Stephen H. Dempsey, Gregg T. Beckham; (front row left to right): Kelsey J. Ramirez, Natasha P. Murphy, Jason S. DesVeaux, Christine A. Singer, Hannah M. Alt, Elizabeth L. Bell. Photo by Josh Bauer, NREL
A successful collaboration involving a trio of research institutions has yielded a road map toward an economically viable process for using enzymes to recycle plastics.
The researchers, from NREL, the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and the University of Portsmouth in England, previously partnered on the biological engineering of improved PETase enzymes that can break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET). With its low manufacturing cost and excellent material properties, PET is used extensively in single-use packaging, soda bottles, and textiles.
The new study combines the previous fundamental research with advanced chemical engineering, process development, and techno-economic analysis to lay the blueprints for enzyme-based PET recycling at industrial scale.
While current methods exist for recycling PET, they are often incompatible with typical low-quality plastic waste. A potential solution lies with enzymes, which can selectively break down PET, even from contaminated and colored plastic waste streams. The researchers’ new design focuses on improvements at each stage of the process, from plastic deconstruction with enzymes, to efficient recovery of the resulting building blocks, or monomers. These monomers can be used to make new plastic or upcycled to generate higher value materials, saving energy and resources.
The key to making such a process viable is to reduce the energy and cost requirements, which in turn yields a cheaper product. The team has achieved this by innovations that change the reaction conditions and separations technologies to reduce expensive acid and base additions by more than 99%, reduce annual running costs by 74%, and reduce energy use by 65%.
“Despite the advantages of enzymatic recycling for complex plastic waste streams, the field has encountered multiple challenges for realistic implementation,” said Gregg Beckham, a senior research fellow at NREL and colead of the study. “Here we have taken a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates multiple innovations to realize an economically viable and scalable process.”
The modeled cost of the resulting enzyme-recycled PET are now below those of U.S. domestic virgin PET ($1.51/kg vs. $1.87/kg), making this an attractive option for industry investment and scale-up.
According to a 2022 NREL study, 86% of plastics were landfilled in the United States in 2019—materials with enough embodied energy to supply 5% of the power needs of the U.S. transportation sector. With global plastic production anticipated to increase between two and four times current levels by 2050, recovering and valorizing more postconsumer plastics is an opportunity to recapture that energy for domestic materials manufacturing.
“We see a significant opportunity to design, test, and optimize new recycling technologies to efficiently valorize postconsumer plastics into feedstock for new materials,” said Natasha Murphy, a biochemist at NREL and co-first author of the new paper.
The paper, “Process innovations to enable viable enzymatic poly(ethylene terephthalate) recycling,” appears in the journal Nature Chemical Engineering. Other co-authors from NREL are Stephen Dempsey, Jason DesVeaux, Taylor Uekert, Swarnalatha Mailaram, Manar Alherech, Hannah Alt, Kelsey Ramirez, Brenna Norton-Baker, Elizabeth Bell, Christine Singer, and John McGeehan.
McGeehan, who recently joined NREL from the University of Portsmouth, said, “I am delighted to be part of a team that is dedicated to translate fundamental science toward real-world application and look forward to working closely between NREL and our industry partners to accelerate the design and construction of the first U.S. enzymatic plastic recycling plant.”
Research funds came from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office and Bioenergy Technologies Office. This work was performed as part of the Bio-Optimized Technologies to keep Thermoplastics out of Landfills and the Environment (BOTTLETM) consortium.
Explore NREL bioenergy and bioeconomy research, including recyclable-by-design materials research.
NOAA and its partners have released the latest Regional Temperature and Precipitation Impacts and Outlooks, which recap spring conditions and provide insight into what might be expected this summer.
Spring Temperature Recap
During meteorological spring (March–May) 2025, the continental U.S. average temperature was 54.1°F, 3.2°F above average, making it the second-warmest spring in the 131-year record. North Carolina recorded its second-warmest spring (3.7°F above average), while Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi and Virginia each matched or exceeded their third-warmest spring on record. For the spring season (March–May), Alaska’s average temperature was 27.7°F, 3.7°F above average, ranking in the warmest third of the historical record.
Spring Precipitation Recap
During spring, the continental U.S. received an average of 8.90 inches of precipitation, 0.97 inch above the long-term average, ranking in the wettest third of the 131-year record. Much-above-average precipitation fell across parts of the southern Plains, South, Ohio Valley and Northeast, as well as in portions of the northern Plains and upper Great Lakes. In contrast, below-average precipitation was observed in parts of the Mountain West, central Plains and across the Florida Peninsula.
Alaska tied its second-wettest spring on record, despite some parts of the West Coast and western Aleutians being drier than average.
Summer Temperature Outlook
The July–September Temperature Outlook favors above-normal temperatures throughout the lower 48 states with the highest forecast confidence across the Great Basin and New England. The outlook only slightly leans towards above-normal temperatures for much of the Great Plains and Mississippi Valley. Above-normal temperatures are also favored for eastern and southern Alaska.
Summer Precipitation Outlook
The July–September Precipitation Outlook depicts elevated above-normal precipitation probabilities for the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Upper Ohio Valley. Below-normal precipitation is more likely across the Northern to Central Great Plains, Northern Rockies, and Pacific Northwest. Above-normal precipitation is favored for central and western Alaska.
Impacts and Outlooks for Your Region
Get more details for your region in the June 2025 Regional Temperature and Precipitation Impacts and Outlooks:
Creating Quarterly Summaries
NOAA’s Regional Climate Services lead the production of these quarterly temperature and precipitation impacts and outlooks for various regions of the United States as well as parts of Canada along the border. This effort, which began in 2012, includes 13 unique regional products that are produced collaboratively with partner organizations.
You can access all of the Temperature and Precipitation Impacts and Outlooks summaries as well as additional reports and assessments through the U.S. Drought Portal Reports web page at Drought.gov.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Nashville, in collaboration with the Metro Nashville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives successfully apprehended Josue Hernandez Moxje, 23, a Honduran national, in connection with a double homicide.
On April 28, HSI Nashville, ATF Nashville and the Metro Nashville Police responded to a double homicide near Percy Priest Lake and Lincoya Bay Apartments. The victims were identified as Amir Landan Wilkerson, 19, and Jaime Valdez-Garcia, 18, both from Alabaster, Alabama. Through extensive investigative efforts and interagency cooperation, Hernandez was identified as the prime suspect.
Hernandez, who entered the United States without inspection around 2013 or 2014, was apprehended June 6 in Louisiana by HSI New Orleans and its state and federal partners following a Tennessee arrest warrant.
Hernandez, a convicted felon with prior charges including domestic violence with strangulation, fraud, and theft, was extradited to Nashville June 24. He is currently in the Metro Nashville Police Department’s custody.
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
PHOENIX, Ariz. – During the week of enforcement operations from June 21, 2025, through June 27, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona brought immigration-related criminal charges against 164 individuals. Specifically, the United States filed 84 cases in which aliens illegally re-entered the United States, and the United States also charged 71 aliens for illegally entering the United States. In its ongoing effort to deter unlawful immigration, the United States filed cases against 9 individuals responsible for smuggling illegal aliens into and within the District of Arizona.
These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Recent matters of interest include:
United States v. Jesus Alfred Salazar-Ruiz: On June 22, 2025, Border Patrol Agents attempted to conduct a stop on Jesus Alfred Salazar-Ruiz while he was driving. Salazar-Ruiz failed to yield and turned on to a dirt road, breaking through a chain gate in barbed wire fencing. Salazar-Ruiz drove at approximately 50 mph on the dirt road for several miles before coming to an abrupt stop. When agents approached the vehicle, it was empty. Agents searched the area and were able to locate Salazar-Ruiz, who still had the vehicle key in his possession. Agents were able to locate and apprehend three passengers from Salazar-Ruiz’s vehicle who were determined to be in the United States illegally. Salazar-Ruiz was charged by criminal complaint with Transportation of an Illegal Alien for Profit. [Case Number: 25-MJ-02859]
United States v. Miguel Angel Mezo-Antele: On June 24, 2025, Border Patrol Agents stopped a vehicle on Interstate 40 in Yuma, Arizona. Miguel Angel Mezo-Antele, the driver of the vehicle and a citizen of Mexico, was transporting four passengers who were also citizens of Mexico. Mezo-Antele and the four passengers did not possess any documents allowing them to enter, pass through, or remain in the United States legally. Mezo-Antele was transporting the four passengers from New Mexico, through Arizona, to their ultimate destinations in California and Oregon. Mezo-Antele was charged by criminal complaint with Transportation of an Illegal Alien. [Case Number: 25‐MJ‐1696]
United States v. Dalesio Hernandez-Bautista: On June 27, 2025, Dalesio Hernandez-Bautista, was charged by criminal complaint with Re-entry of a Removed Alien. Hernandez-Bautista had been previously removed from the United States in 2018 after being convicted of manslaughter, a felony, in the Superior Court of Arizona, Pinal County. Hernandez-Bautista was sentenced to five years in prison for the manslaughter. [Case Number: 25-MJ-53146]
A criminal complaint is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
June 30, 2025
WASHINGTON – Ahead of an upcoming vote-a-rama, where Senate Democrats will expose the truth about Republicans’ harmful scheme to cut health care and food assistance to provide billionaires with tax breaks, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) filed two motions to commit the bill back to the Senate Finance Committee and make revisions to protect against cuts to rural hospitals and medical research. Under the Senate Republican bill, $930 billion will be cut from Medicaid—in addition to more than $300 billion from the Affordable Care Act—resulting in rural and children’s hospital closures, shuttering of nursing homes, and 16 million Americans losing their health coverage.
“Today, Senate Republicans will attempt to pass a reconciliation bill that will rip away health care from 16 million Americans to give tax breaks to billionaires,” said Durbin. “Under this bill, our rural hospitals will close, forcing people to drive hours to the next nearest hospital for critical care. If you are a patient with ALS, Alzheimer’s, or cancer, the hope you have for a cure will be ripped away because of Republicans’ ‘Big Beautiful Bill.’”
“I hope Senate Republicans will take up my call to change the bill, but unfortunately their loyalty is to Donald Trump and his billionaire buddies—not Americans seeking critical health care,”Durbin concluded.
Durbin’s motions to recommit to Committee include:
Eliminate provisions that cut Medicaid payments rural hospitals in Maine, Alaska, Missouri, Kansas, North Carolina, Louisiana, or West Virginia need to stay open; and would ensure big corporations and the ultra-wealthy pay a fair share in taxes.
Eliminate provisions that would reduce funding that supports biomedical research into cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s disease, congenital heart defects, and other critical conditions.
As India continues to march ahead in pursuit of defence indigenisation and self-reliance, Brazil has shown keen interest in acquiring indigenous defence innovations, discussions on which are likely to be held during Prime Minister’s Narendra Modi’s visit to the Latin American nation starting July 6, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday.
“Yes, there are going to be discussions on defence cooperation and enhancing it with Brazil. We are looking at avenues for joint research, technology sharing, and training exchanges. We are still in talks about what kind of cooperation is possible and what kind of defence platforms we can sell to Brazil, but there has not been much progress yet. Broadly, we have identified a few areas that seem to be of interest to the Brazilian side,” MEA Secretary East P. Kumaran told reporters during a media briefing ahead of PM’s visit.
PM Modi will be on a five-nation visit starting July 2. He will be arriving in Rio de Janeiro for the 17th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in the fourth leg of his visit after Ghana (July 2-3), Trinidad and Tobago (July 3-4) and Argentina (July 4-5).
After attending the BRICS Summit at the invitation of Brazillian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, PM Modi will travel to Brasilia for the State Visit and will hold bilateral discussions on the broadening of the strategic partnership between the two countries in areas of mutual interest, including trade, defence, energy, space, technology, agriculture, health and people-to-people linkages.
“They (Brazil) are interested in secured communication systems on the battlefield, they are also interested in Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs). Brazil has Scorpene submarines, they are interested in partnering with us in maintaining those submarines. They also seem to be interested in the Akash Air Defence Systems and Coastal Surveillance System, Garuda Artillery Guns. They are also interested in defence industry joint ventures with us, joint R&D and co-development of systems. We also use the Embraer platform to develop reconnaissance systems on top of that.. So, there is a lot of potential for us to work with Brazil given their strength in aircraft industry in general,” Secretary Kumaran said on Monday.
India and Brazil have been involved in joint collaboration to develop Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft besides Embraer, a Brazilian aerospace company, and Mahindra signing an MoU to collaborate on the C-390 Millennium multi-mission transport aircraft.
Like several other nations, including from Latin America, Brazil too has been showing a keen interest in acquiring Indian defence equipment as the government led by Prime Minister Modi has transformed the country’s defence capabilities over the past 11 years.
India’s defence exports crossed the record figure of about Rs 24,000 crore in Financial Year 2024-25 with the government aiming at increasing the figure to Rs 50,000 crore by 2029.
With PM Modi and President Lula having met four times since 2023, strategic partners India and Brazil have consolidated bilateral ties through several institutional mechanisms including Joint Commission Meeting, Strategic Dialogue, Foreign Office Consultations, Trade Monitoring Mechanism and other joint working groups.
PM Modi visited Brazil in November 2024 for the G20 Summit and the forthcoming trip to the country would be the fourth visit of Prime Minister since 2014.
President Lula had also extended support against terrorism during a telephonic call with Prime Minister Modi on last month, following the heinous April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
[. To address these issues head on, Alberta’s government is creating an action team composed of teachers and education partners that will provide recommendations to help guide new policy and address complex classrooms.
“We have heard loud and clear from teachers and parents that we need to do something about aggression in classrooms, and that is exactly what we are doing. Every student and staff member deserves to feel safe, supported and respected at school, and the action team will help reach that goal. Creating this action team is one of several concrete steps we are taking to improve school safety and better support students’ diverse needs.”
The team, named the Aggression and Complexity in Schools Action Team, will make recommendations to Alberta’s government on short- and long-term actions that will support students and educators. The action team will consist of 20 education system leaders including representatives from school boards in Edmonton and Calgary and the Alberta Teachers’ Association. To ensure their work is informed by front-line experience, the action team will also work closely with teachers, education support workers, school resource officers and representatives from student and family advocacy groups. The list of action team members will be published online once finalized.
“Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) appreciates government’s commitment to address classroom complexities. ASBA looks forward to this collaborative effort, including local school board perspectives, to help shape meaningful, long-term solutions that support students and educators.”
The action team will deliver a report with advice and recommendations to Alberta Education and Childcare to inform a combination of practical solutions and policy by fall 2025. Some recommendations could begin rolling out as soon as the 2025-26 school year. The action team may also continue to be engaged to provide advice to Alberta Education and Childcare on implementation of policy or program changes that result from its recommendations.
“The College of Alberta School Superintendents recognizes the growing complexity within today’s classrooms and the impact it has on learning, safety and well-being. We welcome the creation of the Aggression and Complexity in Schools Action Team as an important step in addressing these challenges. By working collaboratively with government, educators and community partners, we can help ensure classrooms remain safe, supportive spaces where every student has the opportunity to thrive.”
Quick facts
In December 2023, a survey published by the ATA found that more than half of Alberta teachers experienced aggression in the first three months of the school year.
Most respondents reported lacking training and confidence to manage aggression, and many were dissatisfied with how incidents were handled.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Maxwell Frost Florida (10th District)
June 30, 2025
AmeriCorps State and National is awarding over $27 million to Florida for FY25 to address community needs across the state
ORLANDO, FL – Today, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) announced Central Florida will be receiving $1.8 million in federal grants from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for service and volunteering. This funding will support the City of Orlando’s Operation AmeriCorps and City Year Orlando’s ongoing efforts to provide academic support to students in underserved neighborhoods.
This funding announcement comes after a federal judge ordered the Trump Administration to restore funding to AmeriCorps programs following a lawsuit filed by a coalition of states over the administration’s efforts to dismantle the federal agency.
“These federal grants are an investment in the volunteers and programs that help address Central Florida’s most pressing needs. Both City Year Orlando and Operation AmeriCorps work to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed. And that work isn’t possible without strong federal support,” said Rep. Frost. “The Trump Administration may label AmeriCorps’ work as ‘wasteful,’ but in Central Florida, we know their work is essential to building a stronger, thriving community for everyone.”
AmeriCorps State and National provides grants to hundreds of nonprofits, faith and community-based organizations, public agencies, Indian Tribes, and institutions of higher education. Recipient organizations, known as grantees, design service activities for AmeriCorps Members that demonstrate an evidence-based or evidence-informed approach to strengthening communities and solving community problems.