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Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI USA: After Health Secretary Kennedy Claims Ignorance Of Cuts To Medical Research, Durbin Pens Letter To NIH Director Demanding Answers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    May 23, 2025
    In hopes that the Director will be prepared to answer Senators’ questions in a June Committee hearing, Durbin sent a letter to Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, Director of NIH, requesting information about drastic cuts to medical research
    WASHINGTON – Following repeated claims of ignorance by Trump Administration officials during Committee hearings, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), Education, and Related Agencies, sent a letter to Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), requesting specific information on cancelled and paused grant funding for ALS, childhood cancers, Alzheimer’s Disease, and congenital heart research.  Durbin sent the letter to bring transparency to the Trump Administration’s chaotic and harmful attack on medical research, and in hopes that Dr. Bhattacharya will be adequately prepared to answer Senators’ questions during the Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on June 10 that will examine the Trump Administration’s proposed drastic cuts to NIH’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget.
    “On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, you will appear before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), Education, and Related Agencies to discuss the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which would slash medical research funding by $18 billion, or 40 percent,” Durbin wrote.
    Referencing HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s inability to offer satisfactory answers to questions about cuts to medical research funding during an Appropriations Subcommittee hearing earlier this week, Durbin expressed frustration at HHS leadership and its nonchalant approach to slashing funding for life-saving medical research.
    “During his appearance before the Subcommittee on May 20, 2025, I asked HHS Secretary Kennedy about reported cancellations and pauses to previously awarded NIH grants.  He did not appear to have any familiarity with these disruptions to medical research funding, which raises serious concerns about the lack of accountability, oversight, and process for the reportedly hundreds, if not thousands, of affected research grants,” Durbin wrote.
    Urging Dr. Bhattacharya to come prepared to the June 10 Committee hearing, Durbin requested a complete list of all cancelled or paused NIH grants and funding awards, since January 20, 2025, related to ALS, Alzheimer’s, childhood cancers, and congenital heart defect research.  Despite repeated inquiries from congressional staff, the Trump Administration refuses to make public an accurate and comprehensive list of cancelled or paused NIH grants.  Rather, the Administration deflects by falsely asserting that they’re only cutting out “waste, fraud, and abuse.”
    “Therefore, in advance of your hearing, I request that you provide me with a comprehensive list of all NIH grants and awards that have either been cancelled or paused since January 20, 2025, related to ALS, Alzheimer’s Disease, childhood cancers, and congenital heart defect research.  For each, please include an explanation as to why you decided that these grants or awards were no longer worthy of NIH funding, despite prior agency review and approval through a rigorous peer review process,” Durbin continued his letter.
    “I request that you provide this information to my office no later than Friday, June 6, 2025.  Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter and I look forward to discussing these terminated or paused grants with you on June 10, 2025.  Families battling ALS, Alzheimer’s, childhood cancers, and congenital heart defects deserve this basic level of transparency,” Durbin concluded his letter.
    Over the past decade, Durbin has pushed for annual, real five percent funding increases for NIH.  Since Fiscal Year 2015 (FY15), because of Durbin’s efforts, Congress has provided NIH with a 60 percent increase in annual funding, raising the appropriations level from $30 billion in FY15 to $49 billion today.  However, President Trump continues to target NIH, by cancelling hundreds of grant awards, firing or forcing out thousands of scientists, and freezing billions of dollars in research funding—which jeopardizes new breakthroughs that provide hope for patients.  Additionally, President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request proposes slashing medical research funding at NIH by 40 percent, which would be the deepest funding cut in NIH history.
    This year, Durbin has twice asked for unanimous consent (UC) to pass a resolution he introduced with U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), as well as 21 other Senators, that would pledge support for NIH.  The resolution simply said that the work of NIH should not be subject to interruption, delay, or funding disruptions in violation of the law, and it reaffirmed that the NIH workforce is essential to sustaining medical progress.  The first UC request was blocked by U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) and the second was blocked by U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK).
    Durbin has long been a strong advocate for robust medical research.  His legislation, the American Cures Act, would provide annual budget increases of five percent plus inflation at America’s top four biomedical research agencies: NIH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Defense Health Program, and the Veterans Medical and Prosthetics Research Program.
    Full text of the letter follows:
    May 23, 2025
    Dear Director Bhattacharya:
                On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, you will appear before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), Education, and Related Agencies to discuss the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which would slash medical research funding by $18 billion, or 40 percent.
                During his appearance before the Subcommittee on May 20, 2025, I asked HHS Secretary Kennedy about reported cancellations and pauses to previously awarded NIH grants.  He did not appear to have any familiarity with these disruptions to medical research funding, which raises serious concerns about the lack of accountability, oversight, and process for the reportedly hundreds, if not thousands, of affected research grants.   
    Therefore, in advance of your hearing, I request that you provide me with a comprehensive list of all NIH grants and awards that have either been cancelled or paused since January 20, 2025, related to ALS, Alzheimer’s Disease, childhood cancers, and congenital heart defect research.  For each, please include an explanation as to why you decided that these grants or awards were no longer worthy of NIH funding, despite prior agency review and approval through a rigorous peer review process.  This limited and defined request does not represent the totality of cancelled or paused research grants pertaining to many other diseases and conditions that impact families nationwide.  But, given how vast the devastation to medical research funding has been over the past few months, and the limited time we have to discuss such matters, I have limited my inquiry to these few devastating diagnoses.
    I request that you provide this information to my office no later than Friday, June 6, 2025.  Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter and I look forward to discussing these terminated or paused grants with you on June 10, 2025.  Families battling ALS, Alzheimer’s, childhood cancers, and congenital heart defects deserve this basic level of transparency.
    Sincerely,
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Murkowski Reintroduce Legislation To Bolster Crime Fund

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    May 23, 2025
    The Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act would bolster the Crime Victims Fund
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) reintroduced the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act. The bill bolsters the Crime Victims Fund (CVF), established by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) of 1984, which supports state victim compensation and assistance programs. The legislation would transfer residual funds collected through the False Claims Act (FCA), which are currently directed to the General Fund of the U.S. Treasury, to the CVF.
    “The Crime Victims Fund is a lifeline for survivors and their families. The state programs supported by this fund provide a chance for victims to recover and rebuild their lives, whether it be through compensating the cost of medical and mental health expenses or providing access to emergency shelter. With this bill, we have a straightforward, bipartisan solution that will help strengthen the Crime Victims Fund. I look forward to working with Senator Murkowski to advance this legislation,” said Durbin.
    “Victim service organizations are facing dire financial situations due to decreasing deposits into the CVF. This fund has an integral role in funding service organizations that provide immediate and long-term support to survivors,” said Murkowski. “It is essential that we pursue any and all solutions to ensure that shelters, counseling and other social services are able to provide quality, consistent care for those in need.”
    Durbin has long been a fierce advocate for victims’ rights.  In March 2022, Congress enacted the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization Act—led by Durbin and U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).  For 30 years, VAWA has transformed the way we address domestic and sexual violence in America and saved countless lives. The same month as VAWA’s reauthorization, then-President Biden signed into law the bipartisan Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, sponsored by Durbin and U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC).
    In 2021, Durbin worked with his colleagues to strengthen the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) by leading the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act. This legislation redirects monetary penalties from federal deferred prosecution and non-prosecution agreements into the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) to increase funding for state victim compensation and assistance programs.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Memorial Day Weekend Sees The Lowest Gas Prices in Years

    Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)

    Promises Made, Promises Kept: Lowest Gas Prices in Years!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMoXungjEt4

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: President Trump Signs Executive Orders in the Oval Office, May 23, 2025

    Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)

    The White House

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9rCTRL6vmQ

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Esophagogastric Tube Recall: BD Issues Correction for Esophagogastric Balloon Tamponade Tubes due to Challenges Removing Plastic Plugs from Rubber Lumen

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    This recall involves updating the Instructions for using these devices and does not involve removing them from where they are used or sold. The FDA has identified this recall as the most serious type. This device may cause serious injury or death if you continue to use it without following the updated instructions.
    Affected Product 

    The FDA is aware that BD and their subsidiary C.R. Bard Urology and Critical Care have issued a letter to affected customers that all lots of certain esophagogastric balloon tamponade tubes have updated use instructions:

    Device Name

    Model Number

    UDI-DI

    Bard Minnesota Four Lumen Esophagogastric Tamponade Tube
    0092220
    00801741076824

    Bard Blakemore Esophageal Nasogastric Tube 
    0092100 
    00801741076800

    Bard Blakemore Esophageal Nasogastric Tube (Child)
    0092110
    00801741076817

    Bard Blakemore Esophageal Nasogastric Tube (Intermediate)
    0092300 
    00801741076831

    Bard Single Intragastric Linton Balloon Tube
    0092740
    00801741076848

    What to Do
    These devices are used in critical and emergency situations. Users should review and follow the updated instructions for removal of the plastic plugs provided below prior to continued use. 

    On April 17, BD sent all affected customers a letter with recommended actions. On May 19, 2025, a follow-up letter was sent with more detailed instructions:

    Follow the Plastic Plug Removal Instructions: 

    Before use with patients, prepare the device by removing the plastic plugs and set them aside to remain with the device.  
    To aid in plug removal, fully open the 5” Straight Smooth Jaw Hemostats and insert one hemostat jaw between the plug and the rubber lumen. While the hemostat jaw is inserted, rotate the jaw around the plug’s circumference as seen in the image below. Remove the hemostat, then the plug.
    Following removal of the plastic plugs, test the balloons for evidence of air leaks prior to proceeding with the remaining steps required for placement as described in the original instructions for use (IFU).

    Check all inventory locations within your institution for the affected product. Post the provided notice where the devices are stored. 
    Store 5” Straight Smooth Jaw Hemostat with the affected devices for immediate availability to be used for plastic plug removal.  
    Have secondary balloon tamponade devices available for immediate replacement if the first device is damaged during plastic plug removal. 
    Share the provided notice with any users of the product within your facilities or with any interfacility users where product was transferred, to ensure they are also aware of this Medical Device Correction. 

    Check this web page for updates. The FDA is currently reviewing information about this potentially high-risk device issue and will keep the public informed as significant new information becomes available.

    Reason for Updated Use Instructions
    BD has become aware that users are sometimes unable, or find it difficult, to remove the plastic plugs from the rubber lumen in order to inflate the gastric and/or esophageal balloons. In some cases, the devices may become damaged during removal of the plastic plugs in which a replacement device will be needed. 
    Potential health consequences include delay in diagnosis or delay in treatment which may result in the onset or prolongation of hypotension and its potential short and long-term complications, up to and including death. This issue may also result in additional and unexpected diagnostic and medical/surgical interventions to manage the patient’s bleeding.
    BD has reported two serious injuries and one death associated with this issue.
    Device Use
    Esophagogastric balloon tamponade tubes are devices made of flexible tubing used to help identify and control bleeding from enlarged veins in the esophagus and stomach. The tubes use pressure from balloons to compress an area to help control bleeding, and suction ports to remove fluids from the esophagus and stomach.
    Contact Information
    Customers in the U.S. with adverse reactions, quality problems, or questions about this recall should contact BD at productcomplaints@bd.com or 1-844-823-5433 and say “product complaints” when prompted.
    Unique Device Identifier (UDI)
    The unique device identifier (UDI) helps identify individual medical devices sold in the United States from distribution to use. The UDI allows for more accurate reporting, reviewing, and analyzing of adverse event reports so that devices can be identified more quickly, and as a result, problems potentially resolved more quickly.

    How do I report a problem?
    Health care professionals and consumers may report adverse reactions or quality problems they experienced using these devices to MedWatch: The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program. 

    Content current as of:
    05/23/2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hawaii Woman Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud and Tax Fraud

    Source: US State of California

    A Hawaii woman pleaded guilty yesterday to defrauding her mortgage lender and conspiring to defraud the IRS by fraudulently obtaining a tax refund and then thwarting the IRS’ efforts to recoup it.

    The following is according to court documents and statements made in court: Hannah Heart, of Honolulu, conspired with others to file a false 2014 individual income tax return in her name. As part of the conspiracy, Heart’s co-conspirators created a fake tax form purportedly issued by a mortgage lender to Heart, which she attached to her return. The form falsely reported that Heart had received income from a financial institution of more than $2.4 million, from which over $1.2 million in taxes had been withheld. As a result, Heart filed a tax return that falsely claimed she was entitled to a $464,904 refund, which the IRS paid.

    When the IRS began trying to collect the fraudulent refund from Heart, she took several steps to thwart the IRS. For example, Heart deposited the refund check into a trust bank account and immediately transferred most of the balance to a separate bank account, both of which she controlled. She also sent numerous false, fraudulent, and frivolous letters to the IRS in response to IRS communications.

    In addition, Heart helped another co-conspirator defraud the IRS using the same scheme. Heart and her co-conspirator deposited a second fraudulently obtained $1 million refund check from the IRS, payable to the co-conspirator.

    In total, Heart caused a tax loss to the IRS of $1,618,985.54.

    Heart also defrauded her mortgage lender, conspiring with others to do so. Heart took out a mortgage for her home in 2006 and stopped making payments in 2010 toward her mortgage. The mortgage lender initiated foreclosure proceedings in 2022 against Heart. In response, a co-conspirator sent the lender a fictitious document purporting to be a check for the full amount due for Heart’s mortgage. The lender initially accepted the check but later rejected it as fraudulent. Afterwards, Heart sent mail to the lender demanding that it accept the fraudulent check as full payment of her remaining balance.

    In total, Heart intended to defraud the mortgage lender of $2,066,522.22.

    Heart will be sentenced at a later date. She faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the charge of mail fraud and a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the charge of conspiracy to defraud the IRS. She also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Kenneth M. Sorenson for the District of Hawaii made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and FBI are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorneys Sarah Kiewlicz and Megan Jones of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg Paris Yates for the District of Hawaii are prosecuting the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Founder of Haitian Orphanage Sentenced to 210 Years in Prison for Sexually Abusing Boys in his Care

    Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

    A Colorado man was sentenced today to 210 years in prison for sexually abusing numerous children at the orphanage he founded and directed in Haiti.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Michael Karl Geilenfeld, 73, most recently of Littleton, founded St. Joseph’s Home for Boys — a home for orphaned, impoverished, and otherwise vulnerable children in Haiti — in 1985 and operated it for more than two decades. During this time, Geilenfeld repeatedly traveled from the United States to Haiti, where he sexually abused the boys entrusted to his care. He also physically and emotionally abused the children in the home, including through physical assault and other forms of punishment.

    In February 2025, a federal jury convicted Geilenfeld of one count of traveling in foreign commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct and six counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place between 2005 and 2010. Each of the six counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct relates to a separate victim who was a child at the time of the offense.

    At trial, these six victims testified about the sexual abuse they suffered at the hands of Geilenfeld and the devastating impact it had on them, as did other victims — now adults — who were not the subject of the charged offenses. Victims and witnesses also described the physical abuse Geilenfeld inflicted on his victims and the manipulation that he employed to keep his operation running and financially supported by others.

    “The defendant’s sustained sexual, physical, and emotional abuse of some of the most vulnerable children in the world is intolerable,” said Matthew Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This prosecution demonstrates the Department’s commitment to securing justice for children harmed by criminals who travel abroad from the United States to commit their crimes. We thank our partners for working with us to ensure that the defendant can never harm another child.”

    “This sentencing marks the end of a case built on the courage of survivors and the dedication of investigators,” said Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “For decades, Geilenfeld used his position of trust and access to exploit vulnerable children under the guise of humanitarian work. We are grateful to those victims who came forward to report their abuse. The FBI is committed to pursuing those who commit crimes against children no matter where they occur or how long ago they were committed.”

    U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and FBI investigated the case.

    Trial Attorneys Jessica L. Urban and Eduardo Palomo of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lacee Monk for the Southern District of Florida prosecuted the case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Halifax Regional Municipality — RCMP stops ten impaired drivers on second weekend of Canada Road Safety Week

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    As part of Canada Road Safety Week, over the Victoria Day weekend RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment arrested 7 impaired drivers and suspended the licences of an additional 3 drivers in the Halifax Regional Municipality.

    On May 16, RCMP officers stopped five drivers that exhibited signs of impairment including:

    • While officers were conducting a check point on Hwy. 7 in Porters Lake, they arrested a driver for impaired operation of a conveyance. He was transported to a nearby RCMP detachment where he provided breath samples of 100mg% and 90mg%.
    • At approximately 8:52 p.m., officers responded to a report of a motor vehicle crash involving a Chevrolet Camaro the struck aa transit shelter on Cobequid Rd. The driver who exhibited signs of impairment was arrested and subsequently provided breath samples of 110 mg% and 120mg% at an RCMP detachment. He will be facing impaired driving charges.
    • At 10:47p.m., on Cobequid Rd., officers observed a driver who attempted to avoid a police check point. He was subsequently stopped, displayed signs of impairment and was arrested. Breath samples of 240 mg% and 240mg% were later provided by the man. He was later released and will be charged with Impaired Operation of a conveyance.
    • At approximately 11:38 p.m., an officer conducting traffic enforcement completed a traffic stop, in Cole Harbour, after observing driving evidence consistent with signs of impairment. The driver refused to provide a breath sample. He was arrested and will be charged with Refusal to Comply with a Demand.
    • At approximately 12:59 a.m., an RCMP officer conducted a traffic stop on a Ford F-250 that was towing a trailer in Lower Sackville. The driver, who displayed signs of impairment failed a roadside alcohol screening test. After resisting arrest, he was transported to a nearby RCMP detachment where he provided breath samples of 70 mg%. He was issued a 7-day license suspension and will be charged with resisting arrest.

    On May 17, at approximately 7:56 p.m., while conducting a traffic checkpoint in Terence Bay, a driver showed signs of impairment. He provided a breath sample roadside into an Approved Screening Device (ASD) which resulted in a “warn”, indicating blood alcohol concentration above the provincial limit of 50 mg%. He was issued a 7-day licence suspension.

    On May 18, at 10:37 p.m. a Halifax Regional Detachment Traffic Services member was travelling on highway 101 when he noticed a vehicle rapidly approaching from the rear of his patrol vehicle. A traffic stop was subsequently initiated. During the investigation, it was determined that the driver was a new driver. When he provided a roadside breath sample, it indicated 41mg% of alcohol in his system. The driver was issued a summary offence ticket for speeding and given a 24-hour suspension. New drivers are not permitted to have alcohol in their system.

    Later night, at 11:57 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in Cole Harbour. The vehicle had extensive front-end damage. The driver, who was arrested for impaired driving, subsequently provided a breath sampled of 220mg% and 210mg%.

    Two additional drivers were also arrested after leaving licenced establishments in the Bedford area. They will be facing charges of Impaired Operation of a Conveyance.

    If you suspect an impaired driver, it’s an emergency; call 911.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lankford Pushes for Threat Assessment of All Drones Found Near US Borders

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford
    WASHINGTON, DC – Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Chair of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Border Management, Federal Workforce and Regulatory Affairs, and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introduced the Border Drone Threat Assessment Act. The bill would require a complete threat assessment of unmanned aircraft systems at or near the international borders of the United States, and a unified response across agencies.
    “When American airspace is violated by cartels and bad actors, America should be able to defend itself. We need a clear strategy to counter unmanned aircraft systems that cartels use and that threaten border security,” said Senator Lankford. “As we address these threats and consider using our own drone technology, we must prioritize Americans’ privacy and maintain transparency about the threats along our border.”
    “Drone technology is rapidly evolving, and in the wrong hands, it can pose risks to our national security,” said Senator Kelly. “With this bill, we’re working to stay ahead of that threat, keeping Arizona families and our country safe.”  
    Background
    In recent years, Border Patrol and other agencies have noticed a growing increase of unmanned aircraft systems flying near or across our borders. This bill would require all agencies that have a say over enforcement at our borders to collaborate on threat assessment and countermeasures to mitigate threats effectively.
    In 2023, Lankford introduced The Protecting the Border from Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act, aimed at strengthening efforts to counter unauthorized drone activity along the southern border. The legislation called for coordinated action among the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, and Defense, along with the Federal Aviation Administration, to develop a comprehensive strategy. It also emphasized the importance of transparency regarding drone-related threats, and prioritized protecting Americans’ privacy as both foreign drone threats and the use of U.S. drone technologies are addressed.
    You can read the exclusive in the Daily Caller HERE, and can read the full text of The Border Drone Threat Assessment Act HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: New homes now available for seniors in Lumby

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Twenty new rental homes are ready for residents at Cottonwood Place, providing seniors in Lumby with more choices for comfortable and accessible living.

    “Seniors in B.C. deserve to age in place with dignity, close to the communities they’ve helped build,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “Cottonwood Place is part of our commitment to deliver more accessible housing faster, so seniors can live independently, safely and comfortably in the community they call home.”

    Cottonwood Place, at 1761 Glencaird St., is a three-storey building with 20 one-bedroom homes designed for independent seniors. Each home is adaptable, with three fully wheelchair-accessible units, supporting residents to age in place with dignity. To ensure year-round comfort, energy-efficient heat pumps have been installed throughout the building, providing consistent, climate-controlled living.

    “Lumby council was happy to support the building of Cottonwood Place, providing 20 one-bedroom units for seniors and low-income residents,” said Kevin Acton, mayor of Lumby. “The village supported this project financially by reducing building permit fees by 50% and donated land that the apartment building sits on. The village is grateful for the B.C. government’s investment in housing.”

    Conveniently located in the heart of the community, the homes are close to key amenities, including medical offices, the post office, the Old Age Pensioners Hall and the municipal hall.

    Cottonwood Place is one of three seniors’ housing buildings in the area, managed by the Lumby & District Senior Citizens Housing Society (LDSCHS). It was created through a partnership between the Province (through BC Housing), Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), LDSCHS, Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and the Village of Lumby.

    This development is part of a $19-billion housing investment by the B.C. government. Since 2017, the Province has nearly 92,000 homes completed or underway in B.C., including more than 760 homes in the north Okanagan region (including these homes). Through Budget 2025, the Province is also investing an additional $375 million over the next three years to enhance both the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) and the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program, which help low-income families and seniors afford their rents. This includes the $75 million committed through an agreement with the B.C. Green Party caucus to boost programs and deliver more supports for families and seniors.

    Quotes:

    Harwinder Sandhu, MLA for Vernon-Lumby – 

    “Seniors are the heart of our community, and they deserve housing that allows them to stay close to family, friends and the services they rely on. Cottonwood Place reflects what’s possible when all levels of government work together to deliver accessible homes. This development helps ensure our seniors can continue to live independently and with dignity, right here in Lumby. Seniors built this province and country, and we need to do everything we can to support seniors. I am encouraged to see our government’s ongoing work to support such initiatives.”

    Joe Deuling, president of the Lumby & District Senior Citizens Housing Society –

    “The Lumby & District Senior Citizens Housing Society would like to thank all of our partners. Without all of the generous help we have received, this project never would have happened.”

    Learn More:

    To learn more about government’s new Homes for People action plan, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HOUS0019-000436

    To learn about the steps the Province is taking to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for British Columbians, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/housing/

    To learn more about the RAPs and SAFER improvements, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025HMA0022-000287

    To see a map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C., visit:  https://www.bchousing.org/projects-partners/Building-BC/homes-for-BC

    A backgrounder follows.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: AG Labrador Announces Conviction of Idaho Falls Man for Possession of Child Pornography

    Source: US State of Idaho

    Home Newsroom AG Labrador Announces Conviction of Idaho Falls Man for Possession of Child Pornography

    BOISE — Attorney General Raúl Labrador has announced that Alonzo Baltazar, 23, was convicted of three (3) counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child by Possession of Sexually Exploitative Material (Child Pornography). The Possession of Sexually Exploitative Material is a felony punishable by up to ten (10) years in prison. Baltazar was sentenced on May 12, 2025 by Bonneville County District Judge Dane Watkins, Jr.   “While no sentence can undo the harm caused, this conviction is an important step toward justice,” said Attorney General Labrador. “Our ICAC Unit remains committed to identifying offenders, supporting local investigations, and doing everything in our power to protect Idaho’s children from exploitation.” In approximately February of 2024, the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit received a CyberTip that an account belonging to Baltazar had uploaded three video files containing Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). After obtaining search warrants, officers searched Baltazar’s home and digital devices. Those devices were submitted for forensic examination to the Idaho Falls Police Department. The forensic examination of the devices found 5,056 files containing CSAM, 33 of which appeared to be artifacts related to the original files identified in the CyberTip. Many of these files depicted minor children, both male and female, as young as approximately three (3), and some of these files depicted children engaged in sex acts with adults.At sentencing, prosecutors for the State recommended a prison sentence of ten (10) years, where Baltazar would be eligible for parole after three (3) years in prison. Defense counsel for Baltazar recommended a probation sentence. Judge Watkins sentenced Baltazar to a total of five (5) years in prison and ordered that he be eligible for parole after two years. Baltazar will have to register as a sex offender pursuant to Idaho law.  The investigation was led by Detective Jared Mendenhall with the Idaho Falls Police Department who serves in the Attorney General’s ICAC Unit. Detective Mendenhall and the Idaho Falls Police Department were assisted by various agencies, including the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, the Pocatello Police Department, and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General James Haws.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Co-Leads Bipartisan Coalition Urging Congress to Pass Legislation to Prevent Youth Substance Abuse

    Source: US State of New York

    EW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today co-led a bipartisan coalition of 40 other attorneys general from across the country in calling on Congress to pass the Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act, bipartisan legislation to reduce youth drug use through research-based public education campaigns and strategic community outreach. In a letter to Democratic and Republican leadership in the House and Senate, Attorney General James and the coalition emphasize the importance of proactive, science-based prevention efforts at a time when young people face increased risk of exposure to dangerous narcotics like fentanyl and xylazine.

    “Too many young people know firsthand just how deadly drugs like fentanyl can be,” said Attorney General James. “As the opioid epidemic continues to tear apart families and communities, attorneys general remain on the front lines protecting our youth, and we need all levels of government to help fight back. The Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act is a commonsense bipartisan measure that will provide significant resources to help save lives and educate young people about the dangers of drug use.”

    The legislation, introduced by U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), would amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide targeted federal funding for public service announcements (PSAs), youth-led campaigns, and other outreach tools that help prevent early substance use. All campaigns funded under the bill must be grounded in evidence, designed for cultural relevance, and adapted to meet the specific needs of local communities.

    Attorney General James and the coalition argue that youth substance use remains a growing public health and safety concern, especially amid a rise in fentanyl-related overdoses and the increasing availability of synthetic drugs. Research consistently shows that young people who begin using drugs at an early age are more likely to develop long-term substance use disorders, and the consequences can be devastating for families, schools, and communities.

    The Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act would fund a range of efforts to better reach young people with timely, credible, and accessible information, including:

    • Culturally relevant PSAs tailored specifically to youth;
    • Youth-led PSA contests to drive peer-to-peer engagement and creativity;
    • Federal grants for outreach across TV, radio, social media, streaming platforms, and other media; and
    • Annual reporting requirements to measure reach and effectiveness, ensuring transparency and accountability.

    The letter is led by Attorney General James and the attorneys general of Connecticut, New Hampshire, and South Dakota. Joining the letter are the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and American Samoa. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Transforming Hudson Valley Downtowns

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced awards for a total of 28 transformational projects for the Mid-Hudson Region as part of two economic development programs: the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward. Thirteen projects were announced for White Plains, the Round 7 winner of a $10 million DRI award; ten projects were announced for Highland Falls, a Round 2 winner of a $4.5 million NY Forward award; and five projects were announced for Montgomery, also a Round 2 winner of a $4.5 million NY Forward award.

    “Our downtowns are where New Yorkers unwind and our communities connect. Every downtown that we transform through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward programs elevate the quality of life for residents and that is what we’re doing in the Hudson Valley,” Governor Hochul said. “When communities are invested in, they thrive — and we’re investing in the development of beautiful main streets and boosting our local economies, creating lasting change for New Yorkers all across the state.”

    New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, “When we invest in our downtowns, we’re investing in the heart of our communities. Through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward program, we’re not just funding projects — we’re fostering vibrant, walkable neighborhoods that spur economic growth, enhance quality of life for residents and preserve the unique character of each municipality and region. These signature programs exemplify our commitment to ensuring that every New Yorker, in every corner of our State, has the opportunity to succeed and thrive.”

    Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward programs are transforming communities across New York State by turning local visions into bold investments to generate place-based economic development. These projects will create new opportunities for businesses, support vibrant public spaces, and attract residents and visitors alike — laying the foundation for sustainable growth and stronger regional economies.” 

    New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “All across this State, the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward programs are strategically prioritizing communities, growing economies with targeted awards, creating more housing opportunities that improve affordability for New Yorkers where it is most needed, and building on the diverse character of our neighborhoods. By working with local and municipal partners, these awards continue Governor Hochul’s commitment to developing the full potential of our downtowns as economic drivers and attractive places to live.” 

     City of White Plains

    The White Plains DRI focuses on the City’s traditional urban core. The area is home to numerous multi-family developments, the soon to be redeveloped Galleria and City Center shopping malls, a thriving restaurant row and hospitality center, and a busy Metro North train station. DRI projects identified by the community focus on enhancing downtown buildings and community centers, public gathering spaces, safe and accessible pedestrian and bike infrastructure, and interconnectivity between the downtown and the adjacent neighborhoods.

    The 13 White Plains DRI projects, totaling $9.7 million, include:

    • Build a Protected Bicycle Track and Implement Pedestrian Safety Improvements on Hamilton Avenue ($2,700,000): Establish a boulevard-style median on Hamilton Avenue, featuring a two-way protected cycle track and refuge islands at intersections to improve pedestrian safety, calm vehicle traffic and improve corridor appearance.
    • Create the “Water Street Connector,” a Linear Park Connecting Hillside Terrace to Downtown ($2,250,000): Transform the right-of-way between Water Street and Hillside Terrace into a linear park connecting Hillside Terrace to downtown.
    • Create and Implement a Comprehensive Branding and Wayfinding Initiative ($749,000): Develop a brand unique to White Plains and create wayfinding to direct residents and visitors to key locations and various points of interest.
    • Create a Pocket Park at 73 Waller Avenue ($745,000): Convert the municipal parking lot at 73 Waller Avenue into a new pocket park.
    • Implement a Small Projects Fund for Building Improvements and Public Art ($600,000): Create a Small Projects Fund to help advance a wide range of small downtown projects including exterior and interior building renovations, upper story residential improvements, permanent equipment acquisition and public art installations.
    • Improve the Thomas H. Slater Center ($600,000): Enhance and improve the Thomas H. Slater Center with a new ADA accessible bathroom and new windows to foster a sense of expansiveness and light, improve energy efficiency and enhance comfort in the building.
    • Enhance Streetscaping Throughout the DRI Area ($554,000): Create and implement an overall streetscaping vision throughout downtown.
    • Establish the ArtsW’s Makerspace at the ArtsWestchester Building ($500,000): Create the “ArtsW’s Makerspace,” a new multi-purpose education center, by expanding the footprint of the ArtsWestchester building.
    • Reimagine the White Plains Train Station Clock Tower ($270,000): Restore the White Plains Train Station clock tower into a vibrant landmark featuring community-driven art.
    • Enhance Curb Appeal at the Chester Apartments ($245,000): Enhance the visual impression of Chester Avenue with public art, landscaping and a creative ground floor façade at the Chester apartment building.
    • Install Decorative Lighting Throughout the Business Improvement District ($225,000): Enhance the public realm with decorative lighting installations that create a more festive and inviting environment throughout the Business Improvement District.
    • Revitalize the Mamaroneck Pedestrian Pathway ($132,000): Revitalize the pedestrian pathway from Mamaroneck Avenue to the municipal garage to create a safer, more enjoyable pedestrian experience.
    • Upgrade the Interior and Exterior of the Play Group Theatre ($130,000): Renovate the Play Group Theatre with new stage lighting, flooring, window shades and lighting. Upgrade the HVAC system and building façade.

    Village of Highland Falls

    The Village of Highland Falls has been identified in Orange County’s most recent comprehensive plan as a priority growth area, which makes it an ideal location for downtown revitalization. The Village’s NY Forward projects will build on and expand past incremental downtown improvements, including upgrading and renovating downtown buildings for mixed use; enhancing park and community spaces; completing wayfinding and branding initiatives; and creating new housing options.

    The 10 Highland Falls NY Forward Projects, totaling $4.5 Million, include:

    • Redesign and Expand Ladycliff Park to Increase Usage and Offer New Amenities in Downtown ($1,300,000): Transform Ladycliff Park by expanding the park along Webb Lane and adding ADA accessible walking paths, tables and seating, an amphitheater to host community events and additional landscaping.
    • Improve and Restore Downtown Buildings with a Small Project Fund ($600,000): Establish a Small Project Fund that will enable business and property owners to improve building facades, enhance building interiors, purchase permanent equipment and enhance building exteriors with public art.
    • Renovate 441 Main Street to Add and Improve Residential Units and Make an Inviting Storefront ($405,000): Renovate existing apartments and construct new apartments on an additional story at 441 Main Street. Also, upgrade the storefront exterior with new signage and windows to make the restaurant more inviting to the public.
    • Highlight Downtown Highland Falls with a Comprehensive Branding and Wayfinding Initiative ($400,000): Create a branding strategy for downtown Highland Falls to attract and inform visitors about points of interest and downtown businesses; design and install custom wayfinding signage to facilitate navigation and inform visitors about the downtown.
    • Enhance South Gate Tavern Through Building Repairs and Capacity Upgrades ($314,000): Expand existing South Gate Tavern with second floor restaurant balcony to provide outdoor seating along Main Street. Restore the building’s exterior façade and perform interior upgrades.
    • Revitalize 447 Main Street to Add New Apartments and Modernize the Building Exterior ($400,000): Add a second story and renovate the exterior of 447 Main Street to modernize the façade and add new residential units.
    • Develop 285 Main Street into an Arts and Retail Space ($201,000): Reactivate 285 Main Street into an art center to provide opportunities for community arts programming, retail space and exhibit/event space.
    • Add New Residential and Commercial Spaces at 327 Main Street ($475,000): Renovate 327 Main Street to include an additional residential unit, reactivate the vacant commercial storefront, improve the existing grocery store with equipment and interior upgrades and enhance the building exterior.
    • Renovate 293 Main Street to Improve Interior and Exterior Conditions ($180,000): Enhance 293 Main Street by conducting façade upgrades, interior and exterior renovations and upgrades to mechanical systems.
    • Renovate 209 Main Street to Attract Commercial Tenants ($225,000): Conduct interior and exterior renovations to upgrade the building façade and enhance the functionality of vacant commercial space to make it rentable.

    Village of Montgomery

    The Village of Montgomery is a quaint historic village with a strong sense of community and a picturesque location along the Wallkill River. The NY Forward downtown area is compact and walkable, containing a high concentration of historic buildings, businesses and civic and cultural amenities. The NY Forward projects will develop new housing options; improve connectivity among the Village’s downtown parks and green spaces; improve streetscape safety and walkability; preserve historic structures; and expand childcare facilities.

    The 5 Montgomery NY Forward Projects, totaling $4.5 Million, include:

    • Foster a Walkable Downtown Montgomery Through Streetscaping and Enhanced Connections ($1,500,000): Enhance the streetscape of the core downtown area, including sidewalk upgrades and the installation of street trees, lampposts, seating areas and crosswalks on up to six streets with a focus on Clinton and Union Streets.
    • Redesign and Upgrade Veterans Memorial Park to Meet the Needs of All Residents and Visitors ($961,000): Redesign Veterans Memorial Park to improve circulation, enhance accessibility, safety and aesthetics, and provide new and improved amenities for users of all ages, including new pedestrian and bicycle paths, play area amenities, new and improved athletic fields and improvements to the current teen center.
    • Construct a Mixed-Use Development on an Underutilized Parking Lot at 71- 73 Clinton Street ($950,000): Construct a mixed-use building at 71-73 Clinton Street that includes commercial space on the ground floor and residential apartments on the upper floors, as well as pedestrian improvements along Charles Street from Union to Bridge Street.
    • Expand Montgomery Nursery School to Meet the Demand for Additional Students ($589,000): Expand the Montgomery Nursery School to include additional classroom space and amenities, ensuring the facility is equipped to serve its students’ educational needs.
    • Establish a Small Project Fund to Provide Funding Opportunities for Capital Improvements and Small Business Assistance ($500,000): Establish a Small Project Fund dedicated to revitalizing downtown buildings by preserving their historic character and enhancing their overall quality, including façade upgrades and historic restoration, accessibility and safety enhancements and energy-efficiency improvements.

    In the FY2025 Enacted Budget, Governor Hochul made the “Pro-Housing Community” designation a requirement for cities, towns and villages to access up to $650 million in State discretionary programs, including the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and New York Forward. To date, more than 300 municipalities across the State have become certified. To further support localities that are doing their part to address the housing crisis, Governor Hochul is creating a $100 million Pro-Housing Supply fund for certified Pro-Housing Communities to assist with critical infrastructure projects necessary to create new housing, such as sewer and water infrastructure upgrades.

    MHREDC Co-Chairs Dr. Marsha Gordon and Dr. Kristine Young said, “These investments in White Plains, Highland Falls, and Montgomery underscore how targeted, community-driven projects can unlock long-term value. By enhancing cultural spaces, activating underused properties, and improving public infrastructure, DRI and NY Forward are enabling communities to build on their assets in ways that reflect local priorities and strengthen civic life.” 

    City of White Plains Mayor Tom Roach said, “Thank you Governor Hochul for recognizing the potential of White Plains and making a bold investment in our city’s future. The Downtown Revitalization Initiative will help us reimagine and reinvigorate the heart of our community – transforming key corridors, enhancing public spaces, improving pedestrian safety, and creating new cultural and recreational amenities. These projects will build on our momentum and ensure downtown White Plains continues to thrive as a dynamic, walkable, and inclusive hub for residents, visitors, and businesses alike.”

    Village of Montgomery Mayor Michael R. Hembury said, “We are grateful to receive this grant from the state. It will be used to enhance the downtown and park areas in our beautiful and historic village. We are glad that New York State recognized that Montgomery village is a great place to live and raise a family.”

    State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “I am thrilled that White Plains will receive nearly $10 million from the seventh round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative to support 13 projects throughout the city. White Plains is a beautiful and vibrant community, and this funding will enable positive investments in downtown White Plains for its diverse community and will enhance our city’s arts and culture, tourism, and street safety. I am proud to represent White Plains, and I want to thank the Governor for her commitment to supporting our communities.”

    Assemblymember Amy Paulin said, “Downtown revitalization has long been a driving force behind White Plains’ growth, and this new investment will help propel it forward. White Plains has been a leader in sustainable development, and these projects, including protected bike and pedestrian lanes, refuge spaces, and streetscaping, are essential to that mission. I thank Governor Hochul and White Plains Mayor Tom Roach for their leadership and commitment to these transformative efforts.”

    Assemblymember Chris Burdick said, “I am delighted that the Mid-Hudson Region is the recipient of these terrific grants. Representing White Plains, I am particularly proud of the projects selected, which will have a significant positive impact on the vitality of this area, improving the safety, culture, and sense of community. Kudos to White Plains for having the initiative to go after these grants.”

    Assemblymember Chris Eachus said, “These NY Forward projects for the Village of Highland Falls will be transformative for a region that so recently saw catastrophic flooding only two years ago. Enhancing streets and infrastructure, revitalizing Main Street with new cultural and economic centers, and sustainably developing new residential units in areas of need will all add to the already existing beauty of the area. Highland Falls is a gem on the shores of the Hudson River, neighboring the historic West Point, and I am proud to see it receiving the attention it deserves.”

    Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said, “On behalf of Westchester County, I want to thank Governor Kathy Hochul for this tremendous investment in White Plains — a city that is not only our County Seat, but a vibrant hub where people live, work, and play. These transformative projects will breathe new life into our downtown, support small businesses, enhance our arts and cultural spaces, and improve public infrastructure for residents and visitors alike. This bold commitment by Governor Hochul is a game-changer for White Plains and a powerful reminder of what’s possible when the State and local communities work together to build a stronger, more inclusive future.”

    DRI and NY Forward communities developed Strategic Implementation Plans (SIPs), which create a vision for the future of their downtown and identify and recommend a slate of complementary, transformative and implementable projects that support that vision. The SIPs are guided by a Local Planning Committee (LPC) composed of local and regional leaders, stakeholders and community representatives, with the assistance of an assigned consultant and DOS staff, all of whom conduct extensive community outreach and engagement when determining projects. The projects selected for funding from the SIP were identified as having the greatest potential to jumpstart revitalization and generate new opportunities for long-term growth.

     About the Downtown Revitalization Initiative

    The Downtown Revitalization Initiative was created in 2016 to accelerate and expand the revitalization of downtowns and neighborhoods in all ten regions of the state to serve as centers of activity and catalysts for investment. Led by the Department of State with assistance from Empire State Development, Homes and Community Renewal and NYSERDA, the DRI represents an unprecedented and innovative “plan-then-act” strategy that couples strategic planning with immediate implementation and results in compact, walkable downtowns that are a key ingredient to helping New York State strengthen its economy, as well as to achieving the State’s bold climate goals by promoting the use of public transit and reducing dependence on private vehicles. Through nine rounds, the DRI has awarded a total of $900 million to 91 communities across every region of the State.

    About the NY Forward Program

    First announced as part of the 2022 Budget, Governor Hochul created the NY Forward program to build on the momentum created by the DRI. The program works in concert with the DRI to accelerate and expand the revitalization of smaller and rural downtowns throughout the State so that all communities can benefit from the State’s revitalization efforts, regardless of size, character, needs and challenges.

    NY Forward communities are supported by a professional planning consultant and team of State agency experts led by DOS to develop a Strategic Investment Plan that includes a slate of transformative, complementary and readily implementable projects. NY Forward projects are appropriately scaled to the size of each community; projects may include building renovation and redevelopment, new construction or creation of new or improved public spaces and other projects that enhance specific cultural and historical qualities that define and distinguish the small-town charm that defines these municipalities. Through three rounds, the NY Forward program has awarded a total of $300 million to 60 communities across every region of the State.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Protecting New Yorkers from Predatory Energy Companies

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today signed legislation to allow energy services company (ESCO) customers to easily claim owed funds and prevent ESCOs from holding onto such money indefinitely. Specifically, this bill prevents any bad actors in the ESCO industry from retaining customer refunds that the Public Service Commission has ordered the ESCO to provide to its customers in situations where the customer is no longer served by the ESCO and the ESCO is unable to contact the customer. This legislation aligns ESCOs with standards already required of utilities.

    “I’ll never stop fighting to lower costs for families — that’s why I’m signing legislation to bring down energy bills, protect consumers and hold energy services companies accountable,” Governor Hochul said. “These reforms will end the practice of bad actors retaining refunds owed to customers, ensuring New Yorkers get their money returned.”

    New York State Public Service Commission Chair Rory M. Christian said, “This action by Governor Hochul reinforces New York’s history of consumer protection through real, tangible changes that prevent ESCOs from taking advantage of everyday New Yorkers. Before this legislation, there was little incentive for ESCOs that no longer operated in New York to continue reaching out to customers to return unclaimed funds. These changes enhance the ability of the Commission to act on consumers’ behalf.”

    This change would make it easier for ESCO customers to obtain their unclaimed funds and strengthen the deterrence effect of the Commission’s ESCO enforcement orders. The unclaimed funds would not be remitted to the comptroller unless the ESCO’s efforts to contact the rightful owner have failed. Given how often ESCO customers tend to switch service providers, ESCO’s customer contact information is especially prone to going stale, reducing the likelihood that ESCOs will be able to find the funds’ rightful owners. In addition, some ESCOs may have short-term stints in New York after which they abandon their New York presence, or their eligibility is revoked. Exploiting the current statutory loophole, an ESCO may have little incentive to set aside funds for New York customers.

    A former customer is most likely to learn about their unclaimed funds from the State, which regularly publicizes its unclaimed funds recovery process, than from an ESCO with which the customer no longer has a relationship. This change would ensure that, when the Commission penalizes ESCO misconduct by ordering customer refunds, the ESCO cannot retain those funds indefinitely in spite of their misconduct. They now will forfeit the funds, either to the rightful owner or the comptroller.

    State Senator Leroy Comrie said, “This bill is about fairness. It makes sure energy companies can’t quietly hold on to money that should go back to the customer. I’m proud to sponsor legislation that puts working families first, strengthens consumer protections, and brings more transparency to how these companies operate in our state.”

    Assemblymember Carrie Woerner said, “My thanks to Governor Hochul for signing this important piece of legislation to protect the interests of consumers. Former customers of Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) often report finding it difficult to impossible to request and receive refunds to which they are entitled. This bill would require ESCOs to turn the unclaimed funds over to the NYS Comptroller’s office, in exactly the same manner that utility companies are required, so that consumers can claim these funds easily.”

    The legislation signed today also amends the abandoned property law to require ESCOs to publish notice of abandoned customer deposits, advance payments and refunds and then remit any funds that remain unclaimed to the State Comptroller. Specifically, the legislation expressly includes ESCOs within the scope of the abandoned property law and within the statute’s definition of utility services.

    Abandoned property law deems any utility customer deposits, advance payments, or refunds abandoned if such funds go unclaimed for two years. Any funds that remain unclaimed after these efforts must be remitted to the comptroller on or before October 10. Once the funds have been transferred to the State Comptroller, the customer may obtain them through the Office of Unclaimed Funds, and the utility is relieved of any remaining liability to the customer.

    This legislation increases the likelihood that ESCO customers receive funds to which they are entitled. The Office of the State Comptroller conducts regular outreach about its unclaimed funds recovery process and maintains a searchable database on its website, making it much more likely that an ESCO customer will be able to reclaim funds.

    There are more than 150 ESCOs operating in New York State, providing service to approximately 900,000 electric customers and 700,000 gas customers. More than four ESCOs have had their eligibility to serve the New York market revoked in the past year.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta, Business Leaders Engage in Roundtable Discussion Addressing the Impact of Tariffs on California Industries

    Source: US State of California

    SAN FRANCISCO — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today hosted business leaders on the front lines of the tariff war for a roundtable conversation to discuss the impacts of tariffs on industries across California. The roundtable in San Francisco comes on the heels of California filing a lawsuit against the Trump Administration for its imposition of illegal and chaotic tariffs, and included leaders with a birds-eye view of industries spanning workforce development, global trade, transportation, housing development, and local economies and small businesses. President Trump’s erratic tariffs are wreaking havoc on the U.S. financial system and causing uniquely immense harm to California’s economy, which as the fourth largest economy in the world, remains a major driver of our national economy. 

    The tariffs challenged under California’s current lawsuit are projected to shrink the U.S. economy by $178 billion, cost California consumers $25 billion, and result in the loss of over 64,000 jobs throughout California.  

    “The Trump Administration’s chaotic tariffs have sent shockwaves through financial markets, businesses, and consumers in every corner of the globe — and especially here in California, home to the fourth largest economy in the world,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Today, I heard from leaders on the front lines concerned about the disastrous impact of tariffs on their industries and businesses. These folks are the bellwethers for our state and have sounded the alarm — I thank them deeply for their time and candor. California will continue to fight on all fronts to end President Trump’s illegal tariffs and restore certainty and vibrancy to our economy.” 

    “Dramatic shifts in trade policy and increases in tariff costs can cause disruptions which threaten millions of jobs and billions of dollars in local, state and federal tax revenue,” said Jennifer Cohen, Vice President of Government Relations for the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association. “It is critical that we avoid volatility and uncertainty in the marketplace that impedes American access to essential goods, components used in US manufacturing, and export markets for agriculture. The importance of maintaining the integrity of the ports and maritime supply chains on the US West Coast that undergird our international commercial relationships are vital to all Americans, not just Californians.”

    “Uncertainty is never a good thing for businesses of any size, especially those with limited resources who cannot ride out wild fluctuations — particularly in the pricing and availability of goods and services. Small businesses are the heart of our local economies and communities, and operate on razor thin margins. When you combine higher operational costs with the fact that consumers are pulling back on purchases as prices rise, the result is devastating,” said Peter Katz, Co-Chair Silicon Valley Chamber Coalition. “Already, a significant number of family owned restaurants and merchants have seen increased expenses in essential supplies, from food costs to packaging to raw materials. These businesses do not have the luxury of waiting months — or years — for things to normalize.”  

    Attorney General Bonta is committed to challenging the illegal tariffs that threaten California jobs, businesses, and consumers. On April 16, Attorney General Bonta and Governor Newsom filed a lawsuit challenging President Trump’s unlawful use of power to impose tariffs and direct agencies within the administration to implement and enforce those tariffs without the consent of Congress. Last week, California filed a motion for a preliminary injunction with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California to stop the Trump Administration’s illegal tariffs while litigation in their case proceeds and filed an amicus brief in the Court of International Trade in Oregon v. Trump, another case also challenging President Trump’s illegal imposition of tariffs. 

    More information about the lawsuit can be found here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Secretary Hoskins launches official podcast series, discusses elections integrity and goals in first episode

    Source: US State of Missouri

     

     

    Secretary Hoskins launches official podcast series, discusses elections integrity and goals in first episode

    JEFFERSON CITY, MO — The Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins is pleased to announce the launch of an official podcast. The first episode, now live, offers a candid and informative look at the Secretary’s first 100 days in office and the administration’s focus on strengthening election integrity across Missouri.

    In this inaugural episode, Secretary Hoskins discusses:

    • The removal of over 150,000 ineligible voters from the rolls, including deceased individuals and those with felony convictions;
    • Partnerships with local election authorities and support initiatives like training and technical assistance;
    • Use of cross-state data and federal resources to safeguard Missouri’s voter rolls;
    • The balance between secure elections and voter accessibility, including the availability of free photo IDs and the use of provisional ballots;
    • His hands-on leadership style, CPA background, and life outside the office — including duathlons with his wife, Michelle.

    This podcast is designed to educate, inform, and connect Missourians with the many services and responsibilities of the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office. Future episodes will explore topics like business filings, securities protections, library programs, state archives, and administrative rules.

    Available now on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon, Podcast Addict, and Google Podcasts. Radio partners are encouraged to air excerpts as needed for public information programming. A full transcript with timestamps is also available to support accessibility and content use.

    Stay tuned for future episodes as the Secretary explores how the Office serves Missourians — one conversation at a time.

    About the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office

    The Missouri Secretary of State’s Office serves as a central hub for key state functions that promote transparency, security, and opportunity for all Missourians. The Office oversees the administration of fair and secure elections, registers and supports businesses, maintains and preserves state records through the State Archives, and ensures public access to government rulemaking via the Administrative Rules Division.

    Additionally, the Office protects investors through the Securities Division, supports libraries and literacy programs across the state, and administers the Safe at Home address confidentiality program for survivors of abuse and assault. With a commitment to service, accountability, and civic engagement, the Secretary of State’s Office works every day to strengthen Missouri’s government and communities.

    About Secretary of State Denny Hoskins

    Denny Hoskins, CPA, was elected Missouri’s 41st Secretary of State in November 2024. With a strong background in business and public service, he is committed to improving government efficiency, transparency, and supporting Missouri families. Hoskins previously served as a legislator in both the state Senate and House. He and his wife, Michelle, reside in Warrensburg and have five adult children.

    For more information, please contact Rachael Dunn, Director of Communications, via email at [email protected].

    transcript.txt

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Secretary Rubio meets with Iraqi Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani

    Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

    Secretary of State Marco A. Rubio meets with Iraqi Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani at the Department of State, on May 23, 2025.

    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

    The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
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    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KODgk9KuWU4

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Founder of Haitian Orphanage Sentenced to 210 Years in Prison for Sexually Abusing Boys in his Care

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    A Colorado man was sentenced today to 210 years in prison for sexually abusing numerous children at the orphanage he founded and directed in Haiti.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Michael Karl Geilenfeld, 73, most recently of Littleton, founded St. Joseph’s Home for Boys — a home for orphaned, impoverished, and otherwise vulnerable children in Haiti — in 1985 and operated it for more than two decades. During this time, Geilenfeld repeatedly traveled from the United States to Haiti, where he sexually abused the boys entrusted to his care. He also physically and emotionally abused the children in the home, including through physical assault and other forms of punishment.

    In February 2025, a federal jury convicted Geilenfeld of one count of traveling in foreign commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct and six counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place between 2005 and 2010. Each of the six counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct relates to a separate victim who was a child at the time of the offense.

    At trial, these six victims testified about the sexual abuse they suffered at the hands of Geilenfeld and the devastating impact it had on them, as did other victims — now adults — who were not the subject of the charged offenses. Victims and witnesses also described the physical abuse Geilenfeld inflicted on his victims and the manipulation that he employed to keep his operation running and financially supported by others.

    “The defendant’s sustained sexual, physical, and emotional abuse of some of the most vulnerable children in the world is intolerable,” said Matthew Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This prosecution demonstrates the Department’s commitment to securing justice for children harmed by criminals who travel abroad from the United States to commit their crimes. We thank our partners for working with us to ensure that the defendant can never harm another child.”

    “This sentencing marks the end of a case built on the courage of survivors and the dedication of investigators,” said Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “For decades, Geilenfeld used his position of trust and access to exploit vulnerable children under the guise of humanitarian work. We are grateful to those victims who came forward to report their abuse. The FBI is committed to pursuing those who commit crimes against children no matter where they occur or how long ago they were committed.”

    U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and FBI investigated the case.

    Trial Attorneys Jessica L. Urban and Eduardo Palomo of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lacee Monk for the Southern District of Florida prosecuted the case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Former President of Asphalt Paving Company Sentenced for Bid Rigging

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    A former senior executive of a Michigan asphalt paving company was sentenced yesterday to six months in prison and a $500,000 fine for his role in a multiyear conspiracy to rig bids for asphalt paving services contracts in Michigan.

    Daniel L. Israel, former president of Pontiac-based Asphalt Specialists LLC (ASI), pleaded guilty in October 2023 to conspiring with Al’s Asphalt Paving Company Inc. (Al’s Asphalt), and employees from those companies, to rig bids in each other’s favor. Israel is one of seven individuals that have been charged as part of an ongoing federal antitrust investigation into bid rigging and other anticompetitive conduct in the asphalt paving services industry. Three companies also have been charged as part of the investigation, which to date has resulted in over $8.2 million in criminal fines.

    “Economic crime — like bid rigging — is no less harmful than violent crime,” said Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Omeed A. Assefi of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “Both inflict deep, lasting harm on our communities and disenfranchise those who believe in the American dream. As the defendant admitted, he conspired to eliminate competition to further enrich himself and his accomplices. The Antitrust Division and its law enforcement partners will continue to ensure that individuals who cheat and deprive the public of the benefits of competition are incarcerated.”

    “This sentencing marks an important milestone in holding accountable those responsible for this flagrant bid rigging scheme,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Licari of the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG), Midwestern Region. “We remain committed to working closely with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to investigate and prosecute individuals who undermine fair competition and violate federal antitrust laws.”

    According to court documents, the co-conspirators coordinated each other’s bid prices so that the agreed-upon losing company would submit intentionally non-competitive bids. These bids gave customers the false impression of competition when, in fact, the co-conspirators already had decided among themselves who would win the contracts. Israel participated in the conspiracy from March 2013 through November 2018.

    Israel’s former employer, ASI, and another former ASI executive also pleaded guilty in January 2024 for their participation in the conspiracy with Al’s Asphalt. Al’s Asphalt and two of its executives previously pleaded guilty in January and October 2024 for their participation in the conspiracy. ASI was sentenced in August 2024 to pay a fine of $6,500,000.

    The Antitrust Division’s Chicago Office, DOT-OIG, and U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General investigated the case

    The Antitrust Division’s Chicago Office is prosecuting the case.

    Anyone with information in connection with this investigation should contact the Antitrust Division’s Complaint Center at 888-647-3258 or visit http://www.justice.gov/atr/report-violations.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Former President of Asphalt Paving Company Sentenced to Prison for Bid Rigging

    Source: US State of Vermont

    A former senior executive of a Michigan asphalt paving company was sentenced yesterday to six months in prison and a $500,000 fine for his role in a multiyear conspiracy to rig bids for asphalt paving services contracts in Michigan.

    Daniel L. Israel, former president of Pontiac-based Asphalt Specialists LLC (ASI), pleaded guilty in October 2023 to conspiring with Al’s Asphalt Paving Company Inc. (Al’s Asphalt), and employees from those companies, to rig bids in each other’s favor. Israel is one of seven individuals that have been charged as part of an ongoing federal antitrust investigation into bid rigging and other anticompetitive conduct in the asphalt paving services industry. Three companies also have been charged as part of the investigation, which to date has resulted in over $8.2 million in criminal fines.

    “Economic crime — like bid rigging — is no less harmful than violent crime,” said Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Omeed A. Assefi of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “Both inflict deep, lasting harm on our communities and disenfranchise those who believe in the American dream. As the defendant admitted, he conspired to eliminate competition to further enrich himself and his accomplices. The Antitrust Division and its law enforcement partners will continue to ensure that individuals who cheat and deprive the public of the benefits of competition are incarcerated.”

    “This sentencing marks an important milestone in holding accountable those responsible for this flagrant bid rigging scheme,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Licari of the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG), Midwestern Region. “We remain committed to working closely with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to investigate and prosecute individuals who undermine fair competition and violate federal antitrust laws.”

    According to court documents, the co-conspirators coordinated each other’s bid prices so that the agreed-upon losing company would submit intentionally non-competitive bids. These bids gave customers the false impression of competition when, in fact, the co-conspirators already had decided among themselves who would win the contracts. Israel participated in the conspiracy from March 2013 through November 2018.

    Israel’s former employer, ASI, and another former ASI executive also pleaded guilty in January 2024 for their participation in the conspiracy with Al’s Asphalt. Al’s Asphalt and two of its executives previously pleaded guilty in January and October 2024 for their participation in the conspiracy. ASI was sentenced in August 2024 to pay a fine of $6,500,000.

    The Antitrust Division’s Chicago Office, DOT-OIG, and U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General investigated the case

    The Antitrust Division’s Chicago Office is prosecuting the case.

    Anyone with information in connection with this investigation should contact the Antitrust Division’s Complaint Center at 888-647-3258 or visit http://www.justice.gov/atr/report-violations.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How does a person become famous when they’re just a kid?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Matthew Pittman, Associate Professor of Advertising and Public Relations, University of Tennessee

    Some ‘kidfluencers’ have huge followings on social media, but the spotlight isn’t always a friendly place. ilkercelik/E+ via Getty images

    Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com.

    How does a person become famous when they’re just a kid? – Anushka, age 9, St. Augustine, Florida

    First, consider what kind of fame you want. Some kids, such as Blue Ivy Carter or Suri Cruise, are known for having famous parents – in their cases, singer Beyoncé and actors Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise. That’s something you can’t really control.

    Maybe you want to be a star athlete, like basketball player Caitlin Clark or skateboarder Sky Brown. If you’re good at a sport, practicing a lot will make you even better, and you might get famous.

    Or maybe you want to be a famous musician. Singer LeAnn Rimes won her first Grammy Award at age 14. Justin Bieber was discovered on YouTube when he was 12. If you work hard at playing an instrument or singing, you increase your chances of getting noticed.

    Skateboarder Sky Brown won her first Olympic medal, a bronze, at age 13 in 2020.

    A newer way to become famous is to be a social media influencer – a person who gets paid, either with money or with stuff, to help sell things on social media. A 2023 survey of 1,000 Gen Zers – people in their early teens to mid-20s – found that 57% wanted to become influencers.

    I study social media and teach a social media class at the University of Tennessee. I also have a side gig as an influencer. My posts have gone viral and been seen hundreds of millions of times all around the world. I post silly and serious things about my life on Instagram and TikTok.

    Here are some things to know about fame at a young age.

    There wasn’t always a youth culture

    Before modern times, people didn’t pay much attention to children in the way that we do now. There were a few exceptions, such as composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who played music as a child for kings and queens in the 1700s, but they were rare.

    Things changed a lot as the U.S. population boomed after World War II. Businesses realized that young people were a big market, and a new, youth-focused culture developed. Movies, TV shows and songs were increasingly made for young people, featuring young people.

    Opening credits for seasons 3-4 of “The Partridge Family,” a TV situation comedy about a family that forms a pop music band. The show ran from 1970-1974 and turned David Cassidy, who played the oldest son, into a teen idol.

    Now, thanks to social media and the internet, kids can get famous without being star athletes or actors. If you can make videos, sing songs, tell jokes or share art from your phone or computer and people like what you post, they might share it with others. Some kids become famous just by being really good at explaining things or showing their everyday lives.

    For example, Anastasia Radzinskaya, an 11-year-old Russian American girl who shares content about children’s songs and games, has 1.5 million followers on Instagram. Ethan Gamer, a video game influencer, started appearing on YouTube in 2013 at age 7.

    Pros and cons

    Being a famous kid can offer a lot of benefits. You might get to appear on TV or in movies, wear cool clothes, or hang out with famous athletes or celebrities. You might also get to make money that you could use to support your family, pay for a high-quality education or fund causes that you care about, such as protecting nature or feeding hungry people.

    But there also are downsides. Famous kids often have to work a lot and don’t have much time to hang out with friends. Also, people may say hurtful things about you on social media, which is something you can’t control.

    Being famous can pressure people to act or dress in certain ways. Handling attention and criticism from strangers can be stressful for any young person, and fame makes the challenge much harder.

    Should you try to be an influencer?

    For me, influencing can be fun and creative. It’s cool to make a video and know that lots of people around the world are enjoying it.

    Another plus is that the skills you need to be an influencer – communicating clearly, producing digital content and helping other people find cool new products – can be valuable as you grow up, no matter what job you have.

    However, most influencers don’t make enough money to do it full time – they do it as a side gig while working a real job. If you are a kid, school should be your full-time job.

    You also should expect to get rejected a lot before you start developing an audience. This can make you emotionally strong in the long run, but it still hurts when you share your work and no one seems to notice. Most influencers put in years of effort to learn the skills that help make them successful.

    You’re likely to get negative responses that can hurt your feelings. You will need your parents’ help to manage online feedback and know how to react to all kinds of responses, positive and negative.

    It’s definitely possible for kids to be famous today, but that doesn’t mean that every kid should try. What’s important is to do things that you enjoy, even if the whole world isn’t watching.

    Hello, curious kids! Do you have a question you’d like an expert to answer? Ask an adult to send your question to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com. Please tell us your name, age and the city where you live.

    And since curiosity has no age limit – adults, let us know what you’re wondering, too. We won’t be able to answer every question, but we will do our best.

    Matthew Pittman’s influencer posts focus on his college teaching and family life. He occasionally receives products or payments in return for promoting toys, teaching tools and family games.

    – ref. How does a person become famous when they’re just a kid? – https://theconversation.com/how-does-a-person-become-famous-when-theyre-just-a-kid-255820

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Harvard fights to keep enrolling international students – 4 essential reads about their broader impact

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Bryan Keogh, Managing Editor

    Graduates of Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government celebrate during commencement exercises in Cambridge, Mass. AP Photo/Steven Senne, File

    A federal judge in Boston on May 23, 2025, temporarily blocked a Trump administration order that would have revoked Harvard University’s authorization to enroll international students.

    The directive from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and resulting lawsuit from Harvard have escalated the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration and the Ivy League institution.

    It’s also the latest step in a White House campaign to ramp up vetting and screening of foreign nationals, including students.

    Homeland Security officials accused Harvard of creating a hostile campus climate by accommodating “anti-American” and “pro-terrorist agitators.” The accusation stems from the university’s alleged support for certain political groups and their activities on campus.

    In early April, the Trump administration terminated the immigration statuses of thousands of international students listed in a government database, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. The database includes country of citizenship, which U.S. school they attend and what they study.

    Barring Harvard from enrolling international students could have significant implications for the campus’s climate and the local economy. International students account for 27% of the university’s enrollment.

    Here are four stories from The Conversation’s archive about the Trump administration’s battle with Harvard and the economic impact of international students.

    1. A target on Harvard

    This isn’t the first time the Trump administration has targeted the university.

    The White House has threatened to end the university’s tax-exempt status, and some media outlets have reported that the Internal Revenue Service is taking steps in that direction.

    But it is illegal to revoke an entity’s tax-emempt status “on a whim,” according to Philip Hackney, a University of Pittsburgh law professor, and Brian Mittendorf, an accounting professor at Ohio State University.

    “Before the IRS can do that, tax law requires that it first audit that charity,” they wrote. “And it’s illegal for U.S. presidents or other officials to force the IRS to conduct an audit or stop one that’s already begun.”

    Several U.S. senators, all Democrats, have urged the IRS inspector general to see whether the IRS has begun auditing Harvard or any nonprofits in response to the administration’s requests or whether Trump has violated any laws with his pressure campaign.

    Hackney and Mittendorf wrote that the Trump administration’s moves are part of a larger push to exert control over Harvard, including its efforts to increase its diversity and its response to claims of discrimination on campus.



    Read more:
    Can Trump strip Harvard of its charitable status? Scholars of nonprofit law and accounting describe the obstacles in his way

    .“

    University of Michigan students on campus on April 3, 2025, in Ann Arbor, Mich.
    Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

    2. International students help keep ‘America First’

    The U.S. has long been the global leader in attracting international students. But competition for these students is increasing as other countries vie to attract the scholars.

    In a recent story for The Conversation, David L. Di Maria, vice provost for global engagement at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, wrote that stepped-up screening and vetting of students could make the U.S. a less attractive study destination.

    Di Maria wrote that such efforts could hamper the Trump administration’s ability to achieve its “America First” priorities related to the economy, science and technology, and national security.

    Trump administration officials have emphasized the importance of recruiting top global talent. And Trump has said that international students who graduate from U.S. colleges should be awarded a green card with their degree.

    Research shows that international students launch successful startups at a rate that is eight to nine times higher than their U.S.-born peers. Roughly 25% of billion-dollar companies in the U.S. were founded by former international students, Di Maria noted.



    Read more:
    Deporting international students risks making the US a less attractive destination, putting its economic engine at risk

    3. A boost to local economies

    Indeed, international students have a tremendous economic impact on local communities.

    If these global scholars stay home or go elsewhere, that’s bad economic news for cities and towns across the United States, wrote Barnet Sherman, a professor of multinational finance and trade at Boston University.

    With the money they spend on tuition, food, housing and other other items, international students pump money into the local economy, but there are additional benefits.

    On average, a new job is created for every three international students enrolled in a U.S. college or university. In the 2023-24 academic year, about 378,175 jobs were created, Sherman wrote.

    In Greater Boston, where Harvard is located, there are about 63,000 international students who contribute to the economy. The gains are huge – about US$3 billion.



    Read more:
    International students infuse tens of millions of dollars into local economies across the US. What happens if they stay home?

    4. Rising number of international students

    The rising number of foreign students studying in the U.S. has long led to concerns about U.S. students being displaced by international peers.

    The unease is often fueled by the assumption that financial interests are driving the trend, Cynthia Miller-Idriss of American University and Bernhard Streitwieser of George Washington University wrote in a 2015 story for The Conversation.

    A common claim, they wrote, is the flawed assumption that “cash-strapped public universities” aggressively recruit more affluent students from abroad who can afford to pay rising tuition costs. The pair wrote that, historically, shifting demographics on college campuses result from social and economic changes.

    In today’s context, Miller-Idriss and Streitwieser maintain that the argument that colleges prioritize international students fails to account for the global role of U.S. universities, which help support national security, foster international development projects and accelerate the pace of globalization.



    Read more:
    Foreign students not a threat, but an advantage

    This story is a roundup of articles from The Conversation’s archives.

    – ref. Harvard fights to keep enrolling international students – 4 essential reads about their broader impact – https://theconversation.com/harvard-fights-to-keep-enrolling-international-students-4-essential-reads-about-their-broader-impact-257506

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen, Young Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Cybersecurity of U.S Health Care System

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Todd Young (R-IN) introduced the Healthcare Cybersecurity Act to bolster the health care and public health sectors’ cybersecurity. This bipartisan bill would direct the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to collaborate on improving cybersecurity and make resources available to non-federal entities relating to cyber threat indicators and appropriate defense measures. It would also create a special liaison to HHS from CISA to support cybersecurity for health care and public health sector entities.
    “For years, America’s health care system has faced devastating cyberattacks that have exposed patients’ data, jeopardized access to care, and hurt local and rural medical facilities across Nevada,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m introducing this bipartisan legislation to increase coordination to prevent cybersecurity attacks and make more resources available to hospitals and health care entities to improve their cybersecurity. I’ll keep working with both parties to strengthen our cybersecurity and protect Nevadans from cybercriminals.”
    “In recent years, hospitals and other health care facilities in Indiana and across America have experienced a dramatic increase in cyberattacks,” said Senator Young. “Our bipartisan bill will take critical steps to strengthen cybersecurity infrastructure and better protect patients’ personal data.”
    Since she joined the Senate, Senator Rosen has been working across party lines to improve our nation’s cybersecurity. Last month, she sent a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy Jr. expressing her deep concerns and demanding answers regarding the elimination of critical information technology and cybersecurity personnel and leadership at HHS. Last year, Senator Rosen announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) implemented her bipartisan law to strengthen the cybersecurity of veterans’ personal information and data.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján Reintroduces Legislation to Support Merit Staff and Protect SNAP Program Integrity

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján
    Legislation Would Invest in the Workers Who Work to Ensure SNAP is Run Efficiently;
    Reintroduction Comes as Congressional Republicans Work to Cut SNAP Benefits and Other Nutrition Programs for Millions of Americans
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee Subcommittee on Nutrition and Specialty Crops, announced the reintroduction of the SNAP Administrator Retention Act, legislation that would support merit staff and protect Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) integrity. The SNAP Administrator Retention Act would provide states with federal resources to ensure state agencies can retain their experienced merit staff and help fill open SNAP administrator positions, allowing the program to operate at peak efficiency. U.S. Representative Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House.
    As Congressional Republicans continue to push for $290 billion in cuts to SNAP benefits, Senator Luján is working to protect and improve SNAP by investing in the merit staff who work to ensure the program is run efficiently. Specifically, the SNAP Administrator Retention Act gives states the ability to receive 100 percent of the administrative personnel costs associated with hiring and retaining the merit staff who carry out the SNAP program and aligns the wages of SNAP administrators with the federal wage standards.
    “In New Mexico and across the country, the merit staff who administer SNAP help families access critical nutrition benefits and keep food on the table, all while ensuring the program operates efficiently and effectively,” said Senator Luján. “As Congressional Republicans work to rip away nutrition assistance from our nation’s most vulnerable, my SNAP Administrator Retention Act works to support the dedicated merit staff that help families access to nutrition support they rely on and make sure SNAP is administered effectively. I’m committed to defending and improving SNAP and look forward to working with my colleagues to move this important legislation forward.”
    “Every month, SNAP helps millions of struggling families put food on the table, and well over 90 percent of participating households include children, seniors, or individuals with disabilities,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. “But chronic underinvestment in the program’s workforce causes staffing shortages and unacceptable delays that too often leave eligible families without food assistance for days or even weeks. The SNAP Administrator Retention Act, introduced by Sen. Ben Ray Luján and Rep. Jahana Hayes, will help states invest in hiring, training, and retaining staff. It will also help them better respond to families’ needs and ensure SNAP remains a powerful bulwark against hunger in our communities.”  
    “The effective administration of SNAP is critical to addressing our nation’s hunger crisis and preserving the program’s integrity,” said Crystal FitzSimons, president of the Food Research & Action Center. “The SNAP Administrator Retention Act would provide state agencies with the resources needed to recruit, train, and retain skilled merit staff, which will help streamline administrative processes, reduce delays, and strengthen access to this essential program. It’s a win-win for families and for states.”
    In New Mexico and across the country, SNAP is a lifeline for Americans facing hunger and poverty. In New Mexico, nearly 20 percent of the state’s population depends on SNAP to feed themselves and their families. Across the country, nearly 40 percent of SNAP recipients are children. Merit staff play an essential role in determining SNAP eligibility, walking recipients through the application process, and ensuring that applications are processed as quickly as possible.
    The legislation is endorsed by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), and NAACP.
    In Congress, Senator Luján has long fought to protect and improve SNAP. Last week, Senator Luján hosted a press call on Republicans’ efforts to gut SNAP. Additionally, Senator Luján has led legislation to protect local grocers from transaction fees that would make it harder for them to accept SNAP benefits and has fought toprotect access to SNAP in the Farm Bill.
    Full text of the bill can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Markey, Cramer Introduce Legislation to Support Students Walking or Biking to School

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Washington (May 23, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Senator Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) on Wednesday introduced the bipartisan Safe Routes Improvement Act to enhance program accessibility for communities in North Dakota and nationwide. Specifically, the bill requires state departments of transportation (DOT) to designate an SRTS program coordinator, which will serve as a point of contact for local governments, school districts, and others looking to navigate the SRTS Program and receive funds for projects in their communities.
    The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program, established nearly two decades ago, was created to make it safer and easier for students who walk or bike to school. In addition to providing safety education to children and caregivers, it also funds infrastructure improvements including sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes. All 50 states and Washington, D.C., have SRTS programs which serve millions of students across the nation.
    “Every child deserves a safe journey to and from school, whether they’re walking, biking, or riding the bus,” said Markey. “By ensuring every state has a Safe Routes to School coordinator, we’re helping communities design safer streets and healthier futures. I’m proud to partner with Senator Cramer to introduce this legislation and put children’s safety first.”
    “As someone who walks to work every morning when I’m in Washington, I know how essential safe routes are for the kids who walk or bike to school,” said Cramer. “Over the last 20 years, the Safe Routes to School program has been instrumental in helping support infrastructure improvements to keep our kids safe. This legislation is a smart solution to make it easier for school districts and rural communities to access Safe Routes funding.”
    “Every child should be able to bike, walk, or roll to school safely,” said Bill Nesper, Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists. “We applaud this legislation from Senators Cramer and Markey which would direct state departments of transportation to designate a Safe Routes to School Coordinator. By helping school districts and local governments navigate the grants process, share best practices, and track successes, Safe Routes to School Coordinators are a crucial resource in our shared goal to improve traffic safety for kids.”
    “As the national leader of the Safe Routes to School movement, Safe Routes Partnership applauds Senator Cramer for his continued leadership in strengthening a program that helps students get to and from school safely and reliably,” said Marisa Jones, Managing Director of the Safe Routes Partnership. “Safe Routes to School is an evidence-based, cost-effective, bipartisan initiative that supports rural, suburban, and urban communities in meeting the daily transportation needs of families. By ensuring every state has a dedicated Safe Routes to School coordinator, this legislation will expand the program’s reach and ensure more communities can benefit from safer, more connected school travel options.”  
    The bill text can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Safeguard Genetic Data Privacy After 23andMe Bankruptcy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) today introduced the Don’t Sell My DNA Act, which would safeguard customers’ sensitive genetic information when an entity that maintains their data files for bankruptcy:
    “Advances in DNA testing have allowed Americans to have unprecedented access to important insights about their genetics, but these companies must have a plan to protect this data in the event of bankruptcy,” said Sen. Cornyn. “By updating the bankruptcy code, this legislation would safeguard Americans’ sensitive genetic information to ensure it cannot be weaponized against them or made public without their knowledge and consent.”
    “For too long companies have profited off of Americans’ data while consumers have been left in the dark, which is especially concerning in light of reports that 23andMe plans to sell customer genetic data assets to a large pharmaceutical company,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “This bill will put new protections in place to safeguard Americans’ privacy while giving consumers greater control over how their sensitive health data is shared.”
    “Consumers should feel confident that any personal information shared with a public company isn’t up for grabs when that company files for bankruptcy,” said Sen. Grassley. “This bill would fill gaps in current law to help safeguard consumers’ genetic information and ensure Americans’ DNA isn’t treated like any other financial asset.”
    Background:
    Recently, data privacy concerns have been raised when companies who maintain data on users’ DNA and genetic profiling file for bankruptcy. Under current law, the Bankruptcy Code provides protections for personally identifiable information in bankruptcy court proceedings to prevent the possibility of identity theft, harm, or other unlawful injury from occurring. The current definition of personally identifiable information includes an individual’s name, address, email, phone number, social security number, credit card number, and other information that could be used for identification purposes. However, the definition is outdated and does not include reference to genetic information, meaning this information is vulnerable. This legislation would solve this problem by updating the definition of “personally identifiable information” in the bankruptcy code to include genetic information.
    The Don’t Sell My DNA Act strengthens consumer privacy protections by:
    Modernizing the definition of “personally identifiable information” in the Bankruptcy Code to include genetic information;
    Having consumers affirmatively consent to the use, sale, or lease of their genetic information after the bankruptcy case commences;
    Requiring companies to provide prior written notice of the use, sale or lease of their genetic information during bankruptcy;
    And requiring the trustee or debtor in possession to delete any genetic information not subject to a sale or lease.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Senator Mullin on What’s Next for President Trump’s Big, Beautiful, Bill on Fox Business

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)

    ICYMI: Senator Mullin on What’s Next for President Trump’s Big, Beautiful, Bill on Fox Business

    Washington, D.C. – On Thursday, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) joined Fox Business’ “Kudlow” to discuss President Trump’s Big, Beautiful, Bill being sent over to the Senate and where the process stands now. Highlights below.

    Sen. Mullin’s full interview can be found here.
    On Senate input in the Big, Beautiful, Bill:
    “As you know, Larry, we’ve been talking about the reconciliation literally since the November election, and everybody’s had their opportunity to have input. Ron Johnson has had his opportunity to have input, Lindsey Graham, I’ve had my input. Rick Scott, Mike Lee, Susan Collins, Mitch McConnell, even John Thune, everybody has had their opportunity to have input in this bill. And we’re going to continue the one bill, one Big, Beautiful, Bill. President Trump has made the play call. He said, this is what he wants. We’ve debated it, the House has now passed it, they’ve given it to us.”
    On the framework of the Big, Beautiful, Bill:  
    “Why would we tear down the frame that the House has already built? Why don’t we take it? If we’ve got to repaint the interior walls, that’s fine, but at the end of the day, we’re going to vote on reconciliation that the American people want. And it may not be a perfect bill, but we’ve negotiated it, we’ve talked about it, we’ve had conferences on it, we’ve talked about it in our committees.”
    On every Senator having two choices:
    “When it goes to the floor, every member is going to have two choices, and that’s it… You’re going to either vote for the bill and say, I’m going to move forward with what the American people want and move into the Trump era policies, or I’m going to say… we’re going to stay put… we’d rather stay with Biden era policies, because that’s your choices. That’s it, A or B. And we can’t allow perfection to get in the way of good, because this is a better bill than what we’re currently working with.” 
    On the Byrd Rule and restrictions the Senate must comply with:
    “The American people are getting impatient too. We’ve already got constituents who want us to pass this thing tomorrow. What people have to understand is our two chambers operate completely different. So, we have to deal with the Byrd Rule over here, what I call the bird bath. It’s got to come over here, it’s got to get scrubbed.”
    “We’ve got almost 1,100 pages that we have to go through, line by line. And here’s why that’s important. Because if we were to bring this bill to the floor as it is, and the parliamentarian rules that it doesn’t fit underneath the Byrd rule. It can’t fit underneath reconciliation. Reconciliation was reconciled in 1990 which basically said, we can do reconciliation with a slim majority as long as it fits within the Byrd Rule, which is taxes and government spending. And we can do it with a simple majority of 51.”
    “If it doesn’t fit inside the Byrd Rule, we have to go through the appropriation process, which says we’ve got to have 60. So, we have to go through it before we can get started. And I think if President Trump really leans in this, which I’ll be talking to him tomorrow at the White House about it, I think if he really leans in on it, we can maybe do it before July 4th. But July 4th is a tough target if the Senate doesn’t work fast but Larry, I think we can get it done for the American people.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch, Durbin Lead Call for Inspector General to Investigate Emil Bove’s Abuse of Prosecutorial Power at DOJ’s Civil Rights Division 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Constitution Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, and Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) referred Emil Bove III to the Office of Inspector General. Senators asked Inspector General Michael Horowitz to investigate Mr. Bove’s potential abuse of prosecutorial authority within the Civil Rights Division. 
    Public reporting indicates that Mr. Bove used intimidation tactics to stymie protected rights of students, including freedom of speech and freedom of association. Mr. Bove reportedly instructed career prosecutors in the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Civil Rights Division to obtain a membership list of a student group at Columbia and investigate those students. After career prosecutors raised concerns about whether such actions violated the Constitution, Mr. Bove reportedly demanded prosecutors file for search warrants for the list. A magistrate judge twice rejected this request, finding the investigation initiated at Mr. Bove’s direction lacked probable cause. He then, purportedly, ordered FBI agents to intimidate protestors by putting on their raid jackets and stand in a phalanx formation.  
    “If these reports are accurate, Mr. Bove has abused his prosecutorial and supervisory authority to retaliate against protected First Amendment activity for the purpose of furthering President Trump’s political agenda,” the Senators write. “This matter must be reviewed by the Office of Inspector General (OIG). While we acknowledge that DOJ views attorney misconduct as the province of the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), OPR is apparently not available to pursue this matter. Since the constructive removal of Jeffrey Ragsdale as Director and Chief Counsel, OPR has no publicly-known leadership, and our understanding is that the office has been shuttered completely. OIG is thus the only available avenue for oversight of attorney professional misconduct.” 
    The letter, led by Senator Welch and Ranking Member Durbin, was signed Senators Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). 
    Read the letter here and below:  
    Dear Inspector General Horowitz:  
    We write to express our concern about grave allegations that Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove III violated the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Justice Manual, flouted his ethical responsibilities, abused the powers of his office, and exceeded the constitutional limitations on prosecutorial power by initiating pretextual criminal investigations against students at Columbia University and premising investigative steps on protected constitutional activity.  
    According to public reporting, Mr. Bove sought to have career prosecutors in DOJ’s Civil Rights Division obtain a membership list of a student group at Columbia and investigate its members. Prosecutors resisted this request due to the Justice Manual’s prohibition on initiating criminal investigations based on protected constitutional activity, such as freedom of association. These career prosecutors then learned Mr. Bove allegedly sought this list to share with immigration agents, creating a fear that the investigation was a pretextual effort to intimidate students engaged in First Amendment expression with threats of detention and deportation. Separately, Mr. Bove reportedly attempted to employ a different intimidation tactic, instructing Federal Bureau of Investigation agents on the Joint Terrorism Task Force to don their raid jackets and stand in a phalanx near protestors on Columbia’s campus. 
    Subsequently, Mr. Bove ordered prosecutors to obtain a search warrant for the nonpublic data associated with the student group’s Instagram account, based on the premise that the account was used to make a threat—despite the assessment of career prosecutors that the identified statement did not meet the legal definition of a threat. No prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York signed the warrant application, despite the action being brought in their jurisdiction, reportedly due to the same concerns shared by the career prosecutors in the Civil Rights Division. 
    Ultimately, Mr. Bove’s requested warrant application was rejected twice, once on initial review and again on reconsideration, by a federal magistrate judge for failing to establish probable cause. The nature of the second rejection appears to indicate further abuses because the magistrate judge imposed a special condition: if DOJ seeks to refile this search warrant application before another federal judge, they must include a transcript of the sealed discussions of these initial efforts. If these reports are accurate, Mr. Bove has abused his prosecutorial and supervisory authority to retaliate against protected First Amendment activity for the purpose of furthering President Trump’s political agenda.  
    This matter must be reviewed by the Office of Inspector General (OIG). While we acknowledge that DOJ views attorney misconduct as the province of the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), OPR is apparently not available to pursue this matter. Since the constructive removal of Jeffrey Ragsdale as Director and Chief Counsel, OPR has no publicly-known leadership, and our understanding is that the office has been shuttered completely. OIG is thus the only available avenue for oversight of attorney professional misconduct.  
    Moreover, concurrent jurisdiction exists between OIG and OPR, particularly where misconduct creates waste, fraud, and abuse. The alleged abuse of power and unethical behavior in question involves the type of misconduct that extends beyond an attorney’s professional responsibilities and falls under the jurisdiction of OIG. In this extraordinary circumstance, we urge you to exercise existing concurrent jurisdiction to investigate all alleged misconduct. 
    Sincerely,  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison Names Leadership Team, Reorganizes Criminal Division

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison announced today the appointment of a new executive leadership team to guide the District of New Mexico’s mission, along with a restructuring of the Albuquerque office’s Criminal Division to best advance the Administration’s priorities.

    Mr. Ellison named Kimberly Brawley as First Assistant U.S. Attorney, overseeing the Criminal, Civil, and Administrative Divisions. Ms. Brawley joined the office in 2007 and has worked across all sections of the Criminal Division. From 2013 to 2018, she supervised the General Crimes Section, which handled violent crimes, firearms offenses, narcotics, and immigration cases.   Since 2018 she has prosecuted white collar, national security, and civil rights cases.  Ms. Brawley earned her B.A. with honors from New Mexico State University and graduated cum laude from the University of New Mexico School of Law.  Before becoming an Assistant U.S. Attorney, she clerked for the office and practiced civil defense litigation in the private sector.

    Christopher McNair will serve as Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney. Mr. McNair joined the office 2018 and has primarily handled firearms, violent crime, and immigration offenses. Mr. McNair graduated magna cum laude from the University of New Mexico School of Law and earned his B.A. from the University of New Mexico.

    Roberto Ortega has been appointed as Chief of the Civil Division. Mr. Ortega has over 35 years of legal experience, including 25 years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. He has prosecuted a wide range of federal criminal cases and now focuses on defending the United States in civil litigation. Mr. Ortega holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Stanford University and a Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico School of Law. He is also an active community leader, having served on several local boards, including the UNM Alumni Association and the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation. He and his wife, Dr. Loretta Cordova de Ortega, have four children.

    Niki Tapia-Brito will lead the Albuquerque Office’s Criminal Division as Chief. Ms. Tapia-Brito joined the office in 2011, after serving for 10 years as a prosecutor in the 7th and 2nd Judicial District Attorneys’ Offices.  Throughout her career with the office, Ms. Tapia-Brito has prosecuted federal cases in the Indian Crimes, Violent Crimes, Civil Rights and Public Integrity sections.  Ms. Tapia-Brito earned her B.A. from Stanford University and a JD at University of New Mexico School of Law.

    In the Las Cruces Branch Office, Richard Williams will serve as Chief of the Criminal Division. He joined the office in 2001 as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney and became an Assistant U.S. Attorney in 2002. From July 2008 to July 2022, Mr. Williams served in supervisory roles, including Deputy Branch Chief and Section Supervisor. Throughout his career with the office, he has led numerous criminal investigations and prosecutions involving immigration, firearms, narcotics, money laundering, murder and other violent crimes, white-collar offenses, and various federal violations. He has also argued multiple appeals before the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, securing two successful topside appeals. In recognition of his appellate work, Mr. Williams received the EOUSA Director’s Award for Superior Performance in 2010. Before joining the office, he practiced commercial litigation as an associate at Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. in Houston, Texas. Mr. Williams earned his J.D. with honors from the University of Texas School of Law and his B.A. cum laude from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. He grew up in Fort Worth, Texas.

    Paige Messec will continue to serve as the Chief of the Appellate Division, which she has headed since 2018. Ms. Messec joined the office in 2008 and served in the Immigration, General Crimes, and White Collar sections of the Criminal Division before moving to the Appellate Division in 2015. She received her undergraduate degree summa cum laude from Georgetown University and law degree cum laude from Harvard Law School. Before joining the office, she clerked for Judge Harris L Hartz on the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.

    Jeremy Peña has been appointed as Senior Litigation Counsel for the Albuquerque Criminal Division. Mr. Peña joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2011, starting in the General Crimes Section and moving to the White Collar Section that same year. In 2014, he received the U.S. Attorney’s Award for the trial conviction of Sheriff Thomas Rodella.  He has prosecuted some of the Office’s most complex cases, including Ayudando Guardians and the recent trial conviction of Solomon Peña.  Mr. Peña graduated from Pomona College and the University of Chicago Law School.  He was an Assistant District Attorney for five years before becoming an AUSA.

    In the Las Cruces Branch Office, Terri Abernathy will continue to serve as Senior Litigation Counsel for the Criminal Division, a position she has held since 2010. In this role, Ms. Abernathy is responsible for coordinating the training of Assistant U.S. Attorneys and Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the Las Cruces Office. She has been with the office since 2000 and serves as the District’s Border Security Coordinator. Over her 25-year career, Ms. Abernathy has prosecuted complex narcotics cases and more than a thousand immigration cases. Before joining the office, she clerked for Circuit Judge Bobby R. Baldock of the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals and is a graduate of Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, Missouri.

    In addition to his executive leadership team, Mr. Ellison announced a restructured Criminal Division in the Albuquerque Office, now organized into four sections:

    • Narcotics and Organized Crimes: Led by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Elaine Ramirez and Deputy Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Lou Mattei.
    • White Collar Crimes: Led by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Federici.
    • Violent and General Crimes: Led by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel Hurtado and Deputy Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Mysliwiec.
    • Indian Country Crimes: Led by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew McGinley.

    The Las Cruces Branch Office is organized into two sections:

    • Organized and General Crimes: Led by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Joni Stahl.
    • Violent and General Crimes: Led by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Armijo.

    Public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for the District of New Mexico. With this new leadership team in place, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to vigorously enforcing the law, protecting our communities, and upholding the rights of all New Mexicans. The office will continue to collaborate closely with local, state, tribal, and federal partners to address violent crime, combat drug trafficking, and strengthen border security. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Previously Deported Mexican National Indicted For Illegally Possessing Firearm After Shots Fired From Vehicle

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging Hilario Diaz-Velazquez (32, Mexico) with illegal reentry after deportation and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. If convicted, Diaz-Velazquez faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison.

    According to court records, on March 30, 2025, the Palmetto Police Department responded to a call for service regarding shots fired on 14th Street in Palmetto. An officer from the Palmetto Police Department witnessed gunshots from a vehicle, and officers arrested the vehicle’s occupants. The occupants were arrested on state charges and two firearms were seized from the vehicle. One of the occupants was identified as Diaz-Velazquez. A review of Diaz-Velazquez’s immigration history showed that he was previously deported from the United States on November 26, 2012.

    This case is 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).

    An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.          

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Palmetto Police Department, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam W. McCall.

    MIL Security OSI –