NASA has selected two more university student teams to help address real-world aviation challenges, through projects aimed at using drones for hurricane relief and improved protection of air traffic systems from cyber threats. The research awards were made through NASA’s University Student Research Challenge (USRC), which provides student-led teams with opportunities to contribute their novel ideas to advance NASA’s Aeronautics research priorities. As part of USRC, students participate in real-world aspects of innovative aeronautics research both in and out of the laboratory. “USRC continues to be a way for students to push the boundary on exploring the possibilities of tomorrow’s aviation industry.” said Steven Holz, who manages the USRC award process. “For some, this is their first opportunity to engage with NASA. For others, they may be taking their ideas from our Gateways to Blue Skies competition and bringing them closer to reality.” In the case of one of the new awardees, North Carolina State University in Raleigh applied for their USRC award after refining a concept that made them a finalist in NASA’s 2024 Gateways to Blue Skies competition. Each team of students selected for a USRC award receives a NASA grant up to $80,000 and is tasked with raising additional funds through student-led crowdfunding. This process helps students develop skills in entrepreneurship and public communication. The new university teams and research topics are: North Carolina State University in Raleigh “Reconnaissance and Emergency Aircraft for Critical Hurricane Relief” will develop and deploy advanced Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) designed to locate, communicate with, and deliver critical supplies to stranded individuals in the wake of natural disasters. The team includes Tobias Hullette (team lead), Jose Vizcarrondo, Rishi Ghosh, Caleb Gobel, Lucas Nicol, Ajay Pandya, Paul Randolph, and Hadie Sabbah, with faculty mentor Felix Ewere. Texas A&M University, in College Station “Context-Aware Cybersecurity for UAS Traffic Management” will develop, test, and pursue the implementation of an aviation-context-aware network authentication system for the holistic management of cybersecurity threats to enable future drone traffic control systems. The team includes Vishwam Raval (team lead), Nick Truong, Oscar Leon, Kevin Lei, Garett Haynes, Michael Ades, Sarah Lee, and Aidan Spira, with faculty mentor Sandip Roy. Complete details on USRC awardees and solicitations, such as what to include in a proposal and how to submit it, are available on the NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate solicitation page.
NASA’s Perseverance rover captured this view of Deimos, the smaller of Mars’ two moons, shining in the sky at 4:27 a.m. local time on March 1, 2025, the 1,433rd Martian day, or sol, of the mission. In the dark before dawn, the rover’s left navigation camera used its maximum long-exposure time of 3.28 seconds for each of 16 individual shots, all of which were combined onboard the camera into a single image that was later sent to Earth. In total, the image represents an exposure time of about 52 seconds. The low light and long exposures add digital noise, making the image hazy. Many of the white specks seen in the sky are likely noise; some may be cosmic rays. Two of the brighter white specks are Regulus and Algieba, stars that are part of the constellation Leo. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
strong>FRANKFORT, Ky. – If you had a privately-owned road or bridge damaged or destroyed by the April severe storms, FEMA or the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) may provide financial assistance for replacement or repairs. FEMA Assistance FEMA may provide funds to repair privately-owned access roads and bridges that were damaged by the storms. To qualify, you must be the owner, and the home must serve as your primary residence. A FEMA inspection is needed to determine if repairs are necessary for a vehicle to access the property. In addition, you must meet the following conditions:
A FEMA inspection determines repairs are necessary to provide drivable access to the primary residence. The applicant is responsible, or shares responsibility with other homeowners, for maintaining the privately-owned access route to their primary residence. The privately-owned access route is the only access to the applicant’s primary residence, and repair or replacement is necessary for the safety of occupants, allowing access for emergency vehicles or equipment.
When multiple households share a privately-owned access route, assistance is shared among applicants, requiring additional coordination and documentation between FEMA and each applicant. Applicants may be eligible for funds to repair a private road or bridge damaged in the disaster, even if their primary residence did not sustain damage. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), FEMA’s federal partner in disaster recovery, may also be able to help. Homeowners who share private access roads and bridges with other homeowners may be eligible for SBA disaster loans. Agricultural property is not eligible, but a private access road to the farmer’s residence, the residence itself and personal contents may be eligible under disaster home loan criteria. Please contact your Kentucky Farm Service Agency (USDA Service Center Locator). For more information, call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. For more information about Kentucky flooding recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4860 and www.fema.gov/disaster/4864. Follow the FEMA Region 4 X account at x.com/femaregion4.
Headline: FEMA Fire Management Assistance Grant Approved for Greer Fire
FEMA Fire Management Assistance Grant Approved for Greer Fire
OAKLAND, Calif
– The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Region 9 Administrator authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of Arizona in combating the Greer Fire burning in Apache County
On May 14, the state of Arizona submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) declaration for the Greer Fire
At the time of the request, the fire was threatening approximately 2,934 homes in and around Greer, Southfork, Eagar, and Springerville, with a combined population of around 6,220
The fire was also threatening the Springerville-Eager Airport, Round Valley Hospital, 375 KV transmission lines to the west of Eager, and the Little Colorado River watershed
The fire started on May 13, and has burned more than 7,500 acres of federal, state, and private land
There are two other large fires burning uncontrolled within the state
FMAGs provide federal funding for up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs
The Disaster Relief Fund provides allowances for FMAGs through FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to become major incidents
Eligible costs covered by FMAGs can include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization, and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire
Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee approved the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act, which would ensure the families of retired law enforcement officers who were killed or disabled as a result of their service are not unjustly denied benefits. Senator McConnell introduced the bipartisan bill earlier this year with Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV). Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-IL) have also cosponsored the legislation. The legislation must now be approved by the full Senate.
The bill is named after Chief Herbert D. Proffitt, a Korean war veteran and law enforcement officer of 55 years who retired in 2009 as Chief of the Tompkinsville, Kentucky Police Department. On August 28, 2012, Chief Proffitt was tragically shot and killed in his driveway by an individual he had arrested a decade earlier. Although his murder was a direct retaliation for his service in uniform, his family was denied benefits under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program because he had retired from his more than a half-century of service.
The Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act would amend the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program eligibility criteria for retired law enforcement officers who have died or become permanently disabled due to a targeted attack directly resulting from their service, and retroactively apply the updated eligibility for claims starting on January 1, 2012.
“This week we observe National Police Week and remember law enforcement officers who have fallen in the line of duty and honor those across the country who courageously serve our communities,” said Senator McConnell. “The loss of Chief Herbert D. Proffitt is a tragic reminder of the risk that follows our finest every day of their lives. This legislation plugs an important hole, ensuring the Proffitt family – and others like them – are supported and assured that the service and sacrifice of their loved ones are never forgotten. On behalf of all Kentuckians, I’m grateful for our police officers and their steadfast dedication to keeping us safe. I also appreciate Chairman Grassley’s collaboration on this vital legislation.”
“On behalf of Chief Proffitt’s family and members of the Law Enforcement community, we appreciate Senator McConnell’s introduction of this important piece of legislation. This bill will include Line of Duty Death (LODD) benefits for retired members of Law Enforcements that have been murdered because of their prior Law Enforcement actions. Passage of the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act of 2025 will give some comfort to Chief Proffitt’s family while providing security to Law Enforcement families,” said Berl Perdue, Jr., President of the Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police.
“The Tompkinsville Police Department is grateful to Senator McConnell for his work to support and honor our law enforcement families. Thirteen years later, we still mourn the loss of Chief Herbert “Sprocket” Proffitt, a devoted father and leader in Tompkinsville who dedicated his life to keeping our community safe. We are proud to see his legacy honored today with this important legislation,” said Kerry L. Denton, Chief of Police, City of Tompkinsville.
The legislation is endorsed by the Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police, the Kentucky Narcotic Officers Association, the Kentucky Sheriffs’ Association, and the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police. The measure was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressmen Andy Barr (R-KY) and Dan Goldman (D-NY).
The international mission collects two-dimensional views of smaller waves and currents that are bringing into focus the ocean’s role in supporting life on Earth. Small things matter, at least when it comes to ocean features like waves and eddies. A recent NASA-led analysis using data from the SWOT (Surface Water and Ocean Topography) satellite found that ocean features as small as a mile across potentially have a larger impact on the movement of nutrients and heat in marine ecosystems than previously thought. Too small to see well with previous satellites but too large to see in their entirety with ship-based instruments, these relatively small ocean features fall into a category known as the submesoscale. The SWOT satellite, a joint effort between NASA and the French space agency CNES (Centre National d’Études Spatiales), can observe these features and is demonstrating just how important they are, driving much of the vertical transport of things like nutrients, carbon, energy, and heat within the ocean. They also influence the exchange of gases and energy between the ocean and atmosphere. “The role that submesoscale features play in ocean dynamics is what makes them important,” said Matthew Archer, an oceanographer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. Some of these features are called out in the animation below, which was created using SWOT sea surface height data.
[embedded content] This animation shows small ocean features — including internal waves and eddies — derived from SWOT observations in the Indian, Atlantic, and Pacific oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea. White and lighter blue represent higher ocean surface heights compared to darker blue areas. The purple colors shown in one location represent ocean current speeds.NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio
“Vertical currents move heat between the atmosphere and ocean, and in submesoscale eddies, can actually bring up heat from the deep ocean to the surface, warming the atmosphere,” added Archer, who is a coauthor on the submesoscale analysis published in April in the journal Nature. Vertical circulation can also bring up nutrients from the deep sea, supplying marine food webs in surface waters like a steady stream of food trucks supplying festivalgoers. “Not only can we see the surface of the ocean at 10 times the resolution of before, we can also infer how water and materials are moving at depth,” said Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer, SWOT program scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Fundamental Force Researchers have known about these smaller eddies, or circular currents, and waves for decades. From space, Apollo astronauts first spotted sunlight glinting off small-scale eddies about 50 years ago. And through the years, satellites have captured images of submesoscale ocean features, providing limited information such as their presence and size. Ship-based sensors or instruments dropped into the ocean have yielded a more detailed view of submesoscale features, but only for relatively small areas of the ocean and for short periods of time. The SWOT satellite measures the height of water on nearly all of Earth’s surface, including the ocean and freshwater bodies, at least once every 21 days. The satellite gives researchers a multidimensional view of water levels, which they can use to calculate, for instance, the slope of a wave or eddy. This in turn yields information on the amount of pressure, or force, being applied to the water in the feature. From there, researchers can figure out how fast a current is moving, what’s driving it and —combined with other types of information — how much energy, heat, or nutrients those currents are transporting. “Force is the fundamental quantity driving fluid motion,” said study coauthor Jinbo Wang, an oceanographer at Texas A&M University in College Station. Once that quantity is known, a researcher can better understand how the ocean interacts with the atmosphere, as well as how changes in one affect the other. Prime Numbers Not only was SWOT able to spot a submesoscale eddy in an offshoot of the Kuroshio Current — a major current in the western Pacific Ocean that flows past the southeast coast of Japan — but researchers were also able to estimate the speed of the vertical circulation within that eddy. When SWOT observed the feature, the vertical circulation was likely 20 to 45 feet (6 to 14 meters) per day. This is a comparatively small amount for vertical transport. However, the ability to make those calculations for eddies around the world, made possible by SWOT, will improve researchers’ understanding of how much energy, heat, and nutrients move between surface waters and the deep sea. Researchers can do similar calculations for such submesoscale features as an internal solitary wave — a wave driven by forces like the tide sloshing over an underwater plateau. The SWOT satellite spotted an internal wave in the Andaman Sea, located in the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean off Myanmar. Archer and colleagues calculated that the energy contained in that solitary wave was at least twice the amount of energy in a typical internal tide in that region. This kind of information from SWOT helps researchers refine their models of ocean circulation. A lot of ocean models were trained to show large features, like eddies hundreds of miles across, said Lee Fu, SWOT project scientist at JPL and a study coauthor. “Now they have to learn to model these smaller scale features. That’s what SWOT data is helping with.” Researchers have already started to incorporate SWOT ocean data into some models, including NASA’s ECCO (Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean). It may take some time until SWOT data is fully a part of models like ECCO. But once it is, the information will help researchers better understand how the ocean ecosystem will react to a changing world. More About SWOT The SWOT satellite was jointly developed by NASA and CNES, with contributions from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the UK Space Agency. Managed for NASA by Caltech in Pasadena, California, JPL leads the U.S. component of the project. For the flight system payload, NASA provided the Ka-band radar interferometer (KaRIn) instrument, a GPS science receiver, a laser retroreflector, a two-beam microwave radiometer, and NASA instrument operations. The Doppler Orbitography and Radioposition Integrated by Satellite system, the dual frequency Poseidon altimeter (developed by Thales Alenia Space), the KaRIn radio-frequency subsystem (together with Thales Alenia Space and with support from the UK Space Agency), the satellite platform, and ground operations were provided by CNES. The KaRIn high-power transmitter assembly was provided by CSA. To learn more about SWOT, visit: https://swot.jpl.nasa.gov News Media Contacts Jane J. Lee / Andrew WangJet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.626-491-1943 / 626-379-6874jane.j.lee@jpl.nasa.gov / andrew.wang@jpl.nasa.gov 2025-070
Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
WASHINGTON, May 15 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, alongside Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-Va.), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, today sent a letter to the Interim Agency Head of AmeriCorps calling for the immediate reversal of layoffs and grant terminations that have debilitated the agency’s core functions and run counter to its longstanding, bipartisan support in Congress.
“While a recent court order instituted a 14 day temporary restraining order on staff reductions at AmeriCorps, the damage of firing staff and eliminating $400 million in grants has already been felt across the country,” wrote Sanders, Murray, Baldwin, Scott and DeLauro. “The grant terminations and potential issues awarding fiscal year 2025 grant funding will have a catastrophic impact on the ability of AmeriCorps members to carry out work in communities all over the country — responding to natural disasters, serving as classroom teachers, providing tutoring services, and helping build housing in rural communities.”
Late last month, President Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE illegally terminated over a thousand AmeriCorps grants to states, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations across the country – totaling nearly $400 million, or roughly 41% of the agency’s grant funding. Grantees were not given statutorily required notices before these grants were terminated. The cuts are already seriously impacting communities where AmeriCorps projects were ongoing as well as their selfless members and volunteers.
Last year, nearly 200,000 AmeriCorps volunteers prepared today’s students for tomorrow’s jobs, connected veterans to services, fought the opioid epidemic, helped seniors live independently, rebuilt communities after disasters and led conservation efforts nationwide.
“We urge the swift reversal of the termination of NCCC members’ service terms so that they can get back to helping communities,” concluded the lawmakers. “These illegal grant terminations attempt to supersede congressional intent at the expense of communities in need of crucial services. More than 1,000 programs will be forced to close and over 32,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers will be released from their service terms early… Further, by laying off nearly the entire agency staff, AmeriCorps is violating the law.”
Read the full letter here.
Noctilucent or night-shining clouds are rare, high-altitude clouds that glow with a blue silvery hue at dusk or dawn when the sun shines on them from below the horizon. These ice clouds typically occur near the north and south poles but are increasingly being reported at mid- and low latitudes. Observing them helps scientists better understand how human activities may affect our atmosphere. Now, the Space Cloud Watch project is asking you to report your own observations of noctilucent clouds and upload your own photographs. Combined with satellite data and model simulations, your data can help us figure out why these noctilucent clouds are suddenly appearing at mid-low latitudes, where temperatures are usually too warm for them to form. “I find these clouds fascinating and can’t wait to see the amazing pictures,” said project lead Dr. Chihoko Cullens from the University of Colorado, Boulder Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics. Did you see or photograph any night-shining clouds? Upload them here. Later, the science team will transfer them to a site on the Zooniverse platform where you or other volunteers can help examine them and identify wave structures in the cloud images. If you love clouds, NASA has more citizen science projects for you. Try Cloudspotting on Mars, Cloudspotting on Mars: Shapes, or GLOBE Observer Clouds!
Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
Access to health care at risk for Vermonters as Republicans advance legislation that will gut the Affordable Care Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today urged Congressional Republicans to abandon their disastrous proposed budget plan which would limit Affordable Care Act (ACA) Premium Tax Credits. These credits help low- and moderate-income Vermonters access health coverage.
In 2024, nearly 27,000 Vermonters received ACA Premium Tax Credits to pay for plans provided through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Without Congressional action, these tax credits will expire on December 31, 2025, resulting in rate increases and pushing affordable health care out of reach for thousands of Vermonters.
“We need to do everything possible to remove barriers that prevent Vermonters from accessing affordable health coverage, but that’s the opposite of what Republicans have proposed in their disastrous budget blueprint. These Republican cuts would slash Medicaid and Affordable Care Act Premium Tax Credits, making it incredibly challenging to access affordable health care and devastating our state’s already strained health care system,” said Senator Welch. “We should be extending these tax credits—not getting rid of them them.”
This week, the Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) of Vermont received the 2026 individual and small group health insurance premium rate filings from BlueCross and BlueShield of Vermont and MVP Health Plan. The average rate increases being requested can be found here.
Final decisions are expected to be issued in August.
Vermonters are encouraged to attend GMCB’s Public Comment Forum on Thursday, July 24, to share their perspectives on how these cuts would impact their ability to access health care. Additional information on these events will be posted to the GMCB website.
Senator Welch has championed bipartisan initiatives to protect Medicaid and lower prescription drug prices for Vermonters. Today, he joined Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Vt.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) and Protect Our Care for an event slamming House Republicans for advancing a budget that will hike health care costs, close rural hospitals, and threaten access to care for millions of seniors, children, and people living with disabilities.
Earlier this week, Senator Welch joined Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) for a press conference condemning the Republican budget and cuts to Medicaid.
Additionally, Republicans are raising premiums and out-of-pocket costs for tens of millions of people who buy coverage on their own.
Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Todd Young (R-IN), and Representatives Haley Stevens (D-MI-11) and French Hill (R-AR-02) led a group of Senate and House colleagues in a bicameral, bipartisan resolution celebrating the release of Israeli-American Edan Alexander, demanding that Hamas release all remaining 58 hostages, and calling on the White House to take all possible steps to make this a reality. This resolution is co-sponsored by Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Susan Collins (R-ME), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Andy Kim (D-NJ), and Chris Coons (D-DE).
“The remaining Israeli hostages have been inhumanely held by Hamas for almost 600 days,” said Senator Rosen. “While I’m overjoyed about Edan’s release, we cannot stop pushing until Hamas releases every single remaining hostage. I’m introducing this bipartisan, bicameral resolution to show that we are united and urge the White House to continue its leadership on this issue.”
“As part of its terrorist attacks on Israel, Hamas took innocent Americans and Israelis hostage. Since that day, we have grieved the lives of those murdered in captivity by Hamas, gladly welcomed home those who have been freed, and continued to demand the safe release of the remaining hostages,” said Senator Young. “I’m glad to join this bipartisan resolution that reaffirms the United States will not give up until all hostages are free.”
“I am relieved and grateful that after 583 days in captivity, my constituent Edan Alexander was finally able to come home to his family,” said Senator Booker. “Hamas must immediately release every other remaining hostage, living or dead, so families can be reunited with their loved ones or finally lay to rest those they have lost. I remain committed to working with my colleagues in Congress to end this war, bring the hostages home, get humanitarian aid to innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza, and start the work of achieving a lasting peace in the region that ensures the security, freedom, and prosperity of Israelis and Palestinians through a two-state solution.”
“The release of Israeli hostages such as Abigail Edan and Edan Alexander is a great relief, but we must not forget the many innocent people still held captive by Hamas,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan resolution reaffirms the Senate’s demand for the immediate release of all remaining hostages. We stand with our ally Israel and the families of those still being held, and we will continue pressing for the safe return of every hostage.”
“Every day that hostages stay in captivity, and that families are denied closure, is a day too long,” said Leader Schumer. “Since October 7th, I have fought for the safe and timely return of all hostages brutally kidnapped by Hamas,” said Leader Schumer. “Now, we are nearly at Day 600 of this vicious captivity. But for the families of the hostages—including those of American hostages Omer Neutra, Itay Chen, Judi Weinstein and Gad Haggai– it has felt like nothing short of an eternity. We cannot stop the fight. We cannot abandon these precious souls. President Trump, the administration, and all parties at the table must use this momentum, do all they can, and finally, finally negotiate a deal to bring all hostages home.”
“For over a year and half, Hamas has forced their hostages to live in horrific, unspeakable conditions, without medical care or sufficient food, leaving their families scared and wondering if they will ever see their loved ones again. While we are thrilled with the recent release of Edan Alexander, Hamas’ terror continues on for the remaining hostages and throughout the world,” said Rep. Haley Stevens, Co-Chair of the Congressional Hostage Task Force. “I’m honored to be leading this resolution with a strong group of bipartisan legislators from both chambers, and look forward to once again passing this resolution with unanimous support.”
“Hamas’s brutal, premeditated attack on Israel and its ongoing captivity of innocent civilians must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. This bipartisan, bicameral resolution reflects our unwavering commitment to securing the freedom of all hostages, standing with their families, and honoring the victims of Hamas’s atrocities,” said Rep. French Hill, Co-Chair of the Congressional Hostage Task Force. “As Co-Chair of the Hostage Task Force, I am proud to co-lead this effort and stand alongside my colleagues in the House and Senate in sending a clear and united message: America will never relent in the pursuit of justice and accountability for those who harm our citizens.”
The full text of the resolution can be found HERE.
Senator Rosen has been a leader in the fight to support Israel and ensure the remaining hostages are freed by Hamas. Following the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel, Senator Rosen traveled to Israel as part of a bipartisan Congressional delegation and met with the families of the innocent people who were taken hostage. Since then, she has repeatedly called on Hamas to release the hostages. Senator Rosen also sent a bipartisan letter calling on President Biden to leverage the U.S. relationship with Qatar to secure the immediate release of the remaining hostages held in Gaza by Hamas.
Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement after joining Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the NATO Informal Foreign Ministers Meeting in Antalya, Turkey.
“I was pleased to join Secretary of State Rubio and his team at the side events for an informal meeting of the NATO foreign ministers. Secretary Rubio and his team did a masterful job expressing President Trump’s foreign policy goals that seek to bring about unity with our NATO allies on several major fronts.
“Turkey was an excellent host and is an invaluable ally that is helping to bring stability to the region, particularly with Syria.
“These are my takeaways from the meeting.”
On Syria:
“President Trump’s groundbreaking meeting with President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria has created a tremendous opportunity to change the trajectory of Syria for the better.
“President Trump has decided to waive sanctions on Syria, which could provide much-needed economic and humanitarian relief to a suffering population. I will be working closely with President Trump, Secretary Rubio and their teams to follow up on sanctions relief, and hopefully eventually rescinding Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism under U.S. law.
“I am clear-eyed about the challenges that lie ahead. They include Israel’s legitimate security concerns, the integration of minority groups, like the Kurds, into a cohesive Syria, and a continued commitment to fight ISIS and other radical groups.
“Today, I met with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. I found his and President al-Sharaa’s statements encouraging.
“A new Syria that rejects radicalism and is willing to live in the region as a peaceful, productive partner aligned with the United States would truly be a gamechanger. I sense that history is in the making in all the right ways, however time will tell.”
On Russia:
“President Trump has earnestly sought to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine, and I share that desire. However, to achieve that goal, you must have willing partners. Ukraine has agreed to a ceasefire. Ukraine’s President came to Turkey – as suggested by President Trump – to talk peace with Putin. Putin, on the other hand, has decided not to attend and instead sent a low-level delegation to continue the same old storyline. I consider this decision inconsistent with wanting peace and an affront to those trying to make peace.
“I expect a very strong bipartisan statement of disappointment regarding Russia’s decision in Istanbul.
“Putin’s Russia is playing games and this needs to stop. I have over 70 cosponsors for sanctions against Russia if they continue the course they are on. This legislation also puts tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil, gas and other products. When it comes to Russia’s games, enough is enough.”
On China:
“China is one of the biggest purchasers of Russian oil and gas. They are propping up Putin’s war machine.
“President Trump wants to reset our relationship with China and I agree. However, the world needs to understand that without China buying cheap Russian oil, Putin’s war machine would come to a grinding halt. To all those who buy cheap Russian oil and gas, the days where you do so with impunity are quickly coming to an end.
“It is now time for the U.S. Senate to move strongly because Putin is giving us no other choice.”
Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) joined U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) and U.S. Representatives Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-California-25) and John Joyce, M.D. (R-Pennsylvania-13) to introduce the Physician and Patient Safety Act, legislation that would restore due process rights for physicians.
Federal law has not been updated to reflect changes in the medical industry, and due process rights are not guaranteed to physicians who are contracted but not directly employed by hospitals. This bill would address this oversight and ensure due process rights for physicians who are employed by third-party contractors or physician staffing companies. By keeping integrity front and center, this legislation ensures physicians are able to uphold their commitment to practice medicine ethically and put their patients’ health first.
“Due process rights allow physicians to confidently advocate for their patients without the concern of facing termination,” said Senator Marshall. “Over time, these protections have gradually diminished across various departments, posing risks to patient safety. The Physician and Patient Safety Act aims to address this issue by closing loopholes and enabling all physicians to uphold the integrity of the health care system.”
“The evidence is clear – when private equity comes into health care, quality of care goes down,” said Senator Warren. “Doctors shouldn’t have to worry that sounding the alarm on patient safety will cost them their jobs. Doctors take an oath to protect patients, not corporate profits. We need to shield them from corporate greed so that they can provide the best care possible and keep patients safe.”
Congressmen Ruiz and Joyce introduced the House companion bill.
“As an emergency medicine physician, I’ve always made the safety and well-being of our communities my top priority,” said Congressman Ruiz. “That same dedication drives my work in Congress, where I’m committed to bipartisan, commonsense solutions. That’s why I introduced the Physician and Patient Safety Act—because no doctor should ever have to choose between doing what’s right for their patients and keeping their job. By extending due process protections to all physicians, this bill safeguards the integrity of our health care system and ensures that doctors can focus on what matters most: delivering high-quality, compassionate care to every patient they serve.”
“American physicians should not face losing their jobs just for advocating on their patients’ behalf,” said Congressman Joyce, M.D. “The Physician and Patient Safety Act will alleviate this issue by providing all physicians with the same due process rights. This legislation will ensure that all physicians can uphold their oath to ‘First do no harm’ without the threat of losing their jobs, protecting patients and physicians alike.”
The Physician and Patient Safety Act is supported by the American Academy of Emergency Medicine, The Kansas Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, the American College of Emergency Physicians, the American College of Surgeons, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, and Free2Care.
“The American Academy of Emergency Medicine is proud to support Senators Marshall and Warren and Representatives Ruiz and Joyce in their introduction of legislation to ensure emergency physicians and all physicians have medical staff due process rights,” said Robert Frolichstein, MD FAAEM FCCM, President of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine. “There is no greater policy imperative for patient safety and quality care than enacting this due process legislation, which is a driving force of our organization’s mission statement.”
“The Kansas Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians strongly supports the Physician and Patient Safety Act,” said Howard Chang, MD, Immediate Past President, Kansas Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians. “Physicians cannot care for patients without a guarantee of due process. Emergency physicians serve on the front lines of our health care system, often working under intense pressure and making critical decisions that directly affect patient lives. It is essential that they be able to advocate for patient safety, raise concerns about clinical operations, and exercise their professional judgment without fear of unjust or abrupt termination. The absence of due process protections puts both physicians and patients at risk—undermining trust, morale, and the overall quality of care.”
“Growing threats to physician autonomy are one of the most significant stressors facing emergency physicians today, and a lack of due process protections is a significant part of the problem,” said Alison J. Haddock, MD, FACEP, President of ACEP. “These essential protections ensure fairness and allow emergency physicians to fully advocate for our patients without fear of retaliation or termination. The bipartisan ‘Physician and Patient Safety Act’ is an essential, commonsense effort that guarantees due process and ensures that emergency physicians have the same rights on the job as other physicians in the hospital. ACEP thanks Senators Marshall and Warren and Representatives Ruiz and Joyce for their continued leadership on this critical legislation.”
The full text of the legislation can be found HERE.
Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
Washington – As the summer travel season approaches, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) today released the following statement to remind Kansans of the services his office offers to ensure individuals and families have safe and flawless travel experiences.
“As Kansans prepare for summer vacations or work trips abroad, it is important they take the necessary steps to ensure they have the proper documents and know how to connect with the State Department in case of an emergency,” said Senator Marshall. “My office stands ready to help anyone who needs additional assistance with a passport or other travel-related documents.”
Click HERE to request assistance from the Senator’s staff for passports, U.S. State Department documents, or other assistance with a federal agency. Since coming to office in 2017, the Senator’s office has assisted more than 760 Kansans obtain their passports for upcoming travel.
The U.S. State Department offers the following tips:
Make sure your passport is ready for travel. Many countries require at least six months’ validity remaining in order to enter. Check your expiration date before you book.
Visit travel.state.gov/destination to look up the State Department’s guidance for your destination, including local laws, passport validity requirements, the Travel Advisory level, and details about specific risks to U.S. citizens.
Sign up for the State Department’s free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at step.state.gov to receive messages from the U.S. embassy, including alerts about any safety or security issues that arise while you’re traveling.
All Americans – whether flying domestically or internationally – must also have a Real ID. Kansans can click HERE to learn more about a Kansas-issued Real ID.
Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and 79 bipartisan senators welcomed the Senate’s unanimous passage of their resolution designating May 11 through 17 as National Police Week. The National Police Week resolution reiterates the Senate’s unwavering support for law enforcement officers across the United States.
“Every day, law enforcement officers encounter the most dangerous elements of society,”said Senator Scott. “Their dedication to the safety of their communities often comes at great personal sacrifice. We must be unwavering in our support of those who wear the badge.”
“Law enforcement officers in Iowa and across the nation work tirelessly to protect and serve our communities. This week, and every week, we should give our thanks to the brave men and women in blue, who have sacrificed so much to ensure our safety,” Senator Grassley said. “As always, I’m proud to back the blue and will continue my efforts in Congress to protect and support our courageous officers.”
“Every day, our country’s law enforcement officers put their lives at risk to keep us safe. Officers and their families make great sacrifices in the name of service, including the tragic cases of those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. We’re grateful for their heroism, and we must make sure that officers serving with dignity and integrity have the support and resources they need to do their jobs,” Senator Durbin said.
Grassley and Durbin are joined by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Christopher Coons (D-Del.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Thomas Tillis (R-N.C.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Margaret Hassan (D-N.H.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.).
Read the full resolution HERE.
Background:
Every year, for more than six decades, Congress has passed a resolution in honor of law enforcement officers. During National Police Week, Americans pay special tribute to the service and sacrifice of courageous officers and their families, especially our nation’s fallen heroes.
Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
Under-The-Radar Section Of Trump’s New Bill With Tax Breaks For Billionaires & Corporations, Being Rushed By House Republicans Right Now, Includes Section To Claw Back Funding From Grant Program That Provided Whopping $100+ Million To Buffalo’s Bailey Avenue To Overhaul One Of Cities Busiest Bus Routes, Improve Safety, Reduce Traffic, And Build New More Walkable, Bikeable Streets
Senator Says Funding, Which Comes From Inflation Reduction Act He Championed, Was Set To Be Game Changer For Buffalo, But Now Trump Wants To Rip That All Away To Pay For His Tax Cuts For Billionaires, And Schumer Is Demanding Western NY House Republicans Block This Bill From Advancing
Schumer: Trump Wants His Billionaire Tax Breaks Paid For With Money For Worthy Projects Like Buffalo’s Bailey Avenue Overhaul? Hell No! Every Western NY Republican Should Demand This Be Reversed Now
As House Republicans rush to try to pass Trump’s devastating plan to give tax breaks to billionaires and corporations while slashing programs like Medicaid & SNAP, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today revealed that tucked away in an under-the-radar provision in the transportation section of the bill is a proposal to claw back grants from the Neighborhood Access and Equity program, which would include the $100+ million award for Buffalo’s Bailey Avenue transformation project. Schumer said this is outrageous and is demanding Western NY House Republicans join him and stand up to Trump and block this plan from going forward.
“If Trump and House Republicans thought they could quietly rip away over $100 million in funding for Buffalo’s transportation, they are in for a rude awakening. This project creates jobs, increases traffic flow and safety and boosts the local economy; it makes zero sense to defund it. Right now, Trump and House Republicans want their tax breaks for billionaires & corporations paid for by stealing money out of Buffalo’s pockets meant to fix Bailey Avenue. I say hell no, and everyone in Western NY should be outraged at this backwards proposal,” said Senator Schumer. “Bailey Avenue is the spine of the East Side and one of Buffalo’s busiest corridors. Everyone in Buffalo knows how badly it needs to be upgraded to improve safety and fix traffic. Instead of trying to bring back Bailey Avenue, House Republicans are proposing to throw up a giant and unwelcome roadblock. The community was thrilled and I was so proud to deliver this funding for Buffalo last year, and now House Republicans are pulling the rug out from Western NY.”
Schumer added, “Trump would rather billionaires get more money in their bank account than safer streets in Buffalo. We need Western NY’s House Republicans to join us and stand up and block this plan to claw back these grants is reversed. Billionaire tax breaks should not be paid for on the backs of Buffalonians.”
“Bailey Avenue is one of Buffalo’s busiest main roads, spanning the length of the city from north to south, and it is in dire need of improvement,” said Congressman Kennedy. “During my time in the New York State Senate, I secured $3 million to fund the planning process for Bailey Bus Rapid Transit, and that helped unlock more than $100 million in federal funds. I refuse to stand by idly and watch this transformational investment be ripped away from our community to pay for tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. This money was rightfully awarded, and we will hold the administration to account.”
“This funding matters beyond just a bus line. This project is not just about convenience, but it’s about ensuring that everyone, regardless of income or background, has fair access to the jobs, education, healthcare, and resources that transit can unlock. This project amplifies the voice of the community to bring to the forefront the development needs of the surrounding neighborhood. This project is paramount in fostering inclusive growth and community well-being on the East Side. We thank Senator Schumer for his unprecedented efforts and commitment to the East Side. Enough is enough,” said Essence Sweat, Executive Director, East Buffalo Development Corp.
Earlier this month, the House Republican-led Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed their section of the tax plan, which included repealing billions for projects through the Neighborhood Access and Equity program created in the historic Inflation Reduction Act Schumer led to passage in the Senate. If this bill were to pass as written, it would claw back nearly the entire grant for Buffalo, imperiling the future of the project which was expecting this substantial federal investment that Buffalo competed for and was awarded.
Last year, Schumer delivered over $100 million in federal funding through this program to modernize Bailey Avenue with new safer streets for all commuters, increasing walkability and bike ability, while also improving traffic flow along the corridor by establishing a new low-no emission Bus Rapid Transit line with dedicated bus lanes.
The Bailey Avenue Bus Rapid Transit project is intended to help overhaul one of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority’s (NFTA) busiest bus routes, with new modern safer streets and better transportation infrastructure to help reconnect communities and businesses along the corridor. Bailey Avenue has some of the NFTA’s strongest ridership with 2,600+ riders every weekday, but it is in desperate need of upgrades to its bus stop infrastructure, road striping, pedestrian crosswalks and road safety features. According to an NFTA study, in the past 5 years on Bailey Avenue there have been over 2,500 collisions. While the community has long expressed a strong desire for increased affordable transportation along Bailey Avenue, without robust federal funding the project likely could not have happened.
The $100+ million grant that House Republicans put on the chopping block would support the design and construction of a Bus Rapid Transit line and fund the safety improvements along the entire 7.5 mile length of Bailey Avenue from Main Street to South Park. This funding will help to improve and modernize bus service on Bailey Avenue to include features such as dedicated bus lanes, transit signal priority, increased pedestrian and bike safety features, as well as an estimated thirteen stations to provide more comfortable waiting areas to transit riders and facilitate connections to east-west bus routes and other transportation modes.
Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo
Washington, D.C.–The U.S. Senate Finance Committee today advanced the nominations of James O’Neill to be Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by a vote of 14-13 and Gary Andres to be an Assistant Secretary of HHS by a vote of 19-8. Following the vote, Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) issued the statement below:
“Each of the nominees advanced by the Committee today will bring vital experience to HHS. Having previously served at HHS, Mr. O’Neill understands the multifaceted nature of the Department and can effectively navigate ways to make our health care system more proactive. As a veteran of Capitol Hill, Mr. Andres understands how to implement a successful legislative agenda and will be a valuable asset as we seek input on legislation and updates on departmental actions. I look forward to working with each of them once confirmed by the full Senate.”
Executive session information can be found here.
Read Chairman Crapo’s full statement at the nomination hearing here, and his statement at the executive session here.
Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo
Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) delivered the following remarks at an executive session to consider the nominations of James O’Neill to be Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Gary Andres to be an Assistant Secretary of HHS.
As prepared for delivery:
“We meet today to consider favorably reporting the nominations of Jim O’Neill, who is nominated to serve as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and Gary Andres, who is nominated to serve as the Assistant Secretary for Legislation at HHS.
“The meeting this morning will provide members with the opportunity to make remarks on the nominees. We will notify members of a time and location later today to conduct the vote.
“During his hearing, Mr. O’Neill discussed his plan to work closely with Secretary Kennedy to improve America’s health care system. Given his previous service at the Department and depth of management experience in the private sector, he is uniquely qualified to enact positive change at HHS. If confirmed as Deputy Secretary, Mr. O’Neill will have the opportunity to implement reforms in each division of the Department.
“As a veteran of Capitol Hill, Mr. Andres knows how to implement a successful legislative agenda and will be a valuable partner to Congress at HHS. I was also encouraged to hear Mr. Andres’ commitment to prioritizing timeliness in responding to questions from members.
“I will be voting in favor of both nominations and I encourage all of my colleagues on the Committee to do the same.”
For years, Scott Flanagan has cared for patients recovering from stroke helping them regain movement, confidence, and independence as a dedicated physical therapist at UConn John Dempsey Hospital. In 2023, he took his passion for stroke recovery a step further and joined UConn Health’s multidisciplinary Stroke Committee, working to enhance education and care for patients facing the life-altering effects of stroke.
He never imagined he would become one of them.
“I’ve worked with stroke patients for a long time, so I thought I had a good understanding,” Flanagan said. “But nothing prepares you for waking up one morning and suddenly not being able to see straight.”
It was a morning in August when Scott, who lives in Springfield, Massachusetts, bent over to pick up his phone and noticed something was wrong.
“I was seeing double. My right eye couldn’t move. I just knew something wasn’t right,” he recalled.
His symptoms were unusual but serious: his right eye was paralyzed, and he experienced persistent double vision.
Despite being in good health, having recently come off blood pressure and diabetes medications after improving his numbers through diet and exercise, Flanagan trusted his instincts.
Flanagan asked his son to drive him directly to UConn John Dempsey Hospital bypassing closer hospitals because he knew where he’d get the best care.
“I trusted the team here,” he said. “I’ve seen what they do, and I knew I’d be in good hands.”
In the Emergency Department (ED), a stroke alert was immediately activated. Neurologist, Dr. Gracia Mui and the ED team quickly assessed his symptoms, and imaging confirmed a small ischemic stroke caused by a blocked artery reducing blood flow to part of the brain.
Flanagan received TPA (tissue plasminogen activator), a medication used to dissolve clots and restore blood flow. Over the next few weeks, the treatment gradually began to reverse his symptoms.
He was referred to UConn Health’s neuro-ophthalmologist, Dr. Carolyne A. Riehle, who played a key role in his rehabilitation and adaptation by guiding him through therapy and the use of visual aids. Since more than 66% of all strokes result in vision loss, neuro-optometric rehabilitation therapy—also known as vision therapy—helps retrain the brain and eyes to work together through targeted visual exercises.
Flanagan also followed up with Dr. Priya Narwal, a board-certified vascular neurologist who leads UConn health’s stroke program. ” While acute stroke management in the hospital focuses on emergent treatment using medication and/or invasive procedures to optimize functional outcome, outpatient stroke care focuses on identifying and managing stroke risk factors which includes both medical conditions and lifestyle habits, ensuring that patients are on the right medications for stroke prevention and if any barriers exist to access appropriate medical resources ,or social / emotional support, those can be swiftly identified and addressed,” explained Narwal.
Today, Scott is fully recovered—with no lasting deficits.
“I had a really good outcome,” he said. “But I know that’s because I got to the right place, fast.”
UConn Health’s stroke care team is nationally recognized, earning the American Heart Association’s “Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke” Gold Award for seven consecutive years. The hospital’s Joint Commission certification ensures the highest standards for stroke treatment, rehabilitation, and education.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted—either by a clot (ischemic stroke) or by bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). Without oxygen-rich blood, brain cells begin to die within minutes.
Strokes are one of the leading causes of disability and the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the American Stroke Association.
Know the Signs: BE FAST
Time is critical when someone is having a stroke. The acronym BE FAST is a simple way to remember the warning signs:
Balance – Sudden loss of balance or coordination
Eyes – Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Face – Facial drooping on one side
Arms – Arm weakness or numbness, especially on one side
Speech – Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
Time – Time to call 9-1-1 immediately
Other symptoms to watch for include:
Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg—especially on one side
Confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding speech
Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance
Severe headache with no known cause
If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms—call 911 immediately.
While some risk factors are out of your control—like age, family history, or previous stroke—many can be managed through lifestyle changes and medication:
Control high blood pressure and cholesterol
Manage diabetes
Avoid smoking
Exercise regularly
Eat a healthy diet
Limit alcohol use
Even healthy people like Scott, who had been eating well, exercising, and reducing his medications, can be affected. That’s why awareness and quick action are so critical.
Now back at work and feeling well, Scott remains on the stroke committee, more motivated than ever.
“I joined the stroke committee because I wanted to help educated stroke patients,” he said. “But now I am even more passionate because I can speak not just as a clinician, but as someone who’s lived it.”
His message this Stroke Awareness Month is simple but urgent: Know the signs. Trust your gut. Act fast. And get to the right place for care.
Nineteen Senior Doctor Academy graduates in the Class of 2025 on May 14 received their honorary white coats and diplomas from the Health Career Opportunity Programs (HCOP) at UConn Health.
The event’s keynote speaker was City of Hartford’s Ebony Jackson-Shaheed, MPH, director of Health & Human Services (Photo by John Atashian).
At this year’s Academic Year Closing and Annual Recognition Ceremony the keynote speaker was City of Hartford’s Ebony Jackson-Shaheed, MPH, director of Health & Human Services.
Also, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving generously presented a grant of $15,000 in support of the HCOP programs.
The Doctors Academy is part of the highly successful Health Career Opportunity Programs (HCOP) founded over two decades ago by physician-scientist Dr. Marja Hurley, where middle school and high school students of all backgrounds receive in-depth education in the health sciences and career path mentorship on Saturdays and in the summer. The Doctors Academy is one of 14 Health Career Opportunity Programs that are part of the Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative (HPPI).
Senior Doctors Academy graduates accepted their diplomas from keynote speaker the City of Hartford’s Ebony Jackson-Shaheed, MPH and Dr. Marja Hurley (Photo by John Atashian).
Meet the Doctors Academy Graduates
“I am looking forward to pursuing a career in genetics and surgery,” says Class of 2025 Doctors Academy graduate Javel Stewart, 18, of Hartford who has been part of HCOP since the 8th grade.
“The idea of being able to help people fight illness and disease inspired me to enter medicine. I became interested in HCOP’s great explorations program after a school guidance counselor recommended it to me as she knew I was interested in medicine,” recalls Stewart.
Javel Stewart is headed to UConn this fall. She graduated from the Senior Doctors Academy of HCOP on May 14.
“My favorite part of HCOP was being able to meet and connect with like-minded peers.”
After graduating from Classical Magnet School this spring, Stewart looks forward to attending UConn.
“I am very excited to go to UConn this fall, and I’m looking forward to all the new knowledge I will gain,” Stewart exclaims.
(Photo by John Atashian).
Stewart is the winner of a large Hartford Promise Scholarship, also the newly established UConn Freedman Award established by UConn Health Board of Director Joel Freedman, and the Friends of the Department of Health Career Opportunity Programs – Boake L. Plessy, Ph.D., Scholarship.
“I am very excited to have received scholarships to UConn in addition to the Hartford Promise Scholarship,” she happily shares.
(Photo by John Atashian).
And Stewart’s words of wisdom for other young people wishing to follow in her footsteps to also pursue future careers in medicine: “Some advice to the CT youth is to never give up. You might not see the results right away, but trust the process. Keep asking questions, keep showing up for yourself, and don’t be afraid to aim high.”
“One of the most meaningful communities I’m a part of is the Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP),” heartwarmingly shared Class of 2025 Doctors Academy graduate Jeneika Lugg, 18, of Hartford who is originally from Jamaica.
Jeneika Lugg is UConn Hartford bound. She graduated from HCOP’s Senior Doctors Academy on May 14, 2025.
Now a senior at Achievement First Hartford Academy, she joined the Doctors Academy back in the 9th grade. “This community is especially meaningful to me because it feels like a family. It is a welcoming environment where no one feels excluded, and everyone is respected for who they are.”
Lugg will be attending UConn Hartford in the fall. She is enrolled in the special Verto Huskies Pathway, a program that provides high achieving students the opportunity to study abroad with Verto Education, and then seamlessly transfer to UConn for the remainder of their college experience.
“This fall I’m very excited to go to UConn and I’m happy to be given the opportunity to go study abroad for my first semester in Spain through Verto Education. This is very exciting for me since I’m being introduced to a new culture, language, food, and people,” says Lugg.
HCOP program graduates of the Senior Doctors Academy (Photo by John Atashian).
At UConn, Lugg hopes to study biological sciences or areas of neuroscience, and also explore her longtime interest in art.
Lugg is also an excited recipient of the large Hartford Promise Scholarship, as well as a Jacob L. and Lewis Fox Scholarship.
“I was awarded the Hartford Promise Scholarship and Fox Scholarship. I was excited for this because it allowed a better affordability for school,” says very thankful Lugg.
Lugg also applauds the HCOP program for her great educational experience.
Senior Doctors Academy graduates (Photo by John Atashian).
“When I first heard about HCOP, I was eager to join, especially with my interest in the medical field. The program has not only expanded my academic knowledge but also provided a deeper understanding of medicine in the real world. It has equipped me with valuable skills in public speaking, research, and medical practices, while offering opportunities to learn from doctors and their personal journeys,” says Lugg.
She added, “What I love most about this program is how it consistently encourages us to pursue our dreams. The staff fosters an open-minded approach, urging us to reach for the stars and beyond. They are like a supportive family, cheering for our growth and success, always wanting the best for us. The students, too, contribute to this sense of community, as we all share similar goals and support one another, making it feel more like a team than a competition.”
Lugg’s advice to other Connecticut youth like her: “Keep striving, keep pushing and know that no dream is too big to not reach. It might seem a lot or impossible but in the end you will be amazed by the great results and accomplishments.”
Class of 2025 Graduates of the Senior Doctors Academy celebrating at HCOP’s annual Closing Ceremony (Photo by John Atashian).
Like Stewart and Lugg all the successful Senior Doctors Academy graduates in the Class of 2025 are following in the footsteps of hundreds and hundreds of successful HCOP graduates.
Dr. Marja Hurley and her very dedicated HCOP team are very proud of all the graduating students and share a special thank you to the parents who get the students up on Saturdays to get to the program.
“I am so proud of this year’s graduating class, and thankful for all the support of their parents. We also are especially grateful of the Hartford Foundation, the City of Hartford, and for all the generous scholarships bestowed on our amazing students this year,” says Hurley. “Congratulations to all our talented students.”
Dr. Marja Hurley sharing her congratulations with the students and parents attending HCOP’s annual Closing Ceremony on May 14, 2025 (Photo by John Atashian).
UConn School of Medicine Dean Dr. Bruce T. Liang shared during the event, “A special thanks to the amazing leadership of Dr. Marja Hurley, along with her talented HCOP team, for making the Doctors Academy and all the successful HCOP Programs of the Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative possible. Your hard work is keeping these programs thriving to new heights and always inspiring the next generation of youth and future doctors.”
(Photo by John Atashian).
Liang added, “I wanted to share a heartwarming congratulations with all our graduates, and with your supportive families. We are all so proud of your inspiring academic success, and tireless commitment and determination that you have demonstrated. Whether you are dreaming of becoming a future physician, dentist, or scientist — you are well on your way! And UConn is so grateful to be part of your journey! Make sure to come back and join our health care workforce.”
Congratulations to the Class of 2025 graduates of the Great Explorations, Jumpstart, and Junior and Senior Doctors Academy!
(Photo by John Atashian).
Other scholarship recipients this year of the John & Valerie Rowe Scholarship are Senior Doctors Academy graduates Valeria Buzzigoli and Anousha Hashim.
Also, Friends of the Department of Health Career Opportunity Programs – Boake L. Plessy, Ph.D., Scholarship recipients include Maham Chaudhary, Alec-Raive Gordon, and Javel Stewart.
The Class of 2025 Senior Doctors Academy graduated 19 Connecticut high school students at its Closing Ceremony on the evening of May 14, 2025. Graduates are pictured here with keynote speaker Ebony Jackson-Shaheed, MPH and Dr. Marja Hurley (Photo by John Atashian).
The Class of 2025 Senior Doctors Academy graduates include:
Two UConn Health emergency medicine physicians are back from a medical mission in central Myanmar, which was devastated by a magnitude 7.7 earthquake March 28.
Drs. Rob Fuller and Caroline Lloyd are back at UConn Health after being part of the International Medical Corps response to an earthquake that devastated Myanmar March 2025. (Photo by Chris DeFrancesco)
The earthquake and aftershocks are blamed for more than 3,700 dead and 5,000 injured, compounding the humanitarian crisis in a country already dealing with political unrest and an overwhelmed health care system.
“Suffice it to say that the external reporting is a 10x underestimate of the actual impact and fatalities,” Dr. Rob Fuller reported from the capital, Nay Pyi Taw, more than 150 miles from the epicenter. “There is much political difficulty in entering and moving here.”
Fuller, who is UConn Health’s chair of emergency medicine, and Dr. Caroline Lloyd, in her second year in UConn’s International Disaster Emergency Medicine Fellowship, were part of an International Medical Corps response team. The IMC’s response got off to a slow start, largely due to a reluctance by the Myanmar government to embrace assistance from foreign organizations.
“There had been a smaller team from IMC trying for several weeks to open the door to allow us to come in and form those relationships, and assure the government we weren’t going to do anything they didn’t want us do to,” Lloyd says.
Myanmar is located in Southeast Asia’s Indochinese Peninsula.
“[IMC] flew into Bangkok right after the earthquake, and it took days to get permission to enter the country,” Fuller says. “Then after they got into the country, they tried to get the ear of the minister of health to say, ‘We’re an aid-providing organization and we’d like to collaborate with your responders,’ and it took a long time to get those OKs. And then the minister of security and the minister of foreign affairs had to approve. By the time all those barriers were out of the way, we were one of only two foreign non-government organizations allowed in to provide some health care.”
Lloyd and Fuller didn’t arrive until April 19, and by then the mission was to run a tent clinic in place of a key piece of health care infrastructure in Nay Pyi Taw that was lost to the quake.
“We were working at the site of a destroyed 300-bed hospital,” Fuller says. “We were seeing about 100 patients per day. The patients were seeking care for acute and chronic conditions as well as injuries related to the earthquake.”
Dr. Rob Fuller, UConn Health’s chair of emergency medicine, helps staff a tent clinic that replaced an earthquake-damaged hospital in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. (International Medical Corps photo)
“It was primarily handling outpatient care that they normally would have handled, with a smattering of patients sometimes popping in due to displacement or injuries that happened during the earthquake,” Lloyd says. “Every once in a while you’d get someone displaced by the additional conflict going on within the country, who had recently gotten out of that area and into this more-controlled governmental area. But overall, it was primarily outpatient. Lots of aches and pains.”
Lloyd served as a medical lead, overseeing clinic design, patient flow, and quality of care. Fuller says she was looking inward, to manage the clinic, while his role, as medical coordinator, was outward-looking, toward the community and other responding agencies.
“I didn’t have to do a lot of it, because there weren’t a lot of agencies to coordinate with, it was so controlled and closed,” Fuller says. “So I just did what Caroline told me, and saw patients under her guidance.”
Lloyd was there for a week, Fuller for two. They say the temperature was mostly in the triple digits.
Fuller was part of a team from UConn Health that responded to Ground Zero on Sept. 11, 2001. Since then, he has been part of IMC responses to disasters all over the world, including a tsunami in Indonesia, an earthquake in Haiti, a hurricane in St. Lucia and a typhoon in the Philippines.
This was Lloyd’s first overseas disaster response.
“I was in charge of staffing, the flow of how our tents worked, troubleshooting and changing things,” she says. “If we were in an enclosed area, we can’t have people who are coughing or have an infectious disease, how do we change our flow? They’re putting them in a different area, but then no one’s telling us that’s happening, so let’s have a discussion and fix that. Kind of the logistics of how it worked.”
Dr. Caroline Lloyd (left) and Dr. Rob Fuller (center) from UConn Health are among the American physicians who were part of the International Medical Corps response to the Spring 2025 earthquake in Myanmar. (International Medical Corps photo)
Lloyd says a physician who had done work with the IMC in Gaza told her this response was more complicated because of the controlling nature of Myanmar’s government.
“It’s one of those experiences where, now that you’re kind of removed and you can look back on it, you’re like, ‘If this is how this worked in probably one of the most difficult situations I think you could imagine, man, what’s it going to be like to do it in an atmosphere where someone actually legitimately wants you there?’ IMC has pallets and pallets of things that they have ready to come in; we couldn’t get any of those,” Lloyd says. “The government just didn’t let them in.”
The experience comes as Lloyd nears completion of her disaster emergency medicine fellowship and her Master of Public Health studies. But she won’t be gone from UConn Health for long; in August she’s returning as a faculty physician.
“This was an opportunity for Caroline to be able to go into a disaster,” Fuller says. “Every disaster’s got its own problems and its own flavors. This is just one, but this very controlled political environment was probably the weirdest part about this one. We were controlled where we can go, and what we can do, and how we operate was very managed by the political entities that we were working with. But even so, we set up tents in what was a field, we used car-park areas with tarps around them to deliver care for a couple days. Caroline was in charge of the campus, so she designed how the patients moved from place to place and how we cared for them and where things were. So it was a great experience for her.”
Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)
Secretary of State Marco A. Rubio meets with the press in Antalya, Türkiye, on May 15, 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.
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Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)
Department Press Briefing with Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott at the Department of State, on May 15, 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!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statedept
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Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
Subscribe to The Week at State e-newsletter: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USSTATEBPA/signup/32562
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San Francisco Bay has a long history of being subject to natural resources exploitation and pollution. Ongoing flux of contaminants into the bay, legacy pollution from the Gold Rush era and structural modifications still influence the natural ecosystem today. This project aims to map multiple forms (i.e. species) of mercury — one of the major contaminants in the bay — to help inform restoration…
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl pled guilty May 8, 2025, in federal court in Sioux City.
William Clark, Jr., 40, from Story City, Iowa, was convicted of one count of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.
At the plea hearing, Clark, Jr. admitted that from January 2024 through April 27, 2024, he and others conspired to distribute at least ½ pound of methamphetamine and more than 1700 pills of fentanyl. On April 21, 2024, Clark, Jr., along with two others were headed to Colorado to pick up more methamphetamine and to sell fentanyl pills. They attempted to elude law enforcement in a high-speed vehicle chase. Clark, Jr. also made a “false” 911 call to law enforcement in an attempt to assist his attempted eluding and avoid their capture with evidence of drug trafficking.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Clark, Jr. remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Clark, Jr. faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, and at least four years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Ida and Sac County Sheriff’s Offices, the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and the Woodbury County Attorney’s Office; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and Iowa DCI Laboratory
Headline: Verizon’s Red Hot Deal Days are back with the season’s biggest sale: phones, watches, tablets and more, on us
NEW YORK – Verizon just announced its hottest deals of the season with “Red Hot Deal Days,” from May 15 through May 28. As the first and only provider in the industry offering all new and existing myPlan and myHome customers a three-year price lock guarantee, Verizon is committed to providing its customers peace of mind and big savings.
“We’re providing our best deals and value as a thank you for our customers,” said Sowmyanaran Sampath, Verizon Consumer CEO. “Price, value and savings are top of mind for people today – every dollar counts. That’s why we’re proud to offer these deals as an added benefit alongside our three year price lock. We’re not just meeting expectations; we’re setting a new standard for what customers should expect from their mobile and home internet provider.”
This year for Red Hot Deal Days, new and existing mobile customers can score a smartphone, watch, and tablet with ANY myPlan, on us, plus Ray Ban Meta glasses with select Unlimited plans. So, whether you want the iPhone 16 Pro, the Samsung Galaxy S25+ or the Google Pixel 9 Pro – there’s a deal for you, ALL ON US! AND new home internet customers can get a $400 credit on select Samsung home tech at Best Buy and more. This special event has something for everyone, featuring incredible deals on the latest tech accessories, from Father’s Day gifts to graduation gifts, to travel essentials for vacation and more. It’s the perfect lead-up to summer!
Savings on the hottest tech for Mobile and Home customers
Verizon mobile customers who upgrade or add a line on ANY myPlan can enjoy one of three mobile bundles with select phone trade-in and service plan for watch and tablet, plus Ray-Ban Meta Glasses (Up to $299, for those who add a new line on Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Ultimate plans):
Apple: Get the iPhone 16 Pro, Watch Series 10 and iPad (A16), on us.
Google: Get the Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel Watch 3 and Tab S10 FE, on us.
Samsung: Get the Galaxy S25+, Galaxy Watch Ultra and Tab S10 FE, on us.
New Verizon Home Internet customers who sign up for select plans can enjoy:
Price-lock guarantee for 3-5 years, depending on plan
$400 off select Samsung home tech at Best Buy
The YouTube Premium Perk for 6 months (then $10/mo after)
and Ray-Ban Meta Glasses (Up to $299), all on us.
For families looking for wearable tech:
StreamTV Soundbar: Get the latest StreamTV Soundbar for only $149.99 (Save $250)
StreamTV: Get the Verizon StreamTV device for only $19.99 (Save $50)
And for a limited time, save even more by getting 25% cash back as a statement credit when you use your Verizon Visa® Card on eligible electronic and accessory purchases at Verizon.
Stay up to date and explore all the latest deals from Verizon by visiting your local Verizon retail store or verizon.com/deals/.
Samsung Home Tech: Offer valid thru 5.28.25 for a $400 credit via promo code to be used toward the single item purchase of select Samsung home tech (eligible TVs, appliances, laptops, tablets, monitors, and speakers) with a minimum retail price of $800. Product selection may vary. Offer not valid on Samsung smartphones. For new home internet customers who install eligible Verizon Home Internet services and redeem w/in 30 days thereafter, or by no later than 7.27.25, whichever is first. Promo code must be redeemed online at bestbuy.com/verizonsamsungpromotion. Verizon reserves the right to charge back the value of the Samsung credit if eligible service is canceled w/in 180 days. One offer per eligible Verizon account, while supplies last. Samsung and related trademarks are owned by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Verizon is not affiliated with Best Buy. Purchase, delivery, installation, and other charges are the subject to Best Buy’s terms & conditions.
Ray-Ban Meta Glasses: Mobile: Offer valid through 5.28.25 for select Ray-Ban Meta glasses, with retail value up to $299, w/ purchase of eligible smartphone on device payment w/new smartphone line on postpaid Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Ultimate plan. Must maintain eligible services for 30 days and redeem offer w/in 60 days thereafter, or by no later than 09.25.25, whichever is first. Glasses redeemed on Meta.com. Verizon reserves the right to charge back the value of the Ray-Ban Meta promotional device(s) if eligible service is canceled w/in 180 days or eligibility req’s are no longer met. Limit 1 offer per Verizon account. While supplies last. Home: Offer valid through 5.28.25 for select Ray-Ban Meta glasses, with retail value up to $299. For new home internet customers who activate/install and maintain eligible 5G Home Plus, LTE Home Plus, Fios 2 Gig or Fios 1 Gig internet services in good standing for 65 days and redeem offer w/in 60 days thereafter, or by no later than 10.30.25, whichever is first. Glasses redeemed on Meta.com. Verizon reserves the right to charge back the value of the Ray-Ban Meta promotional device(s) if eligible service is canceled w/in 180 days. Limit 1 offer per Verizon account. While supplies last.
(Apple) Phone: $999.99 (128 GB only) device payment purchase w/new or upgrade smartphone line on Unlimited Ultimate, postpaid Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Welcome plan (min. $65/mo w/Auto Pay (+taxes/fees) for 36 mos) req’d. Less $1,000 trade-in/promo credit applied over 36 mos.; 0% APR. For upgrades, trade-in phone must be active on account for 60 days prior to new device purchase. Trade-in must be from Apple, Google, Motorola or Samsung; trade-in terms apply. Apple Intelligence requires iOS 18.1 or later. Apple Watch/iPad: Up to $499.99 device payment purchase w/new line on eligible plan (min. $20/mo w/Auto Pay (+taxes/fees) for 36 mos) req’d per Apple Watch/iPad. Less up to $500 promo credit per device applied over 36 mos; 0% APR. All promo credits for iPhone/Apple Watch/iPad offers end if eligibility req’s per device are no longer met.
(Google) Phone: $999.99 (128 GB only) device payment purchase w/new or upgrade smartphone line on Unlimited Ultimate, postpaid Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Welcome plan (min. $65/mo w/Auto Pay (+taxes/fees) for 36 mos) req’d. Less $1,000 trade-in/promo credit applied over 36 mos.; 0% APR. For upgrades, trade-in phone must be active on account for 60 days prior to new device purchase. Trade-in must be from Google, Apple, Motorola or Samsung; trade-in terms apply. Tablet/Watch: Up to $599.99 device payment purchase w/new line on eligible plan (min. $20/mo w/Auto Pay (+taxes/fees) for 36 mos) req’d per Tablet/Watch. Less up to $600 promo credit per device applied over 36 mos; 0% APR. All promo credits for Phone/Watch/Tablet offers end if eligibility req’s per device are no longer met.
(Samsung) Phone: $999.99 (256 GB only) device payment purchase w/new or upgrade smartphone line on Unlimited Ultimate, postpaid Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Welcome plan (min. $65/mo w/Auto Pay (+taxes/fees) for 36 mos) req’d. Less $1,000 trade-in/promo credit applied over 36 mos.; 0% APR. For upgrades, trade-in phone must be active on account for 60 days prior to new device purchase. Trade-in must be from Samsung, Apple, Google or Motorola; trade-in terms apply. Tablet/Watch: Up to $649.99 device payment purchase w/new line on eligible plan (min. $20/mo w/Auto Pay (+taxes/fees) for 36 mos) req’d per Tablet/Watch. Less up to $650 promo credit per device applied over 36 mos; 0% APR. All promo credits for Phone/Watch/Tablet offers end if eligibility req’s per device are no longer met.
Price Guarantee: myPlan: Applies to the then-current base monthly rate charged by Verizon for your talk, text, and data; excludes taxes, fees, surcharges, additional plan discounts or promotions, and third-party services. Price guarantee is void if any of the lines are canceled or moved to an ineligible plan. Plan perks, taxes, fees, and surcharges are subject to change.
myHome: Price guarantee for 3-5 years, depending on internet plan, for new and existing myHome customers. Applies only to the then-current base monthly rate exclusive of any other setup and additional equipment charges, discounts or promotions, plan perk and any other third-party services.
YouTube Premium: Offer valid thru 5.28.25. Requires an eligible Verizon Home Internet (“VHI”) plan. $10/mo perk credit ends after 6 mos or if perk is canceled or line is moved to an ineligible plan during the 6-mo promo period. After 6 mos, perk bills as $10/mo unless perk is canceled or unregistered. Must be 18 years of age or older to enroll. After enrolling in the YouTube Premium perk, you will need to complete account setup to use the service. Enrolling in the YouTube Premium perk may affect existing subscriptions to YouTube Premium. Managing subscriptions may be required to avoid multiple subscriptions and corresponding charges. One offer per eligible VHI account. Subject to YouTube Terms of Service & YouTube Premium and Music Premium Terms of Use.
Gizmo Watch: $149.99 purchase on service plan req’d. Less $75 promo credit applied over 36 mos.; promo credit ends if eligibility req’s are no longer met; 0% APR.
Verizon Visa Card: Purchases subject to credit approval. Offer available 5/15/25 at 3 AM ET – 5/29/25 at 3 AM ET. Excludes phones, smartwatches, tablets, laptops and gift cards. Offer is based on purchase price, excluding taxes and shipping and other fees. Offer is not combinable with the Accessories Financing Offer. Maximum purchase total of $1,000 on eligible accessories & electronics purchases at Verizon. $250 maximum statement credit during offer period. Statement credit will be applied to your Verizon Visa Card account within 1-2 billing cycles from offer end date. Verizon Visa Card account needs to be in good standing at time statement credit is applied to qualify. Statement credit cannot be used to satisfy the required monthly payment on your credit card account and may not be redeemed for cash or cash equivalent. The Verizon Visa Signature® Card is issued by Synchrony Bank, pursuant to a license from VISA USA Inc.
OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today co-led a coalition of 18 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education v. Trump in support of a challenge to the Trump Administration’s executive orders targeting programs that incorporate equity, inclusion, diversity, and accessibility (Anti-DEI EOs). In their brief, the attorneys general urge the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to uphold the district court’s decision granting the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction.
“In California we recognize the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, especially when it comes to ensuring that all Californians have an equal opportunity to thrive and feel empowered to contribute to society,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The Trump Administration’s attempt to remove programs and policies that combat discrimination and promote economic and social benefits is frankly un-American. Programs and practices that incorporate diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are critical to states, as they not only drive innovation and economic growth, but also provide essential benefits to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all.”
In January 2025, President Trump issued two Executive Orders targeting “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility” (DEIA) and “equity-related grants or contracts.” While the Anti-DEIA EOs did not define these or other key terms, they directed: (1) executive agencies to terminate equity-related grants or contracts; (2) agencies to require contractors and grantees to certify that they do not run DEIA programs that, in the Administration’s view, violate federal antidiscrimination laws; and (3) the U.S. Attorney General to take steps to discourage private-sector use of DEIA, including deterring such initiatives and promoting compliance investigations. The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland later issued a preliminary injunction, finding that the plaintiffs were likely to prevail on their claims that the challenged provisions were unconstitutionally vague under the Fifth Amendment and infringed on the plaintiffs’ freedom of expression in violation of the First Amendment.
In the amicus brief, the coalition urges the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to affirm the district court’s decision granting the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction, arguing that:
DEIA principles and practices are grounded in longstanding antidiscrimination laws and provide important benefits to states, their residents, and their businesses.
The vague and unclear directives set forth in the challenged provisions harm states, which have begun to receive notices from federal agencies that threaten billions of dollars in federal funding for essential services like basic K-12 education, highway infrastructure, public health, workforce development, and environmental protections.
The challenged provisions create a chilling effect on private entities, which must decide whether, in the face of these vague terms and threats, to continue to provide essential services upon which states’ residents rely.
Abandonment of these programs will cause immeasurable harm to states and their residents, who rely on practices and programs that advance and support diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility to combat discrimination and to secure extensive economic, social, and educational benefits.
Attorney General Bonta co-led the filing of today’s brief along with the attorneys general of Illinois and Massachusetts. They are joined by the following states: Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Cassandra Burke Robertson, Professor of Law and Director of the Center for Professional Ethics, Case Western Reserve University
The U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether a single federal judge should have the power to temporarily halt presidential policies across the entire country.Rudy Sulgan, The Image Bank/Getty Images
When one judge blocks a president’s policies nationwide, alarm bells ring. Should a single judge wield this much power? Can they halt policies across the entire country after just a quick first look at whether they might be illegal? The Supreme Court now faces these critical questions.
In a lively session on May 15, 2025, filled with justices’ questions that at times interrupted the attorneys appearing before them, the Supreme Court heard arguments in a case stemming from President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship, the provision in the Constitution’s 14th Amendment that says all children born in the United States are granted citizenship.
While the underlying lawsuit involves birthright citizenship, the immediate question before the court was about a legal tool called a “nationwide preliminary injunction.” This allows a single federal judge to temporarily halt presidential policies across the entire country – even before fully considering whether those policies are constitutional.
Three judges had stopped the president’s attempt to deny birthright citizenship to babies born to mothers who lack legal permanent residency in the United States. It was the Trump administration’s appeal of those injunctions that was argued before the justices on May 15, with the administration asserting that “universal injunctions compromise the Executive Branch’s ability to carry out its functions,” and that it’s unconstitutional for federal judges to issue them.
The justices also grappled with a key question: How much should judges consider whether a policy is likely constitutional when deciding whether to issue these temporary blocks? The National Immigration Law Center, which supports the use of nationwide injunctions, wrote in its filing with the court that granting the administration’s request to bar such injunctions would “tie the hands of the judicial branch in the face of unlawful executive action.”
What exactly are these injunctions, and why do they matter to everyday Americans?
Immediate, irreparable harm
When presidents try to make big changes through executive orders, they often hit a roadblock: A single federal judge, whether located in Seattle or Miami or anywhere in between, can stop these policies across the entire country.
These court orders have increasingly become a political battleground, increasingly sought by both Republicans and Democrats to fight presidential policies they oppose.
When the government creates a policy that might violate the Constitution or federal law, affected people can sue in federal court to stop it. While these lawsuits work their way through the courts – a process that often takes years – judges can issue what are called “preliminary injunctions” to temporarily pause the policy if they determine it might cause immediate, irreparable harm.
A “nationwide” injunction – sometimes called a “universal” injunction – goes further by stopping the policy for everyone across the country, not just for the people who filed the lawsuit.
Importantly, these injunctions are designed to be temporary. They merely preserve the status quo until courts can fully examine the case’s merits. But in practice, litigation proceeds so slowly that executive actions blocked by the courts often expire when successor administrations abandon the policies.
Legislation introduced by GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley would ban judges from issuing most nationwide injunctions. Sen. Chuck Grassley office
More executive orders, more injunctions
Nationwide injunctions aren’t new, but several things have made them more contentious recently.
Second, lawyers who want to challenge these orders have gotten better at “judge shopping” – filing cases in districts where they’re likely to get judges who agree with their client’s views.
Third, with growing political division, both parties aim to use these injunctions more aggressively whenever the other party controls the White House.
Affecting real people
These legal fights have tangible consequences for millions of Americans.
Take DACA, the common name for the program formally called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which protects about 500,000 young immigrants from deportation. For more than 10 years, these young immigrants, known as “Dreamers,” have faced constant uncertainty.
That’s because, when President Barack Obama created DACA in 2012 and sought to expand it via executive order in 2015, a Texas judge blocked the expansion with a nationwide injunction. When Trump tried to end DACA, judges in California, New York and Washington, D.C. blocked that move. The program, and the legal challenges to it, continued under President Joe Biden. Now, the second Trump administration faces continued legal challenges over the constitutionality of the DACA program.
In early 2025, the Supreme Court allowed the law to take effect, but the Trump administration announced it simply wouldn’t enforce it – showing how these legal battles can become political power struggles.
A polarized Congress rarely passes major legislation anymore, so presidents – including Donald Trump – have relied on executive orders to get things done. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
Too much power or necessary protection?
Some critics say nationwide injunctions give too much power to a single judge. If lawyers can pick which judges hear their cases, this raises serious questions about fairness.
Supporters argue that these injunctions protect important rights. For example, without nationwide injunctions in the citizenship cases, babies born to mothers without legal permanent residency would be American citizens in some states but not others – an impossible situation.
Congress is considering legislation to limit judges’ ability to grant nationwide injunctions.
The Trump administration has also tried to make it expensive and difficult to challenge its policies in court. In March 2025, Trump ordered government lawyers to demand large cash deposits – called “security bonds” – from anyone seeking an injunction. Though these bonds are already part of existing court rules, judges usually set them at just a few hundred dollars or waive them entirely when people raise constitutional concerns.
Under the new policy, critics worry that “plaintiffs who sue the government could be forced to put up enormous sums of money in order to proceed with their cases.”
Another way to address the concerns about a single judge blocking government action would be to require a three-judge panel to hear cases involving nationwide injunctions, requiring at least two of them to agree. This is similar to how courts handled major civil rights cases in the 1950s and 1960s.
My research on this topic suggests that three judges working together would be less likely to make partisan decisions, while still being able to protect constitutional rights when necessary. Today’s technology also makes it easier for judges in different locations to work together than it was decades ago.
As the Supreme Court weighs in on this debate, the outcome will affect how presidents can implement policies and how much power individual judges have to stop them. Though it might seem like a technical legal issue, it will shape how government works for years to come – as well as the lives of those who live in the U.S.
Cassandra Burke Robertson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Secretary-General/Travels
– Libya
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Security Council
– Democratic Republic of the Congo
– Democratic Republic of the Congo/Humanitarian
– Sudan
– Haiti
– Syria
– International Day of Families
– Briefings
– Financial Contribution
SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRAVELS
The Secretary-General left Germany in the morning and is now on his way to Iraq. Earlier today, in Berlin, he met with Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Federal President of the Federal Republic of Germany. They discussed topics that included the situation in the Middle East and the partnership between the UN and Germany.
Yesterday, he met the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, and he told reporters later that they had discussed, among other topics, the situations in Gaza and Ukraine.
While in Iraq, Mr. Guterres will attend the Arab League Summit. He will address the Summit on Saturday. He is also scheduled to hold a number of meetings with leaders and officials attending the summit, including leaders of the host country. He is also going to meet with our UN team in Iraq.
LIBYA
The Secretary-General takes note of the truce reached in Tripoli yesterday and calls on all parties to take urgent steps to sustain and build upon it through dialogue.
The rapid nature of the escalation, which drew armed groups from outside the city and subjected heavily populated neighborhoods to heavy artillery fire, was alarming. The Secretary-General is deeply saddened to hear of the deaths of at least eight civilians in the recent clashes.
The Secretary-General reminds all parties of their obligation to protect civilians and calls on them to engage in serious dialogue in good faith to address the root causes of the conflict.
The United Nations stands ready to provide its good offices to facilitate agreement on a path towards lasting peace and stability in Libya.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight
Informal comments to the media by ICC Caucus on behalf of the members of the Security Council that are state parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court: France, Greece, Guyana, Panama, the Republic of Korea, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, Denmark and Sierra Leone, on the 29th report of the ICC Prosecutor’s Office to the Security Council on the situation in Libya.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
Meet Roger, a Veteran. This is his VA story. the CCICM program was able to help him navigate a complicated system and provide him with services he didn’t even know existed. They helped him get much needed medical equipment, in-home health care, and transportation. Additionally, they make sure he stays on track with his recovery and offer support with his treatment that he otherwise wouldn’t have had. More information about the CCICM program can be found at https://news.va.gov/117472/new-va-practice-simplifies-care-for-veterans/
