Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02)
Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga announced that communities across Southwest Michigan will receive federal funding from the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations legislation. Specifically, the communities of Battle Creek, Benton Harbor, Holland, Kalamazoo, and Portage will receive federal funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). CDBG provides annual grants on a formula basis to states, cities, and counties to develop viable urban communities by improving housing and providing a better living environment. Additionally, CDBG expands economic opportunity, principally for low- and moderate-income residents.
Furthermore, the communities of Battle Creek and Kalamazoo will receive federal funding through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program. The HOME Investment Partnerships Program provides formula grants to states and localities that communities use – often in partnership with local nonprofit groups – to fund a wide range of activities including building, buying, and/or rehabilitating affordable housing for rent or homeownership or providing direct rental assistance to low-income people. HOME is the largest federal block grant to state and local governments designed exclusively to create affordable housing for low-income households.
“I am glad to see the Trump Administration prioritize the communities of Battle Creek, Benton Harbor, Holland, Kalamazoo, and Portage,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “This funding will improve housing affordability as well as increase economic opportunity for lower and moderate-income families across Southwest Michigan.”
CDBG Funding Allocations
Battle Creek $1,205,390
Benton Harbor $382,893
Holland $333,432
Kalamazoo $1,583,632
Portage $209,148
HOME Funding Allocations
Battle Creek $254,254
Kalamazoo $456,817
The State of Michigan also received a direct allocation totaling $34,090,474 for CBDG and $16,080,261 for HOME. This funding is on top of the funding distributed to municipalities across Michigan.
Here is the full list of Michigan communities who recently received funding through the Department of Housing and Urban Development:
Battle Creek, Bay, Benton Harbor, Canton Twp, Clinton Twp, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Detroit, East Lansing, Farmington Hills, Flint, Genesee County, Grand Rapids, Holland, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent County, Lansing, Lincoln Park, Livonia, Macomb County, Midland, Monroe, Muskegon, Muskegon Heights, Niles, Norton Shores, Oakland County, Pontiac, Port Huron, Portage, Redford, Roseville, Royal Oak, Saginaw, Southfield, St Clair Shores, Sterling Heights, Taylor, Traverse City, Warren, Washtenaw County, Waterford Township, Wayne County, Westland, and Wyoming.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brittany Pettersen (Colorado 7th District)
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) and David Valadao (R-CA) introduced the They’re Fast, We’re Furious Act of 2025 to address reckless speeding and illegal street racing impacting communities across the country. This bipartisan bill would establish a Street Racing Prevention and Intervention Task Force under the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to coordinate local, state, and federal strategic responses to street racing and unlawful organized street shows. The task force would address the impacts of street racing and develop best practices to combat the problem, creating safer communities and potentially saving lives.
“I’ve heard from constituents across Broomfield and Jefferson Counties who are concerned by the illegal street racing on the rise in our communities, including the death of a college student in Westminster caused by a street racing incident” said Pettersen. “As a mom, I’m committed to making sure our communities are a safe place for our kids and neighbors. That’s why I’m working with Congressman Valadao during National Police Week to ensure law enforcement has the tools they need to crack down on reckless driving and save lives.”
“In the Central Valley, street racing is an epidemic that puts our communities in danger,” said Valadao. “Kern County’s fatal hit-and-run accident rate is over 151% higher than the national average, and deadly crashes are a direct result of reckless driving at high speeds. Illegal street racing in our neighborhoods puts the lives of other drivers, first responders, and innocent bystanders at risk, and I’m proud to join Congresswoman Pettersen to give law enforcement the tools they need to combat this dangerous trend.”
Rep. Pettersen first introduced this bill following concerns from communities across her district, including those voiced at a town hall she hosted in Westminster. In 2021, a street racing incident in Westminster caused the death of a 21-year-old student at the University of Colorado Boulder. This incident rocked the community and is unfortunately a common occurrence in the United States, as speeding and street racing continue to rise in prevalence since the global pandemic.
Between 2021 and 2023, Colorado lost 751 lives due to speeding, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. In 2023 alone, speeding was the leading cause of traffic fatalities in the state—contributing to 258 deaths, surpassing fatalities caused by impaired driving and unrestrained passengers.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank J. Mrvan (IN)
Washington, DC– Today, Congressman Frank J. Mrvan announced the rescheduled Community Conversations that will be held throughout Indiana’s First Congressional District on Thursday, May 29, 2025.
Congressman Mrvan stated, “I invite residents to attend one of my rescheduled Community Conversations that I will be holding on May 29, 2025. I believe these opportunities allow me to hear directly from constituents and better represent our collective interests in our nation’s capital. Additionally, I will provide a brief update on the 119th Session of Congress and my work on the House Appropriations Committee.”
Thursday – May 29, 2025
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Michigan City – City Hall Council Chambers, 100 East Michigan Boulevard, Michigan City, IN 46360
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Memorial Opera House, 104 Indiana Avenue, Valparaiso, IN 46383
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Indiana University Northwest, Bergland Auditorium in the Savannah Center, 65 West 33rd Avenue, Gary, IN 46408
Please note that all times listed are Central Time.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22)
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today penned a letter to the U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi urging the Department of Justice to investigate New York State’s infringement of New Yorker’s Second Amendment rights.
This letter was also signed by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21).
Rep Tenney’s letter comes in response to New York’s restrictions that violate the Supreme Court precedents set in DC v. Heller, McDonald v. City of Chicago, and NYSRPA v. Bruen. These restrictions include a categorical ban on commonly owned semi-automatic rifles, licensing and registration of constitutionally protected arms, and an arbitrary cap on magazine capacity.
“The Second Amendment is not a suggestion; it is a Constitutional guarantee. Yet Albany Democrats have orchestrated an all-out assault on our Second Amendment rights by enacting and enforcing a sweeping regime of laws that strip law-abiding citizens of their firearms. Today, I am calling on the Department of Justice to swiftly investigate New York’s unconstitutional gun laws and uphold New Yorkers’ Second Amendment rights. I will continue working with the Trump administration to defend this Constitutional Right for all law-abiding citizens,” said Congresswoman Tenney.
Saskatchewan’s provincial parks are ready to welcome visitors back for another memorable summer, with the 2025 camping season officially kicking off on Friday, May 16.
“We are excited to welcome visitors for another incredible season in our beautiful provincial parks,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Alana Ross said. “Whether you want adventure, relaxation or time with family and friends, our parks create lasting memories while highlighting the beauty of Saskatchewan’s natural environment.”
New Ways to Stay and Play:
This year, there are additional glamping domes at Blackstrap, and new domes will open soon at Echo Valley;
Also opening soon are tipi-style cabins at Buffalo Pound and tipis in Meadow Lake;
There are additional marina slips at Elbow Harbour Recreation Site on Lake Diefenbaker; and
The new Trailhead Cafe is opening May 15 at the Buffalo Pound Visitor Centre.
Things to Do
From guided hikes and paddle programs to live music and cultural celebrations, there’s something for everyone this season. Full event listings, including pre-registration details, can be found at saskparks.com under the “Things to Do” section.
Discovery Packs are refreshed for the 2025 season. They offer families and visitors of all ages a self-use activity to learn about our parks, conservation, wildlife and park lands with themes such as Soil Scientist and Marvelous Mammals.
Family favourites like SaskExpress and Summer Cinema are returning for another season along with new experiences such as Festival in the Forest at Meadow Lake, Prairie Day at Buffalo Pound and new guided hiking events such as Hike the Heights at Cypress Hills and Into the Pines at Candle Lake. These events and other Sask Parks programs are free with a valid Park Entry Permit.
For the safety and enjoyment of all visitors, please respect the current fire bans and restrictions that can be found by visiting SaskParks.com or by calling the park before arrival.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Young Kim (CA-39)
Tustin, CA – This week, U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-40) introduced a bill to honor Ursula Ellen Kennedy, who made history as the first woman elected to the Tustin City Council and first woman Mayor of Tustin.
Rep. Kim’s bill would rename the U.S. Postal Office at 340 East 1st St in Tustin, CA, as the “Ursula Ellen Kennedy Post Office Building.”
“At a time when women were expected to stay at home, Ursula challenged societal limits, defied odds time and time again, and showed that women and girls can do anything we set our minds to. Her legacy of kind, intelligent leadership lives on in our community,” said Rep. Young Kim. “I am proud to honor her service to Tustin and appreciate her family working with me on this initiative.”
“Our family is deeply honored that Ursula E. Kennedy is being recognized in her beloved city of Tustin. Ursula broke barriers in many areas, she was a published writer and attended law school and passed the bar in her forties. (Her children believe she was motivated partially by an avoidance to housework.) She was the first woman elected to the Tustin City Council and then became the city’s first female mayor. She served with vision, humor and heart, fairness, and intelligence. We are profoundly grateful to Representative Kim for ensuring that her legacy of public service and leadership will continue to inspire generations to come. We’re over the moon to see her legacy honored in the city she helped shape,” said the Kennedy family.
With the Spring sitting of the Legislature concluding today, Premier Scott Moe highlighted the Government of Saskatchewan’s balanced 2025-26 Budget and how it is delivering for you.
“Our government continues to prioritize safety in our communities and ensuring services are available to all residents when and where they need them,” Moe said. “Saskatchewan is a growing and vibrant province that continues to benefit from a strong economy even in uncertain times. Record investments were made this year to keep Saskatchewan an affordable place to live, work and raise a family.”
In this year’s budget, record investments continue to be made in health care, education and community safety, in addition to delivering more affordability measures than ever before.
New affordability measures include:
The Fertility Treatment Tax Credit, helping individuals or couples cover costs associated with fertility treatments.
Doubling the Active Families Benefit tax credit and raising the qualifying income threshold to $120,000 will make accessing children’s sports, arts, cultural and recreational activities more affordable.
Seniors receive an increase in the senior supplement amount by $500 annually for the next four years, starting in 2025 – over and above the impact of indexation.
An increase to the Personal Care Home Benefit will help more than 2,000 low-income seniors with the cost of living in a licensed personal care home.
The Graduate Retention Program has also increased, with a maximum benefit of $24,000 for students who live and work in Saskatchewan after graduating from a post-secondary institution.
The Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship provides up to $3,000 for Grade 12 students who will be attending post-secondary institutions in the province.
All education property tax mill rates have been reduced to absorb the increase in property assessment values and ensure this assessment year is revenue neutral for the province. This change will save property owners in the province more than $100 million annually.
Reinstating the Home Renovation Tax Credit saves residents up to $420 and seniors $525 annually in provincial income tax.
The First-Time Homebuyers’ Tax Credit maximum benefit increased to $1,575, making homeownership more attainable for first-time homebuyers, and the PST Rebate on New Home Construction was made permanent.
The Disability Tax Credit and the Disability Tax Credit supplement for children under 18 both increase by 25 per cent, in addition to indexation.
The Caregiver Tax Credit also increases by 25 per cent, in addition to indexation, which provides financial support for families who care for adult children or parents with physical or mental impairments.
The Small Business Tax Rate permanently remains at one per cent, which benefits more than 35,000 small businesses and saves them over $50 million annually in corporate income taxes.
The Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Tax Credit provides a non-refundable tax credit for individuals or corporations that invest in the equity of eligible Saskatchewan small and medium enterprise, while the Saskatchewan Class 1 Truck Driver Training Rebate Program supports individuals seeking their commercial driving license.
Additionally, legislation introduced and passed this year aims to promote community safety. Amendments to The Construction Codes Act allow the development of a pilot framework intended to help eligible municipalities dispose of these structures as well as provide a training opportunity for local volunteer fire departments. Amendments to The Safe Public Spaces (Street Weapons) Act include fentanyl, methamphetamine and hypodermic needles as categories of street weapons recognizing the significant risks these items present to public safety. New regulations under The Trespass to Property Amendment Regulations, 2025, will allow police to immediately enforce the Act against individuals partaking in activities such as public intoxication and drug use as it will be automatically considered trespassing in public spaces or businesses.
This April, the Government of Saskatchewan was pleased to reach a new agreement between the Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee (GTBC) and the Teachers’ Bargaining Committee. This new agreement recognizes the important role of teachers and provides certainty for teachers, students and their families.
Health care continues to be a priority for the government with continued investment into new and enhanced services and the Health Human Resources Action Plan to ensure services are staffed. The new Regina Breast Health Centre started welcoming patients this spring offering a co-location of essential services to streamline care, reduce wait times and improve patient experiences in what can often be a challenging time. Success continues to be made with recruitment guided by the Health Human Resources Action Plan to recruit, train, incentivize and retain more staff in the province. To continue that work, Saskatchewan’s Rural and Remote Recruitment
Incentive (RRRI) program has been expanded to an additional 16 communities for a total of 70. This incentive of up to $50,000 for a three-year return-in-service is offered to new, permanent full-time employees in nine high-priority health occupations in rural and remote communities experiencing or at risk of service disruptions due to staffing challenges. A recruitment campaign also launched recently encouraging physicians from the United States to consider practicing in Saskatchewan.
Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) questioned the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., today during a hearing in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions (HELP).
During the hearing, Senator Marshall asked Secretary Kennedy about the chronic disease epidemic in America, efforts to make HHS more efficient, and vaccines.
Senator Marshall has been a long-time ally of Secretary Kennedy and was heavily involved in his confirmation process. As an OB-GYN of over 25 years, Senator Marshall is also the Chairman of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Caucus.
[embedded content]
Click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full line of questioning.
Highlights from the hearing include:
On Making America Healthy Again:
Senator Marshall: “This was going to be a question. I’m just going to make a statement. All the research that we do on MAHA, on soil health, on nutrition, in my heart, that’s research on cancer. It’s research on Alzheimer’s, at the end of the day… We should be spending as much money at the front side of this as we are trying to cure the end of it. We’re seeing epidemics of colorectal cancer, young age Alzheimer’s, all these things. And I think the research at the front end is every bit as important at the hind end.”
Secretary Kennedy: “…NIH made all these extraordinary breakthroughs, and particularly in treating cancer and, you know, reducing mortalities for colorectal cancer. But my question is, isn’t it as important to find out why kids are getting colorectal cancer?
“When you and I were kids, there were zero kids with colorectal cancer. It’s an epidemic now, so it’s not really a badge for us when we say, ‘Oh, we can make it less lethal.’ Why don’t we go figure out what’s causing it and eliminate that exposure with all of these with Alzheimer’s, with heart disease? There’s something making Americans very, very sick, and our response should not be just ‘okay, we’ll develop a pharmaceutical fix for it, or medical fix.’ Let’s figure out what it is and get rid of it so we can have healthy kids again.”
On efforts to make HHS more efficient:
Senator Marshall: “Isn’t it true that under Joe Biden’s White House, they added 20,000 employees to HHS? When you were nominated, there were 28 divisions with HHS, 100 communication offices, 40 IT departments, and nine HR units as well? Can you answer that question?”
Secretary Kennedy: “Yes, that’s right. There are dozens of IT departments. There’s eight senior finance officials. There are nine separate offices on women’s health, eight separate offices for minority health, 27 separate offices for HIV, 59 behavioral health programs, [and] 40 opioid programs.”
“What we’re trying to do is consolidate, streamline, eliminate the redundancies, eliminate all those administrative costs for each one of those little departments, consolidate them and make them make sense, and make them accountable to the American people.
“… As you point out, there’s 40 procurement departments with four separate computer systems that don’t talk to each other… [HHS] grew like 38% of the last four years. I would say that’s great if Americans got healthier, but they didn’t. They got worse.
“So what we’re trying to do is go back to the pre-COVID levels and to start making the department function as it would… in a rational universe, and to bring in, you know, modern AI and telemedicine, and all the opportunities we have now, these new efficiencies and for medical delivery to the American people and for patient care.
“And we’re not able to take advantage of any of them because there’s so much chaos and disorganization in this department, and everybody who’s gone up against it in the past has thrown their hands up and given up. What we’re saying is, let’s organize it in a way that I can quickly adopt and deploy all these opportunities we have to really deliver high-quality health care to the American people.”
On vaccines:
Senator Marshall: “Let’s stay on the measles vaccine, just for a second… I’m an obstetrician. If a 25-year-old pregnant woman asked me if she should take the measles vaccine, the MMR… I would give her the answer, ‘No, you shouldn’t.’ But if she was 25 and trying to get pregnant, I would give her different advice.
“I’ve always valued the sanctity of the physician-patient relationship. I went to medical school for four years. I did four years of residency. I delivered thousands of babies. It’s my job to give that recommendation. What’s the role of the Secretary of HHS as far as recommendations of vaccines?”
Secretary Kennedy: “Well, the vaccine recommendations, Senator, are normally made through ACIP, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which is an outside consulting committee at CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]. There’s another committee called VRBPC [the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee], which is within the FDA [Food and Drug Administration], that actually recommends whether the vaccines get licensed or not, and so that’s where the recommendations come from.
“… Traditionally, they have not done evidence-based medicine. They only adopted evidence-based medicine about 12 years ago, and what we’ve said during our administration is we want to have safety studies prior to the licensure and recommendation of vaccines.
“Vaccines are the only medical product that is exempt from pre-licensing safety testing. So the only vaccine that has been tested in a full-blown placebo trial against an inert placebo was the COVID vaccine. Of the other 76 shots that children in this country received between birth and 18 years old, none of them have been safety tested in pre-licensing studies against the placebo, which means we don’t understand the risk profile for those products, and that’s something that I intend to remedy.”
Source: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union
WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after House committees voted to move forward with a budget that will hurt public services nationwide:
“Anti-worker extremists in Congress have shamefully voted to strip 13.7 million people of their health insurance and take food off the tables of families all to fund tax breaks for billionaires. These extreme cuts will impact everyone — not just those who receive health insurance through Medicaid or food through SNAP. Hospitals, nursing homes and clinics — particularly in rural areas — will be forced to close. More people going to the doctor without insurance means health care costs will go up for everyone, and emergency departments will be overwhelmed as people only go to the doctor when in crisis.
“These examples merely scratch the surface of the harm our communities will face. As costs continue to rise, working people will have even less to spend, hurting small businesses, resulting in layoffs and devastating Main Streets across the country. From child and home care providers to sanitation workers and corrections officers, AFSCME members are essential in providing the public services that keep our nation safe and healthy. Without federal funding, our jobs are at risk as states, cities and towns struggle to afford these lifesaving services. Clearly, the intention of those voting for this budget package isn’t to put people to work and stimulate our economy; it’s to give the wealthiest among us a handout at the expense of working people.
“As this bill heads to the House floor, AFSCME members will continue to speak out to protect our communities. Tens of thousands of us have called, written and even traveled to D.C. from across the country to ensure that elected officials know how cuts will hurt our families, communities and jobs. Now, we’ll be even louder as we fight this cruel, anti-worker budget tooth and nail.”
Amidst soaking rains in Connecticut, IAM Union International President Brian Bryant delivered strong messages of solidarity to 3,000 IAM Local 1746 and Local 700 (District 26) members on strike for a fair contract at Pratt & Whitney.
“You are absolutely right on the reasons you are on strike,” Bryant told striking workers on picket lines in East Harford and Middletown. “This company would not be here if it wasn’t for the IAM and our members. It’s high time this company realizes that!”
VIDEO: International President Bryant visits strike line
IAM members at Pratt & Whitney voted overwhelmingly to reject the contract and strike the company on May 4 after the company’s offer failed to protect their jobs, wages and retirement security. The strike comes amidst the company reporting a $580 million profit in the first quarter of 2025, a 41% rise since last year.
PHOTOS: International President Bryant visits strike line
Pratt & Whitney management is under mounting pressure from its dedicated IAM workforce, as well as a growing list of elected officials, to come back to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair contract.
US Pratt engine strikers press for jobs commitment, union saysReuters
IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan visited picket lines and allies like the Connecticut AFL-CIO have been a mainstay outside Pratt & Whitney gates.
Blumenthal, DeLauro, Larson visit striking Pratt & Whitney machinists in E. Hartford and MiddletownCT Post
IAM members continue to feel support on the picket lines from the likes of U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, U.S. Rep. John Larson, U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, Gov. Ned Lamont, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, as well as many other state and local officials.
. Pillen Appoints Long as District Court Judge in the 7th Judicial District
LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced his appointment of Michael L. Long of Norfolk as district court judge in the 7th Judicial District. The district consists of Antelope, Cuming, Knox. Madison, Pierce, Stanton and Wayne counties.
Long has been a county court judge in the 7th Judicial District since 2013. Prior to that, he served as county attorney in Antelope County and was a deputy county attorney in both Madison and Scotts Bluff counties. Long was previously a criminal justice instructor at Northeast Community College and provides regular training to law enforcement officers with the city of Norfolk and Madison County on a variety of legal topics.
Long attended Kearney State College and earned his juris doctor at Creighton University School of Law.
This vacancy is due to the retirement of Judge Mark A. Johnson.
Goldman Co-Sponsors Aaron Salter Jr. Responsible Body Armor Possession Act of 2025, Which Bans Sale of Military Body Armor to Civilians
Legislation Named in Honor of Retired Police Lieutenant Salter Jr., Security Guard Whose Bravery Saved Countless Lives During the Shooting
See Videos and Photos from the Press ConferenceHere
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) today joined Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) to mark the third anniversary of the racially motivated mass shooting at the Tops Supermarket on May 14, 2022, and to announce the introduction of the Aaron Salter Jr. Responsible Body Armor Possession Act of 2025, which would ban the sale of body armor to civilians.
The Buffalo Tops shooter deliberately targeted the supermarket because of its location in a historically Black neighborhood. Wearing body armor, he was able to shoot 13 people and kill 10—all of whom were black. When the shooter began firing on the store, retired police lieutenant and supermarket security guard Aaron Salter Jr. rapidly responded and returned fire in an attempt to stop the attack. The shooters’ body armor deflected Lt. Salter’s shots, and Salter Jr. was killed.
“Three years ago today, 10 New Yorkers were tragically killed in the Buffalo Tops supermarket by a bigoted individual who was motivated by racism, antisemitism, and white supremacy,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “This tragedy could have been avoided if civilians were not permitted to use weapons of war, including an assault weapon and military-grade body armor. I am proud to support Congressman Kennedy’s Aaron Salter Jr. Responsible Body Armor Possession Act, which would block civilians from obtaining military-grade bulletproof vests. While we mourn the victims of this senseless act of bigoted violence, we must continue pushing Republicans across the country to protect our communities and pass commonsense gun safety legislation. Our constituents deserve nothing less.”
Enhanced body armor, generally designed to withstand rifle ammunition, is specifically defined as armor meeting or exceeding the National Institute of Justice’s RFI ballistic resistance standard. Currently, this kind of body armor is legal for civilians in most states to purchase online without federal restrictions. This legislation seeks to change this by prohibiting its sale, transfer, or possession by civilians, while exempting law enforcement and military personnel.
In addition to Buffalo, shootings by gunmen wearing body armor have taken place in Sutherland Springs, Texas; Aurora, Colorado; Boulder, Colorado; San Bernardino, California; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and many other communities.
Last Congress, Goldman cosponsored a package of legislation that both establishes a federal “red flag” program and strengthens state and local efforts to support the implementation of extreme risk protection order laws and the ‘End Gun Violence Act’ to prohibit individuals convicted of a violent misdemeanor from purchasing handguns or ammunition for five years after conviction.
Additionally, Goldman supports the ‘Gun Trafficker Detection Act’ which would require gun owners to report if their privately-owned gun is lost or stolen within 48 hours and help law enforcement identify potential gun traffickers.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50)
Today, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where he urged his fellow Members to support legislation to prevent the establishment of a punitive mileage tax on American drivers. Rep. Issa has previously introduced theNo Track, No Tax Actto prevent the funding of both a tax on every mile Americans drive and mileage tracking devices that would calculate that distance.
“The establishment of a mileage tax is more than an attack on the freedom to drive. It targets those who need to drive the most for work, school, and on behalf of their families,” said Rep. Issa. “Even worse, the mileage tax is only enabled by a mileage tracker – a device that shadows drivers and captures everywhere they go. The potential for abuse and the exposure of personal data may be limitless.”
While the San Diego Regional Transportation Agency (SANDAG) has abandoned plans to implement the tax plan, California’s state government in Sacramento is now weighing a statewide option. And federal pilot projects show many communities are testing similar plans.
TORONTO, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ninepoint Partners LP (Ninepoint or the Manager) is pleased to announce the expected launch of four new mutual fund series of Ninepoint Crypto and AI Leaders ETF, being Series S, Series SF, Series A and Series F. Subject to regulatory approval, each such new series will be available under both Canadian and US dollar purchase options.
Offering a mutual fund series of Ninepoint Crypto and AI Leaders ETF provides Canadian financial advisors with additional flexibility and accessibility, enabling such advisors to hold the fund in client accounts that do not support trading in exchange-traded funds. This also allows for easier integration with pre-authorized contribution plans, systematic withdrawal plans, and dollar-cost averaging strategies—tools that many advisors rely on to help clients build wealth over time.
Each new mutual fund series of Ninepoint Crypto and AI Leaders ETF will be reflected in the fund’s simplified prospectus and fund facts, each of which will be filed with Canadian securities regulators in connection with the fund’s 2025 annual renewal. Subject to regulatory approval, it is anticipated that each new mutual fund series will be available for purchase on or about May 21, 2025 under the following fund codes:
Fund Code (CAD Purchase Option)
Fund Code (USD Purchase Option)
Mutual Fund Units
Management Fee
NPP5604
NPP 5600
Ninepoint Crypto and AI Leaders ETF – Series A
1.70%
NPP5605
NPP 5601
Ninepoint Crypto and AI Leaders ETF – Series F
0.70%
NPP5606
NPP 5602
Ninepoint Crypto and AI Leaders ETF – Series S
1.35%
NPP5607
NPP 5603
Ninepoint Crypto and AI Leaders ETF – Series SF
0.35%
Series S and Series SF securities are lower management fee versions of Series A and Series F securities, available to all investors until the aggregate net asset value for the fund’s Series S securities and Series SF securities exceeds $10 million.
Risk Rating Change – Ninepoint Global Infrastructure Fund
Ninepoint also announced a risk rating change for Ninepoint Global Infrastructure Fund (the Fund). The Manager determines the risk rating for the Fund in accordance with the methodology required by the Canadian securities regulators. As a result of its annual review of the investment risk level of the Fund, the Manager has determined the risk rating change as follows:
Fund
Previous Risk Rating
New Risk Rating
Ninepoint Global Infrastructure Fund
Low to Medium
Medium
This change will be reflected in the Fund’s fund facts, which will be filed with Canadian securities regulators in connection with the Fund’s 2025 annual renewal.
There are no changes to the investment objectives or strategies of the Fund.
The investment objective of the Fund is primarily to maximize risk adjusted long-term returns and secondarily to achieve a high level of income. The Fund focuses on achieving growth of capital through securities selection and pursues a long-term investment program with the aim of generating capital gains. The Fund seeks to provide a moderate level of volatility and a low degree of correlation to other asset classes through diversifying across a relatively concentrated group of global infrastructure stocks.
About Ninepoint Partners LP
Based in Toronto, Ninepoint Partners LP is one of Canada’s leading alternative investment management firms overseeing approximately $7 billion in assets under management and institutional contracts. Committed to helping investors explore innovative investment solutions that have the potential to enhance returns and manage portfolio risk, Ninepoint offers a diverse set of alternative strategies spanning Equities, Fixed Income, Alternative Income, Real Assets, F/X and Digital Assets.
For more information on Ninepoint Partners LP, please visit www.ninepoint.com or please contact us at (416) 943-6707 or (866) 299-9906 or invest@ninepoint.com.
Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the Prospectus before investing. Mutual fund securities are not covered by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or by any other government deposit insurer. There can be no assurances that the Fund will be able to maintain its NAV per security at a constant amount or that the full amount of your investment in the Fund will be returned to you. Past performance may not be repeated.
Sales Inquiries: Ninepoint Partners LP Neil Ross 416-945-6227 nross@ninepoint.com
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) just concluded 26 hours of fighting against Republican efforts to gut Medicaid and strip health coverage from millions of Americans, including 700,000 Michiganders.
“Republicans have spent this markup trying to convince the American people that Medicaid is rife with wasteful spending and is providing care to those who don’t actually need it. Here are the facts: Medicaid coverage costs 45 percent less than private insurance, and provides more comprehensive benefits than private insurance with significantly lower out-of-pocket costs for patients,” Dingell said. “Medicaid covers seniors, people with disabilities, children, pregnant women, and low-income people who rely on the program for care that keeps them healthy to provide for their family. This is critical care – not a luxury. The idea that there are millions of people on Medicaid who ‘don’t actually need’ it is flatly untrue. The provisions in this bill will kick millions of Americans off their health care plans, and people will die. It’s wrong, and I will continue to fight it.”
Congresswoman Dingell offered amendments to the bill to:
ensure Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) would not be cut or reduced under current law;
prevent the implementation of bureaucratic burdens that would kick eligible individuals off Medicaid and CHIP; and
ensure Medicaid beneficiaries aren’t forced out of their homes to qualify for long-term care services;
Republicans’ budget proposal will:
cut $700 billion from Medicaid to give billionaires a $4 trillion tax cut
result in 13.7 million Americans losing their health coverage
make it harder for eligible individuals to receive Medicaid with burdensome paperwork requirements
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)
Headline: Newhouse, Republican Colleagues Issue Joint Statement on Clean Energy Tax Credits
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) joined Reps. Jen Kiggans (VA-02), Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Mark Amodei (NV-02), Rob Bresnahan (PA-08), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Gabe Evans (CO-08), Dave Joyce (OH-14), Nick LaLota (NY-01), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Young Kim (CA-40), Don Bacon (NE-02), and David Valadao (CA-22) in issuing a joint statement regarding the clean energy tax provisions in the One, Big, Beautiful Bill.
“We commend the Ways and Means Committee for including reasonable phase-out schedules for certain clean energy tax credits. While many of these provisions reflect a commitment to American energy dominance through an all-of-the-above energy strategy, we must ensure certainty for current and future energy investments to meet the nation’s growing power demand and protect our constituents from higher energy costs.
To fully realize the intent of these phase-out schedules, we ask House leadership to consider three thoughtful changes to the energy tax credits section.
First, the Foreign Entity of Concern provisions are overly prescriptive and risk undermining U.S. competitiveness—particularly against China—by restricting domestic energy production. These provisions should be revised to allow companies additional time to reorganize their supply chains, ensuring a strategic and successful transition.
Second, the current “placed in service” standard does not align with the Committee’s thoughtful phase-out schedule. Replacing it with a “start construction” standard is essential to supporting the energy development needed to meet the growing power demand and protect thousands of high-quality American jobs in communities across the country.
Finally, the transferability of energy tax credits should remain available throughout the entire phase-out period established by the Committee, providing businesses with the flexibility necessary to make long-term investments in American energy.
We appreciate the Ways and Means Committee putting America first by investing in American energy dominance, but the last thing any of us want is to provoke an energy crisis or cause higher energy bills for working families. We urge the Committee to consider these important changes in this critical part of our One Big Beautiful Bill.”
This was first reported today as an exclusive by POLITICO.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)
Headline: Newhouse Introduces Legislation Strengthening U.S. Seaports
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) introduced legislation to close a loophole exploited by foreign shippers who circumvent United States seaports and divert cargo to ports in Canada and Mexico to avoid paying the U.S. harbor maintenance tax (HMT).
“We have an opportunity to expand the United States’ position as a leader in global trade, and we can only achieve that by strengthening and modernizing our port infrastructure.”said Rep. Newhouse.“Foreign shippers have been circumventing U.S. seaports, especially on the west coast, in order to avoid paying the harbor maintenance tax, resulting in a depleted maintenance fund. My legislation eliminates this costly loophole, ensures foreign shippers are paying their fair share, and strengthens our seaport infrastructure to deliver goods to consumers more efficiently.”
The legislation is supported by the Northwest Seaport Alliance and SSA Marine.
Toshiko Hasegawa, Northwest Seaport Alliance Co-Chair and Port of Seattle Commission President, said,“For decades, the Harbor Maintenance Tax has created a competitive disadvantage for U.S. ports like Seattle and Tacoma to other ports in North America. We are deeply grateful for Congressman Newhouse’s leadership in championing this issue and introducing this legislation to level the playing field by eliminating the incentive to divert U.S.-bound cargo through non-U.S. ports.”
John McCarthy, Northwest Seaport Alliance Co-Chair and Port of Tacoma Commission President, said,“Washington is one of the most trade-dependent states in the nation, and maintaining the NWSA’s position as a competitive, top-tier cargo gateway is critical to providing market access to agricultural producers. We thank Congressman Newhouse for working to uphold a strong, competitive supply chain by ensuring taxes are applied fairly to all US-bound cargo regardless of port of entry.”
Uffe Ostergaard, CEO of Carrix, said, “For over 30 years, Pacific Northwest ports have been disadvantaged by the Harbor Maintenance Tax, which has made these U.S. ports less competitive and has driven cargo volumes to alternative gateways. We are grateful to Congressman Newhouse for his leadership on this critical legislation to provide a more level playing field, support U.S. jobs, and bolster key export communities in Washington State.”
The fee would be 0.125% of the value, equal to the HMT, of U.S.-bound cargo that is discharged from an ocean-going vessel in Canada or Mexico and subsequently enters the U.S.
The HMT is an ad valorem tax that funds Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) activities to maintain U.S. seaports. U.S.-bound cargo from overseas trading partners that arrives at Canadian or Mexican ports and then enters the U.S. is not subject to paying the HMT.
The U.S. Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund lost nearly $600 million in revenue over the last ten years due to the $466 billion in imports that avoided the HMT by moving through a Canadian or Mexican seaport before entering the U.S.
Bringing these circumvented imports back to U.S. ports is critical for USACE’s duty to keep America’s harbors and rivers maintained and support economic growth.
Earlier this year, the Congressman visited the Port of Seattle and saw firsthand the impact circumvented cargo has on port operations.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)
Headline: Newhouse Announces Winners of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) announced the winners of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for high school students in Washington’s 4th Congressional District.
“I’m pleased to extend my congratulations to Jackeline Arellano of A.C. Davis High School on her winning entry, “Dew Drops of Life,” said Rep. Newhouse.“I look forward to seeing it displayed in our nation’s capital for visitors from across the country to enjoy. I would also like to recognize and thank all the gifted students from Central Washington who contributed their artwork this year.”
The winning entry, Dew Drops of Life by Jackeline Arellano, will be hung in the U.S. Capitol alongside winning entries from congressional districts across the country for one year. The winner will be invited to visit Washington, D.C. to attend a reception sponsored by the Congressional Institute, who hosts the annual competition.
Rep. Newhouse has invited the second and third place winners, Ivette Valencia Montes (Whispers of the Cascades) of A.C. Davis High School and Ruby Meza-Yanez (The Three Amigos) of A.C Davis High School, to hang their art in the Yakima District Office.
The winning entries can be found below, and you can view all of the 2024 submissionshere.
Winner: Dew Drops of Life, Jackeline Arellano, 12th grade, Davis High School
Second Place: Whispers of the Cascades, Ivette Valencia Montes, 12th grade, A.C. Davis High School
Third Place: The Three Amigos, Ruby Meza-Yanez, 11th grade, A.C. Davis High School
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)
Headline: Newhouse Statement on House Agriculture Committee Advancing Reconciliation Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) released the following statement after voting to advance the House Agriculture Committee’s portion of the One, Big, Beautiful bill with a 29-25 vote.
“My colleagues and I on the House Agriculture Committee have delivered common-sense reforms to SNAP and critical pieces of the Farm Bill in this legislation,” said Rep. Newhouse. “When enacted, our portion of the reconciliation package will rein in out-of-control spending and make unprecedented strides in reducing the deficit. Expanding our foreign market access programs has been a top priority of mine, and I am proud that our bill delivers farmers and ranchers the important resources needed to compete in global markets. I thank Chairman Thompson for his leadership as we continue to work hard for the American agriculture industry.”
This Friday, May 16, the House Budget Committee is scheduled hold a markup of the full reconciliation package with the Agriculture Committee’s legislation included.
Premier David Eby has issued the following statement on Moose Hide Campaign Day:
“Today, the call to end violence against women and children is being heard throughout the country.
“Moose Hide Campaign Day brings together hundreds of thousands of people to fast, participate in walks and events, and pin small squares of moose hide to their lapels to show their commitment to condemning violence against women, children, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people.
“More than a decade ago, the Moose Hide Campaign started in B.C. as an Indigenous-led grassroots effort to engage men and boys in ending violence against women and children. It has since grown to a nationwide movement and has been a powerful force for positive change.
“Our government is proud to support the campaign as part of our ongoing work to end gender-based violence and work toward true and lasting reconciliation with Indigenous people. This work includes partnering with Indigenous people to increase safety and supports for survivors, uplift Indigenous-led approaches and break the cycle of violence through prevention, healing and accountability. Together, we have made significant progress, but we need to do more.
“Violence against women and children remains a persistent yet preventable problem throughout the country, and Indigenous women continue to experience violence at a higher rate than non-Indigenous women. We all have a responsibility to take a stand against violence and help create safe homes, workplaces and communities.
“Today, I will wear my moose hide pin and reflect on what further actions I can take as a father, as a husband and as premier, to make British Columbia a place where everyone feels safe and supported. I encourage everyone to do the same. Together, we can end the cycle of violence and create a brighter future for all.”
Garry Begg, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, said:
“Moose Hide Campaign Day is an opportunity for us to come together and work toward meaningful and impactful change for women, children, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people. Our government is committed to supporting Indigenous-led approaches and healing for survivors and their families and will continue to work to address the underlying causes of gender-based violence.”
Christine Boyle, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, said:
“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community. On Moose Hide Campaign Day, we stand together against violence guided by Indigenous tradition, ceremony and leadership. I am proud to wear my moose hide pin and support this essential work.”
Jennifer Blatherwick, parliamentary secretary for gender equity, said:
“Indigenous women and girls are more likely to be murdered, assaulted or go missing than any other women in the country. It’s crucial that we persist in tackling the underlying issues of violence, such as colonialism, racism and misogyny. We will also continue to support Indigenous self-determination, safety planning and healing through Indigenous-led initiatives that promote capacity building, and culturally safe approaches and solutions to address gender-based violence.”
Each year, between March and October, large amounts of brown seaweed called sargassum wash up on the shores of Caribbean islands – choking beaches, damaging marine life and threatening tourism and public health. But a number of local entrepreneurs are hoping the seaweed could create an economic opportunity.
From the coast of west Africa to the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, climate change is warming the temperature of the ocean. Seas are also becoming more acidic as water absorbs carbon dioxide. This all results in more intense growth of sargassum in the tropical Atlantic.
The piles of noxious seaweed on the Caribbean islands’ white sandy beaches are putting off visitors to these islands and probably dampening tourism revenues.
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The fishing sector is also suffering, with blooms of seaweed getting caught up in fishing nets, often ripping them due to the weight of the seaweed. This makes it hard for fishers to catch fish and make a living.
The sargassum problem is just one of many slow-onset events that are being exacerbated by climate change. But gradual changes get much less attention or resources to address the consequences than, say, alarming wildfires or flash floods.
Slow-onset events are also much harder to quantify than climate-change-induced extreme weather, such as worsening hurricanes or floods. Our team at ODI Global, a thinktank, recently published a study that estimated the cost of these at US$2,000 (£1,500) per person. Calculating the tourism lost each year due to seaweed inundation is trickier.
Despite these challenges, through small-scale, locally developed solutions, as well as government policies that support small businesses including helping them access climate finance, entrepreneurs can find sustainable solutions to help their populations thrive in an era of climate change.
Legena Henry, a lecturer at the University of the West Indies in Barbados, uses sargassum to produce a biofuel that can power cars. Johanan Dujon, the founder and chief executive of St. Lucia-based Algas Organics sells plant tonics made from sargassum and is trialling methods to convert sargassum into paper.
Meanwhile, other innovations are helping to minimise the impacts of sargassum in the region.
Andrés León, founder of SOS Carbon, a spin-off organisation from the mechanical engineering department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has designed a boat-based harvester to collect sargassum at sea to stop it from beaching and causing damage onshore.
Some islands, such as Jamaica, are using early warning systems, typically used to predict hurricanes, to predict the ocean currents that might bring a bumper arrival of the seaweed to their shores. This could give fishers up to 30 days notice of just how bad the inundation will be.
Barriers to scale up
But while small businesses are emerging, turning them into larger enterprises across the region remains difficult. As usual, small island nations struggle to get funding because investors think the projects are too small and won’t make enough money.
As Legena Henry recently told us on the Small Island Big Picture podcast, spending a few million dollars (as opposed to a few hundred million dollars) can feel administratively cumbersome for funders as they often have limited administrative capacity and large sums of money to manage.
Another issue is ensuring the benefits from any sargassum solutions flow into the affected Caribbean islands to support local growth and economic development.
Several opportunities exist for small island nations to generate some income from sargassum. They could, for example, sell licences to permit companies to harvest sargassum within their exclusive economic zones, which can stretch around many islands for hundreds of nautical miles.
They can also sell licences to businesses trialling or operating new sargassum technologies within their exclusive economic zones — for example, SOS Carbon has a patent pending for technology designed to sink sargassum to the seabed to store carbon.
Will sargassum continue to be a nuisance, or could it be an important renewable natural resource? It’s not yet clear.
Ideally, as with other renewable natural resources in developing countries, small island nations that own the sargassum need to find ways to extract a fair share of the value from that ownership, as well as selling to external companies that come in, remove it and profit from it.
With tax incentives and low-cost finance for domestic innovators, small islands can manage and sell sargassum and then use the proceeds to develop climate resilience measures.
Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?
Emma Tompkins received funding for work on sargassum from the Economic and Social Research Council GCRF (Grant number: ES/T002964/1)
Emily Wilkinson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Adam Hanieh, Professor of Political Economy and Global Development, Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter
After signing a US$142 billion (£107 billion) arms deal with Saudi Arabia, Donald Trump said the US bond with that country was “more powerful than ever”. He was also reportedly quite pleased with the gift of a private jet from Qatar.
But these arrangements are just the latest developments in a long history of the Gulf monarchies supporting the architecture of American global power. And while the six Gulf states (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman) have recently started redirecting their energy and trade ties eastward, especially towards China, they remain deeply embedded in the US-led financial order.
As I explore in my recent book, Crude Capitalism, the Gulf states were instrumental in the rise of American global economic dominance.
With oil emerging as the dominant fossil fuel through the second half of the 20th century, the Gulf’s nationalised petroleum industries generated vast amounts of income. Much of this was invested back into the US financial markets, particularly treasury bonds (essentially a long-term loan to the US government). This gave the US access to cheap foreign capital and reinforced the global dominance of the dollar.
Put simply, the Gulf states were not peripheral to the US’s growing financial power – they were an essential contributor.
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This arrangement also involved a political bargain: US military protection for the Gulf monarchies in exchange for investment flows and energy stability. The result was a web of US military bases across the region and a deep alignment between authoritarian Gulf regimes and western strategic interests.
But much has changed in the past two decades. China’s rise as a global manufacturing hub has driven a huge increase in oil consumption, shifting the direction of the Gulf’s oil exports away from the US and western Europe towards China and east Asia.
These energy ties have been accompanied by much deeper trade interdependence and a huge increase in Chinese investments in the Gulf. In 2005, China was responsible for just 9% of the Gulf’s imports. Today, that figure is over 20%, while the US and EU’s share has fallen from 45% to 16%. China has also recently overtaken the US as the largest foreign investor in Saudi Arabia.
From Beijing’s perspective, the Gulf is a critical energy lifeline. From the Gulf’s side, China’s continuing demand for oil, gas and petrochemicals is a vital part of its economic future.
For the moment, that economic situation looks pretty robust. In 2024, Gulf countries held around US$800 billion in foreign reserves (foreign currencies and other assets), which is more than India or Switzerland. Their sovereign wealth funds (a state owned investment fund) manage another US$4.9 trillion of assets.
Private wealth, including that held by ruling families, stood at US$2.8 trillion in 2022, and is expected to reach US$3.5 trillion by 2027.
Much of this money is invested domestically, in sectors including infrastructure, real estate and renewable energy. But an astonishing amount flows directly into US markets.
Oil be back
According to US Treasury data, total Gulf holdings of American securities (bonds, stocks and corporate debt) rose from US$611 billion in 2017 to over US$1 trillion in 2024. Outside of Canada and financial hubs like London and Ireland, the Gulf is now the largest foreign investor in the US stock market.
Another route through which Gulf wealth flows back into the US is via military procurement. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the Gulf states accounted for 22% of all global arms imports between 2019 and 2023 – more than any other region in the world.
The US supplies the overwhelming majority of these weapons. In this way, Gulf spending supports the American military industry, and in return, these states become more closely tied to the US military’s umbrella.
These deep military, financial and strategic ties help explain the real focus of Trump’s visit to the Gulf. Much of the discussion will have centred on massive investment pledges made by Gulf states to the US – including Saudi Arabia’s promise to invest up to US$600 billion, and the UAE’s commitment to a US$1.4 trillion investment over ten years.
And such pledges reflect a broader agenda which involves expanding deals in artificial intelligence, critical minerals, energy infrastructure and advanced manufacturing.
So Trump travelling to the region is not just about private jets and spectacle. It is about the continuing relevance of a structural relationship essential to American power, and a deepening financial integration between the Gulf and the US.
For even as the Gulf reorients its energy flows eastward, it remains deeply tied to US finance, the US military industry and US assets. In an era of weakening US global power – and the possible spectre of a deeper clash with China – this is what will define Trump’s visit.
Adam Hanieh does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Mary J. Scourboutakos, Adjunct Lecturer in Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto
GLP-1 is a good example of how it’s not just what you eat that matters, it’s also how you eat it.(Shutterstock)
Despite the popularity of semaglutide drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy for weight loss, surveys suggest that most people still prefer to lose weight without using medications. For those preferring a drug-free approach to weight loss, research shows that certain nutrients and dietary strategies can naturally mimic the effects of semaglutides.
Increased intakes of fibre and monounsaturated fats (found in olive oil and avocadoes) — as well as the time of day when foods are eaten, the order that foods are eaten in, the speed of eating and even chewing — can naturally stimulate increased production of the same hormone responsible for the effects of semaglutide drugs.
As a family physician with a PhD in nutrition, I translate the latest nutrition science into dietary recommendations for my patients. A strategic approach to weight loss rooted in the latest science is not only superior to antiquated calorie counting, but also capitalizes on the same biological mechanisms responsible for the success of popular weight-loss drugs.
Increased intake of monounsaturated fats (found in olive oil and avocadoes) is one factor in naturally stimulating GLP-1 production — the same hormone responsible for the effects of semaglutide drugs like Ozempic. (Stevepb/Pixabay)
Semaglutide medications work by increasing the levels of a hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1), a satiety signal that slows digestion and makes us feel full. These drugs also simultaneously decrease levels of an enzyme called DPP-4, which inactivates GLP-1.
As a result, this “stop eating” hormone that naturally survives for only a few minutes can survive for an entire week. This enables a semi-permanent, just-eaten sensation of fullness that consequently leads to decreased food intake and, ultimately, weight loss.
Nevertheless, medications aren’t the only way to raise GLP-1 levels.
What you eat
Fibre — predominantly found in beans, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds — is the most notable nutrient that can significantly increase GLP-1. When fibre is fermented by the trillions of bacteria that live in our intestines, the resultant byproduct, called short chain fatty acids, stimulates the production of GLP-1.
Monounsaturated fats — found in olive oil and avocado oil — are another nutrient that raises GLP-1. One study showed that GLP-1 levels were higher following the consumption of bread and olive oil compared to bread and butter. Though notably, bread consumed with any kind of fat (be it from butter or even cheese) raises GLP-1 more than bread alone.
Another study showed that having an avocado alongside your breakfast bagel also increases GLP-1 more so than eating the bagel on its own. Nuts that are high in both fibre and monounsaturated fats, like pistachios, have also been shown to raise GLP-1 levels.
How you eat
However, the specific foods and nutrients that influence GLP-1 levels are only half the story. GLP-1 is a good example of how it’s not just what you eat that matters, it’s also how you eat it.
The Mediterranean diet outperformed semaglutide drugs at lowering risk of cardiac events. (Shutterstock)
Studies show that meal sequence — the order foods are eaten in — can impact GLP-1. Eating protein, like fish or meat, before carbohydrates, like rice, results in a higher GLP-1 level compared to eating carbohydrates before protein. Eating vegetables before carbohydrates has a similar effect.
Time of day also matters, because like all hormones, GLP-1 follows a circadian rhythm. A meal eaten at 8 a.m. stimulates a more pronounced release of GLP-1 compared to the same meal at 5 p.m. This may partly explain why the old saying “eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper” is backed by evidence that demonstrates greater weight loss when breakfast is the largest meal of the day and dinner is the smallest.
While certain foods and dietary strategies can increase GLP-1 naturally, the magnitude is far less than what is achievable with medications. One study of the GLP-1 raising effects of the Mediterranean diet demonstrated a peak GLP-1 level of approximately 59 picograms per millilitre of blood serum. The product monograph for Ozempic reports that the lowest dose produces a GLP-1 level of 65 nanograms per millilitre (one nanogram = 1,000 picograms). So medications raise GLP-1 more than one thousand times higher than diet.
The following strategies are important for those trying to lose weight without a prescription:
Eat breakfast
Strive to make breakfast the largest meal of the day (or at least frontload your day as much as possible)
Aim to eat at least one fibre-rich food at every meal
Make olive oil a dietary staple
Be mindful of the order that you eat foods in, consume protein and vegetables before carbohydrates
Snack on nuts
Chew your food
Eat slowly
While natural approaches to raising GLP-1 may not be as potent as medications, they provide a drug-free approach to weight loss and healthy eating.
Mary J. Scourboutakos does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner (RI-02) and more than a dozen colleagues from both parties took to the House floor Tuesday evening to call for an immediate vote to ban members of Congress from trading individual stocks.
Magaziner is the lead sponsor of theTransparent Representation Upholding Service and Trust (TRUST) in Congress Act, the most widely supported bipartisan bill in Congress aimed at ending insider trading by lawmakers. He and a coalition of Democrats and Republicans urged Congressional leadership to bring to a vote to confront the issue as soon as possible.
Their call to action came the same day that Speaker Mike Johnson indicated his support for a stock trading ban. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries recently endorsed the idea as well, marking the first time a Congressional leader in either party publicly supported a ban and signaling new momentum for the issue.
“When people elect us to office, they should be able to trust that their members of Congress are acting in the best interest of the country, not the best interest of their own personal finances. And when members of Congress are able to trade off of our position, it damages the integrity of this institution and of our entire democracy,” said Magaziner during his opening remarks.
Magaziner was joined by: Rep. Chip Roy (TX-21), Joe Neguse (CO-02), Mike Levin (CA-49), Tim Burchett (TN-02), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Rob Bresnahan (PA-08) Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Cory Mills (FL-07), Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05), Mark Alford (MO-04), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Young Kim (CA-40), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03).
A clip of Magaziner’s opening remarks is availablehere. A full recording of the Special Order Hour is availablehere.
BACKGROUND
Magaziner and Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) introduced theTRUST in Congress Actto restore public confidence in government and reduce the potential for insider trading. The bill would require members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children to either divest from individual stock holdings or place their assets in a qualified blind trust during their time in office.
Public polling shows overwhelming bipartisan support for the measure. A national survey conducted byNavigator Researchfound that 89% of Democrats, 92% of Republicans, and 90% of independents support banning congressional stock trading.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)
Bacon Votes Yes on House Agriculture Reconciliation Bill
Washington – Today, Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) voted yes on the House Agriculture Committee’s (HAC) Reconciliation markup, which includes measures to restore integrity to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP). These reforms will ensure SNAP works the way Congress intended it to, by reinforcing work, rooting out waste, and setting accountability incentives to control costs and end executive and state overreach.
“We need to find the waste and eliminate it so we can strengthen the program for the vulnerable,”said Rep. Bacon.
Since 2019 SNAP rolls have increased by 17% and the cost of the program has ballooned by 83%. States administer the program and collectively make almost $13 billion in erroneous payments to participants in the SNAP program. The national error rate of 11.68 percent has nearly doubled since 2019. In addition, enforcement efforts have been limited by some states who do not enforce work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents. Currently, 40% of these work-ready individuals live under a waiver that exempts them from work requirements.
“Clearly this isn’t sustainable for American Taxpayers,”said Rep. Bacon.“We are delivering on our promise to reign in waste and fraud.”
Each state will be required to shoulder a share of the costs, based on their erroneous rates, beginning in 2028.
“Our team successfully negotiated with committee leadership to lower the burden of the state’s share,”added Rep. Bacon.“Nebraska was looking into shelling out an additional $83 million and we got that lowered to about $30 million. Plus, if Nebraska and other states lower their error rates, they will lower their percentage of share cost.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – After more than 26 hours of debate in the Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) delivered closing remarks exposing the impact of House Republicans’ plan to gut health care for nearly 14 million Americans. The House Republicans’ budget proposal slashes roughly $800 billion from Medicaid and other critical health care initiatives that serve low- and middle-income families to pay for $4.5 trillion in tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefit billionaires and big corporations.
“Almost 14 million Americans will lose their health coverage to give the richest Americans a large, permanent tax cut, while working families will see eventual tax increases. They’re going to add $5 trillion to the debt. It’s fiscally irresponsible, and it is morally wrong,” said Castor. “Now, at the outset of our hearing that began over 24 hours ago, Democrats highlighted folks back home who rely on Medicaid, and the Republicans protested. They said none of those people are going to lose their health care. Well, here’s what we know. The nonpartisan, independent CBO (Congressional Budget Office) says 14 million Americans will lose care. And why won’t people believe what the Republicans are saying? It’s because the Republicans have a track record of opposing affordable health care, while Democrats have championed the health of our neighbors. We do not believe that you should be bankrupt if you get a diagnosis. This is smart policy. We want people to be productive and healthy.”
Watch Castor’s remarks here.
A transcript of her full remarks follows below:
“Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. This amendment says that none of the provisions of this Title shall take effect if any of the provisions result in reduced access to coverage under the Health Title. And as we bring this debate in for a landing today, I want to say to my Democratic colleagues, I’m so proud to stand with you. You’re eloquent and fearless. And to Chairman Guthrie and my Republican colleagues, I want to thank you. I appreciate your respectful tenor of the debate.
“But we’ve learned a lot since the Republicans sprung this cruel and costly tax and spending package on Americans late in the dark of night, on Mother’s Day no less, rushing it to committee without a hearing, shrouding the health care debate—starting that at 1 AM in the middle of the night—but here’s what we know. Almost 14 million Americans will lose their health coverage to give the richest Americans a large, permanent tax cut, while working families will see eventual tax increases. They’re going to add $5 trillion to the debt. It’s fiscally irresponsible, and it is morally wrong. 14 million Americans. That’s the combined population of the states of Kentucky and Virginia. Some of the largest health care cuts ever proposed in American history, harming not just our neighbors, but providers, doctors, nurses, hospitals, therapists, who provide care.
“So this is going to impact all Americans. Here’s how. They’re going to bury people in costly paperwork. You slip up? No care. [They’re] Going to make it harder to enroll. No care. They’re going to shrink the enrollment periods. No care. They’re going to choke off the ability of states and providers to fund care. So no care there either. They’re going to raise premiums and price people out, so they lose care. Eligible parents and families will be forced to jump through hoops when instead, they should be focused on setting their kids up for success in life. It will be harder for families to access long-term care, or [to] stay in their homes and live in dignity.
“Now, at the outset of our hearing that began over 24 hours ago, Democrats highlighted folks back home who rely on Medicaid, and the Republicans protested. They said none of those people are going to lose their health care. Well, here’s what we know. The nonpartisan, independent CBO says 14 million Americans will lose care. And why won’t people believe what the Republicans are saying? It’s because the Republicans have a track record of opposing affordable health care, while Democrats have championed the health of our neighbors. We do not believe that you should be bankrupt if you get a diagnosis. This is smart policy. We want people to be productive and healthy.
“In fact, you can go all the way back to the 1960s when it was a Democratic president and a Democratic Congress, who originally passed Medicaid and Medicare into law. Or maybe something more in the modern era. [In] 2010, when a Democratic president and a Democratic Congress, as the rolls of the uninsured reached 25 percent in the state of Florida, passed the Affordable Care Act to outlaw discrimination for preexisting conditions. We passed a law that said kids can stay on their parents’ plan to age 26. We expanded Medicaid. Twenty-one million Americans now have health coverage because of Medicaid expansion. That ultimately cut the uninsured rate in half. We’re now at a historic low in the number of uninsured. We were constraining spending.
“But see, the Republicans have a track record, because they fought it every step of the way. There wasn’t one Republican vote for the Affordable Care Act. And then, go to 2017, the first Trump Administration, Republicans in this committee fought to repeal the ACA. Contrast that to the Democratic record. We passed the Inflation Reduction Act, [including] key reforms to lower health care costs. [We] directed Medicare to negotiate prices for the highest cost drugs. We capped the price of insulin at $35, a $2,000 cap for everyone on Medicare, and enhanced premium tax credits. The track record, again, not one GOP vote here.
“In 2021, [in] the midst of a maternal mortality crisis, we gave states a new option to provide Medicaid postpartum coverage. [Now here] In 2025, at the outset of this Congress, the Republicans are turning a blind eye. They’re going down the same old path to rip health coverage away. It doesn’t have to be like this. [p]eople in America deserve affordable, reliable care, and that’s what we intend to fight for. From this day forward, no matter if you pass this bill out of this committee, we’re not going to give up. We’re going to stand up for our neighbors back home. See them. See them, listen to them. Empower them. Support them. Don’t rip away their coverage to fund a massive tax giveaway for the wealthy.”
Legislation Would Create Facility to Curb New World Screwworm Population Growth
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced the Bipartisan Strengthening Tactics to Obstruct the Population of Screwworms (STOP Screwworms) Act, which wouldauthorize funds for and direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to begin construction on a new sterile fly production facility to combat the growing New World screwworm (NWS) outbreak that threatens to wreak havoc on the American cattle industry. Additional cosponsors of this legislation include Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.). Congressman Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) was the lead sponsor of the House version.
“Given the current screwworm outbreak, Congress must take immediate action to help protect New Mexico’s cattle and livestock from this growing threat,” said Senator Luján, a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. “This bipartisan legislation will fund a new sterile fly facility to help stop the spread of the destructive New World screwworm and protect New Mexico’s 1.4 million cattle and calves. This is a critical investment that supports over 10,000 cattle farms and ranches in New Mexico, saves the U.S. livestock industry nearly $1 billion each year, and helps prevent an outbreak in the U.S.”
“Combatting the destructive New World screwworm is vital to protecting our cattle, Texas producers, and the American livestock industry as a whole,” said Senator Cornyn. “I am proud to lead this legislation to create a new facility dedicated to pushing these pests away from our border and will continue to work with Secretary Rollins and agriculture leaders across the state to ensure our farmers, ranchers, and producers have the resources they need.”
“The New World Screwworm poses a growing threat to New Mexico livestock, jeopardizing ranchers’ livelihoods, and putting our food supply at risk. I’m proud to join Senators Cornyn and Luján to introduce bipartisan legislation that will help us tackle this problem now and prevent outbreaks in the future,” said Senator Heinrich, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration.”
“Texas agriculture and livestock are a core part of the Texas economy, and they feed America and the world,” said Senator Cruz. “I’m working daily with Secretary Rollins, Texas authorities, and my colleagues in Congress to safeguard Texas from threats including the New World Screwworm, and pushing Mexico to implement their commitments to eradication. This bill will advance those efforts, and Congress should pass it.”
“Ag producers across America are sounding the alarm—the New World Screwworm is making a comeback, and our livestock industry is in real danger. We need to fully eradicate this pest before it’s too late,” said Rep. Gonzales. “The STOP Screwworms Act provides dedicated resources to do just that. By authorizing the construction of a new sterile fly facility in the United States, we reduce our dependence on Latin American partners for eradication efforts and take matters into our own hands.”
“The recent screwworm outbreak is deeply concerning, and without immediate action and adequate preparation, the consequences for New Mexico’s cattle and livestock industries could be devastating,” saidLarry Reagan, New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau President. “This legislation is a critical step in ensuring the nation is prepared to respond effectively and New Mexico’s farmers and ranchers are protected.”
Background:
The New World screwworm (NWS) is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on livestock, wildlife, and in rare cases, humans, and populations are moving toward the United States at an alarming rate. They can cause serious damage to their host, including death. This week, the USDA announced the suspension of live cattle, horse, and bison imports through the southern border in response to the growing spread of the NWS and recent outbreaks in Mexico.
This new facility would produce sterile male screwworm flies that would be released into infested areas to help combat the growth of the screwworm population. The sterile fly technique was instrumental in eradicating NWS from the United States in the 1960s and from Mexico in the ‘90s, as sterile male flies can outcompete local populations and effectively wipe out an entire generation of screwworms in a given area.
This legislation is endorsed by the American Farm Bureau Federation, the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau, the Texas Farm Bureau, the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, and the South Texans’ Property Rights Association.
ATU Local 1573-Brampton, ON, Members Stood United to Achieve Deal, Ratification Vote Expected Soon.
Brampton, ON – After a strike threat, Brampton Transit Workers, represented by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1573-Brampton, ON, have reached a tentative agreement with the transit agency yesterday afternoon.
The deal was reached only weeks after the more than 1,400 Union members threatened to strike after overwhelmingly rejecting a previous contract offer from Brampton Transit that had significantly reduced wages from their previous offer, while also adding new concessions. In March, as contract talks stalled, the Union members voted to authorize a strike if necessary. The two sides returned to the table, but talks once again broke down.
“We are pleased to announce that after negotiations yesterday afternoon, Local 1573 has reached a tentative agreement with Brampton Transit,” said ATU International Vice President Ken Wilson. “The transit agency recognized the important role our members play in the community by putting forth a contract with wages and benefits that put our members on par with transit workers in the Greater Toronto Area.”
“Our members’ unwavering unity is the reason we have a tentative agreement they should be proud to vote on,” said ATU International President John Costa. “Our members now have a pathway to the middle class for the essential public service they provide. This agreement represents our efforts to ensure that transit workers across Canada are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.”
Local members are expected to vote soon on the deal at a ratification meeting. The details of the settlement will not be shared with the media or public until it is presented to the Union’s membership.
The UConn Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills recently hosted the 2025 Career Everywhere Recognition & Celebration, honoring the many faculty, staff, alumni, and employer partners who have supported students in their career journeys this past year.
Emceed by Micah Heumann, Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research and a member of the Career Champion Advisory Board, the event highlighted the momentum behind the Career Everywhere movement and its mission to embed career development into every corner of the UConn experience. In his opening remarks, Heumann emphasized that “career readiness is an equity issue” and acknowledged the collective efforts to make career conversations accessible to all students.
“What’s happening here is transformational,” Heumann said. “We’re moving from silos to systems, fostering collaborations that cross disciplines, roles, and departments. And that’s what makes Career Everywhere so powerful. It’s not about asking everyone to become a career counselor. It’s about creating a shared culture where we all feel empowered to be part of the conversation”.
The celebration recognized more than just this shared commitment, it also spotlighted specific individuals and initiatives making an extraordinary impact.
Five alumni, Ali DeGirolamo, Dominique Teskey, Jonathan Costa, Kelly Kerrigan, and Tessa Kalin, were recognized for their meaningful contributions through the Alumni-in-Residence program. These alumni volunteered their time to host monthly office hours and offer one-on-one guidance to students, covering everything from networking strategies to industry insights. Their involvement extended to career panels, classroom visits, and other campus events, where they encouraged students to embrace career growth as a process filled with twists, turns, and unexpected lessons.
Fourteen faculty members from twelve departments participated in the 2024 Summer Faculty Fellow Institute, integrating career readiness into their courses with a focus on helping students articulate career competencies. Posters showcasing their work were featured during the event, offering attendees a glimpse into how career learning is being embedded into the curriculum.
Provost Anne D’Alleva reflected on the power of this collective effort: “Career development doesn’t happen in isolation. It grows through the relationships, experiences, and encouragement students receive every day. The commitment of our Career Champions helps ensure that every student has the tools and support they need to take confident steps toward their future.”
This year, the Center received 154 award nominations; an all-time high that reflects the widespread commitment across the university to supporting student success. The 2025 Career Everywhere award recipients are:
Undergraduate Career Mentor of the Year: Craig Calvert, Associate Professor In-Residence and Co-Director of the MEM Program
Graduate Career Mentor of the Year: Mary Anne Amalaradjou, Associate Professor, Animal Science
Staff Career Mentor of the Year: Brooke Foti Gemmell, Design Strategist, Greenhouse Studios
Employer/Alumni Career Mentor of the Year: Ali DeGirolamo, Mayoral Aide, City of Waterbury
Faculty Career Advocate of the Year: Tamara Kaliszewski, Associate Professor-in-Residence, Allied Health Sciences
Staff Career Advocate of the Year: Arthur Galinat, Director, International Student and Scholar Services
Career Competency Innovation Award: Allied Health Sciences Department, including Anna Ramos, Cheryl Ordway, Janet Rochester, Jill Skowrenski, Justin Nash, Lauren Wilson, Paul Bureau, and Paula Kalksma-McDowell
From one-on-one mentorship and career guidance to curriculum innovation and institutional partnerships, each of these recipients represents the impact of making career development a shared responsibility—and a shared success—at UConn.
To learn more about the Career Champion program and how to get involved, visit https://career.uconn.edu/careereverywhere/.