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Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI USA: Feenstra Helps Introduce Legislation to Build Affordable Homes

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Randy Feenstra (IA-04)

    HULL, IOWA – Earlier this month, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) helped introduce – alongside Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) – the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act, which would mobilize private investment to construct new, affordable homes and revitalize existing homes to attract and keep families and businesses in Iowa. 

    This legislation would support the construction or rehabilitation of roughly 500,000 homes for middle- and low-income families.

    “Affordable housing is crucial to growing communities, attracting business investment, and keeping young families rooted in Iowa. However, certain barriers, often out of the control of local governments and contractors, cause housing shortages that hinder economic growth and community development,” said Rep. Feenstra. “Serving on the House Ways and Means Committee, I’m glad to help lead legislation to expand the housing supply, including in rural communities, to bring down costs and make the dream of homeownership attainable for more families. By ensuring that our tax code supports homebuilding, we can help families flourish, encourage our businesses to expand, and keep our communities strong.”

    More specifically, the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act establishes a federal tax credit that developers can claim to construct new housing or substantially rehabilitate existing homes. This tax credit seeks to close the “value gap” – which occurs when the cost to build a home exceeds the price at which it is expected to sell – by covering up to 35% of development expenses for new construction.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Strength and Solidarity on Display at IAM’s Tennessee/Kentucky State Council

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    The IAM Union is proving that workers in the South are building a resurgence of working people power.

    The IAM’s Tennessee/Kentucky State Council recently brought member-activists across the two states to Gatlinburg, Tenn., for the council’s annual meeting. The councils, led in Tennessee by District 1888 Directing Business Representative Bill Benson and in Kentucky by District 1888 Business Representative and Organizer Ryan McCarthy, are focusing on fighting and winning for working families in states that are often thought to be unfriendly to workers’ rights.

    View state council photos here.

    International President Brian Bryant and Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin helped inspire delegates to continue to push for pro-worker policies in both states.

    “Our members across Tennessee and Kentucky are rising up and fighting back,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “We see it in strong contracts, engaged members and the activism right here in the Tennessee and Kentucky State Council.”

    IAM Local 1296 members at Trane in Clarksville, Tenn., recently ratified a strong contract with 9% first-year raises. IAM members in Kentucky recently advocated for pro-worker legislation at a lobby day at the state capitol.

    “This is how we show our strength and solidarity,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin. “We need to bring more pride and dignity to workers across Tennessee and Kentucky. We’re willing to strike, and we’re willing to take to the halls of state capitols. We’re here to remind politicians where their power comes from.”

    Other speakers included:

    • Paul Kendall, Assistant Secretary to the General Secretary-Treasurer
    • Carla Siegel, General Counsel
    • Shaun Junkins, Southern Territory International Representative
    • Ty Richardson, Assistant Political and Legislative Director
    • Juan Eldridge, Assistant Organizing Director
    • Tim Hight, Winpisinger Center Education Representative
    • Jonathan Battaglia, Communications Director
    • Former Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service employees

    Share and Follow:

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: JMU expert available to discuss the legacy of Pope Francis, upcoming conclave

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HARRISONBURG, Va., April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pope Francis died April 21 at the age of 88. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936 in Argentina, he was the first pope from Latin America. Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis was elected as his successor on March 13, 2013. 

    James Madison University’s Jennifer Aycock, an assistant professor of religion, is available to discuss the life and legacy of Pope Francis and next steps for the Vatican as they begin the mourning process and prepare the conclave to elect the next pope. 

    “Pope Francis likened the church to a field hospital, a place of care and presence for the disenfranchised, poor and marginalized,” said Aycock. “Migrants, as well as young adults living in zones of conflict such as in South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo where the pope intentionally visited, held a primary place in his vision of the church and of the ministry of Christ.” 

    “As the first pope from the Jesuit order, Francis pastorally opened the door of the church, shifting perceptions as well as ministry foci from rules to presence, from hierarchy to being with the people as he and so many Catholics understand Christ was and is. He repeatedly spoke moral truth to power rooted in a vision of the church and Christ, who stands with the poor and those living on the margins of political power,” added Aycock.  

    To arrange interviews with Aycock, please contact Chad Saylor, saylorcx@jmu.edu. 

    The MIL Network –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Statement On The Passing Of Pope Francis

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    April 21, 2025

    CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding the passing of Pope Francis:

    “We have lost the messenger, but we must hold fast to the message of Pope Francis to love and respect one another. In a world of hate and fear, Pope Francis’ message of peace and understanding is needed now more than ever.

    “We should honor the Pope with a ‘Francis Day’ of world peace: stop the bombing in Ukraine and Gaza; feed the dying in Sudan and around the globe; and show kindness to one another.”

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Merkley, Blumenthal, Markey: President Trump’s Cuts To Tobacco Prevention Will Make Americans Sicker & Cause More Tobacco-Related Deaths, Diseases

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    April 21, 2025

    CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) along with U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) today slammed the Trump Administration for staffing cuts at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that will devastate tobacco use prevention efforts across America.

    “Dozens of staffers at the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) have been placed on administrative leave, including the Center’s director, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) has been gutted. These actions risk undermining progress that has been made in reducing the death, disease, and addiction caused by tobacco use,” the Senators wrote. “Without these critical staff, we are concerned that more youth will start using tobacco products, fewer people will quit, and more people will become ill and die from tobacco-caused disease.”

    The Senators stressed the impacts of these staffing cuts on the federal government’s ability to protect kids from nicotine addiction and reduce chronic diseases caused by tobacco use, which remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States and creates billions of dollars of health care related costs every year.

    “We cannot make a serious effort to reduce chronic disease and protect children’s health without addressing the harm caused by tobacco,” the Senators continued. “Yet the drastic reductions in force at HHS has led to the removal of key officials at the CTP, a center at the FDA created by Congress under the bipartisan Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Without adequate personnel, CTP will not be able to meet its statutory requirement to enforce the law and effectively conduct premarket reviews of new tobacco products and prevent the entry of products that will increase youth tobacco use.”

    The Senators warned, “The firing of thousands of staff at HHS also effectively eliminates CDC’s OSH, which plays a critical role in preventing youth tobacco use and helping adult tobacco users to quit. Eliminating this office will deprive states of the only dedicated source of federal funding for state tobacco prevention and cessation programs. It also means the end of its national public education campaign, Tips from Former Smokers, which helped about one million people to quit, prevented an estimated 129,100 smoking-related deaths, and saved about $7.3 billion in health care costs from 2012 through 2018. Eliminating OSH will not improve efficiency. Instead, it will only cost lives and increase health care expenses.”

    In addition to Durbin, Merkley, Blumenthal, and Markey, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Jack Reed (D-RI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

    The letter was also endorsed by the American Cancer Society Action Network, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, American Lung Association, National LGBTQI+ Cancer Network, Preventing Tobacco Addiction Foundation, and The Fenway Institute.

    Full text of the letter can be found by clicking here and follows below:

    Dear Secretary Kennedy, Acting Director Monarez, and Commissioner Makary,

    We write to express deep concerns regarding the impact your drastic staffing cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will have on efforts to reduce smoking and other tobacco use. Dozens of staffers at the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) have been placed on administrative leave, including the Center’s director, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) has been gutted. These actions risk undermining progress that has been made in reducing the death, disease, and addiction caused by tobacco use. Without these critical staff, we are concerned that more youth will start using tobacco products, fewer people will quit, and more people will become ill and die from tobacco-caused disease.

    Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States and is responsible for about $240 billion in health care costs every year. More than 16 million Americans are currently living with a tobacco-caused disease, including chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, respiratory disease, and diabetes. Nearly 500,000 Americans die each year from tobacco use, making up one in every five deaths in the United States.

    Tobacco use has been described as a pediatric disease because almost all tobacco use begins during adolescence. Tobacco companies have a long history of making and marketing products that appeal to kids. E-cigarettes, for example, come in a wide variety of kid-attracting flavors and expose users to high doses of nicotine and other harmful substances. In fact, e-cigarettes have been the most popular tobacco product among youth since 2014. Last year, 1.6 million middle school and high school students were e-cigarette users with many of them using e-cigarettes frequently or daily, an alarming sign of addiction.

    We cannot make a serious effort to reduce chronic disease and protect children’s health without addressing the harm caused by tobacco. Yet the drastic reductions in force at HHS has led to the removal of key officials at the CTP, a center at the FDA created by Congress under the bipartisan Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Without adequate personnel, CTP will not be able to meet its statutory requirement to enforce the law and effectively conduct premarket reviews of new tobacco products and prevent the entry of products that will increase youth tobacco use. CTP already has an extensive backlog of premarket applications and has had difficulty stopping unauthorized e-cigarettes from entering the market. Fewer employees will only make matters worse. Severe reductions in regulatory personnel also will cripple FDA’s ability to establish product standards to reduce the appeal, addictiveness, and harm of tobacco products.

    The firing of thousands of staff at HHS also effectively eliminates CDC’s OSH, which plays a critical role in preventing youth tobacco use and helping adult tobacco users to quit. Eliminating this office will deprive states of the only dedicated source of federal funding for state tobacco prevention and cessation programs. It also means the end of its national public education campaign, Tips from Former Smokers, which helped about one million people to quit, prevented an estimated 129,100 smoking-related deaths, and saved about $7.3 billion in health care costs from 2012 through 2018. Eliminating OSH will not improve efficiency. Instead, it will only cost lives and increase health care expenses.

    Given the significant ramifications of the HHS proposed reorganization on the federal government’s ability to protect kids from nicotine-addiction and to reduce chronic diseases caused by tobacco use, we request responses to the following questions by Friday, April 25, 2025.

    1. How many total FDA CTP employees have lost their jobs? How many have lost their jobs as a result of:
      1. The recent reductions in force announced by the Department on March 27, 2025 (including transfers to other federal agencies)?
      2. The termination of probationary employees?
      3. Other Administration efforts to reduce the federal workforce (e.g., early retirement and Fork in the Road)?
    2. For each office within FDA CTP (e.g., Office of the Director, Office of Management, Office of Regulations, Office of Science, Office of Health Communications and Education, and Office of Compliance and Enforcement), how many people have been removed from their positions and how many remain?
    3. Which directors of offices within FDA CTP have been removed from their positions, placed on administrative leave, or transferred to other federal agencies?
    4. Does FDA CTP intend to spend the $712 million in tobacco user fees authorized under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act and included in the FY 2025 Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act (P.L. 119-4)? Please indicate how CTP intends to spend its tobacco user fees for FY 2025, including, but not limited to, dollars spent on premarket review, enforcement of marketing and sales of illegal products, and Tobacco Centers of Regulatory Science.
    5. What functions of CTP have been transferred to other offices at FDA or to other agencies? To which offices or agencies were they transferred?
    6. What functions of CTP have been eliminated?
    7. How many employees does CDC OSH currently have? What are their roles and functions?
    8. Have any of the programs and activities, including data collection, previously run by CDC OSH been transferred to other agencies? To what other offices or agencies were they transferred to?
    9. The FY 2025 Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act (P.L. 119-4) allocated $125.85 million from the Prevention and Public Health Fund to CDC OSH. How does the Department plan to spend this money if CDC OSH has been eliminated?
    10. Will states no longer receive federal grants from the National and State Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) to support state and local tobacco control programs? If so, when will states be notified of this loss in federal funding?
    11. Does the proposed elimination of CDC OSH mean that the highly effective media campaign, Tips from Former Smokers, will end? What about Tips ads for which air time has already been purchased? When do you anticipate the current Tips ad buy (both on Over-the-Top [OTT] and Over-the-Air [OTA] platforms) will conclude?
    12. Will the proposed elimination of CDC OSH eliminate federal funding for quitlines and cause state quitlines to reduce the services they can provide and the number of people they can serve?

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Initial Applications Being Accepted for new Infrastructure Funding Program

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on April 22, 2025

    Starting today, eligible Saskatchewan communities are invited to submit applications for funding through the Provincial-Territorial stream of the Canadian Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF), with applications due by May 20.

    “Under the Canadian Housing Infrastructure Fund, communities will be able to invest in the vital municipal infrastructure that grows our economy, allows for new home construction and improves our overall quality of life,” Government Relations Minister Eric Schmalz said. “With our government’s contribution of more than $155 million, a total of over $340 million will be made available to enhance municipal infrastructure in Saskatchewan and I encourage all communities to start preparing for the significant intake planned for September.”

    CHIF will provide funding for communities to build or improve critical infrastructure related to drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and solid waste, supporting more homes throughout the province. 

    The agreement between Canada and Saskatchewan requires that a set amount of funding be committed by June 30, 2025. The Government of Saskatchewan’s initial intake is prioritizing those projects that have committed to housing outcomes, with additional intakes opening this fall. 

    During this initial intake, more than $23 million will be allocated through the competitive intake to Saskatchewan communities that have been approved for the federal Housing Accelerator Funding (HAF) and communities with at least 30,000 residents. At this time, Government Relations will be accepting applications from Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Moosomin, La Ronge, Radisson, Outlook and Humboldt. This ensures that the submitted projects meet the housing requirements under this CHIF cost-share requirement.

    The next intake for CHIF funding applications will begin in mid-September for all eligible Saskatchewan municipalities. Approval of the federal HAF program will not be required for the September intake.

    Under CHIF, the federal government will provide $187.9 million and the provincial government will provide more than $155 million to address housing-enabling infrastructure priorities.

    For complete eligibility requirements, the online application process and additional information, please visit: Government of Saskatchewan CHIF page.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Chuck Payne Applauds Signing of Comprehensive Tort Reform Legislation by Governor Kemp

    Source: US State of Georgia

    ATLANTA (April 22, 2025)—Yesterday, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed Senate Bills 68 and 69 into law, marking a major step forward in Georgia’s ongoing effort to strengthen its civil justice system and protect consumers from abusive litigation practices. Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon) carried the bills in the Senate on behalf of Governor Kemp, who named tort reform his top legislative priority for the 2025 session.

    SB 68 enacts comprehensive tort reform, including changes to negligent security liability, apportionment of fault, and damages in civil cases, to curb “nuclear verdicts” and reduce the burden of frivolous lawsuits on small businesses. Complementing this effort, SB 69, the Georgia Courts Access and Consumer Protection Act, targets the growing influence of Third-Party Litigation Financing (TPLF) by requiring these entities to register with the state, banning foreign-affiliated financiers from operating in Georgia, and increasing public transparency through open access to registration records.

    “For Dalton and Whitfield County, where manufacturing is not just an industry but a way of life, these reforms mean stability, opportunity and continued investment in our community,” said Sen. Chuck Payne (R–Dalton). “Together, Senate Bills 68 and 69 reinforce Georgia’s standing as the No. 1 state for business by creating a predictable, transparent legal environment that supports job growth. I am proud to have cosponsored these pieces of legislation, and I am thankful for the support of Governor Kemp, Lt. Governor Burt Jones and Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy in getting these measures across the finish line.”

    For more information about Senate Bill 68, click here. For more information about Senate Bill 69, click here.

    # # # #

    Sen. Chuck Payne serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security. He represents the 54th Senate District, which includes Whitfield and Murray County as well as part of Gordon County. He may be reached at 404.463.5402 or by email at Chuck.Payne@senate.ga.gov.

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Full implementation of the 2016 Peace Agreement is essential for lasting peace in Colombia: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    Full implementation of the 2016 Peace Agreement is essential for lasting peace in Colombia: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Colombia. 

    The UK is clear that full implementation of the 2016 Peace Agreement is essential for lasting peace in Colombia. Last year, following President Petro’s intervention in the Council in July, we welcomed the government’s announcement of a Rapid Response Plan, which committed to accelerate implementation and deliver real change in the territories most affected by the conflict.  

    Communities in these areas expect the government to deliver on their urgent needs. We welcome Foreign Minister Sarabia’s commitment to accelerate the delivery of the agreement. This will require a whole of government effort with close coordination with regional and local authorities and of course, Colombia’s security forces, so that the impact is felt by those communities.  

     We remain concerned by the security situation in those territories, particularly for women, children and indigenous groups. The violence in Catatumbo is a clear example. We call on the government to strengthen protection measures and safeguard communities. We welcome the launch of the Pact for Catatumbo, and we urge the government to prioritise the security of all vulnerable Colombians through mechanisms already established.

    This includes convening the Commission for the Follow-up, Promotion, and Verification of the Implementation of the Final Agreement (CSIVI) and delivery of the Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan published last year. With 23 peace signatories killed this year alone, and hundreds displaced, the safety, security and reintegration of all signatories to the agreement remains paramount.

    President, justice for victims remains at the heart of the 2016 Agreement, with its carefully designed system of complementary institutions focused on truth, justice and reconciliation. We call on the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (SJP) to accelerate its work to ensure the confidence of victims and signatories. 

    To assuage growing doubts about the SJP and its efficacy, now is the time to move forward to the issuing of sanctions and to hold to account those responsible for the most serious human rights violations. The government has an essential role to play in coordinating with the SJP on the implementation of reparative measures. 

    Beyond the 2016 Agreement, we recognise the Colombian Government’s efforts to extend the dialogue to other armed groups. Unfortunately, as the Secretary-General’s report notes, these dialogues have not delivered the desired results.

     The UK, and this Council, have consistently called upon those groups to demonstrate a genuine commitment to peace, above all by respecting the rights of the communities whose interests they claim to pursue.

    Those communities continue, however, to be affected by serious violence, gross human rights abuses, and coercive and predatory behaviour at the hands of armed groups. If there is to be any hope of sustainable progress through dialogue, the groups involved need to show that they are serious about a political process.

    President, to conclude, the United Kingdom remains steadfast in our support for sustainable peace in Colombia.

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Traffic will be diverted on Highway 1 at Glover Road, CPKC crossing

    Drivers are advised of overnight weekend traffic diversions on Highway 1 between 216th Street and 232nd Street, beginning Thursday, April 24, 2025.

    These diversions are in addition to ongoing overnight single-lane reductions already in place. 

    These traffic-pattern changes are necessary to allow crews to safely complete drainage-pipe replacements between the Glover Road underpass and CPKC overpass on Highway 1, and are dependent on good weather.

    This work is a key component of the Fraser Valley highway-widening project.

    Westbound Highway 1 lane diversions:

    • Thursdays, April 24 and May 1 –
      Westbound lanes will be closed and diverted to one eastbound lane overnight from 8:30 p.m. until 5:30 a.m.
    • Fridays, April 25 and May 2, and Saturdays, April 26 and May 3 –
      Westbound lanes will be closed and diverted to one eastbound lane overnight from 8:30 p.m. until 10:30 a.m.

    Eastbound Highway 1 lane diversions:

    • Thursday, May 8 –
      Eastbound lanes will be closed and diverted to one westbound lane overnight from 8:30 p.m. until 5:30 a.m.
    • Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10 –
      Eastbound lanes will be closed and diverted to one westbound lane overnight from 8:30 p.m. until 10:30 a.m.

    The speed limit will be reduced to 80 km/h.

    Drivers are advised to use caution, obey signs and traffic-control personnel, and watch for roadside workers. Allow additional travel time and consider alternative routes.

    Learn More:

    For traffic and construction updates, check: https://www.drivebc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lorton man convicted of child exploitation gets 18-year prison sentence following ICE Washington, D.C. investigation

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    ALEXANDRIA, Va. — An investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement led to the sentencing of Jose Alejandro Belmonte Cardozo, 31, to 18 years in prison for sexually exploiting minors through a popular social media platform.

    “Those who exploit and harm children will be held fully accountable,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Washington D.C. acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Heck. “Individuals who produce child sexual abuse material prey on the most vulnerable members of our communities and there is no place for them in a safe society. Today, one less predator is on the streets, which means there’s one less victim tomorrow. HSI D.C. will continue to work tirelessly in its efforts to prosecute child predators and ensure they are sent to federal prison.”

    According to court documents, between at least May 1, 2021, and May 8, 2024, Belmonte Cardoza used Snapchat to find minor girls and entice them to send him child sexual abuse material. Belmonte Cardoza created different Snapchat accounts depending on the scheme he used to obtain child sexual abuse material from the minors.

    According to investigation documents, Belmonte Cardozo used a particular Snapchat account to catfish two 15-year-old girls, convincing them that he was a teenage boy. He sent the minors pictures that he claimed depicted him, but which actually depicted a boy who appeared to be approximately 16 years old. Belmonte Cardoza persuaded the minors to send him child sexual abuse material, which he secretly recorded on a second cell phone to avoid the in-app notification and then saved the recordings to a password-protected hidden folder on his cell phone.

    Belmonte Cardoza used a second account to convince other minors to send him child sexual abuse material in exchange for admission to a phony group chat he purported to administer. After Belmonte Cardozo obtained the material from the minors, he enticed them to send him additional images and videos.

    Belmonte Cardozo amassed more than 1,000 images and videos of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct on five different electronic devices. He transported two cellphones containing approximately 600 sexually explicit images and videos of minors May 8, 2024, into the United States at Dulles International Airport.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Halper and Zoe Bedell prosecuted the case.

    Members of the public with information about criminal activity in your community are encouraged to contact the ICE Tip Line at 866-347-2423.

    Learn more about HSI’s mission to increase public safety in your community on X at @HSI_DC.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Trahan Delivers Keynote Speech at Concord 250 Celebration

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)

    Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) delivered a keynote speech at the Concord 250 celebrations marking the semiquincentennial of the start of the Revolutionary War in Concord, Massachusetts.
    “What began here in Concord became ‘the shot heard round the world.’ It was more than the start of a war – it was the beginning of an idea. That liberty is worth defending. That government derives its just powers from the consent of the governed. That even the smallest towns in the smallest colonies could stir the conscience of a world,” said Congresswoman Trahan.
    CLICK HERE to view the full speech. A transcript is embedded below.

    The Concord 250 ceremony was hosted at the Old North Bridge in Minute Man National Historical Park, home to the first serious battle of the Revolutionary War. The shots fired in the Battle of Concord were later described by American author Ralph Waldo Emerson as the “shot heard round the world.”
    “In every generation, there have been bridges like this one in Concord and like the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, where brave Americans marched for civil rights and faced down brutality in the name of justice. Moments that demand to know who we are and what we stand for,” Congresswoman Trahan continued. “So let us meet our moment today. Let us be citizens worthy of this history, and ancestors worthy of remembrance. And let us ensure that two hundred and fifty years from now, when future generations gather at this bridge, they won’t just hear the echo of that first shot – they’ll hear the echo of our voices, rising to say: we carried the promise of a stronger America forward.”
    ————————————
    Congresswoman Lori Trahan
    Remarks as Delivered
    Concord 250 Ceremony
    April 19, 2025

    Good morning.
    Two hundred and fifty years ago, right here at the Old North Bridge, ordinary people faced an extraordinary choice: monarchy or democracy. They could remain subjects of a distant crown, or risk everything for the idea of self-government.
    They chose freedom.
    Farmers and blacksmiths, shopkeepers and ministers, teachers and mothers, everyday citizens who had no guarantee of success stood their ground. And when the smoke cleared on that April morning, the first shots of a revolution had been fired.
    What began here in Concord became “the shot heard round the world.” It was more than the start of a war – it was the beginning of an idea. That liberty is worth defending. That government derives its just powers from the consent of the governed. That even the smallest towns in the smallest colonies could stir the conscience of a world.
    But it was never inevitable. The men and women who gathered here were not professional soldiers or political elites. They were neighbors and parents. Workers and worshippers. People with families to protect, farms to tend, and lives to live. And yet, when the moment came, they answered history’s call.
    Today, as we mark the 250th anniversary of that defining moment, we gather not just to honor their courage, but to reckon with the responsibility they left us. Because we are the stewards now. Every generation inherits the promise made here in Concord. And every generation must choose what echoes we will send forward.
    Will we echo courage or complacency? Unity or division? Will we, like those early patriots, rise together to meet the challenges of our time?
    Even our founders knew that the greatest threat to this fragile experiment wouldn’t come from abroad – it would come from within. In fact, when George Washington agreed to attend the Constitutional Convention in 1787, he explained why in a letter to a friend. He warned of “some aspiring demagogue who will not consult the interest of his country so much as his own ambitious views.”
    Washington wasn’t worried about the jeweled crowns of foreign kings – he was worried about the domestic ones, those who drape themselves in flags while declaring themselves above the Constitution. That remains our charge today. To ensure that in America, no one, no matter how loud, how wealthy, or how powerful, stands above the law. Because in a democracy, the law, not a single man, is sovereign.
    Our union is still imperfect. Our freedoms still tested. But the story of America has always been one of progress – not because the path was easy, but because courage found its way into common hands.
    In every generation, there have been bridges like this one in Concord, like the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma where brave Americans marched for civil rights and faced down brutality in the name of justice. Moments that demand to know who we are and what we stand for.
    So let us meet our moment today. Let us be citizens worthy of this history, and ancestors worthy of remembrance. And let us ensure that two hundred and fifty years from now, when future generations gather at this bridge, they won’t just hear the echo of that first shot – they’ll hear the echo of our voices rising to say: we carried the promise of a stronger America forward.
    Thank you.
    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Supporting Next-Generation Workforce Development

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced that work is now underway on the expanded Advanced Technology Center at Monroe Community College’s main campus in the Town of Brighton, Monroe County. The $69.6 million project will move critical technology programs from an outdated facility on West Henrietta Road to state-of-the-art facility at the Brighton campus, connecting them with the college’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs. The expansion will also provide a new home and accelerate the growth of the center’s Optical Systems Technology program. With a 2,400 percent increase in student enrollment since 2019, this first-of-its-kind in the nation, two-year training program provides a direct path to employment for hundreds of students and will support the state’s efforts to grow the semiconductor industry across Upstate New York.

    “My administration is committed to connecting New Yorkers with top-quality job opportunities”, Governor Hochul said. “MCC’s state-of-the-art Advanced Technology Center will deliver accelerated training programs, providing New Yorkers in the Finger Lakes with the skills they need to compete in today’s dynamic and ever-changing job market.”

    Governor Hochul originally announced the State’s investment of $13.75 million for campus upgrades in February of 2024, including $10 million for the center’s STEM addition. The ATC offers many career paths including automotive technician, precision tooling, heating, ventilating, air conditioning service technician and mechanic. With a new solar lab, the center will also be able to offer training in burgeoning fields — like solar photovoltaic panel installer, solar energy installation manager, and service technician. The expansion is expected to be open to students in the fall of 2026.

    Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said, “Monroe Community College is a cornerstone of workforce development in our region. We must ensure that we continue its history of innovation and job readiness by offering top quality education in high demand fields like automotive technician, HVAC technician and our first-in-the-nation optics program. Thank you to Dr. Deanna Burt-Nanna for her vision in taking MCC to the next level. Thank you to our federal representatives, Governor Hochul and our state delegation l for their continued support to keep Monroe Community College as a staple of workforce development in the nation.”

    Monroe Community College President Dr. DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna said, “We are excited to yet again be meeting the need for highly skilled, in-demand workers, this time through our new Advanced Technology Center. We are catalyzing bright futures for the community and its people through this center, which includes state-of-the-art equipment to enable students across a broad spectrum of fields to realize their dream of a secure career with a family-sustaining wage. We thank Governor Hochul, County Executive Bello, and Congressman Morelle for their partnership and continued investment in technological innovation, education, and training.”

    SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. said, “Congratulations to Monroe Community College under the leadership of President Deanna Burt-Nanna. Today’s groundbreaking is a testament to MCC’s work advancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and workforce development, and empowering students with opportunities to achieve their academic and professional goals. SUNY and our campuses are at the forefront of offering programs that support regional economic development and students’ upward mobility as a direct result of Governor Kathy Hochul’s leadership and the strength of our partners, particularly ESD.”

    The Advanced Technology Center (ATC) project further bolsters the states’ overall workforce development efforts in the advanced manufacturing and semiconductor industries. In the summer of 2024, Governor Hochul announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce had awarded a phase two Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hub) grant of $40 million to the New York Semiconductor Manufacturing and Research Technology Innovation Corridor (NY SMART-I Corridor) consortium. The consortium comprises the Finger Lakes, Western NY and Central NY regions and is convened by OneROC, the Buffalo-Niagara Partnership, and CenterState CEO respectively. It includes more than 80 members that include economic development organizations, government, workforce development, labor, industry, academia, and nonprofits. Over the next five years, The Tech Hub will work to build a world-class semiconductor ecosystem across a range of focus areas including equitable workforce development and talent placement, research and commercialization pathways. Managed by a multi-sector implementation governance committee, the consortium will serve as a key coordinating body for semiconductor industry growth alongside the Governor’s Office of Semiconductor Expansion, Management, and Integration housed within ESD.

    Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Through our support for this important project, we are ensuring that the region’s workforce is equipped with the skills necessary to compete in today’s dynamic, ever-changing job market. The new Advanced Technology Center at MCC’s Brighton campus will grow a robust talent pipeline to align with employer needs, support local business development and move the innovation economy forward.”

    In February of 2025, Governor Hochul announced that the Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley and Capitol Regions had been selected to advance to the planning stage of the $200 million One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships (ON-RAMP) program. The regions join Central New York, in which Syracuse was established as the program’s flagship location and will create a network of high-impact workforce development centers to connect New Yorkers with careers in dynamic, high-growth advanced manufacturing industries. These workforce centers will equip New Yorkers with the skills they need and create an “on-ramp” to training, internships, apprenticeships and permanent employment and capitalize on the State’s success in attracting and expanding advanced manufacturing companies such as Micron and GlobalFoundries. Monroe Community College will lead the Finger Lakes ON-RAMP center in partnership with RochesterWorks.

    Additional regional workforce development efforts also include a $5.5 million investment through the transformational Regional Revitalization Partnership (RRP) to assist with establishing the RochesterWorks Downtown Career Center at the MCC downtown campus in the City of Rochester. The comprehensive one-stop career center will invite the co-location of fellow agencies, improving workforce development and supportive wrap-around services to members of the community seeking employment or training for career pathways improve access by directly linking service providers with jobs seekers, enhancing the ability to navigate a career pathway more easily. The project aims to remove barriers to participation in the workforce that most acutely impact populations that are historically underrepresented in the labor force. MCC’s downtown campus is also home to the New York State supported Finger Lakes Workforce Development (FWD) Center, which is focused on short-term and accelerated, technology-oriented training programs that place individuals in high-demand jobs within advanced manufacturing, information technology, skilled trades, apprenticeship-related instruction and professional services.

    State Senator Jeremy Cooney said, “With the Advanced Technology Center, Monroe Community College is cementing their role as a driver of workforce development and technological innovation in our region. This state-of-the-art facility will house the first of its kind Optics Systems Technology program, opening the door to in-demand jobs for students in our region. I’m grateful for the leadership of Governor Hochul, County Executive Bello, Dr. DeAnna Burt-Nanna, and my federal and state partners in making this project a reality and continuing our shared commitment towards economic development across Monroe County.”

    Assemblymember Harry Bronson said, “The new Advanced Technology Center at MCC demonstrates our region’s commitment to cutting-edge workforce development and education programs. Under Dr. Burt-Nanna’s innovative leadership, MCC will develop the world-class facilities required to prepare students to meet the demands of our emerging economy. Thank you Dr. Burt-Nanna, County Executive Bello, Congressman Morelle, Governor Hochul and my partners in the State legislature. Through this investment, we are connecting students to programming and training opportunities with a direct pipeline to in-demand jobs in essential industries.”

    Brighton Town Supervisor William W. Moehle said, “Monroe Community College is a tremendous asset to the Town of Brighton and Monroe County, and the new Advanced Technology Center will bring new cutting-edge technology and training capabilities to the MCC campus in Brighton. This facility will help train the next generation of technology experts right here in Brighton to help this region compete for job growth in the new economy.”

    RochesterWorks Executive Director David Seeley said, “The MCC Advanced Technology Center expansion is a great addition to the workforce development initiatives in place in our region to support the growing advanced manufacturing, skilled trades, and semiconductor industries. RochesterWorks is proud to be partnering with MCC and the State on these initiatives, providing our full range of programs and services to job seekers and employers in the Rochester area looking to be a part of these exciting, high demand, and well-paying career pathways. Our thanks go out to Governor Hochul, County Executive Bello, Congressman Morelle, and MCC for being great partners and bringing these opportunities to our area.”

    OneROC President Joseph Stefko said, “This new investment strengthens our region’s world class research and training assets in the semiconductor and microelectronics sector – assets which were critical to our successfully securing funding last year for the NY SMART I-Corridor Regional Tech Hub. Bolstering training for in-demand, high-technology jobs better positions our region to fully capitalize on the growth we expect to see in the coming years. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul and our state delegation for their continued support, to President Burt-Nanna for her leadership, and to our federal partners for their commitment to investing in a high-skilled and agile workforce that can meet our current and future talent pipeline needs.”

    Accelerating Economic Development in the Finger Lakes
    Today’s announcement complements “Finger Lakes Forward,” the region’s comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on investing in key industries including photonics, agriculture‎ and food production, and advanced manufacturing.

    About Empire State Development
    Empire State Development is New York’s chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the State. With offices in each of the state’s 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state’s world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Press Release: Motorists Urged to Drive Carefully and Protect People in Work Zones

    Source: US State of Rhode Island

    National Work Zone Awareness Week is April 21-25, 2025

    Construction season has started, and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and its safety partners are reminding motorists to slow down and drive safely in work zones. This week (April 21-25) is National Work Zone Awareness Week � a time when drivers are asked to slow down when they approach a work zone � or a public safety vehicle.

    RIDOT Director Peter Alviti, Jr. today joined officials from the Rhode Island State Police, Federal Highway Administration, Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association, AAA Northeast, the Laborers’ International Union of North America and the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council for a press conference at the Department’s headquarters in Providence.

    “This week, our construction and safety partners raise awareness about the dangers our workers face as they go about their jobs to make our roads better and safer,” Director Alviti said. “In Rhode Island alone there are hundreds of work zones set up throughout the year. These men and women are working mere feet from live, often high-speed traffic and we need to keep them safe.”

    This year’s Work Zone Awareness Week press conference featured the story of Lincoln Police Lieutenant Brad Stewart who was nearly struck by an errant driver in 2018 while assisting a work crew on Route 146 near Twin River Road. The driver thankfully did not hit his cruiser, but crashed into a sign board on a trailer, snapping it in half and nearly killing two workers on the road.

    It was a harrowing reminder of a serious injury crash in 2013 when a car slammed into the back of his cruiser at a high rate of speed on the side of Route 146, when he stopped to assist a motorist with a flat tire. The driver was heavily intoxicated � four times the legal limit. Stewart’s cruiser was totaled, and he was hospitalized with significant injuries. It took seven months of recovery before he was able to get back to work. Although that near miss happened five years after he was seriously injured, being in the center of another potentially bad crash really jolted him.

    “For a moment I was convinced that I got hit again,” he said. “It was that close. It all hit home again. You go out to work and you don’t know what could unfold when someone’s not paying attention and crashes into your work zone.”

    Across the country, fatal crashes in work zones have steadily increased. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 900 people a year die in work zone crashes. That’s up significantly from an average of 500 per year 10 years ago. At the current rate, that’s equivalent to 18 coach buses filled to capacity.

    “We have a shared responsibility to keep our roadways safe and this includes taking care when driving through a work zone,” said Lieutenant Colonel Robert Creamer, Deputy Superintendent and Chief of Field Operations for the Rhode Island State Police. “Our move-over law requires drivers to move over and slow down when they see emergency lights, so please follow the law and help us keep our roads safe for work crews and first responders.”

    Fortunately, RIDOT has not had any work zone fatalities among its staff or contractors in many years, however each year there are hundreds of crashes in work zones, resulting in many injuries and financial losses for those affected. Last year there were nearly 500 work zone-related crashes in Rhode Island, up from 346 crashes reported in 2021.

    “Distracted driving is an entirely preventable cause of work zone crashes, and we need to do more to protect the road workers and the police officers who are at these job sites every day,” said Chief Thomas F. Oates III, President of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association and Woonsocket Chief of Police. “Our ask is simple: please slow down and pay attention and help us make work zones safer for everyone.”

    Safety is RIDOT’s highest priority, and all work zones are established with careful attention to safety and in coordination with national standards and best practices. RIDOT routinely inspects all work zones on state roads, including those set up by contractors, bridge inspectors and utility companies. This interaction includes making sure work zones are set up correctly.

    RIDOT plans the timing and duration of work zones to reduce as much as possible the impact to traffic flow and travel time. The potential impact to traffic is carefully studied during the design process on each project with continual monitoring during projects for any changes that can be made to reduce congestion.

    In addition to today’s event, RIDOT coordinated with the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority and Rhode Island Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to illuminate key structures in orange in recognition of Work Zone Awareness Week. This includes the State House, the Sakonnet River Bridge and the Pawtucket River Bridge. Additionally, Big Blue Bug Solutions is currently displaying a Work Zone Awareness Week banner at its “Nibbles Woodaway” statue on the roof of its Providence office, highly visible to motorists on I-95. RIDOT will utilize a variety of advertising mediums to help spread the important message of safe driving in work zones.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Greene County Bancorp, Inc. Reports Net Income of $8.1 Million for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2025 and Reaches New Milestone of $3.0 Billion in Assets

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CATSKILL, N.Y., April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Greene County Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: GCBC), the holding company for the Bank of Greene County and its subsidiary Greene County Commercial Bank, today reported net income for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2025, which is the third quarter of the Company’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Net income for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2025 was $8.1 million, or $0.47 per basic and diluted share, and $21.8 million, or $1.28 per basic and diluted share, respectively, as compared to $5.9 million, or $0.34 per basic and diluted share, and $18.0 million, or $1.06 per basic and diluted share, for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2024, respectively. Net income increased $3.8 million, or 20.9%, when comparing the nine months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.

    Highlights:

    • Net Income: $21.8 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2025
    • Total Assets: $3.0 billion at March 31, 2025, a new record high
    • Net Loans: $1.6 billion at March 31, 2025, a new record high
    • Total Deposits $2.7 billion at March 31, 2025, a new record high
    • Return on Average Assets: 1.04% for the nine months ended March 31, 2025
    • Return on Average Equity: 13.40% for the nine months ended March 31, 2025

    Donald Gibson, President & CEO stated: “I am pleased to report we reached a new milestone exceeding $3.0 billion in consolidated assets for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. This milestone in asset growth is a true testament to our Bank’s unique long-term culture to grow organically. The primary driver of our growth has been our team’s ability to provide innovative solutions and world-class customer service. When reviewing our company’s 136 year history, it took us approximately 128 years to reach $1.0 billion in assets, and only seven more years to reach $3.0 billion in assets. I am also proud to report solid quarterly income for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 of $8.1 million, an increase of 37.4% when compared to the quarterly net income of $5.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.”   

    Total consolidated assets for the Company were $3.0 billion at March 31, 2025, primarily consisting of $1.6 billion of net loans and $1.1 billion of total securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity. Consolidated deposits totaled $2.7 billion at March 31, 2025, consisting of retail, business, municipal and private banking relationships.

    Pre-provision net income was $24.0 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2025 as compared to $19.0 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $5.0 million, or 26.6%. Pre-provision net income measures the Company’s net income less the provision for credit losses. Management believes that this non-GAAP measure assists investors in comprehending the impact of the provision for credit losses on the Company’s reported results, offering an alternative view of the Company’s performance and the Company’s ability to generate income in excess of its provision for credit losses. The Company strategically managed its balance sheet by focusing on higher-yielding loans and securities, and lowering deposit rates to align with the Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate cuts. This resulted in a higher net interest margin for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2025 as compared to the three and nine months ended March 31, 2024. The Company will continue to monitor the Federal Reserve and interest rates paid on deposits, while maintaining our long-term customer relationships.

    Selected highlights for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2025 are as follows:

    Net Interest Income and Margin

    • Net interest income increased $3.9 million to $16.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $12.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Net interest income increased $5.3 million to $43.4 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2025 from $38.1 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2024. The increase in net interest income was due to an increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets which increased $205.8 million and $154.6 million when comparing the three and nine months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, increases in interest rates on interest-earning assets, which increased 23 basis points and 30 basis points when comparing the three and nine months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and a decrease of 23 basis points in rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities when comparing the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The increase in net interest income was offset by increases in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities, which increased $204.2 million and $156.6 million when comparing the three and nine months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and an increase of 15 basis points in rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities when comparing the nine months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

      Average loan balances increased $113.1 million and $80.3 million and the yield on loans increased 19 basis points and 26 basis points when comparing the three and nine months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The average balance of securities increased $104.5 million and $76.4 million and the yield on such securities increased 11 basis points and 40 basis points when comparing the three and nine months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Average interest-bearing bank balances and federal funds decreased $11.9 million and $2.1 million and the yield on interest-bearing bank balances and federal funds increased 22 basis points and 6 basis points when comparing the three and nine months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

      The cost of NOW deposits decreased 29 basis points, the cost of certificates of deposit decreased 56 basis points, and the cost of savings and money market deposits decreased 5 basis points when comparing the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The cost of NOW deposits increased 9 basis points, the cost of certificates of deposit increased 4 basis points, and the cost of savings and money market deposits increased 8 basis points when comparing the nine months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The growth in interest-bearing liabilities was primarily due to an increase in average NOW deposits of $179.5 million and $120.8 million and an increase in average certificates of deposits of $58.9 million and $58.7 million when comparing the three and nine months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. This was partially offset by a decrease in average savings and money market deposits of $14.9 million and $25.4 million when comparing the three and nine months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Yields on interest-earning assets increased when comparing the three and nine months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 as the Company continued to reprice assets into the higher interest rate environment. During the nine months ended March 31, 2025, the Company implemented a strategic reduction in deposit rates that aligns with the Federal Reserve’s rate cuts, while providing competitive financial solutions to the Company’s customers that reflect the prevailing economic conditions, while growing new relationships.

    • Net interest rate spread increased 46 basis points to 2.12% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to 1.66% for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Net interest rate spread increased 15 basis points to 1.90% for the nine months ended March 31, 2025, compared to 1.75% for the nine months ended March 31, 2024.
      Net interest margin increased 42 basis points to 2.32% for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to 1.90% for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Net interest margin increased 15 basis points to 2.14% for the nine months ended March 31, 2025, compared to 1.99% for the nine months ended March 31, 2024. The increase in net interest rate spread and margin during the three and nine months ended March 31, 2025, was due to increases in interest income on loans and securities, as they continue to reprice at higher yields and the interest rates earned on new balances were higher than the historic low levels from the prior periods. This was partially offset by the increase in rates paid on deposits as compared to the nine months ended March 31, 2025.
    • Net interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis includes the additional amount of interest income that would have been earned if the Company’s investment in tax-exempt securities and loans had been subject to federal and New York State income taxes yielding the same after-tax income. Tax equivalent net interest margin was 2.60% and 2.20% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and was 2.41% and 2.25% for the nine months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

    Credit Quality and Provision for Credit Losses on Loans

    • Provision for credit losses on loans amounted to $1.1 million and $277,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and $2.3 million and $922,000 for the nine months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The loan provision for the nine months ended March 31, 2025 was primarily attributable to growth in gross loans and a modest deterioration in the economic forecasts used in the Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”) model as of March 31, 2025. The allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans receivable was 1.31% at March 31, 2025 compared to 1.28% at June 30, 2024.
    • Loans classified as substandard and special mention totaled $44.8 million at March 31, 2025 and $48.6 million at June 30, 2024, a decrease of $3.8 million. Of the loans classified as substandard or special mention, $41.6 million were performing at March 31, 2025. There were no loans classified as doubtful or loss at March 31, 2025 or June 30, 2024.
    • Net charge-offs on loans amounted to $96,000 and $204,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, a decrease of $108,000. Net charge-offs totaled $305,000 and $420,000 for the nine months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. There were no material charge-offs in any loan segment during the three and nine months ended March 31, 2025.
    • Nonperforming loans amounted to $2.9 million at March 31, 2025 and $3.7 million at June 30, 2024. The activity in nonperforming loans during the period included $2.3 million in loan repayments, $128,000 in charge-offs or transfers to foreclosure, $67,000 in loans returning to performing status, and $1.7 million of loans placed into nonperforming status. At March 31, 2025, nonperforming assets were 0.10% of total assets compared to 0.13% at June 30, 2024. At March 31, 2025, nonperforming loans were 0.18% of net loans compared to 0.25% at June 30, 2024.

    Noninterest Income and Noninterest Expense

    Noninterest income increased $444,000, or 13.0%, to $3.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $3.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The increase during the three months ended March 31, 2025 was primarily due to a $610,000 Employee Retention Tax Credit (“ERTC”) and an increase in fee income earned on customer interest rate swap contracts of $190,000. This was partially offset by a $665,000 loss on sales of securities available-for-sale. Noninterest income increased $1.3 million, or 12.6%, to $11.5 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $10.2 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2024. The increase during the nine months ended March 31, 2025 was primarily due to a $610,000 Employee Retention Tax Credit (“ERTC”), an increase in fee income earned on customer interest rate swap contracts of $400,000, service charge account fees of $222,000, loan fees of $174,000 and income from bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) of $359,000. This was partially offset by a $665,000 loss on sales of securities available-for-sale.

    • Noninterest expense increased $808,000, or 8.8%, to $10.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $9.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Noninterest expense increased $1.6 million, or 5.7%, to $29.0 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2025 as compared to $27.4 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2024. The increase during the nine months ended March 31, 2025 was primarily due to an increase of $479,000 in salaries and employee benefit costs, as new positions were created during the period to support the Company’s continued growth, an increase of $341,000 in service and data processing fees and an increase of $749,000 in the allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments, due to the Company’s increased contractual obligations to extend credit. This was partially offset by a decrease of $116,000 in legal and professional fees during the nine months ended March 31, 2025.

    Income Taxes

    • Provision for income taxes reflects the expected tax associated with the pre-tax income generated for the given period and certain regulatory requirements. The effective tax rate was 9.9% and 8.0% for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2025, and 5.2% and 9.8% for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2024, respectively. The statutory tax rate is impacted by the benefits derived from tax-exempt bond and loan income, the Company’s real estate investment trust subsidiary income, and income received on the bank owned life insurance, to arrive at the effective tax rate. The increase during the three months ended March 31, 2025 is due to higher pre-tax income. The decrease in the effective tax rate during the nine months ended March 31, 2025 primarily reflects a higher mix of tax-exempt income from municipal bonds, tax advantage loans, and bank owned life insurance in proportion to pre-tax income, and solar investment tax credits earned.

    Balance Sheet Summary

    • Total assets of the Company were $3.0 billion at March 31, 2025 and $2.8 billion at June 30, 2024, an increase of $182.2 million, or 6.5%.
    • Total cash and cash equivalents for the Company were $155.5 million at March 31, 2025 and $190.4 million at June 30, 2024. The Company has continued to maintain strong capital and liquidity positions as of March 31, 2025.
    • Securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity increased $96.4 million, or 9.3%, to $1.1 billion at March 31, 2025 as compared to $1.0 billion at June 30, 2024. Securities purchases totaled $330.9 million during the nine months ended March 31, 2025, and consisted primarily of $207.7 million of state and political subdivision securities, $86.4 million of mortgage-backed securities, $24.7 million of U.S. Treasury securities, and $11.4 million of collateralized mortgage obligations. Principal pay-downs and maturities during the nine months ended March 31, 2025 amounted to $234.3 million, primarily consisting of $160.5 million of state and political subdivision securities, $53.0 million of U.S. Treasury securities, $17.5 million of mortgage-backed securities, $2.0 million of collateralized mortgage obligations and $1.3 million of corporate debt securities.
    • Net loans receivable increased $118.0 million, or 8.0%, to $1.6 billion at March 31, 2025 as compared to $1.5 billion at June 30, 2024. Loan growth experienced during the nine months ended March 31, 2025 consisted primarily of $111.9 million in commercial real estate loans, $3.2 million in home equity loans, $3.0 million in commercial loans, and $2.0 million in residential real estate loans.
    • Deposits totaled $2.7 billion at March 31, 2025 and $2.4 billion at June 30, 2024, an increase of $265.5 million, or 11.1%. The Company had $11.6 million and zero brokered deposits at March 31, 2025 and June 30, 2024, respectively. NOW deposits increased $232.6 million, or 13.2%, and certificates of deposits increased $53.6 million, or 38.7%, when comparing March 31, 2025 and June 30, 2024. Noninterest bearing deposits decreased $9.2 million, or 7.4%, savings deposits decreased $7.8 million, or 3.1%, and money market deposits decreased $3.7 million, or 3.3%, when comparing March 31, 2025 and June 30, 2024.
    • Borrowings amounted to $94.0 million at March 31, 2025 compared to $199.1 million at June 30, 2024, a decrease of $105.1 million. At March 31, 2025, borrowings included $42.0 million of overnight borrowings with the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB”), $49.8 million of Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes, and $2.2 million of long-term borrowings with the FHLB.
    • Shareholders’ equity increased to $229.0 million at March 31, 2025 compared to $206.0 million at June 30, 2024, resulting primarily from net income of $21.8 million and a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $5.0 million, partially offset by dividends declared and paid of $3.8 million.

    Corporate Overview

    Greene County Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company for the Bank of Greene County, and its subsidiary Greene County Commercial Bank. The Company is the leading provider of community-based banking services throughout the Hudson Valley and Capital Region of New York State. Its customers include individuals, businesses, municipalities and other institutions. Greene County Bancorp, Inc. (GCBC) is publicly traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market and is dedicated to promoting economic development and a high quality of life in the communities it serves. For more information on Greene County Bancorp, Inc., visit www.tbogc.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This earnings release contains statements about future events that constitute forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by references to a future period or periods or by the use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “assume,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “plan,” and other similar terms of expressions. Forward-looking statements should not be relied on because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. These risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results, performance or achievements expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, local, regional, national and international general economic conditions, including actual or potential stress in the banking industry, financial and regulatory changes, changes in interest rates, regulatory considerations, competition, technological developments, retention and recruitment of qualified personnel, changes in customer deposit behavior, and market acceptance of the Company’s pricing, products and services.

    The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, and advises readers that various factors, including, but not limited to, those described above and other factors discussed in the Company’s annual and quarterly reports previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could affect the Company’s financial performance and could cause the Company’s actual results or circumstances for future periods to differ materially from those anticipated or projected.

    Unless required by law, the Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligations to, publicly release any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

    For more information, please see our reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

    Non-GAAP Measures

    In addition to presenting information in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), this news release contains financial information determined by methods other than GAAP (non-GAAP). The following measures used in this release, which are commonly utilized by financial institutions, have not been specifically exempted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and may constitute “non-GAAP financial measures” within the meaning of the SEC’s rules.

    The Company has provided in this news release supplemental disclosures for the calculation of net interest margin utilizing a fully taxable-equivalent adjustment and pre-provision net income. Management believes that the non-GAAP financial measures disclosed by the Company from time to time are useful in evaluating the Company’s performance and that such information should be considered as supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for or superior to the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.  Our non-GAAP financial measures may differ from similar measures presented by other companies. Refer to the tables on page 9 for Non-GAAP to GAAP reconciliations.

    (END)

    Greene County Bancorp, Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Income, and Selected Financial Ratios (Unaudited)

         
      At or for the Three Months   At or for the Nine Months
      Ended March 31,   Ended March 31,
    Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data   2025       2024       2025       2024  
    Interest income $ 29,779     $ 26,071     $ 86,966     $ 76,336  
    Interest expense   13,568       13,776       43,551       38,214  
    Net interest income   16,211       12,295       43,415       38,122  
    Provision for credit losses   1,084       290       2,196       917  
    Noninterest income   3,856       3,412       11,468       10,189  
    Noninterest expense   10,042       9,234       28,978       27,405  
    Income before taxes   8,941       6,183       23,709       19,989  
    Tax provision   887       322       1,904       1,952  
    Net income $ 8,054     $ 5,861     $ 21,805     $ 18,037  
             
    Basic and diluted EPS $ 0.47     $ 0.34     $ 1.28     $ 1.06  
    Weighted average shares outstanding   17,026,828       17,026,828       17,026,828       17,026,828  
    Dividends declared per share (4) $ 0.09     $ 0.08     $ 0.27     $ 0.24  
             
    Selected Financial Ratios        
    Return on average assets(1)   1.12 %     0.88 %     1.04 %     0.91 %
    Return on average equity(1)   14.41 %     11.92 %     13.40 %     12.69 %
    Net interest rate spread(1)   2.12 %     1.66 %     1.90 %     1.75 %
    Net interest margin(1)   2.32 %     1.90 %     2.14 %     1.99 %
    Fully taxable-equivalent net interest margin(2)   2.60 %     2.20 %     2.41 %     2.25 %
    Efficiency ratio(3)   50.04 %     58.79 %     52.80 %     56.73 %
    Non-performing assets to total assets         0.10 %     0.21 %
    Non-performing loans to net loans         0.18 %     0.39 %
    Allowance for credit losses on loans to non-performing loans         724.65 %     361.45 %
    Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans         1.31 %     1.38 %
    Shareholders’ equity to total assets         7.61 %     6.94 %
    Dividend payout ratio(4)         21.09 %     22.64 %
    Actual dividends paid to net income(5)         17.30 %     14.50 %
    Book value per share       $ 13.45     $ 11.70  
           
    (1) Ratios are annualized when necessary.
    (2) Interest income calculated on a taxable-equivalent basis (non-GAAP) includes the additional interest income that would have been earned if the Company’s investment in tax-exempt securities and loans had been subject to federal and New York State income taxes yielding the same after-tax income.
    (3) The efficiency ratio has been calculated as noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income.
    (4) The dividend payout ratio has been calculated based on the dividends declared per share divided by basic earnings per share. No adjustments have been made to account for dividends waived by Greene County Bancorp, MHC (“MHC”), the Company’s majority shareholder, owning 54.1% of the shares outstanding.
    (5) Dividends declared divided by net income. The MHC waived its right to receive dividends declared during the three months ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023, December 31, 2023, March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2025. Dividends declared during the three months ended September 30, 2023, September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2024 were paid to the MHC.
     

    Greene County Bancorp, Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Unaudited)

      At
    March 31, 2025    		   At
    June 30, 2024
    Dollars In thousands, except share data      
    Assets      
    Cash and due from banks $ 12,717     $ 13,897  
    Interest-bearing deposits   142,766       176,498  
             Total cash and cash equivalents   155,483       190,395  
           
    Long term certificate of deposit   1,640       2,831  
    Securities available-for-sale, at fair value   355,432       350,001  
    Securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost, net of      
    allowance for credit losses of $422 and $483 at March 31, 2025 and June 30, 2024   781,338       690,354  
    Equity securities, at fair value   400       328  
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost   3,834       7,296  
           
    Loans receivable   1,619,378       1,499,473  
    Less: Allowance for credit losses on loans   (21,196 )     (19,244 )
    Net loans receivable   1,598,182       1,480,229  
           
    Premises and equipment, net   15,202       15,606  
    Bank owned life insurance   59,160       57,249  
    Accrued interest receivable   18,433       14,269  
    Prepaid expenses and other assets   18,852       17,230  
    Total assets $ 3,007,956     $ 2,825,788  
           
    Liabilities and shareholders’ equity      
    Noninterest bearing deposits $ 116,195     $ 125,442  
    Interest bearing deposits   2,538,522       2,263,780  
    Total deposits   2,654,717       2,389,222  
           
    Borrowings, short-term   42,000       115,300  
    Borrowings, long-term   2,195       34,156  
    Subordinated notes payable, net   49,820       49,681  
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities   30,181       31,429  
    Total liabilities   2,778,913       2,619,788  
    Total shareholders’ equity   229,043            206,000  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 3,007,956     $ 2,825,788  
    Common shares outstanding   17,026,828       17,026,828  
    Treasury shares   195,852       195,852  
           

    The above information is preliminary and based on the Company’s data available at the time of presentation.

    Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliations

    The following table summarizes the adjustments made to arrive at the fully taxable-equivalent net interest margins.

      For the three months ended March 31, For the nine months ended March 31,
    (Dollars in thousands)   2025       2024       2025       2024  
    Net interest income (GAAP) $ 16,211     $ 12,295     $ 43,415     $ 38,122  
    Tax-equivalent adjustment(1)   1,945       1,897       5,524       5,051  
    Net interest income-fully taxable-equivalent basis (non-GAAP) $ 18,156     $ 14,192     $ 48,939     $ 43,173  
             
    Average interest-earning assets (GAAP) $ 2,789,102     $ 2,583,271     $ 2,711,083     $ 2,556,441  
    Net interest margin-fully taxable-equivalent basis (non-GAAP)   2.60 %     2.20 %     2.41 %     2.25 %
                                   

    (1) Interest income calculated on a taxable-equivalent basis (non-GAAP) includes the additional interest income that would have been earned if the Company’s investment in tax-exempt securities and loans had been subject to federal and New York State income taxes yielding the same after-tax income. The rate used for this adjustment was 21% for federal income taxes for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, 4.44% for New York State income taxes for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.

    The following table summarizes the adjustments made to arrive at pre-provision net income.

      For the three months ended March 31,
    (Dollars in thousands)   2025     2024  
    Net income (GAAP) $ 8,054   $ 5,861  
    Provision for credit losses   1,084     290  
    Pre-provision net income (non-GAAP) $ 9,138   $ 6,151  
      For the nine months ended March 31,
    (Dollars in thousands)   2025     2024  
    Net income (GAAP) $ 21,805   $ 18,037  
    Provision for credit losses   2,196     917  
    Pre-provision net income (non-GAAP) $ 24,001   $ 18,954  

    The above information is preliminary and based on the Company’s data available at the time of presentation.

    For Further Information Contact:
    Donald E. Gibson
    President & CEO
    (518) 943-2600
    donaldg@tbogc.com

    Nick Barzee
    SVP & CFO
    (518) 943-2600
    nickb@tbogc.com

    The MIL Network –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: The focus on manufacturing in the federal election misses what could truly help Canadian workers

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Gerard Di Trolio, PhD candidate, Labour Studies, McMaster University

    Canada’s major political parties have been pledging support for the manufacturing sector ahead of next week’s election, but Canada’s working class is much broader than just manufacturing.

    Canadians are on edge because as many as 600,000 jobs are at stake due to tariffs levied by United States President Donald Trump.

    But the focus on manufacturing obscures what truly ails the working class in an advanced economy like Canada’s. Manufacturing’s share of employment hovers at around 8.9 per cent, while nearly 80 per cent of Canadians work in the service sector.

    A recent report from the non-partisan Cardus think tank notes that Canada’s working class today is “likely to be a female, recently immigrated worker in the services-producing sector. The new working class, in other words, is now more personified by a Walmart cashier or an Amazon delivery driver than a General Motors factory worker or a Domtar mill hand.”



    Read more:
    Canada’s labour market is failing racialized immigrant women, requiring an urgent policy response

    Manufacturing gives way to services

    So why is there such emphasis on manufacturing?

    It’s easy to understand. Manufacturing has been essential to industrialization, from the British Empire to China’s unprecedented growth in recent years.

    The late British-Hungarian economist Nicholas Kaldor argued that manufacturing is the engine of growth due to increasing returns to scale, strong links to other sectors and its role in technological development.

    But as countries become wealthier, an increased demand for services follows, creating jobs in that sector. Manufacturing sectors in wealthier countries tend to invest in labour-saving technologies. The U.S., for example, has seen manufacturing employment fall while output has increased.

    Labour-intensive sectors like clothing cannot compete with Bangladeshi wages, but discussions about manufacturing jobs in Canada and other advanced economies too often focus on wage competition instead of job losses through automation and increasing productivity.

    There were losers when the globalization era began, but countries like Canada and the U.S. are wealthier today than they were in 1994, when the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was signed. As American economist Jeffrey Sachs has pointed out, governments have failed to redistribute the wealth created by gains from trade to those at the bottom of the income scale.



    Read more:
    Beyond NAFTA: Canada must find new global markets

    Four policies of a real working-class agenda

    There are several key policies that politicians should be proposing that would really help the working class.

    First is one that all politicians are talking about: building more housing.

    Second is related to key elements of social reproduction — that is, care work. There must be strong funding commitments to ensure a national childcare system functions properly.

    With Canada on track to experience a surge of its elderly population, long-term care also needs to be a focus. Personal support workers must earn a living wage and must have better working conditions. Canada’s aging population is also why decreased immigration is a bad idea.

    The third policy requires the federal and provincial governments to get serious about active labour market policies. This means building a labour market training system that actually works, something Canada has lacked.

    These policies are generally not implemented in liberal market economies like Canada and the U.S.

    But in countries like Sweden with active labour market policies in place, 80 per cent of the population has a favourable opinion of robots and AI compared to two-thirds of Americans who are concerned about technological job loss. The state’s ability — or lack of it — to provide social protections and job re-training has real impacts on how people perceive technological change.

    Canada also needs to recognize foreign credentials. Its reluctance to do so has had a negative impact on the economic prospects of immigrants. Canada should also consider making higher education free.

    The fourth policy involves better worker protections that include a strengthened Employment Insurance that is easier to qualify for, improved protections for gig workers and increasing union membership.

    Apart from the public sector, Canadian unions have not fared well organizing in service industries. Unions need to make a serious effort to organize in retail, food service, the gig economy and logistics, despite the challenges. Canadian unions may find that they have little choice but to do so, as their presence in the private sector continues to decline.



    Read more:
    Canada Post strike highlights labour struggle over gig economy and precarious work

    Inequality, wealth redistribution

    The most significant barrier of these four policy proposals is that most require an increased redistribution of wealth. Canada over the past several decades has retreated from wealth redistribution and as a result, economic inequality has surged.

    White blue-collar workers in the U.S. in areas hit by factory job losses swung to Trump. A Canadian version of this is happening with some blue-collar unions endorsing the Conservatives under Pierre Poilievre.



    Read more:
    Pierre Poilievre is popular among union members. What’s it really all about?

    Fixating on manufacturing is not a solution. After 2012, China began shedding manufacturing employment. Job demand in Chinese manufacturing today is in sectors that require skilled workers for software and AI systems. Services like retail, technology and transportation are also drawing in workers from manufacturing.

    Building infrastructure, green energy

    Not all blue-collar work will disappear. Canada needs labour to build not just homes, but high-speed rail.



    Read more:
    Canada is one step closer to high-speed rail, but many hurdles remain

    Active labour market policies will be key to ensuring manufacturing workers transition into building infrastructure and green energy. Canada can also remain competitive in areas like aluminum production .

    Policymakers need to understand our post-industrial moment, and focus on a just transition for manufacturing workers.

    Labour and progressive movements have long championed a just transition for fossil fuel workers. Like factory workers, fossil fuel workers have been courted by right-wing politicians who tell them environmental policies will destroy their jobs. At the same time, oil companies automate their jobs anyway.

    These policies are not easy to achieve, but there are few other options for Canada if it wants to be carbon-free, open to the world and more equal. Canada’s economic nostalgia for manufacturing is ultimately strange given it’s also a common talking point of Trump, a politician who’s wildly unpopular in Canada.

    Gerard Di Trolio 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.

    – ref. The focus on manufacturing in the federal election misses what could truly help Canadian workers – https://theconversation.com/the-focus-on-manufacturing-in-the-federal-election-misses-what-could-truly-help-canadian-workers-254651

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: CTI Chairman Pfluger Responds to Homeland Democrats’ Calls to Visit Deported Salvadoran MS-13 Gang Member, Domestic Abuser

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11)

    WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, released the following statement regarding the detention of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national with ties to the transnational gang and foreign terrorist organization MS-13, who was unlawfully present in Maryland, as multiple House and Senate Democrats are reportedly planning performative trips to visit Garcia being held in El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center.

    “Americans should not have their hard-earned tax dollars paying for an all-expenses-paid trip to import criminal illegal aliens back into our communities,” said Chairman August Pfluger. “Members who are rushing to El Salvador to retrieve an international gang-affiliated member, yet show zero urgency in meeting with Rachel Morin’s family or addressing the devastation from the Biden border crisis, have their priorities completely misaligned. This isn’t just failed leadership—it’s a complete abandonment of their duty to protect American citizens. While Democrats are fighting on behalf of illegal criminals on your dime, Republicans will continue to fight for the safety of American citizens.”

    Background:

    Kilmar Abrego Garcia is a Salvadoran national who, according to the Department of Justice, has been repeatedly identified as having ties to MS-13, a transnational gang and foreign terrorist organization. Garcia, who was unlawfully present in Maryland, was arrested and deported by the Trump administration in early March.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Pfluger Visits Children’s Advocacy Center of Greater West Texas

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11)

    Rep. Pfluger Visits Children’s Advocacy Center of Greater West Texas

    Washington, April 17, 2025

    SAN ANGELO, TX— Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) visited the Children’s Advocacy Center of Greater West Texas this week. During the visit, Congressman Pfluger was briefed on the many services they provide for children and families by staff and onsite partners, including the San Angelo Police Department and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

    “I am grateful for the incredible work the Children’s Advocacy Center of Greater West Texas is doing in our communities across Texas-11,” said Congressman August Pfluger. “As we recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month, we must be committed to ensuring every child grows up in a safe and nurturing environment. I applaud the many state and local professionals working every day to better the lives of children and their families.”

    Pictures available for broadcast and distribution below:

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pfluger Fly-By Special Edition Sunday

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11)

    Pfluger Fly-By Special Edition Sunday

    Washington, April 20, 2025

    April 20, 2025

    Friend,

    Happy Easter from my family to yours. Camille and I pray each of you has had a joyous day spent with loved ones. Praise God for the empty tomb. He is risen!

    Best,

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Bennet, Neguse Reintroduce Resolution to Designate Clela Rorex Day

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Hickenlooper – Colorado

    As Boulder County Clerk, Clela Rorex Issued the First Same-Sex Marriage License in the U.S. in March 1975

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet and Representative Joe Neguse reintroduced a resolution to designate March 26, 2025, as “Clela Rorex Day” to honor Clela Rorex, the Boulder County Clerk who issued the first same sex-marriage license in the U.S. in March 1975.

    “Clela should be recognized for her leadership as a national civil rights leader, paving the way for countless individuals,” wrote the lawmakers.

    In April 1975, 40 years before the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, the Boulder County Clerk issued the first marriage license to a same-sex couple. At the time, Colorado State laws did not expressly prohibit granting a marriage license to a same-sex couple. Mrs. Rorex, continued to advocate on behalf of the LGBTQIA+ community for the remainder of her time in public service and throughout her life.

    In 2016, Mrs. Rorex said, “After having been so deeply involved in the women’s rights movements, who was I to then deny a right to anyone else? It wasn’t my job to legislate morality.” Clela passed away in the summer of 2022, in Longmont, Colorado. She was 78 years old.

    In addition to Hickenlooper, Bennet, and Neguse, the resolution is supported by Representatives Diana DeGette, Jason Crow, and Brittany Pettersen.

    Full text of the resolution is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Premier’s, minister’s statements on Earth Day

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Premier David Eby has issued the following statement marking Earth Day:

    “On Earth Day, people in British Columbia join other Canadians and people around the world in celebrating our planet as we rededicate our efforts to protect it.

    “British Columbia is lucky to have so many marvelous natural wonders, from snowcapped mountains to verdant valleys to spectacular coastlines. Our government is working in partnership with more than 60 First Nations on stewardship projects embracing local and Indigenous knowledge to protect nature. Our unique biospheres are our inheritance. We have an obligation to preserve them as our legacy for future generations.

    “For 55 years, Earth Day has been raising awareness and encouraging action on critically important environmental issues. This year’s Earth Day theme is Our Planet, Our Power. It is a call for the world to harness renewable energy to build a healthy, equitable and prosperous future. A transition to renewable energy is driving innovation in industry, transportation and agriculture, and spurring technological advancements, while creating millions of new jobs around the world, including here in British Columbia.

    “The urgency has never been clearer. Our climate is changing. British Columbians have endured record-breaking wildfire seasons, as well as floods, droughts and heat waves. That is why we are building our province’s capacity to produce clean fuels, such as biofuels, hydrogen and hydroelectricity, as well as wind and solar power.

    “Our province is already a clean-energy superpower. To build a clean economy and support growing communities, we need to expand our clean-energy capacity. BC Hydro’s $36-billion, 10-year capital plan is critical to our efforts to build a clean economy, powered by electricity, that works for everyone.

    “First Nations have long been leaders in the clean-energy sector, and we will advance reconciliation by working in collaboration and partnership with First Nations to advance projects on their territories – including eight new wind-energy projects that have majority First Nations equity ownership.

    “Our plan, called Powering Our Future: B.C.’s Clean Energy Strategy, also shows how investment in energy efficiency saves people and businesses on their energy bills, reduces energy waste and cuts down on harmful pollution, while creating jobs and economic opportunities.

    “By working together, we will ensure our province remains a place where our children and our children’s children can continue to enjoy clean air, water and land.”

    Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks, said:

    “People throughout British Columbia are blessed to be able to celebrate Earth Day where the beauty of nature is ever-present. We all cherish the natural wonders this province provides for us and we take this time to renew our efforts to protect it.

    “Since 1970, Earth Day has stood as a time for all of us to reflect on how we can continue to care for our planet so it will continue to take care of us. With the ongoing effects of climate change being felt annually in the form of worsening drought, wildfires, heat waves and other weather events, now is the time to ramp up our efforts to work with our environment, not against it, for the betterment of all.

    “The theme of this 55th Earth Day is Our Power, Our Planet, an idea we are passionate about. That’s why the Province is exempting wind-farm projects from environmental assessments and working on expediting reviews of projects such as solar farms. Producing clean energy to meet the electricity needs of people and the economy is pivotal to our future. We want to make it easier for investors to create this energy and, at the same time, fuel our economy.

    “The people of British Columbia continue to show how much they cherish the beauty of this land by visiting provincial parks and recreation sites in high numbers year after year. As a vital part of our physical and mental well-being, our world-renowned parks and protected areas are more important than ever. They play a critical role in preserving unique species and ecosystems, along with cultural and historical values, and contribute to local economies through tourism.

    “Since 2017, we’ve added more than 2,000 new campsites to BC Parks and recreation sites, with more to come. Accessibility upgrades continue to be made in parks throughout the province to ensure these natural treasures can be enjoyed by everyone.

    “Earth Day allows us to reflect on where we are and where we need to go to build a cleaner, sustainable future. I am committed to do my part in stewarding our environment for future generations to benefit from, care and enjoy.”

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: LEADER JEFFRIES ON ABC: “AMERICA IS TOO EXPENSIVE”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

    Brooklyn, NY – Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on ABC’s This Week where he emphasized that Democrats will continue to aggressively push back against the Republican assault on Social Security and Medicaid. 

    (VIDEO) LEADER JEFFRIES: We’re in a crisis across the board, right? I mean, that is obvious for everyone to see. This is not normal. The president is assaulting the economy, assaulting Social Security, assaulting health care, assaulting the American way of life and assaulting our democracy. None of this is normal. It is all a crisis. 

    (END VIDEO CLIP) 

    KARL: That was House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who joins me now. Leader Jeffries, thank you for being here. Let me get right at what you were saying, because I also heard you say that Republicans are breaking the economy and will own all of the damage that is being done to the American people. So, what—what are Democrats going to do about it? 

    JEFFRIES: Well, we’re going to continue to make clear that the cost of living in the United States of America is too high. Donald Trump and Republicans promised to lower the cost of living, in fact, on day one. Costs aren’t going down, they are going up and they are crashing the economy in real time and in fact, driving us toward a recession. Democrats have a different vision. We want to build an affordable economy for hardworking American taxpayers, and we’re ready to work with anyone in good faith to get that done. But that’s not occurring in the Congress right now, which is why things are heading in a bad direction.

    KARL: But let me ask you about a Gallup poll that came out recently, asking people how much confidence they have in various people to—to deal with the economy. And Donald Trump only—you know, 44 percent have a great deal or fair amount of confidence, but that was—GOP leaders were next, the Fed chairman, the speaker of the House. And when you get down to the bottom Democratic leaders, Chuck Schumer, down at the bottom. You had only 30 percent. So, what do Democrats have to do to convince the American people that they have a better plan on the economy than the Republicans? 

    JEFFRIES: Well, this week, we’ll be having a Cost of Living Week of Action, and we have to continue to talk to the American people about our plans. We recognize that housing costs are too high, grocery costs are too high, utility costs are too high, child care costs are too high insurance costs are too high. America is too expensive. Now, Donald Trump is the president. And in terms of his approval as it relates to the economy, it was his biggest strength on January 20th. Now, it’s his greatest weakness. There are a variety of different polls that are out there, including most recently a Morning Consult poll, that showed that congressional Democrats were actually trusted more than congressional Republicans on the economy for the first time in four years. We’re going to continue to press our case on the economy, continue to press our case on protecting and strengthening Social Security, which is what we are committed to do. Republicans are trying to detonate Social Security as we know it. And certainly, we’re going to protect the health care of the American people. 

    KARL: You’ve seen those huge crowds that Bernie Sanders and AOC have gotten at their “Fighting Oligarchy Tour.” Is that where the energy of the Democratic Party is right now? Is it with the progressive left? Is that the direction the party’s going to turn? 

    JEFFRIES: I think the energy of the Democratic Party right now is across the board. And everyone has made that observation, that this is not a right/left moment, it’s a moment of right versus wrong. And we’ve got to be able to stand up to this assault that is underway led by Donald Trump and his compliant Republicans in the House and the Senate. An assault on the economy, on Social Security, on Medicaid, an insult on the democratic way of life as we know it. 

    KARL: I saw Senator Sanders had said in an interview this week that he was skeptical of Kamala Harris, and he mentioned Joe Biden as well — and having a future in the national Democratic Party. He said, quote: I think the future of the Democratic Party is not going to rest with the kind of leadership that we’ve had. Is—is he right? Do you think Democrats are looking for new leaders? 

    JEFFRIES:  I think what we’ve got in front of us in terms of politically is that we have to win the races that are up next. That’s a governor’s race in New Jersey and a governor’s race in Virginia. Those two in November are going to be critically important, and we certainly have to win back control of the House of Representatives next year. Now, we’re pushing back in the Congress. We’re pushing back in the courts, and we’re pushing back in the communities, including wherever there are special elections on the campaign trail. And, in fact, Democrats are winning special elections month after month after month, including most recently a decisive one in Wisconsin earlier this month for the state Supreme Court. 

    KARL: David Hogg, who I know you know, a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, he’s going to be joining us on the roundtable, and he is pursuing this effort to unseat some Democrats in safe seats through primary challenges. He’s talked about a culture of seniority politics that is not working for the party. He said, quote: We need a better Democratic Party and need to get rid of the Democrats in safe seats who do not understand what is at stake now, who are asleep at the wheel not meeting the moment and are a liability now into the future of our party. What’s your response to this idea of targeting your Dem—some of your Democratic incumbents? 

    JEFFRIES: Well, I look forward to standing behind every single Democratic incumbent, from the most progressive, to the most centrist, and all points in between. They’re working hard in their communities, rising to the occasion this past week. We had, of course, Medicaid Matters Day of Action, a Save Social Security Day of Action, and we have to continue to do all of the things—rallies, town hall meetings in Democratic districts, town hall meetings in Republican districts, days of action, telephone town hall meetings, site visits, press conferences. We are in a more is more environment, and more is going to continue to be required of all of us. Now, the House is the institution that is known to be—was built to be the closest to the American people. That’s why we have elections every two years. Primaries are a fact of life. But here’s the thing: I’m going to really focus on trying to defeat Republican incumbents so we can take back control of the House of Representatives and begin the process of ending this national nightmare that’s being visited upon us by far-right extremism. 

    KARL:  All right. Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, thank you for joining us before running into Easter services. We appreciate you. Have happy—have a happy Easter. 

    Full interview can be watched here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF POPE FRANCIS 

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

    Know Your Immigration Rights

    If you or a loved one encounter immigration enforcement officials, it is essential that you know your rights and have prepared your household for all possible outcomes.

    Ask for a warrant: The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure. You do not have to open your door until you see a valid warrant to enter your home or search your belongings.

    Your right to remain silent: The Fifth Amendment protects your right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. You are not required to share any personal information such as your place of birth, immigration status or criminal history.

    Always consult an attorney: You have a right to speak with an attorney. You do not have to sign anything or hand officials any documents without speaking to an attorney. Try to identify and consult one in advance.

    The New York City Office of Civil Justice and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) support a variety of free immigration legal services through local nonprofit legal organizations. To access these resources, dial 311 and say “Action NYC,” call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or visit MOIA’s website.

    Learn more here: KNOW YOUR IMMIGRATION RIGHTS  – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: LEADER JEFFRIES AND DPCC STATEMENT MARKING HOUSE DEMOCRATS COST OF LIVING WEEK OF ACTION 

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

    Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) Chair Debbie Dingell and Co-Chairs Lauren Underwood, Lori Trahan and Maxwell Frost released the following statement:

    America is too expensive. Donald Trump and House Republicans promised to tackle the cost of living on day one. Instead, they are crashing the economy and dragging us to the brink of another Republican Recession. They have not done a single thing to make life more affordable in this country.

    This week, House Democrats will hold a Cost of Living Week of Action, hearing directly from the American people as we aim to build an economy that works for hardworking taxpayers. Democrats will be out in full force this week talking to our constituents through town hall meetings, roundtable discussions and local site visits. 

    We are battling in Congress, the courts and in communities across the land to stop Republicans from raising costs and making life harder for the American people. While Republicans are on the run, Democrats will be on the ground sharing our message in every corner of the country.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: JEFFRIES LEADS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO THE UNITED KINGDOM, DENMARK, ISRAEL AND JORDAN 

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

    Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement:

    “Our bipartisan Congressional delegation has departed for a trip to visit important allies and partners throughout Europe and the Middle East. While in the United Kingdom, we will meet with high level government and private sector leaders, reinforcing the close economic and security partnership that exists between our two countries during a time of global uncertainty. Our delegation will also travel to Denmark, where we look forward to discussing the continued importance of the NATO alliance and the geopolitical status of Greenland. 

    During our time in the Middle East, we will visit with senior officials in Israel and Jordan to discuss the challenges that exist with Iran and its proxies, as well as the opportunity to secure a durable ceasefire in Gaza that brings home the hostages, surges humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in harm’s way and sets the stage for a just and lasting peace in the region. While in Israel, we will also participate in a Yom HaShoah observance.

    It is an honor to lead this delegation, and we look forward to an enlightening and productive trip.”

    The Members of the delegation are:

    • Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-08), Democratic Leader, U.S. House of Representatives
    • Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO-02), Member, Committee on Financial Services; Member, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence 
    • Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY-05), Ranking Member, Foreign Affairs Committee; Member, Committee on Financial Services
    • Rep. Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa), Vice-Chairman, Committee on Veterans’ Affairs; Member, Natural Resources Committee; Member, Foreign Affairs Committee
    • Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), Member, Committee on Appropriations; Member, Foreign Affairs Committee
    • Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10), Member, Committee on Armed Services; Member, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
    • Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH-01), Member, Committee on Energy and Commerce
    • Rep. Laura Friedman (D-CA-30), Member, Committee on Science, Space and Technology; Member, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mpox Found in Wastewater in North Carolina, NCDHHS Urges Public and Providers to Be on Alert

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Mpox Found in Wastewater in North Carolina, NCDHHS Urges Public and Providers to Be on Alert

    Mpox Found in Wastewater in North Carolina, NCDHHS Urges Public and Providers to Be on Alert
    stonizzo
    Tue, 04/22/2025 – 09:49

    The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is asking people and providers to be on alert for mpox cases following the detection of mpox particles in multiple sewage samples found through routine wastewater testing. This year there have been two cases of mpox in North Carolina and the new wastewater detections were determined to be another type, clade I, not previously found in North Carolina. These detections indicate potential undiagnosed or unreported cases. At this time, the risk to the public remains low.        

    The mpox virus, formerly known as monkeypox, is primarily spread by prolonged close contact, typically skin-to-skin, often during sexual activity. There are two genetic types of the virus, known as clade I and clade II. The viral particles found in wastewater were determined to be clade I. To date, only four clade I cases have been reported in the U.S. Clade I mpox is responsible for a large outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa, which appears to be spreading mostly through heterosexual contact with some spread to household members, including children.

    North Carolina’s detections were found in wastewater samples collected on March 25, March 28, and April 8 from a treatment plant in Greenville, NC. No clade I cases have been reported to date; however, these detections mean there was possibly at least one person with an undiagnosed or unreported clade I mpox infection present or traveling through the Greenville area around the time of these detections.

    “The detection of clade I mpox virus in wastewater surveillance tells us the virus is potentially here   in our state, even though no cases have been reported and confirmed,” said NC Health and Human Services  Secretary Dev Sangvai. “We encourage health care providers to be on the lookout for mpox cases  and we encourage people who are at higher risk to protect themselves by getting vaccinated.”

    NCDHHS requests that all North Carolina health care providers consider mpox in patients with compatible symptoms and ask about any recent international travel. Providers who are treating patients with mpox infections should contact their local health department or the NCDHHS Division of Public Health’s 24/7 epidemiologist on-call number: 919-733-3419.  

    These recent results were found by the North Carolina Wastewater Monitoring Network, which launched in 2021 to better understand the spread of certain viruses in communities across North Carolina. This network is a collaboration between NCDHHS, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, wastewater utilities and local health departments. Samples are collected routinely from 35 wastewater treatment plants across the state and tested for specific viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). People with these viruses shed viral particles in their stool even if they don’t have symptoms. These virus particles are no longer infectious but can still be detected through lab testing.  

    While wastewater surveillance has become a valuable tool for tracking and responding to viruses, the program is now at risk due to proposed federal funding cuts. Wastewater surveillance funding allows  North Carolina to have a crucial early warning system for levels of infections that can help public health officials and health care providers make decisions, such as providing guidance on how to prevent infections.       

    NC Wastewater Monitoring Network results are routinely shared on the NCDHHS wastewater monitoring dashboard. Testing for mpox is done on samples from 18 of the participating sites and results are shared on the CDC Mpox wastewater dashboard.

    If you think you have mpox or have had close contact with someone who has mpox, visit your health care provider or contact your local health department. Symptoms include a rash on any part of the body, like the genitals, hands, feet, chest, face or mouth. The rash can initially look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy. The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing. Some people experience flu-like symptoms before the rash, while others get a rash first followed by other symptoms. In some cases, a rash is the only symptom experienced.  

    Vaccines are available to protect against mpox infection from both clade types and can reduce the severity of illness if infection does occur. Information about vaccine recommendations and where to find vaccine is available on the NCDHHS mpox page.   

    El Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte está pidiendo a las personas y a los proveedores que estén alertas ante casos de viruela símica (mpox) después de la detección de partículas de mpox en múltiples muestras de aguas residuales encontradas a través de pruebas rutinarias de aguas residuales. Este año hubo dos casos de mpox en Carolina del Norte y se determinó que las nuevas detecciones de aguas residuales eran de otro tipo, clado I, que no se había encontrado anteriormente en Carolina del Norte. Estas detecciones indican posibles casos no diagnosticados o no notificados. En este momento, el riesgo para el público sigue siendo bajo.

    El virus de la viruela símica (mpox), anteriormente conocido como viruela del mono, se transmite principalmente por contacto cercano prolongado, generalmente piel con piel, a menudo durante la actividad sexual. Existen dos tipos genéticos del virus, conocidos como clado I y clado II. Se determinó que las partículas virales encontradas en las aguas residuales eran del clado I. Hasta la fecha, solo se han reportado cuatro casos de clado I en los EE. UU. La viruela del clado I es responsable de un gran brote en África Central y Oriental, que parece estar propagándose principalmente a través del contacto heterosexual con algunos miembros del hogar, incluso los niños.

    Las detecciones de Carolina del Norte se encontraron en muestras de aguas residuales recolectadas el 25 de marzo, el 28 de marzo y el 8 de abril de una planta de tratamiento en Greenville, Carolina del Norte. No se han informado casos de clado I hasta la fecha; sin embargo, estas detecciones significan que posiblemente había al menos una persona con una infección por viruela del clado I no diagnosticada o no informada presente o que viajaba por el área de Greenville en el momento de estas detecciones.

     “La detección del virus de la viruela símica del clado I en la vigilancia de aguas residuales nos indica que el virus está potencialmente aquí en nuestro estado, a pesar de que no se han reportado y confirmado casos”, dijo el Secretario de Salud y Servicios Humanos de NC, Dev Sangvai. “Animamos a los proveedores de atención médica a estar atentos a los casos de mpox y alentamos a las personas que corren un mayor riesgo a protegerse vacunándose”.

    El NCDHHS solicita que todos los proveedores de atención médica de Carolina del Norte consideren la viruela símica (mpox) en pacientes con síntomas compatibles y pregunten sobre cualquier viaje internacional reciente. Los proveedores que atienden a pacientes con infecciones por mpox deben comunicarse con su departamento de salud local o llamar al número de guardia las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana del epidemiólogo de la División de Salud Pública de NCDHHS al: 919-733-3419.

    Estos resultados recientes se encontraron por la Red de Monitoreo de Aguas Residuales de Carolina del Norte, que se lanzó en 2021 para comprender mejor la propagación de ciertos virus en las comunidades de Carolina del Norte. Esta red es una colaboración entre NCDHHS, la Universidad de Carolina del Norte en Chapel Hill, los servicios públicos de aguas residuales y los departamentos de salud locales. Las muestras se recolectan rutinariamente de 35 plantas de tratamiento de aguas residuales en todo el estado y se analizan para detectar virus específicos, incluido el SARS-CoV-2 (el virus que causa COVID-19), la influenza y el virus sincitial respiratorio (RSV). Las personas con estos virus eliminan partículas virales en las heces, incluso si no tienen síntomas. Estas partículas de virus dejan de ser infecciosas, pero aún pueden detectarse mediante pruebas de laboratorio.

    Si bien la vigilancia de las aguas residuales se ha convertido en una herramienta valiosa para rastrear y responder a los virus, el programa ahora está en riesgo debido a los recortes de fondos federales propuestos. El financiamiento de la vigilancia de aguas residuales permite que Carolina del Norte tenga un sistema de alerta temprana crucial para los niveles de infecciones que puede ayudar a los funcionarios de salud pública y proveedores de atención médica a tomar decisiones, como proporcionar orientación sobre cómo prevenir infecciones.

    Los resultados de la Red de Monitoreo de Aguas Residuales de NC se comparten de forma rutinaria en el tablero de monitoreo de aguas residuales de NCDHHS. Las pruebas de la viruela símica (mpox) se realizan en muestras de 18 de los sitios participantes y los resultados se comparten en el tablero de aguas residuales de CDC mpox.

    Si cree que tiene viruela símica (mpox) o ha tenido contacto cercano con alguien que tiene mpox, visite a su proveedor de atención médica o comuníquese con su departamento de salud local. Los síntomas incluyen una erupción en cualquier parte del cuerpo, como los genitales, las manos, los pies, el pecho, la cara o la boca. La erupción de piel puede parecer inicialmente como granos o ampollas y pueden ser dolorosas o provocar comezón. La erupción pasará por varias etapas, incluyendo costras, antes de sanar. Algunas personas experimentan síntomas similares a la influenza (gripe) antes de la erupción, mientras que otras tienen una erupción primero seguida de otros síntomas. En algunos casos, el único síntoma que se experimenta es una erupción cutánea.

    Las vacunas están disponibles para proteger contra la infección por mpox de ambos tipos de clados y pueden reducir la gravedad de la enfermedad si se produce la infección. La información sobre las recomendaciones de vacunas y dónde encontrarlas está disponible en la página web de NCDHHS mpox.
     

    Apr 22, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Leader of Notorious Philadelphia ‘10th and O Crew’ Sentenced to Six Years for Opioid Drug Conspiracy

    Source: US State of California

    A South Philadelphia man was sentenced yesterday in the District of New Jersey to six years in prison for conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, a highly addictive controlled substance. 

    According to court documents, between January 2022 and February 2024, Michael Procopio, 50, coordinated the unlawful sale of prescription oxycodone pills as a leader of South Philadelphia’s notorious “10th and O Crew.” Procopio obtained the pills from doctors’ offices in the area. He then unlawfully distributed them through a network of intermediaries. In February 2024, during a search of Procopio’s residence pursuant to a search warrant, law enforcement found oxycodone, Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine), and other drugs stored in a safe concealed in a hollowed-out dictionary. During the execution of the search warrant, Procopio stated, “take me to jail” and “I f***ed up.”

    Pursuant to the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, one gram of actual oxycodone is equivalent to 6,700 grams of converted drug weight. Procopio admitted to distributing approximately 14,925 milligrams of oxycodone, which equates to between 80 and 100 kilograms of opioids by converted drug weight.

    “The defendant led a criminal ‘crew’ that diverted addictive prescription drugs to sell on the streets of Philadelphia,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The unlawful distribution of opioids ravages communities, whether it’s fentanyl from overseas or prescription oxycodone obtained from a doctor. The Department of Justice is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to eradicate the illegal sale of these dangerous drugs.” 

    In June 2024, Procopio pleaded guilty to conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances. Court documents show that Procopio was previously convicted of sexual assault in Pennsylvania.  

    Special Agent in Charge Wayne Jacobs of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Philadelphia Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New Jersey Field Division joined the announcement.

    The FBI, DEA, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the case.

    Trial Attorneys Paul J. Koob and Nicholas K. Peone of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery and Wawanesa Award $150,000 to Five Youth-Led Climate Projects

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HAMILTON, Ontario, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Innovative climate solutions require bold ideas, and young leaders are stepping up to the challenge. Wawanesa Insurance and Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery (C2R2) are thrilled to announce the latest recipients of the Wawanesa Climate Champions: Youth Innovation Grants. The $150,000 in available funding will support youth-led projects focused on tackling climate change and building more resilient communities across Canada.

    Through a competitive selection process, five outstanding projects have been chosen to each receive a $30,000 grant to develop and implement their climate-focused initiative with support from C2R2 partner institutions. These projects represent the creativity and commitment of young Canadians striving for meaningful environmental impact.

    “The level of innovation and dedication from young leaders across Canada is truly inspiring,” said Has Malik, Saskatchewan Polytechnic Provost & Vice President Academic and C2R2 Co-Chair. “By investing in these projects, we are not only supporting youth-led ideas, but also empowering the next generation to take an active role in shaping a more sustainable future.”

    Recognizing the critical role youth play in driving climate adaptation and mitigation solutions, Wawanesa first awarded the grant last year in partnership with C2R2. The initiative is part of the Wawanesa Climate Champions program, which reinforces the insurer’s annual $2 million commitment to building stronger, more resilient communities.

    “Canada’s youth are instrumental in building more climate-resilient communities,” said Jackie De Pape Hornick, Director, Communications & Community Impact at Wawanesa. “These grants are designed to empower young climate champions to transform their innovative ideas into action. We’re proud to once again partner with C2R2 to support another group of changemakers as they create a meaningful, lasting impact in our communities.”

    The Wawanesa Climate Champions: Youth Innovation Grants received over 10 outstanding submissions from youth across seven of C2R2’s institution partners. Of the projects, the following have been selected to receive funding:

    • Anamika Gupta at Saskatchewan Polytechnic for her project; Prairie EcoWatt: Energy Champions of Saskatchewan.
    • Clarissa Getigan at New Brunswick Community College for her project; Sustainable Greenhouse Farming: Securing Food with Resource Efficiency.
    • Dexter Guino at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology for his project; Enhancing the Durability Performance of Low-Carbon Concrete using Carbon-Sequestered SCM.
    • Jeshuah Gilroy at Holland College for his project; Novel bioremediation approach to neutralize nitrous oxide precursors from water.
    • Maninder Kailay and Nga Phan at the British Columbia Institute of Technology for their project; Supercritical CO₂ Techniques for Lithium-Ion Battery Metal Recovery.

    These projects will be implemented over the next year, with recipients working alongside industry experts, academic mentors, and community partners to maximize their impact.

    About Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery (C2R2)

    Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery (C2R2) is a coalition of 15 highly aligned colleges, cégeps, institutes, and polytechnics across Canada with an established commitment to sustainability. The coalition members have come together as a driving force, providing the skills required to transition to a clean economy in Canada. C2R2’s administration and secretariat are located at Mohawk College in Hamilton.

    For more information, visit www.resilientcolleges.ca.

    About The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company

    The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company, founded in 1896, is one of Canada’s largest mutual insurers, with over $3.5 billion in annual revenue and assets of $10 billion. Wawanesa Mutual, with its National Headquarters in Winnipeg, is the parent company of Wawanesa Life, which provides life insurance products and services throughout Canada, and Western Financial Group, which distributes personal and business insurance across Canada. Wawanesa proudly serves more than 1.7 million members in Canada. The company actively gives back to organizations that strengthen communities, donating more than $3.5 million annually to charitable organizations, including over $2 million annually in support of people on the front lines of climate change. Learn more at wawanesa.com.

    For more information:

    Sean Coffey
    Director, Communications
    Mohawk College
    905-575-2127
    sean.coffey@mohawkcollege.ca

    Michel Rosset
    Manager, Corporate Communications & Media Relations
    The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company
    media@wawanesa.com

    The MIL Network –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth Statement on the Passing of Pope Francis

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
    April 21, 2025
    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today issued the following statement honoring the passing of Pope Francis:
    “Pope Francis was a pillar of the Catholic Church, a beacon of hope, compassion and light in times of fear, hatred and darkness. Throughout his life, he taught us that in order to be great, we have to be good. He urged each of us to care for the poor, feed the hungry, be humble stewards of the Earth and treat others how we would want to be treated ourselves—even if they pray or live differently than us. His teachings remain as important as ever.
    “May he rest in peace and may his spirit continue to uplift and guide all those who followed his sacred word.”
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth Leads Colleagues in Condemning Trump and Hegseth’s Trans Military Service Ban

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
    April 22, 2025
    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of both the U.S. Senate Armed Services (SASC) and Veterans’ Affairs (SVAC) Committees—led 13 of her fellow Senate Democratic colleagues in condemning President Trump’s un-American, unconstitutional transgender military service ban for being a blatant violation of our brave servicemembers’ civil rights and weakening our national security. The lawmakers demanded answers from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on whether the Administration is complying with the nationwide injunctions that halted the unconstitutional ban, and that the Administration disclose whether any trans servicemembers have been wrongfully dismissed as a result of Trump’s executive order despite the courts’ injunctions.
    “This policy insults the service of brave Americans who believe that all people, regardless of differences, are equal and have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” wrote the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Secretary Hegseth. “As the Joint Force faces a recruiting crisis amid a staggering attrition rate for new troops (nearly a quarter of Army recruits have failed to complete their initial contracts since 2022), our Nation cannot afford to expel several thousand troops serving honorably on a baseless, hateful whim.”
    The lawmakers derided Trump’s trans military service ban for not only being discriminatory and based on false pretenses, but also for hurting our military readiness and exacerbating the ongoing military recruiting crisis in service of continuing hateful attacks against transgender Americans.
    “The United States military became the greatest fighting force in the world by pioneering the integration of diverse groups,” the lawmakers continued. “We have triumphed over our enemies because military effectiveness and lethality are strengthened by a broad range of skills, experiences and backgrounds. Naysayers who have derided the U.S. military as lacking the discipline, intelligence and ability to achieve unit cohesion among Americans of different classes, races, ethnicities, religions and yes, genders, have been proven wrong again and again.”
    In addition to Duckworth, the letter is co-signed by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Ron Wyden (D-WA).
    The full text of the letter is available on Senator Duckworth’s website and below:
    Dear Secretary Hegseth:
    We write to express our expectation that the Department of Defense (Department) adhere to recent U.S. District Court injunctions halting terminations of transgender servicemembers and provide all servicemembers with equal protection under the law by protecting the constitutional and legal rights of our Nation’s transgender troops. Our extreme concern over the demonstrably false and propaganda-laden claims in President Donald Trump’s January 27, 2025 Executive Order “Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness” (EO) is rooted in our commitment to military recruiting and readiness.
    Fewer than one percent of the American people—approximately 0.4 percent—choose to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.  Given the unwillingness or inability of 99.6 percent of the U.S. population to serve in our military, the last thing our Nation should be doing is rejecting patriotic Americans who are ready and willing to serve our country in uniform and bravely accept the risk of making the ultimate sacrifice.
    The United States military became the greatest fighting force in the world by pioneering the integration of diverse groups.  In fields where performance is the top priority, effective leaders recruit from the widest pool of applicants, understanding that arbitrarily restricting eligibility on a discriminatory basis betrays the very concept of meritocracy. We have triumphed over our enemies because military effectiveness and lethality are strengthened by a broad range of skills, experiences and backgrounds.  Naysayers who have derided the U.S. military as lacking the discipline, intelligence and ability to achieve unit cohesion among Americans of different classes, races, ethnicities, religions and yes, genders, have been proven wrong again and again.
    This should not be a controversial issue: most Americans support transgender individuals serving in the military, and a 2020 study found that transgender servicemembers reported above-average physical health and few risk behaviors.  As the Joint Force faces a recruiting crisis amid a staggering attrition rate for new troops (nearly a quarter of Army recruits have failed to complete their initial contracts since 2022), our Nation cannot afford to expel several thousand troops serving honorably on a baseless, hateful whim.
    The Trump administration’s repeated attacks on the transgender community reveal an ideological obsession rooted in a poor understanding of science. Transgender identities are valid, and respecting someone’s gender identity while minding your own business harms no one.  All servicemembers—cisgender and transgender—benefit from investing in unit cohesion, contrary to the false claims in the EO.  This policy insults the service of brave Americans who believe that all people, regardless of differences, are equal and have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Contrary to the low opinion you and the President seem to have of our servicemembers’ professionalism and commitment to mission accomplishment, we believe that our troops can serve together cohesively in pursuit of military effectiveness and excellence, regardless of their differences in identity. Fox News television personalities—not military units—are the ones bothered by transgender people faithfully serving their country.
    This EO establishes a dangerous precedent, allowing the President to arbitrarily decide that an entire group of people is harmful to an undefined ideal of “unit cohesion” and purge them from the Joint Force—without producing any meaningful evidence. You have already personally questioned women’s fitness to serve and erased public records of accomplishments by American military heroes from minority backgrounds.  Who will be targeted next?
    Nearly 20 percent of the transgender community are current servicemembers or Veterans, a significantly higher rate than the approximately seven percent of all U.S. adults fitting these categories.  In return for this patriotism, the administration denies transgender servicemembers not only the ability to serve, but also the resulting benefits they have earned.  The EO and ensuing Department policy proposals specifically target transgender individuals who have accessed gender-affirming care, even though such care continues to be accepted as evidence-based, medically necessary and highly effective by all major medical and behavioral health professional organizations, including the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association.
    On March 18, 2025, U.S. District Court Judge Ana Reyes issued a nationwide preliminary injunction in Talbott v. Trump (1:25-cv-00240, (D.D.C.)), blocking implementation of the EO. Judge Reyes stated that the ban undermines national security, is likely unconstitutional and is “soaked with animus and dripping with pretext.”  10 days later, U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Hale Settle, a former JAG officer appointed by President George W. Bush, issued a second nationwide injunction against the transgender military ban in Shilling v. Trump (2:25-cv-00241 (W.D. Wash.)).  These injunctions were timely, as the Department was scheduled to begin implementing the ban on March 28, 2025, despite several military experts and former leaders characterizing this rapid timeframe as “rushed,” “alarming” and “brutal.”  We could not agree more.
    As the Secretary of Defense, you are ultimately responsible for ensuring the United States maintains a strong and capable fighting force that will keep Americans safe. This harmful EO negatively impacts national security and undermines your oath of office. Given the recent legal developments concerning the order, we request that you respond to the following questions in writing by April 25, 2025:
    Do you commit to following the nationwide injunctions from Talbott v. Trump and Shilling v Trump regarding implementation of President Trump’s transgender servicemember ban? Please explain the steps taken to comply with these injunctions.
    How many taxpayer dollars will be spent to implement this policy?
    As of the date of this letter, how much has been spent on the government’s defense in the aforementioned lawsuits and any other legal challenges related to this EO?
    Approximately how many taxpayer dollars have been spent on training, continuing education, fitness testing, boarding and other related expenses on the transgender troops you are seeking to expel from the Joint Force?
    What is the estimated cost for administrative time spent scouring records to identify transgender servicemembers, pursuing the administrative separation process, providing transition services and implementing associated lifetime benefit payouts to forcibly remove honorably serving, fit transgender troops from service?
    Were any servicemembers prematurely dismissed due to the EO and planned policy implementations? What assistance was provided to help these individuals transition back to civilian life?
    Please provide a detailed reintegration plan for any servicemembers prematurely separated or who began the separation process, outlining how the Department is working to undo the harm already done.
    Do you commit to consulting with professional organizations, such as the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association, to ensure that our Nation’s transgender servicemembers receive the medically necessary, evidence-based healthcare they earned in service to our country?
    How will you ensure that transgender servicemembers can continue to serve without facing stigma or backlash resulting from the Trump administration’s targeted attacks against them?
    The ban on transgender service members will have long-term consequences on military morale and recruitment. Addressing these issues promptly is crucial to prevent negative impacts on the Armed Forces. As the Secretary, you have the opportunity to help reverse the Trump administration’s anti-science, ideologically driven agenda. Swift corrective action will help preserve the military’s integrity and ensure it continues to attract and retain the best talent. Denying any servicemember who has met the qualifications to serve our Nation the right to serve based on ideological grounds is inherently un-American and jeopardizes our national security. This administration’s animus towards transgender heroes prioritizes a manufactured culture war over military excellence and readiness and is a purge of brave servicemembers who protect our freedoms.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister’s statement on Education Week

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care, has released the following statement in celebration of Education Week 2025:

    “As we mark Education Week from April 21-25, we take this opportunity to celebrate the hard work and achievements of students throughout British Columbia. This week also recognizes the dedication of the teachers, support staff, school administrators and trustees who make our education system one of the best in the world.

    “Our government is committed to ensuring our students succeed and thrive in their education, and continues to invest in initiatives that support students, families and educators.

    “We are making historic investments in school food programs to ensure no student needs to learn on an empty stomach. This year, we signed onto the National School Food Program, adding $39 million over three years in federal funding for food programs. This is in addition to $71.5 million in annual funding already provided through B.C.’s Feeding Futures program. Since we introduced Feeding Futures in 2023, almost 90% of schools in B.C. now have school food programs. We know access to nutritious food is essential for learning and we are committed to working toward all students being able to access the food they need to thrive in the classroom.

    “Through the new Ministry of Infrastructure, we are working to meet the demands of growing communities and increasing student enrolment by continuing to invest in modern, safe and inclusive learning spaces. During the next three years, our government will invest a record $4.6 billion for new school construction, seismic upgrades and expansions.

    “In addition to supporting student well-being, we are strengthening policies to create safer and more focused learning environments. At the start of this school year, all school districts implemented policies to limit cellphone use in classrooms, and we are expanding digital literacy training to help students and families navigate online spaces safely and responsibly. We are committed to ensuring students are safe inside and outside the classroom, which is why we are also working to ensure all students receive CPR learning before they graduate.

    “Since we formed government, we’ve more than doubled funding to school districts for inclusive supports and services – it’s almost $1 billion this school year. Two provincial school outreach teams are doing excellent work with schools throughout B.C. to support students with disabilities or diverse learning needs. These teams, which include specialists, such as speech-language pathologists, learning support teachers, behaviour analysts, school counselors and other professionals, have provided support at 52 schools in 27 districts so far, particularly focusing on rural and remote communities. We’ve provided more than $9 million over three years in provincial funding to launch and expand these teams.

    “Additionally, we are rolling out supports from our $30-million investment over three years to enhance early literacy supports, particularly for students with dyslexia and other learning challenges. By expanding early screening and intervention, we are supporting school districts to meet the literacy needs of all their students.

    “To address teacher shortages and ensure students continue to have access to qualified educators, the Province has allocated $12.5 million over three years for teacher training, recruitment and retention, with a particular focus on rural, northern and Indigenous communities. We’ve also heard through sector engagement that a key area for retention is mentorship, which is why we are working with sector partners to re-establish a provincial teacher mentorship program to further support teachers in their roles.

    “I extend my sincere gratitude to all educators, school leaders and support staff who dedicate their time and energy to making British Columbia’s education system strong and inclusive. Your efforts empower students and help build a brighter future for our province.

    “As we celebrate this year’s Education Week, I am pleased to reiterate our government’s ongoing commitment to making schools safe and inclusive, a place where every child has a right to show up as their authentic self, while having the resources and opportunities they need to succeed and thrive.”

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    April 23, 2025
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