NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI Security: Security Guard Sentenced for Sexual Abuse of an Inmate

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PHOENIX, Ariz. – Morris Gary Hibbitt, 51, of Avondale, was sentenced on April 14, 2025, by United States District Judge G. Murray Snow to 13 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release for sexual abuse of an inmate. Hibbitt is also required to register as a sex offender.

    On May 21, 2023, while on duty as the Security Supervisor at Behavioral Systems Southwest (BSS) in Phoenix, Hibbitt sexually assaulted a female inmate under his supervision. BSS is a residential reentry center contracted by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to aid inmates in their transition back into the community while completing their prison sentences. Inmates at BSS are in official detention and remain under the custodial authority of the BOP.

    The Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation in this case. Kristen Brook, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

    CASE NUMBER:           CR-24-00992-PHX-GMS
    RELEASE NUMBER:     2025-059_Hibbitt

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    For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/

    Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 205 charged with illegal entry or reentry as part of new cases filed this week in efforts to secure southern border

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HOUSTON – A total of 216 more cases have been filed in immigration and border security-related matters from April 11-17, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. 

    As part of those cases, 86 face allegations of illegally reentering the country with the majority having felony convictions such as narcotics, firearms or sexual offenses, or prior immigration crimes. A total of 119 people face charges of illegally entering the country while 11 cases involve various instances of human smuggling.  

    Some of those charged with felony reentry include Mexican national Alejandro Contreras-Zapata, who was allegedly found near Roma. The charges allege he had been previously sentenced to 20 years in prison for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon before his removal March 7.

    Erika Camacho-Rodriguez is also a convicted felon and illegally returned recently, according to the complaint. Authorities found her near Roma, having been removed March 31 following a conviction for transporting illegal aliens as the charges allege. She is also from Mexico.

    Another case charges Cesar Garcia-Rivas, a Mexican male found in the United States near Rio Grande City. He had allegedly been removed Oct. 21, 202o, and had previously received a 70-month sentence for kidnapping. 

    Three other men were apprehended near Laredo and had just been removed within the last five months, according to their charges. The criminal complaints allege Daniel Fimbres and Jose Alejandro Rodriguez-Panjol had just been removed Feb. 19 and 28, respectively, while Delfino Lopez-Roque was removed Nov. 24, 2024.

    All six of these illegal aliens and others charged in some of the cases filed this week face up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted of illegally returning to the United States without authorization. 

    Other relevant matters this week include the jury conviction of a 25-year-old Laredo woman for conspiracy to transport, attempting to transport and bringing in and attempting to bring a three-year-old minor to the United States. Salma Galilea Veliz planned to have the boy assume the identity of her biological son in an effort to smuggle him into the United States. In exchange, she would be paid $2,500.

    In another jury trial resulting in a guilty verdict, a known human smuggler was convicted of possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The jury deliberated for approximately 15 minutes before finding Jose Rodriguez Jr. guilty after a one-day trial. When he was initially arrested in August 2024 for transporting aliens, authorities also discovered 150 images of CSAM on his phone. The evidence included numerous files depicting sexual assaults of prepubescent children.

    Also announced this week was the indictment of two illegal aliens and a Laredo man for various firearms offenses. The investigation began March 21 when law enforcement discovered the location of a firearm allegedly used in a crime. Upon searching the residence, authorities allegedly discovered two machine gun conversion devices, a backpack that contained magazines and ammunition as well a .38 special and .22LR ammunition. Also on the property was a grey backpack containing a 9mm S&W handgun, according to the complaint. Erick Lopez Jr., 18, Laredo, is charged with possession of a machine gun, while Erick Lopez-Rivera Sr., 37, and Marcos Lora-Morales, 24, both illegal aliens unlawfully residing in Laredo, are facing charges of alien in possession of ammunition and alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition, respectively. Lopez-Rivera Sr. is also charged with felony reentry of an alien.

    These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Homeland Security Investigations, ICE – Enforcement and Removal Operations, Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.

    The cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

    Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for the Southern District of Texas (SDTX). Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal history, including human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children.  

    The SDTX remains one of the busiest in the nation. It represents 43 counties and more than nine million people covering 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from all seven divisions including Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo work directly with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels to prosecute the suspected offenders of these and other federal crimes. 

    An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Filed 135 Border-Related Cases This Week

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN DIEGO – Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of California filed 135 border-related cases this week, including charges of transportation of illegal aliens, bringing in aliens for financial gain, reentering the U.S. after deportation, deported alien found in the United States, and importation of controlled substances.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California is the fourth-busiest federal district, largely due to a high volume of border-related crimes. This district, encompassing San Diego and Imperial counties, shares a 140-mile border with Mexico. It includes the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the world’s busiest land border crossing, connecting San Diego (America’s eighth largest city) and Tijuana (Mexico’s second largest city).

    In addition to reactive border-related crimes, the Southern District of California also prosecutes a significant number of proactive cases related to terrorism, organized crime, drugs, white-collar fraud, violent crime, cybercrime, human trafficking and national security. Recent developments in those and other significant areas of prosecution can be found here.

    A sample of border-related arrests this week:

    • On April 15, Jesus Manuel Zuniga Huerta and Jose Alberto Flores Avalos of Mexico were arrested at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry and charged with importing deadly fentanyl into the U.S. According to a complaint, Customs and Border Protection officers discovered 148 pounds of fentanyl in the rear frame well of a tractor-trailer driven by Zuniga Huerta.
    • On April 15, Brian Jaime Sanchez, a Mexican national, was arrested and charged with Bringing in Aliens for Financial Gain. According to a complaint, Customs and Border Protection officers found an undocumented immigrant concealed in the trunk of Sanchez’s car as he attempted to cross the border at the Tecate Port of Entry.
    • On April 17, Sergio Villalba-Serrano, a Mexican national, was arrested and charged with Departed Alien Found in the United States. According to a complaint, Villalba-Serrano was taken into custody near the Tecate Port of Entry after his Cadillac was stopped by U.S. Border Patrol agents. Villalba-Serrano had previously been deported on October 26, 2019, from Laredo, Texas.

    Also this week, a number of defendants with criminal records were convicted by a jury or sentenced for border-related crimes such as illegally re-entering the U.S. after previous deportation. Here are a few of those cases:

    • On April 10, 2025, following a three-day trial, a federal jury convicted seven-time felon Miguel Rolon of conspiring to bring in aliens and bringing in two aliens for financial gain.  During trial, the evidence showed that Rolon picked up two Guatemalan nationals at a stash house in Tijuana, Mexico, coached the aliens to weave a fictious backstory to customs officers, and attempted to smuggle the same aliens into the United States using others’ U.S. passports at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Rolon is scheduled to be sentenced on July 7, 2025.
    • On April 18, 2024, Javier Gracia-Meza, a Mexican national, who was previously convicted of a felony illegal reentry offense, was sentenced in federal court to 15 months in custody for again entering the United States illegally.
    • On April 18, 2025, Cruz Torres-Gonzalez, a Mexican national who was previously convicted of five felony immigration offenses, was sentenced in federal court to 54 months in custody for again entering the U.S illegally.
    • On April 18, 2025, Pablo Lazcano-Quinonez, a Mexican national who was previously convicted of felony conspiracy to distribute marijuana, felony possession/use of drug paraphernalia, and two illegal reentry offenses, was sentenced in federal court to 15 months in custody for again entering the U.S illegally.
    • On April 18, 2025, Jesus Eduardo Morga-Ceballos – a Mexican national who was previously convicted of a felony controlled substance offense in 2014, a misdemeanor criminal threat with intent to terrorize in 2014, and a felony illegal reentry in 2023 – was sentenced in federal court to 101 days in custody for again entering the U.S illegally.

    Pursuant to the Department’s Operation Take Back America priorities, federal law enforcement has focused immigration prosecutions on undocumented aliens who are engaged in criminal activity in the U.S., including those who commit drug and firearms crimes, who have serious criminal records, or who have active warrants for their arrest. Federal authorities have also been prioritizing investigations and prosecutions against drug, firearm, and human smugglers and those who endanger and threaten the safety of our communities and the law enforcement officers who protect the community.

    The immigration cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with the support and assistance of state and local law enforcement partners.

    Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell, Murray, Randall Introduce Legislation to Place Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and Quinault Indian Nation Lands into Trust

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    04.18.25
    Cantwell, Murray, Randall Introduce Legislation to Place Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and Quinault Indian Nation Lands into Trust
    The Lower Elwha Kallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act is one of the last steps of the Elwha and Glines Canyon Dam removal project & will help restore fisheries
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Patty Murray (D-WA) and Representative Emily Randall (D, WA-06) introduced a pair of bills to transfer land back to the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and Quinault Indian Nation to be held in trust. Land is taken into trust when land is transferred to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to be held in trust for the benefit of the tribe.
    “The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe led a historic regional effort to restore salmon runs by removing obsolete dams along Elwha River,” said Sen. Cantwell. “Now, it’s time to return over 1,000 acres of land that was taken to build the dams and allow the Lower Elwha Klallam people to reclaim ancestral lands.” 
    “For generations, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe have acted as stewards of the lands along the Elwha River—transferring this land back to Tribal ownership is not only the right thing to do, but it will support important Tribal-led habitat restoration and salmon recovery efforts, improving these precious ecosystems for everyone,” said Senator Murray. “As the Trump administration shutters Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service facilities, fires the people responsible for ensuring our nation is living up to its trust obligations to Tribes, and terminates federal funding that is owed to our Tribes, I will keep fighting back with everything I have and working to ensure that Tribes in the Pacific Northwest have the support they need to not just survive, but to thrive.”
    “Since time immemorial the Lower Elwha Klallam and the Quinault Indian Nation have stewarded these lands and waters for today’s inhabitants, and for the benefit of the next seven generations,” said Rep. Randall. “These bills — transferring land into trust and restoring the original reservation lands — are part of our federal government’s promise, our constitutional responsibility, and our treaty obligation to protect Tribal Lands and the people who call them home.”
    Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act:
    This bill would transfer three parcels of land totaling 1,082 acres to the BIA to be held in trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.
    The land is just outside the boundaries of the Olympic National Park and includes 1,061 acres originally acquired by the National Park Service to demolish two dams along the Elwha River.
    The two remaining parcels were acquired by the U.S. Department of the Interior to construct a pipeline to transfer surface water to the Tribe’s new fish hatchery – the House of Salmon.
    The land transfer would boost habitat restoration efforts led by the Lower Elwha Tribe and federal agencies, aiding in the recovery of all five species of Pacific salmon and other native fish, including Chinook, coho, chum, pink and sockeye salmon, along with steelhead and bull trout.
    This bill is an important action in the decades long effort to restore the Elwha River.
    “The Tribe is excited by the introduction of this bill by Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray and Congresswoman Emily Randall,” said Chairwoman Frances Charles, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. “This bill is an important final action to the dam removal project and the restoration of the Elwha River ecosystem and salmon fisheries. The transfer of these lands along the Elwha River to the Tribe will safeguard the federal investment in the restoration of the river and fisheries through tribal management of the resources. The bill will also protect the Tribe’s sacred cultural homelands by restoring them to the stewardship of the Tribe.”
    The proposal for the land to be taken into trust is supported by WSDOT, the Makah Tribe, and the City of Port Angeles.
    “Returning 72 acres of the Quinault Indian Nation’s original reservation will restore the Tribe’s ancestral lands and help preserve one of the area’s last remnants of old growth forest as a living museum for future generations,” said Sen. Cantwell.
    “The Quinault Indian Nation Land Transfer Act will right a historic wrong by transferring 72 acres of land from the Forest Service to be held in trust for the Quinault Nation, more than 100 years after the forced breakup and sale of their lands irrevocably changed their way of life,” said Senator Murray. “I’m proud to be part of this important effort to fulfill our nation’s promise to the people of the Quinault Indian Nation—and I’ll keep doing everything I can to fight back against Trump and Elon’s disastrous cuts across the federal government that are hurting Tribes and undermining our nation’s ability to live up to our trust and treaty obligations.”
    Quinault Indian Nation Land Transfer Act:
    This bill would transfer 72 acres from the Forest Service to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to be held in trust for the Quinault Indian Nation.
    The 72 acres, known as Allotment 1157, was originally part of the Quinault reservation that was established by the Treaty of Olympia of 1856.
    After the passage of the Dawes Act of 1887, the Quinault Indian Reservation was separated into individual allotments and in 1928, Allotment 1157 was given to away through a Trust Deed signed by President Calvin Coolidge.
    The Allotment was eventually sold to a timber company and was purchased by the U.S. Forest Service in 1996 for conservation.
    Allotment 1157 is one of the last remnants of old growth forest, particularly old growth cedar, that were a significant part of the Quinault’s reservation.
    The Quinault Nation plans to utilize this land as a living museum for educational purposes, where students and college interns will learn how to preserve other historical places. Trees and downed wood on this land will be utilized for cultural purposes as has been done in the past. 
    The proposal for the land to be taken into trust is supported by Jefferson and Grays Harbor County, the Hoh Tribe, and the Quileute Tribe. A document containing written letters of support is available HERE.
    With the passage of the Dawes Act in 1867, the Quinault Reservation was broken up into 80-acre allotments, many given to individual Tribal Members. As private interests quickly moved in to buy up the allotments, including allotment 1157, reservation land was lost to the Tribe.
    “The forced breakup of our reservation erased one of the foundations of our way of life, our view that the land and waters of our homeland were for communal use by all. The Quinault Indian Nation Land Transfer Act will help right a historic wrong,” said Quinault Indian Nation President Guy Capoeman. “This legislation helps fulfill the promise the United States government made to the Quinault Nation that the lands set aside for the Quinault Indian Reservation will always belong to the Quinault Nation. We thank Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray and Congresswoman Emily Randall for introducing this important legislation and for her leadership in Congress.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Collins Speaks at Inaugural Patricia and Donald Collins Leadership Award Presentation at UMaine

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins

    Click HERE, HERE, or HERE for individual photos

    Orono, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins delivered remarks at the inaugural Patricia M. and Donald F. Collins Leadership Award ceremony at the University of Maine (UMaine). This endowed scholarship award was established in memory of Patricia and Donald Collins, both Class of 1949 graduates of UMaine, former mayors of the City of Caribou, and the parents of six children, including Senator Collins. Patricia Collins also served as the first female chair of the UMaine System Board of Trustees, the Catholic Charities of Maine Board of Directors, and the Catholic Foundation of Maine Board of Trustees. Donald Collins was a Bronze Star and two-time Purple Heart recipient as an infantry sergeant during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II, and later served as a member of the Maine State House of Representatives and the Maine State Senate.

    The inaugural recipient of the award is Keegan Tripp, a member of the University of Maine Class of 2026. Keegan is the President of the University of Maine Student Government, a board member of the University of Maine Alumni Association, and a recipient of the John M. Nickerson Scholarship for political science students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement. Keegan also interned at Senator Collins’ state office in Bangor.

    “My parents believed deeply in the value of education, civic responsibility, and giving back to their community, and they exemplified those principles throughout their lives,” said Senator Collins. “It is incredibly meaningful to honor their legacy through this endowed scholarship. I know that they too would be proud of Keegan, whose leadership, character, and outstanding academic achievements made him an excellent candidate to be the first-ever recipient of this award.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin Successfully Pushes Trump to Punish China for Cheating American Workers and Shipbuilders

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement after the Trump administration announced penalties against China for its unfair trade practices in the shipbuilding industry that undermine American workers. The penalties come as a result of the investigation Baldwin backed under the Biden Administration into China’s maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors. That United States Trade Representative (USTR) investigation showed China’s unfair, targeted efforts to dominate the shipbuilding and maritime industry and paved the way for the incoming administration to implement remedies and level the playing field.

    “For nearly two centuries, Wisconsin workers have built world-class ships and their parts that power our Navy and make sure businesses’ products can get in the hands of their customers. Wisconsin workers and shipbuilding companies can compete with anyone in the world – but they need a level playing field to do it. And, as I have been saying for years, China has gotten away with cheating the system and undermining our workers – and it’s long overdue we stand up to them,” said Senator Baldwin. “I was proud to stand with workers to launch this investigation and am proud to have now pushed two presidents to do right by these workers. This is a big step forward in cracking down on China’s unfair trade practices, supporting American workers and building more ships here at home, and keeping our country safe.”

    The penalties include new measures to combat China’s cheating, including fees for Chinese ships that dock at U.S. ports, based on how big they are and how often they visit. The fees will increase incrementally over the following years. There will also be extra charges for companies using ships built in China, again based on the size of the ship or how many containers they carry, with the fees increasing over time. To encourage the use of ships built in the U.S., foreign-built car carriers will have to pay additional fees based on how much they can carry. A second round of changes, which won’t start for three years, will aim to promote U.S.-built ships that carry liquefied natural gas (LNG) and will place limits on using foreign ships for LNG transport. Senator Baldwin will continue to work with the administration and stakeholders to ensure that these trade remedies are adjusted and updated as needed.

    Last March, Senator Baldwin joined United Steelworkers and other labor leaders in support of the American shipbuilding industry and to call on the United States Trade Representative to conduct a full investigation. In April 2024, the USTR announced they were heeding that call and launching an investigation into China, concluding in a report that China targeted dominance in these sectors is unreasonable and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce, and is therefore “actionable” under Section 301. This report laid the groundwork for the Trump Administration to impose appropriate penalties on China to support American workers. In January, Senator Baldwin applauded this USTR report outlining China’s unfair trade practices to undercut American shipbuilding and called on the President to act. In February, Baldwin led a group of her colleagues in calling on the Trump Administration to act on the results of the investigation and take immediate action to level the playing field for American workers, businesses, and national security.

    Senator Baldwin has long championed Buy America policies to support American businesses and workers. She fought to advance her American Made Navy Act in last year’s annual defense legislation, which would ensure by 2033 any new Navy ship purchased uses 100% domestically produced materials, like propulsion systems, shipboard components, couplings, shafts, support bearings, and more. She also worked to include strong Buy America standards in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Baldwin Talks Trump’s Tariffs, Medicaid Cuts, and Endangered Food Assistance with Stops Across Wisconsin

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    WISCONSIN – This week, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) stopped in Saukville, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Rhinelander, Merrill, and Wausau to connect directly with Wisconsin families, communities, and businesses struggling to deal with President Donald Trump’s trade war jacking up costs, Republicans advancing a plan to cut Medicaid, and Elon Musk and DOGE taking away food assistance to pay for their massive tax breaks.

    Senator Baldwin celebrated 414 Day with a stop at Lakefront Brewing Company in Milwaukee to host a roundtable with local brewers, restaurants, farmers, roofers, and autobody shop owners to talk about how President Trump’s trade policy has sent their costs skyrocketing and made it harder to plan for the future. Small business owners shared how Trump’s trade war is increasing input costs, forcing them to raise prices on customers, and increasing uncertainty is making it harder to grow their businesses and make long-term investments. On Thursday, Senator Baldwin also joined local officials and business owners in Merrill to tour their Main Street and learn how small businesses are being impacted by rising costs from President Trump’s tariff policy.

    “President Trump came into office promising to lower costs for Wisconsinites. Instead, his trade war is landing families and businesses alike with higher costs that make it harder to make ends meet and keep their doors open,” said Senator Baldwin. “This week, I’ve been meeting with small businesses across the state to understand how Donald Trump is single-handedly raising costs on families and making it next to impossible for Made in Wisconsin businesses to plan and grow for the future.”

    Senator Baldwin also continued her “Hands Off Medicaid” tour with stops in Green Bay and Wausau, meeting with Wisconsinites who rely on Medicaid for essential health care, including for family members living with disabilities and mental health care. Last week, Congressional Republicans advanced their budget plan that includes up to $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid, all to pay for tax breaks for big corporations.

    “My phones have been ringing off the hook with Wisconsinites worried about what Republicans’ budget cuts will mean for their families who need Medicaid to afford cancer treatments, home care for loved ones with disabilities, and treatment for their addiction,” said Senator Baldwin. “Medicaid is a lifeline for over one million Wisconsinites, and I’m fighting tooth and nail to protect it from the deep cuts Republicans have outlined to pay for their tax cuts for Wall Street and corporations.”

    Senator Baldwin also visited the Rhinelander Food Pantry to discuss how the Trump Administration’s cuts to critical food assistance programs, including the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program and the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), are endangering Wisconsin food banks’ ability to feed families in need. According to the Rhinelander Food Pantry, cuts in funding for both programs is threatening more than one-third of their capacity. Rhinelander Food Pantry serves over 750 households and over 1,500 individuals in their area. Baldwin also visited the Ozaukee Food Alliance in Saukville to hear firsthand how Trump’s cuts to TEFAP will mean fewer meals for vulnerable children and families in Southeastern Wisconsin.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Norma Torres Urges Justice Department and Homeland Security to End Fear-Based Immigration Tactics

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

    April 18, 2025

    Warns ICE Strategies Are Undermining Public Safety and Silencing Crime Victims

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres sent a letter to Attorney General Pamela Bondi and Secretary Kristi Noem, raising urgent concerns about the growing public safety impact of anti-immigrant tactics employed by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) under the current administration. Drawing on her 17 years of experience as a 911 dispatcher, Congresswoman Torres warned that fear-driven immigration enforcement is silencing crime victims and undermining public safety nationwide.

    “Trust in law enforcement is not just a matter of comfort; it’s a matter of public safety,” said Congresswoman Norma Torres. “When people are too scared to call the police, crime goes up, and our communities suffer.”

    In her letter, the Congresswoman emphasized how the administration’s sweeping and indiscriminate actions—ranging from unlawful detentions and deportations to attacks on birthright citizenship—are creating widespread fear, even among legal immigrants. She cited the case of a legal Maryland resident who was mistakenly deported to a notoriously violent Salvadoran prison, with no apparent effort by federal authorities to rectify the situation.

    The letter outlines how these tactics are weakening the trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement. It also notes  that immigrants—often critical witnesses or victims—are increasingly afraid to report crimes due to fear of retaliation or deportation.

    “ All Americans should ask themselves:  If you were a victim and the only witness to the crime was an immigrant, would you want that person to call 911 and get help, come forward and testify for you in court, or keep silent out of fear?”

    “Instead of intimidating and terrorizing immigrants, the Administration should follow the rule of law and allow local police to build trust within their communities,” she added.

    Congresswoman Torres is calling on the Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security to shift focus away from broad fear-based enforcement and instead support community trust-building strategies proven to enhance public safety.

    Full letter

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Carbajal, Crawford Introduce Legislation to Make Transporting Dry Goods More Efficient

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

    This week, Congressman Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) and Congressman Rick Crawford (R-AR-01) introduced the VARIANCE Act, which allows for a 10 percent shift in weight variance along the axles of tank trucks carrying dry goods, without any increase in the overall federal gross vehicle weight (GVW) limit.

    Under current law, when stopped at a weigh station, a truck’s weight must be “evenly” distributed among each of the axles. However, with dry bulk goods, even when packed properly, the material often moves around in the tank, causing the weight on each axle of the vehicle to be different. The VARIANCE Act allows for a shift in variance, as long as the overall weight of the tank truck does not exceed 80,000 pounds. This will ensure trucks don’t have to unnecessarily reduce their loads.

    “Providing this variance standard will give trucks more flexibility to transport critical products while ensuring they are still meeting safe weight limits,” said Rep. Carbajal. “The VARIANCE Act is a bipartisan solution that will go a long way toward lowering costs for consumers and reducing congestion on our highways.”

    “Arkansas’s agriculture industry relies on the timely transport of goods to their end destination,” said Rep. Crawford. “These dry goods will inevitably shift in the transport process and current law must account for the unique characteristics of the goods being transported. This legislation is a commonsense solution for truckers transporting dry bulk by giving more flexibility. I appreciate Congressman Carbajal joining me to lead this effort to create more efficiency in transporting our nation’s key dry goods.”

    “The National Tank Truck Carriers would like to thank Representative Crawford and Representative Carbajal for their leadership in introducing the VARIANCE Act in the U.S. House of Representatives,” stated Ryan Streblow, President and CEO of National Tank Truck Carriers. “NTTC applauds their efforts to authorize a 10% axle variance for dry bulk goods, which has been an important legislative priority for NTTC. This simple, commonsense solution that allows carriers to maximize payloads of materials such as grains, feeds, and plastics, without raising the federal maximum laden weight or disrupting the bridge formula. By accounting for product shift during transit, this legislation acknowledges the operational realities of dry bulk carriers and represents a significant step toward a more efficient transportation network. It will help reduce stress on the supply chain, alleviate highway congestion, and enhance safety and efficiency. We are grateful for the strong support from Representative Crawford and Representative Carbajal and for their commitment to addressing this critical issue for the North American tank truck industry.”

    Read the bill text here.

    Read the one-pager on the bill here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Jimmy Gomez Leads Lawmakers in Demanding DHS Reinstate Citizenship Grant Program After Trump Admin Terminates It

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

    Termination of Naturalization Grants Leaves Legal Residents Without Support to Become U.S. Citizens

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) is leading 54 House Democrats in demanding the Trump administration reinstate the Citizenship and Assimilation (C&A) Grant Program after it was fully terminated last month—just weeks after a surprise funding freeze. This move abruptly cut off support for local organizations helping lawful permanent residents become U.S. citizens, despite the fact that these grants were fully funded by Congress and legally awarded. A list of grant recipients impacted by the funding freeze is available — click HERE for FY23 recipients and HERE for FY24 recipients.

    “We write to express our outrage regarding the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) decision to terminate all work under the Citizenship and Assimilation (C&A) Grant Program,” wrote Rep. Gomez and the lawmakers. “We demand immediate action to restore funding for the C&A Program and a prompt response to our questions regarding the rationale and legal basis for its termination.”

    “This action marks a significant escalation since an abrupt funding freeze was announced just weeks ago on February 4, 2025,” continued the lawmakers. “The sudden and unilateral decision to terminate legally awarded grants funded by Congressional appropriation, without prior notice to Congress or affected grantees, raises serious concerns about due process, legal authority, and the Department’s commitment to advancing naturalization services for aspiring citizens.”

    The lawmakers’ new letter follows an effort led by Rep. Gomez on March 7 demanding answers after the program was frozen without warning. DHS has still not responded. Then on March 27, grantees were notified the program was being shut down — some immediately, others with just 30 days’ notice. Since 2009, the C&A Grant Program, previously known as the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, has funded organizations that assist immigrants with citizenship applications, English language instruction, and civics education. The lawmakers warn its sudden termination will disrupt services and harm immigrant communities.

    Rep. Gomez was joined in demanding answers by Reps. Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), André Carson (IN-07), Greg Casar (TX-35), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gil Cisneros (CA-31), Lou Correa (CA-46), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Jason Crow (CO-06), Danny Davis (IL-07), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Chuy García (IL-04), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), John Larson (CT-01), Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Grace Meng (NY-06), Dave Min (CA-47), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Adam Smith (WA-09), Darren Soto (FL-09), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Norma Torres (CA-35), Juan Vargas (CA-52), and Nydia Velázquez (NY-07).

    The letter was supported by the following organizations: National Partnership for New Americans, NALEO Educational Fund, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), UnidosUS, Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition, Language & Communication Workshop, Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, Emerald Isle Immigration Center, CARECEN, Asian Counseling and Referral Service, CASA, Make the Road New Jersey, Make the Road Connecticut, Make the Road New York, Make the Road Pennsylvania, Make the Road Nevada, Make the Road States, Refugee Council USA, Welcoming America, Project Citizenship, Maine Immigrants Coalition Rights, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund, Building Skills Partnership, Refugee Women’s Alliance, Asian Law Alliance, Jones Library, Inc., Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, Hamkae Center, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, MinKwon Center for Community Action, International Rescue Committee, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, Woori Juntos, Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Inc., HANA Center, The International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit, Inc, Korean Community Service Center (KCSC), Hispanic Federation, Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaborative, East Bay Sanctuary Covenant, Chinese Mutual Aid Association, GALEO Impact Fund, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF), Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project, Refugee Congress.

    You can read the full letter here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: James River to Hold Its First Quarter Earnings Conference Call on Tuesday, May 6, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PEMBROKE, Bermuda, April 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — James River Group Holdings, Ltd. (NASDAQ: JRVR) will release first quarter 2025 earnings after the market closes on Monday, May 5, 2025. It will also host an earnings conference call on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 beginning at 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Time).

    The conference call may be accessed by dialing (800) 715-9871, conference ID 8501569, or via the investor website at https://investors.jrvrgroup.com. A replay will also be available in the same location.

    About James River Group Holdings, Ltd.

    James River Group Holdings, Ltd. is a Bermuda-based insurance holding company that owns and operates a group of specialty insurance companies. The Company operates in two specialty property-casualty insurance segments: Excess and Surplus Lines and Specialty Admitted Insurance. Each of the Company’s regulated insurance subsidiaries are rated “A-” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company. Visit James River Group Holdings, Ltd. on the web at www.jrvrgroup.com.

    For more information contact:

    Zachary Shytle
    Senior Analyst, Investor Relations and Investments
    (980) 249-6848
    InvestorRelations@james-river-group.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Risch Advocates for Western Water, Local Management

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho James E Risch
    BOISE, Idaho – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Jim Risch emphasized the importance of local water resource management and his commitment to advancing the priorities of Idaho farmers, ranchers, and water users in a recent feature by Irrigation Leader Magazine.
    Senator Jim Risch: Advocating for Western Water Needs and Local Water Management
    Excerpts from the feature:
    “Q: In Idaho, we have long considered you a water champion. Your office regularly takes the lead on water issues important to our state. Why do you believe you are drawn to water issues?
    Senator Risch: I know firsthand that difficult problems—especially those relating to natural resources—are best addressed when local stakeholders come together to develop creative and tailored solutions. Unfortunately, it seems that the federal government is increasingly trying to impose one-size-fits-all mandates that do not work for Idaho and certainly do not work for Idaho water. As a senator for Idaho and a member of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, it is my job to ensure that Idahoans have a seat at the table and to maintain our right to manage Idaho’s natural resources.
    As a rancher, I recognize the critical role agriculture plays in Idaho’s economy and identity. Water is at the heart of our agriculture industry. When it comes to the issues that matter most, keeping Idaho’s farmers and ranchers in the driver’s seat is my top priority.”
    “Q: Being in Congress gives you a special perspective on not only the challenges that water managers are facing in the West but also the politics of addressing those challenges. What do you see as the biggest issues affecting water use and management in the West?
    Senator Risch: People outside the West struggle to understand the distinctive challenges we face. This is especially apparent when it comes to western water management. Idaho has been a leader in water innovation and conservation, employing aquifer recharge, surface water infrastructure upgrades, and other water-conserving technologies to ensure that our most valuable resource, water, remains available to future generations. Unfortunately, continuous overreach and regulation from the federal government, even on matters about which agencies have received clear direction from Congress, disrupt these tailored and effective efforts. Local stakeholders have the best ability to solve these difficult problems, and the federal government needs to leave states room to manage their water.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Lower Prescription Drug Costs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper

    Bill would streamline FDA approval process for generic drugs

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper, Maggie Hassan, Rand Paul, and Mike Lee reintroduced the bipartisan Increasing Transparency in Generic Drug Applications Act to lower prescription drug prices for patients by streamlining the approval process for generic drugs to enter the market more quickly. Last Congress, Hickenlooper voted the bill out of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP).

    “More generic drugs means lower health care costs for Americans. Unnecessary and unclear FDA approval processes delay them from reaching the shelves,” said Hickenlooper. “Our bill speeds up the process to help Americans save more.”

    “Skyrocketing prescription drug prices are forcing too many Granite Staters to choose between their health and their financial security,” said Hassan. “This commonsense, bipartisan legislation will help address a critical obstacle in the generic drug approval process that keeps affordable alternatives off of pharmacy shelves. By requiring more transparency from the FDA and streamlining the drug approval process, this bill will help deliver lower-cost medications to Americans faster.”

    “No one should have to play a complicated guessing game with the FDA simply to bring a safe, effective, and affordable drug to market. The Increasing Transparency in Generic Drug Applications Act will help low-cost generics get to American consumers faster,” said Paul.

    “Generic drugs have made the prescription drug market much more competitive, offering cheaper alternatives to their brand name counterparts. Streamlining the generic drug approval process by eliminating the pointless guessing game manufacturers are forced to play would eliminate red tape and bring down costs for American families,” said Lee.

    Current FDA policy requires certain generic drug manufacturers to demonstrate that their medication has the same levels of active and inactive ingredients as a brand name drug. If the generic drug contains the wrong amount of inactive ingredient, the FDA is not allowed to disclose how the generic comes up short. As a result, manufacturers end up playing a time-consuming guessing game until they reach the right formula. This legislation would require the FDA to clearly identify the formulaic differences between a generic and brand name drug to streamline the approval process.

     “S. 1302 expedites generic submission by creating process efficiencies for FDA and Industry. These efficiencies will enhance patient access to lower-cost medicine. When generic medicines become available, they bring immediately lower prices for lifesaving and life changing medications. We are thankful for the work done thus far by Senators Hassan, Paul, Hickenlooper, and Lee,” said John Murphy, III, President & CEO for the Association for Accessible Medicines.

    Full text of the bill is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lawler and Gottheimer Reintroduce Gabriel Rosenberg Dyspraxia/DCD Coverage Act

    Source: US Congressman Mike Lawler (R, NY-17)

    Washington, D.C. – 4/14/2025… Today, Reps. Mike Lawler (NY-17) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) reintroduced legislation to help ensure healthcare coverage for children and adults struggling with dyspraxia/DCD.

    The Gabriel Rosenberg Dyspraxia/DCD Coverage Act establishes a GAO study to report to Congress on how dyspraxia/DCD treatment is currently covered by insurance and what barriers to coverage exist. 

    Specifically, the report must include:

    • Whether any coverage for dyspraxia/DCD treatment is provided under Medicare.

    • Whether any coverage for dyspraxia/DCD treatment is provided under States’ Medicaid programs.

    • Whether any coverage for dyspraxia/DCD treatment is provided under other Federal healthcare programs.

    • The extent to which coverage for dyspraxia/DCD treatment is provided under group health plans and group and individual health insurance coverage.

    • What types of such items and services are generally covered when coverage for dyspraxia/DCD treatment is available

    • Whether there are any age cutoffs that are imposed with respect to coverage of such items and services when such coverage is provided.

    • Barriers to coverage of such items and services (such as a lack of providers of such items and services).

    • Whether group health plans and group and individual health insurance coverage are generally in compliance with the requirements of section 2726 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg–26).

    • Whether children with dyspraxia fail to meet the diagnosis criteria for dyspraxia once becoming adults and therefore lose coverage for such items and services.

    • Recommendations as to whether CMS should issue guidance regarding coverage of such items and services under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

    • Recommendations on how group health plans and group and individuals’ health insurance coverage may provide better coverage for such items and services.

    Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), also referred to as dyspraxia, is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects fine and gross motor skills such as balance, coordination, and manual dexterity. While dyspraxia is as common as ADHD and affects approximately 5 to 6 percent of the population, it is unfamiliar to many parents, teachers, and health care professionals. This leads individuals with dyspraxia to go underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed, and largely untreated. That is why raising awareness right now is key.

    The bill’s namesake, Gabriel Rosenberg, was diagnosed with dyspraxia/ DCD at the age of three. His parents had noticed early on that he wasn’t hitting his physical milestones. As an infant, he could not pull up, crawl or sit upright unassisted. Despite raising these concerns with their pediatrician, they were brushed off. 

    After years of struggling to find support for their child, Gabriel’s parents, Danielle and Sidney Rosenberg, founded The Spotlight Foundation for Dyspraxia and DCD in 2019, which was rebranded as “Dyspraxia DCD America” in 2023. Through this nonprofit, they have tirelessly advocated on behalf of and provided resources for many families struggling with dyspraxia/DCD.

    “This bipartisan initiative is about access and ensuring that families don’t have to fight for the care their loved ones need. By understanding where coverage falls short, we can take meaningful steps to fix it. Every child and adult living with dyspraxia deserves to be seen, heard, and supported—not left behind due to gaps in our healthcare system,” said Congressman Lawler (NY-17).

    “We know that individuals with dyspraxia are left largely untreated. We must do more to provide support and hope to the millions of Americans who struggle every day with this disorder. Our bipartisan legislation will help close the coverage gap and ensure that children and adults struggling with dyspraxia have access to the care they need and deserve,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05).

    “On behalf of Dyspraxia DCD America, I am writing to express our heartfelt gratitude for the bipartisan leadership and commitment of Congressman Mike Lawler and Congressman Josh Gottheimer in proposing this bill to study insurance coverage of dyspraxia in the United States,” said Danielle Rosenberg, founder of Dyspraxia DCD America. “This initiative represents a significant step forward in raising awareness and improving the lives of individuals affected by this often misunderstood life-long neurological condition. The bill, named in honor of Gabriel Rosenberg, holds special significance for our organization. Gabriel, is the son of the founders of the Organization, who was diagnosed with Dyspraxia early in life. Thanks to early diagnosis and access to essential services, Gabriel was able to overcome significant challenges, including learning to walk. His journey underscores the critical importance of awareness, timely diagnosis, and early intervention for individuals with Dyspraxia. Your efforts to bring attention to the need for comprehensive insurance coverage for Dyspraxia-related services are invaluable. By ensuring that individuals with Dyspraxia have access to the necessary resources and support, we can foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for all those affected by this condition. We are deeply appreciative of your dedication to this cause and your recognition of the importance of addressing the needs of the Dyspraxia community. Your work not only honors Gabriel’s legacy but also paves the way for countless others to receive the support they need to thrive.”

    Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

    ###

    Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

    Washington, D.C. – 4/14/2025… Today, Reps. Mike Lawler (NY-17) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) reintroduced legislation to help ensure healthcare coverage for children and adults struggling with dyspraxia/DCD.

    The Gabriel Rosenberg Dyspraxia/DCD Coverage Act establishes a GAO study to report to Congress on how dyspraxia/DCD treatment is currently covered by insurance and what barriers to coverage exist. 

    Specifically, the report must include:

    Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), also referred to as dyspraxia, is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects fine and gross motor skills such as balance, coordination, and manual dexterity. While dyspraxia is as common as ADHD and affects approximately 5 to 6 percent of the population, it is unfamiliar to many parents, teachers, and health care professionals. This leads individuals with dyspraxia to go underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed, and largely untreated. That is why raising awareness right now is key.

    The bill’s namesake, Gabriel Rosenberg, was diagnosed with dyspraxia/ DCD at the age of three. His parents had noticed early on that he wasn’t hitting his physical milestones. As an infant, he could not pull up, crawl or sit upright unassisted. Despite raising these concerns with their pediatrician, they were brushed off. 

    After years of struggling to find support for their child, Gabriel’s parents, Danielle and Sidney Rosenberg, founded The Spotlight Foundation for Dyspraxia and DCD in 2019, which was rebranded as “Dyspraxia DCD America” in 2023. Through this nonprofit, they have tirelessly advocated on behalf of and provided resources for many families struggling with dyspraxia/DCD.

    “This bipartisan initiative is about access and ensuring that families don’t have to fight for the care their loved ones need. By understanding where coverage falls short, we can take meaningful steps to fix it. Every child and adult living with dyspraxia deserves to be seen, heard, and supported—not left behind due to gaps in our healthcare system,” said Congressman Lawler (NY-17).

    “We know that individuals with dyspraxia are left largely untreated. We must do more to provide support and hope to the millions of Americans who struggle every day with this disorder. Our bipartisan legislation will help close the coverage gap and ensure that children and adults struggling with dyspraxia have access to the care they need and deserve,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05).

    “On behalf of Dyspraxia DCD America, I am writing to express our heartfelt gratitude for the bipartisan leadership and commitment of Congressman Mike Lawler and Congressman Josh Gottheimer in proposing this bill to study insurance coverage of dyspraxia in the United States,” said Danielle Rosenberg, founder of Dyspraxia DCD America. “This initiative represents a significant step forward in raising awareness and improving the lives of individuals affected by this often misunderstood life-long neurological condition. The bill, named in honor of Gabriel Rosenberg, holds special significance for our organization. Gabriel, is the son of the founders of the Organization, who was diagnosed with Dyspraxia early in life. Thanks to early diagnosis and access to essential services, Gabriel was able to overcome significant challenges, including learning to walk. His journey underscores the critical importance of awareness, timely diagnosis, and early intervention for individuals with Dyspraxia. Your efforts to bring attention to the need for comprehensive insurance coverage for Dyspraxia-related services are invaluable. By ensuring that individuals with Dyspraxia have access to the necessary resources and support, we can foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for all those affected by this condition. We are deeply appreciative of your dedication to this cause and your recognition of the importance of addressing the needs of the Dyspraxia community. Your work not only honors Gabriel’s legacy but also paves the way for countless others to receive the support they need to thrive.”

    Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

    ###

    Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

    Washington, D.C. – 4/14/2025… Today, Reps. Mike Lawler (NY-17) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) reintroduced legislation to help ensure healthcare coverage for children and adults struggling with dyspraxia/DCD.

    The Gabriel Rosenberg Dyspraxia/DCD Coverage Act establishes a GAO study to report to Congress on how dyspraxia/DCD treatment is currently covered by insurance and what barriers to coverage exist. 

    Specifically, the report must include:

    Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), also referred to as dyspraxia, is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects fine and gross motor skills such as balance, coordination, and manual dexterity. While dyspraxia is as common as ADHD and affects approximately 5 to 6 percent of the population, it is unfamiliar to many parents, teachers, and health care professionals. This leads individuals with dyspraxia to go underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed, and largely untreated. That is why raising awareness right now is key.

    The bill’s namesake, Gabriel Rosenberg, was diagnosed with dyspraxia/ DCD at the age of three. His parents had noticed early on that he wasn’t hitting his physical milestones. As an infant, he could not pull up, crawl or sit upright unassisted. Despite raising these concerns with their pediatrician, they were brushed off. 

    After years of struggling to find support for their child, Gabriel’s parents, Danielle and Sidney Rosenberg, founded The Spotlight Foundation for Dyspraxia and DCD in 2019, which was rebranded as “Dyspraxia DCD America” in 2023. Through this nonprofit, they have tirelessly advocated on behalf of and provided resources for many families struggling with dyspraxia/DCD.

    “This bipartisan initiative is about access and ensuring that families don’t have to fight for the care their loved ones need. By understanding where coverage falls short, we can take meaningful steps to fix it. Every child and adult living with dyspraxia deserves to be seen, heard, and supported—not left behind due to gaps in our healthcare system,” said Congressman Lawler (NY-17).

    “We know that individuals with dyspraxia are left largely untreated. We must do more to provide support and hope to the millions of Americans who struggle every day with this disorder. Our bipartisan legislation will help close the coverage gap and ensure that children and adults struggling with dyspraxia have access to the care they need and deserve,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05).

    “On behalf of Dyspraxia DCD America, I am writing to express our heartfelt gratitude for the bipartisan leadership and commitment of Congressman Mike Lawler and Congressman Josh Gottheimer in proposing this bill to study insurance coverage of dyspraxia in the United States,” said Danielle Rosenberg, founder of Dyspraxia DCD America. “This initiative represents a significant step forward in raising awareness and improving the lives of individuals affected by this often misunderstood life-long neurological condition. The bill, named in honor of Gabriel Rosenberg, holds special significance for our organization. Gabriel, is the son of the founders of the Organization, who was diagnosed with Dyspraxia early in life. Thanks to early diagnosis and access to essential services, Gabriel was able to overcome significant challenges, including learning to walk. His journey underscores the critical importance of awareness, timely diagnosis, and early intervention for individuals with Dyspraxia. Your efforts to bring attention to the need for comprehensive insurance coverage for Dyspraxia-related services are invaluable. By ensuring that individuals with Dyspraxia have access to the necessary resources and support, we can foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for all those affected by this condition. We are deeply appreciative of your dedication to this cause and your recognition of the importance of addressing the needs of the Dyspraxia community. Your work not only honors Gabriel’s legacy but also paves the way for countless others to receive the support they need to thrive.”

    Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

    ###

    Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

    Washington, D.C. – 4/14/2025… Today, Reps. Mike Lawler (NY-17) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) reintroduced legislation to help ensure healthcare coverage for children and adults struggling with dyspraxia/DCD.

    The Gabriel Rosenberg Dyspraxia/DCD Coverage Act establishes a GAO study to report to Congress on how dyspraxia/DCD treatment is currently covered by insurance and what barriers to coverage exist. 

    Specifically, the report must include:

    Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), also referred to as dyspraxia, is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects fine and gross motor skills such as balance, coordination, and manual dexterity. While dyspraxia is as common as ADHD and affects approximately 5 to 6 percent of the population, it is unfamiliar to many parents, teachers, and health care professionals. This leads individuals with dyspraxia to go underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed, and largely untreated. That is why raising awareness right now is key.

    The bill’s namesake, Gabriel Rosenberg, was diagnosed with dyspraxia/ DCD at the age of three. His parents had noticed early on that he wasn’t hitting his physical milestones. As an infant, he could not pull up, crawl or sit upright unassisted. Despite raising these concerns with their pediatrician, they were brushed off. 

    After years of struggling to find support for their child, Gabriel’s parents, Danielle and Sidney Rosenberg, founded The Spotlight Foundation for Dyspraxia and DCD in 2019, which was rebranded as “Dyspraxia DCD America” in 2023. Through this nonprofit, they have tirelessly advocated on behalf of and provided resources for many families struggling with dyspraxia/DCD.

    “This bipartisan initiative is about access and ensuring that families don’t have to fight for the care their loved ones need. By understanding where coverage falls short, we can take meaningful steps to fix it. Every child and adult living with dyspraxia deserves to be seen, heard, and supported—not left behind due to gaps in our healthcare system,” said Congressman Lawler (NY-17).

    “We know that individuals with dyspraxia are left largely untreated. We must do more to provide support and hope to the millions of Americans who struggle every day with this disorder. Our bipartisan legislation will help close the coverage gap and ensure that children and adults struggling with dyspraxia have access to the care they need and deserve,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05).

    “On behalf of Dyspraxia DCD America, I am writing to express our heartfelt gratitude for the bipartisan leadership and commitment of Congressman Mike Lawler and Congressman Josh Gottheimer in proposing this bill to study insurance coverage of dyspraxia in the United States,” said Danielle Rosenberg, founder of Dyspraxia DCD America. “This initiative represents a significant step forward in raising awareness and improving the lives of individuals affected by this often misunderstood life-long neurological condition. The bill, named in honor of Gabriel Rosenberg, holds special significance for our organization. Gabriel, is the son of the founders of the Organization, who was diagnosed with Dyspraxia early in life. Thanks to early diagnosis and access to essential services, Gabriel was able to overcome significant challenges, including learning to walk. His journey underscores the critical importance of awareness, timely diagnosis, and early intervention for individuals with Dyspraxia. Your efforts to bring attention to the need for comprehensive insurance coverage for Dyspraxia-related services are invaluable. By ensuring that individuals with Dyspraxia have access to the necessary resources and support, we can foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for all those affected by this condition. We are deeply appreciative of your dedication to this cause and your recognition of the importance of addressing the needs of the Dyspraxia community. Your work not only honors Gabriel’s legacy but also paves the way for countless others to receive the support they need to thrive.”

    Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

    ###

    Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lankford Recognizes 30thAnniversary of Oklahoma City Bombing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford

    OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released a statement ahead of tomorrow’s 30th anniversary of the tragic bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995:

    “On this 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, Cindy and I remember the 168 lives lost, including 19 children, and honor survivors and the courageous community who turned tragedy into stories of resilience and hope,” said Lankford. “The heroic actions of first responders, volunteers, and the whole Oklahoma family embodied ‘The Oklahoma Standard.’ The Survivor Tree, a symbol of strength, serves as a powerful reminder that even in the face of unspeakable loss, we can heal and rebuild. Together, we honor the legacy of those who lost their lives and the unwavering spirit of Oklahoma.”

    Background: 

    Lankford recently spoke on the Senate floor ahead of the 30thAnniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing, you can watch his remarks HERE. 

    Last week, Lankford and Congresswoman Bice hosted a ceremony to plant a Commemorative Survivor Tree on U.S. Capitol grounds. This sapling, a descendant of the original Survivor Tree, honors the victims, survivors, and heroes of the Oklahoma City bombing on its anniversary.

    Lankford and Senator Mullin (R-OK) introduced a resolution to commemorate the anniversary, which passed the Senate unanimously.

    Lankford will speak at the First United Methodist Church of Oklahoma City tomorrow to observe the anniversary with local leaders and community members.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Blumenthal, DeLauro, Governor Lamont Announce Start of Bridge Replacement and Traffic Flow Improvement Project on I-95 in West Haven

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    April 17, 2025

    WEST HAVEN—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) on Thursday joined U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.-03) and Governor Ned Lamont to announce that the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has begun construction on a major project on Interstate 95 in West Haven to replace two aging bridges and improve traffic flow in the area.

    The bridges, which are each more than 70 years old, carry I-95 over 1st Avenue and the Metro-North Railroad train tracks. The new structures are designed to have a minimum service life of 75 years, significantly improving long-term safety and reliability.

    In addition to replacing the bridges, the project includes extending the southbound lane from Exit 44 to create a continuous travel lane, which will ultimately serve as an exit-only lane for Exit 43. The goal of these improvements is to reduce congestion, enhance traffic flow, and improve safety in the region. The $136.5 million project is funded by a mix of 90% federal funds and 10% state funds. This project has a labor force of approximately 100 workers. Construction is expected to be completed in phases by year-end 2027.

    “Replacing these 70-year-old bridges is long overdue, and I’m glad to see this project finally moving forward,” said Murphy. “This is a smart federal investment that will make I-95 safer, reduce commutes, and boost Connecticut’s economy, all while creating good-paying jobs in West Haven.”

    “Over $122 million in federal funding will help replace two decaying, deteriorating and undersized bridges in West Haven, providing relief to the tens of thousands of commuters who drive across them every day,” said Blumenthal. “These projects reduce congestion, improve traffic flow on I-95, and most importantly, enhance commuter safety. I’ll continue fighting to deliver investments that make Connecticut’s roads more secure.”

    “Today marks a major step forward not just for West Haven, but for every traveler who depends on I-95 to get to work, to school, or home to their families,” said DeLauro. “These bridge replacements are more than concrete and steel – they are the result of years of hard work, advocacy, and persistent efforts that I’ve championed to bring critical federal resources back to our community. I fought for this investment because I believe in safer roads, smarter infrastructure, and a better quality of life for our residents. By widening and modernizing this vital interchange, we’re not only easing the daily burden of traffic, but we’re also laying the foundation for a stronger, more resilient transportation network that will support economic growth for generations. I’m proud to have led the charge in securing this funding and delivering real results for our region’s future.”

    “This project is a long-term investment in public safety and mobility, not only for West Haven but for the entire region,” said Lamont. “Beyond improving infrastructure, it’s also creating good-paying jobs that support local families and strengthen Connecticut’s workforce. Thank you to Connecticut Department of Transportation crews and contractors who are delivering on these critical projects across the state.”

    “Replacing these aging bridges and revamping the interchange will ease the daily commute for more than 142,000 drivers on I-95,” said CTDOT Deputy Commissioner Laoise King. “By tackling this now, we’re avoiding future disruptions to highway and rail travel. Thanks to support from Governor Lamont, Metro-North Railroad, and our federal and state partners, we’re making significant progress modernizing Connecticut’s bridge infrastructure.”

    For most of 2025, traffic is not expected to be disrupted from this project because the initial work includes construction on the foundation for the new bridges on the ground level at 1st Avenue and at the railroad crossing underneath the highway. Later in 2025, the northbound entrance ramp at Interchange 43 will close, with a detour routed through nearby state roads. The project will progress in stages through 2027, with three lanes of traffic maintained in each direction during daytime hours.

    For detailed information on this project and to subscribe to construction updates via email, visit i95westhaven.com.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Presidential Message on the 250th Anniversary of Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride, 2025

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    class=”has-text-align-left”>On the evening of April 18, 1775, two lanterns were illuminated from the tower of The Old North Church in Boston to alert the colonists that British forces were advancing across the Charles River.  With the alert signal in place, Paul Revere, a silversmith dedicated to the cause of independence, mounted a borrowed horse and embarked on a midnight journey that became a defining moment in American history. The dangerous mission was threefold.  First, sound the alarm for colonists in farms and villages throughout the Massachusetts countryside.  On the way, stop in Lexington to inform the leaders of the colonial resistance, Samuel Adams and John Hancock, that the British were coming to arrest them.  Finally, prevent the seizure of military provisions and munitions stored a few miles west in the town of Concord. Disregarding personal peril or consequence, Paul Revere rode with urgency into the night.  After successfully warning Adams and Hancock, Revere was intercepted by a British patrol just before reaching Concord.  Yet, Revere had already achieved his most important mission—relaying the news of the impending British advancement to his fellow patriots.  Samuel Prescott and William Dawes evaded detection and carried the news on to Concord, giving the fledgling colonial army a critical advantage against the advancing Redcoats.  Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride enabled our troops to prepare for battle and their eventual victory.  By early the next morning, the first shots rang out in Lexington Green, signaling the start of the American Revolution. In 1860, the American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow immortalized “Paul Revere’s Ride” in a poem that generations of schoolchildren across America have read and recited.  On this 250th anniversary, we remember the stirring words that so beautifully capture the urgency and heroism of that fateful night: “Listen my children, and you shall hearOf the midnight ride of Paul Revere… A cry of defiance, and not of fear,A voice in the darkness, a knock at the door,And a word that shall echo forevermore!”  With these timeless verses, Longfellow ensured that Revere’s harrowing ride for freedom would never be forgotten. Paul Revere was a master craftsman, a husband, a father, and a proud son of liberty, who risked his life to help forge a new Nation.  His courageous ride ignited patriots across the colonies who rose up to defend their families, their livelihoods, and their sacred liberties.  On the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride, we commemorate the enduring legacy of the famed Boston silversmith, patriot, and revolutionary hero, whose passion for independence and bold act of defiance set in motion a war of independence that changed the course of history and transformed the world.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SR 302 fish barrier removal work begins April 28 in Mason County near Victor

    Source: Washington State News 2

    Reduced speed limit, lane closures needed for project prep work

    VICTOR – Work to replace two undersized culverts that carry Victor Creek under State Route 302 in Mason County will start Monday, April 28, and travelers should prepare for delays.

    Construction crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation are correcting barriers to fish migration in Victor Creek. The creek runs under SR 302 just north and west of East Highlander Drive. The older, smaller culverts block access to salmon, steelhead and bull trout. Replacing the culverts helps safeguard the state’s fish population, the environment and the economy and helps satisfy a federal court injunction. The new culverts also make the roadway more resilient to flooding.

    Keeping people moving during construction

    Starting Monday, April 28, crews will begin building a temporary single-lane bypass road to keep travelers moving while they build the new 42-foot-long bridge over the creek. The bypass lane will help keep traffic flowing once the culvert work begins this summer.

    Two signals will alternate directions of traffic through the work zone, including both drivers and bicyclists. The current 40 mph speed limit will be temporarily reduced to 25 mph between milepost 4.0 and milepost 4.3 during construction.

    Travelers are advised to add travel time to reach their destinations.

    This project is expected to be complete in fall 2025.

    Travelers can receive email updates about roadwork on state highways in Mason County. Real-time information is available via the WSDOT app and WSDOT Travel Center Map.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CISA Statement on CVE Program

    News In Brief – Source: US Computer Emergency Readiness Team

    The CVE Program is invaluable to the cyber community and a priority of CISA. On April 15th, CISA executed the option period on the contract to ensure there will be no lapse in critical CVE services. We appreciate our partners’ and stakeholders’ patience.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DHS Releases Bombshell Investigative Report on Kilmar Abrego Garcia Suspected Human Trafficking Incident

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: DHS Releases Bombshell Investigative Report on Kilmar Abrego Garcia Suspected Human Trafficking Incident

    strong>WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security released a Homeland Security Investigations’ Combined Intelligence Unit (CIU) Investigative Referral report on Kilmar Abrego Garcia

      
    The report details the traffic stop encounter that led law enforcement officers to suspect Abrego Garcia of involvement in human trafficking

    The documents also reveal that law enforcement confirmed Abrego Garcia to be a Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang member

    On Dec

    1, 2022, Abrego Garcia was stopped by the Tennessee Highway Patrol for speeding

    Upon approach to the vehicle, the encountering officer noted eight other individuals in the vehicle

    There was no luggage in the vehicle, leading the encountering officer to suspect this was a human trafficking incident

      Additionally, all the passengers gave the same home address as the subject’s home address

    During the interview, Abrego Garcia pretended to speak less English than he was capable of and attempted to put the encountering officer off-track by responding to questions with questions

    When asked what relationship he had with the registered owner of the vehicle, Abrego Garcia replied that the owner of the vehicle is his boss, and that he worked in construction

       
    “Kilmar Abrego Garcia is a MS-13 gang member, illegal alien from El Salvador, and suspected human trafficker

    The facts reveal he was pulled over with eight individuals in a car on an admitted three-day journey from Texas to Maryland with no luggage,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin

    “The facts speak for themselves, and they reek of human trafficking

    The media’s sympathetic narrative about this criminal illegal gang member has completely fallen apart

    We hear far too much about the gang members and criminals’ false sob stories and not enough about their victims

    ” 
    The encountering officer decided not to cite the subject for driving infractions but gave him a warning citation for driving with an expired driver’s license

    Abrego Garcia’s driver’s license was a MD “Limited Term Temporary” license

    The encountering officer gathered names of other occupants in vehicle but could not read their handwriting

    The officer did not pursue further information due to no citation being issued

      
    In 2019, the Prince Georges County Police Gang Unit validated Abrego Garcia as a member of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) Gang

     
     
     

     
     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA to Cover US Spacewalk 93, Hold Preview News Conference

    Source: NASA

    Two NASA astronauts will venture outside the International Space Station, conducting U.S. spacewalk 93 on Thursday, May 1, to complete station upgrades.
    NASA will preview the upcoming spacewalk during a news conference at 2 p.m. EDT on Thursday, April 24, on the agency’s website from NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of platforms, including social media.
    Participants in the news conference include:

    Bill Spetch, operations integration manager, International Space Station Program
    Diana Trujillo, spacewalk flight director, NASA Johnson

    Media interested in participating in person or by phone must contact the Johnson newsroom no later than 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, at: 281-483-5111 or jsccommu@mail.nasa.gov. To ask questions, media must dial in no later than 15 minutes prior to the start of the news conference. Questions also may be submitted on social media using #AskNASA.
    The spacewalk is scheduled to last about six and a half hours. NASA will provide additional information, including live NASA+ coverage details, when available.
    NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers will relocate a space station communications antennae and install a mounting bracket ahead of the installation of an additional set of International Space Station Rollout Solar Arrays, also called IROSA. The arrays will boost power generation capability by up to 30%, increasing the station’s total available power from 160 kilowatts to up to 215 kilowatts. The arrays will be installed on a future spacewalk following their arrival on a SpaceX Dragon commercial resupply services mission later this year.
    McClain will serve as spacewalk crew member 1 and will wear a suit with red stripes. Ayers will serve as spacewalk crew member 2 and will wear an unmarked suit. This will be the third spacewalk for McClain and the first for Ayers. U.S. spacewalk 93 will be the 275th spacewalk in support of space station assembly, maintenance, and upgrades.
    Learn more about International Space Station research and operations at:
    https://www.nasa.gov/station
    -end-
    Josh Finch / Claire O’SheaHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1100joshua.a.finch@nasa.gov / claire.a.oshea@nasa.gov
    Sandra JonesJohnson Space Center, Houston281-483-5111sandra.p.jones@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Developing Oxychalcogenide Membranes for Superconducting Power Transmission

    Source: NASA

    ECF 2024 Quadchart Yang.pdf
    Shuolong Yang
    University of Chicago
    This effort will leverage the latest developments in superconductors to build a power transmission cable that can operate in the extreme cold temperatures found on the Moon with very low electrical losses. The team will use novel manufacturing techniques to grow alternating layers of FeSe SrTiO3 films onto a substrate and the resulting, superconducting tape can be fashioned into electrical transmission lines. The project will culminate with a demonstration 1-meter-long superconducting transmission line which supports 1 amp of power transmission at 1,000 volts.
    Back to ECF 2024 Full List

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Power on the Dark Side: Stimulus-Responsive Adsorbents for Low-Energy Controlled Storage and Delivery of Low Boiling Fuels to Mobile Assets in Permanently Shaded Regions

    Source: NASA

    ECF 2024 Quadchart McGuirk.pdf
    Christopher McGuirk
    Colorado School of Mines
    This project will investigate and develop improved storage methods for the fuels needed to generate electrical power in places where sunlight is not available. The effort will focus on particularly tailored materials called Metal Oxide Frameworks, or MOFs, that can be used to store methane and oxygen. The methane and oxygen can be reacted in a solid oxide fuel cell to generate electricity, and storing them in a MOF could potentially result in significant mass and cost savings over traditional storage tanks which also require active pressure and thermal regulation. The team will use a number of computational and experimental tools to develop a MOF structure suitable for this application.
    Back to ECF 2024 Full List

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Piezoelectric-Based Power Conversion for Lunar Surface Systems

    Source: NASA

    ECF 2024 Quadchart Boles.pdf
    Jessica Boles
    University of California, Berkeley
    This project will develop piezoelectric-based power conversion for small power systems on the lunar surface. These piezoelectric systems can potentially offer high power density to significantly reduce size, weight, and cost. They can also offer high efficiency as well as resistance to the extreme lunar environment with its expected prolonged exposure to extreme cold and radiation. The effort will build and test prototype piezoelectric DC-to-DC power converters and DC-to-DC power supplies.
    Back to ECF 2024 Full List

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lightweight Deployable Solar Reflectors

    Source: NASA

    ECF 2024 Quadchart Arya.pdf
    Manan Arya
    Stanford University
    This grant will design and develop lightweight, low-cost modular solar reflectors that can be stowed for transport in a compact volume. These reflectors can potentially be used to reflect and concentrate sunlight into a permanently shadowed area of the Moon where it could power photovoltaics. These reflectors could also potentially be used for concentrated photovoltaics for deep-space missions, solar thermal propulsion, or for thermal mining. The team will use recently developed origami design algorithms to allow for compact and reversible stowage of paraboloidal shell structures without any cuts or slits.
    Back to ECF 2024 Full List

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Stabilized Z-Pinch Fusion Driven Electromagnetic Propulsion

    Source: NASA

    ECF 2024 Quadchart Underwood.pdf
    Thomas Underwood
    University of Texas, Austin
    This project will demonstrate a fusion propulsion system based on z-pinch which is a method of compressing plasma by running electrical current though it. The z-pinch will compress and heat the plasma to produce fusion reactions, and the system will be paired with an electromagnetic accelerator to produce thrust from these reactions. The effort intends to design, build, and test a prototype device and use computational modeling to evaluate the potential performance of larger systems which would be suitable for powering deep-space missions.
    Back to ECF 2024 Full List

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Origami-inspired Diffractive Sail for Directed Energy Propulsion

    Source: NASA

    ECF 2024 Quadchart Oguri.pdf
    Kenshiro Oguri
    Purdue University
    This project will investigate one of the key fundamental challenges associated with directed-energy light-sailing technology, similar to solar sails but powered by a laser beam pointed at the sail instead of by the sun. The effort will first mathematically model, then design, build, and test a prototype diffractive light sail. The three-dimensional, origami-inspired light sail could potentially unlock higher thrust, passive beam riding stability, and higher maneuverability via its ability to transform its shape.
    Back to ECF 2024 Full List

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Concept Demonstration of Directed Energy Propulsion with Metasurface Lightsails

    Source: NASA

    ECF 2024 Quadchart Ilic.pdf
    Ognjen Ilic
    University of Minnesota
    This effort will aim to demonstrate the feasibility of directed-energy propulsion through a combination of computational simulations and prototype testing. The project will model the interactions between lightsail material and a laser beam that can be pointed at the sail to propel the spacecraft. The results of the modeling will be used to fabricate an optimized sail for testing with a 30W laser. A successful demonstration would pave the way for ultrafast spaceflight within and beyond the solar system.
    Back to ECF 2024 Full List

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Development of a MW-Scale High-Voltage Multiphase Dual-Rotor Generator and Rectifier for a PMAD in an NEP System

    Source: NASA

    ECF 2024 Quadchart Beik.pdf
    Omid Beik
    Colorado School of Mines
    This project will design a power management and distribution (PMAD) system that can be coupled with a megawatt-scale nuclear power generation system for nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) that is suitable for a Mars mission. The system will include all needed components including a dual rotor generator and power rectifier. The overall design will be optimized and validated with a smaller-scale (10kW) experiment that will be built and tested in the laboratory.
    Back to ECF 2024 Full List

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Fond Farewell: NASA’s C-130 Begins New Mission in California

    Source: NASA

    NASA’s C-130 Hercules, fondly known as the Herc, went wheels up at 9:45 a.m., Friday, April 18, as it departed from its decade-long home at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, for the final time. The aircraft is embarking on a new adventure to serve and protect in the state of California where it is now under the ownership of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). 
    The transition of the C-130 to CAL FIRE is part of a long-running, NASA-wide aircraft enterprise-management activity to consolidate the aircraft fleet and achieve greater operational efficiencies while reducing the agency’s infrastructure footprint. 

    “Our C-130 and the team behind it has served with great distinction over the past decade,” said David L. Pierce, Wallops Flight Facility director. “While our time with this amazing airframe has come to a close, I’m happy to see it continue serving the nation in this new capacity with CAL FIRE.”  
    The research and cargo aircraft, built in 1986, was acquired by NASA in 2015. Over the past decade, the C-130 supported the agency’s airborne scientific research, provided logistics support and movement of agency cargo, and supported technology demonstration missions. The aircraft logged approximately 1,820 flight hours in support of missions across the world during its time with the agency. 
    Additional aircraft housed at NASA Wallops will be relocated to NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, in the coming months. 
    For more information on NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, visit: www.nasa.gov/wallops. 
    By Olivia Littleton
    NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Va.

    MIL OSI USA News –