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Category: Education

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murray, Booker, Lieu Reintroduce Legislation to Ban Conversion Therapy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D, CA-36) reintroduced their Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act, legislation that would ban so-called “conversion therapy,” a practice fraudulently claiming to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The practice has been recognized by the national community of professionals in health, education, social work, and counseling as being both dangerous and useless. Senator Murray first introduced the legislation in the 114th Congress and has pushed to pass it every Congress since.
    “Conversion therapy is based on the hateful idea that being part of the LGBTQ+ community is an illness that requires treatment. It’s a dangerous sham practice that has been completely debunked and should be banned nationwide—and that’s what our legislation would do,” said Senator Murray. “Our kids deserve to be raised and taught in loving environments that affirm who they are. I’ll keep fighting for a world where every person, no matter their gender or sexual orientation, can live with dignity and without fear.”
    “There is no place in health care for practices rooted in hateful ideology that harms vulnerable children who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community,” said Senator Booker. “Being LGBTQ+ is not an illness, and conversion therapy is a fraudulent treatment that tells children their identity is an illness that must be cured. This legislation would clarify that under the FTC that ‘conversion therapy’ in exchange for monetary compensation is illegal, and ensure that no child is a victim to this discredited, harmful practice.”
    “Conversion therapy is a scam that hurts LGBTQ kids,” said Rep. Lieu. “Using fake science and unearned credentials, conversion therapists prey on vulnerable kids to convince them that who they are is not okay. Major medical organizations oppose the practice because it is harmful and ineffective. We’re overdue for a national ban and I am pleased to once again partner with Senators Murray and Booker on this bill.”
    In addition to Senators Murray and Booker, the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act was cosponsored by Senators Baldwin, Bennet, Blumenthal, Cantwell, Coons, Cortez-Masto, Duckworth, Durbin, Fetterman, Gillibrand, Hassan, Heinrich, Hickenlooper, Hirono, Kaine, Kelly, Kim, King, Klobuchar, Lujan, Markey, Merkley, Murphy, Padilla, Reed, Rosen, Sanders, Schiff, Shaheen, Slotkin, Smith, Van Hollen, Warren, Welch, Whitehouse, and Wyden. The legislation was introduced in the House with 70 original cosponsors.
    The Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act is endorsed by the Congressional Equality Caucus, Human Rights Campaign, PFLAG, American Academy of Pediatrics, Equality California, National Association of School Psychologists, Christopher Street Project, and Advocates for Trans Equality.
    “The American Psychological Association thanks Representative Ted Lieu, Senator Patty Murray, and Senator Cory Booker for the reintroduction of the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act,” said American Psychological Association CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD. “This bill would ban so-called conversion therapy by labeling it a fraudulent practice under the Federal Trade Commission’s authority. APA has a long history of opposing sexual orientation change therapy based on peer-reviewed research studies. APA has also adopted several policies concluding that there is insufficient scientific evidence to support the use of psychological interventions to change sexual orientation. We support this bill and stand ready to advocate for its passage.”
    “The reintroduction of the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act is a critical step forward in protecting LGBTQ+ individuals, especially our youth, from the dangerous and discredited practice of conversion therapy. The bill affirms that no one should profit from misleading and dangerous attempts to change something that is not a choice: a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The scientific and medical communities have overwhelmingly rejected conversion therapy, and this bill further ensures that practices that cause real long-term harm have no place in our society. We thank Senators Murray and Booker and Representative Lieu for their leadership on this issue,” said Human Rights Campaign Director of Government Affairs Jennifer Pike Bailey.
    “We all want kids to be healthy and safe. Yet LGBTQ+ youth across the country are in crisis today as they hear messages of rejection — not just from peers or online bullies, but from adults and systems meant to protect them. All young people deserve to live authentically as who they are and be protected from dangerous, discredited conversion therapy practices that are associated with greater suicide risk and have been condemned by every major U.S. professional medical and mental health association,” said Mark Henson, Interim Vice President of Advocacy & Government Affairs, The Trevor Project. “No amount of talk or pressure can make someone change their sexual orientation or gender identity—decades of research show it simply doesn’t work . The Trevor Project applauds the reintroduction of the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2025, which will help protect LGBTQ+ youth from being subjected to these harmful practices and instead celebrate them for who they are.”
    “Like most people with health questions, the LGBTQ+ people, parents and allies of PFLAG work together with their doctors, who follow standards of care and clinical guidelines that have been recognized as authoritative for decades by trusted mainstream medical organizations like the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association. These and every mainstream medical association denounce practices of so-called conversion ‘therapy’ as discredited and dangerous,” said Brian K. Bond (he/him/his), CEO of PFLAG National. “The Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act would protect vulnerable people who are seeking trusted help from being lured into a pretense for dangerous conversion therapies. PFLAG National thanks Congressman Lieu and Senator Murray for their leadership in reintroducing this important bill.”
    Text of the legislation is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Leads Fight to Confirm Key Trump Small Business Administration Nominee

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
    WASHINGTON – To ensure the Small Business Administration (SBA) is equipped to properly serve Iowa’s job creators, U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) led the fight to break through a Democrat effort to block a key Trump nominee.
    During his nomination hearing, Chair Ernst detailed how Chief Counsel for Advocacy Nominee Casey Mulligan has the expertise and experience to slash the bloated bureaucracy, roll back burdensome regulations, and unleash Main Street.
    Click here to watch her remarks.
    Ernst’s full remarks:
    “I rise today to seek unanimous consent to confirm Dr. Casey Mulligan, the President’s nominee to be the Chief Counsel of the Office of Advocacy at the Small Business Administration.
    “I will make that motion in just a moment but first, let me explain why I am doing this.
    “This week is National Small Business Week – a week to recognize the achievements of our nation’s entrepreneurs.
    “As Chair of the Small Business Committee, I have a front row seat to the successes and challenges of our small business owners – and I have the privilege of being a champion for Iowa entrepreneurs.
    “Mr. President, our small businesses are more vulnerable to burdensome government regulations.
    “Over the past few years, the cost of regulations for small businesses has been out of control.
    “The previous administration created more than eleven hundred final rules costing 1.8 trillion dollars. 
    “The Biden administration’s regulatory costs were 600 times higher than that of the first Trump administration and 3.7 times higher than that of the Obama administration.
    “I have been encouraged by President Trump’s efforts to freeze and roll back regulations.
    “SBA Administrator Loeffler and the White House are working hard to eliminate burdensome and unnecessary regulations.
    “But to truly be effective, small businesses need a Senate-confirmed, Chief Counsel to continue this mission.
    “The Office of Chief Counsel for Advocacy has been vacant, without a Senate confirmed occupant, for nearly a decade.
    “This key role ensures small business interests are protected.  
    “Having served as the top Republican on the Small Business Committee for years now, I truly understand the need for this position to be filled immediately, and we are fortunate that President Trump nominated a highly qualified individual for this role.
    “Dr. Casey Mulligan’s unique mix of academic success and real-world small business experience makes him the best candidate for the job.
    “A Harvard graduate, Dr. Mulligan received his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Chicago, where he currently serves as an economics professor.
    “In addition to his academic role, Dr. Mulligan also owns two small consulting and economic research businesses. 
    “He has also conducted extensive research on the economic effects of regulation on small businesses.
    “At the SBA Office of Advocacy, Dr. Mulligan would serve as a champion for small businesses nationwide, as the agency undergoes much-needed changes to policy and direction.
    “Mr. President, Advocacy’s role remains true regardless of party — to ensure that a strong Chief Counsel stands up for the little guy and warns regulators when small firms will be harmed. 
    “Dr. Mulligan understands Main Street and the importance of examining all costs imposed on America’s entrepreneurs.
    “I urge my colleagues to consent to the confirmation of Dr. Mulligan as Chief Counsel of the Office of Advocacy at the SBA.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Budd Introduces PELL Act to Advance American Competitiveness by Unlocking Workforce Potential

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina)
    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) introduced the Promoting Employment and Lifelong Learning (PELL) Act today, to expand Pell Grant eligibility for high-quality, short-term workforce programs. The bill benefits individuals seeking to advance their careers without long-term debt while also providing American businesses with a broader, better-prepared talent pool ready to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy.
    “We cannot build tomorrow’s workforce based on the blueprint for yesterday’s economy. By modernizing Pell Grant eligibility, we can open the door for millions of Americans to gain in-demand skills, while creating more family-sustaining careers. In as little as eight weeks, students can earn industry-recognized credentials and practical knowledge – the real currency of today’s labor market. It’s time to build a workforce strategy as modern and dynamic as the economy we’re preparing it for,” said Senator Budd.
    “Vocational opportunities deserve the same respect and financial support our country directs toward a four-year college education. In the same amount of time or less, a high school graduate can be working at a high level, in a specialized trade. We should be incentivizing more of that. I’m grateful to Senator Budd for leading this effort to increase access to skilled trades training and other non-traditional forms of education that can unlock the American Dream for a generation of young people,” said Senator McCormick.
    “Too many students are pushed into debt seeking a four-year degree that doesn’t suit job market demands. That needs to change. Our legislation will expand access to high-quality, short-term job training programs to close the skills gap, reduce college debt and ensure more students can enter the workforce in high-demand industries,” said Senator Grassley.
    “There is a worker shortage in America. This bill will help fix this problem by offering students the chance to pursue skill-based programs. It will help Americans get back to work. This bill benefits American workers, employers, and consumers,” said Senator Ricketts. 
    Senators Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), and Jim Justice (R-W.Va.) joined Senator Budd in introducing the bill.
    Read the full bill text HERE.
    Background
    The Promoting Employment and Lifelong Learning (PELL) Act:
    Helps low-income students move into good-paying, in-demand jobs quickly by expanding opportunities to participate in high-quality, short-term workforce programs.
    Provides quality assurance for participating programs, allowing any institute of higher education to participate that meets all requirements.
    Equips students with the skills and credentials needed for jobs in in-demand industries.
    Ensures program prices are aligned with economic value, so students and taxpayers receive a positive return on investment.
    Senator Budd’s bill served as the original framework for the workforce Pell Grant expansion that the House Committee on Education and the Workforce included in its reconciliation bill last week, the Student Success and Taxpayer Savings Plan. 
    Senator Budd will champion the inclusion of the PELL Act in the Senate’s reconciliation bill to help close the skills gap and strengthen the economy. Senator Budd published an opinion piece in The News & Observer today outlining the bill’s merits: How we can get more Americans the work skills they need.
    The PELL Act was previously introduced during the 118th Congress.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Announces One Appointment to the Missouri Sentencing Advisory Commission, Fills Two County Vacancies

    Source: US State of Missouri

    MAY 8, 2025

    Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Kehoe announced one appointment to the Missouri Sentencing Advisory Commission and filled two county vacancies.

    Jessica Cole, of Noel, was appointed as the McDonald County Clerk.

    Ms. Cole currently serves as the human resources director for the McDonald County Clerk’s Office. She is an active member of the McDonald County Republican Club, Pineville Schools Parent Teacher Organization, and Elk River Baptist Church. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Iowa.

    David Martin, of Vienna, was appointed as the Maries County Coroner.

    Mr. Martin is the owner of KLM Funeral Homes in Vienna, Dixon, and Crocker, Missouri. He holds licenses from both the Missouri Funeral Directors and the Missouri Embalmers association. Martin earned his associate degree in mortuary science from the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science in Louisville, Kentucky.

    Katie Sinquefield, of Columbia, was appointed to the Missouri Sentencing Advisory Commission.

    Ms. Sinquefield is an active community volunteer and advocate for criminal-justice reform, serving on the boards of The Weldon Project, Show-Me Defenders, and the Private Enterprise Advisory Council of the American Legislative Exchange Council. She also currently serves on the Missouri State Public Defender Commission. Sinquefield holds a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in art, sociology, and business from the University of Missouri–Columbia.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Ivey Joins Maryland Delegation & Alsobrooks in Demanding Back Education Dollars Cut by Trump

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Ivey – Maryland (4th District)

    WASHINGTON, DC – As reported in The Washington Post, Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) led the Maryland Democratic Delegation – U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representatives Steny Hoyer, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, Glenn Ivey, Sarah Elfreth, April McClain Delaney, and Johnny Olszewski (all D-Md.) in demanding that the Trump Administration release the $98 million promised for education funding in the state and urging the Department to work with the delegation to ensure Maryland receives this vital funding. 

    “Earlier this year, [Secretary McMahon testified that the President] wants to ‘return education to the states where it belongs.’ We believe that approving Maryland’s application for late liquidation of relief funds would do just that. We appreciate your offer to conduct a thorough review of the ESSER funds rescinded from Maryland and look forward to reaching a resolution in the best interest of the more than 860,000 students in our state who are depending on these Congressionally appropriated funds,” said the lawmakers. 

    “We stand ready to partner with the Department in ensuring the disbursement of this key funding to Maryland,” continued the lawmakers. 

    You can read the full letter to Secretary McMahon here or below:

    Dear Secretary McMahon:

    We write with deep concern regarding the Department of Education’s (the Department) recent letter to State Chiefs of Education, which modified the time period for states to liquidate obligations under the Education Stabilization Fund. The loss of these dollars would be catastrophic for the state of Maryland and its students. We appreciate the fact that the Department did leave an opportunity open for collaboration with states, affording them the chance to appeal for an extension to the liquidation period on a project-specific basis. As such, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has applied for an extension. We strongly support MSDE’s application and urge the Department to approve MSDE’s requests for full reimbursement.

    As you know, on January 22, 2025 – after President Trump was sworn into office – the Department approved MDSE’s late liquidation plan for American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds through March 28, 2026. Similarly, on March 17, 2025, the Department approved a late liquidation plan for the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) from MSDE through March 31, 2025. Yet on March 28, 2025, the MSDE received notice from the Department that the liquidation period for all pandemic recovery resources authorized in the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund was rescinded. This sudden reversal has caused a great deal of confusion and would hinder Maryland’s efforts to address pandemic learning loss.

    The impact of this reversal by the Department will indeed be devastating for Maryland schools. Pandemic relief funds were set to go towards capital projects including school heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning repair and replacement that have been delayed because of supply chain and construction issues, as well as new curricula and instructional materials that Maryland Local Education Agencies (LEAs) are still awaiting.

    As such, Maryland has submitted a late liquidation request to the Department for $98,706,860, which includes $42 million spent by LEAs that have not been submitted to the State for reimbursement, as well as $56.7 million remaining to liquidate. The remaining funding is obligated toward projects to provide temporary housing and mental health support for students experiencing homelessness; community school mental health services; tutoring and technology for students; professional development for staff; Grow Your Own projects, including tuition reimbursement programs for staff to attain teacher certifications; the replacement of older and non-working windows and doors; restroom repairs; and security camera updates to keep students safe. 

    MSDE and the state’s LEAs have utilized ESSER funds to recover reading scores, sustainably address the teacher shortages exacerbated by the pandemic, support student mental and emotional health, and fortify other key ingredients in learning. The state’s reapplication in compliance with the Department’s guidance issued on March 28, 2025, also includes key details of our educational systems’ efforts to modernize classroom infrastructure to mitigate the threat of infectious diseases. 

    We proudly represent a state that places tremendous emphasis on high-quality education and MSDE’s implementation of federal funds is fundamental to that mission. We urge the Department to approve MSDE’s latest reapplication for late liquidation of this vital funding. Like students across the country, the COVID-19 pandemic set young Marylanders back substantially on key metrics of student achievement. As your office has noted, recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results have revealed that “gaps are growing between higher-performing and lower-performing students.” Further, chronic absenteeism still is too high with the latest data indicating “a majority of students still attended schools with 20% or higher levels of chronic absence… in stark contrast to 2019, when slightly over a quarter of schools experienced such high levels of chronic absence.” Years after the COVID-19 pandemic, our schools and communities still have much work to do to help students recover.

    Again, we want to continue to be collaborative and work together to improve Maryland schools. As you noted in your testimony to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee earlier this year, President Trump wants to “return education to the states where it belongs.” We believe that approving Maryland’s application for late liquidation of relief funds would do just that. We appreciate your offer to conduct a thorough review of the ESSER funds rescinded from Maryland and look forward to reaching a resolution in the best interest of the more than 860,000 students in our state who are depending on these Congressionally appropriated funds. 

    We welcome a further conversation between the Department and the Maryland Congressional delegation on this process and would be happy to help support engagements between the Department and MSDE. We stand ready to partner with the Department in ensuring the disbursement of this key funding to Maryland.

    Sincerely, 

     

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Disaster Alert: Reed Warns Trump’s Efforts to Dismantle NOAA Threatens Economy, People, & Environment

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    WASHINGTON, DC – As hurricane season approaches, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) is leading Senate colleagues in sounding the alarm about President Trump’s attacks on the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service (NWS) and urging bipartisan action to protect the critical agency from privatization.  

    Every day, NOAA employees collect, analyze, and freely disseminate vast amounts of data through its National Weather Service – vital information all Americans count on.  American commerce – particularly the transportation sector – relies heavily on federal weather forecasts, flooding predictions, hurricane and storm alerts, air temperature readings, nautical charts, and other scientific data.  The research, services, and forecasts provided by these federal agencies is essential for everything from accurately predicting the next severe weather front to supporting farmers and fishermen to scientifically assessing the long-term costs of extreme weather events linked to climate change.

    In a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Senator Reed led U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ed Markey (D-MA) in pointing to a new public letter released this week by five former Weather Service directors. The Senators say it offers an early warning on how the Trump Administration’s cuts to staff and programs could lead to “needless loss of life.”

    “On May 2, five former NWS Directors – who served under both Republican and Democratic administrations – wrote a letter expressing alarm that the NWS is operating at a dangerous staffing deficit, with more than 10% of its workforce lost in recent months due to the Trump Administration’s reckless buyouts and mass firings,” the Senators wrote.  “These massive staffing cuts, combined with the Trump Administration’s proposal to slash funding for the NWS’s parent agency – the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – by 25%, led these Directors to conclude that their “worst nightmare is that weather forecast offices will be so understaffed that there will be needless loss of life.””

    In his preliminary budget request, President Trump called for a $1.5 billion cut to NOAA programs, including a $209 million cut for NOAA’s weather satellites which help to ensure accurate weather forecasting is available to Americans. 

    In their letter, the five Senators called on Secretary Lutnick to “reverse course on the Trump Administration’s staffing and funding cuts, which will prevent the National Weather Service (NWS) from being fully prepared and operational.”

    According to NWS, its employees collect over six billion weather observations every day, monitor local conditions through a host of field offices across the nation, issue daily forecasts, and circulate warnings before dangerous weather events. NWS provides the public with forecasts and alerts free of charge. Private companies like AccuWeather, Google, and Apple also rely on NOAA’s observational data and satellites, buoys, and weather sensors to power their own weather products.

    The Senators say that President Trump’s proposed cuts, paired with the administration’s efforts to significantly downsize NOAA and NWS, is already upending the agency’s ability to promptly alert and prepare Americans for imminent and dangerous severe weather events.

    “Forecasters at Colorado State University have predicted an “above-average” 2025 hurricane season, with an estimated nine hurricanes, four of which are expected to reach Category 3 status or stronger,” the Senators continued.  “Understaffed forecast offices mean longer wait times for critical alerts, slower radar maintenance, and a reduction in the high level of accuracy the public has come to rely upon. Any degradation in service risks loss of life, economic disruption, and long-term damage to public trust in our nation’s ability to prepare for and respond to extreme weather.”

    Earlier this year, the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) either fired or pushed out more than 10 percent of NOAA’s workforce, including top meteorologists and researchers who are charged with providing the public with accurate, life-saving weather reports and data. The Administration is reportedly working on further diminishing NOAA’s workforce by another 10 percent.

    According to data obtained by the Associated Press, nearly half of all NWS forecast offices are now critically understaffed. Due to these shortages, NWS meteorologists are reportedly being forced to forego important surveys of storm damage that help inform and improve future forecasts and warnings.

    While researchers, scientists, and experts point to a connection between climate change and worsening extreme storms, the Trump Administration is reportedly planning to propose eliminating NOAA’s research office and cutting NOAA research funding by 74 percent. It is anticipated that cuts to NOAA climate programs and activities will also have impacts on the collection of key weather data.  

    In March, Senator Reed called attention to the Trump Administration’s staffing cuts at NOAA and NWS and warned about negative impacts for Rhode Islanders. And last fall, Senator Reed sounded the alarm about Project 2025’s extremist plan to dismantle NOAA, which it labelled “one of the main drivers of the climate change alarm industry.”  Reed warned plans to gut the National Weather Service and emergency management would be a major disaster.

    Full text of the letter follows:

    May 8, 2025

    The Honorable Howard Lutnick, Secretary

    U.S. Department of Commerce

    1401 Constitution Ave NW

    Washington, D.C. 20230

    Dear Secretary Lutnick:

    As we approach the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which begins on June 1, we write to demand you reverse course on the Trump Administration’s staffing and funding cuts, which will prevent the National Weather Service (NWS) from being fully prepared and operational.

    The NWS and its employees play a critical role in protecting lives, property, and our national economy. From issuing tornado and hurricane warnings to providing essential weather information for aviation, shipping, agriculture, and emergency response, the NWS is integral to Americans’ daily lives. Its employees include highly trained meteorologists, technicians, and support staff who work hard to deliver life-saving data all across the United States.

    On May 2, five former NWS Directors – who served under both Republican and Democratic administrations – wrote a letter expressing alarm that the NWS is operating at a dangerous staffing deficit, with more than 10% of its workforce lost in recent months due to the Trump Administration’s reckless buyouts and mass firings. These massive staffing cuts, combined with the Trump Administration’s proposal to slash funding for the NWS’s parent agency – the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – by 25%, led these Directors to conclude that their “worst nightmare is that weather forecast offices will be so understaffed that there will be needless loss of life.”

    Forecasters at Colorado State University have predicted an “above-average” 2025 hurricane season, with an estimated nine hurricanes, four of which are expected to reach Category 3 status or stronger. Understaffed forecast offices mean longer wait times for critical alerts, slower radar maintenance, and a reduction in the high level of accuracy the public has come to rely upon. Any degradation in service risks loss of life, economic disruption, and long-term damage to public trust in our nation’s ability to prepare for and respond to extreme weather.

    We urge you to provide a detailed plan on how you will ensure that this critical agency has the staffing and resources it needs to ensure Americans are safe heading into this hurricane season. We look forward to your prompt response to this important matter.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: May 8th, 2025 Heinrich Presses Agriculture Secretary on DOGE’s Targeting of Silver City Dispatch Center, USDA Canceling Contracts that Help Local Farmers, Schools, & Kids

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, pressed U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins on proposed cuts in President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Preliminary Budget Request, which slashes critical investments that benefit New Mexico families to fund massive tax handouts for billionaires like Elon Musk.

    Specifically, Heinrich questioned Secretary Rollins on DOGE targeting the Silver City Dispatch Center as the Iron Fire burns, USDA canceling contracts that help local farmers sell fresh produce to food banks and schools, and the status of programs that feed starving children around the world with American-grown food through the Food for Peace program.

    VIDEO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) questions USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins on President Trump’s proposed budget cuts, which slash critical investments that benefit New Mexico families to fund massive tax handouts for billionaires like Elon Musk, May 6, 2025.

    On DOGE Targeting the Silver City Dispatch Center:

    Heinrich began his questioning, “Secretary, the Iron Fire is currently burning in the Gila National Forest, and you and I have talked about the Silver City Dispatch Center, which is in charge of coordinating the response between air assets and front-line firefighters in the Southwest. It is still among the dispatch centers that DOGE is seeking to close. And in our conversations, you assured me that you would seek to keep this dispatch center open, that you would designate it mission critical. Talk to me about what you are doing to make good on that promise.”

    Rollins responded, “Yeah, we have been in conversation with GSA on that, Senator, and certainly, as we have many hands working across the Trump Administration to deliver on our promise for a more effective and efficient government. We agree that this is important, and especially as wildfire season is heating up, ensuring that we are operationally ready at every turn in your state and in other states that are highly affected by that, so we remain focused on that, and if you hear something different, please call me.”

    On Trump’s USDA Canceling Contracts that Help Local Farmers Sell Fresh Produce to Schools and Feed Students:

    Heinrich began by highlighting that the local food purchasing assistance and local food for school programs are,“two of the best examples of using American-grown produce to produce healthier outcomes in our students. To me, that is making America healthy again. You’ve canceled both of those contracts, even though those contracts were signed and farmers had bought supplies for planting based on those contracts.

    Heinrich continued by asking, “What would you say to both the producers and the schools who made financial decisions based on those commitments?”

    Rollins responded, “The first thing I’ll say is, could you send me specific information on that? Because that would be really helpful. We’ve talked a lot in broad strokes, but if I can see the details in New Mexico, you still have a million and a half dollars of the last tranche left out of 6 million.”

    Heinrich pressed Rollins, “The people I’m hearing from are literally the schools and the producers who were impacted, the growers.”

    Rollins responded, “Yeah, I would love to get more details on that and what that looks like again, as a COVID-era program. The other side of this, and I want to make sure you’ve got plenty of time to ask your other questions. But the other side of this, as far as the local nutritious farms, et cetera. I mean, I think that’s a massive push. I think it’s important we remain prioritized on that. But again, the $400 million a day we spend at USDA on nutrition, just on nutrition, I believe sincerely, that we’ll be able to check a lot of those boxes without continuing a program that was supposed to end at the end of COVID and that, in fact, most states still have a lot of money left in the bank. They haven’t been able to spend it.”

    On Trump Threatening the Food for Peace Program:

    Heinrich asked: “My colleague from Kansas mentioned Food for Peace and McGovern-Dole. These programs have provided life-saving American-grown food to people around the world. I have literally met with mothers and children who relied on American food aid for their survival. So I appreciate that you’ve had initial discussions with Secretary Rubio about these programs, but what I saw two weeks ago with several of my Republican colleagues on the ground at a refugee camp were kids who were on fractional rations who didn’t have enough calories per day to thrive. So what are we doing to fill the gap between the historic commitment of those programs and whatever that, you know, replaces them in the meantime, when the impact is kids who are not getting enough to eat?”

    Rollins responded: “And you’re talking specifically on the International Programs, yes, that, that’s, that’s a great conversation. We continue to talk about it. The President has been very clear that we have to ensure that our kids here in America that are hungry, that we’re serving, obviously, they are the priority. It doesn’t mean that we don’t care about or want to move out American farmers’ produce, and we should in commodities across the world, but really focusing here in America first, but secondly, understanding how effective these programs are, which I talked a little bit about with the back and forth with Senator Baldwin. I think it may have been Senator Murray, but how important and effective those are, where we’re spending the money, how it’s being spent, and what that looks like.”

    Heinrich pushed Rollins, “You’ll get a lot of support from this Committee to, to go after overhead, excess overhead, I think we have to check too many boxes, and there are a lot of entities that have gotten good at running those contracts because they can check those boxes. But what we saw on the ground was kids who had malaria and other diseases because they simply didn’t have enough food to eat, because commitments we made were not being made good on.”

    Rollins responded: “Well, I would love more details on that that would help me understand and in fact, where it was y’all went, and then my commitment to you is to study that, and in my, you know, my heart is with what you’re saying. But again, we are putting American first, understanding how we’re feeding our children. And we haven’t had a MAHA discussion yet, but if we do, we can talk a little bit more about that is important. But also understanding that, again, the mission and the intention of these programs are always good. It is how we are effectuating them and putting them into play and really looking at that closely.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Celebrating NY FFA’s 100th Anniversary

    Source: US State of New York

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    New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “There’s a long list of things that make The Great New York State Fair the best in the nation, but its continued focus on agriculture is what truly sets it apart, and its deep partnership with FFA has been a huge part of that. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this powerful program’s centennial than by breaking ground on a new building that will help introduce a whole new generation of young people to the value of our industry and inspire them to pursue meaningful careers in agriculture. I want to thank our Governor, our partners across the state, and of course our very own NY FFA who share this vision and make it a priority – because of their work, I know the future of agriculture is bright.”

    New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, “Agriculture is a major driver of New York’s economy, providing a source of fresh food and income to people across our state. OGS is proud to partner with the State Department of Agriculture and Markets in the construction of a 4,000-square-foot building at the Great New York State Fairgrounds. This new facility will further demonstrate Governor Hochul, Commissioner Ball, and our support for New York State’s farmers and FFA’s efforts to prepare its members for careers in all sectors of the agricultural industry. As FFA marks 100 years of its annual convention here, there’s no better opportunity for us to break ground on this new space.”

    New York State FFA Director Juleah Tolosky said, “For 100 years, New York FFA has empowered students to lead, serve, and grow in agriculture and beyond. This new building at the Fairgrounds is more than a structure — it’s a symbol of what happens when we invest in young people and believe in their potential. We’re grateful to Governor Hochul and Commissioner Ball and our partners across the state for supporting a vision that honors our past while building a stronger future for agricultural education.”

    Dean of Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Benjamin Houlton said, “The FFA is one of the most important organizations of America’s agricultural leadership—past, present and future. The historic celebration of the organization’s success reflects the commitment of many generations of farmers, agribusiness innovators and natural resources professionals to serve the foundation of society with the food they produce. At CALS, we are so grateful for our state partners’ unyielding support and proud to see a growing number of FFA students join us in shaping the future of agriculture—whether through a CALS or SUNY college degree, technical training or direct-to-career paths. There has never been a more exciting time for agriculture, and this generation of agriculture innovators will ensure that the country is in a strong position for continued prosperity.”

    New York State Fair Director Julie LaFave said, “The Great New York State Fair is a tradition rooted in agriculture, and our work with the New York State FFA has been the driving force behind keeping this tradition alive. Here at the Fair, these incredible students showcase their projects, participate in competitions, and teach tens of thousands of Fairgoers what New York agriculture is all about. We’re thrilled to help this remarkable organization celebrate its 100th anniversary by investing in a new building right here at the Fair that will help spotlight their work and introduce more young people to the importance of this industry. I congratulate FFA on their centennial, and thank Governor Hochul, a 4-H kid who knows firsthand the value of ag education, for her support of this critical investment.”

    Supporting agricultural education is essential to developing a generation of leaders who understand where our food comes from and value the hard work of our farmers.

    Governor Kathy Hochul

    New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “There’s a long list of things that make The Great New York State Fair the best in the nation, but its continued focus on agriculture is what truly sets it apart, and its deep partnership with FFA has been a huge part of that. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this powerful program’s centennial than by breaking ground on a new building that will help introduce a whole new generation of young people to the value of our industry and inspire them to pursue meaningful careers in agriculture. I want to thank our Governor, our partners across the state, and of course our very own NY FFA who share this vision and make it a priority – because of their work, I know the future of agriculture is bright.”

    New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, “Agriculture is a major driver of New York’s economy, providing a source of fresh food and income to people across our state. OGS is proud to partner with the State Department of Agriculture and Markets in the construction of a 4,000-square-foot building at the Great New York State Fairgrounds. This new facility will further demonstrate Governor Hochul, Commissioner Ball, and our support for New York State’s farmers and FFA’s efforts to prepare its members for careers in all sectors of the agricultural industry. As FFA marks 100 years of its annual convention here, there’s no better opportunity for us to break ground on this new space.”

    New York State FFA Director Juleah Tolosky said, “For 100 years, New York FFA has empowered students to lead, serve, and grow in agriculture and beyond. This new building at the Fairgrounds is more than a structure — it’s a symbol of what happens when we invest in young people and believe in their potential. We’re grateful to Governor Hochul and Commissioner Ball and our partners across the state for supporting a vision that honors our past while building a stronger future for agricultural education.”

    Dean of Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Benjamin Houlton said, “The FFA is one of the most important organizations of America’s agricultural leadership—past, present and future. The historic celebration of the organization’s success reflects the commitment of many generations of farmers, agribusiness innovators and natural resources professionals to serve the foundation of society with the food they produce. At CALS, we are so grateful for our state partners’ unyielding support and proud to see a growing number of FFA students join us in shaping the future of agriculture—whether through a CALS or SUNY college degree, technical training or direct-to-career paths. There has never been a more exciting time for agriculture, and this generation of agriculture innovators will ensure that the country is in a strong position for continued prosperity.”

    New York State Fair Director Julie LaFave said, “The Great New York State Fair is a tradition rooted in agriculture, and our work with the New York State FFA has been the driving force behind keeping this tradition alive. Here at the Fair, these incredible students showcase their projects, participate in competitions, and teach tens of thousands of Fairgoers what New York agriculture is all about. We’re thrilled to help this remarkable organization celebrate its 100th anniversary by investing in a new building right here at the Fair that will help spotlight their work and introduce more young people to the importance of this industry. I congratulate FFA on their centennial, and thank Governor Hochul, a 4-H kid who knows firsthand the value of ag education, for her support of this critical investment.”

    Agricultural Education in New York State
    New York State continues to prioritize investments in agricultural education to support workforce development and ensure that agriculture remains a viable industry in New York State. In 2024, Governor Hochul increased support for the FFA by $250,000 for a total of $1.25 million and dedicated $500,000 to support the New York Agriculture in the Classroom program and $500,000 for the New York Association of Agricultural Educators to increase the number of certified agricultural educators in the state. In addition, $250,000 was included in support of Urban Agricultural Education and $50,000 for the MANRRS program.

    Additionally in 2024, the Governor convened the first ever youth agriculture leadership conference. Following the conference, the Governor announced the establishment of a Blue-Ribbon Panel to Advance Agriculture Education, which will bring together food and agriculture industry stakeholders, educational institutions, and educators to chart a course for strengthening agriculture education and supporting the multi-faceted needs of the workforce.

    The State’s efforts are paying off, with the number of agricultural teachers growing to 424 in 2025. Alongside this growth in teachers, the number of FFA charters and members has also increased. With 224 chapters established in 52 of New York’s 62 counties, there are now over 13,000 FFA members in New York State, an increase from 9,300 in 2022. In 2016, the State Agriculture Commissioner challenged the FFA to increase its number of charters across the State by 100; the FFA reached that goal in time for its 100th anniversary this year, an exciting benchmark as it celebrates its centennial and looks forward to the next hundred years.

    In addition, there are currently five MANRRS collegiate chapters statewide, up from just two in 2022, and one junior chapter at John Bowne High School in New York City. Today, there is also a 4-H program in all 62 counties in New York State, providing educational opportunities to young people interested in agriculture in every corner of the State. Together, these programs help meet the growing demand for agricultural education across New York.

    Embedded Flickr Album

    State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “New York is the fastest-growing FFA state in the country, and for 100 years, this incredible program has been the bedrock of outstanding student leadership in our state, helping students find their strengths, find ways to serve their communities, and become leaders in every sector of the agriculture industry and beyond it. Congratulations to New York FFA on its centennial—the future of New York looks exceptionally bright with such dedicated young leaders at the forefront.”

    State Senator Rachel May said, “The longevity of New York’s FFA program underscores its significance to agriculture in our state. For 100 years, this program has been educating the next generation of farmers, ensuring that our vital agricultural sector remains strong. The history of the New York State Fair is closely linked to the FFA program, so it’s only appropriate that it has a dedicated building on the fairgrounds, showcasing its significance to our state. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for recognizing the importance of the FFA program with this new facility and support for New York State agriculture.”

    Assemblymember Donna Lupardo said, “FFA is one of the premier youth leadership development organizations in our country. Members have gone on to successful careers as farmers, chemists, government officials, business leaders, teachers, and more. The hands-on experience this organization provides is invaluable, and with the new FFA Building at the State Fairgrounds, they will have the opportunity to showcase their work in an impressive new facility. Congratulations to the FFA on their centennial.”

    Assemblymember Al Stirpe said, “I would like to congratulate the New York FFA for this historic milestone, marking a century of inspiring the agricultural leaders of tomorrow. As a stronghold for Northeastern agriculture, New York thrives thanks to organizations like FFA that help students realize their potential in the agricultural classroom and beyond. I look forward to the construction of the new FFA building, as well as the growth of their now 224 chapters across the state.”

    Assemblymember Bill Magnarelli said, “The New York State Fair and New York State FFA have a long and storied history going back 100 years together. I applaud the work that organizations like New York State FFA and 4-H do in providing quality agricultural education to future generations to continue New York State’s long tradition of farming.”

    About New York State FFA
    Administered by Cornell University, the New York State FFA Association is a youth organization that helps middle and high school students become leaders in a variety of career fields, including agriculture. NY FFA develops premier leadership, personal growth and career success through activities and opportunities nationwide. Learn more about NY FFA at www.nysffa.org.

    About the New York State Fair
    Founded in 1841, The Great New York State Fair showcases the best of New York agriculture, provides top-quality entertainment, and is a key piece of the State’s CNY Rising strategy of growing the Central New York economy through tourism. It is the oldest fair in the United States and is consistently recognized as being among the top five state fairs in the nation.

    The New York State Fairgrounds is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. Audiences are encouraged to learn more about The Great New York State Fair online, browse photos on Flickr, and follow the fun on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Delivering Real Results for Colorado: Gov. Polis Signs Landmark Housing Bill Into Law, Celebrates Actions for Coloradans on Education, Housing, Public Safety

    Source: US State of Colorado

    DENVER – Today, Governor Polis marked the end of the successful 2025 legislative session with House Speaker McCluskie, Senate President Coleman, House Majority Leader Duran, Senate Majority Leader Rodriguez and Lt. Governor Primavera and then signed SB25-002 – Regional Building Codes for Factory-Built Structures to break down barriers to modular housing and discussed the successful 2025 legislative session. 

    “We are delivering real results for hardworking Coloradans, and during this session, we took major actions that will create more housing Coloradans can afford, support students and educators, cut through government red tape, and improve safety across our state. It’s fitting that I’m signing the modular housing bill, a law that will create more housing options that Coloradans can afford, to kick off the next 30 days of bill signings. We know our work is far from over, and I will continue looking for new opportunities to make life better for all Coloradans,” said Governor Jared Polis. 

    During his 2025 State of the State address, the Governor outlined key priorities for the legislative session that would build on Colorado’s work to break down barriers to housing, improve public safety in Colorado communities, and invest in students and educators. These successful legislative priorities resulted in new laws that will help reduce costs and strengthen Colorado communities. 

    MORE HOUSING NOW: 

    IMPROVING PUBLIC SAFETY: 

    • SB25-310 – Proposition 130 Implementation: This law supports funding for local law enforcement agencies to help recruit peace officers by providing financial reimbursements and tuition assistance for initial and continuing education and training for peace officers, as well as pay incentives and bonuses. The bill also provides funding to ensure that the families of fallen officers get the support they need after losing their loved one in the line of duty.
    • HB25-1062 Penalty for Theft of Firearm: This legislation cracks down on gun theft by reclassifying firearm theft as a class 6 felony regardless of the value of the firearm stolen.
    • HB25-1171 – Possession of Weapon by Previous Offender Crimes: This legislation adds first-degree motor vehicle theft to the list of criminal offenses that would make an individual ineligible to possess a firearm.
    • SB25-281 – Increase Penalties Careless Driving: adjusts penalties for persons convicted of careless driving, making each individual seriously injured or killed in a careless driving event a separate violation and clarifies that careless driving resulting in serious bodily injury or death is an included crime for the purposes of the “Victim Rights Act”.
    • Budget to Make Colorado Safer: Governor Polis continues working to make Colorado safer for everyone and by signing this year’s budget, Colorado continues investing in preventing and addressing crime. This includes:
      • Youth Crime Prevention: Helping to prevent at-risk youth from entering the criminal justice system through increased funding for prevention services.
      • Community Corrections Capacity: The budget also provides $2.4 million to invest in community corrections placement, increasing capacity.
      • Supporting Crime Victims: Additionally, this budget implements Colorado’s Proposition KK, designating $30.0M in spending authority to crime victims’ services, $8 million for mental health services, and $1 million for school safety. $15 million ongoing for critical public safety communication infrastructure, supporting over 1,000 local, regional, state, tribal, and federal public safety entities.
      • Funding for CBI’s Colorado Gangs Database: The Colorado Gangs database (CoG) is an application that stores gang information such as gang names, gang members, gang contacts, and is used by law enforcement as an investigative tool. It allows law enforcement the ability to add and change any information about the gangs, tracking gangs, and gang members that they contact during patrol or other investigative efforts conducted by law enforcement. This information is also queryable in the Colorado Crime Information Center (CCIC), which provides law enforcement with the most accurate information possible.
    • HB25-1146 – Juvenile Detention Bed Cap: This legislation allows judicial districts to utilize more juvenile detention beds to ensure that individuals deemed high-risk do not re-enter communities before receiving the rehabilitative services they need. 

    FULLY FUND SCHOOLS AND SUPPORT COLORADO’S WORKFORCE: 

    • HB25-1320 – School Finance Act: This legislation implements Colorado’s student-focused school finance formula without bringing back the budget stabilization factor. It also increases per-pupil funding again to $11,864, an increase from FY24-25 of $412 per student, or an average of $9,000 per classroom.
    • SB25-315 – Postsecondary & Workforce Readiness Programs: This legislation realigns Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness administration and funding to ensure all students have the opportunity to graduate high school with postsecondary credit, an industry-recognized credential, or work-based learning experience.
    • HB25-1278 – Education Accountability System: This legislation modernizes Colorado’s K-12 accountability system for the first time since 2009 to better measure student outcomes, including the creation of a new sub-indicator to support postsecondary and workforce readiness before graduation.
    • HB25-1192 – Financial Literacy Graduation Requirement: This legislation ensures that every student takes a course incorporating all financial literacy standards before they graduate high school, as well as practice filling out financial aid forms so that they are equipped with the know-how to plan for and secure their financial futures.
    • HB25-1038 – Postsecondary Credit Transfer Website: This law will support students by providing more information about how their credits earned through prior learning, concurrent and dual enrollment, and GT Pathways courses will transfer to each Colorado public institution. By allowing students to evaluate and compare the value of their transfer credits across institutions and programs, students can save money and more successfully plan their educational journeys. 

    DRIVING COLORADO’S ECONOMY: 

    FREE STATE OF COLORADO: 

    BOLD CLIMATE GOALS AND IMPROVING AIR QUALITY: 

    • HB25-1267 – Support for Statewide Energy Strategies: This legislation builds on our EV success by empowering the Division of Oil and Public Safety to adopt retail EV charging rules to promote consistency and provide for a more seamless EV charging experience.
    • HB25-1269 Building Decarbonization Measures: This law will make it simpler for buildings to comply with statewide standards by complying with a local standard and will help achieve the administration’s 2030 carbon emission reduction targets. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 21 Armed and Violent Drug Traffickers and Gang Members from Spokane Area Facing Federal Drug and Firearm Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Spokane, Washington – Today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington announced that 21 individuals have been charged following the return of 15 separate indictments alleging dozens of charges against these defendants.  Certain of the individuals indicated are not yet in federal custody.

    The arrests follow a long-term joint federal investigation that began in October 2024, led by the by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This 7-month long investigation has targeted violent individuals and armed drug traffickers in Spokane as well as individuals operating in what has become nothing less than an open-air drug market on Division Street downtown..  These individuals have been problems in multiple states, impacting multiple communities during their lifetimes, in not only Washington State, but also Texas, Nevada, North Dakota, Montana, Alabama, Idaho, Oregon, and California.

    Upon release of the latest indictment, which was unsealed earlier today upon the arrest of several additional suspects, Acting United States Attorney Rich Barker stated, “I am grateful for the coordinated efforts of so many law enforcement agencies, who worked together to coordinate the takedown of this alleged drug trafficking operation.”  Acting U.S. Attorney Barker continued, “It is an honor work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners on such important prosecutions, which help remove illegal drugs and firearms from our community.  Our community and nation are safer, because of the work of our law enforcement and prosecution teams.”

    To date, agents seized just shy of 14-pounds of methamphetamine, over 1 kilogram of heroin, over 16,000 fentanyl pills, over 5.5 pounds of fentanyl powder, almost $60,000 in drug proceeds, as well as four vehicles and 36 firearms.  In connection with the prosecution, the United States has filed a civil forfeiture complaint in the Eastern District of Washington against a local Spokane apartment complex located near North Central High School, which allegedly was being used to distribute illegal drugs and a place for individuals to obtain firearms. Properties such as this one are not only a community safety issue as a free for all of illicit activity, they are also a drain on public resources that could be used elsewhere.  For example, in the last 2.5 years, records show there have been approximately 58 separate calls for service at the address.

    According to unsealed charging documents, the following individuals, many of whom have ties to various street gangs and who have a history of violence, have been charged in connection with the investigation. Additionally, the names of others indicted in connection with this investigation will be unsealed upon the arrest of those individuals.

    Andrew Vincent Auerbach, charged with Distribution of 50 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking.  Auerbach has a prior federal conviction for Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

    Daryl Edward Boone, 45, charged with Possess with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine, Possess with Intent to Distribute 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl, Distribution of 5 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine

    James M. Ferguson, 33, charged with Unlawful Possession of a Short-Barreled Shotgun

    Jonathan Jacob Inglis, 40, pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute 500 Grams or More of Methamphetamine and Possession with Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl. On January 30, 2025, he was sentenced to 151 months in prison.

    Nathan Carlson Johnson, 44, charged with Distribution of 50 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine.

    James Lelacheur, 56, charged with Distribution of 50 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine.

    Christopher Wayne O’Neal, charged with Distribution of 5 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine.  O’Neal is currently in Spokane County Jail stemming from a separate drug trafficking investigation.

    Gabriella Sherif Rizkalla, charged with multiple counts of Distribution of 50 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine, and Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine

    Roland Dewayne Sanders, 36, charged with Distribution of Fentanyl, Distribution of 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl.  Sanders was on federal supervised release at the time of his offense and utilized his minor child to assist in the distribution of fentanyl.

    Bernie Ray Shaw Jr., 45, charged with Distribution of Fentanyl

    Courtney A. Wheeler, charged with Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking and Conspiracy to Possess a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking

    Andrew Lee Williams, charged with Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking and Conspiracy to Possess a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking

    Anthony Dale Williams, charged with Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking and Conspiracy to Possess a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, multiple counts of Distribution of 50 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, and Distribution of Cocaine.

    Certain of the individuals will be arraigned at the Spokane Federal Courthouse on May 9, 2025, at 10:00am.

    The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation along with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Moses Lake Police Department, Border Patrol, and the Washington Department of Corrections. Additional assistance was provided by the United States Marshals Service and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

    An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    WILLIAMS et al – 2:25-CR-75-RLP

    SANDERS – 2:25-CR-15-MKD

    LELACHER – 2:24-CR-16-MKD

    FERGUSON – 2:24-CR-158-RLP

    JOHNSON – 2:24-CR-159-MKD

    AUERBACH – 2:25-CR-16-TOR

    INGLIS – 2:23-CR-56-TOR

    SHAW – 2:24-CR-163-MKD

    BOONE – 2:24-CR-164-RLP

    United States of America v. Real Property Known as 625 West Maxwell Avenue Spokane Washington et al, 2:25-cv-00148-RLP

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Stepmums, alien mums, robot mums, vengeful mums: 7 films to watch this Mother’s Day

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Gildersleeve, Professor of English Literature, University of Southern Queensland

    With Mother’s Day around the corner, you may be wondering what gift you’ll give mum – or any of the mums in your life. This year, why not skip the fancy dinner and offer one of the most precious gifts there is: quality time, in front of the TV.

    When I asked seven experts what movies they’d recommend for Mother’s Day, I wasn’t expecting I, Tonya or Alien: Romulus – but their responses have made me realise just how multifaceted the experience of motherhood is, and how weirdly and wonderfully it can be reflected onscreen.

    So here’s what to watch if you want to laugh, cry, or scream, in an ode to mothers everywhere.

    I, Tonya (2017)

    The first film from Margot Robbie’s production company LuckyChap Entertainment – which earned Robbie an Oscar nomination for best actress – is an ideal viewing choice for anyone wanting to support Aussie female talent.

    Former American figure skater Tonya Harding became a household name in 1994, after her then-husband Jeff Gillooly orchestrated an assault on her primary rival, Nancy Kerrigan, in a bid to block Kerrigan from representing the United States at that year’s Winter Olympics.

    I, Tonya presents the event, and those of Harding’s career leading up to it, from a more sympathetic perspective than usual. Although it is careful to open with the caveat that the story is derived from “irony-free, wildly contradictory, totally true interviews with Tonya Harding and Jeff Gillooly”, the film presents Harding’s life as one of abuse and cruelty at every turn.

    The judges can’t stand her “unfeminine” power. Her husband only shows love through violence. And her heartless mother, LaVona (Alison Janney) is desperate to cash-in on the financial gains from her career success, while simultaneously resenting it.

    Janney’s performance as LaVona won her the Academy Award for best supporting actress, a title thoroughly deserved as an ice-cold LaVona chainsmokes through barbed criticisms and physical threats. While I, Tonya may not be the most obvious choice for a film to watch on Mother’s Day, it certainly will make you appreciate yours.

    – Jessica Gildersleeve

    Stepmom (1998)

    Stepmom, starring Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon, is a family weepy for anyone who needs a cathartic cry. Directed by Chris Columbus, the comedy–drama follows the story of terminally ill woman Jackie Harrison (Sarandon) as she comes to grips with the fact her ex-husband’s new girlfriend Isabel (Roberts) will soon be her children’s stepmother.

    The film, like others under Columbus’ direction, is a critique of domestic dysfunction (think Home Alone, Mrs Doubtfire, or Nine Months), and an exploration of the lengths characters will go in order to restore the ruptured (nuclear) family, whether literally or symbolically.

    Despite its melodramatic machinery and predictable ending, Stepmom offers a nuanced portrayal of the struggles of children during separation or divorce. We see 12-year-old Anna and her little brother, Ben, an aspiring magician, caught in an emotional tug-of-war between their loyalty to their dying mother and their natural affection for their new stepmum.

    In an honest moment, an anxious Ben asks his dad, “can you ever fall out of love with your kids?”

    “No, that’s impossible,” Dad responds.

    In an equally realistic thread, the sullen Anna begrudgingly turns to Isabel for advice on boys, clothes and makeup – their relationship soon resembling one of sisters rather than adversaries (controversially, Roberts’ character even takes it upon herself to explain the concept of “snowblowing” to the tween).

    In 1998, Stepmom was ahead of its time – not in its representation of motherhood, but in its acknowledgement the nuclear family was, even back then, a thing of the past.

    – Kate Cantrell

    Double Jeopardy (1999)

    Like most thrillers made in the 1990s, Double Jeopardy begins in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States: the epicentre for murder and mist.

    Libby Parsons (Ashley Judd) is living the idyllic waterfront life with her husband Nick (Bruce Greenwood) and son Matty. After being convinced by Nick to go yachting, Libby wakes up on the boat (during what could best be described as a mist storm) to discover Nick is missing, and there is an endless path of blood from her hands to the yacht’s edge.

    Libby is tried and convicted for Nick’s murder. While grieving her son in jail, she finds out her husband is actually alive and has framed her. Libby’s cellmate tells her about the “double jeopardy” rule: you can’t be tried for the same crime twice.

    The montage of Libby preparing for revenge in jail signals an uptick in campy action. Upon her release, we’re introduced to parole officer Travis (Tommy Lee Jones). A game of cat and mouse ensues that is equal parts thrilling and ridiculous.

    Ultimately, Libby must choose between vengeance and getting her son back. Will she follow the rules and wait, or will she put her relentless jail workouts to good use? Double Jeopardy is profoundly stupid and fun, with all the unexpected charm of a midday movie that pulls you in, despite not making much sense.

    It’s just the kind of movie my mum and I have found ourselves glued to on a Saturday afternoon – cheerleaders for revenge.

    – Kathleen Williams

    Monster-in-Law (2005)

    What lengths would you go to protect your son from marrying someone unsuitable? One of the first references to the roles of the mother-in-law can be traced back to Latin literature, and the comedic play Hecyra, by Roman playwright Terence, which was first successfully performed in 160 BC. The play’s comedic twist is that the mother-in-law is accused of hating her son’s wife.

    The 2005 box office hit Monster-in-Law (2005) follows this trajectory and takes it to the extreme. Viola Fields (Jane Fonda) becomes manipulative and acts downright dirty to prevent her son, Kevin (Michael Vartan), from getting married to his fiancée Charlie (Jennifer Lopez) – who she thinks is not good enough for him.

    This romantic comedy has the conventions of love, romance, a wedding, and overall impending chaos. It is about a mother trying to do what she thinks is best for her son, as well as the fragile links between romantic love, familial love and matriarchy.

    In parts, the film transgresses into slapstick territory, as Kevin remains oblivious of Viola’s volatile antics towards Charlie. The tension between the two strong female leads hilariously spirals out of control in the lead-up to the wedding.

    Monster-in-Law is a feel-good film that draws on the close bond between mother and child, making it good viewing for Mother’s Day.

    – Panizza Allmark

    The Wild Robot (2024)

    There’s a cultural belief that once your baby is in your arms, you’ll immediately know how to look after them, or that you can draw on your own experience of being mothered, or find the right path in one of eleventy billion parenting books.

    But even if you did have a good experience of being mothered (and many don’t), or you find some great books, parenthood remains a journey of uncertainty and trial and error.

    When I took my young children to see The Wild Robot, I laughed and cried way more than them. Not just because the animation was so beautiful, or because the story was so moving, but because of the non-didactic moments that resonated so strongly with how we parents feel.

    We often don’t know what we’re doing; we’re trying our best, and wishing it will be the right thing – playing out an internal war between wanting to protect our children and wanting them to forge their own path.

    In The Wild Robot, Roz the robot (voiced by Lupita Nyong’o) is focused on helping her adopted gosling Brightbill (Kit Connor) learn how to fly – something she has no experience of. More importantly, Brightbill must fly on a migration flight with other birds, where she can’t join him.

    The film mirrors the beautiful and horrifying knowledge parents carry: if we do our job, our children will become their own individuals who are able and willing to leave us. All we can hope is we’ve formed a bond that will make them want to return.

    – Rebecca Beirne

    My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

    Was your mother born overseas? It’s likely. Nearly half of all Australians have a parent born overseas. Or perhaps you married into a family where your “new mum” was born overseas?

    Your mother-in-law counts on Mother’s Day. Don’t forget it. And if you married into a wonderfully loud Greek/Italian family as I did, then your mother-in-law is likely a hard worker who deserves to be entertained. So why not offer her, and all the mums in your life, a sweet, disarming rom-com about a clash of cultures and a life milestone all mums can get behind: a wedding. A Big Fat Greek Wedding, to be precise.

    Written by and starring Nia Vardalos, this film tells the tale of Toula Portokalos, who, at the “advanced” age of 30, remains persistently unmarried in the early aughts Chicago. In Greek terms, this is already a tragedy. The title does a lot of heavy lifting in terms of what comes next.

    The real charm of the film is the clash of cultures that anyone with any ethnic background will recognise.

    My Big Fat Greek Wedding was a small film with huge global success. Will your mum care it was made with a budget of just US$5 million but grossed more than US$360 million worldwide, making it one of the most profitable films of all time, with a more than 6,150% return? Probably not.

    But she’ll love John Corbett, that tall guy who was also in Sex in City (and he’s really good in this one). Just make sure you skip the sequels.

    – Ruari Elkington

    Alien: Romulus (2024)

    Not everyone wants to watch saccharine romantic comedies on Mothers’ Day. If you can relate, dystopian horror film Alien: Romulus (2024) offers much darker pleasures.

    Feminist scholars have long found the Alien franchise to be rife with symbolism and repressed fears about motherhood, birth and reproductive organs. Alien: Romulus goes further than the original 1979 film in making the theme of sexual violation explicit. As you might expect from Fede Álvarez, the director of Evil Dead (2013), there is plenty of body horror as human characters are assaulted and orally impregnated by Alien species.

    The film also includes neo-Marxist messages about “the company” and its violation of workers’ bodies. Working mums may enjoy the dark humour of a futuristic corporation that literally sucks the life out of workers before politely thanking them for their service.

    Leading action woman Rain Carradine (Cailee Spaeny) is more vulnerable and relatable than the iconic character Ripley of previous films. When Rain discovers her work contract has tipped over into slavery, she joins up with her ex-boyfriend Tyler (Archie Renaux) and his pregnant sister Kay (Isabela Merced) to hijack a space station.

    They must then manage a coolly indifferent IT operating system called “MU/TH/UR” to control the ship. The fact Kay is pregnant does not bode well; her baby eventually bursts out as a hideous alien-human mutant which tries to eat her.

    Alien Romulus is basically every unspeakable anxiety about pregnancy and motherhood realised through spectacular special effects. It’s also the franchise’s best film since the original.

    – Susan Hopkins

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Stepmums, alien mums, robot mums, vengeful mums: 7 films to watch this Mother’s Day – https://theconversation.com/stepmums-alien-mums-robot-mums-vengeful-mums-7-films-to-watch-this-mothers-day-255004

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Ever wanted to ditch the 9-to-5 and teach snowsports? We followed people who did it for 10 years

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marian Makkar, Senior Lecturer in Marketing, RMIT University

    Konstantin Shishkin/Shutterstock

    Workplace burnout – a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion – and the COVID pandemic have sparked a rethink of the traditional 9-to-5 job.

    It’s been estimated 30% of the Australian workforce is experiencing some degree of burnout, raising serious concerns about the possible impacts on mental health.

    Is it possible – and if so, wise – to take addressing burnout into your own hands? Some responses to the problem, such as “micro-retirement”, have enjoyed recent popularity on social media.

    But a small number of people take an even more radical approach – dumping the 9-to-5 path entirely for careers that prioritise meaning, enjoyment and personal growth. We sought to find out how this move played out for one group in particular – snowsports instructors.

    Our research – published in the International Journal of Research in Marketing – covers a 10.5-year study of snowsports instructors who left their 9-to-5 jobs for a meaningful career on the slopes of Canada, Japan, the United States and New Zealand.

    We looked at instructors’ journeys into the lifestyle, how they managed their new careers, and what led some to eventually return to the 9-to-5.

    Chasing winter

    We interviewed 13 snowsports instructors aged 25 to 40 (seven men, six women), collected image and video artefacts, followed social media accounts and surveyed snow school reports. Our lead researcher also participated in the lifestyle herself.

    All our participants had at least a bachelor degree and previous steady careers in fields such as education or information technology.

    During our decade-long field work, we found instructors earned just enough money to maintain this lifestyle, often travelling with their possessions in one or two bags.

    Whistler Mountain, Canada: instructors get to live and work in places of great natural beauty.
    Kevin503/Shutterstock

    Beyond the adrenaline and beauty of a life in the snow, we found people were first motivated to enter this career to escape the corporate world and ties of modern life. One participant, Lars, said:

    If you just get a job, you get maybe 20 days off a year for the next 40 years, and once you stop, once you’ve got a job and a house and a mortgage and a kid […] you’re trapped.

    A sense of accomplishment

    At the centre of our research was the idea of building a career around the ancient Greek concept of “eudaimonia”. This term is sometimes translated to “happiness” in English, but its broader connotations mean it’s closer to “flourishing” and involves a sense of purpose and living a life of virtue.

    That’s in contrast to the related concept of “hedonism” – which centres on the pursuit of pleasure for its own sake. Eudaimonia is meant to make us reflect on life’s purpose, potential and meaning.

    As our participants mastered the sport and career, they moved from mere enjoyment or hedonism of being in the snow to finding meaning and purpose in their jobs.

    They felt a sense of accomplishment and appreciation of snowsports as a sport and job requiring dedication, care and commitment.

    Challenges along the way

    However, with every career there are demands that shape how people manage work and purposeful pursuits. Instructors must bear financial costs such as buying their own equipment, paying for certifications and accommodation.

    Eventually the lifestyle was not sustainable for some due to precarious working conditions and minimal wages. Relying on the weather to produce snow, unfair compensation and fixed-term contracts wore many down.

    An unhappy participant confessed:

    You think about money all day everyday […] working out the costs, staffing and lesson prices! Yet they (ski resort managers) tell me as an instructor that I shouldn’t think about my monetary work. Well, if it wasn’t about the money, you wouldn’t charge as much for lessons.

    In the period we studied, six returned to a regular 9-to-5 job.

    An alternative to meaningless jobs?

    The late American anthropologist David Graeber coined the phrase “bullshit jobs” to describe jobs that comprise meaningless tasks that add no real value aside from providing a salary.

    The 9-to-5 can be a grind.
    Shutterstock

    Our study offers a window into the lives of those who sought an alternative, trying to build something they love into the daily work they do to earn a living.

    For many, despite challenges the ability to ride slopes daily remained more appealing than a desk job. One told us:

    At university my first management lecturer said, ‘you could go on to be a CEO, earn $300,000 a year and have a month off every year to go skiing’, and I said, ‘or I could go skiing every day and still afford to eat and pay my rent’. It’s all I really need.

    But things didn’t work out for all of them. The experience of those who left suggests choosing meaningful work can be difficult and can force people out if the surrounding organisational system is not supportive.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Ever wanted to ditch the 9-to-5 and teach snowsports? We followed people who did it for 10 years – https://theconversation.com/ever-wanted-to-ditch-the-9-to-5-and-teach-snowsports-we-followed-people-who-did-it-for-10-years-255012

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Old drains and railways are full of life. Here’s how to make the most of these overlooked green spaces

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hugh Stanford, Researcher Associate, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University

    Much of the old circular railway line in Paris, La Petite Ceinture, or Little Belt, has been turned into a public park. ldgfr photos, Shutterstock

    Across Australian cities, leftover and overlooked green spaces are everywhere. Just think of all the land along stormwater drains, railway lines and vacant lots. While often dismissed as useless or unsightly, there’s a growing understanding of the value these spaces bring to cities.

    These informal green spaces can support biodiversity and offer rare freedom to explore, play or connect with nature in a less controlled way than formal spaces such as parks. They also help to cool our cities.

    My new research looks at how cities globally are rethinking overlooked green spaces. I identified three ways to unlock the value of these areas: leaving spaces intentionally unmanaged, supporting temporary or informal uses, or formalising them as parks or other public places. Each approach offers different benefits and challenges for cities trying to create greener, more liveable neighbourhoods.

    Local councils are under increasing pressure to create more formal green space, with residents, at times, calling on councils to buy land for new parks. But let’s start with what’s already there.

    1: Hands off: the case for doing less

    In some cases, doing nothing can be surprisingly powerful.

    When governments step back, communities and nature can step in, with potentially joyful, creative and ecologically rich results. In the Belgian capital of Brussels, for example, disused railway land, left unmanaged, has become a haven for biodiversity, offering valuable insights into how ecosystems can regenerate without human interference.

    Closer to home, there are many examples of railway land being used informally as green space. One site, in the Melbourne suburb of Northcote, has become a makeshift trail used by walkers, dog owners and children on bikes. Though not officially a park, it functions like one, with its informal character fostering a sense of ownership and spontaneity among users. In the past few months, local residents have started planting native vegetation and putting up makeshift art installations, and even a swing.

    But this hands-off approach has limitations. It works best where a strong sense of community, or ecological value, already exists. And while nature can bounce back in surprising ways, it often needs a helping hand.

    Locals have embraced a small patch of land in a railway reserve near Dennis Station in Northcote, Melbourne.
    Hugh Stanford

    2. Helping out: supporting informal or temporary uses

    Where informal installations already exist – such as art installations or unauthorised plantings known as guerrilla gardens – councils can support and even help grow these initiatives.

    Some councils may see local-led efforts as a liability, but these efforts represent an opportunity to bring life to underused land at minimal cost. By recognising and supporting such activities, including financially, councils can empower residents to shape their own neighbourhoods in meaningful ways. This can include expanding existing installations or establishing new installations on other underused sites.

    There is also benefit in local councils creating their own temporary installations such as pop-up parks. This has been shown to be an effective way to activate underused space and trial initiatives before more permanent plans are developed.

    Examples include the creation of a temporary park in Ballarat Street, Yarraville in 2012. Community support for the temporary park led to the construction of a permanent park in 2014.

    Local councils can offer support to communities seeking to revitalise disused green space.
    Hugh Stanford

    3. Stepping in: when formalising makes sense

    There are times where formal intervention is warranted – for example, where land is contaminated or supports invasive weeds. In such cases, transforming a site into a fully developed park can deliver significant benefits. Land alongside a river, road or railway line, can be readily transformed into a long “linear park” with walking trails and bike paths.

    In Paris, the conversion of a former industrial railway line into a linear park is a great example, attracting both locals and tourists.

    Melbourne, too, has its own success in revitalising disused infrastructure. The Greening the Pipeline project in Melbourne’s west involves converting a disused sewer main into a vibrant linear park. These projects demonstrate the benefits that can be achieved from developing high-quality, permanent public green spaces from underused land.

    But formalising public use of urban green space comes at a cost, financially and otherwise: a highly designed park can crowd out the quirky, unplanned character that makes many informal spaces feel special. That’s why it’s crucial to see formalising green space as one option among many, and to reserve it for sites where potential benefits justify the investment.

    The Greening the Pipeline project in Melbourne’s west highlights what can be achieved.
    Hugh Stanford

    A call to action

    If you work in urban planning or local government, resist the urge to control and replace. Look at what’s already available. Sometimes the best thing you can do is observe, step back and support. Not all public spaces need a master plan.

    If you’re a resident, get out there. Start small: plant something native, or set up a swing (where safe to do so). By engaging with the green spaces already around you, you might help create your own slice of urban paradise – no land purchase required.

    Start small and set up a swing, where safe to do so.
    Hugh Stanford

    Hugh Stanford does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Old drains and railways are full of life. Here’s how to make the most of these overlooked green spaces – https://theconversation.com/old-drains-and-railways-are-full-of-life-heres-how-to-make-the-most-of-these-overlooked-green-spaces-255736

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Why it’s important to read aloud to your kids – even after they can read themselves

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robyn Cox, Professor of Literacy Education, University of Tasmania

    Mart Production/Pexels , CC BY

    Is reading to your kids a bedtime ritual in your home? For many of us, it will be a visceral memory of our own childhoods. Or of the time raising now grown-up children.

    Perhaps it involves a nightly progression through the Percy Jackson series or the next Captain Underpants book. Or maybe there’s a request to have Room on the Broom again (and again).

    But for some households, reading aloud is not a regular activity. A recent UK report by publisher Harper Collins found many parents are not reading to their kids. Fewer than half (41%) of 0–4-year-olds are read to frequently. More than 20% of parents surveyed agreed reading is “more a subject to learn than a fun thing to do”.

    The report also found some parents stop reading to their children once they can read by themselves. As the Guardian reported, some parents assume “it will make [their child] lazy and less likely to read independently”.

    Here’s why it’s important to read to your children – even after they have learned to read.

    What’s involved in reading skills?

    Research on reading skills suggests there are two main types of skills involved in learning to read.

    1. Constrained skills are skills that once we learn, we keep. For example, once we learn the alphabet we don’t have to keep learning it. It’s like riding a bike.

    2. Unconstrained skills are skills we continue to learn throughout life. For example, vocabulary, reading fluency (how quickly and smoothly you read) and reading comprehension. Even as adults we continue to learn new word and language forms.

    We know reading to infants and younger children can build early language skills, such as the sounds of words and the alphabet. Reading to older children is a simple way to build unconstrained skills.

    Reading aloud builds vocabulary skills, which we continue to build all our lives.
    RDNE Stock Project/ Pexels, CC BY

    How reading aloud helps

    The books we read aloud at bedtime to young readers tend to be those they can’t read themselves.

    So it introduces more complex ideas, words and sentence patterns. This is why reading aloud to your children is a parental superpower – you can continue to build where the school learning stops.

    Reading together can also encourage closeness between children and parents, as well as shared knowledge and laughs.

    When you are reading to your child, they have your full attention, which also makes the time special.

    What should you be reading?

    Reading aloud doesn’t necessarily have to involve multiple chapters of a book. Research suggests what matters is that it’s something you are both interested in and enjoying.

    You could read to your child on a device, or you could even tell a traditional tale without a book.

    You could read poetry, news articles or magazine articles about a favourite football team or player – these can all build unconstrained literacy skills.

    Even re-reading a beloved picture book from younger years can build fluency and focus on direct speech in text (especially when the reader does “funny” voices).

    You can read non-fiction as well as fiction books, magazines and news articles.
    Kindel Media/Pexels, CC BY

    How often should you read to your child?

    Family life is busy and parents often have many commitments. So there are no rules, other than to make it fun. Don’t be put off by “how much you have to do” – a few minutes of engaged reading time together is better than none at all.

    You could read to your child when you yourself are reading something and want to share it. If it’s too hard to read to your child every night, do it every weekend night or make another time during the week. Or ask a grandparent or older sibling to help.

    And there is no set age to stop – if you like, keep reading to your kids until they leave home!

    Robyn Cox does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Why it’s important to read aloud to your kids – even after they can read themselves – https://theconversation.com/why-its-important-to-read-aloud-to-your-kids-even-after-they-can-read-themselves-256089

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: A community-led health program in remote Arnhem land is showing promising results for First Nations locals

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hasthi Dissanayake, Research Fellow in Indigenous Health, The University of Melbourne

    The Doherty Institute

    Indigenous Australians are more than twice as likely as non-Indigenous Australians to suffer from disease, particularly chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease.

    The health disparities are worse in remote and very remote areas. The burden of diabetes in the remote Aboriginal population of the Northern Territory, where it affects more than one in four adults aged over 20, is among the highest in the world.

    The Yolŋu (or Yolngu) people of Northeast Arnhem land, a large, remote area in the NT, maintain one of the oldest continuously living cultures in the world. They also represent one of the largest Indigenous groups in Australia.

    Yet, people in these communities face the highest number of avoidable deaths in Australia, mostly from chronic disease. A diet of too much sugar, refined and processed food products, smoking and an unhealthy lifestyle contribute to this region’s health crisis.

    Beginning in 2014, senior Yolŋu women in Galiwin’ku, one of the largest communities in Northeast Arnhem land, have been developing a unique diet and lifestyle change program called Hope for Health. The program has been running intermittently since then, and includes on-Country health retreats, individualised health coaching, and group classes and activities.

    We recently evaluated this program. We found it offers significant benefits which could reduce chronic disease risk among the Yolŋu people.

    Hope for Health participants and staff at a cooking workshop.
    Hope for Health

    A holistic approach

    Most Yolŋu live on Aboriginal land in remote communities of various sizes and hold a deep unbroken connection to their ancestral country.

    Health and wellbeing is considered a holistic concept that connects physical, social, emotional, cultural, spiritual and ecological wellbeing at both an individual and community level.

    The Hope for Health program is based on the values of Margikunhamirr (making known and sharing understanding) and Goŋ-ŋthanhamirr (supporting and walking alongside each other) to empower Yolŋu to gain control of their health.

    Over four months, the program focuses on giving people the knowledge to make their own lifestyle changes and choices to improve health and prevent chronic disease.

    It includes:

    • An on-Country health retreat: this is an immersive 12-day bush retreat focused on reconnecting with the Yolŋu tradition of living, eating, and healing from the land, and learning about the body and health.

    • In-community support and mentoring: over 14 weeks following the retreat, this part of the program is focused on overcoming barriers to introducing lifestyle changes. It includes group activities for identifying healthy food options at the shops, storing and cooking fresh produce, and yarning about healthy lifestyles.

    • Individual and home-based health coaching: this takes place during the retreat and afterwards in participants’ homes or places of their choosing. Health coaches explain blood test results to participants, offer education in their language and help with goal setting, such as reducing sugar consumption, smoking, or increasing exercise.

    The Hope for Health program seeks to give people the knowledge they need to make their own lifestyle changes.

    What we found

    Together with colleagues at the Doherty Institute and other collaborators, we evaluated a Hope for Health program in the second half of 2022.

    We assessed outcomes such as body weight and blood sugar levels among 55 adults before and after they took part in the program. All participants were overweight or obese at the beginning.

    We recently published our findings in the Medical Journal of Australia.

    By the end of the program, 52% of participants reduced their HbA1c – a measure of blood sugar – by at least 0.3%. Some 33% of participants lost at least 3% of their body weight.

    Changes such as these are called “clinically significant” because they’re big enough for doctors to see real health benefits such as reduced risk of chronic disease, including diabetes and heart disease.

    Other outcomes we looked at improved too. Overall, participants had smaller waist circumferences at the end, lower body-mass index, better “good” cholesterol levels, were drinking less sugary drinks, and doing more daily exercise.

    Why did it work?

    Behavioural change is not necessarily easy to achieve in these communities, which have a very different language and culture from mainstream Australia.

    Our study is the first in remote Aboriginal communities to comprehensively evaluate a lifestyle change program with such promising results.

    The study design cannot prove the intervention directly caused the changes. That is, there may have been other factors which contributed to the outcomes.

    A randomised controlled trial would have provided stronger proof the program led to the health improvements we observed, but these trials can be unsuitable in remote Indigenous communities. In this study, the community was concerned delaying the program for some people would harm their health. Also, many wanted their extended family to take part, making it difficult to select a representative control group which would be needed for this type of study.

    Nonetheless, our results suggest support for culturally sensitive health initiatives such as Hope for Health is crucial for reducing the burden of chronic disease in remote Indigenous communities.

    We believe Hope for Health worked because it was led by Yolŋu people and is built on Yolŋu knowledge, language and culture. Education provided to remote Aboriginal people such as the Yolŋu needs to be liya-lapmarnhamirr – that is, presented in a way that brings revelation and understanding.

    Hasthi Dissanayake receives or has received funding from the Medical Research Future Fund, University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, and Australian government postgraduate and research grants.

    Beverley-Ann Biggs receives research funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council and Medical Research Future Fund competitive grant schemes.

    George Gurruwiwi does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. A community-led health program in remote Arnhem land is showing promising results for First Nations locals – https://theconversation.com/a-community-led-health-program-in-remote-arnhem-land-is-showing-promising-results-for-first-nations-locals-255519

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Some Reddit users just love to disagree, new AI-powered troll-spotting algorithm finds

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marian-Andrei Rizoiu, Associate Professor in Behavioral Data Science, University of Technology Sydney

    ginger_polina_bublik/Shutterstock

    In today’s fractured online landscape, it is harder than ever to identify harmful actors such as trolls and misinformation spreaders.

    Often, efforts to spot malicious accounts focus on analysing what they say. However, our latest research suggests we should be paying more attention to what they do – and how they do it.

    We have developed a way to identify potentially harmful online actors based solely on their behavioural patterns – the way they interact with others – rather than the content they share. We presented our results at the recent ACM Web Conference, and were awarded Best Paper.

    Beyond looking at what people say

    Traditional approaches to spotting problematic online behaviour typically rely on two methods. One is to examine content (what people are saying). The other is to analyse network connections (who follows whom).

    These methods have limitations.

    Users can circumvent content analysis. They may code their language carefully, or share misleading information without using obvious trigger words.

    Network analysis falls short on platforms such as Reddit. Here, connections between users aren’t explicit. Communities are organised around topics rather than social relationships.

    We wanted to find a way to identify harmful actors that couldn’t be easily gamed. We realised we could, focusing on behaviour – how people interact, rather than what they say.

    Teaching AI to understand human behaviour online

    Our approach uses a technique called inverse reinforcement learning. This is a method typically used to understand human decision-making in fields such as autonomous driving or game theory.

    We adapted this technology to analyse how users behave on social media platforms.

    Behavioural analysis could help the fight against the growing problem of online misinformation.
    Tero Vesalainen/Shutterstock

    The system works by observing a user’s actions, such as creating new threads, posting comments and replying to others. From those actions it infers the underlying strategy or “policy” that drives their behaviour.

    In our Reddit case study, we analysed 5.9 million interactions over six years. We identified five distinct behavioural personas, including one particularly notable group – “disagreers”.

    Meet the ‘disagreers’

    Perhaps our most striking result was finding an entire class of Reddit users whose primary purpose seems to be to disagree with others. These users specifically seek out opportunities to post contradictory comments, especially in response to disagreement, and then move on without waiting for replies.

    The “disagreers” were most common in politically-focused subreddits (forums focused on particular topics) such as r/news, r/worldnews, and r/politics. Interestingly, they were much less common in the now-banned pro-Trump forum r/The_Donald despite its political focus.

    This pattern reveals how behavioural analysis can uncover dynamics that content analysis might miss. In r/The_Donald, users tended to agree with each other while directing hostility toward outside targets. This dynamic may explain why traditional content moderation has struggled to address problems in such communities.

    Soccer fans and gamers

    Our research also revealed unexpected connections. Users discussing completely different topics sometimes displayed remarkably similar behavioural patterns.

    We found striking similarities between users discussing soccer (on r/soccer) and e-sports (on r/leagueoflegends).

    This similarity emerges from the fundamental nature of both communities. Soccer and e-sports fans engage in parallel ways: they passionately support specific teams, follow matches with intense interest, participate in heated discussions about strategies and player performances, celebrate victories, and dissect defeats.

    Despite their differences, fans of soccer and the online multiplayer battle game League of Legends behave in very similar ways online.
    Vasyl Shulga/Shutterstock

    Both communities foster strong tribal identities. Users defend their favoured teams while critiquing rivals.

    Whether debating Premier League tactics or League of Legends champions, the underlying interaction patterns – the timing, sequence and emotional tone of responses – remain consistent across these topically distinct communities.

    This challenges conventional wisdom about online polarisation. While echo chambers are often blamed for increasing division, our research suggests behavioural patterns can transcend topical boundaries. Users may be divided more by how they interact than what they discuss.

    Beyond troll detection

    The implications of this research extend well beyond academic interest. Platform moderators could use behavioural patterns to identify potentially problematic users before they’ve posted large volumes of harmful content.

    Unlike content moderation, behavioural analysis does not depend on understanding language. It is hard to evade, since changing one’s behavioural patterns requires more effort than adjusting language.

    The approach could also help design more effective strategies to counter misinformation. Rather than focusing solely on the content, we can design systems that encourage more constructive engagement patterns.

    For social media users, this research offers a reminder that how we engage online – not just what we say – shapes our digital identity and influences others.

    As online spaces continue to grapple with manipulation, harassment and polarisation, approaches that consider behavioural patterns alongside content analysis may offer more effective solutions for fostering healthier online communities.

    Marian-Andrei Rizoiu receives funding from the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator, the Australian Department of Home Affairs, the Defence Innovation Network, and the National Science Centre, Poland.

    Lanqin Yuan and Philipp Schneider do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Some Reddit users just love to disagree, new AI-powered troll-spotting algorithm finds – https://theconversation.com/some-reddit-users-just-love-to-disagree-new-ai-powered-troll-spotting-algorithm-finds-255879

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan Research Council Celebrates New Indigenous Workforce Program

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on May 8, 2025

    Today, the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) is pleased to officially launch its Indigenous Workforce Program and celebrate the inaugural cohort of students in a re-imagined Indigenous Summer Student Program, Kiskiyihta (Kiskee ih-taah). Kiskiyihta is a Cree word meaning to learn or to know.

    One of several employment strategies within SRC’s wider Indigenous Action Plan launched earlier this year, the Indigenous Workforce Program aims to increase the recruitment and retention of Indigenous employees at SRC. Coordinated through the Indigenous Workforce Program, Kiskiyihta provides Indigenous students studying at a Saskatchewan post-secondary institution with opportunities for hands-on learning in a research and technology environment at SRC. 

    “Through SRC’s Indigenous Workforce and Kiskiyihta Summer Student Programs, more Indigenous youth will have the chance to work in a specialized research and technology environment, gaining valuable job experience, coaching and mentorship,” Minister Responsible for SRC Warren Kaeding said. “The new initiative complements SRC’s Indigenous Action Plan, with a goal to create new employment opportunities and further advance economic reconciliation in the province.”  

    The First Nations University of Canada, the Gabriel Dumont Institute, the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies and the Saskatoon Tribal Council are integral Workforce Program collaborators. Through these relationships, SRC will work collaboratively to identify skilled candidates for summer work placements, internships, apprenticeships, co-op placements and other job opportunities. 

    Four students are part of this year’s inaugural program and will be immersed in learning experiences in SRC’s Rare Earth Element Division and Nuclear Division, as well as its Environmental Remediation and External Relations teams. 

    “We want to be an employer of choice for Indigenous Peoples by providing unique job experiences they may not have had prior access to,” SRC President and CEO Mike Crabtree said. “Our goal is to engage and empower Indigenous Peoples so they can thrive in a culturally safe workplace and achieve their professional goals.” 

    SRC’s Indigenous Workforce Program also places focus on developing strategies for the retention and advancement of Indigenous employees once they are part of SRC’s workforce, such as increasing opportunities for participation in leadership roles and all-staff events to celebrate Indigenous culture. 

    SRC is Canada’s second largest research and technology organization with 1,400 clients in 22 countries around the world. With more than 350 employees, SRC has been helping clients solve technology problems, make improvements, increase productivity and develop new markets for more than 77 years. More details about SRC’s Indigenous Action Plan can be found at src.sk.ca/IAP. 

    –30-

    For more information, contact: 

    Allison Collins
    External Relations
    Saskatchewan Research Council
    Phone: 306-385-4208
    Email: allison.collins@src.sk.ca 

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How Donald Trump’s assault on universities echoes earlier American conservative ideas

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Michael Williams, Professor of International Politics, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

    Fifty years ago, the American philosopher and conservative thinker James Burnham wrote his most infamous book, The Suicide of the West: An Essay on the Meaning and Destiny of Liberalism.

    Burnham argued that liberalism — which he associated with unbridled individualism and excessive belief in human progress — was eroding the foundations of the West’s social orders and, equally importantly, its geopolitical power.

    In an ironic twist, it’s not liberals ushering in the decline of America in contemporary times. Burnham’s acolytes in Donald Trump’s administration are busy doing that work.

    Influence on the American right

    It is easy to recognize Burnham’s ideas in the arguments and actions of the Trump administration.

    In both The Suicide of the West and his previous 1941 bestseller, The Managerial Revolution, Burnham argued that liberalism’s individualism weakened social bonds and national allegiance. At the same time, it promoted the rise of a new class of experts that eroded democracy and individual rights under the guise of acting for the common good.

    This “new class” of highly educated, managerial elites had come to dominate virtually all aspects of life, from business and bureaucracy to commerce, culture and education.

    Ruling through their claims to expertise, Burnham argued that these elites spread relativistic liberal values that undermined social cohesion and national confidence, sapping the West’s ability to define and defend its fundamental values.

    If these trends continued, he warned, the West would not long survive. Burnham exercised an important influence on the American right from the 1950s through the 1970s, and near the end of his life received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Ronald Reagan. Yet by the 1990s, his ideas had fallen out of fashion and few remembered his warnings.

    Rediscovered by radical conservatives

    Recently, however, Burnham’s provocative ideas have resurfaced as one of the most important intellectual lineages underpinning American radical conservatism and its attacks on “elite institutions.”

    In his writings, and those of his followers such as Samuel Francis, a range of political and intellectual figures have found the ideological ammunition needed to launch their crusade against liberalism in order to save the West — or in the case of the U.S., to “Make America Great Again.”



    Read more:
    Why the radical right has turned to the teachings of an Italian Marxist thinker

    JD Vance’s attack on Europe’s democratic credentials, Elon Musk’s DOGE determination to “deconstruct” the administrative state and the Trump administration’s assaults on elite universities all reflect Burnhamite ideas.

    Risk bringing about America’s decline

    There is considerable irony in this situation. Most obviously, Burnham was wrong about the self-inflicted death of the West. Contrary to his predictions, liberalism did not lead to the erosion of western global power.

    Far from collapsing, the United States and its allies fought the Cold War to a victorious conclusion and by the turn of the 20th century emerged with a power and dominance that Burnham could scarcely have imagined. Liberalism was the reigning ideology. American and western commerce, culture, science and technology dominated the world.

    Yet the greatest irony is that Burnham’s followers risk bringing about the very situation he sought to avoid – the decline of America and its dominant status.

    Nowhere is this clearer than in the attack on elite universities, where no one should not be misled by charges of antisemitism.

    Important as addressing antisemitism is, this framing distracts from the ways that the right’s attack on universities are part of its wider assault the foundations of “new class” power.

    Tech leadership, geopolitical dominance

    In this broader campaign, leading illiberal zealots in the Trump administration are pursuing policies that will damage the foundations of American power far more than liberalism ever did.

    Most obviously, the attacks on universities threaten U.S. technological leadership, since research universities remain an indispensable site of basic research, innovation and next-generation training — something especially vital at a time when the country’s leadership in these areas is challenged in ways unseen for nearly half a century.



    Read more:
    Three scientists speak about what it’s like to have research funding cut by the Trump administration

    At the same time, assaults on academic freedom threaten the considerable cultural power and prestige that, as Burnham was well aware, are vital areas of geopolitical struggle.

    Finally, these policies undermine the American ability to attract the best and the brightest from around the world — a capacity that has long underpinned its dominance in science and innovation, and ultimately its global influence.

    Diminished intellectual capital

    One might be tempted to say: fine, if America no longer values its intellectual capital, other countries can reap the benefit by attracting the expertise it shuns. To some degree, this may be true.

    But no western country or group of countries – such as the EU – possesses the institutional research capacity, network density and depth of funding found until now in the U.S.

    At best, a more fragmented, diffuse and less impactful situation is likely to occur, with America weakened and the benefits gained by others unlikely to make up the balance. The West as a whole is likely to emerge weaker rather than stronger.

    Geopolitical decline

    Recognizing these negative outcomes does not require treating elite universities as paragons of virtue or viewing higher education as beyond reproach. Nor are today’s Burnhamites completely delusional. Increased inequality, economic dislocation and the death of local industries have followed in the footsteps of liberal globalization.



    Read more:
    How Commonwealth universities profited from Indigenous dispossession through land grants

    Cultural divides are significant, even if they are often polarized for political purposes. But addressing such issues demands serious engagement, not simplistic accusations of elite decadence and divisive political rhetoric. Crucially, it requires seeing elite (and other) universities as sources of global power as well as sites of education.

    The conservative columnist Irving Kristol once said that politics is a struggle over “who owns the future.”

    Materially and ideologically, Burnham’s contemporary followers are making sure that America will no longer be on the winning side of this struggle. Their efforts to “make America great again” misunderstand important parts of what made it great in the first place. The most likely outcome will be the decline, not the recovery, of America.

    The Conversation

    Michael Williams receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    Rita Abrahamsen receives funding from Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)

    – ref. How Donald Trump’s assault on universities echoes earlier American conservative ideas – https://theconversation.com/how-donald-trumps-assault-on-universities-echoes-earlier-american-conservative-ideas-255470

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Nadler Statement On Columbia University Protests

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

    Nadler Statement On Columbia University Protests

    Washington, May 8, 2025

    WASHINGTON, DC –  Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) made the following statement in response to the recent protests at Columbia University: 

    “Vandalism is unacceptable. Occupying university buildings is unacceptable. Interfering with the rights of other students to study in the library is a violation of their rights. Columbia had to act to remove the protesters who occupied Butler Library. Those who interfere with the rights of other students must be penalized. Those who vandalize buildings must be prosecuted.

    Antisemitism on campus is a real concern, and Columbia is rightly taking it seriously. My Republican colleagues and the Trump Administration seek to stifle academic freedom and free speech, defund vital medical and scientific research, and attack institutions of higher learning under the false pretext of fighting antisemitism. Their real goal is control and authoritarianism.

    My grandstanding Republican colleagues and Trump Administration officials are not trying to protect students; they are weaponizing antisemitism to undermine academic institutions that stand as a bulwark against Trump’s backsliding into fascism.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Jayapal, Newhouse Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Recognize the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) as the National Museum of Pop Culture

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

    SEATTLE – U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Dan Newhouse (WA-04) are leading legislation to recognize the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) as the National Museum of Pop Culture.

    “I am so proud to lead this bipartisan bill to federally recognize MoPOP as the National Museum of Pop Culture,” said Jayapal. “MoPOP has been a cornerstone in celebrating the diverse culture and history of the arts regionally and globally. MoPOP and its incredible team undoubtedly deserve this recognition and title, allowing them to continue educating both local visitors and tourists about the rich history of pop culture in the United States.”

    “The Museum of Pop Culture draws hundreds of thousands of visitors every year from enthusiasts across the country and around the globe. Now in its 25th year of operation, it’s time to give MoPOP the national recognition it deserves. I want to thank MoPOP’s leadership, staff, and volunteers for the time and effort dedicated to making the museum a success year after year,” said Newhouse.

    The Museum of Pop Culture is the leading institution in the United States dedicated to the curation and exploration of pop culture and its significant societal impact. MoPOP is home to over 85,000 artifacts, making it one of the largest pop culture collections in the world. Hosting innovative exhibits focused on American art, music, film and fashion, MoPOP welcomes over 750,000 visitors annually. For more than 20 years, MoPOP has celebrated the universal language of pop culture, amplified diverse voices, and inspired generations. 

    “We’re honored to take the next step toward national designation and grateful to Congresswoman Jayapal for her support. This legislation affirms the vital role pop culture plays in shaping our collective memory and reflects MOPOP’s ongoing commitment to preserving the stories, artifacts, and creativity that define generations,” said Michele Y. Smith, CEO of the Museum of Pop Culture.

    The bill is also sponsored by Representatives Michael Baumgartner (WA-05), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Emily Randall (WA-06), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Adam Smith (WA-09), and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10).

    Issues: Arts & Education

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Brownley and House Natural Resources Democrats Reject Republicans’ Plan to Sacrifice our Public Lands, Waters and Wildlife for Billionaire Tax Cuts

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

    Washington, DC – On Tuesday, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) and House Natural Resources Committee Democrats rejected House Republicans’ plan to sell off our lands, waters, and wildlife to fund tax cuts for billionaires in the Committee’s portion of the Republican reconciliation package. Democrats were united in the bipartisan opposition to a Republican amendment offered in the dead of night to sell off thousands of acres of public lands. While House Republicans remained silent, Democrats presented a unified front to protect communities, the American taxpayers, and our most cherished places. 

    “Republicans have launched one of the most egregious attacks on our public lands, our waters, and our health that we have ever witnessed. It hands over our national parks, forests, and precious natural resources to oil and gas corporations, putting their profits over the safety and well-being of the American people,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “In exchange for giveaways to the wealthiest polluters, American families will face higher energy costs, dirtier air and water, and more frequent environmental disasters. This is the same ‘polluters over people’ agenda that has defined the Trump Administration, where corporate greed comes first and the American people pay the price. This Republican proposal will add billions to the deficit while selling off our environment, our economy, and our future to the highest bidder. This bill is shameful, and the American people deserve better.”

    “Republicans just rammed the most extreme, anti-environment legislation in American history through the Natural Resources Committee. It’s a billionaires-first, Americans-last giveaway to benefit Big Oil and polluters,” said Ranking Member Jared Huffman (CA-02). “It guts clean air and water protections, slashes funding for our national parks, and sells off, auctions off, and even allows for giving away our public lands to special interests. For the first time, Americans who simply want their voices heard on Big Oil projects on federal land will be slapped with fees for daring to protest. House Republicans not only voted in lock-step for this cartoonishly extreme bill, they refused to participate in any public debate or discussion about it. I’m sure they had plenty of discussion with their corporate polluter puppet masters, but in the only public hearing before this bill goes to the House Floor they refused to even discuss it. The American people deserve better policy and process than what they’re getting from this GOP Congress. I’m proud that Democrats showed up and fully engaged in debating and challenging this terrible bill. We fought back. And we’ll keep fighting for Americans’ basic freedoms, which include clean air, safe water, healthy communities, and a livable planet for future generations.”

    “The only thing these budget gimmicks will do is drive up Big Oil profits, CEO pay, and shareholder dividends at the expense of our public lands and the American taxpayer,” said Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03). “We should be caring about the everyday Americans who are going to be suffering from the consequences of these decisions for years. Our constituents, who are already facing a climate crisis with heat wave after heat wave, who are getting sick from the pollution released by coal fired power plants and petrochemical facilities next door, all compounded by threats of serious cuts to Medicaid healthcare coverage.”

    “House Republicans are once again putting polluters over people. But as a mother, I refuse to let my children’s future be auctioned off to Big Oil. I offered common-sense amendments that range from blocking funds to agencies that refuse to comply with the courts to stopping oil and gas drilling near schools and hospitals,” said Congresswoman Maxine Dexter (OR-03). “This bill is a giveaway to Big Oil and billionaires. My amendments demand House Republicans choose: people or polluters?”

    “Instead of advancing a budget that helps address the challenges Americans are confronting, House Republicans are combining the most extreme attack on our nation’s natural resources with enormous cuts to Medicaid, Social Security, and other critical programs working families depend on every single day,” said Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06). “We should be focusing on expanding public access to federal lands, not auctioning them off. And we should be investing in our National Parks System and National Wildlife Refuges, not making it harder for Americans to visit these special places. This bill doesn’t put Americans first—it gives massive handouts to pad polluters’ pockets with no regard for the environment.”

    “This is a fire sale on our federal land and waters,” said Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03). “This bill reduces corporate fees and eliminates environmental and judicial safeguards that our constituents deserve. And, all for what? There is no guarantee that any of those resources will benefit Americans or lower the cost of energy for our taxpayers. We’ll still be exporting this oil just like before. We’ll still be importing oil to our refineries. We’re putting at real risk the natural resources and national security assets that I’ll address with my amendments. Taxpayers will once again be footing the bill for large corporations from all over the world who score a lease to pillage our land with no recourse. I believe that our taxpayers simply deserve better.”

    “This bill is a giveaway to big oil and gas companies at the expense of our environment, workers, and communities,” said Congresswoman Val Hoyle (OR-04). “Instead of investing in bipartisan priorities like wildfire prevention or strengthening our coastal communities, it prioritizes polluters and weakens the very protections Americans rely on. I stand firmly against this reckless and misguided approach.”

    “This bill is nothing more than a billion-dollar giveaway to corporations,” said Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03). “House Republicans are selling off our lands, slashing corporate royalty rates, and raising fees on clean energy—all to pay for tax breaks for billionaires. They’re making our families pay the price in higher energy bills, polluted water, and more extreme climate disasters. I offered amendments to protect Tribal sovereignty, keep revenues in oil and gas producing states like New Mexico, and block foreign adversaries from exploiting our resources. These are common sense protections—but Republicans chose to protect polluters over working families.”

    “The devastating effects of climate change will cost us trillions of dollars and lead to catastrophic threats to our civilization,” said Congressman Dave Min (CA-47). “We have both a moral and economic imperative to fight back and give our children the opportunity to grow up in a world where they can breathe clean air, drink clean water, and have the freedom to chase the American dream. That’s why I led four amendments to stand up for our environment and fight back against the Trump administration.”

    “The GOP is trying to pass a massive tax break to billionaires, and it will cost the American people $7 trillion on the backs of the American people and the expense of the environment,” said Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury (NM-01). “I was truly shocked when I read this reconciliation package before the Natural Resources Committee. It has mandatory oil and gas leasing, mining, and logging requirements. It gives away public lands and resources, not to the highest bidder, but to the lowest bidder. And, it takes away the rights of the American people to participate in planning, permitting, and holding bad actors accountable. That means impacts on public lands and waters without accountability. Furthermore, it is based on a completely false premise that will undermine the protection of our economy, our communities, and the environment. That’s why I am prepared to sit here as long as it takes to fight this bill.”

    Background

    House Republicans are squandering Americans’ money, health, and safety to pad polluters’ pockets. The House Natural Resources Committee’s portion of the Republican reconciliation package, which was pushed through without support from Committee Democrats, does the following:

    • Instantly boosts big oil and gas company profits by letting them drill and frack at bargain-basement prices while robbing taxpayers blind.
    • Puts polluters before people by letting the wealthy companies pay for legal immunity for inadequate environmental reviews and slapping Americans with exorbitant fees to protest oil and gas pollution.
    • Slashes funding for critical and popular public services like NOAA’s coastal restoration and resilience efforts and the National Parks workforce, making it harder for Americans to protect their communities from natural hazards and visit our nation’s most scenic and inspiring places.
    • Locks up 4 million acres for unprofitable coal mining – more land than the entire state of Connecticut – taking our energy policy back to the 19th century.
    • Mandates dirty mining and drilling deals that will create toxic disasters in our nation’s most pristine lands and waters, permanently polluting places like the Boundary Waters and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
    • Crushes clean energy development by jacking up fees for wind and solar while slashing fees for oil and coal.
    • Wipes out protections for endangered species, including dooming the planet’s most endangered whale to extinction by waiving all sensible safeguards for offshore oil and gas operations.
    • Sells off public lands to pay for handouts to big oil and tax cuts for billionaires – a surprise, late-night amendment paves the way for a fire sale of public lands.

    Republicans had the opportunity to support common-sense safeguards and improve the bill. However, they rejected numerous Democratic amendments, including those to do the following:

    Bolster essential and lifesaving public services:

    • Congresswoman Brownley’s amendment (#65) redirecting funding to NOAA climate monitoring, weather forecasts, and disaster preparedness.
    • Congressman Magaziner’s amendment (#213) striking recissions of IRA funds for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration investments in coastal communities and climate resilience and facilities.
    • Congresswoman Leger Fernandez (#69) and Representative Hoyle’s (#70) amendments to fund wildland firefighting and fuels reduction.
    • Congresswoman Randall’s amendment (#18) to fund the Bureau of Indian Education, and Congresswoman Ledger Fernandez’s amendment (#38) to fund the Indian Health Service.

    Hold oil, gas, and mining companies accountable and ensure a fair return for taxpayers:

    • Congresswoman Brownley’s amendment (#61) to require DOI to assess a fee on oil and gas operators to pay for the decommissioning of offshore pipelines in the event of bankruptcy.
    • Congressman Min’s amendment (#44) to require DOI to increase financial assurances from oil and gas companies before reduced royalties can take effect.
    • Congresswoman Ansari’s amendment to (#19) to deny new leases for oil and gas companies if they have been found liable for collusion.
    • Congresswoman Stansbury’s amendment (#9) to prevent bad actor mining companies from operating on federal land if they are owned by foreign adversaries, have a history of using slave labor, or otherwise break the law.

    Prevent dangerous pollution:

    • Congresswoman Elfreth’s amendment (#129) to prohibit offshore drilling where the Defense Department has determined it is incompatible with military readiness, including off the coast of Virginia, other Atlantic Coast states, and the Eastern Gulf.
    • Ranking Member Huffman’s amendments (#20 and #35) to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Boundary Waters.
    • Congresswoman Rivas’s amendment (#210) striking the rescission of funding for the Council on Environmental Quality’s environmental justice screening tool.

    Stop corruption and illegal actions:

    • Congresswoman Rivas’s amendment (#183) prohibiting funding for new contracts with Elon Musk’s companies until Inspectors General determine there are no conflicts of interest.
    • Congresswoman Ansari’s amendment (#301) striking the text of the bill and inserting the STOCK Act 2.0, to prevent government officials from being able to trade individual stocks.
    • Congresswoman Stansbury’s amendment (#150) directing funds to applicable Inspectors General to report to Congress on the impacts of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) actions on staffing, program services, funding, and data security.

    Ensure healthy and accessible public lands and waters:

    • Congressman Neguse’s amendment (#139) striking the language that rescinds funding National Park Service staffing.
    • Congressman Soto’s amendment (#13) to redirect funding to coral reef conservation.
    • Congresswoman Randall’s amendment (#144) restoring funding for the Fish and Wildlife Service fish passage restoration program.
    • Congresswoman Dingell’s amendment (#82) to prohibit any recissions of funds for Great Lakes fisheries, harmful algal blooms, and resilience.

    Protect Americans’ rights to provide public input:

    • Congresswoman Dexter’s amendment (#15) striking protest filing fees.
    • Ranking Member Huffman’s amendment (#247) striking the section creating a “pay-to-play” process for NEPA.

    Advance clean and affordable energy:

    • Resident Commissioner Hernández’s amendment (#201) to ensure utility-scale solar financing is implemented on schedule.
    • Congressman Min’s amendment (#45) preventing lease sales until the Trump Administration’s national energy policy includes wind and solar energy.
    • Congresswoman Hoyle’s amendment (#186) to ensure the recent firings at the Power Marketing Administrations will not result in a loss of power for ratepayers.

    A full list of amendments offered by Committee Democrats and blocked by Republicans can be found here.

    ###

    Issues: 119th Congress, Climate Crisis, Disaster Relief, Energy and Environment

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pressley, Thompson, Markey, McGovern, Carter Continue Investigation Into Conditions at ICE Facilities After Hearing Allegations of Medical Neglect

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    Letters Follows Lawmakers’ Visit to Louisiana Facilities Where Rümeysa Öztürk and Mahmoud Khalil are Being Held

    Text of Letter (PDF)

    WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), along with Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Congressmen James P. McGovern (MA-02) and Troy A. Carter Sr. (LA-02), sent a letter to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) seeking more information on the detention conditions of immigrants held at the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center (CLIPC) and the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center (SLIPC) after an oversight trip to the facilities last month.

    Both facilities have long faced allegations of inhumane treatment and poor detention conditions. During the visit, Members received allegations that detainees at the facilities have had miscarriages – and may not be receiving adequate maternal healthcare or proper cancer screenings. 

    “During our oversight visit to the facilities, we observed troubling detention conditions and received significant allegations about mistreatment from detainees,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter. “We heard from women who felt lumps in their breasts but were not provided appropriate medical attention; witnessed a pregnant mother with medical risks and detention staff unprepared for the birth of a child; observed men and women suffering respiratory issues in unreasonably cold and humid dormitories; and saw young women shaking and crying in fear of retaliation if they were to speak to Members of Congress.”

    Last month, the lawmakers traveled to ICE facilities in Basile and Jena, where Rümeysa Öztürk and Mahmoud Khalil are being unlawfully detained and subjected to inhumane conditions in retaliation for their protected speech. Rep. Pressley, Senator Markey, and Rep. McGovern recounted their harrowing visit at a press conference in Boston.

    “While at SLIPC, we received conflicting information from staff about detainees’ allegations. For example, we received deeply troubling information alleging that multiple women at SLIPC suffered from miscarriages while in custody—allegations staff denied,” the lawmakers continued in their letter. “Additionally, medical staff told us that during detainees’ menstrual periods, the facility provided as many menstrual products as requested, yet detainees consistently reported that facility employees regularly withheld not just menstrual products but also toilet paper.”

    Yesterday, Pressley, Markey, and McGovern issued a statement applauding the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit for directing the Trump Administration to comply with a lower court order to transfer Rümeysa Öztürk from ICE custody in Louisiana to Vermont. 

    In a powerful New York Times op-ed, Pressley, Markey, and McGovern discussed their meeting with Ms. Öztürk in detention and warned the American people of the dangers posed by the Trump administration’s unlawful attacks on our constitutional rights to freedom of speech and due process. Full text of the op-ed is available here.

    Rep. Pressley, along with Sens. Warren and Markey, have pushed for answers and action since Öztürk’s March arrest. In March, they led over 30 lawmakers in writing to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Acting Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Todd Lyons, demanding information about Öztürk’s arrest and detention as well as similar incidents across the country.

    In April, the lawmakers sounded the alarm on Öztürk’s medical neglect in DHS custody and renewed urgent calls for her release. Last week, Pressley, Warren and Markey demanded Secretary of State Rubio released any documents related to her arrest after a recent report indicated that an internal State Department memo concluded that the key premise underlying Tufts graduate student Rümeysa Öztürk’s arrest and detention was false. Last month, Congresswoman Pressley issued a statement condemning reports that ICE arrested and detained Rumeysa Ozturk, an international student with legal status in a graduate program at Tufts University. Earlier in the week, Rep. Pressley issued a statement following reports of ICE activity in Boston and other municipalities in Massachusetts.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Canyon GBS Joins EDUCAUSE Webinar to Spotlight Practical, Compliant AI for Colleges and Universities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Scottsdale, Arizona, May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Canyon GBS, a leader in AI-powered SaaS solutions for higher education, has announced its participation in an EDUCAUSE Industry Insights webinar titled “Unlocking AI’s Potential in Higher Ed” on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Joseph Licata, JD, Founder and CEO of Canyon GBS, will join a panel of experts to spotlight how compliant, AI-driven solutions can enhance advising, admissions, teaching, and IT operations while maintaining strict data privacy standards.

    Promotional banner for the EDUCAUSE webinar “Unlocking AI’s Potential in Higher Ed,” live on May 13, 2025, featuring Joseph Licata of Canyon GBS, Dr. George Kriss of Kaskaskia College, and Austin Laird of the Gates Foundation.

    As part of the EDUCAUSE Leadership Series, the webinar provides a vendor-agnostic forum where higher-education leaders can evaluate emerging technologies without product bias.

    FEATURED SPEAKERS

    • Joseph Licata, JD — Founder and CEO, Canyon GBS
    • Dr. George Kriss — Chief Information Officer, Kaskaskia College
    • Austin Laird — Sr. Program Officer, Gates Foundation

    WHY ATTEND

    • Learn how institutions are using AI to empower staff and improve student outcomes.
    • Review governance frameworks that protect sensitive data while enabling innovation.
    • Explore change-management tactics that drive rapid adoption across academic and administrative units.

    BONUS RESOURCE

    All registrants will receive immediate access to the AI Playbook for Higher Education Leadership, a practical guide that the panel will reference throughout the broadcast.

    REGISTRATION DETAILS

    The webinar is free of charge, and an EDUCAUSE profile is required to register. Those unable to attend live will automatically receive a recording after the event. More than 600 higher-education professionals have already secured their seats.

    Register now: https://events.educause.edu/webinar/2025/unlocking-ais-potential-in-higher-ed

    Canyon GBS® is a registered trademark of Canyon GBS LLC. EDUCAUSE® is a registered trademark of EDUCAUSE. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.


    About Canyon GBS

    A Phoenix-based tech innovator, we develop impactful AI-powered SaaS solutions for higher education and government agencies—providing more affordable products that enable staff to excel in their daily responsibilities.

    Press inquiries

    Canyon GBS
    https://canyongbs.com
    Lindsay Consalvos
    media@canyongbs.com
    520-357-1351

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Franklin Electric Announces Appointment of Jennifer L. Sherman as Chairperson; Mark Carano Elected to be a Director of the Company

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORT WAYNE, Ind., May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Board of Directors of Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (NASDAQ: FELE) has elected Jennifer L. Sherman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Federal Signal Corporation, as Chairperson effective as of May 2, 2025 for a term expiring at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Ms. Sherman has been a Director of the Company since 2015. Joe Ruzynski, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, commented: “I want to congratulate Jennifer on her election as Chairperson of Franklin Electric. She knows the Company well, having served on our Board of Directors for 10 years, and I am looking forward to working closely with her to further develop and refine Franklin’s strategy.”

    In addition, the Company is pleased to announce that Mark A. Carano, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of SPX Technologies, Inc. has been appointed as a director of the Company effective May 7, 2025 for a term expiring at the 2027 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Mr. Carano has served in that role since 2023. Prior thereto, Mr. Carano served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Insteel Industries, Inc., and Chief Financial Officer of Big River Steel LLC, following 14 years in investment banking.

    Mr. Carano earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Business School.

    Ms. Sherman, Franklin’s Chairperson of the Board, commented: “I have confidence that Mark’s extensive financial and manufacturing sector experience will provide a unique perspective to our deliberations. His investment banking and corporate deal-making experience will be invaluable as Franklin Electric continues to look for opportunities to grow through accretive acquisitions. I join my fellow directors in welcoming Mark to the Board and we look forward to benefitting from his leadership and expertise.”

    About Franklin Electric
    Franklin Electric is a global leader in the production and marketing of systems and components for the movement of water and energy. Recognized as a technical leader in its products and services, Franklin Electric serves customers worldwide in residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, municipal, and fueling applications. Franklin Electric is proud to be recognized in Newsweek’s lists of America’s Most Responsible Companies 2024, Most Trustworthy Companies 2024, and Greenest Companies 2025; Best Places to Work in Indiana 2024; and America’s Climate Leaders 2024 by USA Today.

    “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein, including those relating to market conditions or the Company’s financial results, costs, expenses or expense reductions, profit margins, inventory levels, foreign currency translation rates, liquidity expectations, business goals and sales growth, involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, risks and uncertainties with respect to general economic and currency conditions, various conditions specific to the Company’s business and industry, weather conditions, new housing starts, market demand, competitive factors, changes in distribution channels, supply constraints, effect of price increases, raw material costs, technology factors, integration of acquisitions, litigation, government and regulatory actions, the Company’s accounting policies, future trends, epidemics and pandemics, and other risks which are detailed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, included in Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, Exhibit 99.1 attached thereto and in Item 1A of Part II of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made herein are based on information currently available, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

    Contact:
    Russ Fleeger
    Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
    260.824.2900

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The attack on public broadcasting is part of a growing threat to press freedom and democracy

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Lorry-Ann Austin, Assistant Professor, Social Work and Human Services, Thompson Rivers University

    In a disturbing parallel between two countries, President Donald Trump’s recent attack on the two largest public broadcasters in the United States mirrors threats to Canada’s own public broadcaster that were recently dodged by the electoral defeat of Conservative Pierre Poilievre.

    These attacks are part of a larger authoritarian move to slander and disempower a free and independent press.

    In the grab to reclaim power from the people, authoritarians and the oligarchs who support them recoil from criticism and dissent, demanding that all people support government positions regardless of the rationality of their claims.

    While they may come for the media first, other institutions are also targeted, including those that nurture critical thinking and uphold the rule of law.



    Read more:
    Yale scholars’ move to Canada can prompt us to reflect on the rule of law

    Essential to democracy

    The news media are a key pillar of democracy and a vigilant monitor of human rights. Often identified as the Fourth Estate, the press is tasked with keeping political power in check while informing people about events beyond their own experiences. This function makes it a prime target for authoritarian assault.

    Both Poilievre and Trump have long attacked the integrity of journalists as they worked to undermine public trust in the media. They both denigrate reporters and limit media accessibility.

    With accusations of fake news and attempts to discredit journalists as leftist and partisan propaganda pedlars, Poilievre and Trump’s call to defund public broadcasters seems aimed at silencing criticism and obscuring oversight of their actions.

    Public broadcasters like PBS, NPR and CBC/Radio-Canada provide vital links to news and life-saving information in times of crisis. They inform regions that no longer have access to local corporate news and they educate the public and strengthen its culture.

    Public broadcasters receive public funding through government legislation, but make no mistake, these are not state propaganda machines as some politicians allege.

    CBC/Radio-Canada, PBS and NPR are all governed by broadcasting acts within their respective nations. CBC/Radio-Canada’s editorial independence is protected by the federal Broadcasting Act. In the U.S., the federal Public Broadcasting Act assures PBS and NPR have “maximum freedom …from interference with, or control of, program content or other activities.”

    These media outlets are publicly funded but their editorial independence is enshrined in law.

    Tracking media coverage

    My exploration of the framing practices of public broadcasters, mainstream corporate media and alternative news agencies in Canada and the U.S. lends support to the expressed independence of publicly funded broadcasters.

    This research tracked press coverage of debates about sexual orientation and gender expression in schools over a 10-year period — from Trump’s initial declaration to seek the Oval Office in 2015 to his return to power in November 2024.

    From an initial sample of close to 38,000 news stories, 60 were randomly selected and subjected to multimodal critical discourse analysis.

    A third of these stories were produced by publicly funded news agencies. Findings suggest that while they consistently use polarizing conflict language to present debates to the public — just as corporate and alternative media outlets do — the majority of the publicly funded news accounts I examined adhered to the principles of fact-based reporting.

    These principles include accuracy and objectivity in reporting as well as the inclusion of a balance of perspectives on a given event, and the maintenance of a non-partisan approach to coverage.

    Only one story produced by a public broadcaster in the U.S. represented propaganda in its attempt to persuade the audience to agree with the biased argument presented within. It was an educational video debunking claims that critical race theory was being taught in schools.

    None of the content produced by public broadcasters represented examples of movement journalism, which rejects objectivity in favour of activism to promote human rights and social change.

    No draining on public coffers

    While these findings cannot be extended to all content produced by public broadcasters, they do suggest these news agencies adhere to requirements of non-partisan coverage.

    Without evidence, Poilievre and Trump claim the public broadcasters in their nations are biased against conservative politics. They also claim that they’re a drain on tax revenues, and that cutting their funding will represent significant tax savings.

    This also fails to hold up to a fact check. CBC/Radio-Canada received less than 0.28 per cent of the money allocated in the 2024 federal budget. In the U.S., federal tax dollars allocated to NPR and PBS represent 0.0001 per cent of the federal budget.

    Given the lack of evidence supporting accusations of partisan bias and the minuscule savings that would come from defunding, something else must be driving the assault on public broadcasting.

    It’s likely no coincidence that Trump’s most recent attack on the media coincided with World Press Freedom Day. It’s a day that asserts the importance of a free and independent press in democracy, and the need to protect the ability of journalists to report the truth without fear or interference.

    Lorry-Ann Austin does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. The attack on public broadcasting is part of a growing threat to press freedom and democracy – https://theconversation.com/the-attack-on-public-broadcasting-is-part-of-a-growing-threat-to-press-freedom-and-democracy-255855

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Private School Settles with Justice Department to Address Discrimination Against Children with Disabilities

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Richard G. Frohling, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on May 8, 2025, Wisconsin Montessori Society, Inc., d/b/a Milwaukee Montessori School (MMS) agreed to injunctive relief and payment of $290,000 to resolve allegations that it failed to provide full and equal enjoyment of its educational services to children with disabilities, in violation of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12131-12189.

    MMS is a private day school that offers pre-K through grade 8 education.  Private schools, day care centers, and other places of education are generally prohibited from discriminating on the basis of disability under Title III of the ADA. Disabled individuals protected under Title III include both individuals with an actual disability—meaning “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual”—as well as individuals “regarded as having such an impairment.”

    Since at least 2018, MMS has discriminated against young children with disabilities.  MMS has: (1) denied, on the basis of disability, participation in its educational services to disabled children by expelling and refusing to admit them; (2) denied disabled children equal participation in MMS’s educational services by repeatedly sending them to the office, seating them separately from other students, and sending them home early because of manifestations of their disabilities; and (3) failed to make reasonable modifications for disabled children.  MMS’s discriminatory actions are evidenced by the experiences of ten children described in the Settlement Agreement.

    “Children with disabilities have the right to access the educational opportunities offered by private schools, including Montessori schools,” said Acting United States Richard Frohling.  “This settlement is an important reminder that the ADA’s obligations extend to private schools and their treatment of students with disabilities.”

    Under the settlement agreement, MMS will pay monetary damages of $240,000 to compensate aggrieved persons as well as a civil penalty of $50,000 to the United States.  It also includes injunctive relief that requires monitoring and reporting, and MMS has voluntarily taken some steps to address the government’s findings.

    The ADA authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate complaints and undertake periodic reviews of covered entities. The Department of Justice is also authorized to commence a civil lawsuit in federal court and to seek injunctive relief, monetary damages, and civil penalties.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Lisa Yun and Nia Schmaltz represented the government in this matter.  The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; MMS does not admit liability for the allegations.

    # #  #

    For Additional Information Contact:

    Public Information Officer

    Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov

    414-297-1700

    Follow us on Twitter

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Old Postcards, New Science: Historical Photos Document 92 Years of Coastal Change

    Source: US Geological Survey

    An innovative study—a collaboration between the University of Lisbon, Portugal, and the USGS—finds that historical photographs and postcards can provide rigorous scientific insight into how shorelines have changed over the past century.

    Researchers from the University of Lisbon studying Conceição-Duquesa Beach in Cascais, Portugal, used these ground-based, oblique images to quantitatively track shoreline evolution over 92 years, offering a novel method to understand long-term coastal change with ground-based imagery.

    Turning Pictures into Coastal Data

    While vertical aerial imagery has been a mainstay of coastal monitoring since the 1940s, and satellite data now revolutionize shoreline studies globally, data from earlier decades are scarce. That’s where ground-based historical images—such as vacation photos, news archives, and old postcards—come in.

    In this study, scientists applied a novel image analysis method to postcard images of Conceição-Duquesa Beach from 1930 and 1960, as well as a contemporary smartphone photo from 2022. By registering and aligning the images to modern spatial coordinates, detecting shorelines within the photos, and correcting for perspective distortion and positional uncertainty, they were able to reconstruct past shoreline positions and measure their changes over time. 

     

    A Rotating Shoreline

    One consistent observation: between the early 20th and 21st centuries, the shoreline at Conceição-Duquesa Beach showed a significant counterclockwise rotation following the construction of the marina in 1998—a shift large enough to exceed any uncertainty in the analysis method. This long-term pattern underscores the significant impact of artificial coastal structures on shoreline dynamics, reinforcing the importance of integrating historical datasets and modern methodologies to assess and manage coastal changes effectively.

    Broader Implications for Coastal Science

    This study demonstrates how even older historical, corrected ground-oblique photographs can be used to quantitatively assess coastal change. The technique is adaptable, straightforward, and could be used for regions where other historical data sources are unavailable or incomplete.

    Historical imagery held by libraries, museums, and other archives could potentially be of use with this methodology. With climate change and sea-level rise making coastal erosion and shoreline retreat more urgent global issues, having a longer historical record can significantly improve models of future change.

    Read the study: Historical Coast Snaps: Using Centennial Imagery to Track Shoreline Change. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Kajeet Urges House to Support Schools and Libraries Counting on E-Rate Funding for Hotspots

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MCLEAN, Va., May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Following today’s Congressional Review Act (CRA) block of the Federal Communications Commission Wi-Fi hotspots order, which removes E-Rate funding eligibility for these devices, Kajeet®, a leading provider of managed internet solutions for education, expressed confidence the House of Representatives will recognize the profound benefits of hotspots. To continue its mission, Kajeet affirmed its commitment to honoring E-Rate pricing to help schools and libraries secure critical connectivity.

    While the CRA reversal presents a setback to efforts aimed at funding off-campus student Wi-Fi hotspots through E-Rate, Kajeet encourages the House to carefully consider the compelling data demonstrating the effectiveness and safety of managed hotspots. It is an undeniable reality that over 70% of students rely on out-of-school internet access for homework, underscoring the critical need for reliable home connectivity. The pandemic starkly illuminated the deep disparities that exist, with countless families depending on public Wi-Fi at locations like libraries, hospitals, and even fast-food restaurants to enable their students to complete assignments.

    “Every day, teachers across the nation grapple with the challenges faced by students who lack internet access at home, a significant barrier to learning in today’s digital world,” said Ben Weintraub, CEO of Kajeet. “We are resolute in our commitment and want to help these impacted districts and libraries pivot quickly.”

    Kajeet’s solutions prioritize student safety and security with robust content filtering and management tools that comply with educational requirements and the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). Last year, Kajeet Sentinel blocked billions of student attempts to access TikTok and other non-educational sites. This regulated filtering, with parameters set by school administrators based on grade level, has proven effective.

    Thousands of schools and libraries across the country applied for hotspot funding this year. It is estimated that this reversal could potentially impact more than 6 million individuals nationwide. As districts and libraries now face the pressing task of identifying alternative funding sources, Kajeet stands firm in its commitment to providing affordable and secure connectivity solutions.

    “We fully recognize the significant impact this E-Rate reversal for hotspots will have on districts’ carefully laid plans to provide essential off-campus connectivity,” added Weintraub. “By honoring E-Rate pricing, we aim to provide immediate stability and empower districts to continue their indispensable programs without disruption, ensuring that no student is left behind.”

    To take advantage of this limited E-Rate offer, please visit our website.

    About Kajeet:

    Kajeet provides optimized IoT connectivity, software and hardware solutions that deliver safe, reliable, and controlled internet connectivity to nearly 3,000 businesses, schools and districts, state, and local governments. Kajeet’s award-winning management platform, Sentinel®, includes visibility into real-time data usage, policy control management, custom content filters for added security, and multi-network flexibility. Since 2003, Kajeet has helped thousands of organizations connect over a million devices around the world. To learn more, visit kajeet.com

    Media Contact:

    Linda Jennings, Kajeet Corporate Communications

    248-521-3606 ljennings@kajeet.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Pope Leo XIV faces limits on changing the Catholic Church − but Francis made reforms that set the stage for larger changes

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dennis Doyle, Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies, University of Dayton

    Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Thursday, May 8, 2025. AP Photo/Andrew Medichini

    Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States has been picked to be the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church; he will be known as Pope Leo XIV.

    Attention now turns to what vision the first U.S. pope will bring.

    Change is hard to bring about in the Catholic Church. During his pontificate, Francis often gestured toward change without actually changing church doctrines. He permitted discussion of ordaining married men in remote regions where populations were greatly underserved due to a lack of priests, but he did not actually allow it. On his own initiative, he set up a commission to study the possibility of ordaining women as deacons, but he did not follow it through.

    However, he did allow priests to offer the Eucharist, the most important Catholic sacrament of the body and blood of Christ, to Catholics who had divorced and remarried without being granted an annulment.

    Likewise, Francis did not change the official teaching that a sacramental marriage is between a man and a woman, but he did allow for the blessing of gay couples, in a manner that did appear to be a sanctioning of gay marriage.

    To what degree will the new pope stand or not stand in continuity with Francis? As a scholar who has studied the writings and actions of the popes since the time of the Second Vatican Council, a series of meetings held to modernize the church from 1962 to 1965, I am aware that every pope comes with his own vision and his own agenda for leading the church.

    Still, the popes who immediately preceded them set practical limits on what changes could be made. There were limitations on Francis as well; however, the new pope, I argue, will have more leeway because of the signals Francis sent.

    The process of synodality

    Francis initiated a process called “synodality,” a term that combines the Greek words for “journey” and “together.” Synodality involves gathering Catholics of various ranks and points of view to share their faith and pray with each other as they address challenges faced by the church today.

    One of Francis’ favorite themes was inclusion. He carried forward the teaching of the Second Vatican Council that the Holy Spirit – that is, the Spirit of God who inspired the prophets and is believed to be sent by Christ among Christians in a special way – is at work throughout the whole church; it includes not only the hierarchy but all of the church members. This belief constituted the core principle underlying synodality.

    Pope Francis with the participants of the Synod of Bishops’ 16th General Assembly in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican on Oct. 23, 2023.
    AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia

    Francis launched a two-year global consultation process in October 2022, culminating in a synod in Rome in October 2024. Catholics all over the world offered their insights and opinions during this process. The synod discussed many issues, some of which were controversial, such as clerical sexual abuse, the need for oversight of bishops, the role of women in general and the ordination of women as deacons.

    The final synod document did not offer conclusions concerning these topics but rather aimed more at promoting the transformation of the entire Catholic Church into a synodal church in which Catholics tackle together the many challenges of the modern world. Francis refrained from issuing his own document in response, in order that the synod’s statement could stand on its own.

    The process of synodality in one sense places limits on bishops and the pope by emphasizing their need to listen closely to all church members before making decisions. In another sense, though, in the long run the process opens up the possibility for needed developments to take place when and if lay Catholics overwhelmingly testify that they believe the church should move in a certain direction.

    Change is hard in the church

    A pope, however, cannot simply reverse official positions that his immediate predecessors had been emphasizing. Practically speaking, there needs to be a papacy, or two, during which a pope will either remain silent on matters that call for change or at least limit himself to hints and signals on such issues.

    In 1864, Pius IX condemned the proposition that “the Church ought to be separated from the State, and the State from the Church.” It wasn’t until 1965 – some 100 years later – that the Second Vatican Council, in The Declaration on Religious Freedom, would affirm that “a wrong is done when government imposes upon its people, by force or fear or other means, the profession or repudiation of any religion. …”

    A second major reason why popes may refrain from making top-down changes is that they may not want to operate like a dictator issuing executive orders in an authoritarian manner. Francis was accused by his critics of acting in this way with his positions on Eucharist for those remarried without a prior annulment and on blessings for gay couples. The major thrust of his papacy, however, with his emphasis on synodality, was actually in the opposite direction.

    Notably, when the Amazon Synod – held in Rome in October 2019 – voted 128-41 to allow for married priests in the Brazilian Amazon region, Francis rejected it as not being the appropriate time for such a significant change.

    Past doctrines

    The belief that the pope should express the faith of the people and not simply his own personal opinions is not a new insight from Francis.

    The doctrine of papal infallibility, declared at the First Vatican Council in 1870, held that the pope, under certain conditions, could express the faith of the church without error.

    The limitations and qualifications of this power include that the pope be speaking not personally but in his official capacity as the head of the church; he must not be in heresy; he must be free of coercion and of sound mind; he must be addressing a matter of faith and morals; and he must consult relevant documents and other Catholics so that what he teaches represents not simply his own opinions but the faith of the church.

    The Marian doctrines of the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption offer examples of the importance of consultation. The Immaculate Conception, proclaimed by Pope Pius IX in 1854, is the teaching that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was herself preserved from original sin, a stain inherited from Adam that Catholics believe all other human beings are born with, from the moment of her conception. The Assumption, proclaimed by Pius XII in 1950, is the doctrine that Mary was taken body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life.

    The documents in which these doctrines were proclaimed stressed that the bishops of the church had been consulted and that the faith of the lay people was being affirmed.

    Unity, above all

    One of the main duties of the pope is to protect the unity of the Catholic Church. On one hand, making many changes quickly can lead to schism, an actual split in the community.

    In 2022, for example, the Global Methodist Church split from the United Methodist Church over same-sex marriage and the ordination of noncelibate gay bishops. There have also been various schisms within the Anglican communion in recent years. The Catholic Church faces similar challenges but so far has been able to avoid schisms by limiting the actual changes being made.

    On the other hand, not making reasonable changes that acknowledge positive developments in the culture regarding issues such as the full inclusion of women or the dignity of gays and lesbians can result in the large-scale exit of members.

    Pope Leo XIV, I argue, needs to be a spiritual leader, a person of vision, who can build upon the legacy of his immediate predecessors in such a way as to meet the challenges of the present moment. He already stated that he wants a synodal church that is “close to the people who suffer,” signaling a great deal about the direction he will take.

    If the new pope is able to update church teachings on some hot-button issues, it will be precisely because Francis set the stage for him.

    Dennis Doyle does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Pope Leo XIV faces limits on changing the Catholic Church − but Francis made reforms that set the stage for larger changes – https://theconversation.com/pope-leo-xiv-faces-limits-on-changing-the-catholic-church-but-francis-made-reforms-that-set-the-stage-for-larger-changes-256181

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Pope Leo XIV faces limits on changing the Catholic Church − but Francis made reforms that set the stage for larger changes

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Dennis Doyle, Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies, University of Dayton

    Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Thursday, May 8, 2025. AP Photo/Andrew Medichini

    Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States has been picked to be the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church; he will be known as Pope Leo XIV.

    Attention now turns to what vision the first U.S. pope will bring.

    Change is hard to bring about in the Catholic Church. During his pontificate, Francis often gestured toward change without actually changing church doctrines. He permitted discussion of ordaining married men in remote regions where populations were greatly underserved due to a lack of priests, but he did not actually allow it. On his own initiative, he set up a commission to study the possibility of ordaining women as deacons, but he did not follow it through.

    However, he did allow priests to offer the Eucharist, the most important Catholic sacrament of the body and blood of Christ, to Catholics who had divorced and remarried without being granted an annulment.

    Likewise, Francis did not change the official teaching that a sacramental marriage is between a man and a woman, but he did allow for the blessing of gay couples, in a manner that did appear to be a sanctioning of gay marriage.

    To what degree will the new pope stand or not stand in continuity with Francis? As a scholar who has studied the writings and actions of the popes since the time of the Second Vatican Council, a series of meetings held to modernize the church from 1962 to 1965, I am aware that every pope comes with his own vision and his own agenda for leading the church.

    Still, the popes who immediately preceded them set practical limits on what changes could be made. There were limitations on Francis as well; however, the new pope, I argue, will have more leeway because of the signals Francis sent.

    The process of synodality

    Francis initiated a process called “synodality,” a term that combines the Greek words for “journey” and “together.” Synodality involves gathering Catholics of various ranks and points of view to share their faith and pray with each other as they address challenges faced by the church today.

    One of Francis’ favorite themes was inclusion. He carried forward the teaching of the Second Vatican Council that the Holy Spirit – that is, the Spirit of God who inspired the prophets and is believed to be sent by Christ among Christians in a special way – is at work throughout the whole church; it includes not only the hierarchy but all of the church members. This belief constituted the core principle underlying synodality.

    Pope Francis with the participants of the Synod of Bishops’ 16th General Assembly in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican on Oct. 23, 2023.
    AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia

    Francis launched a two-year global consultation process in October 2022, culminating in a synod in Rome in October 2024. Catholics all over the world offered their insights and opinions during this process. The synod discussed many issues, some of which were controversial, such as clerical sexual abuse, the need for oversight of bishops, the role of women in general and the ordination of women as deacons.

    The final synod document did not offer conclusions concerning these topics but rather aimed more at promoting the transformation of the entire Catholic Church into a synodal church in which Catholics tackle together the many challenges of the modern world. Francis refrained from issuing his own document in response, in order that the synod’s statement could stand on its own.

    The process of synodality in one sense places limits on bishops and the pope by emphasizing their need to listen closely to all church members before making decisions. In another sense, though, in the long run the process opens up the possibility for needed developments to take place when and if lay Catholics overwhelmingly testify that they believe the church should move in a certain direction.

    Change is hard in the church

    A pope, however, cannot simply reverse official positions that his immediate predecessors had been emphasizing. Practically speaking, there needs to be a papacy, or two, during which a pope will either remain silent on matters that call for change or at least limit himself to hints and signals on such issues.

    In 1864, Pius IX condemned the proposition that “the Church ought to be separated from the State, and the State from the Church.” It wasn’t until 1965 – some 100 years later – that the Second Vatican Council, in The Declaration on Religious Freedom, would affirm that “a wrong is done when government imposes upon its people, by force or fear or other means, the profession or repudiation of any religion. …”

    A second major reason why popes may refrain from making top-down changes is that they may not want to operate like a dictator issuing executive orders in an authoritarian manner. Francis was accused by his critics of acting in this way with his positions on Eucharist for those remarried without a prior annulment and on blessings for gay couples. The major thrust of his papacy, however, with his emphasis on synodality, was actually in the opposite direction.

    Notably, when the Amazon Synod – held in Rome in October 2019 – voted 128-41 to allow for married priests in the Brazilian Amazon region, Francis rejected it as not being the appropriate time for such a significant change.

    Past doctrines

    The belief that the pope should express the faith of the people and not simply his own personal opinions is not a new insight from Francis.

    The doctrine of papal infallibility, declared at the First Vatican Council in 1870, held that the pope, under certain conditions, could express the faith of the church without error.

    The limitations and qualifications of this power include that the pope be speaking not personally but in his official capacity as the head of the church; he must not be in heresy; he must be free of coercion and of sound mind; he must be addressing a matter of faith and morals; and he must consult relevant documents and other Catholics so that what he teaches represents not simply his own opinions but the faith of the church.

    The Marian doctrines of the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption offer examples of the importance of consultation. The Immaculate Conception, proclaimed by Pope Pius IX in 1854, is the teaching that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was herself preserved from original sin, a stain inherited from Adam that Catholics believe all other human beings are born with, from the moment of her conception. The Assumption, proclaimed by Pius XII in 1950, is the doctrine that Mary was taken body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life.

    The documents in which these doctrines were proclaimed stressed that the bishops of the church had been consulted and that the faith of the lay people was being affirmed.

    Unity, above all

    One of the main duties of the pope is to protect the unity of the Catholic Church. On one hand, making many changes quickly can lead to schism, an actual split in the community.

    In 2022, for example, the Global Methodist Church split from the United Methodist Church over same-sex marriage and the ordination of noncelibate gay bishops. There have also been various schisms within the Anglican communion in recent years. The Catholic Church faces similar challenges but so far has been able to avoid schisms by limiting the actual changes being made.

    On the other hand, not making reasonable changes that acknowledge positive developments in the culture regarding issues such as the full inclusion of women or the dignity of gays and lesbians can result in the large-scale exit of members.

    Pope Leo XIV, I argue, needs to be a spiritual leader, a person of vision, who can build upon the legacy of his immediate predecessors in such a way as to meet the challenges of the present moment. He already stated that he wants a synodal church that is “close to the people who suffer,” signaling a great deal about the direction he will take.

    If the new pope is able to update church teachings on some hot-button issues, it will be precisely because Francis set the stage for him.

    Dennis Doyle does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Pope Leo XIV faces limits on changing the Catholic Church − but Francis made reforms that set the stage for larger changes – https://theconversation.com/pope-leo-xiv-faces-limits-on-changing-the-catholic-church-but-francis-made-reforms-that-set-the-stage-for-larger-changes-256181

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –