Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Carlton Rembert, 70, of Hampton, Virginia, was sentenced on October 11, 2024, by United States District Judge Joel H. Slomsky to 66 months’ imprisonment, five years of supervised release, $534,335 in restitution to the victims, and a $400 special assessment for his role in a scheme to defraud elderly incapacitated people of over $1 million.
Rembert’s late co-conspirator and sister, Gloria Byars, was a court-appointed guardian for over 100 incapacitated wards in Pennsylvania. Between 2012 and 2018, Byars, Rembert, and other co-conspirators stole the life savings from dozens of wards while Byars served as their court-appointed guardian. Byars pleaded guilty to conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, and tax fraud for her role in the fraud scheme. Rembert proceeded to trial in November 2023 and after a four-day trial, a jury found Rembert guilty of conspiracy, bank fraud, and wire fraud.
As guardian, Byars had unfettered access to wards’ property including bank accounts, pensions, real estate, retirement accounts, and other assets. Byars stole money from the wards’ bank accounts by writing unauthorized checks to companies she controlled, or to shell companies controlled by her co-conspirators, Rembert and Alesha Mitchell. Rembert and Mitchell assisted Byars in the theft by opening bank accounts in their home state of Virginia in the names of shell companies purporting to be medical services companies. Byars made the checks payable to her co-conspirators’ fake medical services companies, to make it appear that the elderly incapacitated ward incurred a legitimate medical expense.
After receiving dozens of checks from his sister, Rembert deposited over $695,000 in stolen ward checks into five separate shell business bank accounts he had opened. Rembert then withdrew over $388,000 in cash through 94 structured withdrawals. Rembert also obtained $217,082 in certified checks, sending the certified checks to Byars and keeping a share of the stolen ward money for himself. When confronted by law enforcement, Rembert lied to investigators, pretending that he provided services to the elderly and sick victims. Some of the victims’ families testified at Rembert’s trial, telling the court that they had never heard of Rembert’s sham medical companies, and that neither Rembert nor his companies provided any services for their loved ones.
Rembert and Byars spent the stolen ward money on personal expenses, including vacations, clothing and other retail purchases, restaurants, vehicles, gifts, and parties. In all, Byers, Rembert, and Mitchell stole well over $1 million from at least 120 incapacitated people in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Alesha Mitchell is scheduled to be sentenced on October 24.
“Rembert and his co-conspirators had no qualms about ripping off these incapacitated victims and living it up on their stolen money,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “The greed and callousness here are off the charts. It’s vile that criminals target the elderly and infirm specifically to take advantage of their vulnerability. My office and our partners will continue to do all we can to hold these crooks responsible and protect our elders from such greed, fraud, and abuse.”
“Elder fraud leaves a damaging impact on victims and our communities, and our office remains steadfast in pursuit of those who exploit this vulnerable population,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. “We encourage those who believe that they or a loved one are a victim of elder fraud to report it. Reporting elder fraud is not only a step towards justice, but it helps protect others from victimization.”
“Carlton Rembert, together with his co-conspirator Gloria Byars, abused the trust of the most vulnerable among us – individuals who have been incapacitated by age, illness, or both. What they did was truly heinous – and truly criminal. I applaud United States Attorney Romero for prosecuting these individuals, in one of the first guardianship fraud cases to be prosecuted. Unfortunately, this type of fraud is increasing, and it is important for law enforcement to send a clear signal that it will not be tolerated,” said Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer.
“As a law enforcement community, it is our duty to hold individuals accountable who abuse their position of trust and steal from the people that are under their care,” said Amy MacNeely, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation. “We, along with our law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice, will continue to hold accountable those who exploit the most vulnerable among us.”
The case was investigated by the FBI, the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office Criminal Investigation Division, and IRS Criminal Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Tiwana Wright and Samuel Dalke.
HARRISBURG, Pa. — The weather might be crisp and lovely right now, but Pennsylvania’s fierce winter winds and snow are on their way. Before it gets icy, take this time to check your furnace and any other appliances that might have been damaged in the August 9-10 flooding that came with Tropical Storm Debby. If your furnace isn’t working and it isn’t covered by your insurance, you may be eligible to receive help from FEMA to repair or even replace it.
Assistance from FEMA is limited to only owner-occupied primary homes, not vacation homes or second homes. In addition, home repair assistance is available to homeowners only for uninsured or underinsured disaster-damaged items that make your home safe, sanitary, secure and inhabitable. Households with damage to essential living spaces in a basement – including garden apartments – may also be eligible for FEMA assistance to help cover those losses.
When you apply for assistance, be sure to indicate the furnace and other essential electrical appliances damaged during the summertime disaster. If you have already repaired or replaced the furnace, be prepared to provide FEMA with valid estimates or receipts.
If you discover your heating systems need replacing after you have already received a FEMA grant, you can use the FEMA appeals process to request additional assistance. To learn more about the process, visit www.fema.gov/assistance/individual/after-applying/appeals.
If you have yet to apply for FEMA assistance, go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov, call 800-621-3362, or use the FEMA App on your phone. If you use a video relay service or captioned telephone service. give FEMA your number for the service. And for in-person assistance, visit a Disaster Recovery Center. The registration deadline is November 12, 2024.
For more information on Pennsylvania’s disaster recovery, visit the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Facebook page, fema.gov/disaster/4815 and facebook.com/FEMA.
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Follow us on X at x.com/FEMAregion3and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 833-285-7448. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages).
Source: United States House of Representatives – Wyoming Congresswoman Harriet Hageman
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Hageman introduced the Expedited Appeals Review Act (EARA), which provides entities before the Department of the Interior’s Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) the opportunity to file for an expedited review so they can quickly go to court in front of a neutral arbiter.
Under current law, challengers of an agency decision within the Department of Interior (DOI), must appeal to the IBLA, an administrative court that is also housed within the DOI. The use of administrative courts pose a variety of constitutional issues, including in relation to the separation of powers, as the agencies who adopt the regulations seek to enforce them through their in-house court system, such as the IBLA. Over 90% of these cases are typically resolved in the agency’s favor, while often taking years for the case to be decided.
“We are a government ‘of, by and for the people’ and every agency and their employees should be accountable to the people. It is no wonder that the current construct of in-house courts ruling on cases where the agency’s policies are in question tend to fall on the side of the government almost exclusively.
“In my 3 decades of practicing law I witnessed cases argued before agency-appointed judges on numerous occasions and then waited as the IBLA delayed issuing a decision. Not only does this leave the non-agency party in limbo as to the outcome of their case, but also costs them significantly in potential fees and penalties waiting for their cases to be considered.
“This broken system needs to be fixed so that American citizens and companies have a fighting chance against the DOI’s ongoing agenda against our legacy industries. My bill gives these parties the opportunity to expedite the process and pursue an impartial route in those circumstances where the IBLA is refusing to timely address the matter in front of it.
The Expedited Appeals Review Act ensures that if IBLA fails to make a decision within 18 months of the appeal being filed, the applicant can demand an expedited review. The IBLA then has 6 months to resolve the case. Failure to do so allows for that non-agency party to proceed to district court where they will be granted the opportunity to conduct discovery and develop the administrative record.
Background:
The IBLA is a regulatorily constructed, pseudo-judicial, administrative court within the Department of the Interior. It oversees appeals of agency actions, including those from the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Office of Natural Resources Revenue, and Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.
Currently, there are seven administrative judges, four of which were appointed in the last year. · There are over 650 appeals sitting before the IBLA, many of which have been pending for over five years.
During an appeal, the agency establishes the administrative record. Frequently, the record is heavily redacted and purposefully excludes documents that favor the appellant. In fact, IBLA judges have explicitly found that the Department compiled administrative records in bad faith and in a biased manner.
In FY ’23, IBLA decided only 36 cases on the merits, 34 (94%) of which upheld the Department’s decision. Once a case is finally decided, the administrative record is set and the agency’s decision receives deference, only being overturned if it is found to be arbitrary and capricious. And even if a party wins in District Court, the Court will remand the decision to the agency, restarting the entire process.
As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Hageman spearheaded an oversight hearing titled “Reining in the Administrative State: Agency Adjudication and Other Agency Action” which exposed the unconstitutionality of administrative courts, including their denial of due process and jury trial rights as well as infringement on the separation of powers
Prior to taking office as Wyoming’s lone congressional member, Harriet Hageman was an attorney defending individuals and entities against government agencies, winning cases opposing several of the agencies that are within the Department of Interior.
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Contact: Chris Berardi, Sr. Advisor/Communications Director
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Government marks ‘new beginning’ of relationship with civil society to tackle some of society’s most pressing issues with launch of a new ‘Civil Society Covenant’
Government marks ‘new beginning’ of relationship with civil society to tackle some of society’s most pressing issues
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy host No10 roundtable discussion and reception with key civil society representatives
Event signals start of a period of wider engagement over the Autumn to forge a bold new partnership between Government and civil society
The creation of a ‘Civil Society Covenant’ will usher in a new era of partnership between government and civil society and help tackle some of the country’s biggest challenges, the Prime Minister and Culture Secretary will announce today.
The new Covenant is designed to harness the knowledge and expertise of voluntary, community, social enterprises (VCSEs) and charities to deliver better outcomes for communities right across the country.
Civil society occupies a unique place in public life by providing support to those in need, binding communities together and helping drive growth. Across the country, there are countless examples of what partnership between civil society and government can achieve, including youth activities to support vulnerable teenagers and tools to support people into work.
The new Covenant will build a new partnership between government and civil society based on trust and mutual respect. Crucially, it will unlock the dynamism, innovation and trusted reach of civil society across communities, helping to deliver the defining missions of this government; driving economic growth and opening up opportunity to all.
As a first step, a Covenant Framework has been developed in consultation with key civil society bodies, including the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO).
The inclusion of key representative organisations recognises the expertise civil society offers in tackling disadvantage, driving cohesion, supporting democracy and community voices both at home and abroad.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy will chair a roundtable discussion with civil society leaders at 10 Downing Street today to launch the Covenant Framework. This will be followed by a reception hosted by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to welcome leaders from a range of civil society organisations. Attendees will represent civil society from across the four nations, including grass roots charities and social enterprises covering a range of diverse communities.
Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer said:
To fix the foundations of our country we need a fundamental reset of the relationship between government and civil society.
That is why we’re building a new partnership with the sector to tackle the complex social and economic challenges we face as a country.
By harnessing the dynamism, innovation and trusted reach of civil society organisations, we can boost growth and deliver better outcomes for communities right across the country”.
Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy said:
The Covenant paves the way for a new era in the relationship between government and civil society — one that recognises the critical role the sector plays as a trusted partner in achieving shared goals for the benefit of communities across the UK.
Voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises all understand the challenges being faced every day in our villages, towns and cities and the government wants to work hand-in-hand with them to help fix them — changing lives for the better.
National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) CEO, Sarah Elliott said:
We are proud to be working with the Government on the Civil Society Covenant. This foundational moment resets the relationship between government and civil society, ensuring the expertise of charities and social enterprises are central to decision making. We look forward to continuing our work with partners across the sector to achieve this vision.
Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO) CEO, Jane Ide said:
ACEVO welcomes the government’s commitment to work together to develop a Civil Society Covenant which aims to redefine our relationship for the benefit of the people, causes and communities we serve. Effective leadership relies on collaboration, trust, and mutual respect — values that underpin this Covenant. Civil society leaders are essential partners in realising this vision and ensuring its principles are upheld.
Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) CEO, Dr Lindsay Cordery-Bruce said:
WCVA has proudly worked alongside the Welsh Government for over 20 years to ensure positive and meaningful engagement with the third sector. We welcome the new Covenant as the next step in the civil society movement across the UK. A new Covenant that complements the existing arrangements in the devolved nations will offer an opportunity to build on good practice.”
Locality CEO, Tony Armstrong said:
We welcome the government’s commitment to resetting its relationship with civil society. Local community organisations have long played a vital, yet often overlooked role in addressing society’s most pressing issues. We see every day what community power can achieve, and the support of government at all levels will allow community organisations to do even more to help local people thrive.
Refugee Council CEO, Enver Solomon said:
It is very encouraging to have a government firmly committed to reaching a new deal on how it works with the voluntary sector as it responds to the huge challenges society and public services face.
Charities bring years of invaluable frontline experience, service innovation and an independent perspective that can make government policy and delivery stronger and grounded in the reality of people’s lived experience.
Four key principles will form the basis of the Covenant Framework: transparency, recognition, participation and partnership. They will act as a starting point for wider engagement across Government, the public sector and civil society.
The initiative aims to improve Government and civil society’s ability to tackle complex social and economic challenges by uniting the unique capabilities of the two to facilitate better outcomes for communities which would otherwise be impossible to achieve in isolation.
Today’s events at Downing Street will kickstart a period of engagement throughout the autumn, with consideration given to ensuring broad representation is achieved across the full breadth of civil society, inclusive of organisations of all purposes, sizes, geographical locations and demographic focus.
In parallel, engagement will take place across Government including the Devolved Governments, Arm’s Length Bodies, local authorities and Mayoral Combined Authorities.
The robust engagement period will culminate in the publication of a final co-created Covenant to be published next year.
ENDS
Additional quotes:
National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA) CEO, Maddy Desforges said:
We welcome Government’s explicit recognition of the VCSE’s role in tackling complex and deep rooted societal problems. Local VCSE support organisations form critical connections between the VCSE and statutory partners and capture communities’ unique knowledge and problem solving insights. We are excited to work with Government to collaborate and deepen our relationship to support and develop resilient communities.
Voice4Change England Director, Kunle Olulode MBE said:
Voice4change England welcomes the opportunity to work with government on setting out a new relationship with voluntary organisations, social enterprises and civil society generally.
It is long overdue for the government to engage seriously with the parts of the Black and Minoritised third sector we are involved in, so we are keen to make it work. We look forward to constructive, meaningful engagement and positive changes for all in British Society.
The Civil Society Covenant will support partnerships between: 1. national government and associated public bodies including executive agencies and arm’s length organisations 2. civil society organisations including charities, community groups, social enterprises, funders and contributors to the impact economy.
While the Covenant scope will focus on core Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations, relevant industry bodies including Trade Unions were also consulted as part of the initial drafting via engagement with NCVO and ACEVO.
The Covenant will not override existing arrangements between civil society and the Devolved Governments, local authorities and combined authorities, but will instead seek to support these existing relationships.
Today our Governing Council decided on monetary policy, determining what’s needed to return inflation to our 2% goal in a timely manner.
Listen to President Christine Lagarde present today’s decisions. The statement also covers:
• how the economy is performing
• how we expect prices to develop
• the risks to the economic outlook
• the dynamics behind financial and monetary conditions
Published and recorded during our press conference on 17 October 2024
Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour and Seniors, today announced a total FedNor investment of $1,696,000 in three projects in the East Algoma – Lake Huron North Shore area. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor.
FedNor funds will support three projects fostering new and existing businesses as well as tourism
October 17, 2024 – Elliot Lake, ON – Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario – FedNor
Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour and Seniors, today announced a total FedNor investment of $1,696,000 in three projects in the East Algoma – Lake Huron North Shore area. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor.
Of the total funds, $1,600,000 will go to the East Algoma Community Futures Development Corporation (EACFDC) in support of operating costs for a five-year period beginning April 1, 2024. The funding will help EACFDC provide business counselling and investment services to small and medium-sized businesses, as well as leadership in community strategic planning and socio-economic development. In the previous five-year operating period, EACFDC assisted over 50 businesses, including new startups. They also helped create or maintain over 100 jobs in their catchment area.
The remaining FedNor funds will go to the City of Elliot Lake for two projects. $72,000 will support the community in developing a detailed tourism strategy. This project will provide the City of Elliot Lake with detailed activities and measurable goals on how to increase tourism. The remaining $24,000 will support the community in completing infrastructure service for a new industrial park development. This will include project design and electrical hook up of a lift station. These two projects will strengthen the local economy by supporting business development, and by bolstering hospitality and retail in the community.
Quotes
“The East Algoma area is not only one of the most breathtaking places in a country of exceptional beauty, it is also a place of great opportunity made up of many diverse communities. These FedNor funds are going to help continue to strengthen and support communities in the area, and ensure that a strong economy continues to grow alongside the scenic views that make East Algoma a special place.”
– Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour and Seniors
“Today’s monumental federal investment will not only support local businesses in East Algoma, providing them with services needed to meet their growing operations and creating strong and diverse regional economies, but also help the City of Elliot Lake to help develop a detailed tourism strategy. Our government will continue funding strong and diverse regional economies because we understand: Canada is strongest when we are succeeding together.”
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister Responsible for FedNor
“We are very proud of the work we do in supporting local businesses, organizations, and their communities. Every person here at the East Algoma Community Futures Development Corporation loves this area, and these FedNor funds will help us to directly build our home communities. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with and help entrepreneurs and their businesses succeed.”
– Shawn Heard, General Manager, East Algoma Community Futures Development Corporation
“Our community is a special place home to welcoming, hard-working people, and we are excited to share Elliot Lake with the world. We are a small city of big outdoors and bigger hearts, and FedNor’s support is helping us to expand local businesses and capitalize on opportunities to showcase this beautiful area to people far and wide.”
Their catchment area is over 120,000 square kilometres and extends from St. Joseph Island in the west to Spanish in the east.
The City of Elliot Lake is located on Highway 108, Between Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie. Elliot Lake serves as an important service hub for many surrounding small communities.
The majority of funds announced today are provided through FedNor’s Community Futures Program (CFP), through which FedNor supports 24 Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) located throughout Northern Ontario.
These community-based, not-for-profit organizations are staffed by professionals and are each governed by local volunteer board of directors familiar with their communities’ needs, concerns and future development priorities.
Additional funds announced today are provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP), through which FedNor invests in projects led by municipalities, First Nations, and other organizations and institutions that support community economic development, diversification, job creation and self-reliant communities in Northern Ontario.
Associated links
Contacts
Jennifer Kozelj Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor jennifer.kozelj@sac-isc.gc.ca
Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario Media Relations
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Kieran Maguire, Senior Teacher in Accountancy and member of Football Industries Group, University of Liverpool
When the Premier League broke away from the rest of English football in 1992, its 22 clubs generated £205 million in its debut season, and the average player earned £2,050 a week. Thirty years later, despite having two fewer clubs, the league’s revenue had increased by 2,850% to £6.1 billion and the average player earned £93,000 a week.
At the heart of this extraordinary growth is an American revolution. In the Premier League’s inaugural season, football was still in recovery from the horrors of the stadium disasters at Hillsborough and Heysel. Owners tended to be from the local area and with a business background. The only foreign owner was Sam Hamman at Wimbledon, a Lebanese millionaire who bought the club on a whim having reportedly been much more interested in tennis. The season ended with Manchester United (under Alex Ferguson) winning the English game’s top league for the first time in 26 years.
Now, if the Texas-based Friedkin Group’s recent deal to buy Everton goes through, 11 of the 20 Premier League clubs will be controlled or part-owned by American investors. The US – long seen as football’s final frontier when it comes to the men’s game – suddenly can’t get enough of English “soccer”.
Four of the Premier League’s “big six” are American-owned – Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea – while a fifth, Manchester City, has a significant US minority shareholding. Aston Villa, Fulham, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, West Ham and Ipswich Town also have varying degrees of American ownership.
And it’s not even just the glamour clubs at the top of the tree. American investment has also been significant lower down the football pyramid, led by the high-profile acquisition of then non-league Wrexham by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny, and Birmingham City’s purchase by US investors including seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady. American investment in football has reached places as geographically diverse as Carlisle and Crawley in England, and Aberdeen and Edinburgh in Scotland.
The Insights section is committed to high-quality longform journalism. Our editors work with academics from many different backgrounds who are tackling a wide range of societal and scientific challenges.
Manchester United was the first Premier League club to come under American ownership – after a row about a horse.
In 2005, United was owned by a variety of investors including Irish businessmen and racehorse owners John Magnier and J.P. McManus. Their erstwhile friend Ferguson, the United manager, thought he co-owned the champion racehorse Rock of Gibraltar with them – a stallion worth millions in stud rights. They disagreed – and their bitter dispute was such that Magnier and McManus decided to sell their shares in the football club.
The Miami-based Glazer family – already involved in sport as owners of NFL franchise the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – had already been buying up small tranches of shares in United, but the sudden availability of the Irish shares allowed Malcolm Glazer to acquire a controlling stake for £790 million (around £1.5 billion at today’s prices).
The fact Glazer did not actually have sufficient funds to pay for these shares was a solvable problem. In the some-might-say commercially naive world of top-flight English football before the Premier League, Manchester United was a club without debt, paying its way without leveraging its position as one of the world’s most famous football clubs. Glazer saw the opportunity this presented and arranged a leveraged buy-out (LBO), whereby the football club borrowed more than £600 million secured on its own assets to, in effect, “buy itself” in 2005.
Despite the need to meet the high interest costs to fund the LBO, United continued winning trophies under Ferguson – including three Premier League titles in a row in 2007, 2008 and 2009, as well as a Champions League victory in 2008. Amid this success, the club felt that ticket prices were too low and set about increasing them, with matchday revenue increasing from £66 million in 2004/05 to over £101 million by 2007/08.
Commercial income was another area the Glazers were keen to increase. United set up offices in London and adopted a global approach to finding new official branding deals ranging from snacks to tractor and tyre suppliers – doubling revenues from this income source too.
But in this new, more aggressive world of “sweating the asset”, the debts lingered – and most United fans remained deeply suspicious of their American owners. (Following their father’s death in 2014, the club was co-owned by his six children, with brothers Avram and Joel Glazer becoming co-chairmen.)
Today, despite its partial listing on the New York Stock Exchange and the February 2024 sale of 27.7% of the club to British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe for a reputed £1.25 billion, United still has borrowings of more than £546 million, having paid cumulative interest costs of £969 million since the takeover in 2005. But with the club now valued at US$6.55 billion (around £5bn), it represents a very smart investment for the Glazer family.
Indeed, while the prices being paid for football clubs across Europe have reached record levels, they are still seen as cheap investments compared with US sports’ leading franchises. Forbes’s annual list of the world’s most valuable sports teams has American football (NFL), baseball (MLB) and basketball (NBA) teams occupying the top ten positions, with only three Premier League clubs – Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City – in the top 50.
With NFL teams having an average franchise value of US$5.1 billion and NBA $3.9 billion, many English football clubs still look like a bargain from the other side of the pond.
The risk of relegation
The latest to join this US bandwagon, the Friedkin Group – a Texas-based portfolio of companies run by American businessman and film producer Dan Friedkin – is reported to have offered £400m to buy Everton, despite the club’s poor financial state.
“The Toffees” have been hit by loss of sponsorships as well as two sets of points deductions for breaching the Premier League’s financial rules, leading to revenue losses from lower league positions. While the new stadium being built at Liverpool’s Bramley-Moore dock has been yet another financial constraint, it will at least increase matchday income from the start of next season.
Everton’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore dock will open in time for the start of the 2025-26 season. Phil Silverman / Shutterstock
A wider reason for the relative bargain in valuations of European football clubs is the risk of relegation – something that is not part of the closed leagues of most US sports. While the threat of relegation (and promise of promotion) has always been an integral part of English and European football, the jeopardy this brings for supporters – and a club’s finances – does not exist in the NFL, NBA, Major League Soccer and similar competitions.
The Premier League, with its three relegation spots at the end of each season, has featured 51 different clubs since it launched in 1992. Only six clubs – Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton – have been ever present, with Arsenal now approaching 100 years of consecutive top-flight football.
Other Premier League clubs have experienced the dramatic cost-benefit of relegation and promotion. Oldham Athletic, who were in the Premier League for its first two seasons, now languish in the fifth tier of the game, outside the English Football League (EFL). In contrast, Luton Town, who were in the fifth tier as recently as 2014, were promoted to the Premier League in 2023 – only to be relegated at the end of last season.
While it is difficult to compare football clubs with basketball and American football teams, the financial difference between having an open league, with relegation, and a closed league becomes apparent when you look at women’s football on both sides of the Atlantic.
Angel City, a women’s soccer team based in Los Angeles, only entered the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in 2022 and is yet to win an NWSL trophy. But last month, the club was sold for US$250 million (£188m) to Disney’s CEO Bob Iger and TV journalist Willow Bay – the most expensive takeover in the history of women’s professional sport.
In comparison, Chelsea – seven-time winners of the English Women’s Super League and one of the most successful sides in Europe – valued its women’s team at £150 million ($US196m) earlier this summer. While there are a number of factors to this price differential, the confidence that Angel City will always be a member of the big league of US soccer clubs – and share very equally in its revenue – will have made its new owners very confident in the long-term soundness of their deal.
The story of Angel City FC, the most expensive team in women’s sport.
A further attraction for American investors is the potential to enter two markets – one mature (men’s football) and one effectively a start-up (the women’s game) – in a single purchase. In the US, the top men’s and women’s clubs are completely separate. But in Europe, most top-flight women’s teams are affiliated to men’s clubs – with the exception of eight-time Women’s Champions League winners Olympique Lyonnais Feminin, which split from the French men’s club when Korean-American businesswoman Michele Kang bought a majority stake in the women’s team in February 2024).
While interest in, and hence value of, the WSL is now growing fast, the women’s game in England is dwarfed by viewer ratings for the Premier League – the most watched sporting league in the world, viewed by an estimated 1.87 billion people every week across 189 countries.
These figures dwarf even the NFL which, while currently still the most valuable of all sporting leagues in terms of its broadcasting deals, must be looking at the growth of the Premier League with some jealousy. This may explain why some US franchise owners, such as Stan Kroenke, the Glazer family, Fenway Sports Group and Billy Foley, have subsequently purchased Premier League football clubs.
Ironically, for many spectators around the world, it is the intensity and competitiveness of most Premier League matches – brought on in part by the threat of relegation and prize of European qualification – that makes it so captivating. However, billionaire investors like guaranteed numbers and dislike risk – especially the degree of financial risk that exists in the Premier League and English Football League.
European not-so-Super League
In April 2021, 12 leading European clubs (six from England plus three each from Spain and Italy) announced the creation of the European Super League (ESL). This new mid-week competition was to be a high-revenue generating, closed competition with (eventually) 15 permanent teams and five annual additions qualifying from Europe. According to one of the driving forces behind the plan, Manchester United co-chairman Joel Glazer:
By bringing together the world’s greatest clubs and players to play each other throughout the season, the Super League will open a new chapter for European football, ensuring world-class competition and facilities, and increased financial support for the wider football pyramid.
The problem facing the Premier League’s “big six” clubs – and their ambitious owners – is there are currently only four slots available to play in the Champions League. So, their thinking went, why not take away the risk of not qualifying? However, the proposal was swiftly condemned by fans around Europe, together with football’s governing bodies and leagues – all of whom saw the ESL proposal as a threat to the quality and integrity of their domestic leagues. Following some large fan protests, including at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge, Manchester City was the first club to withdraw – followed, within a couple of days, by the rest of the English clubs.
Under the terms of the ESL proposals, founding member clubs would have been guaranteed participation in the competition forever. Guaranteed participation means guaranteed revenues. The current financial gap between the “big six” and the other members of the Premier League, which in 2022/23 averaged £396 million, would have widened rapidly.
For example, these clubs would have been able to sell the broadcast rights for some of their ESL home fixtures direct to fans, instead of via a broadcaster. All of a sudden, that database of fans who have downloaded the official club app, or are on a mailing list, becomes far more valuable. These are the people most willing to watch their favourite team on a pay-per-view basis, further increasing revenues.
At the same time, a planned ESL wage cap would have stopped players taking all these increased revenues in the form of higher wages, allowing these clubs to become more profitable and their ownership even more lucrative.
American-owned Manchester United and Liverpool had previously tried to enhance the value of their investments during the COVID lockdowns era via ProjectBig Picture – proposals to reduce the size of the Premier League and scrap one of the two domestic cup competitions, thus freeing up time for the bigger clubs to arrange more lucrative tours and European matches against high-profile opposition.
Most importantly, Project Big Picture would have resulted in changing the governance of the domestic game. Under its proposals, the “big six” clubs would have enjoyed enhanced voting rights, and therefore been able to significantly influence how the domestic game was governed.
Any attempt to increase the concentration of power raises concerns of lower competitive balance, whereby fewer teams are in the running to win the title and fewer games are meaningful. This is a problem facing some other major European football leagues including France’s Ligue 1, where interest among broadcasters has dwindled amid the perceived dominance of Paris St-Germain.
So while to date, American-led attempts to change the structure of the Premier League have been foiled, it’s unlikely such ideas have gone away for good. The near-universal fear of fans – even those who welcome an injection of extra cash from a new billionaire owner – is that the spectacle of the league will only be diminished if such plans ever succeed.
And there is evidence from the women’s game that the US closed league format is coming under more pressure from football’s global forces. The NWSL recently announced it is removing the draft system that is designed (as with the NFL and NBA) to build in jeopardy and competitive balance when there is no risk of relegation.
Top US women’s football clubs are losing some of their leading players to other leagues, in part because European clubs are not bound by the same artificial rules of employment. In a truly global professional sport such as football, international competition will always tend to destabilise closed leagues.
Why do they keep buying these clubs?
Does this mean that American and other wealthy owners of Premier League clubs seeking to reduce their risks are ultimately fighting a losing battle? And if so, given the potential risks involved in owning a football club – both financial and even personal – why do they keep buying them?
The motivations are part-financial, part technological and, as has always been the case with sports ownership, part-vanity.
The American economy has grown far faster than that of the EU or UK in recent years. Consequently, there are many beneficiaries of this growth who have surplus cash, and here football becomes an attractive proposition. In fact, football clubs are more resilient to recessions than other industries, holding their value better as they are effectively monopoly suppliers for their fans who have brand loyalty that exists in few other industries.
From 1993 to 2018, a period during which the UK economy more than doubled, the total value of Premier League clubs grew 30 times larger. And many fans are tied to supporting one club, helping to make the biggest clubs more resilient to economic changes than other industries. While football, like many parts of the entertainment industry, was hit by lockdown during Covid, no clubs went out of business, despite the challenges of matches being played in empty stadiums.
Added to this, the exchange rates for US dollars have been very favourable until recently, making US investments in the UK and Europe cheaper for American investors.
So, while Manchester United fans would argue that the Glazer family have not been good for the club, United has been good for the Glazers. And Fenway Sports Group (FSG), who bought Liverpool for £300 million in 2010, have recouped almost all of that money in smaller share sales while remaining majority owners of Liverpool.
Despite this, the £2.5 billion price paid for Chelsea by the US Clearlake-Todd Boehly consortium in May 2022 took markets by surprise.
The sale – which came after the UK government froze the assets of the club’s Russian oligarch owner, Roman Abramovich, following the invasion of Ukraine – went through less than a year after Newcastle United had been sold by Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley to the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund for £305 million – approximately twice that club’s annual revenues. Yet Clearlake-Boehly were willing to pay over five times Chelsea’s annual revenues to acquire the club, even though it was in a precarious financial position.
Clearlake is a private equity group whose main aim is to make profits for their investors. But unlike most such investors, who tend to focus on cost-cutting, the Chelsea ownership came in with a high-spending strategy using new financial structuring ideas, such as offering longer player contracts to avoid falling foul of football’s profitability and sustainability rules (although this loophole has since been closed with Uefa, European football’s governing body, limiting contract lengths for financial regulation purposes to five years).
Chelsea’s location in the one of the most expensive areas of London, combined with its on-field success under Abramovich, all added to the attraction, of course. But there are other reasons why Clearlake, along with billionaire businessman Boehly, were willing to stump up so much for the club.
From Hollywood to the metaverse
While some British football fans may have viewed the Ted Lasso TV show as an enjoyable if slightly twee fictional account of American involvement in English soccer, it has enhanced the attraction of the sport in the US. So too Welcome To Wrexham – the fly-on-the-wall series covering the (to date) two promotions of Wales’s oldest football club under the unlikely Hollywood stewardship of Reynolds and McElhenney.
Welcome To Wrexham, season one trailer.
The growth in US interest in English football is reflected in the record-breaking Premier League media rights deal in 2022, with NBC Sports reportedly paying $2.7 billion (£2.06bn) for its latest six-year deal.
But as well as football offering one of increasingly few “live shared TV experiences” that carry lucrative advertising slots, there may also be more opportunity for more behind-the-scenes coverage of the Premier League – as has long been seen in US coverage of NBA games, for example, where players are interviewed in the locker room straight after games.
According to Manchester United’s latest annual report, the club now has a “global community of 1.1 billion fans and followers”. Such numbers mean its owners, and many others, are bullish about the potential of the metaverse in terms of offering a matchday experience that could be similar to attending a match, without physically travelling to Manchester.
Their neighbours Manchester City, part-owned by American private equity company Silverlake, broke new (virtual) ground by signing a metaverse deal with Sony in 2022. Virtual reality could give fans around the world the feeling of attending a live match, sitting next to their friends and singing along with the rest of the crowd (for a pay-per-view fee).
Some investors are even confident that advancements in Abba-style avatar technology could one day allow fans to watch live 3D simulations of Premier League matches in stadiums all over the world. Having first-mover advantage by being in the elite club of owners who can make use of such technology could prove ever more rewarding.
More immediately, there are some indications that competitive matches involving England’s top men’s football teams could soon take place in US or other venues. Boehly, Chelsea’s co-owner, has already suggested adopting some US sports staples such as an All-Star match to further boost revenues. Indeed, back in 2008, the Premier League tentatively discussed a “39th game” taking place overseas, but that idea was quickly shelved.
The American owners of Birmingham City were keen to play this season’s EFL League One match against Wrexham in the US, but again this proposal did not get far. Liverpool’s chairman Tom Werner says he is determined to see matches take place overseas, and recent changes to world governing body Fifa’s rulebook could make it easier for this proposal to succeed.
The potential benefits of hosting games overseas include higher matchday revenues, increased brand awareness, and enhanced broadcast rights. While there is likely to be significant opposition from local fans, at least American owners know they would not face the same hostility about rising matchday prices in the US as they have encountered in England.
When the Argentinian legend Lionel Messi signed for new MLS franchise Inter Miami in 2023, season ticket prices nearly doubled on his account. And while there is vocal opposition to higher ticket prices in England, this is not borne out in terms of lower attendances for matches against high-calibre opposition – as evidenced by Aston Villa charging up to £97 for last week’s Champions League meeting with Bayern Munich.
Villa’s director of operations, Chris Heck, defended the prices by saying that difficult decisions had to be made if the club was to be competitive.
Manchester United’s matchday revenue per EPL season (£m)
For much of the 2010s, with broadcast revenues increasing rapidly, many Premier League owners made little effort to stoke hostilities with their loyal fan bases by putting up ticket prices. Indeed, Manchester United generated little more from matchday income in the 2021-22 season, as football emerged from the pandemic, than the club had in 2010-11 (see chart above).
However, this uneasy truce between fans and owners has ceased. The relative flatlining of broadcast revenues since 2017, along with cost control rules that are starting to affect clubs’ ability to spend money on player signings and wages, has changed club appetites for dampened ticket prices. This has resulted in noticeable rises in individual ticket and season ticket prices by some clubs.
However, season ticket and other local “legacy” fans generate little money compared with the more lucrative overseas and tourist fans. They may only watch their favourite team live once a season, but when they visit, they are far more likely not only to pay higher matchday prices, but to spend more on merchandise, catering and other offerings from the club.
Today’s breed of commercially aware, profit-seeking US Premier League owners – pioneered by the Glazer family, who saw that “sweating the asset” meant more than watching football players sprinting hard – understand there is a lot more value to come from English football teams. The clubs’ loyal local supporters may not like it, but English football’s American-led revolution is not done yet.
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Kieran Maguire has taught courses and presented on football finance for the Professional Footballers Association, League Managers Association, FIFA and national football associations in Europe.
Christina Philippou is affiliated with the RAF FA, and Premier League education programs.
LEXINGTON, Ky.— The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky commemorates and emphasizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) this October, by reaffirming its unwavering commitment to supporting survivors, raising awareness, and promoting justice for those affected by domestic violence.
DVAM serves as a crucial opportunity to shed light on the profound impacts of domestic violence and emphasize the importance of collective action. Each year, millions of individuals are impacted by intimate partner violence, and far too many families endure the tragic consequences of domestic abuse. The Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that survivors are heard, perpetrators are held accountable, and to strengthening partnerships with communities to prevent domestic violence.
This year’s commemoration of DVAM is special because it also marks the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act. In 1994, the passage of this landmark, bipartisan legislation transformed the way our nation addresses domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, by increasing protections for survivors, providing critical federal resources to support a coordinated community response to these crimes, and awarding grants at the local, state, territory, Tribal, and national levels.
“Domestic violence accumulates a massive toll, not only on its victims, but also on the friends, families, and communities that surround them,” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Home is where people go to feel safe and secure, not where fear, abuse, and violence should engulf their lives. We remain committed to doing our part to combat this destructive threat, to making our communities safer, and to holding people responsible for these shameful acts of violence and abuse.”
Domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking can have long-lasting impacts and consequences, and survivors in underserved communities are disproportionately impacted due to the lack of resources or barriers to accessing services. DVAM provides an opportunity to spread awareness about domestic violence and encourage everyone to play a role in ending gender-based violence.
We also encourage everyone to learn more about domestic violence and take steps to support friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors who may be affected. By understanding the signs of abuse, providing a safe space for survivors, and connecting them to available resources, we can all play a role in creating safer communities.
Victims of domestic violence deserve safety, dignity, and justice. We are committed to prosecuting those who violate federal laws, collaborating with local law enforcement and prosecutors to identify domestic violence offenders who violate federal firearms prohibitions, and ensuring survivors have access to the resources they need for safety and healing. Together, we can bring hope to those in need and build a future free from domestic violence. For more information on Domestic Violence Awareness Month or to access to local resources, please visit https://www.sos.ky.gov/safe-at-home/Pages/Survivor-Resources.aspx
Headline: Stay in Touch with FEMA After You Apply for Assistance
Stay in Touch with FEMA After You Apply for Assistance
BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana residents who registered with FEMA for disaster assistance after Hurricane Francine are encouraged to stay in touch with FEMA to resolve issues, provide updates on their applications or submit new information.
If you change your address, phone number or banking information, notify FEMA. Missing or erroneous information could result in delays in receiving assistance.
Reasons to contact FEMA:
Update your insurance information
Receive information on the home inspection process
Add or remove the name of a person designated to speak for the applicant
Find out if FEMA needs more information about your claim
Update FEMA on your housing situation
Learn how to appeal an eligibility determination
Get answers to other questions about an application
Ways to Update Your Information with FEMA
Visit any Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). The centers operate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. No appointment is needed. The DRCs are accessible to people with disabilities or access and functional needs and are equipped with assistive technology. If you need a reasonable accommodation or sign language interpreter, please call 833-285-7448 (press 2 for Spanish). For a list of the DRCs closest to you, go to https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator and enter your location information.
You can also provide missing or new information through DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also download the FEMA Mobile App to your phone and keep track of information there.
You can call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
For the latest information visit fema.gov/disaster/4817. Follow FEMA Region 6 on social media at X.com/FEMARegion6 or at facebook.com/femaregion6.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Insolvency Service working with regulators to improve support for people with debt
Research was commissioned by the Insolvency Service in light of concerns about the Individual Voluntary Arrangement market.
Of the 310 terminated IVAs that were examined, 60% showed evidence of poor practice by providers.
The Insolvency Service is working with the industry’s regulators to address the situation.
Latest research commissioned by the Insolvency Service has shown evidence of poor practice among providers of Individual Voluntary Arrangements.
Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) are a legally binding agreement between a person who is insolvent and their creditors.
They are administered by licensed Insolvency Practitioners, usually last for between five and six years, and give people the opportunity to pay an affordable monthly contribution towards their debts.
After concerns were raised about the way IVAs were being offered to people who signed up to them, the Insolvency Service commissioned independent research to look into the market.
The research, which has been published today, looked at 310 randomly selected IVAs which had been both registered and terminated between 2021 and 2023, and found that 60% showed evidence of poor practice in the early stages.
Examples of poor practice included people’s income and expenditure not being recorded accurately by providers, other debt solutions being incorrectly dismissed and providers failing to make sure people understood what they were signing up to.
Claire Hardgrave, the Head of Insolvency Practitioner Regulation for the Insolvency Service said:
Poor practice in the IVA market isn’t in anyone’s interest. It is bad for the economy, for creditors and providers, and it has negative consequences for people dealing with problem debt, including those who are vulnerable.
While IVAs can work well for many, if an IVA is unsuitable it can leave people struggling with their household budget, being in debt for longer, or even taking on more debt to make their IVA payments.
We are working with the industry’s regulators on ways to improve this important area of support for people with debt, to make sure they are always given the best advice.
Across England and Wales, a total of 64,050 IVAs were registered in 2023.
The agreements freeze a person’s debts, stop recovery action and provide debt-relief, allowing them to become debt free over a set period. They often provide a better outcome for consumers and creditors than alternative debt solutions, such as bankruptcy.
Despite steps to improve poor practices over the past few years, the Insolvency Service has still received reports of poor practices, including aggressive marketing towards people in financial distress which fails to mention the fees which organisations charge or the cheaper alternatives available.
Following the publication of its research, the Insolvency Service is continuing to progress its work with regulatory bodies on actions to improve the IVA market.
Measures being investigated include creating new advertising protocols, simplifying the process for people entering IVAs, making sure people are presented with more information before they sign up to an IVA and providing better training for Insolvency Practitioners’ staff.
Anna Hall, Corporate Director for Debt at the Money and Pensions Service, said:
This research shows how incredibly important it is that those who are struggling with debt have access to free and impartial advice, helping them to understand the best way to manage their financial situation.
For free and impartial guidance, visit MoneyHelper.org.uk to access our debt advice locator tool which provides information about free and confidential debt advice online, over the phone or near to where you live.
A debt adviser will treat everything you say in confidence, never judge you, and will suggest ways of dealing with debts that you might not know about.
For more information about IVAs and this research, see here.
The IAM and organized labor are critical partners to grow manufacturing here at home and expand economic security for workers, said IAM Midwest Territory Grand Lodge Representative Kevin Murch at a recent manufacturing town hall discussion in Milwaukee.
The Future of Manufacturing panel, hosted by Milwaukee PBS and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, brought together labor and company representatives to discuss the importance of partnering to attract and train workers for the industries of today and tomorrow.
WATCH: The Future of Manufacturing Town Hall
“We discussed a variety of issues facing manufacturing, including the great opportunities we in have in the IAM to enhance our presence in the re-shoring of our manufacturing jobs,” said Murch. “I had a chance to talk about the great success we have achieved with Local 701 and their training center and our many apprenticeships we encourage to have in our collective bargaining agreements, which provide better economic stability for the working class.”
The IAM also had a table at the event’s career fair, where IAM Midwest Territory Special Representative Bob Beloit, District 10 Organizer Anne Wiberg and District 10 Business Representative Hunter Scott had conversations with attendees about the IAM’s presence in the community.
“Collective bargaining gives workers an opportunity to come together and negotiate with employers to provide security, stability and long-term employment,” Murch said on the panel. “That’s what we do within the IAM.”
Murch and the panel also discussed the need for increased vocational training in K-12 education and more apprenticeship opportunities in critical industries.
“The IAM is proud to be a partner and a leader in expanding opportunities for workers in communities all across North America,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “We’re grateful for this opportunity to continue to expand our reach and spread the message that the IAM is here to help create good, family-sustaining careers.”
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that the 2024 Kansas Economic Report shows growth in the state’s labor workforce, continued low unemployment, and record exports. The report, produced by the Labor Market Information Services division of the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL), comprehensively analyzes the state’s economic health and labor market trends.
The annual publication highlights critical data on employment, unemployment, labor force participation, job growth, personal income, and more, providing an essential resource for businesses, policymakers, and job seekers.
Labor Force Growth: In 2023, Kansas saw a 0.6% increase in its labor force, adding 8,385 individuals and bringing the total labor force to over 1.51 million. The number of employed Kansans reached a record high of 1.47 million, reflecting the state’s resilience and ongoing recovery.
Unemployment Rates: Kansas maintained a low unemployment rate, rising slightly to 2.7% in 2023, still well below the national average of 3.6%. Despite the modest increase, Kansas continues to outperform the national labor market.
Job Market Rebounds: Kansas’ nonfarm jobs surpassed pre-pandemic levels, with a total of 1.44 million jobs in 2023. Private sector employment led this growth, adding 23,800 jobs, while the government sector added 3,700 jobs.
Industry and Occupational Projections: Health care, transportation, and computer-related occupations are expected to grow significantly through 2032. Occupations typically requiring a bachelor’s degree are expected to add the most jobs from 2022 to 2032.
Export Growth: Kansas’ export market hit a record of $14.1 billion in sales, driven by growth in the transportation equipment and processed foods sectors. However, exports to Kansas’ top trade partners—Mexico, Canada, and Japan—have declined over the year.
“The growth we are seeing is encouraging and shows the progress made in revitalizing our state’s economy,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This report reinforces my administration’s commitment to making Kansas the best state to live, work, and raise a family.”
“Kansas continues to show resilience in its economic recovery, as demonstrated by rising employment numbers and strong job growth in key sectors,” KansasSecretary ofLabor Amber Shultz said. “However, demographic challenges such as a shrinking younger population highlight the need for careful attention to workforce development as we plan for the future.”
The report also discusses long-term demographic trends, citing concerns about the state’s aging population and declining numbers of younger workers, which could pose challenges to future labor force sustainability.
To address those issues, the Kansas Department of Commerce has been working with businesses to attract new talent. It recently launched its Love, Kansas campaign to bring those who left the state back to their roots in Kansas.
“It’s simple: we need more humans in Kansas to keep up with the phenomenal economic growth our state is experiencing,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The best way to do that is to first approach Kansans who left the state for economic opportunities elsewhere and invite them to build a life in a place they know and have connections to, whether in their hometown or elsewhere in the state. And with the Love, Kansas campaign, we aren’t just extending an invitation to those who once called Kansas home to come back–we’re also inviting families from around the country to build their lives in the Sunflower State.”
Jacquelyn Shuman, FireSense Project Scientist at NASA Ames Research Center, originally wanted to be a veterinarian. By the time she got to college, Shuman had switched interests to biology, which became a job teaching middle and high school science. Teaching pivoted to finance for a year, before Shuman returned to the science world to pursue a PhD. It was in a forest ecology class taught by her future PhD advisor, Herman “Hank” Shugart, that she first discovered a passion for ecosystems and dynamic vegetation that led her into the world of fire science, and eventually to NASA Ames. While Shuman’s path into the world of fire science was not a direct one, she views her diverse experiences as the key to finding a fulfilling career. “Do a lot of different things and try a lot of different things, and if one thing isn’t connecting with you, then do something different,” Shuman said.
Shuman’s PhD program focused on boreal forest dynamics across Russia, examining how the forest changes in response to climate change and wildfire. During her research, she worked mainly with scientists from Russia, Canada, and the US through the Northern Eurasia Earth Science Partnership Initiative (NEESPI), where Shugart served as the NEESPI Chief Scientist. “The experience of having a highly supportive mentor, being a part of the NEESPI community, and working alongside other inspiring female scientists from across the globe helped me to stay motivated within my own research,” Shuman said. After completing her PhD, Shuman wanted to become involved in collaborative science with a global impact, which led her to the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). There, she spent seven years working as a project scientist on the Next Generation Ecosystem Experiment NGEE-Tropics) on a dynamic vegetation model project called FATES (Functionally Assembled Terrestrial Ecosystem Simulator). As part of the FATES team, Shuman used computer modeling to test vegetation structure and function in tropical and boreal forests after wildfires, and was the lead developer for updating the fire portion of the model.
Fire has also played a powerful role in Shuman’s personal life. In 2021, the Marshall Fire destroyed neighborhoods near her hometown of Boulder, Colorado, causing over $513 million of damage and securing its place as the state’s most destructive wildfire. Despite this, Shuman is determined to not live in fear. “Fire is part of our lives, it’s a part of the Earth system, and it’s something we can plan for. We can live more sustainably with fires.” The way to live safely in a fire-inclusive ecosystem, according to Shuman, is to develop ways to accurately track and forecast wildfires and smoke, and to respond to them efficiently: efforts the fire community is continuously working on improving.
Collaboration is a critical element of wildland fire management. Fire science is a field that involves practitioners such as firefighters and land managers, but also researchers such as modelers and forecasters; the most effective efforts, according to Shuman, come when this community works together. “People in fire science might be out in the field and carrying a drip torch and marching along in the hilltops and the grasslands or be behind a computer and analyzing remote sensing data,” Shuman said. “We need both pieces.” Protecting communities from wildfire impacts is one of the most fulfilling aspects of Shuman’s career, and a goal that unites this community. “Fire research poses tough questions, but the people who are thinking about this are the people who are acting on it,” Shuman said. “They are saying, ‘What can we do? How can we think about this? What information do we need? What are the questions?’ It’s a special community to be a part of.”
Currently at NASA Ames Research Center, Shuman is the Project Scientist for FireSense: a project focused on delivering NASA science and technology to practitioners and operational agencies. Shuman acts as the lead for the project office, identifying and implementing tools and strategies. Shuman still does ecosystem modeling work, including implementing vegetation models that forecast the impact of fire, but also spends time traveling to active fires across the country so she can help partners implement NASA tools and strategies in real time.
“Right now, many different communities are all recognizing that we can partner to identify the best path forward,” Shuman said. “We have an opportunity to use everyone’s strengths and unique perspectives. It can be a devastating thing for a community and an ecosystem when a fire happens. Everyone is interested in using all this collective knowledge to do more, together.” Written by Molly Medin, NASA Ames Research Center
Source: United States Small Business Administration
WASHINGTON – Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to businesses and residents in Florida following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration for Hurricane Milton that began on Oct. 5. SBA has opened a Business Recovery Center (BRC) at the Entrepreneurs Collaborative Center, in Tampa. The SBA opened the Center to assist businesses and residents who were affected by Hurricanes Milton, Helene and Debby.
“SBA’s mission-driven team stands ready to help small businesses and residents in Florida impacted by this disaster in every way possible under President Biden’s disaster declaration for certain affected areas,” said SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman. “We’re committed to providing federal disaster loans swiftly and efficiently, with a customer-centric approach to help businesses and communities recover and rebuild.”
On October 15, 2024, it was announced that funds for the Disaster Loan Program have been fully expended. While no new loans can be issued until Congress appropriates additional funding, we remain committed to supporting disaster survivors. Applications will continue to be accepted and processed to ensure individuals and businesses are prepared to receive assistance once funding becomes available.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their loan applications promptly for review in anticipation of future funding.
The disaster declaration covers Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, Volusia and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Broward, Levy, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Nassau counties in Florida.
SBA’s Customer Service Representatives are available at the Centers to assist business owners complete their disaster loan application, accept documents, and provide updates on an application’s status. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment at an SBA Business Recovery Center in advance. The Centers will operate as indicated below.
Business Recovery Center (BRC)
Pinellas County
Entrepreneurs Collaborative Center
2101 E Palm Ave
Tampa, FL 33605
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed: Sunday
Business Recovery Center (BRC)
Pinellas County
SPC Epicenter at St. Petersburg College
13805 58th Street N, Suite 1-200
Clearwater, FL 33760
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed: Saturday and Sunday
Business Recovery Center (BRC)
Manatee County
Rocky Bluff Library
6750 US-301
Ellenton, FL 34222
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed: Sunday
Business Recovery Center (BRC)
Sarasota County
Sarasota Christian Church
2923 Ashton Rd
Sarasota, FL 34231
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed: Sunday
“SBA’s Business Recovery Centers are a cornerstone of our support for business owners,” said Francisco Sánchez, Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. “At these centers, business owners can meet face-to-face with specialists to apply for disaster loans and access a wide range of resources to guide them through their recovery.”
Disaster survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan. If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA can make a low-interest disaster loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan.
Businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.
Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property.
Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.25% for nonprofit organizations, and 2.813% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and monthly payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the initial disbursement. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Building back smarter and stronger can be an effective recovery tool for future disasters. Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may include a safe room or storm shelter, sump pump, French drain or retaining wall to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.
“SBA’s disaster loan program offers an important advantage–the chance to incorporate measures that can reduce the risk of future damage,” said Sánchez. “Work with contractors and mitigation professionals to strengthen your property and take advantage of the opportunity to request additional SBA disaster loan funds for these proactive improvements.”
With the changes to FEMA’s Sequence of Delivery, survivors are now encouraged to simultaneously apply for FEMA grants and the SBA low-interest disaster loan assistance to fully recover. FEMA grants are intended to cover necessary expenses and serious needs not paid by insurance or other sources. The SBA disaster loan program is designed for your long-term recovery, to make you whole and get you back to your pre-disaster condition. Do not wait on the decision for a FEMA grant.
Survivors impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Debby should submit separate applications for each disaster. For information and to apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Dec. 10, 2024. The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 11, 2025.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit http://www.sba.gov.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the following statement on the Constitutional Reform of Strategic State Industries and Enterprises which passed the Mexican Senate. The legislation which had previously passed in the lower house, gives increased market preference to state-owned electric utilities.
“For years, the Biden-Harris administration has largely stood by as Mexico’s disregard for its USMCA commitments places American workers at risk. While these changes to Mexico’s constitution present new barriers to its USMCA compliance which were unanticipated when the agreement was enacted, impediments to a healthy bilateral trade relationship are not new, which is why I have repeatedly urged USTR to conduct robust engagement with stakeholders and Mexican leaders. I am disappointed by this administration’s lack of urgency and cooperation in defending the integrity of USMCA. Lack of enforcement of our agreements, not to mention a lack of long-term strategy, destabilizes the regulatory environment and weakens our competitiveness, ultimately putting American industry in a precarious position. With the review of USMCA coming in 2026, we should be strengthening, not neglecting, our engagement with one of our closest trading partners.”
BACKGROUND:
In September, Smith led a bipartisan group of colleagues in sending a letter to United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai expressing concerns regarding proposals related to electricity, mining, genetically modified corn, and regulatory bodies which were set to be considered by the Mexican government.
Source: The White House
5:54 P.M. EDT THE FIRST LADY: Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you, Alexa. And I’m excited to see your generation forging new connections to our past and shining such a bright light into our future. And I’m also grateful to the National Italian American Foundation. (Applause.) John, Robert, you’ve all — you’ve helped so many people experience our heritage in Italy and preserve it here in the United States. So, thank you. Buonasera, everyone. (Laughter.) AUDIENCE: Buonasera! THE FIRST LADY: And welcome to the White House. When I was a little girl, I learned what it means to be Italian American in my grandparents’ tiny, well-worn kitchen — and not only because there were ribbons of pasta — homemade pasta and sauce bubbling over on the stove. No, the most important lesson that I learned in their kitchen was that, when you’re Italian American, there’s always room for one more chair at the table — (applause) — enough bread toast to feed one more guest, enough space in our hearts for another friend to become like family. And even when times are hard, there’s — THE PRESIDENT: Looking at me. (Laughter.) THE FIRST LADY: There’s always enough time to — (the president makes the sign of the cross) — (laughter) — enjoy the pleasures of life together. My grandparents also taught me to never waste an opportunity to invite more people to the table and make a difference together. So, I knew I had to bring those values of love, abundance, and service to the White House as the first Italian American first lady. (Applause.) That’s why I’ve used this platform to give more women a seat at the table in discussions about their own health — (applause) — to hear from military families about how we can support them, to uplift community college students. And I’ve had the opportunity to bring so many more people inside the historic walls of the White House by creating new educational experiences that allow more Americans to immerse themselves in this house, the People’s House; by using these rooms to celebrate the young people who are changing our world; by honoring the immigrants who helped build this country; and tonight — (applause) — thank you — and tonight, gathering with this community — my community — to celebrate our culture. (Laughter.) So, it’s been the honor of my life to serve as first lady. And during my time here, I’ve often thought of my great-grandparents leaving everything they knew behind to chase the promise of America. And then, when they arrived on Ellis Island to take their first strides into a new life, I don’t think that they could ever have imagined that a group of hundreds of Italian Americans — coming together in the White House. When our roots run deep, there’s no limit to how high we can reach. So, tonight, I hope that you feel the power of our ancestors’ values beating inside of us as we carry their legacy forward; that you feel home — you feel at home, eat good food, and end up with a little something sweet together, as a family. (Laughter.) Now, it’s my pleasure to introduce a man who’s always felt at home — (laughs) — with Italian Americans. (Applause.) In fact, Joe first met my family at a big cookout at my grandparents’ house in Hammonton, New Jersey. So, I was pretty nervous, you know, about Joe coming to meet my family. But as soon as Joe pulled up into the driveway — and you kn- — you can picture this — my tiny grandmom bolted out of the house, bounded down the porch steps, in her housecoat and her apron, and she gave Joe this huge hug, as if she’d known him his entire life. And before he could even get a plate, Joe was greeted not as a stranger but as family. Over the years, I’ve seen the Italian American community extend the same joyful love and support to Joe. You mean so much to him. (Laughs.) So, please welcome — I don’t know why I’m getting so emotional — your president, my husband, Joe. (Applause.) THE PRESIDENT: Welcome to the White House. (Applause.) My name is Joe Biden, and I’m Jill Biden’s husband. (Laughter and applause.) Now, I may be Irish, but I’m not stupid. (Laughter.) I married Dominic Giacoppa’s granddaughter. And five years ago, I want you to know, I received the Sons of Italy Man of the Year award. To the best of my knowledge, I’m the only non-Italian ever to receive that award. (Laughter and applause.) There was a large crowd when I received that award. It was down by the train station. You know, I said I — I moved from an Irish Catholic neighborhood in Scranton to an Italian Catholic neighborhood in Claymont, Delaware. And I went from a — where — a place where you ended like Finnegan and Murphy and all that, down if your name didn’t lend — end in “O,” you’re in real trouble. (Laughter.) I was one of the few guys whose name didn’t end in “O.” I’d look out there and look at all my friends. You know, I accepted the award and named some of the guys I grew up with next door: Sonny Daramo, whose mom would say, “Joey, it’s not sauce; it’s gravy, Joey. It’s gravy, Joey.” (Laughter and applause.) Oh, you think I’m kidding. I’m not. (Laughter.) No, Anzilotti, De- — Sabatino, Buchini, Bifferato, Ceni, Congialdi, Deluterio, Monaco — no, you think I’m kidding — Tancr- — By the way, after I talked about it, I looked down at that crowd and said, “You know…” — thinking about it, I said, “I deserve this damn award.” (Laughter.) “With that many Italian friends, man, I deserve that award.” (Laughter.) Thank you, Alexa, for being here and sharing your pride in your family and your heritage. Look, and it’s great to see so many friends from the National Italian American Foundation, you know, the Sons and Daughters of Italy, and so many other Italian American leaders and organization from all across the country. You know, I can honestly say I wouldn’t be president without you. I wouldn’t be president without the Italian American community. Now, what she didn’t say is we do have something in common. I’m Catherine Eugenia Finnegan — Irish Catholics background. You guys, a lot of you are Catholics, you know. (Laughter.) I know you don’t admit it as much, but there — (laughter). This month is about celebrating the extraordinary contributions and proud, proud herita- — heritage of Italian Americans to our nation. And it’s kind of endless. For some of our families, your story is America’s story. It stretches back generations. For others, it just started. No matter when these st- — stories of immigrants who left everything behind to travel across the ocean in pursuit of the American dream just for a shot — just a simple shot. You and your ancestors worked hard to help build this country and build the middle class. People like my college friend, the late Congressman Bill Pascrell — he’s been — Bill, Jr. is here. Where — where are you, Bill? (Applause.) There you are. I used to kid his dad all the time. I said, “You know, Delaware may be the second-smallest state in the Union, but we own the Delaware River up to the highwater mark in New Jersey.” (Laughter.) There was actually a Supreme Court case about that. Anyway. (Laughter.) But he represented New Jersey, and his son represents the House of Representatives. And Bill did it for 27 years, when he passed away this summer. He was the grandson of Italian immigrants, a giant in the community, and a devoted patriot to the nation. You got good blood, kid, as my dad would say. (Applause.) He was a part of a proud, proud heritage of Italian Americans who enrich every part of American life: entrepreneurs, educators, scientists, chefs, diplomats, doctors, servicemembers, veterans, athletes, actors, artists, and so much more. There’s nothing the Italian community is not engaged in — I mean, virtually nothing. There’s noth- — no community you don’t excel in. But I also know it wasn’t always easy. Many of your ancestors faced horrific discrimination, like my ancestors faced horrific discrimination, when they first came to our shores. Yet, even in the face of — Italian Americans proved that they had the resilient spirit and a devotion to family and community, an unshakeable faith in the promise of a better tomorrow. You know, my dad used to have an expression. He’d say, “Joey, family is the beginning, the middle, and the end — the beginning, the middle, and the end.” It’s a faith that has carried through to today, both at home and abroad. Italian Americans are central to our nation’s deep friendship and strategic partnership with Italy. I’ve — I’ve worked out a really good relationship with the Italians. I’m — well, Ital- — I better have done that but at home. (Laughter.) But all kidding aside, with th- — with Italy. What a magnificent country. You know, and — anyway, I won’t get started. But — (laughter) — you know, the bond between our countries is founded on a shared principle and shared commitments, including the shared support for the brave people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russia’s illegal (inaudible). (Applause.) I might add, they have a female leader. (Applause.) I wish Sonny Daramo were here to hear that. (Laughter.) In addition, Italy’s remarkable stewardship with the presidency of the G7 this year, as well as Italy’s long-standing contributions to transatlantic security through NATO — look, and their strong leadership in the European Union — it underscores how important Italy’s role is on the global stage, not just, you know, for America but for the world. You know, let me close with this. You know, Michelangelo famously said he “saw an angel in the marble, and I carved until I set it free.” “I saw an angel in the marble, and I carved until I set it free.” To me, that’s the essence of what Italian Americans have done to our country for our entire history. You’ve carved until you set us free. I’m — I’m being dead- — deadly earnest. We’re all reminded that when Jill and I had the honor to host one of the greatest singers of all time, in my view, Andrea Bocelli, here at the White House for Christmas in our first year in office, he performed with his son and his daughter as if they were a choir of herald angels. They were incredible. You know, with their God-given talent, the Bocelli family moved our hearts, pierced our souls — and I mean this sincerely — I have all of the music on my — and they embodied the spirit and beauty of all that connects us as people. A powerful reminder that America’s story depends on — not on any one of us but on — not on some of us but all of us. It’s a story I see in all of you, working tirelessly — tirelessly to help realize the promise of America — and I mean it — for all Americans. Not a joke. Because some of you have been on the short end of the stick like my family growing up had been. This is what the Italian American Heritage Month is all about. It’s about celebrating and connecting, feeling the pride in heritage and community, remembering who the hell we are. We’re the United States of America, and there’s nothing beyond our capacity when we do it together — nothing, nothing, nothing. (Applause.) No, I really mean it. So, thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you. And I want to tell you, you know what made me mo- — the — probably one of the most famous guys in my family — the whole family? Not being president. I took her to a beautiful little island off of Sicily. (Laughter.) And she keeps saying, “I’m going back.” (Laughter.) THE FIRST LADY: Soon! THE PRESIDENT: “With — with or without you.” (Laughter.) So, folks, all kidding aside, thank you. You’re an incredible community. (Applause.) THE FIRST LADY: Thank you. THE PRESIDENT: You’re an essential part of my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you. (Applause.) Enjoy the day. God bless you all. And may God protect our troops. Thank you. (Applause.) All right. 6:07 P.M. EDT
Source: The White House
3:53 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Hello. (Applause.)
Joe, thank you.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. (Applause.)
I’m sure you’re clapping because I’m the last speaker.
Well, that was worth that partial comment — or concert. You know what he said on the way out? Can I tell them, pal? He said, “If I get a Grammy, I’m going to give it to you,” the only guy in this whole darn church who can’t sing a note. (Laughter.)
My dad used to have a band and sang. He said, “Joey, I don’t know where the hell you came from. You can’t carry a tune. You can’t sing. You can’t dance. I don’t know where you came from, but I love you anyway.” (Laughter.)
Father MacMillan, thank you for everything. Thank you for — for being so good to us.
President Clinton, President Obama, distinguished guests; the Kennedy family, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family, it’s been an emotional journey listening to all of you. When I knew I was going to be the last speaker, I thought, “How did that happen?” Because, you know, it brings back so many memories.
Ethel was always there for so many people, and she played an essential role in my life as well — maybe a little different than with others. She was there as soon as I entered political office in 1972 as a 29-year-old kid before I got sworn in.
I was in her brother-in-law’s office — Teddy’s office — hiring staff — I was only 29; you had to be 30 years old to be sworn in, and I wasn’t 30 yet — when I got a phone call from the fire department in my — by my house saying there had been an accident. A tractor-trailer had broadsided my wife’s automobile, Christmas shopping with a Christmas tree on top, on December 18th, and killed my wife and killed my daughter, and my boys weren’t expected to live.
When I lost my family — and she was there. Joe, your mom was there then — then.
As soon as I got elected president, I received a letter from your mom. The letterhead was titled Mrs. Robert Kennedy, and in her very neat handwriting, she had written that she took great comfort in knowing the country was in good hands.
She had no idea, for a 29-year-old kid in that circumstance, how much it meant. Because as some of you know — Bill knows — I didn’t plan on sticking around after that accident.
She said she was honored and proud there was a bust of her husband, Bobby Kennedy, in my office, the Oval Office.
I have only two political heroes in my life: Dr. King and Bobby Kennedy. Not a joke. So, I didn’t realize — my two colleagues from the — who were president know — you get to pick what you want in your office, and I wanted to be able to see both of them from my — from the Resolute Desk by the fireplace: Dr. King and Bobby Kennedy.
And days later, I received another letter from her that I’ll always remember, and I know all of you look forward to each year: a valentine card — a valentine card. Which, in our house, Valentine’s Day is known as “Jill’s holiday.” (Laughter.)
Like Ethel, Jill is a practical joker. This was no surprise — it was no surprise that Jill loved Ethel’s card that year, which said — I’m not sure the hundred others who receive it felt the same way because, apparently, she sent that card — she sent it to everyone that year. (Laughter.) It was a picture of me and Ethel surrounded by hearts. (Laughter.) Oh, you think I’m kidding. I — it meant a lot to me, I’m telling you.
Printed — the language on the card, it said — in the printed language of the card, it said, “I’m not Biden my time waiting for you, Valentine.” (Laughter.) And then in her handwriting, she says, “‘Cause he’s no ordinary Joe.” (Laughter.)
I don’t know how many of you got that damn valentine, but I tell you what, it meant a lot to me. (Laughter.) I’ve received a lot honors in my life, but that might be the best one I’ve ever received. (Laughter and applause.)
You know, yes, Ethel was Mrs. Robert Kennedy. She was one of my politi- — he was my — as I said, one of my political heroes. But I always knew her as Ethel Kennedy, a hero in her own right. I loved Bobby Kennedy. I’ve only met him once when I was in Syracuse law school and he was campaigning. But I — I just — I admired him so damn much.
I’ve told John Kerry this, my buddy. I — I could picture Bobby at my kitchen table with my dad and my mom. I could picture him there.
But, you know, Ethel was a hero in her own right, full of character, full of integrity and empathy — and genuine empathy.
She was full of laughter and joy and light. She was a great athlete in her own right, for real. She was a mother. Literally, there was nothing, from my perspective and, I suspect, most of you, that she couldn’t do — nothing.
Four years later, after I had gotten — after Bobby — she lost her beloved Bobby, she invited me and my boys to her home after the accident left my family broken, having lost my wife and daughter, my boys barely making it. Along with Teddy, she got me through a time I didn’t want to stick around. I wanted no part of being in the Congress or the Senate. I mean it.
I’d spoken to my governor, because we had elected a Democratic governor, to find a replacement for me. But Teddy and Ethel Kennedy would hear nothi- — none of it.
You know, the fact is, like she did for the country, Ethel helped my family find a way forward with principle and purpose.
We saw how she picked up Bobby’s cause and stamped her own mark on the country. Marching for civil rights, as you heard about today, and working to end poverty at home, attempting to secure peace abroad, and so much more. She once said, “For anyone to achieve something, you have to show a little courage. You’re only on this Earth once. You must give it all you’ve got.”
Reminded me of my mom. My mom used to say, “Joey, courage lives in every heart, and one day you’ll be called upon. Be ready to stand up.” And that’s not — that’s from Catherine Eugenia Finnegan Biden, and she meant it. She meant it.
For over 50 years, with Ethel’s own iron will and moral courage, she gave it everything she had, and we’re a better nation and a better world because of Ethel Kennedy.
Let me close with this. On a Sunday in May this year, I delivered a commencement speech at Morehouse College in Atlanta. I noted that had we been in church that day, there’d be a reflection about the resurrection and redemption. We remember Jesus was buried on Friday, and on Sunday, he rose again. But we don’t talk nearly enough about that Saturday when his disciples felt all hope was lost — all hope was lost.
In our lives and in the life of the nation, we have those Saturdays — and thank God your mom, your grandmom, your great-grandmom was — was there for me — to bear witness to the day before glory, to see people’s pain and not look away. But work is to be done on Saturday, is to move pain to purpose. How can faith get a person, get a nation through what is coming?
Well, my message to all of us here today and to the entire the country is look to Ethel Kennedy’s faith.
To the Kennedy family — presumptuous of me to say this and maybe sound inappropriate, but to the Kennedy family, the Biden family is here for you, as you’ve always been for us. You changed the life of my boys. You really did.
When I lost my son Beau, he was attorney general of the state of Delaware. And he volunteered to join the National Guard as attorney general. You either have to be state property or federal property. And he temporarily gave up his office to go with his unit for a year in Iraq. And unfortunately, I was in — in out — in and out of Iraq, as Barack knows, because — and Afghanistan 30-some times. And I got to see him several times.
But the bad news was he was about a quarter to a half mile away from a burn pit — 100 yards long, 10 feet deep, burning everything from waste to — everything, poisoning the air. And he came home with Stage 4 glioblastoma and he died. Your mom was there then too.
I apologize.
So, from the Biden family to the Kennedy family, the hymn that’s very close to our heart based on the 91st psalm, it goes like this: “May he raise you up on eagle’s wings and bear you on the breath of dawn, and make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of his hand.”
May God bless Ethel Kennedy, and may we — she re- — may be — she be reunited with the blessed pieces of her soul in Heaven.
God bless you all. And thank you for letting me participate. Thank you. (Applause.)
4:04 P.M. EDT
The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing nearly $1.8 million over 2 years to provide international agricultural workers (IAWs) in Ontario with enhanced access to mental health supports in Spanish, Tagalog, French and English.
Federal-provincial investment will provide new mental health resources
The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing nearly $1.8 million over 2 years to provide international agricultural workers (IAWs) in Ontario with enhanced access to mental health supports in Spanish, Tagalog, French and English.
Delivered by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario Division, in close partnership with its Windsor-Essex and Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk regional branches, the International Agricultural Worker Wellness Program will support IAWs with managing stress, homesickness and isolation. The program will provide referrals to free local services, including recreational activities, primary care, counselling, support groups, in-person workshops, and more.
The program will launch in early 2025 and be delivered over 2 years, with resources available in Spanish, French and English in year 1, expanding to include Tagalog in year 2. The program will focus on the Windsor-Essex region first and then expand to Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk in year two. Both regions have high populations of IAWs. In the second year, the program will also offer support to farm operators with workshops on how to create safer workplaces.
This investment recognizes the critical contribution IAWs make in Ontario’s agricultural economy. It builds on the success of the IAW Welcome Centre and the IAW Welcoming Communities Initiative.
This program is funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a 5-year (2023-2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs designed and delivered by the provinces and territories.
Quotes
“Working far from home can be tough, and it’s so important that our international agricultural workers have access to the mental health supports they need. Through the IAW Wellness Program, we can better support these workers with tailored programs and services so they can continue to help us deliver top-quality products to Canadians, and the world.”
– The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
“Ontario respects and appreciates the international agricultural workers who call our province home and who contribute so much to our almost $51 billion agri-food sector. The IAW Wellness Program will help these important workers access the supports and services needed to improve their quality of life and better integrate into our dynamic agri-food workforce of over 871,000 men and women.”
– Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
“International agricultural workers are integral to Ontario’s agriculture industry and food supply, so it’s critical that this population has mental health support while they’re living and working in our province. Since 2022, CMHA’s team at Agriculture Wellness Ontario has been working to reduce mental health stigma and meet the needs of the agricultural community. We’re delighted to work with our branches to offer this new program for international agricultural workers.”
– Camille Quenneville, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division
“Mental health care plays a crucial role in supporting the well-being of migrant workers, who often face unique challenges like family separation and cultural transitions. It’s heartening to see the governments of Canada and Ontario develop the IAW Wellness Program. By offering services in their first languages, this initiative ensures that migrant workers feel understood and supported, which is vital for their mental health. This empowers individuals to navigate daily challenges and fosters a more inclusive and compassionate community for everyone. Such efforts are essential for building a society that values the well-being of every migrant worker.”
– Martin Varela, Chairman, Migrant Worker Community Program
Quick facts
In 2023, Ontario launched the Virtual Welcome Centre, a web page of resources for IAWs available in English, Spanish and French. It includes information and links about worker rights and responsibilities, adjusting to life in Ontario, health care, human and labour trafficking, and living and working safely in the community.
The IAW Welcoming Communities Initiative, announced in September, supports municipalities and not-for-profits in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for international agricultural and food workers. Eligible activities include introducing or enhancing translation supports and transportation services.
The governments of Canada and Ontario also recently announced a $178,000 expansion of the Farmer Wellness Initiative to include delivery of services in Spanish for Ontario farm workers.
For more information about OMAFA programs and services, contact the Agricultural Information Contact Centre (AICC) at 1-877-424-1300 or at ag.info.omafa@ontario.ca.
Associated links
Contacts
For media:
Annie Cullinan Director of Communications Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food annie.cullinan@agr.gc.ca
More than $13 million through PrairiesCan will support the region’s innovative, high-growth companies to ramp up production and enter new markets
More than $13 million through PrairiesCan will support the region’s innovative, high-growth companies to ramp up production and enter new markets
October 17, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta – PrairiesCan
The Calgary region is rapidly emerging as one of North America’s top technology hubs and is home to some of Canada’s most innovative, high-growth companies that are strengthening our economy. The federal government is supporting Calgary’s leading-edge companies to continue growing and creating quality jobs that Canadians can count on.
Today, George Chahal, Member of Parliament for Calgary Skyview, on behalf of the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan, announced a federal investment of over $13 million for eight Calgary and area companies to scale-up, access new markets for their products and services, and create new opportunities for job seekers. Each of these companies is a leader in developing innovative applications in sectors such as digital, healthcare and clean technology.
Local companies receiving support include:
Aligned Outcomes is receiving up to $178,088 to upgrade its Enterprise Digital Twin platform software to support expansion into the post-secondary market and create new jobs in Alberta’s digital sector.
Avanti Software is receiving up to $3,000,000 to optimize functionality and competitiveness of human resource management software to scale-up the company’s business prospects nationally and increase market share.
Global Analyzer Systems is receiving up to $1,500,000 to launch and scale-up an advanced nitrogen dioxide analyzer using enhanced efficient and cost-effective technology that supports more stringent pollutant regulation and lowering the carbon footprint.
Morweb is receiving up to $850,000 to accelerate the growth of its sales, marketing and product development to enhance its cutting-edge website platform, which empowers non-profit organizations worldwide to build and manage dynamic, mission-driven websites with ease and advanced functionality.
PK Sound is receiving up to $2,282,377 to accelerate the manufacturing of its patented robotic audio systems to meet growing global demand.
Surface Medical is receiving up to $262,362 to accelerate sales and marketing to fuel revenue growth for its market-first, patented product called CleanPatch which helps keep healthcare surfaces clean and safe for patients and workers.
TEKTELIC is receiving up to $3,979,752 to develop, test, certify, manufacture and launch digital health ‘Internet of Things’ products and solutions for the Canadian health sector.
WaitWell is receiving up to $1,000,000 to enhance capabilities of current software to digitally transform services for clients, including analytics that will streamline operations as well as expand further into Canadian and American markets.
In total, these investments are expected to help support approximately 180 jobs and enhance the ability of local companies to access the talent, technology and resources they need to bring Alberta-made innovations to new domestic and global markets.
In line with the principles of the Government of Canada’s Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy, these investments are about collaborating on local priorities and building on local strengths to support economic development, making a sustainable and prosperous net-zero economy achievable by enhancing capacity and skills development in Prairie communities, and providing support to grow businesses.
Quotes
“Today’s investments will further enable some of Calgary’s most innovative companies to grow their production capacity, launch new services and applications, and expand to new markets locally, nationally and globally. Each of these firms is playing a key role in helping strengthen and diversify the region’s economy while creating quality jobs that Albertans can rely on.”
–The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan
“Calgary has become a hothouse for innovation, attracting talent and generating sustainable jobs. Today’s announcement reinforces our city’s reputation for having Canada’s most dynamic small- and medium-sized technology firms while positioning Alberta as the place to watch for technological advancements that make life better for all Canadians.”
–George Chahal, Member of Parliament for Calgary Skyview
“Global Analyzer Systems is leading the way in advancing air emissions measurement technology, and with the support of PrairiesCan, our G60 CRDS NOx-NO2-NO analyzer is bringing greater certainty to air emissions measurement. This technology benefits many industries, ensuring scientifically defensible data and promoting a higher level of environmental responsibility. We are deeply committed to shaping an innovative future and extend our heartfelt gratitude to PrairiesCan for their pivotal role in this next step of our journey.”
–Brian Rosentreter, CEO and CTO, Global Analyzer Systems
“We’re deeply grateful for the support of PrairiesCan. Being proudly Albertan founded and headquartered, we’ve been able to accelerate our technology transformation efforts and positively influence hundreds of Canadian companies supporting over a hundred thousand employees in Canada who are compensated and managed through our Human Capital Management software-as-a-service. All of this in a field dominated by large public and private-equity owned incumbents.”
–David Owen Cord, CEO, Avanti Software
“Our team at PK Sound is incredibly proud that technologies we develop, test, and manufacture right here in Calgary go on to support a wide array of live events all around the world – from major concerts and festivals for hundreds of thousands of people to intimate theatrical productions, corporate and philanthropic events, and beyond. PrairiesCan’s Business Scale-up and Productivity program enables PK Sound to keep up with our significant year-over-year growth and ensures our made-in-Canada innovations are increasingly viable and available options for a growing list of customers and collaborators.”
–Jeremy Bridge, CEO, PK Sound
“We are very grateful for the support from Prairies Economic Development Canada, which aids TEKTELIC in introducing innovative, practical, and affordable Digital Medicine solutions for everyone. Our solutions will reduce the time and effort nurses spend on routine vital sign measurements, allowing them to focus more on patient care. By increasing response times to adverse conditions and enabling earlier discharges for patients to recover at home, we are enhancing overall healthcare delivery. We believe these advancements will transform how patients are monitored and observed in hospitals and at home, leading to significantly more effective outcomes.”
–Roman Nemish, President, TEKTELIC
Quick facts
Federal funding for eight Calgary and area companies is being provided through PrairiesCan’s Business Scale-up and Productivity program, as well as the Jobs and Growth Fund.
The Business Scale-up and Productivity program supports high-growth businesses that are scaling up and producing innovative goods, services or technologies. Funding is interest-free and repayable.
The Jobs and Growth Fund helps job creators and the organizations that support them future proof their businesses, build resiliency, and prepare for growth. Funding is interest-free and repayable.
The Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy is a long-term commitment to work differently, through stronger coordination among federal departments on investments for the Prairies and closer collaboration with Prairie partners on their priorities for a prosperous and sustainable Prairie economy.
Associated links
Contacts
Carson Debert Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Northern Affairs and Minister responsible for PrairiesCan and CanNor Carson.Debert@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca
Rail Campus Derby has officially launched at a special event on Thursday 17 October. Over 200 delegates and stakeholders from the rail sector and beyond attended the widely anticipated event.
A joint effort between Derby City Council, Great British Railways Transition Team, East Midlands Combined County Authority, and wider stakeholders, Rail Campus Derby will become a key hub for the UK’s rail industry, supporting collaboration across all facets of the sector.
Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh MP, and the Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, both attended the event, highlighting the project’s significance both on a regional and a national level.
Rail Campus Derby was born out of Great British Railways’ mission to create a simpler and more efficient railway system for everyone in Britain.
With its impressive rail heritage and position at the heart of Europe’s largest rail cluster, Derby is the ideal location for this industry-wide hub. For over 180 years the city has been a leader in the rail sector, which still employs more than 11,000 in the area.
Beyond the railways, Derby is a home to advanced manufacturing, hi-tech employment, major global companies such as Rolls-Royce, and Toyota. The city’s skilled workforce, and its easy accessibility, makes it an attractive destination for investment.
Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council said:
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Derby; one that will create more training and jobs for local people, and bring huge opportunities for further regeneration.
Rail Campus Derby will not only preserve our rail heritage, but will also be a catalyst for future economic growth, bringing together all aspects of the railway industry, attracting more investment, and creating further opportunities for collaboration across the sector.
I know the potential that Derby has. We already boast an incredibly skilled workforce and are home to major players and an unrivalled rail sector. By working together we can make Rail Campus Derby the beating heart of the UK’s rail network.
Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh MP, said:
“Derby is already a hub for rail with the largest concentration of innovation and expertise in Europe, and today I was delighted to see how the local council plans to expand this even further through a new Rail Campus.
“The railways are at the centre of our plans for change, and I look forward to seeing how the Campus will lead to greater innovation, growth and collaboration, benefitting not only our rail network but the wider economy too.”
Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, said:
The new Rail Campus will be a hub of learning and innovation. It will bring together public and private sector organisations in a collaborative environment, working towards faster and more efficient outcomes for all the railway’s stakeholders. As the Mayor of the East Midlands, my vision is to ensure that local people have the skills they need to access the well-paid jobs that this industry provides.
“That’s why we will be investing in training programmes and creating new opportunities in partnership with Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire’s educational institutions. We want to see local people—our young people—benefiting from the jobs and careers this project will generate.
Rufus Boyd, Lead Director of Great British Railways Transition Team, said:
The presence of GBR HQ in Derby is just one component of the Rail Campus Derby vision.
Today’s event is about driving collaboration between the private sector, the supply chain, local government, and educational partners. Bringing the sector closer together and offering the chance to co-locate, share knowledge, and experience work across different businesses will embed the practices, culture and behaviour Britain’s railway must embod to succeed.
The Museum of Oxford has been awarded a £136,309 grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to mark its 50-year anniversary in 2025.
The National Lottery funding will support a new project titled “50 Years and Beyond: Embedding Community Voices”, which aims to engage Oxford’s diverse communities in celebrating and sharing their heritage and the city’s rich history.
As part of the project, the Museum of Oxford will collaborate with Oxford’s communities to co-create an exhibition and year-long programme of events. Working closely with local people, community groups, and Oxfordshire County Council’s Museum Collections Team, the museum will identify existing and new objects, stories, and artefacts that reflect the cultural diversity of Oxford’s residents. These materials will become part of the museum’s permanent collections through loans or acquisition, ensuring they remain accessible to future generations.
The project will invite community contributors to co-curate exhibition content, sharing their perspectives on Oxford’s history and offering new heritage stories. Through expert talks, family activities, and special events, the public programme will celebrate Oxford’s unique heritage while fostering community cohesion.
Key Project Outcomes
Public programme: A celebratory year-long series of events including talks, family activities, and exhibitions.
Workforce development: Recruitment of a Cultural Learning and Participation Apprentice, who will undertake a Level 3 apprenticeship, gaining skills in partnership working, consultation, and exhibition development.
Sustainable heritage: The project will establish a cross-generational, cross-community approach, ensuring the museum continues to reflect and represent Oxford’s diverse cultural landscape for years to come.
The Museum of Oxford will begin preparations this autumn, with the project running for 26 months leading up to and beyond the 50th anniversary celebrations in 2025.
Comment
“We are delighted to support this project, which thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, will mean that more people will be able to get involved with, protect, and learn about the exciting heritage right on their doorstep. Heritage has a huge role to play in instilling pride in communities and boosting local economies, and this project is a fantastic example of achieving those aims.”
Stuart McLeod, Director of England – London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund
“We are really pleased to have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This project is a great opportunity to bring more voices into the Museum of Oxford’s story, ensuring that our heritage reflects the rich diversity of our city. By working closely with local communities, we’re not just celebrating 50 years of the museum, but also creating a lasting legacy that represents everyone who calls Oxford home.”
Alex Hollingsworth, Cabinet Member for Business, Culture, and an Inclusive Economy at Oxford City Council
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
A man described as ‘arrogant’ by a judge has been sentenced for arranging waste to be illegally dumped on his rural land near Consett.
Peter Snailum, 64, from Whitworth, Spennymoor, appeared at Durham crown court for sentencing on Wednesday 16 October after previously pleading guilty to two offences of depositing waste without an environmental permit.
He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with a requirement to complete 90 hours of unpaid work.
The court heard that between January and March 2020, excavation waste was transported from a construction site in Consett to Snailum’s land at School House Farm, Kiln Pit Hill, and illegally dumped.
Snailum had a registered waste exemption for his land at School House Farm. This means that low level waste activity could take place at the site for construction purposes, with limits on the amount and type of waste allowed.
During the Environment Agency investigation, it transpired that more than 5,000 tonnes of waste had been dumped at School House Farm – five times the 1,000 tonnes allowed under the exemption.
It was also clear that the waste was not to be used for construction but in an attempt to level land, activity that would require an environmental permit.
In passing sentence, judge Joanne Kidd criticised Snailum for his arrogance, after hearing that he had twice taunted the Environment Agency officers speaking with him about the illegal activity, saying that they should prosecute him as he would only receive a fine.
The judge was also critical of his insistence on initially denying the charges and taking the case to the crown court, all in the face of overwhelming evidence.
Warned he was ‘breaching the law’
Gary Wallace, area environment manager for the Environment Agency in the North East, said:
Waste crime such as this has a negative impact on the environment and local communities and Snailum was warned he was breaching the law.
His actions also undermined legitimate businesses as he made financial gains by not properly and legally disposing of the waste.
I hope this case sends out the message to others that we take waste crime seriously and those involved can expect to be put before the courts for their actions.
Prosecuting, Holly Clegg told the court that in January 2020, Environment Agency officers attended the site in response to reports of wagons tipping waste there.
Checks showed metal and timber mixed with soils and stone. It was estimated the stockpile was close to the 1,000 tonne exemption limit and Snailum was told to stop accepting further waste to the site.
He said he was importing soils to level around the trees and filling in hollows around the site – he was told the exemption restrictions meant it could only be used for construction.
While the officers were there a wagon arrived which was moving waste from a construction site in Consett to Snailum’s land.
The officers then visited a care home construction site and spoke to the site manager, who told them that to date 871 tonnes had been taken to School House Farm.
Follow up visits revealed further deposits
A month later follow up visits to both the construction site and School House Farm revealed further deposits had taken place which would exceed the limits of the exemption. On 2 March, Snailum was instructed to cease accepting further waste.
Environment Agency officers were later supplied with and assessed the waste transfer documentation, which showed more than 5,000 tonnes of waste soil and stone had been taken to School House Farm between January and March 2020.
Then, in early 2021 Snailum allowed another large deposit of waste, this time tonnes of supposedly crushed MDF but this was contaminated with various other waste types.
Previously sentenced at Peterlee magistrates’ court on 23 April 2024 for their part in the case were:
Jonathan Mann Developments, of Sandhu House, Delves Lane, Consett, which owned land there that was being developed for the construction of new care homes. It pleaded guilty for its involvement in the illegal waste deposits and were ordered to pay a fine and costs totalling £3,832.
Groundworks Direct Ltd excavated and loaded the waste material from the construction site onto wagons supplied by the hauliers. It was ordered to pay a fine and costs of £5,000 in total.
In addition, G O’Brien & Sons Ltd, which collected the waste material and transported it to Snailum’s land, agreed to an enforcement undertaking, paying £5,000 to Durham Wildlife Trust to go towards environmental improvements, and a further £1,600 in costs.
The province continues to show strong success in building the homes Albertans need. Monthly data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) reinforces that Alberta is helping meet the supply challenge with these new builds, which will benefit Albertans and help stabilize costs in the long run.
Alberta’s government recognizes the need for more homes as our population continues to grow. That’s why the province has been working to reduce barriers and support its housing partners to get more shovels in the ground.
“Every month we see that our actions are working to increase our housing supply and build the homes Albertans need. We know these homes are needed and we will continue to support our partners to make sure we go from permits issued to shovels in the ground and have more homes ready for Albertans as quickly as possible.”
Alberta’s government continues to support builders and encourage new residential housing construction by reducing red tape, incentivizing housing construction and supporting innovative strategies to build homes faster than ever.
“Alberta’s impressive rise in housing starts underscores the essential collaboration between all levels of government and the building industry. The Government of Alberta has been an exceptional partner in this effort, working alongside us to break down barriers and enhance industry capacity to meet the diverse housing demand.”
Quick facts
Housing starts for January – September 2024 compared with January – September 2023
Provincewide: 33,577 compared with 24,904 (up 35 per cent)
Edmonton: 13,359 compared with 9,099 (up 47 per cent)
Calgary: 17,414 compared with 14,141 (up 23 per cent)
Lethbridge: 599 compared with 148 (up 305 per cent)
Red Deer: 314 compared with 146 (up 115 per cent)
Data shows Alberta had 10,699 purpose-built rentals, making up 32 per cent of all housing starts.
The first half of 2024 saw 9,903 apartment unit starts – the highest in any half-year in Alberta’s history. This broke the record set previously in 1977.
In addition, as of September 2024, Alberta’s government has committed:
$182.4 million to 1,235 units of affordable housing. Construction on these projects is not yet underway.
$66.8 million to 451 units of affordable housing that are currently under construction.
$52.1 million to 250 units of affordable housing that have been completed since December 2023.
Since 2019, Alberta’s government has invested almost $850 million to build more than 5,100 units and close to 900 shelter spaces. This includes projects we have committed to, that are in progress and that are complete.
Together with its partners, Alberta’s government is supporting $9 billion in investments into affordable housing to support 25,000 additional low-income households by 2031.
Related information
See the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s September Housing Starts Report.
As the anchor tenant at 1001 Boylston St., CarGurus debuts state-of-the-art space designed to maximize connectivity, collaboration, and innovation
BOSTON, Oct. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CarGurus, Inc. (Nasdaq: CARG), the No. 1 visited digital auto platform for shopping, buying, and selling new and used vehicles1, today marked the opening of its new global headquarters in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood. Located at 1001 Boylston Street, the new office underscores CarGurus’ commitment to the Boston region with a world-class space designed for the needs of today’s flexible workplace, balancing versatile collaboration areas with a variety of workspaces that support individual work preferences.
“After nearly 20 years in Cambridge, CarGurus’ move to this inspiring new space represents a meaningful chapter in our growth story in the region,” said Jason Trevisan, CarGurus Chief Executive Officer. “Our best-in-class work environment enhances opportunities for deeper collaboration and connectivity, all in service of our mission to help people reach their destination. This mission comes to life through our focus on delivering an exceptional experience to our employees, driving innovations that benefit our dealer and consumer customers, and supporting the communities in which we live and work.”
The new global headquarters features approximately 225,000 sq. ft. of workspace anchoring the dynamic mixed-use project known as Lyrik. It unites nearly 1,000 employees who previously occupied two separate offices in Cambridge. The move reinforces CarGurus’ commitment to continued growth in the region, where the company is recognized for its award-winning workplace culture and focus on community impact through volunteer efforts and purpose-driven charitable giving.
“Massachusetts is the best state in the country to live, work, grow a business, and build a future — and that’s in large part because of the incredible, innovative companies that call our state home, like CarGurus,” said Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. “We’re thrilled to celebrate the grand opening of their global headquarters in Boston today, and we’re grateful for their commitment to their employees, their customers, our communities, and our economy.”
“It is very exciting to see the CarGurus logo in the Boston skyline atop its new headquarters,” said Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao. “I look forward to seeing the company continuing to invest in the region’s growth and innovation while entering a new chapter as it expands here as part of Team Massachusetts.”
An Office Designed with Flexibility, Collaboration, and Sustainability at the Forefront Designed by IA Interior Architects, the CarGurus headquarters was created with a hybrid work culture in mind, offering spaces that support all types of meeting scenarios and individual work modes. The result is a dynamic collaboration hub comprised of 10 floors offering 900 choice work points, 30 collaborative spaces, and central social spaces, all with flexibility baked into the design to support changing needs.
Amenities are distributed throughout the office floors to encourage interaction and include a multi-story reception area, tech bar, barista bar, multiple training spaces, all-hands meeting areas, video production suite, and dining area. The workspace also offers two libraries for quiet focus work, several balconies/terraces, and exclusive access to a penthouse gathering space with two large roof decks equipped with seating for individual or group work.
Designed for LEED Gold certification, design features prioritize sustainability and a connection to nature. Views of the Boston skyline and natural light are maximized for all occupants, along with the addition of wood textures, natural materials, and greenery throughout the space.
To learn more about working at CarGurus and view open roles, please visit careers.cargurus.com.
About CarGurus, Inc.
CarGurus (Nasdaq: CARG) is a multinational, online automotive platform for buying and selling vehicles that is building upon its industry-leading listings marketplace with both digital retail solutions and the CarOffer online wholesale platform. The CarGurus platform gives consumers the confidence to purchase and/or sell a vehicle either online or in-person, and it gives dealerships the power to accurately price, effectively market, instantly acquire and quickly sell vehicles, all with a nationwide reach. The company uses proprietary technology, search algorithms and data analytics to bring trust, transparency, and competitive pricing to the automotive shopping experience. CarGurus is the most visited automotive shopping site in the U.S.1
CarGurus also operates online marketplaces under the CarGurus brand in Canada and the United Kingdom. In the United States and the United Kingdom, CarGurus also operates the Autolist and PistonHeads online marketplaces, respectively, as independent brands.
CarGurus® is a registered trademark of CarGurus, Inc., and CarOffer® is a registered trademark of CarOffer, LLC. All other product names, trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
1Similarweb: Traffic Insights (Cars.com, Autotrader.com, TrueCar.com), Q2 2024, U.S.
Media Contact: Maggie Meluzio Director, Public Relations & External Communications pr@cargurus.com
Ambitious plans have been set out on how Manchester can play its part in rolling out hundreds of new electric vehicle (EV) charging points in years to come.
The growth of EV usage across Manchester forms an important pillar in the project of Manchester becoming zero-carbon by 2038.
It is estimated that by 2038 there could approximately be 150,000 EV car and light goods vehicles (LGVs) in use in the city. To support that the current network of charging points across the city will need to be significantly expanded.
In a report going to the City Council’s Executive today (October 16) a plan has been set out on how Manchester City Council can play its part alongside local, national and commercial partners in working towards improving EV provision over the coming decade.
In its report, the Council sets out three key priorities which will guide this ambition.
They are:
Encouraging the transition towards EVs
Improving charging infrastructure
Identifying funding opportunities
The Council recognises that to meet its zero-carbon aims a significant amount of work will need to take place to firstly encourage more people away from polluting vehicles to EVs, then ensuring that charging infrastructure is available for people to use and ensure that funding is available to provide that key infrastructure.
In the coming years the Council will leverage its position as a voice within Manchester to communicate the benefits of transitioning to EVs, as well as supporting groups where funding is available who may find it harder to transition from cheaper – albeit more polluting – forms of transport. These groups include but aren’t limited to high mileage users such as taxis or delivery drivers, low-income residents as well as people with disabilities of lower mobility.
The government will also be pressed to lower VAT on public charging to a rate in line with at-home charging, making it easier on people’s finances when considering a change to an EV.
Around £3.3m has already been provisionally identified via two funding streams – the Local EV Infrastructure grant (LEVI) and the City Regions Sustainable Transport Settlement Funds (CRSTS). This funding will be used to support an initial roll-out of additional charging points across Manchester in a number of different configurations as well as incorporating new charging points at existing car parks. It is hoped that over time even more funding will be secured to expand the charging network.
Councillor Tracey Rawlins, Executive Member for Environment and Transport said: “The use of EVs will play a huge part in Manchester becoming a zero-carbon city by 2038. At this moment in time, we know there are a number of barriers which could prevent someone from investing an in EV, a key one being the lack of charging points across the city.
“As a Council we are not under any statutory obligation to provide EV charging points but we know that this is the right course of action to take. EV usage will hinge on how accessible it is for people and by working to break down barriers we will be playing part in their success.”
More than 150 new homes look set to be built on redundant brownfield land in the city thanks to a successful bid for government funding.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has been awarded £2.2 million from the government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund 2 – one of four local authorities in the West Midlands to receive a share of £5.4 million.
As part of its commitment to delivering new homes and jobs in the city, the council has now identified two parcels of land for redevelopment, and work to clear the sites will soon get underway after the proposals were agreed by cabinet earlier this month.
The council is looking to transform the former Brookhouse Green Primary School site, on Wellfield Road in Bentilee, into a new estate for 117 new affordable homes. The site has been vacant since the school closed in 2006.
It is expected that the former Olympus Engineering site, on College Road in Shelton – which was deemed surplus to requirements in 2020 – will also be cleared, to make way for new apartments. This is one of three sites in the north Shelton area of the city which has been earmarked for future residential development.
Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration, said: “Everybody has the right to live in a decent home which is why we are committed to bringing forward these much-needed new homes and raising housing standards in the city.
“In the last 12 months we have made a significant investment in our housing stock with almost 9,000 council-owned homes benefitting from our multi-million-pound capital investment programme, so it would be great to see these long-term vacant sites regenerated, transforming empty brownfield land into thriving new communities.”
The three-year £180 million Brownfield Land Release Fund 2 was launched in July 2022. The primary aim of the Fund is to release local authority-owned land by the end of March 2028 for housing development that otherwise would not come forward during that period.
With the funding, councils are able to cover the cost of decontamination, clearing disused buildings or improving infrastructure such as internet, water and power.
In this latest round of funding, a total of £68 million has been directly awarded to 54 councils in England.
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that 6 gigawatts (GW) of distributed solar have been installed across New York, marking the early achievement of the State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act statutory goal a year ahead of schedule. The solar power generation, which benefits homes, business owners and off-takers of community solar projects, is enough to power more than a million homes, underscoring New York’s leadership in growing one of the strongest distributed solar markets in the nation.
“Today we celebrate the early achievement of New York’s 6-GW milepost, which brings us one step closer to a reliable and resilient zero-emission grid,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “Distributed solar is at the heart of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding the availability of renewable energy, and delivering substantial benefits for our health, our environment, and our economy.”
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) President and CEO Doreen M. Harris made the announcement at a distributed solar project in the Town of New Scotland. The project, developed by New Leaf Energy and owned by Generate Capital, includes a 5.7-megawatt solar array that will produce 6.7 million kilowatt-hours of solar energy annually, enough to power nearly one thousand homes. The project participates in the Solar for All pilot program with utility partner National Grid where the energy harnessed by this project benefits low-income households.
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “As the top community solar market in the nation, New York State has provided a replicable model for others to deliver clean, low-cost renewable energy to more consumers. Our public-private partnerships are the catalysts which have helped us to achieve our 6-GW goal well ahead of target, trailblazing New York’s path to an equitable energy transition.”
With the achievement of New York’s 6-GW goal—which is underpinned by support from the State’s signature $3.3 billion NY Sun initiative—distributed solar is generating enough energy to power more than a million homes and businesses across the state, including those in disadvantaged communities. The expeditious achievement of the 6-GW goal has also generated approximately $9.2 billion in private investment across New York.
To date, solar projects in New York have created more than 14,000 solar jobs statewide, from engineering and design to installation. In addition, New York requires all solar projects more than 1 megawatt (MW) in size to pay prevailing wages, further supporting the opportunity to advance family sustaining clean energy jobs across New York.
In anticipation of the success, three years ago Governor Hochul directed NYSERDA and the Department of Public Service to expand the goal to 10 GW by 2030. With 6 GW now complete, New York continues to be ahead of schedule for reaching the expanded 10-GW goal with almost 3.4 GW already in development.
New York State Public Service Commission Chair Rory M. Christian said, “Hitting this 6 GW milestone is an important accomplishment, and all involved in this endeavor deserve a round of applause. This is further evidence that distributed solar is a critically important piece of the equation and, through Governor Hochul’s leadership, we are well on our way to creating a clean energy economy.”
New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “Today’s milestone is a testament to the power of strong partnerships in advancing distributed solar projects across New York State. As we work together to expand the deployment of solar energy, NYPA is committed to working with municipalities, school districts, and state entities to build a portfolio of projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide energy savings for our customers.”
Generate Capital Investments Managing Director Peggy Flannery said, “Customers and consumers are asking for access to clean energy, and New York state is listening. We’re very excited to have helped New York reach six gigawatts of solar and deliver the benefits of clean energy to the community. Generate operates 69 projects and counting in New York, and this celebration is another proof point of our successful efforts in serving developers, customers, and local communities and accelerating the clean energy transition.”
New Leaf Energy Director of Policy and Business Development Sam Jasinski said, “New Leaf is honored to be celebrating this impressive milestone with the many State and local agencies, towns, fellow industry members, and utilities that made it happen. It shows real progress towards meeting New York’s nation-leading clean energy goals. And while we’re incredibly proud of the work and partnerships that have led to this achievement, we’re more excited that it can be repeated and multiplied. With the State’s continued leadership, we’re confident we can get to 10 GW and beyond.”
New York is the national leader in community solar deployments, allowing renters, low-income residents, and others who cannot install their own panels to benefit from solar energy. In 2023, New York ranked first in the nation in total installed community solar capacity. Last year was also the state’s most productive year ever for solar installations, with 885 MW of capacity installed.
Through NY-Sun, New York is making it much easier for low-income households to benefit from solar projects through the first of its kind Solar for All pilot program. The Solar for All program, which is administered through NYSERDA, allows solar project developers to partner with National Grid to provide additional bill savings to low-income customers in their Energy Affordability Program (EAP). The Public Service Commission has approved an order to replicate NYSERDA’s Solar for All pilot program statewide, including solar projects in National Grid, ConEdison, Orange and Rockland, New York State Electric and Gas, Central Hudson Gas & Electric, and Rochester Gas and Electric utility territories.
The statewide Solar for All program delivers an electric bill credit to EAP customers. The long-term program design is driving continued community solar and storage growth and directs the benefits of that growth to New York State’s low-income residents.
Building on this effort, in April 2024, NYSERDA was selected to receive nearly $250 million from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Solar for All program to enhance New York State’s existing portfolio of highly successful and effective solar deployment, technical assistance, and workforce development programs for the benefit of over 6.8 million residents that live in low-income households and disadvantaged communities. As part of the grant funding, the New York State Housing and Community Renewal, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, and New York City Housing Preservation and Development, will also implement new programs that target specific barriers to solar deployment for this population.
Clean solar energy reduces the need for fossil fuel-based power generation while producing less harmful emissions, resulting in cleaner air and improved public health.
New York Solar Energy Industries Association Executive Director Noah Ginsburgh said, “New York has achieved its 2025 rooftop and community solar goal ahead of schedule and under budget, and we’re just getting started. Distributed solar projects are lowering New Yorkers’ electric bills, providing tax revenue to local governments, and employing thousands of workers across the Empire State. NYSEIA congratulates Governor Hochul, the legislature, NYSERDA, the Public Service Commission, the solar industry, and all New Yorkers on this important milestone.”
Coalition for Community Solar Access Northeast Regional Director Kate Daniel said, “The Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA) congratulates the Empire State on reaching this impressive milestone. We are tremendously proud of the large role community solar has played in achieving the first Climate Act requirement ahead of schedule. The 6 GW of rooftop and community solar operating today in New York means direct bill savings for millions of customers, good-paying jobs and economic benefits to host communities, and millions of tons of reduced greenhouse gas emissions. We look forward to continued growth in New York’s community solar programs to help New York on its way to the remaining Climate Act goals.”
State SenatorKevin Parker said, “The installation of six gigawatts of distributed solar energy is a giant step to meeting the state’s renewable energy goals and a major win for clean energy development, the environment and New York’s disadvantaged communities. I applaud Governor Hochul and NYSERDA for taking strong action to ensure New York is a national leader in solar energy production and making tremendous progress toward the goals under the CLCPA.”
State Senator Neil Breslin said, “This program spreads the economic opportunities of solar power beyond corporate investors to local homeowners, property owners and small businesses. It is an increasingly important part of the clean energy mix New York State, and our nation, needs to leverage.”
Assemblymember Patricia Fahy said, “Meeting New York’s ambitious climate mandates under the nation-leading CLCPA is not a question of if – but when. Today’s announcement showcases New York’s commitment to responsibly building out solar energy to help us transition to clean energy and reduce emissions that are driving costly extreme-weather events for too many communities across the state. Climate change is the transcendent threat of our time, and we are already paying for it. I couldn’t be prouder to see the Town of New Scotland right here in the 109th District leading the way to ensure that New York’s clean energy future is bright, affordable, and within reach.”
New Scotland Town Supervisor Douglas LaGrange said, “As a Climate Smart Community, the Town of New Scotland is proud to have been a part of seeing this project come to fruition. We are equally proud that we can do our part to help reach Governor Hochul’s goals for renewable energy in New York State.”
New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe said, “The state reaching its goal of 6GW of installed distributed solar is an important reminder that, with strong leaders like Governor Hochul and NYSERDA President Dorreen Harris, we are capable of tackling difficult challenges. And as the climate crisis grows more urgent by the day, there is no more important challenge than transitioning to a clean energy economy, which is why we must increase the pace of our renewable energy development and double down on our efforts to meet all of our CLCPA obligations, including by continuing to increase the distributed solar goal as we exceed initial targets.”
Vote Solar Northeast Director Elena Weissmann said, “Distributed solar is a key component of NY’s decarbonization mandate, and promises cleaner air, good jobs, and lower energy bills for New Yorkers. As we celebrate this remarkable milestone – a year ahead of schedule – we must seize this opportunity to double down on what’s working so well. This moment is a testament to the power of distributed solar and a call to accelerate deployment of solar for our homes and communities, so that communities across the State can harness the benefits of a clean energy future.”
National Grid’s Chief Operating Officer for Electric Brian Gemmell said, “Today’s announcement is an important next step in our ongoing efforts to build a smarter, stronger, cleaner electric grid that delivers reliable power for all New Yorkers. Greater access to renewable generation resources like solar power not only advances the state’s clean energy goals, but also helps secure long-term economic stability. We appreciate the partnership of Governor Hochul, NYSERDA, and all the other stakeholders who share our commitment to ensuring a safe, reliable, and accessible energy future.”
New York State’s Nation-Leading Climate Plan
New York State’s climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues to foster a green economy across all sectors and ensures that at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation’s most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is advancing a suite of efforts – including the New York Cap-and-Invest program (NYCI) and other complementary policies – to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and 85 percent by 2050 from 1990 levels. New York is also on a path to achieving a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and economy wide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York’s unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $28 billion in 61 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the State, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $3.3 billion to scale up solar, nearly $3 billion for clean transportation initiatives and over $2 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 170,000 jobs in New York’s clean energy sector as of 2022 and over 3,000 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, New York also adopted zero-emission vehicle regulations, including requiring all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks sold in the State be zero emission by 2035. Partnerships are continuing to advance New York’s climate action with more than 400 registered and more than 130 certified Climate Smart Communities, nearly 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the State’s largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the State to help target air pollution and combat climate change.
The artificial intelligence boom has already changed how we understand technology and the world. But developing and updating AI programs requires a lot of computing power. This relies heavily on servers in data centres, at a great cost in terms of carbon emissions and resource use.
One particularly energy intensive task is “training”, where generative AI systems are exposed to vast amounts of data so that they improve at what they do.
The development of AI-based systems has been blamed for a 48% increase in Google’s greenhouse gas emissions over five years. This will make it harder for the tech giant to achieve its goal of reaching net zero by 2030.
Some in the industry justify the extra energy expenditure from AI by pointing to benefits the technology could have for environmental sustainability and climate action. Improving the efficiency of solar and wind power through predicting weather patterns, “smart” agriculture and more efficient, electric autonomous vehicles are among the purported benefits of AI for the Earth.
It’s against this background that tech companies have been looking to renewables and nuclear fission to supply electricity to their data centres.
Nuclear fission is the type of nuclear power that’s been in use around the world for decades. It releases energy by splitting a heavy chemical element to form lighter ones. Fission is one thing, but some in Silicon Valley feel a different technology will be needed to plug the gap: nuclear fusion.
Unlike fission, nuclear fusion produces energy by combining two light elements to make a heavier one. But fusion energy is an unproven solution to the sustainability challenge of AI. And the enthusiasm of tech CEOs for this technology as an AI energy supply risks sidelining the potential benefits for the planet.
Beyond the conventional
Google recently announced that it had signed a deal to buy energy from small nuclear reactors. This is a technology, based on nuclear fission, that allows useful amounts of power to be produced from much smaller devices than the huge reactors in big nuclear power plants. Google plans to use these small reactors to generate the power needed for the rise in use of AI.
This year, Microsoft announced an agreement with the company Constellation Energy, which could pave the way to restart a reactor at Pennsylvania’s Three Mile Island nuclear power station, the site of the worst nuclear accident in US history.
However, nuclear power produces long-lived radioactive waste, which needs to be stored securely. Nuclear fuels, such as the element uranium (which needs to be mined), are finite, so the technology is not considered renewable. Renewable sources of energy, such as solar and wind power suffer from “intermittency”, meaning they do not consistently produce energy at all hours of the day.
These limitations have driven some to look to look to nuclear fusion as a solution. Most notably, Sam Altman of OpenAI has shown particular interest in Helion Energy, a fusion startup working on a relatively novel technological design.
In theory, nuclear fusion offers a “holy grail” energy source by generating a large output of energy from small quantities of fuel, with no greenhouse gas emissions from the process and comparatively little radioactive waste. Some forms of fusion rely on a fuel called deuterium, a form of hydrogen, which can be extracted from an abundant source: seawater.
In the eyes of its advocates, like Altman, these qualities make nuclear fusion well suited to meet the challenges of growing energy demand in the face of the climate crisis –- and to meet the vast demands of AI development.
However, dig beneath the surface and the picture isn’t so rosy. Despite the hopes of its proponents, fusion technologies have yet to produce sustained net energy output (more energy than is put in to run the reactor), let alone produce energy at the scale required to meet the growing demands of AI. Fusion will require many more technological developments before it can fulfil its promise of delivering power to the grid.
Wealthy and powerful people, such as the CEOs of giant technology companies, can strongly influence how new technology is developed. For example, there are many different technological ways to perform nuclear fusion. But the particular route to fusion that is useful for meeting the energy demands of AI might not be the one that’s ideal for meeting people’s general energy needs.
Innovators often take for granted that their work will produce ideal social outcomes. If fusion can be made to work at scale, it could make a valuable contribution to decarbonising our energy supplies as the world seeks to tackle the climate crisis.
However, the humanitarian promises of both fusion and AI often seem to be sidelined in favour of scientific innovation and progress. Indeed, when looking at those invested in these technologies, it is worth asking who actually benefits from them.
Will investment in fusion for AI purposes enable its wider take-up as a clean technology to replace polluting fossil fuels? Or will a vision for the technology propagated by powerful tech companies restrict its use for other purposes?
It can sometimes feel as if innovation is itself the goal, with much less consideration of the wider impact. This vision has echoes of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s motto of “move fast and break things”, where short-term losses are accepted in pursuit of a future vision that will later justify the means.
Sophie Cogan receives funding from the EPSRC Fusion Centre for Doctoral Training.
Researchers think meltwater beneath Martian ice could support microbial life. While actual evidence for life on Mars has never been found, a new NASA study proposes microbes could find a potential home beneath frozen water on the planet’s surface. Through computer modeling, the study’s authors have shown that the amount of sunlight that can shine through water ice would be enough for photosynthesis to occur in shallow pools of meltwater below the surface of that ice. Similar pools of water that form within ice on Earth have been found to teem with life, including algae, fungi, and microscopic cyanobacteria, all of which derive energy from photosynthesis. “If we’re trying to find life anywhere in the universe today, Martian ice exposures are probably one of the most accessible places we should be looking,” said the paper’s lead author, Aditya Khuller of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. Mars has two kinds of ice: frozen water and frozen carbon dioxide. For their paper, published in Nature Communications Earth & Environment, Khuller and colleagues looked at water ice, large amounts of which formed from snow mixed with dust that fell on the surface during a series of Martian ice ages in the past million years. That ancient snow has since solidified into ice, still peppered with specks of dust. Although dust particles may obscure light in deeper layers of the ice, they are key to explaining how subsurface pools of water could form within ice when exposed to the Sun: Dark dust absorbs more sunlight than the surrounding ice, potentially causing the ice to warm up and melt up to a few feet below the surface.
Mars scientists are divided about whether ice can actually melt when exposed to the Martian surface. That’s due to the planet’s thin, dry atmosphere, where water ice is believed to sublimate — turn directly into gas — the way dry ice does on Earth. But the atmospheric effects that make melting difficult on the Martian surface wouldn’t apply below the surface of a dusty snowpack or glacier. Thriving Microcosms On Earth, dust within ice can create what are called cryoconite holes — small cavities that form in ice when particles of windblown dust (called cryoconite) land there, absorb sunlight, and melt farther into the ice each summer. Eventually, as these dust particles travel farther from the Sun’s rays, they stop sinking, but they still generate enough warmth to create a pocket of meltwater around them. The pockets can nourish a thriving ecosystem for simple lifeforms.. “This is a common phenomenon on Earth,” said co-author Phil Christensen of Arizona State University in Tempe, referring to ice melting from within. “Dense snow and ice can melt from the inside out, letting in sunlight that warms it like a greenhouse, rather than melting from the top down.” Christensen has studied ice on Mars for decades. He leads operations for a heat-sensitive camera called THEMIS (Thermal Emission Imaging System) aboard NASA’s 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter. In past research, Christensen and Gary Clow of the University of Colorado Boulder used modeling to demonstrate how liquid water could form within dusty snowpack on the Red Planet. That work, in turn, provided a foundation for the new paper focused on whether photosynthesis could be possible on Mars. In 2021, Christensen and Khuller co-authored a paper on the discovery of dusty water ice exposed within gullies on Mars, proposing that many Martian gullies form by erosion caused by the ice melting to form liquid water. This new paper suggests that dusty ice lets in enough light for photosynthesis to occur as deep as 9 feet (3 meters) below the surface. In this scenario, the upper layers of ice prevent the shallow subsurface pools of water from evaporating while also providing protection from harmful radiation. That’s important, because unlike Earth, Mars lacks a protective magnetic field to shield it from both the Sun and radioactive cosmic ray particles zipping around space. The study authors say the water ice that would be most likely to form subsurface pools would exist in Mars’ tropics, between 30 degrees and 60 degrees latitude, in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Khuller next hopes to re-create some of Mars’ dusty ice in a lab to study it up close. Meanwhile, he and other scientists are beginning to map out the most likely spots on Mars to look for shallow meltwater — locations that could be scientific targets for possible human and robotic missions in the future. News Media Contacts Andrew GoodJet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.818-393-2433andrew.c.good@jpl.nasa.gov Karen Fox / Molly WasserNASA Headquarters, Washington202-358-1600karen.c.fox@nasa.gov / molly.l.wasser@nasa.gov 2024-142
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
October 17, 2024
“We strongly encourage you to cement your legacy by addressing one of the most pressing economic issues of our time.”
Text of Letter (PDF)
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) led a letter with over 30 lawmakers to President Joe Biden praising him for his actions to confront the housing crisis and proposing additional executive actions to lower the cost of housing.
“Under your leadership, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken important steps to protect renters from predatory corporate landlords and to make home purchases and refinancing more affordable,” wrote the lawmakers. “But there is even more that can be done using executive agencies’ existing statutory authority.”
The lawmakers recommend the Administration and federal agencies take the following actions:
Price Gouging Protections: In order to safeguard tenants from rising rents at the hands of corporate landlord who have been caught price gouging their tenants, FHFA can condition all Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac multifamily loans on a set of price gouging protections, source of income protections, anti-eviction regulations, and habitability and accessibility improvements.
Tackling Junk Fees: To address the hidden junk fees that can create thousands of dollars in additional costs for renters and homeowners, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) should finalize its proposed rule to ban junk fees and continue to investigate unfair and deceptive practices by corporate landlords. Additionally, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) should address anticompetitive closing costs and junk fees, lowering closing costs for home mortgages and making homeownership more accessible.
Lowering Credit Report Costs: As the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) enjoys a near monopoly in the credit scoring market, the Department of Justice (DOJ) should investigate whether the company is violating antitrust law, and the CFPB should explore potential remedies to exploding credit reporting costs, including a cap on fees that credit reporting agencies can charge and interoperability requirements that would allow consumers to move their credit scores without new fees.
Promoting Housing Development on Federal Property: Federal agencies can work to reform Title V of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance program, so that federal property can more easily be leased by affordable housing providers who are serving people experiencing homelessness.
Right now, the United States is facing a severe affordable housing crisis, with an estimated gap of 7.3 million housing units affordable and available to the lowest-income households.
Already, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken bold steps to protect tenants from predatory corporate landlords, including the Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights, rent-hike protections in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties, and support for anti-price-gouging measures in properties owned by corporate landlords. The Administration has also worked to increase housing supply, including through grants to incentivize the production of affordable housing and more.
“We strongly encourage you to cement your legacy by addressing one of the most pressing economic issues of our time and take swift action to create more housing and lower housing costs for Americans everywhere,” concluded the lawmakers.
The letter is also signed by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Christopher Murphy (D-Conn.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Representatives Alma Adams (D-N.C.), Becca Balint (D-Vt.), Cori Bush (D-Mo.), André Carson (D-Ind.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-Ill.), Sylvia R. Garcia (D-Texas), Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Summer Lee (D-Pa.), James P. McGovern (D-Mass.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Katie Porter (D-Calif.), Delia C. Ramirez (D-Ill.), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), and Nikema Williams (D-Ga.).
This letter was endorsed by the Tenant Union Federation, National Housing Law Project, National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Homelessness Law Center, and Americans for Financial Reform.
Senator Warren has long led the fight to make housing more affordable for families and has held companies accountable for their role in exacerbating housing costs:
In September 2024, Senators Warren (D-Mass.) and other lawmakers demanded answers from corporate landlords in Massachusetts allegedly using rent-hiking algorithms.
In August 2024, Senators Warren (D-Mass.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), sent letters to each of the 11 Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks) urging them to contribute at least 20% of their net income to affordable housing and other critical community grant programs.
In July 2024, Senators Warren and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) reintroduced the American Housing and Economic Mobility Act, the landmark legislation to tackle the housing crisis, bring down costs for renters and buyers, and help working families everywhere find a decent place to live at a decent price.
In July 2024, Senator Warren and Representative Sara Jacobs led Senator Tim Kaine, Senator Jon Ossoff, Representative Ro Khanna, and Representative James Moylan in calling out the Department of Defense (DoD) for failing to protect military families living in military housing operated by private companies under the Military Housing Privatization Initiative (MHPI).
In June 2024, Senator Warren sent a letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) urging the agency to address our country’s affordable housing crisis by reforming the broken Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) System.
In May 2024, Senator Warren reintroduced the Public Housing Emergency Response Act to address the estimated $70 billion backlog of maintenance and repairs in our nation’s public housing, which would allow tenants to live in safe conditions and ensure that, as we fight to end the housing crisis by expanding the supply of affordable housing, we are not losing existing units to disrepair.
In April 2024, at a hearing of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, U.S. Senator Warren called out the Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBs) for failing to deliver on their mission to provide affordable housing as the country faces a housing crisis.
In January 2024, Senator Warren, John Hickenlooper, Jacky Rosen, and Sheldon Whitehouse sent a letter to Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell, calling on the Fed to reverse its troubling interest rate hikes that have driven mortgage rates to 20-year highs and have put affordable housing out of reach for too many Americans.
In March 2023, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, Tina Smith, and Bernie Sanders sent a letter to Jonathan Kanter, Assistant Attorney General of the Antitrust Division at the Department of Justice (DOJ) calling for the DOJ to investigate YieldStar following new findings from their investigation of RealPage’s YieldStar product.
In January 2023, Senator Warren, and Representative Jamaal Bowman led a letter with 48 lawmakers, urging President Biden to use every tool he has to address rent inflation, end corporate price gouging in the rental market, and ensure that renters and people experiencing homelessness across this country are stably housed this winter.
In November 2022, Senators Warren, Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) sent a letter to RealPage CEO Dana Jones, expressing concern about RealPage’s algorithmic pricing software, YieldStar, and its role in driving rising rents and exacerbating inflation.
In August 2022, at a Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs (BHUA) Committee hearing, Senator Warren called out corporate landlords’ growing role in the rental market and emphasized the need for a Tenant Protection Bureau to hold corporate landlords accountable and protect renters from extreme rent hikes, illegal eviction, and other predatory practices.
In May 2022, Senators Warren and Reed sent a letter to Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Marcia Fudge, calling on HUD to preserve homeownership affordability for American families as Wall Street firms expand their activity in the housing market.
In March 2022, at a BHUA Committee hearing, Senator Warren called out Wall Street’s role in worsening the housing affordability crisis for seniors by buying up manufactured home communities
In February 2022, Senator Warren called out private equity firms and other big investors for exacerbating inflation and locking families out of affordable housing opportunities.
In January 2022, Senator Warren sent letters to the CEOs of three private equity-backed firms—Progress Residential, American Homes 4 Rent, and Invitation Homes —calling out their growing activity in the housing market that has resulted in rent hikes and unaffordable homes for first-time buyers.
In August 2021, during a hearing exchange with Senator Warren, a Department of Housing and Urban Development nominee committed to consider changes that facilitate sales of distressed homes to homeowners, not private equity firms.
In July 2021, Senator Warren called on large corporate landlords to avoid needless evictions as the CDC eviction moratorium neared expiration.
In May 2021, at a hearing, Senator Warren made the case for her American Housing and Economic Mobility Act, which would create a new housing innovation grant program to reduce exclusionary local zoning laws.
On April 2021, Senator Warren and Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-Mo.) reintroduced the American Housing and Economic Mobility Act to bring down the costs for renters and buyers, level the playing field so working families can find a decent place to live at a decent price, reduce exclusionary zoning laws, and take a step towards addressing the effects of decades of housing discrimination on communities of color.
In May 2019, Senator Warren and then-Representative Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa) wrote to the private equity firms behind some of the country’s largest manufactured housing communities to request information about their use of predatory practices to boost profits in the communities they own.
