Category: housing

MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for April 19, 2025

ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on April 19, 2025.

Google loses online ad monopoly case. But it’s just one of many antitrust battles against big tech
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rob Nicholls, Senior Research Associate in Media and Communications, University of Sydney Tech giant Google has just suffered another legal blow in the United States, losing a landmark antitrust case. This follows on from the company’s loss in a similar case last year. Social media giant Meta

What was HMNZS Manawanui doing before it sank? Calls for greater transparency
By Susana Leiataua, RNZ National presenter There are calls for greater transparency about what the HMNZS Manawanui was doing before it sank in Samoa last October — including whether the New Zealand warship was performing specific security for King Charles and Queen Camilla. The Manawanui grounded on the reef off the south coast of Upolu

Labor’s poll surge continues in YouGov, but it’s barely ahead in Freshwater
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Labor increased its lead again in a YouGov poll, but Freshwater put the party ahead by just 50.3–49.7. This article also covers the final WA upper house

ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for April 18, 2025
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on April 18, 2025.

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

April 19, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China’s agriculture, rural economy maintain stable growth

Source: China State Council Information Office

The State Council Information Office holds a press conference on performance of agriculture and rural economy in the first quarter of 2025 in Beijing, capital of China, April 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

China’s agriculture and rural economy maintained stable growth in the first quarter, effectively supporting the overall stability of economic and social development, Pan Wenbo, an official with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, said at a press conference on Friday.

Noting that the ministry is focused on meeting this year’s grain output target of around 700 million tonnes, Pan said grain and oil production got off to a solid start, with winter wheat planting areas remaining stable and winter rapeseed acreage continuing to grow steadily.

Pan added that the supply of “vegetable basket” products remained sufficient. In the first quarter, the production of pork, beef, mutton and poultry hit 25.4 million tonnes, an increase of 2 percent year on year.

Milk production was 8.92 million tonnes, up 1.7 percent year on year, and the output of domestic aquatic products was 14.83 million tonnes, an increase of 4.5 percent year on year, according to the official.

The achievements in poverty alleviation continued to be consolidated and expanded, with 30.898 million rural laborers from households newly lifted out of poverty employed nationwide by the end of March.

From January to March, the added value of agricultural products processing industry above the designated size increased by 7.2 percent year on year. In the first quarter, the per capita disposable income of rural residents was 7,003 yuan (about 971.7 U.S. dollars), an increase of 6.5 percent, Pan noted.

The potential of rural domestic demand continued to be unleashed, as the rollout of major projects like high-standard farmland building and modern agriculture facilities has boosted investment in agriculture and rural areas, according to Pan.

In the first quarter, fixed-asset investment in the primary industry increased by 16 percent year on year. The potential of rural consumption continued to be unleashed, with retail sales of rural consumer goods increasing by 4.9 percent year on year.

However, it should be noted that China’s external development environment has become increasingly complex and challenging, Pan said, adding that “the greater the risks and challenges we face, the more we need to stabilize the basic foundations of agriculture, rural areas and farmers, ensuring domestic production and supply to counterbalance external uncertainties.”

MIL OSI China News –

April 19, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China, Cambodia vow to forge all-weather community with shared future in new era

Source: China State Council Information Office

Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded his state visit to Cambodia on Friday, with both nations agreeing on jointly building an all-weather China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era.

On Thursday, Xi met with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, Cambodian People’s Party President and Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, respectively.

The two sides exchanged more than 30 bilateral cooperation documents covering such fields as production and supply chain cooperation, artificial intelligence, development assistance, customs inspection and quarantine, as well as health and media.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

ALL-WEATHER COMMUNITY WITH SHARED FUTURE

“We must work together to promote the steady and sustained progress in building the China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era,” Xi wrote in his signed article published on Thursday in Cambodian media outlets.

During their talks, Xi and the Cambodian prime minister agreed to build an all-weather China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era.

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

Xi called on both sides to build on the momentum, strengthen unity and cooperation, and speed up the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative.

During his meeting with the Cambodian King, Xi expressed confidence in writing a splendid chapter of building an all-weather China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era.

China and Cambodia have always been at the forefront of building a community with a shared future for mankind, said Xi.

For his part, King Sihamoni said that with the joint efforts of both sides, cooperation in various fields has become increasingly close and the building of a community with a shared future has been continuously deepened.

While meeting with the Cambodian People’s Party president and Senate president, Xi said that building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future is a choice of history and the people.

He said that the two sides should keep in mind the well-being of their people and the progress of humanity, strive to set an example for building a community with a shared future for mankind in the course of advancing their respective modernization endeavors, and join hands to become forces for peace, stability and progress in a world undergoing profound transformations unseen in a century.

UNBREAKABLE IRONCLAD FRIENDSHIP

Friendship is a term frequently emphasized by Xi during his trip to the country.

In the signed article, Xi said this visit “feels like going to the home of a good friend.”

He fondly recalled the historic legacy of the good-neighborly relations between the two nations and the friendly exchange that spans two millennia of their shared history.

“The great Chinese and Khmer civilizations have flourished together, inspiring each other through centuries,” he wrote.

Xi also highlighted the two countries’ mutual commitment to friendship and righteousness, emphasizing that the friendship was forged by Cambodia’s King Father Norodom Sihanouk and Chairman Mao Zedong, Premier Zhou Enlai, among the elder generations of Chinese leaders.

In 2020, Xi presented Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk with the Friendship Medal of the People’s Republic of China. This medal, Xi said, embodies “the profound friendship of the Chinese people toward the people of Cambodia.”

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Cambodian People’s Party President and Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

In his meeting with Hun Sen, the Chinese president said the two sides should deepen practical cooperation across various fields, advance the construction of Cambodia’s Industrial and Technological Corridor and Fish and Rice Corridor, and strengthen collaboration in energy, transportation and other key sectors.

In view of the headwinds on the international landscape, Xi said unilateralism and hegemonism receive no support of the people, adding that history has shown the unstoppable trend toward a multipolar world, economic globalization, and cultural diversity.

When meeting with the Queen Mother on Thursday at the Royal Palace, Xi said she is a witness and promoter of the China-Cambodia friendship and has special friendly feelings towards the Chinese people, while Cambodia’s King Father Norodom Sihanouk was a banner of this friendship.

Under the new circumstances, China and Cambodia should cherish and carry forward this ironclad friendship, endow the China-Cambodia community with a shared future with new connotations of the time, serve the development of their respective countries and the well-being of their people, and make greater contributions to building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Xi said when meeting with King Norodom Sihamoni on Thursday.

King Norodom Sihamoni presented Xi with the National Order of Independence – Grand Collar.

Xi said that this medal fully demonstrates Cambodia’s high regard for developing China-Cambodia relations and carries the deep friendship of the Cambodian people towards the Chinese people.

This honor, he said, belongs not only to him personally, but also to all the friendly people who have cultivated and contributed to the friendship between China and Cambodia.

Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin has said in a written interview with Xinhua that as history and reality have both proven, China and Cambodia are good neighbors, good brothers, good friends and good partners who share weal and woe and stand together through thick and thin.

The friendship between the two countries is not a transactional relationship, nor a stopgap measure, still less a bloc confrontation. It is rooted in the practical needs of the respective national development and rejuvenation, serves the common interests of both nations and peoples, and aligns with the historical trend of solidarity, self-strengthening and shared development among Global South countries, Wang said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni walk at the Royal Palace after their meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 17, 2025. Xi met with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh on Thursday. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

STRIVE TOGETHER, THRIVE TOGETHER

In his signed article, Xi said that as important members of the big Asian family, China and Cambodia must ride the tide of history and heed the two peoples’ aspirations, and must strive together and thrive together.

Noting that this is his second visit to Cambodia in nine years, Xi expressed hope that the visit will spearhead progress in building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future.

For many years, China has been Cambodia’s largest trading partner and top source of investment, and industrial and supply chain cooperation between the two countries has continued to deepen. The entry into force of both the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the China-Cambodia Free Trade Agreement has further strengthened the foundation for bilateral trade and investment.

Thanks to such free trade agreements, premium agricultural products from Cambodia, including banana, mango and longan, are finding their way into Chinese households.

“China is a trustworthy partner for Cambodia,” said the Cambodian Ministry of Commerce’s Secretary of State and Spokesperson Penn Sovicheat. “Looking forward, our two-way trade volume will continue to rise, undoubtedly.”

During talks with Hun Manet, Xi urged the two sides to expand mutually beneficial cooperation of higher quality and voiced China’s readiness to share opportunities and seek common development with Cambodia.

He called on both sides to vigorously promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and continuously enrich the “Diamond Hexagon” cooperation framework, so as to inject new impetus into their respective modernization efforts.

China encourages more Chinese enterprises to invest in Cambodia, Xi said, adding that it will open its mega-market to Cambodia and import more high-quality agricultural products from the country.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Cambodian People’s Party President and Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

In his meeting with Hun Sen, the Chinese president said the two sides should deepen practical cooperation across various fields, advance the construction of Cambodia’s Industrial and Technological Corridor and Fish and Rice Corridor, and strengthen collaboration in energy, transportation and other key sectors.

In view of the headwinds on the international landscape, Xi said unilateralism and hegemonism receive no support of the people, adding that history has shown the unstoppable trend toward a multipolar world, economic globalization, and cultural diversity.

MIL OSI China News –

April 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Hoyer Joins Alsobrooks, Maryland Democratic Delegation in Pushing Sec. Kennedy for Answers on Disastrous Mass Layoffs
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) joined a letter led by U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) with the Maryland Democratic Delegation – U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Representatives Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), and Johnny Olszewski (MD-02) to express outrage and demand answers regarding the mass terminations of civil servants at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Congressman Hoyer and his colleagues questioned the extent of the devastation and consequential impacts these mass layoffs will have on the state and country.

“This reckless reduction in force and Department reorganization comes at a time when measles is spreading in communities across the country, avian flu is proliferating throughout our livestock populations, families are experiencing a childcare availability and affordability crisis, and cities across the country are still reeling from opioid and fentanyl overdoses. Instead of showing leadership on these concurrent emergencies and fulfilling the Department’s mission, this Administration has crippled the very teams and entire divisions that combat public health challenges, prevent disparities, and ensure that our families and children are safe,” the lawmakers wrote.

“Maryland has already been hard hit by attacks to NIH research…This medical research funds new life-saving cures for Maryland patients – from our newborns to our seniors, from children battling rare cancers to our servicemembers injured in battle. It funds thousands of Maryland jobs, and to arbitrarily cut it threatens Maryland’s health, safety, and economy. Slashing research funding will ultimately harm patients and even cost lives,” continued the lawmakers.

The lawmakers are requesting Secretary Kennedy meet with them to answer these questions by May 1, 2025.

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

Dear Secretary Kennedy:

We write with shared concerns regarding the plan you announced on March 27, 2025, to begin yet another extensive round of mass terminations of civil servants at the Department of Health and Human Services (Department or HHS), along with an irrational and dangerous reorganization of the staff and operating divisions of the Department. In the weeks since that announcement, thousands of HHS employees have been summarily fired, wreaking havoc and chaos on our public health system. These actions are having a devastating and disproportionate impact on our state of Maryland. We demand a full and comprehensive analysis on what these cuts will mean for access to care, critical services, and lifesaving research in the state. We also demand an in-person meeting with you to discuss these concerns and the impact of the Department’s actions on our constituents. According to the announcement, cuts would include at least 3,500 full-time employees at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 2,400 employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1,200 employees at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and 300 employees at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

According to the Maryland Department of Labor, preliminary data shows at least 2,755 jobs were cut in 11 federal offices located across the state, with an impact rippling across multiple counties.

This reckless reduction in force and Department reorganization comes at a time when measles is spreading in communities across the country, avian flu is proliferating throughout our livestock populations, families are experiencing a childcare availability and affordability crisis, and cities across the country are still reeling from opioid and fentanyl overdoses. Instead of showing leadership on these concurrent emergencies and fulfilling the Department’s mission, this Administration has crippled the very teams and entire divisions that combat public health challenges, prevent disparities, and ensure that our families and children are safe.

The latest reductions are part of a multipronged attack on our state, as the Department has abruptly terminated billions in critical public health grants, including $200 million to Maryland that would go towards vaccination programs, disease surveillance, and alleviating health disparities. The critical services the Department is responsible for were already threatened from the Administration’s initial haphazard firings of probationary employees by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Elon Musk’s Fork in the Road policy, which forced thousands of Department staff to resign or retire early. Now, the Administration is further decimating the teams of civil servants that work to make Americans healthy and safe every day.

As you well know, the FDA, NIH, CMS, and multiple other HHS agencies are headquartered in Maryland, and these cuts pose a direct threat to our constituents, Maryland’s economy, and all Americans.

At the FDA, headquartered in White Oak, the Administration has annihilated the Center for Devices and Radiological Health and the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research – which the Maryland medical device and pharmaceutical industries rely on for the safe and timely approval of their products or therapeutics for patients. The Administration has also attacked the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products – which plays a critical role in prevention and harm reduction for Maryland youth. The FDA communications team that writes alerts about contaminated drugs and warnings to emergency room doctors about emerging threats was also terminated — which will have dire consequences for patient care. Across the FDA, thousands of Maryland based staffers that help to keep our food and health systems safe have been summarily dismissed, by an Administration only purporting to want to “Make America Healthy Again.”

At the NIH, based in Bethesda, this Administration has compounded its efforts to undermine the excellence of our crown jewel of scientific and medical research, with yet another round of terminations. This Administration has decimated NIH Institutes by firing leadership and critical staff to the point of non-functionality, including the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the National Institute on Aging, and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Maryland has already been hard hit by attacks to NIH research. In February, the NIH unveiled a new indirect cost rate guidance that would cap indirect cost rates that Maryland researchers rely on to sustain their groundbreaking, life-saving research, studies, and patient clinical trials. It also arbitrarily froze or terminated research grants in the state and has delayed the review of NIH grant applications. This medical research funds new life-saving cures for Maryland patients – from our newborns to our seniors, from children battling rare cancers to our servicemembers injured in battle. It funds thousands of Maryland jobs, and to arbitrarily cut it threatens Maryland’s health, safety, and economy. Slashing research funding will ultimately harm patients and even cost lives.

Attacks to the NIH are only the beginning of cuts to our health research infrastructure. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), based in Rockville, is critical for tracking data on healthcare outcomes and conducting research to improve the safety of patient care has been taken apart by DOGE. The Administration plans to merge AHRQ with another operating division at the Department and gut its budget, all while firing half of its employees.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), based in Rockville, has already faced hundreds of layoffs. The Department dismissed 10 percent of SAMHSA’s workforce during the first rounds of firings, and the Administration plans to further reduce the agency by up to 50 percent. While Maryland has made significant progress in preventing and reducing opioid overdose-related deaths, Baltimore City still has a death rate nearly double that of any other large city in the country. Now, the Administration is pulling the rug from underneath our state and the dozens of community-based organizations on the ground that rely on SAMHSA for training, resources, and technical assistance that helps with opioid use disorder prevention and treatment services.

CMS, based in Woodlawn, faced hundreds of cuts to staff, including the elimination of the Office for Minority Health and the Office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights, which respectively helps address health disparities across the country and resolves discrimination complaints. Employees at CMS’ Innovation Center (CMMI) were fired and a third of the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination office, which helps serve the over 160,000 Marylanders that are dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid were let go. CMS is responsible for overseeing coverage for over 160 million Americans through Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace. This includes 1.6 million Marylanders who rely on Medicaid and CHIP for lifesaving health coverage. Any attack on CMS represents a threat to Marylanders’ and the nation’s access to care.

At the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), headquartered in Rockville, 500- 600 civil servants were fired, compromising HRSA’s mission to improve care for vulnerable and low-income communities. The Maternal and Child Health Bureau was wiped out by staffing cuts, crippling efforts to combat the maternal mortality crisis. Maryland women’s health disparities, including maternal morbidity, remain higher than national averages, and will only be exacerbated by this action. DOGE has also reportedly fired 40 percent of the Bureau of Primary Health Care, which oversees the Health Center Program that provides high quality, accessible primary and preventive medical, behavioral and dental services to all people, regardless of income or insurance status. Maryland’s sixteen Federally Qualified Health Centers deliver comprehensive primary healthcare to more than 360,000 patients across Maryland. That access to care in our state are at risk without civil servants to effectively run the program.

The Indian Health Service (IHS), which is also headquartered in Rockville, was not mentioned in initial reporting regarding the HHS reorganization or reduction in force. In fact, longtime civil servants in the Senior Executive Service (SES) have reported that their duty stations have been reassigned to remote IHS locations ranging from Alaska to South Dakota. While these locations suffer from high vacancy rates, the Department is pushing staff that do not have the qualifications or background for available IHS roles into an ultimatum: relocate your family across the country for a job that does not actually exist, or leave the Department.

Additionally, the Department fired approximately 500 staffers at the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) in the April 1 wave of terminations, paralyzing the Department’s ability to effectively operate its human services programs. As you know, most program and support staff were eliminated in five regional offices around the country. While ACF’s Region 3 Office – which serves Maryland – remains open for now, staff in Region 3 will likely have to absorb the work and caseload of now shuttered Regions 1, 2,5, 9 and 10. This will put an untenable strain on their ability to support states like Maryland in operating child support, family assistance and child welfare programs, and providers operating Head Start and child care programs.

This is in addition to the nearly two hundred probationary ACF employees who have been on administrative leave since mid-February, and because of this Administration, are still unable to 3 provide states like Maryland with the technical assistance needed to operate critical programs, increasing the financial burden on already-struggling households. Head Start serves seven thousand children in Maryland. Thousands more families rely on the availability of affordable, quality childcare in the state – availability which is endangered when the civil servants that help providers adapt to workforce challenges or monitor for abuse and neglect in our state’s facilities are shamefully fired or prevented from doing their jobs.

Also at ACF, the Department terminated the entire Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) staff, threatening the timely disbursement of millions of dollars to states like Maryland, to help thousands of our constituents stay safe in the coming summer months. More than 18% of Maryland households are energy burdened; the Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs received a record number of energy assistance applications last year. Likewise, the Department eliminated the Office of Family Assistance – undermining the ability for the nearly 28,000 Maryland families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to receive critical support without interruption.

Both the dismantling of the Administration for Community Living and the slashing of reportedly half of the staff that work on federal aging and disability programs at the Department will cause real harm to programs in Maryland that support some of our state’s most vulnerable communities – seniors and individuals with disabilities. This includes programs that prevent elder abuse, connect seniors with nutritious meals, and provide supports to caregivers – like the Maryland Caregiver Navigation Grant.

Perhaps most galling, is that you have admitted that many of these firings at the Department are in error, telling reporters “We’re going to do 80% cuts, but 20% of those are going to have to be reinstated, because we’ll make mistakes.” Further reporting found that HHS has no intention of actually reinstating a significant number of the staffers that have been fired or rectifying the mistakes it has made – calling into question your control of the situation and understanding of the Department’s reorganization. As the Secretary, you are ultimately responsible for answering for both these “mistakes” and any harm that comes from your destruction of our public health workforce and infrastructure.

As such, we request an in-person meeting with you no later than May 1, 2025, to discuss these concerns. We also request comprehensive answers to the following questions, including details on the reductions at the Department to date, and your plans for additional workforce reductions and reorganization.

1. For each of the below agencies, please specify since January 20, how many Maryland residents: received a RIF notice or were terminated on the basis of their probationary status? Please also specify how many more Maryland residents the agency intends to respectively terminate:
- SAMHSA
- FDA
- NIH
- CDC
- CMS
- IHS
- HRSA ‘
- ACF
- ACL
- AHRQ
2. For each of the below agencies, please specify since January 20, how many Maryland residents are currently on administrative leave pending termination:
- SAMHSA
- FDA
- NIH
- CDC
- CMS
- IHS
- HRSA
- ACF
- ACL
- AHRQ
3. For each of the below agencies, please specify the number of Maryland residents who participated in the Deferred Resignation Program:
- SAMHSA
- FDA
- NIH
- CDC
- CMS
- IHS
- HRSA
- ACF
- ACL
- AHRQ
4. Please describe the reduction in force plans at the IHS headquarters and at IHS locations across the country.

5. Please provide a detailed description of impact analysis performed to determine the impact on cancer research as a result of NIH Reductions in Force.

6. Please provide a detailed description of impact analysis performed to determine the impact on vaccine development and research as a result of FDA Reductions in Force.

7. Please provide a detailed description of the impact analysis performed regarding reductions in staffing to ACF services and programs, including technical assistance to states and childcare providers, childcare costs and child safety, supports for survivors of violence, and the effectiveness of the TANF and LIHEAP programs.

a. Please provide a detailed description of the analysis performed by the Department describing how LIHEAP staffing reductions will not lead to higher energy costs for Marylanders.

b. Please provide a detailed plan for how the Department plans to ensure that there is no delay due to case backlogs experienced by the state of Maryland or Maryland human services providers due to staff reductions at ACF?

8. Please provide a detailed description of the analysis performed by the Department describing how the staffing reductions to HRSA will not impact Maryland FQHCs, or access to affordable care in Maryland communities.

9. Please provide a detailed description of the analysis performed by the Department describing how the staffing reductions to CMS will not impede Marylander’s access to Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP and the ACA Marketplace.

MIL OSI USA News –
April 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Hoyer, Meeks to Introduce Major Russian Sanctions, Ukraine Assistance Bill

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), former Majority Leader, and Representative Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee introduced a comprehensive bill to support Ukraine and thwart Russia’s ability to wage its illegal war there. Like the Senate bill introduced earlier this month by Senator Lindsey Graham, this legislative package imposes numerous sanctions and other economic measures against Russia should it fail to cease its war of aggression against Ukraine. But this legislation also includes further vital provisions to sustain security assistance to Ukraine for its defense, generate resources for post-war reconstruction, and override presidential actions to terminate existing sanctions without cause. The bill also imposes new sanctions and export control authorities to place additional pressure on Russia, including to curb tankers carrying Russian oil above the international price cap and to ensure dual-use controls on semiconductors and other technologies that could be used to support Russia’s weapons capabilities.

A section by section of the legislation can be found here. A PDF of the bill can be found here.

Additional cosponsors of the bill include Representatives William Keating (MA-09), Ranking Member of the Europe Subcommittee; Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Ranking Member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and Lloyd Doggett (TX-37).

“The US-led international response to Russia’s illegal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine has isolated Moscow as a global pariah, devastated the Kremlin’s capacity to fund this war, and provided essential support to the Ukrainians fighting for freedom. Now is not the time to ease up on this successful approach nor put pressure solely on the victim, Ukraine. The U.S. must remain committed to shoring up Ukraine’s ability to negotiate a just, acceptable end to this war and to holding Russia – and those supporting its illegal invasion – accountable for as long as Putin’s war of choice continues. This weekend’s missile attack in Sumy that claimed dozens of civilian lives, including children, further demonstrates the barbarity Russia has used to sow terror throughout this war, and the need to impose serious consequences for its atrocities. Make no mistake – Vladimir Putin started this war. He is a bully with no respect for peace, Ukrainian sovereignty, or international norms, and he will only end this illegal war when the world compels him to,” said Ranking Member Meeks.

“Our allies in Ukraine are on the front lines of freedom – fighting not only for their nations’ sovereignty but also against authoritarianism worldwide. I am glad to join my colleagues in introducing urgently needed legislation that will support our allies in Ukraine and invest in their recovery through tougher sanctions on Russian oil exports, security and military assistance, and dual use export provisions. Importantly, this legislation also includes provisions that will allow the Congress, a coequal branch of government, to advance resolutions of disapproval if the President waves his authority – and assert with our own voice that Ukraine has bipartisan support in the United States,” said Rep. Steny Hoyer. “I thank Ranking Member Greg Meeks for his work to put together comprehensive legislation that reflects our values, strengthens our democracy, and ensures the United States remains on the right side of history. We must not give aid and comfort to our enemy, Russia, and we must remain steadfast in the battle for democracy.”

“I am co-sponsoring this legislation because it reaffirms the American people’s unwavering commitment to a sovereign, democratic Ukraine,” said Ranking Member Keating. “As Ukraine continues to defend itself against Russia’s brutal full-scale invasion, it is critical that the United States stands firmly by its side—not just militarily, but economically and diplomatically. This legislation includes key provisions from my own bills that aim to support Ukraine across multiple fronts. It provides war risk insurance to ensure the continued flow of international commerce with Ukraine, blocks illegal U.S. technology exports to Iran where they are used to manufacture drones deployed by Russia, and promotes the diversification of Ukraine’s energy supply. Ukraine’s victory requires more than military support – it demands a comprehensive strategy to help rebuild its economy, secure its infrastructure, and restore its independence.”

“Our friends in Ukraine are fighting for the democratic ideals we share against a war criminal, Vladimir Putin, and the rising threat of authoritarianism globally,” said Ranking Member Connolly. “The American commitment to Ukraine, its sovereignty, and its recovery must be lasting and ironclad. We must stand firmly behind the Ukrainian people by countering Russian disinformation, advocating for multilateral support for Ukraine’s reconstruction, providing additional U.S. security assistance, and implementing crippling sanctions on Russia and its enablers to force Putin to the negotiating table. That’s why this bill includes provisions from my bipartisan legislation to expand sanctions on North Korea for its material support for Russia’s illegal invasion. The war in Ukraine is a battle between dictatorship and democracy. Between freedom and oppression. The United States must remain on the right side of history. Slava Ukraini.”

“Pleased to join Rep. Meek’s comprehensive bill, including provisions I authored to stop laundered Russian oil imports and to use frozen Russian assets for compensation to Ukrainians. We support Ukraine and reaffirm our recognition of Putin as a war criminal with sole responsibility for the war. We reject appeasement by Trump and his Republican enablers of Putin, who should bear the ever-mounting costs of his ongoing destruction. The world is watching whether America will remain a beacon of hope, standing with our democratic allies, or drift itself into Russian-style authoritarianism,” said Rep. Doggett.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Markey, Warren, Pressley Demand State Department Release Memo, Documents Related to Öztürk Arrest

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
State Dept memo reportedly reveals contradictions in Trump Administration’s rationale for revocation of Öztürk’s visa, detention
Text of Letter (PDF)
Boston (April 18, 2025) – After a recent report indicated that an internal State Department memo concluded that the key premise underlying Tufts graduate student Rümeysa Öztürk’s arrest and detention was false, U.S. Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), pressed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to immediately release the memo and any other relevant documentation.
“Ms. Öztürk’s case demands transparency. The circumstances of her arrest and detention raise serious concerns about civil liberties, academic freedom, and free speech, as well as the Trump administration’s truthfulness. Congress, universities, legal experts, and other members of the public have a strong and compelling interest in the matter,” wrote the lawmakers.
On March 25th, plainclothes U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents apprehended Rümeysa Öztürk outside her home in Somerville, Massachusetts. Ms. Öztürk, a Tufts University graduate student, was informed that her student visa had been revoked. She was taken into custody and transferred to an immigration detention facility in Louisiana, where she has now been held for three weeks.
Publicly, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has claimed that Ms. Öztürk “engaged in activities in support of Hamas” and recommended revoking her visa under a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act that permits the deportation of noncitizens who pose “potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.” The State Department has suggested that Öztürk’s visa was revoked on foreign-policy grounds because of alleged participation in activities linked to terrorism.
Reporting from the Washington Post revealed that, days before Öztürk’s arrest, an internal State Department memorandum concluded that the Trump administration lacked “any evidence showing that she engaged in antisemitic activities or made public statements supporting a terrorist organization.” The memo appears to contradict the federal government’s publicly stated rationale for revoking Ms. Öztürk’s visa — and has not been made available to members of Congress or the American public.
The lawmakers requested a copy of the memo, along with any other documentation regarding the basis for Öztürk’s visa revocation and arrest, no later than April 30, 2025.
Sens. Markey and Warren, along with Rep. Pressley, have pushed for answers and action since Öztürk’s March arrest. Last month, they led over 30 lawmakers in writing to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Acting Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Todd Lyons, demanding information about Öztürk’s arrest and detention as well as similar incidents across the country. The lawmakers also sounded the alarm on Öztürk’s medical neglect in DHS custody and renewed urgent calls for her release.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Supports Abbott’s Request for Additional Federal Disaster Relief Assistance for South Texas

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump urging the swift deployment of additional federal disaster relief resources to South Texas in response to Governor Greg Abbott’s request following severe flooding in Cameron, Willacy, Starr, and Hidalgo counties:
The Senator wrote: “I understand that the State of Texas, through the Office of the Governor, has formally requested an emergency disaster declaration due to severe weather that has affected several counties in South Texas.”
“The Governor and local officials have determined that the severity and scale of the storm exceed the response capabilities of both state and local governments.”
“I appreciate your attention to this matter and urge you to provide all available resources from the federal government.”
Full text of the letter is available here and below.
April 18, 2025
President Donald J. Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500
Mr. President:
I understand that the State of Texas, through the Office of the Governor, has formally requested an emergency disaster declaration due to severe weather that has affected several counties in South Texas. Governor Abbott has already declared a state disaster for Cameron, Willacy, Starr, and Hidalgo counties. Major storm conditions, including heavy rain and flooding, have impacted homes and businesses and continue to pose a threat to the health and safety of Texans.
The Governor and local officials have determined that the severity and scale of the storm exceed the response capabilities of both state and local governments. As a result, additional federal assistance is essential to protect lives, property, and public health. The prolonged displacement caused by damaged homes, businesses, and essential infrastructure adds to the challenges faced by affected Texans.
I appreciate your attention to this matter and urge you to provide all available resources from the federal government. I am ready to work with FEMA and other relevant agencies to ensure a swift evaluation and deployment of the necessary resources for a complete recovery.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this issue.
Sincerely,
Senator John Cornyn
United States Senator

MIL OSI USA News –

April 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Motorists urged to comply with the law

Source: South Africa News Agency

The City of Johannesburg’s Department of Public Safety has warned motorists to comply with the rules of the road or face the might of the law.

This as the department kicked off its build-up campaign to the 2025 Easter Road Safety operations.

“Every holiday, we bury more loved ones due to preventable road crashes. We cannot afford to treat this as routine anymore. This is a matter of life and death.

“Our message is simple. If you don’t comply with the law, expect to be stopped, expect to be fined, expect to be arrested. We are done watching lives lost to drunk driving, unlicensed drivers, bribes, and unroadworthy taxis. Enough is enough,” the department said in a statement.

A public education campaign is also underway aimed at changing public behaviour on the roads.

“Targeted road safety messaging is being rolled out in schools, churches, and public spaces. Community members are encouraged to report reckless driving, corruption, and illegal vehicles.

“This is about building a culture of accountability, not fear. We want everyone to get home safely. We want dignity on our roads. Bribery will not be tolerated, and any officer caught accepting a bribe will face immediate action,” the department warned.
At the launch, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Spokesperson Xolani Fihla, reminded motorists of their responsibility.

“For your safety, when you are hitting the road, ensure that you do have the proper documentation that allows you to be driving that vehicle. Also ensure that your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition.

“The cause of these major accidents is due to driver behaviour. So, the driver…please don’t drive under the influence of alcohol, avoid excessive speeding and avoid reckless and negligent driving,” Fihla said.

He also had a word of warning for pedestrians.

“What we’ve also noticed and seen is a greater number of our pedestrians dying on the roads. This is due to them not adhering to the rules of the road. So, our message for our pedestrians as well, is to please stay safe.

“If you are going to be walking, don’t walk directly on a public road. Use the sidewalk or a verge. If you are walking at night or in the early morning, make sure that you are wearing bright or reflective clothing so that you are seen. Most importantly, don’t walk on our roads while intoxicated,” he said.

Acting Chief of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Clement Masinge, urged those visiting Gauteng to also adhere to the rules of the road and to prioritise safety.

“We want to encourage motorists when they’re on holidays through our city to take enough rest and ensure that they stick to the rules of the road. We are not going to tolerate…speeding, overloading in the taxis and buses.

“We will go all out in numbers to ensure that our motorists in the City of Johannesburg remain safe throughout this month,” Masinge added. – SAnews.gov.za

MIL OSI Africa –

April 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Visits With Yakama Nation Members, Observes Dipnet Fishing on the Klickitat River

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

Senator Murray has been raising the alarm on Trump administration’s plans to slash critical funding for salmon recovery efforts

***PHOTOS, B-ROLL HERE**

Lyle, WA — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, visited Klickitat Falls to observe Yakama Nation members dipnet fishing on the Klickitat River and meet with Tribal leaders and members. Senator Murray spoke with Chairman Gerald Lewis others about the importance of salmon recovery efforts in the Columbia and Snake Rivers, as well as forestry management and other issues. Forest management and wildfire prevention in particular have become a major cause for concern for the Yakama Nation in recent weeks, as the Trump administration’s federal funding cuts and freezes directly affect their ability to manage their lands or respond to fires on adjoining federal lands.

Senator Murray has also been raising the alarm and demanding answers on the Trump administration’s plans to shutter the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) office in Toppenish, which the Yakama Nation relies on for everything from timber sales to Indian Child Welfare Act cases.

“It was a real honor to visit with the Yakama Nation today and observe dipnet fishing, a practice handed down over generations,” said Senator Murray. “The Yakama Nation have been stewards of this land since time immemorial, and I’m proud to be their partner at the federal level in fighting to save our salmon, manage our forests responsibly, and make progress on so many other issues. Over the past few years, we’ve made historic investments in salmon recovery through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act—but now the Trump administration’s reckless cuts and illegal funding freezes are putting that progress at risk.”

“I’ve spoken with many Tribes, including the Yakama Nation, who are already seeing the consequences of the Trump administration’s mass firings and hiring freezes at important federal agencies they rely on—and that were already painfully understaffed. There’s no way around it—Trump’s gutting of the federal workforce and deep funding cuts will seriously hamper the administration of programs and services that Tribes rely on, and that the federal government has trust and treaty obligations to provide,” Murray continued. “I take seriously my responsibility to be a voice for our Tribes in the U.S. Senate—and I’ll continue using every tool at my disposal in Congress to fight back and hold this administration accountable.”

As a voice in the U.S. Senate for Washington state’s Tribal governments and communities, Senator Murray has long worked to make sure our nation lives up to its promises to support Tribal infrastructure, health care, education, housing, natural resources management, and more. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Senator Murray was instrumental in passing as then-Assistant Majority Leader provided more than $13 billion to directly support Tribal communities and makes Tribes eligible to apply for or request billions in discretionary, formula, and other funding to deploy record investments to provide affordable high-speed internet, safer roads and bridges, modern wastewater and sanitation systems, clean drinking water, reliable and affordable electricity, and good paying jobs in every Tribal community. In total, this funding represents the single largest investment in Tribal infrastructure ever.

Senator Murray has also been a champion for protecting and strengthening critical salmon and fish populations throughout her time in the Senate. Senator Murray secured a historic $2.85 billion investment in salmon and ecosystem restoration programs—including $400 million for a new community-based restoration program focused on removing fish passage barriers in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—and in the Inflation Reduction Act, Murray secured hundreds of millions for Washington state priorities including $15 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund, $3 million to support facilities at the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, $27 million for Pacific salmon research, and more. Last Congress, as then-Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Murray protected critical funding for salmon recovery and fishery projects in the Fiscal Year 2024 government spending bills she negotiated and passed into law, including securing: $50 million in the construction of the Howard Hanson Dam Fish Passage facility; $75 million for the Pacific Salmon account at the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), $65 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund, $54 million for the EPA’s Puget Sound Geographic Program, and more.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Barrasso, Lummis, Hageman Celebrate Cutting Edge C-130J Housing in Wyoming

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and U.S. Representative Harriet Hageman (R-WY) applauded the announcement by the Trump administration that the Wyoming Air National Guard Base has been selected as the preferred and final location for the Air National Guard’s C-130J Main Operating Base (MOB) 11. This critical investment will allow for the complete recapitalization of one squadron, replacing eight aging C-130H aircraft with the modern C-130J Super Hercules fleet.

“The Trump administration rightfully selected the Wyoming National Guard base in Cheyenne to be the new home of the C-130J aircraft,” said Barrasso. “The C-130J air tanker is one of the best tools we have to quickly and efficiently suppress wildfires at home and support airlift operations around the globe. With the ongoing threat of wildfires across the Rocky Mountain West, having access to these planes in Wyoming is more critical than ever.”

“This is a transformative moment for Wyoming’s military presence and our state’s contribution to our national security,” said Lummis. “The arrival of these cutting-edge aircrafts will significantly enhance our Air National Guard’s capabilities while securing high-skilled jobs and economic activity in our community for decades to come. I am grateful to the Trump administration for recognizing Wyoming’s strategic importance and the exceptional readiness of our Guard members to operate this advanced fleet.”

“This is a major win for Wyoming,” said Hageman. “Housing the C-130J fleet in Cheyenne reinforces Wyoming’s role as a strategic hub for military readiness and strengthens our firefighting capabilities. I’m grateful to President Trump for securing this investment in our state’s future, our service members, and our ability to respond to both foreign threats and domestic emergencies.”

The Wyoming Air National Guard Base in Cheyenne was selected from among four candidate locations that were previously considered but not selected in earlier rounds of C-130J basing decisions. Other candidates included New Castle Air National Guard Base in Delaware, Nevada Air National Guard Base at Reno-Tahoe, and Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in Missouri.

The C-130J Super Hercules represents a significant technological advancement over the legacy C-130H model, with improved performance, fuel efficiency, cargo capacity, and avionics. The aircraft will enhance the Wyoming Air National Guard’s ability to support both military operations and domestic emergency response missions like aerial firefighting.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Hirono, Omar Lead Colleagues in Condemning Trump’s Illegal Invocation of Alien Enemies Act, Demanding Answers About Deportees
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

Lawmakers: “The government should not be able to falsely accuse individuals in the United States, including U.S. citizens, of gang membership and send them to foreign prisons without any judicial review or remedy.”
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led 13 of their colleagues in a letter to President Trump condemning his unlawful invocation of the Alien Enemies Actof 1798. The letter follows the Supreme Court’s recent decision to only allow Trump to continue rapid deportations under the statute if individuals are given notice and an opportunity to challenge the deportation. Senator Hirono and Representative Omar also lead the introduction of the Neighbors Not Enemies Act, legislation that would repeal the antiquated Alien Enemies Act.

“We write regarding your unlawful invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, resulting in noncitizens being deported without any due process, not to mention violating the requirement that the statute be invoked only in response to an act of war, predatory incursion, or invasion by a foreign government,” begin the lawmakers. “Our immigration laws can already hold gang members accountable and provide for their deportation. The government should not be able to falsely accuse individuals in the United States, including U.S. citizens, of gang membership and send them to foreign prisons without any judicial review or remedy.”

In 1798, President John Adams signed the “Alien and Sedition Acts” which was comprised of four bills: The Naturalization Act; the Alien Friends Act; the Sedition Act; and the Alien Enemies Act. Today, the Aliens Enemies Act (AEA) is the only one that remains in effect. The AEA allows the president to target foreign nationals of a specific country to be “apprehended, restrained, secured and removed” without due process during wartime.

The Act has only been invoked three times in American history: the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II. In their letter, the lawmakers assert that Tren de Aragua—a Venezuelan gang—does not qualify as an arm of the Venezuelan government.

“By claiming a foreign ‘invasion’ or ‘incursion,’ you are clearly attempting to suspend due process for noncitizens and speed up your mass deportation campaign,” the lawmakers continued. “Circumventing immigration law, and its requirement of verifiable evidence, will result in people with no gang affiliation being incorrectly targeted and deported.”

The lawmakers also emphasized that the Trump Administration’s choice of deportation sites will likely subject people to human rights abuses as El Salvador’s prisons are notorious for their inhumane conditions, including denial of medical care, lack of food, and outright torture.

“Over 260 people have died in those prisons in the last two and a half years, including some with signs of serious physical abuse,” wrote the lawmakers. “We should not subject individuals to mistreatment and more, much less individuals who have had no due process and have not been found guilty of any crimes.”

In their letter, the lawmakers also demand that the Trump Administration provide regular updates about the people who have already been deported, as well as information about deportees including their names, nationalities, ages, the number of individuals under the age of 18, and what evidence was used to determine whether an individual was a member of Tren de Aragua.

“Invoking the Alien Enemies Act does not make Americans safer,” concluded the lawmakers. “It endangers all of us, by removing due process protections and ignoring the plain text of the statute.”

In the Senate, this letter was also signed by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Peter Welch (D-VT).

In the House, this letter was also signed by Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Greg Casar (D-TX).

The full text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear President Trump:

We write regarding your unlawful invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, resulting in noncitizens being deported without any due process, not to mention violating the requirement that the statute be invoked only in response to an act of war, predatory incursion, or invasion by a foreign government. Our immigration laws can already hold gang members accountable and provide for their deportation. The government should not be able to falsely accuse individuals in the United States, including U.S. citizens, of gang membership and send them to foreign prisons without any judicial review or remedy. The Supreme Court, when confronted with the manner in which you conducted the removals, unanimously rejected the implementation and its corresponding lack of notice and opportunity to challenge individuals’ removals. Moreover, deporting these individuals to Salvadorian prisons will also subject them to inhumane conditions, further exacerbating the legal issues in invoking the Alien Enemies Act.

The Alien Enemies Act was passed as part of the infamous Alien and Sedition Acts, and it was used during World War II to detain tens of thousands of innocent Japanese, German, and Italian individuals based on nothing but their ethnicity. This wartime use of the Alien Enemies Act served as a precursor to Executive Order 9066, resulting in the incarceration of 111,000 Japanese Americans. Those who were caught up in that xenophobic panic, as well as organizations like the Japanese American National Museum, have condemned your recent invocation of the act.

We reiterate that the plain language of the law limits the president’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to two enumerated situations: times of declared war, and times of invasion or “predatory incursion” by a foreign nation or government. The Act has only been invoked three times in American history: the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II. A Venezuelan gang does not qualify as an arm of the Venezuelan government.

By claiming a foreign “invasion” or “incursion,” you are clearly attempting to suspend due process for noncitizens and speed up your mass deportation campaign. Circumventing immigration law, and its requirement of verifiable evidence, will result in people with no gang affiliation being incorrectly targeted and deported. Multiple individuals who were subjected to the Alien Enemies Act had ongoing cases arguing that they were not members of Tren de Aragua. An attorney for one individual says that her client was mislabeled as a member of the gang due to a tattoo supporting the Spanish soccer team Real Madrid and for flashing the popular hand symbol for “rock and roll.” Another individual is a tattoo artist. A third individual was a make-up artist who was seeking asylum due to his sexual orientation.

Aside from these foregoing concerns, your choice of deportation sites will likely subject people to human rights abuses. El Salvador’s prisons are notorious for their inhumane conditions, including denial of medical care, lack of food, and outright torture. Over 260 people have died in those prisons in the last two and a half years, including some with signs of serious physical abuse. An Amnesty International UK report accused the Salvadorian authorities of a “systematic policy of torture towards all those detained.” The specific prison that will house the deported individuals, the Center for Terrorism Confinement (CECOT), has been described as a place “to dispose of people without formally applying the death penalty.” According to a Times reporter who watched the individuals be transferred to CECOT, the “intake began with slaps.” When detainees fell due to how quickly they were being moved, they were kicked, slapped, and shoved. One person asked for his mom and cried. He was slapped again. We should not subject individuals to mistreatment and more, much less individuals who have had no due process and have not been found guilty of any crimes.

At this point, we request that you provide us with information and regular updates on the following:
1. The names, nationalities, and ages of the people sent to El Salvador to be imprisoned in CECOT, including the number of individuals under the age of 18;
2. What evidence was used to determine that each individual was a member of Tren de Aragua;
3. The overall estimated costs and sources of funding associated with detaining and deporting these individuals; and
4. The procedures for individuals to challenge your administration’s determination that they are a member of Tren de Aragua, either here in the United States or in El Salvador, including how much time you provide to individuals to mount a legal challenge.
In closing, invoking the Alien Enemies Act does not make Americans safer. It endangers all of us, by removing due process protections and ignoring the plain text of the statute. We urge you to abandon this decision.

###
MIL OSI USA News –
April 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Search for overdue bushwalker in state’s south-west

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Search for overdue bushwalker in state’s south-west

Saturday, 19 April 2025 – 10:11 am.

A search including the Westpac Rescue Helicopter has been commenced in the Farmhouse Creek area in the State’s south-west for an overdue bushwalker.Police were notified about 8am this morning that a 28-year-old man had separated from his bushwalking colleague.The man was last seen about 9am yesterday on the Eastern Arthur Range Traverse near the Lake Sydney Track junction.The man is believed to be an experienced bushwalker but was not carrying a personal locator beacon.Anyone with information should call Police on 131444 and quote ESCAD reference 000072-19042025.

MIL OSI News –

April 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: A Path Forward to End the Russia Ukraine War

Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ambassador Steve Witkoff, and Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg are in Paris today with a clear motivation: to find a path forward to end the Russia-Ukraine war in order to stop the bloodshed. — Spokesperson Tammy Bruce

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ytb5DfJj-5Q

MIL OSI Video –

April 19, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: Desperate situation for people fleeing Zamzam camp in Sudan

Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

Following the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) large-scale ground offensive on Zamzam camp that started on 11 April, hundreds of thousands of people have joined the communities already besieged and deprived of lifesaving aid in El Fasher, the neighbouring capital city of North Darfur, Sudan. 25,000 more people reached Tawila, further west, where overwhelmed Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams are currently expanding activities to cope with the most pressing medical needs.

We are making an urgent appeal to put an end to the siege and the atrocities, to deliver humanitarian aid, including by airdropping food and medicines to El Fasher if necessary, and to allow those who wish to flee to do so safely.

The RSF and their allied armed groups stormed Zamzam, Sudan’s largest displacement camp, which used to host at least 500,000 people near El Fasher, after months of an increasingly tight siege on the area. By 16 April, the camp, by then largely destroyed, was reportedly under RSF control. The majority of people living in Zamzam are believed to have fled to El Fasher, where they remain trapped, out of reach of humanitarian aid and exposed to ongoing attacks and further mass violence.

While MSF teams in Tawila saw over 25,000 people arriving from Zamzam and nearby areas between 12 and 15 April, displaced people are now arriving more sporadically and at great risk for their lives along the way. Our teams set up a health post at the entrance of Tawila to provide the new arrivals with water and immediate nutritional and medical support. We refer critical cases to the local hospital where we have been working since last October. About 1,600 patients so far have required emergency outpatient services, mainly because of severe dehydration.

“We are treating children who were literally dying of thirst on their journeys. We have received so far over 170 people with gunshot and blast injuries and 40 per cent of them are women and girls,” says Marion Ramstein, MSF project coordinator in Tawila. “People tell us that many injured and vulnerable people could not make the trip to Tawila and were left behind. Almost everyone we talk to said they lost at least one family member during the attack.”

Horrific reports emerge from Zamzam camp, where hundreds of people are estimated to have been killed. Fighters were said to be going door-to-door, shooting people hiding in their homes and burning large parts of the camp. Casualties include eleven staff from the humanitarian organisation Relief International, which was running the only remaining clinic in the camp after MSF suspended all its activities in Zamzam in February due to escalating violence and blockades.

We urge the RSF and all armed groups in the area to spare and protect civilians and ensure that those who want to flee can do so without further harm. States and diplomatic actors must use their leverage to translate hollow statements into concrete actions. There have been repeated warnings from the UN and many observers about the risks of mass killings and ethnic violence in El Fasher and the surroundings displacement camps, mostly inhabited by people from the non-Arab Zaghawa and Fur ethnic groups, while most of the RSF fighters and their allies originate from Arab tribes.

After two years of a catastrophic war on people met by neglectful indifference, it remains inconceivable to simply resign ourselves to the current collective failure to provide vital assistance where it’s most needed.

“A massive humanitarian response is needed, now more urgently than ever. If the roads to El Fasher are blocked, then air operations must be launched to bring food and medicines to the estimated one million people trapped there and being starved,” Rasmane Kabore, MSF head of mission in Sudan. “A scaled-up response is also needed in Tawila, where some of the survivors are being received and local capacities are overwhelmed.”

MSF and several other actors are launching emergency interventions in Tawila, but much more is needed in terms of water, food, medical care and shelter.

MIL OSI NGO –

April 19, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: Trump Executive Orders roll back ocean protections

Source: Greenpeace Statement –

WASHINGTON, DC (April 18, 2025) – Yesterday, the Trump administration issued a new Executive Order that opens vast swaths of protected ocean to commercial exploitation, including areas within the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument. It allows commercial fishing in areas long considered off-limits due to their ecological significance—despite overwhelming scientific consensus that marine sanctuaries are essential for rebuilding fish stocks and maintaining ocean health. These actions threaten some of the most sensitive and pristine marine ecosystems in the world. In response to the announcement, Arlo Hemphill, Greenpeace USA project lead on ocean sanctuaries, said:

“Opening the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument to commercial fishing puts one of the most pristine ocean ecosystems on the planet at risk. Almost 90 percent of global marine fish stocks are fully exploited or overfished. The few places in the world ocean set aside as large, fully protected ocean sanctuaries serve as ‘fish banks’, allowing fish populations to recover, while protecting the habitats in which they thrive. President Bush and President Obama had the foresight to protect the natural resources of the Pacific for future generations, and Greenpeace USA condemns the actions of President Trump today to reverse that progress.”

A second Executive Order calls for deregulation of America’s fisheries under the guise of boosting seafood production.

John Hocevar, Oceans Campaign Director at Greenpeace USA, said:

“If President Trump wants to increase U.S. fisheries production and stabilize seafood markets, deregulation will have the opposite effect. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has already slashed jobs at NOAA and is threatening to dismantle the agency responsible for providing the science that makes management of U.S. fisheries possible. Trump’s executive order on fishing could set us back by decades, undoing all the progress that has been made to end overfishing and rebuild fish stocks and America’s fisheries. While there is far too little attention to bycatch and habitat destruction, NOAA’s record of fisheries management has made the U.S. a world leader. Trump seems ready to throw that out the window with all the care of a toddler tossing his toys out of the crib.”

The executive orders, announced on April 17, 2025, are detailed here:
Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness
Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Unleashes American Commercial Fishing in the Pacific

###

Contact: Gujari Singh, Greenpeace USA Campaign Communication Manager, [email protected], 631-404-9977

Greenpeace USA is part of a global network of independent campaigning organizations that use peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. Greenpeace USA is committed to transforming the country’s unjust social, environmental, and economic systems from the ground up to address the climate crisis, advance racial justice, and build an economy that puts people first. Learn more at www.greenpeace.org/usa.

MIL OSI NGO –

April 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Q&A: Boosting Biofuels Boosts Farm Economy

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
Q: Why is the Renewable Volume Obligation important for Iowa farmers?
A: Biomass-based fuels convert feedstocks, including corn and soybeans, for use in the nation’s fuel supply, from passenger vehicles to commercial trucks, marine shipping, rail and aviation. Biodiesel and ethanol expand domestic markets for grain farmers, which is particularly vital when there’s uncertainty with overseas trading partners. Iowa farmers and biofuel producers stand ready to meet demand that provides reliable, affordable, cleaner fuel for consumers.
Two decades ago, I helped steer through Congress two federal laws that unleashed America’s renewable fuels era in the 21st century. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 built upon the Energy Policy Act of 2005 that established the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). President George W. Bush signed both pieces of legislation that accelerated use of renewable fuels in the transportation sector, primed the pump for the biofuel industry in rural America, produced cleaner burning fuel and fostered U.S. energy independence. The RFS set annual targets with the Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO), a requirement that specifies volumes for refiners and importers to blend into the nation’s fuel supply. Congress authorized the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement the RFS program. It sets annual RVO’s divided among four buckets: conventional biofuel; advanced biofuel; cellulosic biofuel; and biomass-based diesel. As a lifelong family farmer and lawmaker on the Senate Agriculture Committee, I make my voice loud and clear under both Republican and Democrat administrations to champion homegrown biofuel, including speaking out against unfair policies for used cooking oil and imported ethanol. The EPA needs to follow the law as Congress intended. Bureaucratic lollygagging brings uncertainty to the marketplace and unfairness to farmers and biofuel producers who have the capacity to meet demand. During the Biden administration, I invited the White House Climate Czar to visit Iowa to see how renewable fuels are where the rubber meets the road for a more sustainable energy policy, cleaner environment and stronger economy in rural America.
Q: What are you pressing the Trump administration to do on this issue?
A: In April, I led a bipartisan letter with Sen. Amy Klobuchar pressing the EPA to keep its commitment to American energy production and affirm renewable fuels are an important component of that all-the-above energy strategy. We urged the administration to increase RVO levels that take into account biofuels production capacity and the productivity of the American farmer. Specifically, the EPA should set volume levels for biomass-based diesel at 5.25 billion gallons in 2026. What’s more, the EPA ought to provide multi-year RVO standards to provide certainty and growth for the biofuel industry. This would send a strong message to boost investment in biofuels that are an important piece of the economic pie in rural communities. We’ve seen what happens when RVO levels are low-balled, biofuel facilities are forced to reduce their workforce, idle production or shut down their facilities. That’s a big blow to economic vitality on Main Street and a big market loss for local farmers. I’ll be keeping close tabs on the EPA as it works to determine RVO standards.
In addition to trade and energy policies, the federal tax code holds significant sway over investment and profitability in rural America. As former chairman and ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, I’ve secured important energy tax incentives that ensured public policy kept pace with advancing technologies in alternative energy. As Congress takes up tax policy in the coming months, I’ll be at the table advocating for the family farmer and biofuel producers. Along those lines, in January I pressed Trump’s cabinet nominees about the importance of providing clarity about new biofuel incentives in the federal tax code. Specifically, I explained the urgency to clean up after the Biden administration’s failure to deliver certainty for farmers and biofuel producers by failing to issue guidance for the clean fuel production tax credit, called 45Z. I’m working as hard as ever on behalf of Iowa biofuel producers and family farmers who are putting in the work, taking on the risk and deploying new technologies to power America’s energy needs.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Peters Introduces Bill to Bolster Ship Repair Industry, Jobs, and Navy Sailors’ Wellbeing in San Diego

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

Today, Representatives Scott Peters (D-CA-50) and Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02) introduced the Smart Ship Repair Act (SSRA) of 2025, a follow-up to Rep. Peters’ SSRA of 2023 and SSRA of 2024, which have both become law. This iteration of the SSRA would increase the amount of time a ship is allowed to stay in its homeport for repairs before the Navy can move a ship and its crew to other locations for maintenance work.

The SSRA of 2025 would require the Navy to change its current practice of soliciting ship repair contracts on a coast-wide basis for work periods longer than 12 months to only those that are projected to last more than 18 months. Currently, ships homeported in San Diego that need more than 12 months of maintenance could be moved to other facilities along the West Coast if the Navy receives a more cost -effective bid from other companies to perform the work. This makes it difficult for San Diego’s ship repair industry to recruit and maintain its workforce and invest in its facilities. It also forces sailors to possibly spend their time ashore away from their families after long deployments at sea.

“San Diego is home to a vibrant ship repair industry that employs nearly 8,000 workers and supports the Navy’s force posture in the Asia-Pacific,” said Rep. Peters. “This bill will help protect those jobs and support a high quality of life for sailors and their families while also ensuring the Navy can meet its ship repair needs as it prepares for the threats of the future.”

“From 2014 to 2024, the Navy’s surface fleet in Hampton Roads decreased from 48 to 28 vessels, creating challenges for our ship repair industry and causing a 30% workforce reduction,” said Rep. Kiggans. “One of the best ways we can support our Navy and bolster our ship repair industry is to ensure our ships are repaired within their homeports. I am proud to introduce this important legislation that will support the highly skilled men and women who repair our ships, strengthen our maritime industrial base, and provide a better quality of life for our servicemembers.”

“PSDSRA enthusiastically supports the proposed legislation to extend the coast wide bid threshold to 18 months,” said Gordon Rutherford, President, Port of San Diego Ship Repair Association. “This not only keeps work in San Diego that supports all of our businesses, it also provides stability and better quality of life for the crews of San Diego based ships who already spend enough time away from home in defense of our country.”

“Austal USA appreciates Congressman Peters continued efforts to support and bring stability to the ship repair industry in San Diego,” said Larry Ryder, Vice President of Business Development & External Affairs at Austal USA. “The Smart Ship Repair Act of 2024 will help San Diego continue to provide world class ship repair services to the U.S. Navy and support jobs in San Diego.”

“BAE Systems appreciates Congressman Peters’ and Congresswoman Kiggans’ continued leadership in support of U.S Navy ship maintenance,” said Paul Smith, Vice President and General Manager of BAE Systems Ship Repair. “We believe the Smart Ship Repair Act of 2025 further enhances predictability and stability for necessary naval repair work. This would allow sailors to remain close to home during repair periods up to 18 months, while preserving shipyard worker jobs in the Navy’s key homeports.”

According to the Port of San Diego Ship Repair Association, the San Diego shipbuilding and repair industry contributed more than $3.7 billion to the region’s economy in 2023. The nearly 8,000 jobs in the industry support an estimated additional 7,430 jobs in related industries and the local economy. Nearly $474.8 million in tax revenues were generated by shipbuilding and ship repair in 2023. Approximately $307.1 million went to the federal government and $167.7 million went to state and local governments.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

April 19, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Victory inn Europe! Pubs to stay open later as part of VE 80 Celebrations
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

Victory inn Europe! Pubs to stay open later as part of VE 80 Celebrations

Pub goers will be able to raise a toast to veterans for an extra two hours to celebrate next month’s historic 80th anniversary of VE day.
Pub goers will be able to raise a toast to veterans for an extra two hours to celebrate next month’s historic 80th anniversary of VE day.

With parties planned across the country on Thursday 8th May, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has ordered pubs and bars across the country to be able to keep serving until 1am to celebrate.

This will mean venues with a usual closing time of 11pm will be able to keep their doors open for a further two hours on the day, allowing people to continue their celebrations of the milestone.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

As we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the whole country should come together to remember the incredible sacrifices made by the wartime generation and to celebrate the peace and freedom they secured for us all.

Keeping our pubs open for longer will give people the opportunity to join in celebrations and raise a glass to all of the men and women who served their country, both overseas and at home.

Pub licensing hours can be relaxed to mark occasions of ‘exceptional national significance’, and the government is keen that everyone is able to raise a glass and celebrate those who served during the Second World War.

Similar extensions to pub hours have previously been used for major Royal celebrations and significant sporting events, such as the Euro 2024 final.

As well as bringing people together for longer, the extension is due to be a welcomed boost to the hospitality industry.

The VE Day commemorations will start on Bank Holiday Monday, with the Cenotaph dressed in Union flags, a military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace, and an RAF flypast over London.

On Thursday 8th May, a day of celebrations across the country will culminate in a party at London’s Horse Guards Parade, televised live on BBC One, with more than 10,000 members of the public attending the event to see performances by stars from the stage and screen.

Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association said:

This is a momentous occasion and, as the nation’s second home, the pub is the perfect place for communities to gather and raise a glass to all of those who made huge sacrifices for our freedom.

Extending licensing hours will mean people can come together for longer, nurture community spirit, and allow pubs to host even more commemorative events that honour our veterans and heroes and celebrate peace.

Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality said:

The 80th anniversary of VE day will see communities across the country come together to mark the special occasion, with many gathering in their local pubs to do so.

I’m pleased the Government is extending licensing hours for the celebrations, which will see thousands raising a glass in tribute to those who served in the war.

Michael Kill, CEO, Night Time Industries Association said:

As someone with a strong family background in the armed forces, I know how vital it is to honour the legacy of those who served.

VE Day is not only a moment of remembrance but also an opportunity for communities to come together. At such a challenging time for the hospitality sector, allowing businesses to extend their trading hours during these celebrations offers a much-needed boost while paying tribute to our shared history.

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Updates to this page

Published 18 April 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
April 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Creates New Federal Employee Category to Enhance Accountability
Source: The White House
RESTORING ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE: Today, President Donald J. Trump’s Office of Personnel Management (OPM) took action to implement President Trump’s Executive Action titled “Restoring Accountability to Policy-Influencing Positions Within the Federal Workforce.”
- OPM proposed a rule to amend the civil service regulations to include Schedule Policy/Career for career employees with important policy-determining, policy-making, policy-advocating, or confidential duties.
  
  These employees will serve as at-will employees, without access to cumbersome adverse action procedures or appeals, overturning Biden Administration regulations that protected poor performing employees.
  
  Line federal employees who implement those policies, like Border Patrol agents or wage and hour inspectors, will generally be excluded.
- This rule empowers federal agencies to swiftly remove employees in policy-influencing roles for poor performance, misconduct, corruption, or subversion of Presidential directives, without lengthy procedural hurdles.
- Schedule Policy/Career positions remain career positions, filled through existing nonpartisan, merit-based hiring processes.
  
  These employees will keep their competitive status and are not required to personally or politically support the President, but must faithfully implement the law and the administration’s policies.
- OPM estimates 50,000 positions will ultimately be moved into Schedule Policy/Career, approximately 2% of the Federal workforce.
  
  The proposed rule does not directly move positions into Schedule Policy/Career. That will be done by a subsequent executive order after a final rule issues.
FIXING A BROKEN SYSTEM: The proposed rule tackles systemic issues in federal workforce accountability, addressing unaccountable, policy-determining federal employees who put their own interests ahead of the American people’s.
- Federal employees report their agencies do not hold employees accountable:
  
  The Merit Principles Survey shows less than a quarter of federal employees believe their agencies address poor performers effectively.
  
  When asked what typically happens to poor performers in their work unit, federal employees’ most common response is they “remain in the work unit and continue to underperform.”
- This happens because the process for removing federal employees is lengthy and difficult:
  
  The Government Accountability Office reports it takes 6 months to a year to remove poor performers, even before appeals.
  
  Only two-fifths of federal managers are confident they could remove employees who committed serious misconduct.
  
  Just one-quarter believe they could remove an employee for poor performance in a critical element of their job.
- Unaccountability allows corruption to fester in agencies:
  
  For example, a recent audit of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) found widespread misconduct by senior leaders, such as male supervisors pressuring female subordinates for sexual favors in exchange for career assistance.
  
  The FDIC almost never seriously disciplined employees for such corrupt behavior. Not a single complaint to the agency’s Anti-Harassment program resulted in a removal, or even a demotion.
  
  The auditors found the FDIC tolerated misconduct because the removal process was too difficult to use.
- Some bureaucrats also use the protections the system gives them to oppose presidential policies and impose their own preferences:
  
  Recent polling asked senior federal employees in Washington, D.C., what they would do if the President gave them a lawful order they considered bad policy. A plurality said they would ignore the order and do what they thought best.
  
  During the first Trump administration career attorneys in the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division would not assist in litigation charging Yale University with racially discriminating against Asian and Caucasian applicants.
  
  In the President’s first term, career employees in the Department of Education would not constructively assist in drafting major rules like the Title IX rules.
  
  An Equal Employment Opportunity Commission administrative judge (AJ) recently sent an agency-wide email stating that the agency’s Acting Chair (who was appointed by President Trump) was “not fit to be our chair much less hold a license to practice law” and that the AJ would not implement President Trump’s Executive Orders.
- Unaccountable bureaucracy undermines democracy. For the government to be accountable to the American people, elected officials must be able to hold policy-determining and policy-making career employees accountable for their performance and conduct.
DRAINING THE SWAMP: President Trump is delivering on his promise to dismantle the deep state and reclaim our government from Washington corruption.
- In his first term, President Trump signed an Executive Order to reclassify certain federal workers in policy-related roles as “Schedule F” employees, enabling swift accountability for those in influential positions.
- When President Biden took office, he revoked this Executive Order, reinstating protections that shielded unaccountable bureaucrats.
President Trump vowed on the campaign trail to reinstate this Executive Order, a promise he kept on his first day returning to office.
MIL OSI USA News –
April 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Ryan Ellison Appointed as United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

ALBUQUERQUE – Ryan Ellison has been appointed as the United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. Mr. Ellison was sworn in by United States District Judge Margaret Strickland on April 18, 2025.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of New Mexico in this role,” said Mr. Ellison. “For however long I serve as United States Attorney, my primary objective will be to keep New Mexicans safe through the vigorous enforcement of Federal law. Under my leadership, the United States Attorney’s Office will do its part to stem the unlawful flow of people and drugs into our country. We will also not lose sight of our responsibility to combat violent crime, gang activity, child predators, and to zealously advocate on behalf of the United States’ civil interests. Together with our federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement partners, the United States Attorney’s Office will work tirelessly to make New Mexico a safer place to live, work, raise a family, and run a business. And we will make New Mexico a far less attractive place to commit a crime.”

Mr. Ellison, born and raised in Alamogordo, New Mexico, graduated from the University of Arizona with a business degree in 2010. He earned his Juris Doctor and MBA from Texas Tech University in 2013. Since 2018, Mr. Ellison has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico in the Las Cruces Branch Office, most recently as Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney of the Violent and General Crimes Section.

As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Mr. Ellison prosecuted members of the Syndicato de Nuevo Mexico (“SNM”) prison gang. To date, more than 175 SNM gang members and associates have been charged with serious federal crimes, making the ongoing SNM prosecution the largest criminal case ever brought in the District of New Mexico. He has also investigated and prosecuted other violent crimes, including VICAR murder, RICO conspiracy, carjacking resulting in death, kidnapping resulting in death, murder-for-hire, and various firearms, immigration, and national security offenses.

Prior to joining the Department of Justice, Mr. Ellison worked as an Assistant District Attorney in the 47th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Texas and as an associate attorney in private practice.

As U.S. Attorney, Mr. Ellison will be responsible for overseeing federal criminal prosecutions and civil litigation involving the United States in the District of New Mexico. Ellison leads a dedicated team of over 150 prosecutors and support professionals with offices located in Albuquerque and Las Cruces. The District of New Mexico encompasses 33 counties and shares a 180-mile international border with Mexico. It is home to five National Forests, four major military installations, two National Laboratories, 19 pueblos, two Apache tribes, and one-third of the Navajo Nation.

MIL Security OSI –

April 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Security Guard Sentenced for Sexual Abuse of an Inmate

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

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

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

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

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

# # #

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

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

MIL Security OSI –

April 19, 2025

MIL-OSI Security: KDY Crew Member Sentenced to 180 Months for Armed Carjacking and Marijuana Distribution

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

WASHINGTON – Jovan Terrell Williams, 20, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 180-months in federal prison in connection with the November 2023 armed carjacking of a Chevrolet Corvette and for his participation in the Kennedy Street Crew drug trafficking conspiracy.

The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., ATF Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives – Washington Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Ibrar A. Mian of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Washington Division, Special Agent in Charge Kareem Carter, of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Washington D.C. Field Office, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.

Williams, aka “Chewy,” pleaded guilty on September 5, 2024, to carjacking while armed and conspiracy to distribute more than 100 kilos of marijuana. In addition to the 180-month prison term, U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell ordered Williams to serve five years of supervised release.

Williams is the last of 17 KDY members to be sentenced in this case. Yesterday, on April 17, co-defendant and KDY leader Kenneth Ademola Olugbenga, 29, was sentenced to 160 months in prison.

According to court documents, Williams was a member of the Kennedy Street Crew, a violent drug trafficking organization which operated open-air drug markets on an 11-block stretch of Kennedy Street in Northwest, as well as surrounding streets. Like many drug trafficking organizations (DTOs), KDY armed itself with fire power to facilitate the drug trade, defend its territory from rival crews, and commit other violent crimes. Following a takedown operation in June 2023, most defendants charged by indictment for their roles in the KDY DTO were apprehended. Williams, however, remained a fugitive for months.

On November 17, 2023, at approximately 7:40 p.m., Williams—while still a fugitive—carjacked an individual at gunpoint on the 1800 block of Half Street, SW, stealing the victim’s 2021 Chevrolet Corvette. Williams was armed and wearing a ski mask when he and two associates ran from stolen Audi and Lexus sedans and advanced towards the owner of the Corvette, who knelt in surrender.

While pointing a gun at the car owner, Williams took the keys to the Corvette, a Tesla key attached to an Apple Air Tag, and Apple Air Pods. Williams and his associates then drove away in the stolen cars. Approximately 40 minutes later, the stolen Audi and Lexus were used in an armed robbery of three individuals on 8^th and P Streets NW.

Later that evening, at 9:53 p.m., law enforcement tracked the Apple Air Tag stolen from the carjacking victim to an apartment building on the 4700 block of Benning Road NE. Officers found and arrested Williams and two associates in the building’s laundry room. Following the arrests, officers recovered a “ghost gun” from inside a washing machine. In a hole in the laundry room’s ceiling, officers found three more concealed firearms: a black pistol, a black Glock 19 with an obliterated serial number, and another black pistol outfitted with a “switch” that would allow it to fire as a machine gun.

Earlier that year, on January 26, 2023, law enforcement executing a residential search warrant encountered Williams along with several other KDY crew members on the 1700 block of D Street, NE. Also in the residence, law enforcement recovered 10 firearms, assorted ammunition, 21 kilos of marijuana packed in suitcases, and 40 grams of fentanyl-laced pills. The firearms included a privately manufactured AR-style .223 caliber pistol (a ghost gun) modified to fire as a machine gun, and a Draco 7.62 x 39mm pistol. DNA profiles obtained from both firearms linked both weapons to Williams, who acknowledged that he possessed them in connection with the drug trafficking conspiracy.

This investigation was conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

This case was investigated by ATF’s Washington Field Division, the Metropolitan Police Department, the DEA’s Washington Division, and the FBI Washington Field Office Violent Crimes Task Force, with assistance from the IRS-Criminal Investigation Washington, D.C. Office.

The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew W. Kinskey and Sitara Witanachchi of the of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

KDY DEFENDANTS

NAME	AGE	SENTENCES
Kenneth Ademola Olugbenga	29	Sentenced March 17, 2025, to 160 Months in Prison after Pleading Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with the Intent to Distribute 500 Grams or more of Cocaine Base, and a Detectable Amount of Marijuana; and Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense.
Khali Ahmed Brown, aka “Migo Lee”	24	Sentenced January 16, 2025, to 168 Months after Pleading Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute 100 Kilograms or More of Marijuana and 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl and Oxycodone; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense; and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.
Keion Michael Brown	21	Sentenced January 16, 2025, to 147 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute 100 Kilograms or More of Marijuana and Oxycodone and Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.
Miasiah Jamal Brown, aka “Michael Jamal Crawford”	23	Sentenced August 16, 2024, to Five Years for Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.
Tristan Miles Ware, aka “Greedy”	24	Sentenced December 13, 2024, to 120 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute 100 Kilos of Marijuana; and Possessing a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime.
Jovan Williams, aka “Chewy” and “Choo”	20	Sentenced April 18, 2025 to 180 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute 100 Kilograms or More of Marijuana and Armed Carjacking.
Herman Eric-Bibmin Signou, aka “Herman Signour”	25	Sentenced March 22, 2024, to 40 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 100 Kilograms of More of Marijuana
Cameron Xavier Reid	28	Sentenced May 31, 2024, to 60 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute 100 Kilograms of More of Marijuana.
Warren Lawrence Fields, III, aka B-Dub	26	Sentenced May 16, 2024, to 60 Months for Possessing a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Offense and for Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering.
Juwan Demetrius Clark, aka “Squirrel”	28	Sentenced January 10, 2025, to 37 Months for Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering.
Aaron DeAndre Mercer, aka “Curby,”	34	Sentenced September 13, 2024, to 120 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl, Marijuana, and Cocaine Base.
David Penn, aka “Turtle”	32	Sentenced November 15, 2024, to 220 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana, 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl, and a Mixture of Cocaine Base; and Two Counts of Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense.
Ronald Lynn Dorsey, aka “Ron G” and “HBGeezy”	31	Sentenced September 13, 2024, to 30 Months for Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering.
Antonio Reginald Bailey, aka “Boy Boy,” and “Fellow King”	24	Sentenced February 8, 2024, to 24 Months for Receiving a Firearm While Under Indictment.
Anthony Trayon Bailey, aka “Fat Ant,” and “Bizzle”	29	Sentenced April 26, 2024, to 15 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute 100 Kilograms or More of Marijuana, 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl, and a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Cocaine Base.
Angel Enrique Suncar, aka “Coqui”	31	Sentenced December 12, 2024, to 60 Months for Possessing a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime.
Adebayo Adediji Green	31	Sentenced August 16, 2024, to 60 Months for Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.

Defendant Cameron Reid is from Falmouth, VA; all remaining defendants are from Washington, D.C.

23cr202

MIL Security OSI –

April 19, 2025

MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Filed 135 Border-Related Cases This Week
Source: Office of United States Attorneys

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

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

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

A sample of border-related arrests this week:
- On April 15, Jesus Manuel Zuniga Huerta and Jose Alberto Flores Avalos of Mexico were arrested at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry and charged with importing deadly fentanyl into the U.S. According to a complaint, Customs and Border Protection officers discovered 148 pounds of fentanyl in the rear frame well of a tractor-trailer driven by Zuniga Huerta.
- On April 15, Brian Jaime Sanchez, a Mexican national, was arrested and charged with Bringing in Aliens for Financial Gain. According to a complaint, Customs and Border Protection officers found an undocumented immigrant concealed in the trunk of Sanchez’s car as he attempted to cross the border at the Tecate Port of Entry.
- On April 17, Sergio Villalba-Serrano, a Mexican national, was arrested and charged with Departed Alien Found in the United States. According to a complaint, Villalba-Serrano was taken into custody near the Tecate Port of Entry after his Cadillac was stopped by U.S. Border Patrol agents. Villalba-Serrano had previously been deported on October 26, 2019, from Laredo, Texas.
Also this week, a number of defendants with criminal records were convicted by a jury or sentenced for border-related crimes such as illegally re-entering the U.S. after previous deportation. Here are a few of those cases:
- On April 10, 2025, following a three-day trial, a federal jury convicted seven-time felon Miguel Rolon of conspiring to bring in aliens and bringing in two aliens for financial gain. During trial, the evidence showed that Rolon picked up two Guatemalan nationals at a stash house in Tijuana, Mexico, coached the aliens to weave a fictious backstory to customs officers, and attempted to smuggle the same aliens into the United States using others’ U.S. passports at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Rolon is scheduled to be sentenced on July 7, 2025.
- On April 18, 2024, Javier Gracia-Meza, a Mexican national, who was previously convicted of a felony illegal reentry offense, was sentenced in federal court to 15 months in custody for again entering the United States illegally.
- On April 18, 2025, Cruz Torres-Gonzalez, a Mexican national who was previously convicted of five felony immigration offenses, was sentenced in federal court to 54 months in custody for again entering the U.S illegally.
- On April 18, 2025, Pablo Lazcano-Quinonez, a Mexican national who was previously convicted of felony conspiracy to distribute marijuana, felony possession/use of drug paraphernalia, and two illegal reentry offenses, was sentenced in federal court to 15 months in custody for again entering the U.S illegally.
- On April 18, 2025, Jesus Eduardo Morga-Ceballos – a Mexican national who was previously convicted of a felony controlled substance offense in 2014, a misdemeanor criminal threat with intent to terrorize in 2014, and a felony illegal reentry in 2023 – was sentenced in federal court to 101 days in custody for again entering the U.S illegally.
Pursuant to the Department’s Operation Take Back America priorities, federal law enforcement has focused immigration prosecutions on undocumented aliens who are engaged in criminal activity in the U.S., including those who commit drug and firearms crimes, who have serious criminal records, or who have active warrants for their arrest. Federal authorities have also been prioritizing investigations and prosecutions against drug, firearm, and human smugglers and those who endanger and threaten the safety of our communities and the law enforcement officers who protect the community.

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

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

MIL Security OSI –
April 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell, Murray, Randall Introduce Legislation to Place Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and Quinault Indian Nation Lands into Trust

US Senate News:

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

MIL OSI USA News –

April 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin Successfully Pushes Trump to Punish China for Cheating American Workers and Shipbuilders

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

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

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

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

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

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

MIL OSI USA News –

April 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Baldwin Talks Trump’s Tariffs, Medicaid Cuts, and Endangered Food Assistance with Stops Across Wisconsin

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

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

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

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

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

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

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

MIL OSI USA News –

April 19, 2025
MIL-OSI: Zeo Energy Corp. Receives Nasdaq Notice on Late Filing of its Form 10-K

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla., April 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zeo Energy Corp. (Nasdaq: ZEO) (“Zeo Energy” or the “Company”), announced today that, as expected, it received a notice (the “Notice”) from Nasdaq on April 17, 2025, notifying the Company that it is not in compliance with the periodic filing requirements for continued listing set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) because the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (“Fiscal Year 2024 10-K”) was not filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) by the required due date of March 31, 2025.

This Notice received from Nasdaq has no immediate effect on the listing or trading of the Company’s shares. Nasdaq has provided the Company with 60 calendar days, until Sunday, June 16, 2025, to submit a plan to regain compliance. If Nasdaq accepts the Company’s plan, then Nasdaq may grant the Company an exception until October 13, 2025 to regain compliance with the Nasdaq Listing Rules.

The Company continues to work diligently to complete its Fiscal Year 2024 10-K, with subsequent periodic filings made on-time, after which the Company anticipates maintaining compliance with its SEC reporting obligations.

This announcement is made in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(b), which requires prompt disclosure of receipt of a deficiency notification.

About Zeo Energy Corp.

Zeo Energy Corp. is a Florida-based regional provider of residential solar, distributed energy, and energy efficiency solutions. Zeo Energy focuses on high-growth markets with limited competitive saturation. With its differentiated sales approach and vertically integrated offerings, Zeo Energy, through its Sunergy business, serves customers who desire to reduce high energy bills and contribute to a more sustainable future. For more information on Zeo Energy Corp., please visit www.zeoenergy.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are based on beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to the Company. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements that refer to projections, forecasts, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions. The words “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “seek,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “will,” and similar references to future periods may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements may include, for example, statements about the filing of the Fiscal Year 2024 10-K, maintaining compliance with SEC reporting obligations and regaining compliance with Nasdaq listing rules. These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this news release, and current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, risks, and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any subsequent date, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, the Company’s actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include: (i) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company or others; (ii) the Company’s success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, its officers, key employees, or directors; (iii) the Company’s ability to maintain the listing of its common stock and warrants on Nasdaq; (iv) limited liquidity and trading of the Company’s securities; (v) geopolitical risk and changes in applicable laws or regulations; (vi) the possibility that the Company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (vii) operational risk; (viii) litigation and regulatory enforcement risks, including the diversion of management time and attention and the additional costs and demands on the Company’s resources; and (ix) other risks and uncertainties, including those included under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2023 and in its subsequent periodic reports and other filings with the SEC.

In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by the Company, its respective directors, officers or employees or any other person that the Company will achieve its objectives and plans in any specified time frame, or at all. The forward-looking statements in this news release represent the views of the Company as of the date of this news release. Subsequent events and developments may cause that view to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, there is no current intention to do so, except to the extent required by applicable law. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing the views of the Company as of any date subsequent to the date of this news release.

Zeo Energy Corp. Contacts

For Investors:
Tom Colton and Greg Bradbury
Gateway Group
ZEO@gateway-grp.com

For Media:
Zach Kadletz
Gateway Group
ZEO@gateway-grp.com

The MIL Network –

April 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Blumenthal, DeLauro, Governor Lamont Announce Start of Bridge Replacement and Traffic Flow Improvement Project on I-95 in West Haven

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

April 17, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MIL OSI USA News –

April 19, 2025

MIL-OSI: Chemung Financial Corporation Reports First Quarter 2025 Net Income of $6.0 million, or $1.26 per share

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

ELMIRA, N.Y., April 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Chemung Financial Corporation (the “Corporation”) (Nasdaq: CHMG), the parent company of Chemung Canal Trust Company (the “Bank”), today reported net income of $6.0 million, or $1.26 per share, for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $5.9 million, or $1.24 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2024, and $7.1 million, or $1.48 per share, for the first quarter of 2024.

“First quarter results demonstrate steady ongoing delivery of the Corporation’s strategic plan,” said Anders M. Tomson, President and CEO of Chemung Financial Corporation. “Attentive balance sheet management has allowed us to effectively reduce funding costs while growing our asset base. Loan growth in our newer Canal Bank division during the quarter underscores its strategic importance to operations,” Tomson added.

“Our community banking model serves as a source of strength, consistency, and dependability for our communities, clients, and employees, regardless of the external environment. We are confident these stakeholders will continue to meaningfully drive our Corporation’s success,” concluded Tomson.

First Quarter Highlights:

The Corporation announced a $0.01 dividend increase, representing a 3.2% increase compared to the prior quarter. Dividends declared during the first quarter 2025 were $0.32 per share.
Net interest margin expanded four basis points compared to the prior quarter, from 2.92% in the fourth quarter 2024 to 2.96% in the first quarter 2025.¹ Interest rate spread increased 11 basis points compared to the prior quarter, from 2.06% in the fourth quarter 2024 to 2.17% in the first quarter 2025.
Annualized loan growth totaled 5.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2025, including annualized commercial loan growth of 10.5%.
Loan growth in the Western New York Canal Bank division totaled 14.9% compared to prior-year end and deposit growth totaled 82.0% compared to prior year-end.

¹ See the GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations.

1st Quarter 2025 vs 4th Quarter 2024

Net Interest Income:
Net interest income for the first quarter of 2025 totaled $19.8 million, in line with the prior quarter, driven by a decrease of $1.0 million in interest expense on deposits, and offset by decreases of $0.7 million in interest income on loans and $0.1 million in each of interest income on taxable securities and interest income on interest-earning deposits, and an increase of $0.1 million in interest expense on borrowed funds.

Interest expense on deposits decreased primarily due to a decrease of 19 basis points in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits, and despite an increase of $8.7 million in average balances of total interest-bearing deposits, compared to the prior quarter. The average cost of customer time deposits decreased 42 basis points compared to the prior quarter, mainly due to maturities of higher cost CDs associated with campaigns during 2023 and 2024, many of which were renewed at a lower cost. Average balances of customer time deposits decreased $25.9 million compared to the prior quarter. Customer time deposits comprised 21.1% of total average deposits in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 22.1% in the prior quarter. The average cost of brokered deposits decreased 19 basis points, while average balances of brokered deposits increased $38.0 million compared to the prior quarter. The cost of brokered deposits decreased largely due to the short term nature of the Corporation’s brokered deposits coupled with lower market interest rates in the current quarter, while average balances of brokered deposits increased primarily to offset the decrease of $39.0 million in average balances of total customer deposits, or 1.6%, compared to the prior quarter. Additionally, average balances of interest-bearing demand deposits increased $8.9 million while the average cost of interest-bearing demand deposits decreased 12 basis points, and average balances of savings and money market deposits decreased $12.3 million while the average cost of savings and money market deposits decreased 12 basis points, compared to the prior quarter.

Interest income on loans, including fees, decreased primarily due to a decrease of 16 basis points in the average yield on commercial loans, partially offset by an increase of $43.0 million in average balances of commercial loans, compared to the prior quarter. The decrease in average yield on commercial loans was partially due to the recognition of $0.3 million in interest income on the payoff of a nonaccrual construction loan in the prior quarter, as well as decreases in interest rates on existing variable rate loans, as benchmark indexes repriced lower during the current quarter. The increase in average balances of commercial loans was largely concentrated in commercial real estate. Average balances of residential mortgage loans increased $0.8 million while the average yield on residential mortgage loans decreased one basis point, compared to the prior quarter. Origination yields of residential mortgages remained strong in the first quarter of 2025 despite the overall declining rate environment. Average balances of consumer loans decreased $12.4 million and the average yield on consumer loans decreased seven basis points, compared to the prior quarter, due to net runoff of the indirect auto portfolio, decreases in interest rates on variable rate home equity products, and home equity lines of credit originated in the first quarter of 2025 at a 4.99% introductory rate.

The decrease in interest income on taxable securities was primarily due to a decrease of $10.1 million in average balances, largely due to paydowns of mortgage-backed and SBA pooled loan securities. The decrease in interest income on interest-earning deposits was mainly due to a decrease in the interest rate paid on deposit balances at the Federal Reserve during the fourth quarter of 2024. The increase in interest expense on borrowed funds was due to an increase in average balances of total FHLBNY advances in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the prior quarter.

Fully taxable equivalent net interest margin was 2.96% for the current quarter, compared to 2.92% for the prior quarter. Average interest-earning assets increased $17.7 million, while average interest-bearing liabilities increased $25.1 million during the first quarter, compared to the prior quarter. The average yield on interest-earning assets decreased seven basis points to 4.72%, while the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 18 basis points to 2.55%, compared to the prior quarter. Total cost of funds was 1.92% for the current quarter, compared to 2.04% for the prior quarter, a decrease of 12 basis points.

Provision for Credit Losses:
Provision for credit losses was $1.1 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $0.6 million in the prior quarter, an increase of $0.5 million, or 83.3%. The increase was primarily due to the annual loss driver update to the Bank’s CECL model, which is implemented in the first quarter of each year, as well as deterioration in FOMC forecasts for the economic variables on which the Bank’s CECL model is based. Partially offsetting these increases were lower net charge-offs in the current quarter, compared to the prior quarter.

Non-Interest Income:
Non-interest income for the first quarter of 2025 was $5.9 million, compared to $6.1 million for the prior quarter, a decrease of $0.2 million, or 3.3%, driven by decreases of $0.2 million in wealth management group fee income and $0.1 million in interchange revenue from debit card transactions, partially offset by an increase of $0.1 million in other non-interest income.

Wealth management group fee income decreased compared to the prior quarter largely due to a decrease in total assets under management, due to a broad decline in financial markets during the first quarter of 2025. Interchange revenue from debit card transactions decreased primarily due to a decline in transaction volume, partially due to the seasonality of holiday spending, compared to the prior quarter. Other non-interest income increased mainly due to recognition of debit card support incentives in the first quarter of 2025.

Non-Interest Expense:
Non-interest expense for the first quarter of 2025 was $16.9 million, compared to $17.8 million for the prior quarter, a decrease of $0.9 million, or 5.1%, driven by decreases of $0.4 million in pension and other employee benefits, $0.2 million in salaries and wages, and $0.1 million in each of data processing, loan expense, and furniture and equipment expense.

Pension and other employee benefits decreased compared to the prior quarter primarily due to a decrease in employee healthcare-related expenses. The decrease in salaries and wages was largely due to higher quarterly incentive compensation expense recognized in the prior quarter. Data processing decreased mainly due to a decrease in card-related expenses, partially attributable to procurement expenses relating to the Canal Bank division in the prior quarter. The decrease in loan expenses was primarily due to a decrease in legal fees in the current quarter, compared to the prior quarter. The decrease in furniture and equipment expense was partially due to branch equipment and non-capitalized fixtures purchased in the prior quarter.

Income Tax Expense:
Income tax expense for the first quarter of 2025 was $1.7 million, compared to $1.6 million for the prior quarter, an increase of $0.1 million. The effective tax rate for the current quarter increased to 21.6% from 21.2% in the prior quarter. The increase in income tax expense was primarily due to an increase in pretax income.

1st Quarter 2025 vs 1st Quarter 2024

Net Interest Income:
Net interest income for the first quarter of 2025 totaled $19.8 million, compared to $18.1 million for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $1.7 million, or 9.4%, driven by decreases of $1.0 million in interest expense on deposits and $0.3 million in interest expense on borrowed funds, and an increase of $0.9 million in interest income on loans, partially offset by a decrease of $0.5 million in interest income on taxable securities.

Interest expense on deposits decreased primarily due to a decrease of 27 basis points in the average cost of total interest-bearing deposits, which was comprised of decreases of 21 basis points in the average cost of customer interest-bearing deposits and 82 basis points in the average cost of brokered deposits, both largely due to decreases in benchmark interest rates and the Corporation’s balance sheet structure favoring shorter-term liabilities. Average balances of customer interest-bearing deposits increased $55.0 million and average balances of brokered deposits decreased $8.6 million, compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase in average balances of customer interest-bearing deposits was primarily due to an increase of $32.9 million in average balances of customer time deposits. The average cost of customer time deposits decreased 38 basis points compared to the same period in the prior year, due to the Corporation’s focus on shorter-term CD campaigns during 2024, and a decrease in interest rates on campaign offerings in the current period. Customer time deposits comprised 21.1% of average total deposits for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 20.1% for the same period in the prior year. Additionally, an increase of $28.3 million in average balances of interest-bearing demand deposits positively benefited the average cost of interest-bearing deposits, as the 1.57% average cost was lower than other types of interest-bearing deposits.

The decrease in interest expense on borrowed funds was partially due to a decline in borrowing rates between the first quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, as well as a shift in the composition of borrowed funds between these periods. The average cost of total borrowings decreased 69 basis points, compared to the same period in the prior year, comprised of decreases of 91 basis points and 32 basis points in the average cost of FHLBNY overnight advances and other advances and debt, which includes FHLBNY term advances, respectively. The composition of borrowings in the first quarter of 2025 was primarily comprised of FHLBNY term advances and FHLBNY overnight advances, while the composition of borrowings in the same period in the prior year was primarily comprised of a Federal Reserve Bank Term Funding Program (BTFP) advance and FHLBNY overnight advances.

Interest income on loans, including fees, increased largely due to an increase in average total loan balances of $88.6 million compared to the same period in the prior year, which was concentrated in the commercial loan portfolio. The average yield on total loans was relatively stable compared to the same period in the prior year, declining two basis points to 5.49% in the first quarter of 2025. Average balances of commercial loans increased $122.1 million compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily due to growth in commercial real estate balances, while the average yield on commercial loans declined 15 basis points, largely due to repricing of benchmark indexes and $0.3 million in interest income recognized on the payoff of a nonaccrual commercial real estate loan in the same period of the prior year. Average balances of residential mortgage loans and consumer loans each decreased compared to the same period in the prior year, decreasing $2.1 million and $31.4 million, respectively. The decrease in average balances of residential mortgage loans was partially due to relatively low levels of housing inventory across the Bank’s footprint resulting in lower origination volume, which was comparable to the prior year, as well as a continued election to sell a significant portion of conforming mortgages into the secondary market. The decrease in average balances of consumer loans was primarily due to net runoff of indirect auto loans between the first quarters of 2024 and 2025. The average yield on residential mortgage loans and consumer loans each increased in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the same period in the prior year, increasing 24 and 27 basis points, respectively, each due to strong origination yields in recent periods, and normal runoff of older and typically lower yielding originations. Interest income on interest-earning deposits increased mainly due to a $11.2 million increase in average balances of interest-earning deposits, compared to the same period in the prior year, and despite a decrease of six basis points in the average yield on interest-earning deposits, due to a decrease in the interest rate paid on deposit balances at the Federal Reserve.

The decrease in interest income on taxable securities was largely due to paydowns and maturities of available for sale securities between the first quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, totaling $55.9 million, primarily on SBA pooled loan and mortgage-backed securities, as well as a decrease in the interest rates of variable rate SBA pooled loan securities, partially offset by purchases of available for sale securities totaling $5.0 million between these periods.

Fully taxable equivalent net interest margin was 2.96% for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 2.73% for the same period in the prior year. Average interest-earning assets increased $48.6 million, while average interest-bearing liabilities increased $34.8 million, compared to the same period in the prior year. The average yield on interest-earning assets increased two basis points to 4.72%, while the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 30 basis points to 2.55%, compared to the same period in the prior year. Total cost of funds was 1.92% for the current quarter, compared to 2.13% for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of 21 basis points.

Provision for Credit Losses:
Provision for credit losses was $1.1 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to a credit of $2.0 million for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $3.1 million, or 155.0%. The increase was largely driven by the directionality of the annual loss driver update applied to the Bank’s CECL model in the first quarter of the current year, compared to the loss driver update applied in the first quarter of the prior year. The current year update resulted in higher modeled baseline loss rates, while the update in the prior year resulted in lower baseline loss rates.

Non-Interest Income:
Non-interest income for the first quarter of 2025 was $5.9 million, compared to $5.7 million for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $0.2 million, or 3.5%, driven by increases of $0.2 million in wealth management group fee income, $0.2 million in service charges on deposit accounts, and $0.1 million in other non-interest income, partially offset by a decrease of $0.1 million in the change in fair value of equity investments. Both the increase in wealth management group fee income and service charges on deposit accounts were primarily due to fee rate increases which were implemented in the second half of 2024. The increase in other non-interest income was largely due to an increase in interest rate swap fee income in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease in the change in fair value of equity investments was primarily due to a decrease in the market value of assets held for the Corporation’s deferred compensation plan, largely due to declines in financial markets during the current quarter.

Non-Interest Expense:
Non-interest expense for the first quarter of 2025 was $16.9 million, compared to $16.7 million for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $0.2 million, or 1.2%, driven by increases of $0.2 million in salaries and wages and $0.2 million in other non-interest expense, partially offset by decreases of $0.2 million in pension and other employee benefits and $0.1 million in FDIC insurance.

Salaries and wages increased largely due to an increase in base salaries, including merit-based increases and additional staffing for the Corporation’s newly opened Western New York regional banking center. The increase in other non-interest expense was primarily due to net recoveries of multiple large altered check charge-offs during the same period in the prior year as well as higher operational losses on the sale of repossessed vehicles during the first quarter of 2025, compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease in pension and other employee benefits expense was largely due to lower employee healthcare-related expenses compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease in FDIC insurance was primarily due to a decrease in the Bank’s assessment rate, due to an improvement in evaluated metrics.

Income Tax Expense:
Income tax expense for the first quarter of 2025 was $1.7 million, compared to $2.0 million for the first quarter of 2024, a decrease of $0.3 million. The effective tax rate for the current quarter decreased to 21.6%, compared to 22.4% for the same period in the prior year. The decrease in income tax expense was primarily due to a decrease in pretax income.

Asset Quality
Non-performing loans totaled $9.9 million as of March 31, 2025, or 0.47% of total loans, compared to $9.0 million, or 0.43% of total loans as of December 31, 2024. The increase in non-performing loans was largely due to increases in non-performing consumer loans and residential mortgage loans of $0.7 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The increase in non-performing consumer loans was mainly driven by one well-secured home equity loan being placed into nonaccrual status during the quarter. Similarly, the increase in non-performing residential mortgage loans was driven by one loan being placed into nonaccrual status during the quarter. Non-performing commercial loans decreased $0.1 million, primarily due to the payoff of a $0.3 million previously nonaccrual commercial real estate loan, offset by the addition of $0.2 million in nonaccrual commercial and industrial loans. Non-performing assets, which are comprised of non-performing loans, other real estate owned, and repossessed vehicles, were $10.3 million, or 0.37% of total assets as of March 31, 2025, compared to $9.6 million, or 0.35% of total assets as of December 31, 2024. The increase in non-performing assets was largely due to an increase in non-performing loans. Other real estate owned was $0.2 million and repossessed vehicles was $0.2 million as of March 31, 2025.

Total loan delinquencies as of March 31, 2025 increased compared to December 31, 2024, primarily driven by an increase in commercial loan delinquencies. Annualized net charge-offs to total average loans for the first quarter of 2025 were 0.05%, compared to 0.12% for the fourth quarter of 2024, a decrease of seven basis points. Net charge-off experience in the first quarter of 2025 was concentrated almost entirely in indirect auto loans. Total annualized consumer net charge-offs were 0.40% of average consumer loan balances for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 0.45% of average consumer loan balances for the fourth quarter of 2024. Commercial loans and residential mortgage loans each had net recovery ratios in the first quarter of 2025, compared to an annualized net charge off ratio of 0.07% of average commercial loan balances and a net recovery ratio of average residential mortgage loan balances in the fourth quarter of 2024.

The allowance for credit losses on loans was $22.5 million as of March 31, 2025 compared to $21.4 million as of December 31, 2024. The allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments, a component of other liabilities, was $0.5 million as of March 31, 2025 and $0.8 million as of December 31, 2024. The increase in the allowance for credit losses on loans was largely due to the annual review and update to loss drivers used in the Bank’s CECL model, which is implemented each year in the first quarter. The update resulted in higher baseline loss rates for most of the Bank’s loan portfolio segments, and was partially due to the introduction of new periods of data into the analysis. Additionally, the economic variables used as loss drivers for commercial and industrial loans was adjusted as part of the annual update. FOMC forecasts for both national unemployment and U.S. GDP growth deteriorated as of March 31, 2025 compared to December 31, 2024, as the FOMC incorporated elevated levels of economic uncertainty into their forecasts. Provision for credit losses as a percentage of period-end loan balances was 0.05% for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 0.03% for the fourth quarter of 2024. The allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans was 1.07% as of March 31, 2025 and 1.03% as of December 31, 2024 while the allowance for credit losses on loans was 227.93% of non-performing loans as of March 31, 2025 and 238.87% as of December 31, 2024.

Balance Sheet Activity
Total assets were $2.797 billion as of March 31, 2025, compared to $2.776 billion as of December 31, 2024, an increase of $20.6 million, or 0.7%. This increase was driven by increases of $26.2 million in loans, net of deferred origination fees and costs and $6.4 million in cash and cash equivalents, partially offset by decreases of $4.2 million in total investment securities and $6.7 million in accrued interest receivable and other assets.

Loans, net of deferred origination fees and costs increased mainly due to growth in commercial loan balances, which was concentrated in commercial real estate. Total commercial loan balances increased $39.5 million, or 2.6%, compared to the prior year-end. Commercial real estate balances grew $43.3 million while commercial and industrial balances contracted $3.8 million, both compared to the prior year-end. Over half of total growth in commercial loan balances was attributable to the Bank’s new Canal Bank division in Western New York. Residential mortgages increased $0.5 million, or 0.2%, compared to the prior year-end, as the Corporation continued to elect to sell a portion of originations into the secondary market and low levels of housing inventory persisted across the Bank’s footprint. Consumer loans decreased $13.7 million, or 4.9%, compared to the prior-year end, largely due to lower levels of indirect auto loan origination activity, and a relatively fast turnover rate in the portfolio.

The increase in cash and cash equivalents was primarily due to an increase of $36.5 million in total deposits compared to the prior year-end and $13.6 million in net paydowns and maturities of available for sale securities in the current period. Partially offsetting this increase were a decrease of $24.2 million in total advances and other debt and an increase of $26.2 million in loans, net of deferred origination fees and costs.

Total investment securities decreased primarily due to a decrease of $3.1 million in securities available for sale, compared to the prior year-end. Net paydowns and maturities of securities available for sale for the current year totaled $13.6 million, mainly due to paydowns on mortgage-backed securities and SBA pooled loan securities. The market value of securities available for sale increased $11.0 million, due to favorable changes in market interest rates during the current year. Also contributing to the decrease in total investment securities was a decrease of $1.1 million in FHLB and FRB stock, at cost, mainly due to a decrease in total borrowing through the FHLBNY as of March 31, 2025, compared to the prior year-end. The decrease in accrued interest receivable and other assets was largely due to decreases in interest rate swap assets and deferred tax assets.

Total liabilities were $2.568 billion as of March 31, 2025, compared to $2.561 billion as of December 31, 2024, an increase of $7.6 million, or 0.3%. This increase was driven by an increase of $36.5 million in total deposits, partially offset by decreases of $24.2 million in advances and other debt and $4.6 million in accrued interest payable and other liabilities.

Total deposits increased $36.5 million, or 1.5%, compared to the prior year-end, largely due to increases of $33.3 million in interest-bearing demand deposits and $30.4 million in money market deposits. Increases in these deposit types were partially attributable to seasonal inflows of municipal deposits. Total time deposits decreased $25.0 million, consisting of decreases of $13.6 million in customer time deposits and $11.4 million in brokered deposits. The Bank’s CD campaign in the current year primarily consisted of a continuation of six and 15 month offerings, as well as the introduction of a 36 month offering. Additionally, savings deposits increased $4.0 million and non interest-bearing demand deposits decreased $6.1 million. Non interest-bearing deposits comprised 25.5% and 26.1% of total deposits as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.

Advances and other debt decreased mainly due to an increase in total deposits. Advances and other debt as of March 31, 2025 largely consisted of staggered three-month term advances from the FHLBNY, whereas the composition of advances and other debt as of the prior year-end consisted primarily of FHLBNY overnight advances. The decrease in accrued interest payable and other liabilities was mainly due to a decrease in interest rate swap liabilities.

Total shareholders’ equity was $228.3 million as of March 31, 2025, compared to $215.3 million as of December 31, 2024, an increase of $13.0 million, or 6.0%, driven by a decrease of $8.1 million in accumulated other comprehensive loss and an increase of $4.5 million in retained earnings. The decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss was largely due to an increase in the fair value of securities available for sale, due to favorable changes in market interest rates. The increase in retained earnings was mainly due to net income of $6.0 million, offset by dividends declared of $1.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2025.

The total equity to total assets ratio was 8.16% as of March 31, 2025, compared to 7.76% as of December 31, 2024, and the tangible equity to tangible assets ratio was 7.44% as of March 31, 2025, compared to 7.02% as of December 31, 2024.¹ Book value per share and tangible book value per share increased to $47.49 and $42.95, respectively as of March 31, 2025 from $45.13 and $40.55, respectively as of December 31, 2024.¹ As of March 31, 2025, the Bank’s capital ratios were in excess of those required to be considered well-capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

¹ See the GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations

Liquidity
The Corporation uses a variety of resources to manage its liquidity, and management believes it has the necessary liquidity to allow for flexibility in meeting its various operational and strategic needs. These include short-term investments, cash flow from lending and investing activities, core-deposit growth and non-core funding sources, such as time deposits of $250,000 or greater, brokered deposits, FHLBNY overnight and term advances, and FRB advances. Borrowings may be used on a short-term basis for liquidity purposes or on a long-term basis to fund asset growth. As of March 31, 2025, the Corporation’s cash and cash equivalents balance was $53.4 million. The Corporation also maintains an investment portfolio of securities available for sale, comprised primarily of US Government treasury securities, SBA loan pools, mortgage-backed securities, and municipal bonds. Although this portfolio generates interest income for the Corporation, it also serves as an available source of liquidity and capital if the need should arise. As of March 31, 2025, the Corporation’s investment in securities available for sale was $528.3 million, $341.2 million of which was not pledged as collateral. Additionally, as of March 31, 2025, the Bank’s total advance line capacity at the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York was $222.3 million, $85.0 million of which was utilized and $137.3 million of which was available as additional borrowing capacity.

As of March 31, 2025, uninsured deposits totaled $690.3 million, or 28.4% of total deposits, including $167.6 million of municipal deposits collateralized by pledged assets, when required. As of December 31, 2024, uninsured deposits totaled $652.3 million, or 27.2% of total deposits, including $145.6 million of municipal deposits collateralized by pledged assets. Due to their fluidity, the Corporation closely monitors uninsured deposit levels when considering liquidity management strategies.

The Corporation considers brokered deposits to be an element of its deposit strategy, and anticipates it may continue utilizing brokered deposits as a secondary source of funding in support of growth. As of March 31, 2025, all brokered deposits carried terms of three months, with staggered maturities, totaling $80.8 million. Excluding brokered deposits, total deposits increased $47.9 million compared to December 31, 2024.

Other Items
The market value of total assets under management or administration in our Wealth Management Group was $2.203 billion as of March 31, 2025, including $305.5 million of assets under management or administration for the Corporation, compared to $2.212 billion as of December 31, 2024, including $301.9 million of assets under management or administration for the Corporation, a decrease of $9.5 million, or 0.4%. Excluding assets under management or administration for the Corporation, total market value of Wealth Management Group assets decreased $13.1 million, or 0.7%, largely due to declines in financial markets during the first quarter of 2025.

As previously announced on January 8, 2021, the Corporation’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program. Under the repurchase program, the Corporation may repurchase up to 250,000 shares of its common stock, or approximately 5% of its then outstanding shares. The repurchase program permits shares to be repurchased in open market or privately negotiated transactions, through block trades, and pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As of March 31, 2025, a total of 49,184 shares of common stock at a total cost of $2.0 million were repurchased by the Corporation under its share repurchase program. No shares were repurchased in the first quarter of 2025. The weighted average cost was $40.42 per share repurchased. Remaining buyback authority under the share repurchase program was 200,816 shares as of March 31, 2025.

About Chemung Financial Corporation

Chemung Financial Corporation is a $2.8 billion financial services holding company headquartered in Elmira, New York and operates 30 retail offices through its principal subsidiary, Chemung Canal Trust Company, a full service community bank with trust powers. Established in 1833, Chemung Canal Trust Company is the oldest locally-owned and managed community bank in New York State. Chemung Financial Corporation is also the parent of CFS Group, Inc., a financial services subsidiary offering non-traditional services including mutual funds, annuities, brokerage services, tax preparation services, and insurance.

This press release may be found at: www.chemungcanal.com under Investor Relations.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Corporation intends its forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in this press release. All statements regarding the Corporation’s expected financial position and operating results, the Corporation’s business strategy, the Corporation’s financial plans, forecasted demographic and economic trends relating to the Corporation’s industry and similar matters are forward-looking statements. These statements can sometimes be identified by the Corporation’s use of forward-looking words such as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” or “intend.” The Corporation cannot guarantee that its expectations in such forward-looking statements will turn out to be correct. The Corporation’s actual results could be materially different from expectations because of various factors, including changes in economic conditions or interest rates, credit risk, inflation, tariffs, cybersecurity risks, changes in FDIC assessments, bank failures, difficulties in managing the Corporation’s growth, competition, changes in law or the regulatory environment, and changes in general business and economic trends.

Information concerning these and other factors, including Risk Factors, can be found in the Corporation’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K. These filings are available publicly on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov, on the Corporation’s website at http://www.chemungcanal.com or upon request from the Corporate Secretary at (607) 737-3746. Except as otherwise required by law, the Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.


Chemung Financial Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
	March 31,			Dec. 31,			Sept. 30,			June 30,			March 31,
(in thousands)	2025			2024			2024			2024			2024
ASSETS
Cash and due from financial institutions	$	32,087		$	26,224		$	36,247		$	23,184		$	22,984
Interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions		21,348			20,811			44,193			47,033			71,878
Total cash and cash equivalents		53,435			47,035			80,440			70,217			94,862

Equity investments		3,249			3,235			3,244			3,090			3,093

Securities available for sale		528,327			531,442			554,575			550,927			566,028
Securities held to maturity		808			808			657			657			785
FHLB and FRB stock, at cost		8,040			9,117			4,189			5,506			4,071
Total investment securities		537,175			541,367			559,421			557,090			570,884

Commercial		1,555,988			1,516,525			1,464,205			1,445,258			1,425,437
Residential mortgage		275,448			274,979			274,099			271,620			277,246
Consumer		266,200			279,915			290,650			294,594			300,927
Loans, net of deferred loan fees		2,097,636			2,071,419			2,028,954			2,011,472			2,003,610
Allowance for credit losses		(22,522	)		(21,388	)		(21,441	)		(21,031	)		(20,471	)
Loans, net		2,075,114			2,050,031			2,007,513			1,990,441			1,983,139

Loans held for sale		284			—			—			381			96
Premises and equipment, net		16,222			16,375			14,915			14,731			14,183
Operating lease right-of-use assets		5,332			5,446			5,637			5,827			6,018
Goodwill		21,824			21,824			21,824			21,824			21,824
Accrued interest receivable and other assets		84,090			90,834			81,221			92,212			90,791
Total assets	$	2,796,725		$	2,776,147		$	2,774,215		$	2,755,813		$	2,784,890

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Deposits:
Non interest-bearing demand deposits	$	619,645		$	625,762		$	616,126		$	619,192		$	656,330
Interest-bearing demand deposits		339,790			306,536			349,383			328,370			315,154
Money market deposits		625,505			595,123			630,870			613,131			631,350
Savings deposits		249,541			245,550			242,911			248,528			248,578
Time deposits		598,915			623,912			611,831			606,700			629,360
Total deposits		2,433,396			2,396,883			2,451,121			2,415,921			2,480,772

Advances and other debt		88,701			112,889			53,757			83,835			52,979
Operating lease liabilities		5,516			5,629			5,820			6,009			6,197
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities		40,806			45,437			42,863			48,826			47,814
Total liabilities		2,568,419			2,560,838			2,553,561			2,554,591			2,587,762

Shareholders’ equity
Common stock		53			53			53			53			53
Additional paid-in capital		48,157			48,783			48,457			48,102			47,794
Retained earnings		252,195			247,705			243,266			239,021			235,506
Treasury stock, at cost		(15,180	)		(16,167	)		(15,987	)		(16,043	)		(16,147	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(56,919	)		(65,065	)		(55,135	)		(69,911	)		(70,078	)
Total shareholders’ equity		228,306			215,309			220,654			201,222			197,128
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	2,796,725		$	2,776,147		$	2,774,215		$	2,755,813		$	2,784,890

Period-end shares outstanding		4,807			4,771			4,774			4,772			4,768


Chemung Financial Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended March 31,						Percent Change
(in thousands, except per share data)	2025			2024			Percent Change
Interest and dividend income:
Loans, including fees	$	28,099		$	27,198		3.3
Taxable securities		3,023			3,557		(15.0	)
Tax exempt securities		251			258		(2.7	)
Interest-earning deposits		325			206		57.8
Total interest and dividend income		31,698			31,219		1.5

Interest expense:
Deposits		11,156			12,145		(8.1	)
Borrowed funds		725			985		(26.4	)
Total interest expense		11,881			13,130		(9.5	)

Net interest income		19,817			18,089		9.6
Provision (credit) for credit losses		1,092			(2,040	)	153.5
Net interest income after provision for credit losses		18,725			20,129		(7.0	)

Non-interest income:
Wealth management group fee income		2,867			2,703		6.1
Service charges on deposit accounts		1,120			949		18.0
Interchange revenue from debit card transactions		1,037			1,063		(2.4	)
Change in fair value of equity investments		(47	)		101		N/M
Net gains on sales of loans held for sale		40			32		25.0
Net gains (losses) on sales of other real estate owned		(11	)		—		N/M
Income from bank owned life insurance		8			9		(11.1	)
Other		875			800		9.4
Total non-interest income		5,889			5,657		4.1

Non-interest expense:
Salaries and wages		7,209			7,016		2.8
Pension and other employee benefits		1,922			2,082		(7.7	)
Other components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefits		(113	)		(232	)	51.3
Net occupancy		1,533			1,493		2.7
Furniture and equipment		373			398		(6.3	)
Data processing		2,534			2,573		(1.5	)
Professional services		638			559		14.1
Marketing and advertising		339			345		(1.7	)
Other real estate owned expense		11			49		N/M
FDIC insurance		439			577		(23.9	)
Loan expense		278			255		9.0
Other		1,764			1,583		11.4
Total non-interest expense		16,927			16,698		1.4

Income before income tax expense		7,687			9,088		(15.4	)
Income tax expense		1,664			2,038		(18.4	)
Net income	$	6,023		$	7,050		(14.6	)

Basic and diluted earnings per share	$	1.26		$	1.48
Cash dividends declared per share	$	0.32		$	0.31
Average basic and diluted shares outstanding		4,791			4,764


N/M – Not Meaningful


Chemung Financial Corporation	As of or for the Three Months Ended
Consolidated Financial Highlights (Unaudited)	March 31,			Dec. 31,			Sept. 30,			June 30,			March 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2025			2024			2024			2024			2024
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Interest income	$	31,698		$	32,597		$	32,362		$	31,386		$	31,219
Interest expense		11,881			12,776			13,974			13,625			13,130
Net interest income		19,817			19,821			18,388			17,761			18,089
Provision (credit) for credit losses		1,092			551			564			879			(2,040	)
Net interest income after provision for credit losses		18,725			19,270			17,824			16,882			20,129
Non-interest income		5,889			6,056			5,919			5,598			5,657
Non-interest expense		16,927			17,823			16,510			16,219			16,698
Income before income tax expense		7,687			7,503			7,233			6,261			9,088
Income tax expense		1,664			1,589			1,513			1,274			2,038
Net income	$	6,023		$	5,914		$	5,720		$	4,987		$	7,050

Basic and diluted earnings per share	$	1.26		$	1.24		$	1.19		$	1.05		$	1.48
Average basic and diluted shares outstanding		4,791			4,774			4,773			4,770			4,764
PERFORMANCE RATIOS
Return on average assets		0.88	%		0.85	%		0.83	%		0.73	%		1.04	%
Return on average equity		10.96	%		10.73	%		10.81	%		10.27	%		14.48	%
Return on average tangible equity (a)		12.15	%		11.92	%		12.07	%		11.56	%		16.29	%
Efficiency ratio (unadjusted) (e)		65.85	%		68.88	%		67.92	%		69.43	%		70.32	%
Efficiency ratio (adjusted) (a)		65.64	%		68.64	%		67.69	%		69.19	%		70.07	%
Non-interest expense to average assets		2.47	%		2.57	%		2.39	%		2.38	%		2.47	%
Loans to deposits		86.20	%		86.42	%		82.78	%		83.26	%		80.77	%
YIELDS / RATES – Fully Taxable Equivalent
Yield on loans		5.49	%		5.61	%		5.65	%		5.52	%		5.51	%
Yield on investments		2.26	%		2.29	%		2.21	%		2.27	%		2.35	%
Yield on interest-earning assets		4.72	%		4.79	%		4.78	%		4.69	%		4.70	%
Cost of interest-bearing deposits		2.48	%		2.67	%		2.88	%		2.86	%		2.75	%
Cost of borrowings		4.54	%		4.74	%		5.08	%		5.04	%		5.15	%
Cost of interest-bearing liabilities		2.55	%		2.73	%		2.97	%		2.94	%		2.85	%
Cost of funds		1.92	%		2.04	%		2.24	%		2.20	%		2.13	%
Interest rate spread		2.17	%		2.06	%		1.81	%		1.75	%		1.85	%
Net interest margin, fully taxable equivalent		2.96	%		2.92	%		2.72	%		2.66	%		2.73	%
CAPITAL
Total equity to total assets at end of period		8.16	%		7.76	%		7.95	%		7.30	%		7.08	%
Tangible equity to tangible assets at end of period (a)		7.44	%		7.02	%		7.22	%		6.56	%		6.34	%
Book value per share	$	47.49		$	45.13		$	46.22		$	42.17		$	41.34
Tangible book value per share (a)		42.95			40.55			41.65			37.59			36.77
Period-end market value per share		47.57			48.81			48.02			48.00			42.48
Dividends declared per share		0.32			0.31			0.31			0.31			0.31
AVERAGE BALANCES
Loans and loans held for sale (b)	$	2,077,739		$	2,046,270		$	2,020,280		$	2,009,823		$	1,989,185
Interest-earning assets		2,729,661			2,711,995			2,699,968			2,699,402			2,681,059
Total assets		2,784,414			2,761,875			2,751,392			2,740,967			2,724,391
Deposits		2,445,597			2,446,662			2,410,735			2,419,169			2,402,215
Total equity		222,802			219,254			210,421			195,375			195,860
Tangible equity (a)		200,978			197,430			188,597			173,551			174,036
ASSET QUALITY
Net charge-offs	$	262		$	594		$	78		$	306		$	182
Non-performing loans (c)		9,881			8,954			10,545			8,195			7,835
Non-performing assets (d)		10,282			9,606			11,134			8,872			8,394
Allowance for credit losses		22,522			21,388			21,441			21,031			20,471
Annualized net charge-offs to average loans		0.05	%		0.12	%		0.02	%		0.06	%		0.04	%
Non-performing loans to total loans		0.47	%		0.43	%		0.52	%		0.41	%		0.39	%
Non-performing assets to total assets		0.37	%		0.35	%		0.40	%		0.32	%		0.30	%
Allowance for credit losses to total loans		1.07	%		1.03	%		1.06	%		1.05	%		1.02	%
Allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans		227.93	%		238.87	%		203.33	%		256.63	%		261.28	%
(a) See the GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations. (b) Loans and loans held for sale do not reflect the allowance for credit losses. (c) Non-performing loans include non-accrual loans only. (d) Non-performing assets include non-performing loans plus other real estate owned and repossessed vehicles. (e) Efficiency ratio (unadjusted) is non-interest expense divided by the total of net interest income plus non-interest income.


Chemung Financial Corporation Average Consolidated Balance Sheets & Net Interest Income Analysis and Rate/Volume Analysis of Net Interest Income (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2025										Three Months Ended March 31, 2024										Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 vs. 2024
(in thousands)	Average Balance			Interest				Yield/ Rate			Average Balance			Interest				Yield/ Rate			Total Change			Due to Volume			Due to Rate

Interest-earning assets:
Commercial loans	$	1,529,028		$	21,696			5.75	%		$	1,406,950		$	20,642			5.90	%		$	1,054		$	1,620		$	(566	)
Residential mortgage loans		275,524			2,701			3.98	%			277,661			2,597			3.74	%			104			(24	)		128
Consumer loans		273,187			3,751			5.57	%			304,574			4,016			5.30	%			(265	)		(449	)		184
Taxable securities		584,614			3,026			2.10	%			633,294			3,560			2.26	%			(534	)		(278	)		(256	)
Tax-exempt securities		37,758			279			3.00	%			40,266			282			2.82	%			(3	)		(19	)		16
Interest-earning deposits		29,550			325			4.46	%			18,314			206			4.52	%			119			122			(3	)
Total interest-earning assets		2,729,661			31,778			4.72	%			2,681,059			31,303			4.70	%			475			972			(497	)

Non interest-earning assets:
Cash and due from banks		26,055										25,255
Other assets		50,256										40,665
Allowance for credit losses		(21,558	)									(22,588	)
Total assets	$	2,784,414									$	2,724,391

Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing checking	$	336,162		$	1,303		1.57			%	$	307,895		$	1,335		1.74			%	$	(32	)	$	109		$	(141	)
Savings and money market		858,937			3,866		1.83			%		865,113			4,266		1.98			%		(400	)		(34	)		(366	)
Time deposits		514,884			4,704		3.71			%		481,965			4,904		4.09			%		(200	)		298			(498	)
Brokered deposits		112,840			1,283		4.61			%		121,405			1,640		5.43			%		(357	)		(114	)		(243	)
FHLBNY overnight advances		20,781			236		4.61			%		34,875			487		5.52			%		(251	)		(178	)		(73	)
FRB advances and other debt		43,950			489		4.51			%		41,465			498		4.83			%		(9	)		27			(36	)
Total interest-bearing liabilities		1,887,554			11,881		2.55			%		1,852,718			13,130		2.85			%		(1,249	)		108			(1,357	)

Non interest-bearing liabilities:
Demand deposits		622,774										625,837
Other liabilities		51,284										49,976
Total liabilities		2,561,612										2,528,531
Shareholders’ equity		222,802										195,860
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	2,784,414									$	2,724,391

Fully taxable equivalent net interest income					19,897										18,173						$	1,724		$	864		$	860
Net interest rate spread (1)							2.17			%							1.85			%
Net interest margin, fully taxable equivalent (2)							2.96			%							2.73			%
Taxable equivalent adjustment					(80	)									(84	)
Net interest income				$	19,817									$	18,089

(1) Net interest rate spread is the difference in the average yield on interest-earning assets less the average rate on interest-bearing liabilities. (2) Net interest margin is the ratio of fully taxable equivalent net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

Chemung Financial Corporation

GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations (Unaudited)

The Corporation prepares its Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP. See the Corporation’s unaudited consolidated balance sheets and statements of income contained within this press release. That presentation provides the reader with an understanding of the Corporation’s results that can be tracked consistently from period-to-period and enables a comparison of the Corporation’s performance with other companies’ GAAP financial statements.

In addition to analyzing the Corporation’s results on a reported basis, management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures, because it believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide information to investors about the underlying operational performance and trends of the Corporation and, therefore, facilitate a comparison of the Corporation with the performance of other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures used by the Corporation may not be comparable to similarly named non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.

The SEC has adopted Regulation G, which applies to all public disclosures, including earnings releases, made by registered companies that contain “non-GAAP financial measures.” Under Regulation G, companies making public disclosures containing non-GAAP financial measures must also disclose, along with each non-GAAP financial measure, certain additional information, including a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to the closest comparable GAAP financial measure and a statement of the Corporation’s reasons for utilizing the non-GAAP financial measure as part of its financial disclosures. The SEC has exempted from the definition of “non-GAAP financial measures” certain commonly used financial measures that are not based on GAAP. When these exempted measures are included in public disclosures, supplemental information is not required. The following measures used in this Report, which are commonly utilized by financial institutions, have not been specifically exempted by the SEC and may constitute “non- GAAP financial measures” within the meaning of the SEC’s rules, although we are unable to state with certainty that the SEC would so regard them.

Fully Taxable Equivalent Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income is commonly presented on a tax-equivalent basis. That is, to the extent that some component of the institution’s net interest income, which is presented on a before-tax basis, is exempt from taxation (e.g., is received by the institution as a result of its holdings of state or municipal obligations), an amount equal to the tax benefit derived from that component is added to the actual before-tax net interest income total. This adjustment is considered helpful in comparing one financial institution’s net interest income to that of other institutions or in analyzing any institution’s net interest income trend line over time, to correct any analytical distortion that might otherwise arise from the fact that financial institutions vary widely in the proportions of their portfolios that are invested in tax- exempt securities, and that even a single institution may significantly alter over time the proportion of its own portfolio that is invested in tax-exempt obligations. Moreover, net interest income is itself a component of a second financial measure commonly used by financial institutions, net interest margin, which is the ratio of net interest income to average interest-earning assets. For purposes of this measure as well, fully taxable equivalent net interest income is generally used by financial institutions, as opposed to actual net interest income, again to provide a better basis of comparison from institution to institution and to better demonstrate a single institution’s performance over time. The Corporation follows these practices.


	As of or for the Three Months Ended
(in thousands, except ratio data)	March 31, 2025			Dec. 31, 2024			Sept. 30, 2024			June 30, 2024			March 31, 2024
NET INTEREST MARGIN – FULLY TAXABLE EQUIVALENT
Net interest income (GAAP)	$	19,817		$	19,821		$	18,388		$	17,761		$	18,089
Fully taxable equivalent adjustment		80			88			83			81			84
Fully taxable equivalent net interest income (non-GAAP)	$	19,897		$	19,909		$	18,471		$	17,842		$	18,173

Average interest-earning assets (GAAP)	$	2,729,661		$	2,711,995		$	2,699,968		$	2,699,402		$	2,681,059

Net interest margin – fully taxable equivalent (non-GAAP)		2.96	%		2.92	%		2.72	%		2.66	%		2.73	%

Efficiency Ratio

The unadjusted efficiency ratio is calculated as non-interest expense divided by total revenue (net interest income and non-interest income). The adjusted efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure which represents the Corporation’s ability to turn resources into revenue and is calculated as non-interest expense divided by total revenue (fully taxable equivalent net interest income and non-interest income), adjusted for one-time occurrences and amortization. This measure is meaningful to the Corporation, as well as investors and analysts, in assessing the Corporation’s productivity measured by the amount of revenue generated for each dollar spent.


	As of or for the Three Months Ended
(in thousands, except ratio data)	March 31, 2025			Dec. 31, 2024			Sept. 30, 2024			June 30, 2024			March 31, 2024
EFFICIENCY RATIO
Net interest income (GAAP)	$	19,817		$	19,821		$	18,388		$	17,761		$	18,089
Fully taxable equivalent adjustment		80			88			83			81			84
Fully taxable equivalent net interest income (non-GAAP)	$	19,897		$	19,909		$	18,471		$	17,842		$	18,173

Non-interest income (GAAP)	$	5,889		$	6,056		$	5,919		$	5,598		$	5,657

Non-interest expense (GAAP)	$	16,927		$	17,823		$	16,510		$	16,219		$	16,698

Efficiency ratio (unadjusted)		65.85	%		68.88	%		67.92	%		69.43	%		70.32	%
Efficiency ratio (adjusted)		65.64	%		68.64	%		67.69	%		69.19	%		70.07	%

Tangible Equity and Tangible Assets (Period-End)

Tangible equity, tangible assets, and tangible book value per share are each non-GAAP financial measures. Tangible equity represents the Corporation’s stockholders’ equity, less goodwill and intangible assets. Tangible assets represents the Corporation’s total assets, less goodwill and other intangible assets. Tangible book value per share represents the Corporation’s tangible equity divided by common shares at period-end. These measures are meaningful to the Corporation, as well as investors and analysts, in assessing the Corporation’s use of equity.


	As of or for the Three Months Ended
(in thousands, except per share and ratio data)	March 31, 2025			Dec. 31, 2024			Sept. 30, 2024			June 30, 2024			March 31, 2024
TANGIBLE EQUITY AND TANGIBLE ASSETS
(PERIOD END)
Total shareholders’ equity (GAAP)	$	228,306		$	215,309		$	220,654		$	201,222		$	197,128
Less: intangible assets		(21,824	)		(21,824	)		(21,824	)		(21,824	)		(21,824	)
Tangible equity (non-GAAP)	$	206,482		$	193,485		$	198,830		$	179,398		$	175,304

Total assets (GAAP)	$	2,796,725		$	2,776,147		$	2,774,215		$	2,755,813		$	2,784,890
Less: intangible assets		(21,824	)		(21,824	)		(21,824	)		(21,824	)		(21,824	)
Tangible assets (non-GAAP)	$	2,774,901		$	2,754,323		$	2,752,391		$	2,733,989		$	2,763,066

Total equity to total assets at end of period (GAAP)		8.16	%		7.76	%		7.95	%		7.30	%		7.08	%
Book value per share (GAAP)	$	47.49		$	45.13		$	46.22		$	42.17		$	41.34

Tangible equity to tangible assets at end of period (non-GAAP)		7.44	%		7.02	%		7.22	%		6.56	%		6.34	%
Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP)	$	42.95		$	40.55		$	41.65		$	37.59		$	36.77

Tangible Equity (Average)

Average tangible equity and return on average tangible equity are each non-GAAP financial measures. Average tangible equity represents the Corporation’s average stockholders’ equity, less average goodwill and intangible assets for the period. Return on average tangible equity measures the Corporation’s earnings as a percentage of average tangible equity. These measures are meaningful to the Corporation, as well as investors and analysts, in assessing the Corporation’s use of equity.


	As of or for the Three Months Ended
(in thousands, except ratio data)	March 31, 2025			Dec. 31, 2024			Sept. 30, 2024			June 30, 2024			March 31, 2024
TANGIBLE EQUITY (AVERAGE)
Total average shareholders’ equity (GAAP)	$	222,802		$	219,254		$	210,421		$	195,375		$	195,860
Less: average intangible assets		(21,824	)		(21,824	)		(21,824	)		(21,824	)		(21,824	)
Average tangible equity (non-GAAP)	$	200,978		$	197,430		$	188,597		$	173,551		$	174,036

Return on average equity (GAAP)		10.96	%		10.73	%		10.81	%		10.27	%		14.48	%
Return on average tangible equity (non-GAAP)		12.15	%		11.92	%		12.07	%		11.56	%		16.29	%

Adjustments for Certain Items of Income or Expense

In addition to disclosures of certain GAAP financial measures, including net income, EPS, ROA, and ROE, we may also provide comparative disclosures that adjust these GAAP financial measures for a particular period by removing from the calculation thereof the impact of certain transactions or other material items of income or expense occurring during the period, including certain nonrecurring items. The Corporation believes that the resulting non-GAAP financial measures may improve an understanding of its results of operations by separating out any such transactions or items that may have had a disproportionate positive or negative impact on the Corporation’s financial results during the particular period in question. In the Corporation’s presentation of any such non-GAAP (adjusted) financial measures not specifically discussed in the preceding paragraphs, the Corporation supplies the supplemental financial information and explanations required under Regulation G.


	As of or for the Three Months Ended
(in thousands, except per share and ratio data)	March 31, 2025			Dec. 31, 2024			Sept. 30, 2024			June 30, 2024			March 31, 2024
NON-GAAP NET INCOME
Reported net income (GAAP)	$	6,023		$	5,914		$	5,720		$	4,987		$	7,050
Net (gains) losses on security transactions (net of tax)		—			—			—			—			—
Net income (non-GAAP)	$	6,023		$	5,914		$	5,720		$	4,987		$	7,050

Average basic and diluted shares outstanding		4,791			4,774			4,773			4,770			4,764

Reported basic and diluted earnings per share (GAAP)	$	1.26		$	1.24		$	1.19		$	1.05		$	1.48
Reported return on average assets (GAAP)		0.88	%		0.85	%		0.83	%		0.73	%		1.04	%
Reported return on average equity (GAAP)		10.96	%		10.73	%		10.81	%		10.27	%		14.48	%

Basic and diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP)	$	1.26		$	1.24		$	1.19		$	1.05		$	1.48
Return on average assets (non-GAAP)		0.88	%		0.85	%		0.83	%		0.73	%		1.04	%
Return on average equity (non-GAAP)		10.96	%		10.73	%		10.81	%		10.27	%		14.48	%

Category: Financial

Source: Chemung Financial Corp

For further information contact:
Dale M. McKim, III, EVP and CFO
dmckim@chemungcanal.com
Phone: 607-737-3714

The MIL Network –

April 19, 2025

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

Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

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

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

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

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

On Dec

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

###

MIL OSI USA News –

April 19, 2025

Category: housing

Lawmakers: “The government should not be able to falsely accuse individuals in the United States, including U.S. citizens, of gang membership and send them to foreign prisons without any judicial review or remedy.”

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