Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)
Following Noncommittal Answer in Committee and Statement by CMS, Finance Democrats Press for Commitment to Continuing Medicare Drug Price Negotiation on Schedule
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and all Democratic members of the Senate Committee on Finance sent a letter to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pressing him to answer nearly a dozen questions regarding his views on Medicare drug price negotiation and confirm he will not pause negotiations, as CEOs representing the largest pharmaceutical companies have requested.
“As a result of the Inflation Reduction Act, which passed without a single Republican vote, Medicare drug price negotiation is a powerful tool available right now to President Trump to make good on his long-standing promise to stand up to Big Pharma,” the Senators wrote. “On behalf of the tens of millions of Americans who count on Medicare, Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee want to know whether the Trump Administration will follow through on negotiating with Big Pharma to deliver the lower costs promised to the American people.”
The letter, sent to Kennedy in his capacity as the nominee to be secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), asks whether he will follow the Inflation Reduction Act’s statutory requirements related to Medicare drug price negotiation, whether the Trump administration will continue to defend the law in court against attacks by Big Pharma, and other questions. Yesterday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a concerning statement that appeared to open the door to Big Pharma’s requests.
“Contrary to what you suggested in today’s hearing, the Trump Administration’s statement is far from an embrace of drug price negotiation and appears to be opening the door to changes that could undermine Medicare’s ability to get the best price possible on drugs,” the Senators continued.
After days of intense fighting, the humanitarian situation in Goma, capital of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has reached alarming levels – with humanitarian needs now massive and response capacities severely strained.
The World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Thursday that food supplies are running dangerously low, as water and electricity outages exacerbate the crisis.
The seizure and closure of Goma’s airport by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels has further interfered with aid delivery, while the blocking of roads and lake transport restrictions have left thousands stranded.
The rebel group has taken control of most of Goma since entering the city on Monday in the biggest escalation of a decades-long conflict springing from the Rwandan genocide against the Tutsis, and a continuing struggle for control of rich mineral resources in the region among a plethora of armed groups.
Fleeing by boat
Families attempting to flee the violence across Lake Kivu are resorting to unsafe makeshift boats, putting their lives at risk.
At the same time, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, reports that humanitarian workers have been unable to leave their shelters in Goma for over 24 hours due to the insecurity, severely affecting emergency response efforts.
Tom Fletcher, the emergency relief chief, has allocated $17 million from the UN’s Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) to support lifesaving assistance – yet access to those in need remains uncertain.
Hospitals overwhelmed
Medical facilities in Goma – and second city Bukavu to the south – are overwhelmed, with over 2,000 injuries reported since the beginning of January, including many from gunshot wounds. Hospitals lack adequate medical supplies, fuel and staff to manage the growing influx of patients.
The World Health Organization (WHO), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) are urgently working to bolster healthcare services, but with supply chains disrupted and facilities at capacity, response efforts are severely strained.
Additionally, health authorities warn of an increasing risk of disease outbreaks, including cholera, measles and mpox, due to mass displacement, unsafe water sources and inadequate sanitation.
Escalating insecurity in North Kivu
In the village of Kiziba, on the outskirts of Goma, civilians are reporting armed men in military uniforms carrying out widespread looting, extortion and sexual violence, according to Radio Okapi, the station run by UN peacekeeping mission in DRC, MONUSCO.
Meanwhile, Stéphane Dujarric, the Secretary-General Spokesperson reported that other armed groups in the east, including Zaïre and the CODECO militias, have increased attacks against the population in Djugu territory in the past month, robbing civilians.
At least six people have been killed since last weekend and as a result, many have stopped using roads in the area, which also prevents them from going to their fields or to markets.
Reports indicate that some roads have reopened, but mass displacement continues, with at least 700,000 people now internally displaced within North Kivu and South Kivu.
MONUSCO/Aubin Mukoni
Military uniforms and personal possessions litter the streets of Goma in the eastern DR Congo following an attack by a rebel armed group.
Peacekeepers’ response
Peacekeepers with (MONUSCO) have launched the second phase of an operation called Horizon of Peace in Djugu territory, aiming to contain an escalation of violence by armed groups, according to Mr. Dujarric.
MONUSCO peacekeepers have stepped up patrols on several roads in the territory to support the free movement of people and goods.
Calls for international action
Bruno Lemarquis, the UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator for DR Congo, has issued a strong plea for immediate international support. “I call on the international community to step up its support in the face of a worsening humanitarian crisis,” he stated.
Emergency food agency WFP has reiterated its readiness to resume food distributions as soon as security conditions permit, but without immediate access, thousands remain at risk of starvation and disease.
MONUSCO/Aubin Mukoni
UN peacekeepers return to base after patrolling the streets of Goma.
DEFENDING PARENTAL RIGHTS AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order expanding educational freedom and opportunity for families. It recognizes that parents, not the government, play a fundamental role in choosing and directing the upbringing and education of their children.
It directs the Department of Education to issue guidance on how the States can use federal funding formulas to support their K-12 scholarship programs.
It directs the Secretary of Education to prioritize school choice programs in the Department’s discretionary grant programs.
The Order requires the Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidance on how states receiving block grants for children and families can use those funds to support educational alternatives, including private and faith-based options.
It directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a plan to the President for how military families can use Department of Defense funds to send their children to the school of their choice.
The Order also directs the Secretary of the Interior to submit a plan to the President for how families with students attending Bureau of Indian Education schools can use federal funds to send their children to the school of their choice.
EMPOWERING PARENTS AND STUDENTS THROUGH SCHOOL CHOICE: Every child deserves the best education available, regardless of their zip code. However, for generations, our government-assigned education system has failed millions of parents, students, and teachers. This Executive Order begins to rectify that wrong by opening up opportunities for students to attend the school that best fits their needs.
According to the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 70% of 8th graders were below proficient in reading and 72% were below proficient in math. 40% of 4th graders did not even meet the basic reading levels.
Standardized test scores have essentially been flat for over 30 years, despite hundreds of billions of dollars spent on government-run education.
A dozen states have universal or near universal school choice programs and 33 states have some form of school choice program.
School choice programs have a strong record of improving students’ academic performance.
School choice has proven to be cost effective and saves taxpayer dollars.
Parents report higher levels of school safety for their children who participate in school choice programs.
Support for school choice is overwhelming, with 70% of Democrats, 73% of Black Americans, and 69% of Hispanic Americans in favor of it.
President Trump is dedicated to ensuring every child has the opportunity to receive a world-class education.
FULFILLING THE PROMISE TO STRENGTHEN EDUCATION THROUGH FREEDOM AND OPPORTUNITY: President Trump promised to bring school choice to every family in the Nation. Today’s historic executive order is a critical step in delivering on that promise, and builds on the long list of accomplishments from the first Trump Administration, including:
Calling on Congress to pass the School Choice Now Act and the Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act.
Providing in-person learning options for low-income parents forced to send their children to virtual school during the pandemic.
Re-authorizing the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship program twice.
Investing nearly $1.5 billion in the development of public charter schools, helping this innovative sector grow to 7,500 charter schools serving more than 3 million students.
Allowing parents across the nation to withdraw up to $10,000 tax-free per year from 529 education savings plans to cover public, private, or religious K-12 schooling costs, thanks to the President’s historic tax cuts.
Parents can be confident that under his Administration, President Trump will provide every available opportunity for parents to enrich the education of their children through individual choice.
The American Diabetes Association recognizes UConn Health’s Diabetes Self-Management Education Program for offering high-quality education for patient self-care and support services.
Luriza Glynn, nurse practitioner and UConn Health’s Diabetes Self-Management Education Program cooridnator (right), speaks with a patient about her insulin pump. (2019 file photo by Chris DeFrancesco)
The recertification under ADA’s Education Recognition Program is in recognition of the educational services at UConn Health meeting the ADA’s national standards for diabetes self-management education programs.
“This recognition is a testimony of the dedication to clinical excellence and in patient-centered delivery of care,” says Dr. Francisco Celi, endocrinologist and chair of the UConn School of Medicine’s Department of Medicine. “Our diabetes educators provide an invaluable contribution to the care of our patients, enabling to develop a truly personalized holistic care plan which include lifestyle modifications, dietary education, and effective use of the medications. Very often our diabetes educators uncover unrecognized barriers which prevent the optimal management of diabetes. By addressing these challenges we can be more effective in treating patients living with diabetes.”
Dr. Parvathy Madhavan, one of UConn Health’s endocrinologists who specializes in diabetes, meets with a patient. (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health Photo)
ADA-recognized programs provide evidence-based and outcome-driven intervention and ensure a staff of knowledgeable health professionals will teach participants self-care skills that will promote better management of their diabetes treatment regimen, covering the following topics:
Diabetes disease process
Nutritional management
Physical activity
Medications
Monitoring
Preventing, detecting, and treating acute complications
Preventing, detecting, and treating chronic complications through risk reduction
Goal setting and problem solving
Psychological adjustment
Preconception care, management during pregnancy, and gestational management
Dr. Pooja Luthra specializes in diabetes and metabolism, endocrine neoplasia, endocrinology, and osteoporosis at UConn Health. (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo)
“Empowering lives, one step at a time,” says Dr. Pooja Luthra, endocrinologist and physician lead of UConn Health’s Diabetes Self-Management Education Program. “We are proud to be recognized by the American Diabetes Association for our commitment to excellence in diabetes education. Together, we make a difference.”
UConn Health’s program has earned this distinction continuously since its first ADA recognition in 2000.
“For 25 years, UConn Health’s ADA-recognized diabetes education program has been a cornerstone of support, guidance, and empowerment for individuals managing diabetes,” says Luriza Glynn, nurse practitioner and program coordinator. “This milestone reflects UConn Health’s unwavering commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based education that improves lives. As we celebrate this achievement, we honor the dedication of our educators, the resilience of our patients, and the continued innovation that drives us forward. Here’s to 25 years of impact and many more to come!”
Many of those who care for people with diabetes at UConn Health during Diabetes Awareness Month November 2023 (Photo provided by Luriza Glynn)
Barbara Eichorst, the ADA’s vice president of health programs, says, “Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) is an essential part of managing diabetes and is as effective as diabetes medication. Therefore, all people with diabetes benefit from it. We applaud UConn Health’s Diabetes Self-Management Education Program for its commitment to providing value-based interventions such as DSMES, maximizing corresponding outcomes, and patient experience.”
“This is a major accomplishment and the standards required by the American Diabetes Association are high,” says Anne Horbatuck, chief operating officer of the UConn Medical Group and vice president for ambulatory operations. “This honor demonstrates the quality, dedication, and hard work by the leaders, Dr. Pooja Luthra and Luriza Glynn, APRN, diabetes education coordinator, and the whole team. This program has had huge success improving patient outcomes and providing education to our patients to better manage their diabetes and improve their overall health.”
Imagine discovering cancer early—potentially saving your life—simply because you attended a basketball game where cancer screenings were offered.
That would be an incredible story a powerful reminder of how important outreach events can be. Early cancer detection dramatically improves survival rates, and offering screenings in unexpected but accessible places, like a sports arena, breaks down barriers for people who might not otherwise seek care.
Lauren Rondinone, Dr. John Birk, Stephanie McGinn, Allison Rinaldi, Jillian Fal from gastroenterology.
On Wednesday, January 29, as thousands of UConn Huskies fans filed into the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut to watch the men’s basketball team take on DePaul, they probably weren’t thinking about cancer. However, as the official healthcare provider of UConn Athletics, UConn Health teamed up for the annual Coaches for Cancer game to provide fans with free education and access to cancer screenings.
Coaches vs. Cancer is a nationwide initiative that empowers basketball coaches, their teams and their local communities to make a difference in the fight against cancer. The main goal is to increase cancer awareness, promote healthy living, and fundraise through activities.
Jessica Santos-Martinez, Rosa Agosto and Maggie Donohue helped fans navigate questions about breast cancer and mammograms
“It’s not just about the medical aspect; it’s about meeting people where they are and creating opportunities for proactive health care. This kind of initiative combines community engagement with life-saving interventions—it’s a win for all,” says Omar Ibrahim, director of Interventional Pulmonary at UConn Health.
Before the doors opened at 6:30 p.m., where fans would find Andrea Hurley, wife of head coach Dan Hurley, creating memorial buttons to wear during the game, doctors, medical students, and residents from UConn Dermatology and the Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at UConn Health (Cancer Center) offered skin cancer screenings in the XL Center Atrium.
Once in the arena, doctors and medical professionals were on hand to provide information about colon, lung and breast cancer while determining the need for potential screenings. Fans were encouraged prior to and during the game to take the opportunity to learn more about cancer prevention and protecting their health.
Dr. Philip Kerr, Seda Gul Sahin, James Mackenzie, Tim Klufas, Aziz Khan, Sueheidi Santiago, Tannaz Sedghi, Sonal Muzumdar, Lauren Skudalski
“Regular cancer screenings are crucial for early detection, significantly increasing the chances of successful treatment and survival by identifying cancers before they develop symptoms, allowing for timely intervention and potentially life-saving care,” says Kim Hamilton, program coordinator, Community Outreach and Engagement at the Cancer Center.
Kateri of Southbury emphasized the importance of events like this in raising awareness, sharing that early detection allowed her to receive treatment and reach one year in remission. “After my diagnosis, I made it my mission to spread awareness—that’s why events like this matter.”
“The Community Outreach and Engagement team at the Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center was thrilled to join Andrea Hurley’s cancer screening initiative at the Coaches vs. Cancer game. Hundreds of fans and staff stopped by for information and to schedule screenings for skin, lung, breast, and colon cancer. We’re proud to be the official healthcare provider of the UConn Huskies,” said Julie Dudek, academic administrative manager, Cancer Center.
“UConn Health’s Cancer Center was excited to partner with UConn Athletics and Andrea Hurley to provide cancer screening education and skin cancer checks at the American Cancer Society Coaches vs Cancer game. We look forward to continuing this partnership with Mrs. Hurley and at other UConn Athletics sporting events,” says Hamilton.
When you are expecting to have a surgery, the Central Sterile Processing Department and its dozens of staffers are preparing behind the scenes all the tools that are needed by your surgeons and for you too! Preparations even start the night before at the UConn Health Surgery Center as well as the UConn John Dempsey Hospital’s OR.
In fact, Central Sterile is “central” to the operating room and a procedure’s safety and success. All medical and surgical supplies, both sterile and nonsterile, are cleaned, prepared, processed, stored, and issued for patient care by this Department.
Volodymyr Levytskyy, assistant supervisor of Central Sterile, sterilizing the prepared instrument cases for use in surgery and procedures at UConn Health (January 9. 2025. Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health Photo).
The Department is home to three huge washers, four sterilizers, and hundreds of instruments that need to be processed daily for approximately twenty-five operations occurring each day.
All surgical instruments and tools are washed after each surgery to be decontaminated by hand, washed in the washer disinfectors, hand assembled, wrapped, and labeled by staffers before finally being placed in the sterilizers.
The Department services not only the operating rooms needs, but also urgent care centers around the State of Connecticut, UConn Health’s vast outpatient care facilities, and even the UConn dental school’s clinics.
A new digital system called T Doc has recently launched to replace the long standing, traditional paper tracking process for surgical instruments. It is further enhancing UConn Health’s regulatory compliance and tracking of instruments. Instruments can now be scanned to identify when they have been sterilized, what sterilization parameters were used and where the item should be stored after sterilization.
“Central Sterile is one of the most highly regulated areas of a health system,” stresses Ellen Benson, RN associate director of Procedural Services and manager of the Sterile Processing Department at UConn Health. All instruments are tracked to ensure sterility, the rooms are monitored to ensure that they maintain the correct temperature and humidity for storing instruments and even the water supply is closely monitored.
Ryley Finn, with fellow instrument tech Elzbieta Brzostek-Parciak, and supervisor Minnie Torres (January 9, 2025. (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health Photo).
“It’s all about patient safety,” says Benson. “Patient safety all starts with Central Sterile ensuring that instruments are cleaned and sterilized properly; the first step in helping to prevent surgical site infections. It takes a village. No surgery can be performed without the instruments. Without the Central Sterile team, we just can’t do surgery.”
The instrument techs know the ins and outs about all the instruments used across the surgical specialties, and are constantly learning about new tools and their individual required cleaning and sterilization processes.
“I always see the instrument techs reaching out to each other for advice, sharing knowledge, and helping each other. It’s true teamwork!” says Benson. “They work so hard!”
Benson has been in health care for 42 years and has spent the last 35 years at UConn Health inside the operating rooms.
“It’s a huge team effort across the board in the OR. There are a lot of people supporting our patients behind the scenes for their journey in the operating room. Our volume has increased significantly over the years. We have never been busier than we are today.”
She adds, “It takes many people to get a patient through surgery. We have doctors, nurses, surgical techs and other support staff all working together for the patients.”
From X-ray, the blood bank, to the labs – the team is very tightly woven with everyone across the hospital.
T Doc, a new digital system for tracking surgical instruments, has successfully launched (January 9. 2025. Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health Photo).
Additionally, there is always the unexpected for the Central Sterile team to handle.
“We get a lot of patients from the ED who may need surgery urgently, patients experiencing a stroke, appendicitis, or a herniated disc. They come straight to us, we get ready quickly and we take good care of them!” says Benson.
Benson and her team know that when patients come to the hospital for care, it can be one of the most vulnerable times in their life. Some surgeries are elective, and they are able to “cure” their problem and send them home, others are diagnosed with illness that require additional care.
“We are here to support our patients and their families, who are waiting, hoping, and worrying. Spending a few minutes with family members goes a long way to make them feel more at ease. It’s amazing what 5 minutes of your time, and offering a piece of candy or a drink of water can do for a family member to make them feel comforted,” says Benson.
Minnie Torres of Harwinton has worked for UConn Health for 16 years. She worked her way up from an instrument tech in the Department to now supervisor of Central Sterile the last four years.
“It’s very rewarding to work in Central Sterile. I’m very proud of the work we do. Also, the people I work with at UConn Health make it worth while too. We cheer each other on,” says Torres.
“Everyone in Central Sterile comes together as a fast-paced team each day and jumps in to help and get everything washed, sterilized, and processed. Our work is tedious but exciting. At the end of the day our jobs are very fulfilling as we are making a true difference in the lives of others.”
Torres adds, “When people hear you work at UConn, they are wowed. They know we work hard, and we hit the ground running every day.”
Central Sterile has a family-like atmosphere. Ryley Finn, Elzbieta Brzostek-Parciak, and Minnie Torres (January 9, 2025. Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health Photo).
Ryley Finn of Farmington has served as an instrument tech in the Department for the last two years.
“I wanted to learn, so I came to work here at UConn Health,” says Finn. “I really like it here and I like my colleagues. I am always learning new things.”
Finn loves the opportunity she and her colleagues at UConn Health have to watch surgeries and the instruments used in action to get a full picture of the OR process and to better understand how each instrument they prepare for use works.
“To see how the tools work in action is really cool and how we play a critical role to help patients during surgery,” says Finn.
To keep up with the growing patient volumes and demands for UConn Health clinical and surgical services soon Central Sterile will be moving toward a 24/7 operation. UConn Health is renovating the older Connecticut Tower space of the department and the team is looking forward into moving back into that space.
“I am so proud of the Central Sterile team,” says Benson. “We have the best team.”
“That’s Mom,” Torres and Finn heartwarmingly refer to Benson as.
“My colleagues are my family too. We will always be there to support each other,” says Benson.
Thank you Central Sterile for all you do!
This content is part of a collaborative initiative of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, with UConn Health’s Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Jeffrey Hines, to celebrate the institution’s shared values and its workforce. Send your word-of-the-month nominations to thehub@uchc.edu
PHOENIX, Jan. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — RBAZ Bancorp, Inc. (OTCIQ: RBAZ) (the “Company”), parent company of Republic Bank of Arizona (the “Bank” or “RBAZ”), announced a consolidated net income of $793,000, or $0.44 per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 and $3,379,000, or $1.90 per share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 as compared to a consolidated net income of $688,000, or $0.38 per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 and $2,460,000, or $1.36 per share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.
President and CEO Brian Ruisinger stated “I am proud to report record earnings for RBAZ in our 17-year history reflecting a 37% year-over-year increase bolstered by Q4 featuring a 15% increase over the same quarter of the prior year. Solid loan growth at higher yields coupled with deposit growth concentrated in non-interest-bearing funds resulted in a 27% net interest income improvement. This was accomplished while managing expenses allowing for an increase of only 11%. However, these expenses included $365,000 of deal costs related to our prior announcement of merging with Pima Federal Credit Union.”
Mr. Ruisinger continued, “As an update to our May 16, 2024 announcement of our intent to join forces with Pima Federal Credit Union, RBAZ shareholders approved the transaction on August 22, 2024 and regulatory applications were accepted in January 2025 entering into the customary review period to obtain approval. We anticipate a closing date in the second quarter of this year, and additional information will be provided once approvals are obtained.”
December 31, 2024 Company Highlights Include:
Total loans of $222,731,000 increased $20,902,000, or 10.4%, from December 31, 2023. This increase consisted of $51,397,000 in new loan originations and advances on construction lines of credit, offset by $29,397,000 in loan maturities and participations sold. Advances and repayments on commercial lines of credit and normal payment attrition comprised the balance of the loan activity in 2024.
Total deposits of $250,201,000 increased $22,029,000, or 9.7%, from December 31, 2023 and related entirely to core deposit generation, in which 74.1% was in non-interest-bearing funds. The increase in core deposits was a mix of deepening of existing relationships and cultivation of new banking relationships.
Total interest income increased $800,000 to $4,615,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 outpacing total interest income of $3,815,000 for the same period of the prior year equating to an increase of 21.0%.
Cost of deposits was 2.13% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. After peaking at 2.36% in Q1 2024, this reduction of 23 basis points indicates a turning point in the interest rate environment within the greater Phoenix market following the Federal Reserve’s rate reductions totaling 100 basis points in the second half of 2024.
Total non-interest expense increased $239,000 to $2,097,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to $1,858,000 for the same period of the prior year. However, this increase includes $365,000 in non-recurring expenses associated with the pending transaction with Pima Federal Credit Union incurred in 2024. Therefore, core operating expenses decreased $126,000 between comparative quarters resulting primarily from a reduction in professional fees and marketing expenses.
The Bank remains “Well Capitalized” under the Community Bank Leverage Ratio (CBLR) framework as follows:
December 31, 2024 (%)
Ratio to be Well Capitalized (%)
CBLR ratio
11.06
9.00
About the Company RBAZ Bancorp, Inc. was established on June 10, 2021 as a single-bank holding company for its Arizona state-chartered bank subsidiary, Republic Bank of Arizona. The Company is traded over-the-counter as RBAZ.
About the Bank Republic Bank of Arizona is a locally owned, community bank in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Gilbert, Arizona. RBAZ is a full service, community bank providing deposit and loan products and convenient, online and mobile banking to individuals, businesses and professionals. The Bank was established in April 2007 and is headquartered at 645 E. Missouri Avenue, Suite 108, Phoenix, AZ. Additional branches are located at 7373 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite A-195, Scottsdale, AZ and 1417 W. Elliot Road, Gilbert, AZ. The Bank is the wholly-owned subsidiary of RBAZ Bancorp, Inc. For further information, please visit our web site: www.republicbankaz.com.
Forward-Looking Statements This press release may include forward-looking statements about the Company and the Bank (collectively referred to herein as the “Company”), for which the Company claims the protection of safe harbor provisions contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s knowledge and belief as of today and include information concerning the Company’s possible or assumed future financial condition and its results of operations and business. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Several important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Those factors include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in interest rates, government policies and regulations (including monetary and fiscal policies), legislation, economic conditions, borrower capacity to repay, operational factors and competition in the geographic and business areas in which the Company conducts its operations. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on information available at the time of the release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.
Summary Company Financial Information (unaudited)
For the three months ended December 31,
For the twelve months ended December 31,
2024
2023
2024
2023
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Summary Income Data:
Interest income
$4,615
$3,815
$17,935
$14,208
Interest expense
1,457
1,359
5,923
4,742
Net interest income
3,158
2,456
12,012
9,466
Provision for credit losses
233
–
627
–
Non-interest income
245
219
967
820
Non-interest expense
2,097
1,858
7,907
7,142
Income before provision for income tax
1,073
817
4,445
3,144
Provision for income tax
280
129
1,066
684
Net income
$793
$688
$3,379
$2,460
Per Share Data:
Shares outstanding end-of-period
1,790
1,795
1,790
1,795
Earnings per common share
$0.44
$0.38
$1.90
$1.36
Diluted earnings per common share
$0.42
$0.37
$1.77
$1.33
Book value per share
$13.81
$11.77
$13.81
$11.77
Selected Balance Sheet Data:
Total assets
$282,511
$272,044
$282,511
$272,044
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value
32,731
40,998
32,731
40,998
Securities held-to-maturity
9,855
10,648
9,855
10,648
Loans
222,731
201,829
222,731
201,829
Allowance for credit losses
2,428
2,116
2,428
2,116
Deposits
250,201
228,172
250,201
228,172
Other borrowings
5,958
20,929
5,958
20,929
Shareholders’ equity
24,723
21,128
24,723
21,128
Performance Ratios:
Return on average shareholders’ equity (annualized) (%)
12.83
13.03
13.67
11.64
Net interest margin (%)
4.58
3.81
4.32
3.68
Average assets
$288,408
$265,190
$289,763
$264,488
Return on average assets (annualized) (%)
1.10
1.04
1.17
0.93
Shareholders’ equity to assets (%)
8.75
7.77
8.75
7.77
Efficiency ratio (%)
61.62
69.46
60.92
69.43
Asset Quality Data:
Nonaccrual loans
$418
$209
$418
$209
Loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty
$-
$-
$-
$-
Other real estate owned
$-
$-
$-
$-
Nonperforming loans
$418
$209
$418
$209
Nonperforming loans to total assets (%)
0.15
0.08
0.15
0.08
Nonperforming loans to total loans (%)
0.19
0.10
0.19
0.10
Allowance for credit losses to total loans (%)
1.09
1.05
1.09
1.05
Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans (%)
580.86
1,012.44
580.86
1,012.44
Net charge-offs (recoveries) for period
$26
$-
$190
($352
)
Average loans
$221,193
$192,129
$208,799
$176,146
Ratio of net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans (%)
0.01
n/a
0.09
(0.20
)
Contact: Brian Ruisinger President and Chief Executive Officer Phone: 602.280.9404 Email: bruisinger@republicaz.com
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A quiet but powerful revolution is underway in the United States, one that will define global power for the next century. Backed by President Donald Trump and led by Elon Musk, this groundbreaking collaboration represents a bold vision for America’s future: to dominate the global race for artificial intelligence and redefine what economic and technological leadership looks like.
James Altucher of Paradigm Press Group, a 40-year veteran in AI and emerging technologies, calls this partnership a “game-changing moment in history” in his recent video presentation. Altucher explains, “This isn’t just a new development in AI—it’s the foundation for an entirely new way of life. We’re building systems that will not only enhance productivity but also shape how governments, industries, and economies function for decades.”
A New Kind of Power
According to Altucher, artificial intelligence is no longer just a tool; it’s becoming the engine of economic and military power. “In the past, wars were won with weapons. Today, they’ll be won with intelligence—real intelligence,” he said.
Altucher describes this as “a national effort” that will integrate AI into every aspect of society, from infrastructure to defense. “Imagine systems that think faster than humans, anticipate problems before they occur, and can adjust to threats in real time. That’s where we’re heading.”
Why Timing Matters
With other global powers, like China, heavily investing in artificial intelligence, Altucher emphasizes the importance of the United States taking action now. “This isn’t about keeping up; it’s about staying ahead,” he said. “If we hesitate, the balance of power will shift. But with the right strategy, we can secure America’s leadership for the next 50 years.”
“This is a rare moment where government and private industry are working hand in hand,” Altucher said. “Trump’s leadership and Musk’s vision are aligning to create something that will define the future.”
The Shadow Players
Altucher also notes that while Musk is the face of this effort, an overlooked company is playing a pivotal role in its execution. “Behind every major breakthrough, there’s always an unsung hero,” he said. “This company is the key to making the system work—without it, the entire vision collapses.”
With Trump’s administration enabling AI innovation and Musk leading the charge, America is not just preparing for the future—it’s building it.
About James Altucher
James Altucher of Paradigm Press Group is a leading authority on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. With over four decades of expertise, Altucher has been at the forefront of identifying technological shifts and their impact on industries and society.
Media Contact: Derek Warren Public Relations Manager Paradigm Press Group Email: dwarren@paradigmpressgroup.com
Nokia Corporation Stock Exchange Release 30 January 2025 at 22:30 EET
Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 30.01.2025
Espoo, Finland – On 30 January 2025 Nokia Corporation (LEI: 549300A0JPRWG1KI7U06) has acquired its own shares (ISIN FI0009000681) as follows:
Trading venue (MIC Code)
Number of shares
Weighted average price / share, EUR*
XHEL
872,093
4.53
CEUX
–
–
BATE
–
–
AQEU
–
–
TQEX
–
–
Total
872,093
4.53
* Rounded to two decimals
On 22 November 2024, Nokia announced that its Board of Directors is initiating a share buyback program to offset the dilutive effect of new Nokia shares issued to the shareholders of Infinera Corporation and certain Infinera Corporation share-based incentives. The repurchases in compliance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (MAR), the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 and under the authorization granted by Nokia’s Annual General Meeting on 3 April 2024 started on 25 November 2024 and end by 31 December 2025 and target to repurchase 150 million shares for a maximum aggregate purchase price of EUR 900 million.
Total cost of transactions executed on 30 January 2025 was EUR 3,950,494. After the disclosed transactions, Nokia Corporation holds 235,158,898 treasury shares.
Details of transactions are included as an appendix to this announcement.
On behalf of Nokia Corporation
BofA Securities Europe SA
About Nokia At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.
As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.
With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.
Inquiries:
Nokia Communications Phone: +358 10 448 4900 Email: press.services@nokia.com Maria Vaismaa, Global Head of External Communications
ATLANTA, Jan. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The board of directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBank Atlanta) today approved a cash dividend for the fourth quarter 2024 at an annualized rate of 7.10 percent.
“Throughout the fourth quarter of 2024, our commitment to helping members through economic uncertainty and advancing our mission remained steadfast,” said FHLBank Atlanta Chair of the Board, Thornwell Dunlap. “Our strong financial performance reflects this dedication, allowing us to return a competitive dividend to our members.”
The dividend payout will be calculated based on members’ capital stock held during the fourth quarter of 2024 and will be credited to members’ daily investment accounts at the close of business on February 5, 2025.
If you have questions, please contact FHLBank Atlanta’s Funding Desk at 1.800.536.9650, ext. 8011.
AboutFHLBank Atlanta FHLBank Atlanta offers competitively-priced financing, community development grants, and other banking services to help member financial institutions make affordable home mortgages and provide economic development credit to neighborhoods and communities. The Bank’s members are commercial banks, credit unions, savings institutions, community development financial institutions, and insurance companies located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. FHLBank Atlanta is one of 11 district Banks in the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Since 1990, the FHLBanks have awarded approximately $9.1 billion in Affordable Housing Program funds, assisting more than 1.2 million households.
For more information, visit our website at www.fhlbatl.com.
To the extent that the statements made in this announcement may be deemed as “forward-looking statements”, they are made within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which include statements with respect to the Bank’s beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions, and future performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which may be beyond the Bank’s control, and which may cause the Bank’s actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on them, since those may not be realized due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation: legislative, regulatory changes; future economic and market conditions (including the housing market); changes in demand for advances or consolidated obligations of the Bank and/or the FHLBank System; changes in interest rates; changes in prepayment speeds, default rates, delinquencies, and losses on mortgage-backed securities; volatility of market prices, rates and indices that could affect the value of financial instruments; changes in credit ratings and/or the terms of derivative transactions; changes in product offerings; political, national, and world events; disruptions in information systems; membership changes; and adverse developments or events affecting or involving other Federal Home Loan Banks or the FHLBank System in general. Additional risk factors that might cause the Bank’s results to differ from these forward-looking statements are provided in detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at www.sec.gov.
These statements speak only as of the date that they are made, and the Bank has no obligation and does not undertake to publicly update, revise, or correct any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this announcement, or after the respective dates on which such statements otherwise are made, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New risk factors may emerge, and it is not possible for us to predict the nature of each new factor, or assess its potential impact, on our business and financial condition. Given these uncertainties, we caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
CONTACT: Sheryl Touchton Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta stouchton@fhlbatl.com
African countries have taken bold commitments to implement clean cooking energy solutions to offset the devastating effects of open fire cooking which kills roughly 600,000 women and children annually across the continent.
In energy compacts signed during the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit, held in Tanzania 27-28 January, 12 African countries signalled their intent to accelerate the pace of access to electricity and clean cooking solutions on the world’s fastest-growing continent, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 7 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Commending these countries, Tanzanian President Suluhu Hassan stated in closing remarks: “I understand that the 12 governments have only pioneered, and many others will join us in the future.” Earlier, at the opening speaking about the purpose of the summit she said, “This gathering is a platform to consolidate commitments, announce new partnerships and drive momentum towards the 2030 goal.”
President Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, global Clean Cooking ambassador at the Africa Energy Summit. January 2025
The two-day meeting was organized by the Government of Tanzania and Mission 300, an unprecedented collaboration between the African Development Bank Group, the World Bank Group and global partners, to address Africa’s electricity access gap through the use of new technology and innovative financing.
Moderating a special panel on clean cooking on Monday, Rashid Abdallah, Executive Director of the African Energy Commission (AFREC), noted that whilst 600 million Africans live without access to electricity, one billion -nearly double the number – were without access to clean cooking, relying on biomass fuels such as wood and charcoal, with severe economic, social and environmental impact. Conservative estimates put the cost of this across the continent to $790 billion a year, he noted.
Abdallah was joined by Dr. Richard Muyungi, Special Envoy to the President of Tanzania, Peter Scott, CEO of Burn Manufacturing, and Martin Kimani, CEO of M-Gas, who each highlighted the significant health, environmental, and economic impacts of relying on polluting fuels for cooking, as well as the innovative approaches being developed to address this crisis.
Muyungi shared Tanzania’s experience in launching a comprehensive National Clean Cooking Strategy, emphasizing the importance of high-level political commitment, coordinated stakeholder engagement, and the integration of private sector participation.
He praised President Hassan’s role as a global champion bringing the issue to the highest level of African governments.
“It is important to elevate it to the highest level… She is the champion of clean cooking,” he said. He stressed: “It’s important that there is a champion who can elevate clean cooking in terms of partnerships and partner with others to address this issue. He added that Tanzania is on track to transition 80 percent of its population to clean cooking technologies by 2034, thanks to the efforts of President Hassan.
Scott, whose company Burn Manufacturing is the largest clean cooking manufacturer in Africa, discussed the diverse range of solutions being deployed across the continent, from fuel-efficient biomass stoves to cutting-edge electric cooking appliances with pay-as-you-go financing models. He stressed the availability of funding for clean cooking projects, pending the approval of carbon credit regulations by governments.
Panel session on clean cooking at Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit. Tanzania, January 2025. (L-R ) Dr. Richard Muyungi, Special Envoy to the President of Tanzania, Martin Kimani, CEO,M-Gas, Peter Scott, CEO of Burn Manufacturing, Rashid Abdallah ED, African Energy Commission (AFREC)
“This is the most exciting time in the history of clean cooking,” Scott declared. “Now, there’s a lot of money standing by to approve carbon credit regulations to allow carbon trading, carbon finance, to grow. “
Kimani’s pioneering pay-as-you-cook LPG model has provided an innovative and affordable solution to enable households to transition to clean cooking. He shared the success of M-Gas in onboarding half a million households in Kenya and Tanzania within just three years, demonstrating the scalability of this approach. “One of the most important considerations is affordability, how do we close that gap?” he asked.
M-Gas has found an answer by installing IOT enabled smart meters which are fixed into gas cylinders without upfront payment.
“We mirror the (pay as you go) environment they can now cook using LPG. With 35 cents they can cook three meals in a day,” he added.
Tanzania pioneers clean cooking and global awareness
Tanzania published its clean cooking strategy in 2024-2034 last year in response to its own challenges – 3,000 people dying annually and the effects of a devastating 400 hectares of deforestation annually from the use of charcoal and firewood.
Championed by President Hassan, the Clean Cooking agenda has embraced everyone and is part of the national agenda, Muyungi said. “This discussion has highlighted the innovative approaches and the political will required to transform the lives of millions of Africans and secure a sustainable future for the continent.”
In a recognition of national efforts, awards were handed out to winners of a national clean cooking innovation challenge on the first day of the summit. The winners included creators of a biogas production plant and a click gas LPG delivery system.
Winners of a Tanzania national Clean Cooking Challenge received awards during the Africa Energy Summit held in Tanzania, January 2025.
The African Development Bank Group has pledged $2 billion over 10 years towards clean cooking solutions in Africa. The pledge represents an important contribution to the $4 billion per year needed to allow African families to have access to clean cooking by 2030.
“Why should anybody have to die just for trying to cook a decent meal that is taken for granted in other parts of the world,” African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina asked during a discussion as part of the summit. “Africa must develop with dignity, with pride. Its women, its population must have access to clean energy solutions.”
Winners of a Tanzania national Clean Cooking Challenge received awards during the Africa Energy Summit held in Tanzania, January 2025.
Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
January 30, 2025
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., with five colleagues in the Senate, reintroduced legislation to help working families access affordable housing and child care. U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., introduced companion legislation in the House.
The Build Housing with Care Act would invest $500 million to construct child care centers co-located in affordable housing developments and cover the costs of retrofitting to help family child care providers operate in housing developments. The bill prioritizes projects that are located in child care deserts or rural communities, as well as projects that include qualified Head Start providers and providers primarily serving low-income children.
“Working families across Oregon are struggling to put food on the table and pay their rent on time. When you add the cost of child care to the equation, families are forced to shoulder an impossible choice,” Wyden said. “Increasing supply of both housing and child care will help lower costs so that caregivers and parents can more easily afford basic necessities and keep their families healthy and safe.”
“Too many families in Oregon and across the country struggle to find affordable housing and affordable child care,” Bonamici said. “Co-locating child care centers with affordable housing is a proven strategy that increases benefits for children, families, and the economy. I’m pleased to partner with Senator Wyden on this common sense effort that will create more opportunities and a better future for American families.”
It is estimated that funding from the Build Housing with Care Act could build more than 120 new co-located child care centers, supporting the development of critical care supply in connection with affordable housing. A report from the Low Income Investment Fund, Including Family Child Care in Affordable Housing, highlights the many policy opportunities and benefits of co-location as “an opportunity to respond to severe housing and child care shortages simultaneously.”
The Senate legislation is cosponsored by Senators Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Alex Padilla, D-Calif., Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., and Cory Booker, D-N.J.
The Building Housing with Care Act is endorsed by the Low Income Investment Fund; Local Initiatives Support Corporation; Oregon Housing and Community Services; Family Forward Oregon; First Five Years Fund; National Housing Law Project; National Association of Counties; National Partnership for Women & Families; UnidosUS; National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders; Purpose Built Communities Foundation, Inc; National Women’s Law Center; Early Care & Education Consortium; ZERO TO THREE; National Association for County Community and Economic Development; National Children’s Facilities Network; Family Values @ Work; Center for Law and Social Policy; National Association for the Education of Young Children; and the First Focus Campaign on Children.
“We all deserve the opportunity to provide for our families,” said Candice Vickers, Executive Director of Family Forward Oregon. “When child care is an afterthought in economic developments and investments, parents and caregivers — and those they care for — suffer. Our future suffers. Child care must be at the forefront of planning, and the Build Housing with Care Act does just that. Ensuring parents and caregivers have access to affordable child care in their neighborhoods allows families to not only survive but thrive.”
Wyden has been a longtime advocate for increasing affordable housing in Oregon and across the nation. In May 2023, Senator Wyden and his colleagues reintroduced a bipartisan bill to address the housing crisis by building two million affordable homes over the next decade. In July 2024, Wyden and Bonamici wrote a letter to the Biden administration to invest in affordable housing following the criminalization of homelessness in Grants Pass v. Johnson. In March 2023, Wyden reintroduced legislation to solve the housing crisis by increasing supply, and expanding homeownership opportunities, especially for young people, by creating a new down payment tax credit for first-time homebuyers.
The Building Housing with Care Act bill text is here.
Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In an open cabinet confirmation hearing of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) considering the nomination of former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) questioned the candidate’s decision-making in the past. In the conversation with Gabbard, King questioned her about a House resolution she introduced in 2020 calling for all charges to be dropped against Edward Snowden, a former National Security Agency (NSA) intelligence contractor who was indicted on espionage charges before fleeing to Russia where he was granted asylum.
“You introduced a bill in 2020 that was essentially a pardon. It basically said all charges should be dropped. You had a lot of ‘whereas’s’ is in that bill, where did the factual basis for those whereas clauses come from,” asked Senator King.
“Senator if I recall, in that bill, came from publicly available information,” said Gabbard.
“I see. And were you aware that there was a bipartisan committee report from the House Intelligence Committee in 2016 on Snowden activities,” questioned Senator King.
“I don’t recall specifically at that time, but I am aware of that committee’s report and executive summary that was reported publicly. I did not have access to the classified report that that summary was based on,” replied Gabbard.
“Did you read that report prior to filing your bill in 2020,” asked Senator King.
“Senator, I don’t recall specifically. I remember reading a lot of materials prior to filing that bill,” responded Gabbard.
“Well, the bipartisan committee report, the first item: ‘Edward Snowden perpetrated the largest and most damaging public release of classified information in U.S. intelligence history and goes on to say Snowden caused tremendous damage to national security, and the vast majority of the documents he stole have nothing to do with programs impacting individual privacy.’ But you don’t recall ever seeing the work of that committee,” asked Senator King.
“I’m aware of those conclusions drawn,” said Gabbard.
“You are aware now; were you aware at the time,” questioned Senator King “You introduced a bill in Congress, along with Congressman Matt Gaetz, to essentially pardon him, so he broke the law, but it wasn’t all that serious. Is that what you thought in 2020.”
“I take very seriously upholding our Constitution, and have sworn an oath to support and defend that Constitution over eight times in my life, my statements in the past have been reflective of the egregious and illegal programs that were exposed in that leak,” replied Gabbard.
“But you ignore the vast majority, as the committee found bipartisan. I think Devin Nunes was the chair. Adam Schiff was the Vice Chair. The conclusion was that the vast majority of these things that he released had nothing to do with Constitutional rights, the Fourth Amendment, but indeed were enormous compromises of our national security,” said Senator King.
A member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator King is recognized as a thoughtful voice on national security and foreign policy issues. In addition to his committee work, Senator King serves on the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, the Senate North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Observer Group, and is co-chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission — which has had dozens of recommendations become law. He has introduced bipartisan legislation to establish a commission tasked with developing a comprehensive whole-of-government approach for how the United States should address the economic, security and diplomatic challenges posed by China.
Recently, Senator King published an Op-Ed and spoke with CNN regarding his positions on the advise and consent process of Cabinet-Level nominees.
Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
Murray: “There are political realities, we all get that—but there is also right and wrong, fact and fiction. And there’s also people staying healthy, or people dying pointlessly from diseases we can prevent because they thought Congress took its job vetting our health care secretary seriously.”
Murray, a longtime congressional leader on health care who has led hearings on addressing vaccine hesitancy, has been a leading vocal opponent of RFK Jr.’s nomination—speaking out on the Senate floor, holding events, raising the alarm after meeting with him
*** VIDEO of Senator Murray’s FULL questioning with RFK Jr. HERE***
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, questioned RFK Jr. at the Senate HELP Committee hearing on his nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS)—pressing him forcefully on whether he stands by false statements he made about the HPV vaccine and asking about credible accusations of sexual harassment and assault against him.
RFK Jr. has long been one of the anti-vaccine movement’s loudest, proudest champions—peddling dangerous, debunked views and funding anti-vaccine causes—and there is much he could do as HHS Secretary to cause chaos and real harm to families, from firing top scientists and researchers, to ripping away the approval or insurance coverage of all kinds of vaccines and medicines, to ending our focus on infectious disease research, as he has threatened to do.
Murray began her questioning at today’s hearing by reiterating that HHS has broad and critical responsibilities to protect and preserve health care and social services, from advancing women’s health, to improving child care, to bolstering biomedical research—all priorities of hers—but she would use her limited time for questioning to ask about vaccines. Also noting the tragic plane crash last night in DC, Murray called it “a painful reminder that we need competent people running our federal agencies to respond when a crisis strikes.”
“I think we can agree that cancer is particularly a nefarious chronic disease. And the American Cancer Society reported earlier this month that women under 50 are experiencing a dramatic increase in incidence of the disease. Fortunately, there is clear data showing that the HPV vaccine has saved lives and cut cervical cancer rates dramatically. You have called the HPV vaccine ‘dangerous and defective’ and said it ‘actually increases the risk of cervical cancer.’ Do you stand by those statements? Yes or no?”
Kennedy filibustered, refusing to answer directly—Murray pressed him to answer the question, then continued, “You said that: ‘no loving parents would allow their daughter to receive this vaccine.’ If confirmed as HHS Secretary, would you recommend that parents get their children vaccinated against HPV? Yes or no?”
“I’ll just remind everybody—parents look to our health leaders for advice on these decisions; you would be a health leader,” Murray said, asking unanimous consent to enter Mr. Kennedy’s numerous statements disparaging the HPV vaccine and others into the record.
Murray continued by asking Mr. Kennedy about accusations of sexual harassment and assault by Eliza Cooney, who was hired as a part-time babysitter by his family. “When you were confronted about this accusation, you said you were ‘not a church boy’ and that you ‘have so many skeletons in my closet,’ Murray said. “You then texted Miss Cooney an apology and indicated you had no memory of what she described. Mr. Kennedy, I’m asking you to respond to those accusations seriously in front of this committee. Did you make sexual advances towards Miss Cooney without her consent?”
Kennedy denied the allegations, calling them “debunked,” despite credible reporting to the contrary, when pressed on why he apologized, Kennedy claimed he texted Cooney an apology for a separate reason—in contrast to the published texts. Mr. Kennedy then told the full committee that he had never made any unwanted sexual advances towards any individual without their consent.
“My time is almost up, but having read a lot and listened a lot, I just want to remind all my colleagues that by voting to confirm Mr. Kennedy, we would be telling our constituents he is worth listening to,” Murray said. “That alone will get people killed—before he even lifts a finger. Because he does not even need the levers of power to influence people, as we saw in Samoa—all he needs is a megaphone.
“To affirm his views by voting to confirm him as our highest health official—we should not mince words about what that will mean. When babies die from whooping cough because parents weren’t sure if the vaccine was safe, we will have to look them in the eye. When measles sweeps through schools, hospitals, nursing wards—will this be worth it?”
“There are political realities, we all get that—but there is also right and wrong, fact and fiction. And there’s also people staying healthy, or people dying pointlessly from diseases we can prevent because they thought Congress took its job vetting our health care secretary seriously,” Murray concluded.
When President-elect Donald J. Trump first announced his intention to select Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of HHS, Murray immediately and forcefully condemned the move—and she has consistently spoken out and laid out for her colleagues the case against his nomination since, including in a lengthy Senate floor speech earlier this month—VIDEO HERE. Murray met with RFK Jr. on January 15th and released a statement afterward reiterating her opposition to his nomination and urging her colleagues, “to be honest with themselves about the stakes of putting one of the anti-vaccine movement’s loudest, proudest champions in charge of HHS and join me in opposing RFK Jr.’s nomination.” In December, Murray held a roundtable discussion at UW Medicine on the importance of scientific research and vaccines—especially for children—and spoke about how having RFK Jr. lead HHS would threaten Americans’ health and safety.
As a longtime appropriator and former Chair of the Senate HELP Committee, Murray has long fought to boost biomedical research, strengthen public health infrastructure, and make health care more affordable and accessible. Over her years as a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, she has secured billions of dollars in increases for biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health, and during her time as Chair of the HELP Committee she established the new ARPA-H research agency as part of her PREVENT Pandemics Act to advance some of the most cutting-edge research in the field. As Chair of the HELP Committee, Murray was also instrumental in crafting the American Rescue Plan Act, including its landmark investments in public health and health care. Senator Murray was also the lead Democratic negotiator of the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act, which delivered a major federal investment to boost NIH research, among many other investments. Murray is also the lead sponsor of the Public Health Infrastructure Saves Lives Act (PHISLA), legislation to establish $4.5 billion in dedicated, annual funding for a grant program to build up and maintain the nation’s public health system across the board.
In 2019, Senator Murray co-led a bipartisan hearing in the HELP Committee on vaccine hesitancy and spoke about the importance of addressing vaccine skepticism and getting people the facts they need to keep their families and communities safe and healthy. Ahead of the hearing, as multiple states were facing measles outbreaks in under-vaccinated areas, Murray sent a bipartisan letter with former HELP Committee Chair Lamar Alexander (R-TN) pressing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director and HHS Assistant Secretary for Health on their efforts to promote vaccination and vaccine confidence.
[. As their needs evolve, it is important that older adults and vulnerable populations have access to the support they need to maintain their quality of life and independence so they can age with dignity. Over the next 10 years, the demand for continuing care in Alberta is projected to grow by 80 per cent, increasing even faster as people live longer and with more complex needs.
Alberta’s government is establishing Assisted Living Alberta – the new provincial continuing care agency – as part of the province’s health refocusing. This will ensure the province is well-positioned to meet the future needs that are anticipated with Alberta’s both growing and aging population. Assisted Living Alberta will provide Albertans access to a comprehensive system of continuing care with a full range of wraparound services, including medical and non-medical supports, home care, community care and social services. This transition will allow the province to place a holistic social service lens on assisted living services to deliver care more effectively and consistently throughout the province. By taking this approach, individuals and families will have more options when they need care and as their needs evolve, helping older adults and vulnerable populations maintain their quality of life and independence.
“As the need for continuing care services in Alberta grows, I am committed to working with health, social services and continuing care professionals to transform the system and ensure the new provincial agency, Assisted Living Alberta, meets all Albertans’ needs. This change ensures Albertans have access to a full range of wraparound supports to meet their evolving needs and maintain their independence and quality of life as they age or require more support.”
Assisted Living Alberta is on track to be established and become an entity by April 1, and will be fully operational by fall 2025. The new agency will align medical and non-medical supports and services, increase continuing care spaces, reduce wait times, and provide comprehensive wraparound supports for Albertans who require different levels and types of care. This includes both seniors in long-term care and those who want to continue aging at home but need supports to do so, as well as people with disabilities, individuals experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable Albertans who require temporary or long-term care. Refocusing Alberta’s health care system ensures all Albertans have access to the services and support they need, when and where they need it.
“Improving health care services is a top priority for our government. We are committed to addressing the urgent need for enhanced assisted living services across our growing province. I look forward to working alongside the Ministry of Seniors, Community and Social Services to bring Albertans more options and the high quality of care they need close to home.”
Albertans currently receiving care, and those who need care, will continue to have access to the services they need. A transition committee led by Dr. Sayeh Zielke, author, cardiologist and medical director of Chinook Cardiology, along with leaders from health care, continuing care, social services and other local organizations, will provide the minister with advice to support this transformation. Committee members were chosen based on their experience, diverse perspectives, leadership and background in the continuing care and social services space. The committee’s work will be essential to ensuring a smooth and seamless transition with no disruptions.
“It is an honour to be playing a role in helping transform Alberta’s continuing care system. Our goal is to put patients and clients first and give our front-line workers the support they need, which is why it is so important that we are taking the time to gets things right and consulting directly with Albertans.”
Albertans are invited to share their feedback, support the stand up of Assisted Living Alberta and help shape the future of continuing care through online engagement that will be open from Jan. 30 to March 3 at Alberta.ca/lead-the-way. Continuing care providers and health care and continuing care workers will also have an opportunity to provide feedback through targeted engagement that will be open at the same time. Albertans’ insights and perspectives will help lead the way in improving the system to ensure it meets Alberta’s needs today and for generations to come.
Alberta’s government is making significant strides in its efforts to refocus the health care system. Assisted Living Alberta will be the fourth and final new provincial health agency to be established and operational. Recovery Alberta officially began operations on Sept. 1, 2024, with Primary Care Alberta ready to follow suit and become operational on Feb. 1, 2025. On the same date, Acute Care Alberta is set to become a legal entity. By creating four provincial health agencies to oversee the priority sectors of primary care, acute care, continuing care, and mental health and addiction, the province is putting patients first in every health care decision and giving front-line experts the support they need to properly care for Albertans.
“The Alberta Continuing Care Association welcomes this transformational move by the Alberta government. By bringing social services, medical and non-medical supports, and continuing care together under one health agency, patients will be able to access wraparound supports for the care and services they need.”
“Integrated health and social care enhances outcomes, aligns with the preferences of older adults, caregivers and practitioners, and underpins leading continuing care models. Healthy Aging Alberta and the United Way of Calgary congratulate the ministry on this exciting transition and look forward to supporting an integrated wraparound model of continuing care in Alberta.”
Transition committee members
Dr. Sayeh Zielke, committee chair – cardiologist and medical director of Chinook Cardiology
MLA Brandon Lunty, deputy chair – MLA for Leduc-Beaumont
Dr. David Stewart, member – physician, Family Medical Centre
David Weyant, member – president and CEO, Alberta Lawyers Indemnity Association
Robin James, member – chief administrative officer, Lethbridge Housing Authority
Feisal Keshavjee, member – board chair, Alberta Continuing Care Association
Karen McDonald, member – director, Healthy Aging Alberta (and executive director, Sage)
Andrea Hesse, member – executive director, Alberta Council for Disability Services
Joyce Wicks, member – former nurse and seniors advocate
Ruben Breaker, member – councillor, Siksika First Nation
Arlene Adamson, member – former CEO, Silvera for Seniors
Salimah Walji-Shivji, member – CEO, AgeCare
Irene Martin-Lindsay – member, executive director, Alberta Seniors and Community Housing Association
Related news
Continuing care: Ministers LaGrange and Nixon (Oct 16, 2024)
Related information
Refocusing health care in Alberta
Continuing Care Transformation
Online survey for feedback on Alberta’s continuing care system
The dynamic new digital platform Buzzly, created to engage youth in civics and developed by Auckland Council just four months ago, has won at the World Summit Awards 2024 for Digital Innovation with Social Impact.
Buzzly was recognised as one of the best digital impact solutions in the Government & Citizen Engagement category. Chosen from more than 400 solutions worldwide, Buzzly wowed judges by demonstrating how innovation can tackle societal challenges and contribute to achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The platform was developed to bridge a gap in civic engagement and policy-making involving young people, particularly Māori and Pasifika. It targets the voice of youth and establishes an inclusive space for rangatahi to share ideas using creative challenges, rewarding participation and ensuring youth insights are heard and valued by decision-makers.
World Summit Awards’ national expert for New Zealand, Frances Valintine is thrilled for Buzzly.
“This recognition is a testament to your vision and determination, and we are so pleased you are representing Aotearoa New Zealand on the global stage,” says Ms Valintine.
“Your hard work and dedication to empowering youth voices is truly inspiring, and we’re confident that you will make a significant impact for youth involvement in important matters.”
Auckland Council’s Governance and Engagement General Manager, Lou-Ann Ballantyne says, “Gaining youth engagement is no easy feat and this achievement so far demonstrates how the Buzzly platform is really able to move and shake things up in this space.”
And General Manager Group Strategy, Transformation and Partnerships, Anna Bray is proud of the team.
“Thanks to funding from council’s The Southern Initiative, Buzzly has come a long way since upgrading from ‘Up South’, a platform initially designed to engage Māori and Pasifika rangatahi of South Auckland. I look forward to seeing what else it can do,” says Ms Bray.
The Buzzly team is now getting ready to take on a major mission – improving youth participation in Auckland’s Elections 2025.
With Auckland’s elections planning well underway, it is hoped Buzzly will be the “cavalry” to ramp up youth participation in this year’s elections. In 2022, of the 1.1 million Aucklanders registered to vote, only 26 per cent of those aged 18-25 voted.
The platform’s first ever elections challenge asks participants to consider, “What’s the council done for me?”, and encourages potential entrants to do their homework by asking, “What do you love about Auckland, and how’s the council involved?” as well as “How could the council make Auckland a city that slays?”
Platform users can respond to the challenge by producing content with a call to action for their peers in whatever medium they choose, and the best outputs are awarded prizes.
The purpose of the challenge is to show rangatahi, who are among Tāmaki Makaurau’s harder-to-reach audiences, how the decisions made by local government impact their daily lives – giving them reason to engage.
The What does Auckland Council do for you? challenge is live 3 February – 9 March 2025 with $200 prizes up for grabs – get all the buzz here.
Source: US International Brotherhood of Boilermakers
We are saddened to learn from our union brother, General President Mark McManus, that four members of the United Association have been confirmed among those killed in the American Airlines Flight 5342 crash. Additionally, we have learned that the two flight attendants were Association of Flight Attendants-CWA members, and the plane’s two pilots were members of the Air Line Pilots Association.
Our hearts go out to our union family and all families who lost loved ones yesterday evening.
Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3
Summary
Company Announcement Date:
FDA Publish Date:
Product Type:
Medical Devices
Reason for Announcement:
Recall Reason Description
Risk of device contamination that may result from improper reprocessing.
Company Name:
Olympus Corporation
Brand Name:
Brand Name(s)
Olympus
Product Description:
Product Description
MAJ-891 endoscope accessory
Company Announcement
CENTER VALLEY, Pa., (January 29, 2025) – Olympus Corporation has announced a voluntary Advisory Notice for the Forceps/Irrigation Plug (Isolated Type) model MAJ-891 related to the risk of device contamination that may result from improper reprocessing of the MAJ-891 accessory.
The MAJ-891 is an endoscope accessory attached to the instrument channel port of certain Olympus endoscopes, including cystoscopes (CYF series), ureteroscopes (URF series), choledochoscopes (CHF series), and hysteroscopes (HYF series) to allow both irrigation and the use of endo-therapy accessories. The MAJ-891 was discontinued in 2022 from the U.S. market. The MAJ-891 is a reusable device and customers that purchased the device prior to 2022 may still be using this accessory.
Olympus assessed the issue after receiving complaints of adverse events involving patient injuries and one death. The potential harm of improper and/or incomplete reprocessing of the MAJ-891 Forceps/Irrigation Plug is exposure to a contaminated device, which could result in patient injury, specifically, infection.
Olympus notified U.S. customers about this matter by letter on December 18, 2024, recommending the following actions:
Due to the risk of infection that may result from improper MAJ-891 reprocessing, available alternative devices to the MAJ-891 for Olympus cystoscopes (CYF series) and ureteroscopes (URF series) should be used instead.
There are currently no alternative Olympus irrigation plugs for use with choledochoscopes (CHF series) and hysteroscopes (HYF series). Customers are advised to use an alternative endoscope in those situations or a non-Olympus irrigation plug, provided it has been validated for use with the Olympus endoscope by the plug manufacturer.
If no alternative for the MAJ-891 is available, it is important to closely follow the reprocessing instructions for both the endoscope(s) and the MAJ-891 Forceps/Irrigation Plug, especially detaching the MAJ-891 from the instrument channel port of the endoscope and disassembling before it is cleaned, disinfected or sterilized.
Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of these products may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch program online:
For information or to report a problem, please contact the Olympus Technical Assistance Center at 800-848-9024, Option 1 or email complaints@olympus.com.
A Mexican citizen who had been in local custody after pleading guilty to assault charges, and was released from custody by the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office after the sheriff’s office refused to honor a federal arrest warrant, has been arrested and taken into custody by federal law enforcement.
“The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office in Ithaca, NY, a self-described sanctuary city, appears to have failed to honor a valid federal arrest warrant for a criminal alien with an assault conviction,” said Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove. “Yesterday, despite the warrant, a defendant with no legal status and a history of violence was released into the community. Federal agents risked their safety and pursued the defendant in unsafe conditions. Today, they were successful in recapturing the defendant. I applaud the U.S. Attorney’s commitment to investigate these circumstances for potential prosecution, and the efforts of the agents who were able to arrest the defendant under wholly avoidable circumstances. The Justice Department will not tolerate actions that endanger law enforcement and make their jobs harder than they already are, as they work to protect us all. We will use every tool at our disposal to prevent sanctuary city policies from impeding and obstructing lawful federal operations designed to make America safe again and end the national crisis arising from four years of failed immigration policy.”
Jesus Romero-Hernandez, 27, was charged in a federal criminal complaint on Jan. 8, 2024, with illegally reentering the United States after a prior removal.
Because Romero-Hernandez was then in the custody of the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office in Ithaca, New York, awaiting resolution of New York State assault charges, U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) provided a copy of a federal arrest warrant, signed by a U.S. Magistrate Judge, to the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office.
On Jan. 28, after Romero-Hernandez’s New York State assault charges were resolved by his plea of guilty to assault in the third degree and a sentence of time-served, the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office refused to honor the federal arrest warrant and released Romero-Hernandez before ICE-ERO arrived to pick him up and bring him to federal court in Syracuse to be arraigned on the pending federal criminal complaint.
Today ICE-ERO apprehended Romero-Hernandez with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The charges in the complaint pending against Romero-Hernandez are merely accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York is looking into the circumstances surrounding his release.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)
The FBI Washington Field Office continues to support our partners in the aftermath of yesterday’s aviation incident at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Members of our National Capital Response Squad—including our Evidence Response Team, Rapid Deployment Team, and Underwater Search and Evidence Response Team—have deployed to support recovery efforts. The FBI will continue to assist the National Transportation Safety Board with recovery operations and the investigation into the cause of this tragic incident.
BOSTON – A Braintree man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to fentanyl conspiracy charge.
Jonathan Melendez Decatro, a/k/a “Jacha,” 32, of Braintree, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for May 12, 2025. Pursuant to a plea agreement filed in court, Melendez Decatro will face a sentence of 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release. Melendez Decatro was indicted in June 2023.
During an investigation that began in 2019, Melendez Decatro was identified as the leader of a large-scale fentanyl and cocaine trafficking organization (DTO) operating in the Brockton area, who sourced drugs directly from Colombia, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. On two dates in 2021, packages intended for Melendez Decatro were intercepted by law enforcement and each found to contain a kilogram of cocaine. Additionally, on several dates in the spring of 2023, Melendez Decatro conspired with an individual who resided in the Dominican Republic to distribute in total 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl to another individual in Braintree. It was later determined that the purity of the fentanyl exceeded 50% and also contained xylazine. During of search of Melendez Decatro’s residence, over $10,000 in drug proceeds and clothing worn during the fentanyl transactions were recovered.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration in Bogota; United States Postal Inspection Service; Massachusetts State Police; and the Brockton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey E. Weinstein of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.
This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jose A. Rodriguez, age 63, of Bronx, New York, was sentenced on January 29, 2025, to 32 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, in December of 2023, Rodriguez was transported from New York to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, by unknown persons who provided him with false identifications and instructed him to make withdrawals form victim bank accounts. In exchange for doing so, Rodriguez was provided a steady supply of drugs. Rodriguez made a total of seven fraudulent withdrawals from victim bank accounts at various financial institutions throughout Lycoming, Tioga, and Centre Counties. Rodriguez successfully withdrew $42,000 before he was apprehended during the course of an attempted $8,000 withdrawal.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, the Lycoming Regional Police Department, the Williamsport Bureau of Police, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Lloyd prosecuted the case.
SCRANTON – Acting U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus announced today that the Middle District of Pennsylvania collected $17,444,425 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2024. Of this amount, $3,588,583 was collected in criminal actions and $13,855,841 was collected in civil actions.
The Middle District of Pennsylvania also worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $5,108,801 in cases pursued jointly by these offices. Of this amount, $16,233 was collected in criminal actions and $5,092,567 was collected in civil actions.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working for victims of crime and do what we can to make them whole,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus. “We collect restitution from convicted defendants on behalf of crime victims, we work to forfeit the ill-gotten gains that defendants obtain through illegal means, and we fight to get back money owed to taxpayers in criminal and civil cases. I am proud to say that we have collected millions of dollars over the last year for the taxpayers and for crime victims in our district.”
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
For example:
Penn State Health is a multi-hospital system and offers Annual Wellness Visits which are reimbursable through Medicare. In 2023, Penn State Health made a self-disclosure to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The U.S. Attorney’s Office found that between December 1, 2015 and November 30, 2022, Penn State Health submitted claims for Annual Wellness Visits that were not supported by the wellness record. A settlement agreement was entered into in February 2024, in which Penn State health agreed to pay $11,712,336.
Defendant Jimmy Tran owned and operated a small food market and convenience store, Asia Market, in Harrisburg, PA. The store was approved to participate in SNAP. From January 2017 – August 2020, the defendant traded SNAP benefits in exchange for cash. The total amount of SNAP benefits that were illegally exchanged for cash is $1,843,534.00. The payment of $299,174.60 was due to forfeiture/restoration.
Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s office in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $1,311,135 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2024. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.
Hodges assumed command in February 2023 and led the crew throughout the workup cycle leading to the ship’s deployment on Sept. 23, 2024, to the U.S. European and Central Command areas of responsibility as the Air and Missile Defense Commander for the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG).
“Serving as the commanding officer of this extraordinary crew has been the privilege of a lifetime,” said Hodges. “These amazing men and women represent all that is great about our Navy and it’s been an enormous honor to serve with them.”
Lucas, Gettysburg’s new commanding officer, completed a successful tour on the Joint Staff, J7 Directorate, before reporting to the ship.
“What struck me most about this crew was your attitude and resiliency,” said Lucas. “I am motivated, honored, and humbled to be your commanding officer.”
USS Gettysburg was commissioned June 22, 1991, and is homeported in Norfolk, Virginia.
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Joycelyn Wilson, Assistant Professor of Ethnographic and Cultural Studies , Georgia Institute of Technology
Producers Fast Eddie and Joe Smooth mix at DJ International Studios in Chicago in 1990. Innovation was at the forefront of house and hip-hop.Raymond Boyd/Getty Images
There was a time when artists representing two of America’s biggest homegrown musical genres wouldn’t get a look in at the Grammys.
Hip-hop and house both have their origins in the 1970s and early 1980s – in fact, they recently celebrated a 50th and 40th birthday, respectively. But it was only in 1989 that an award category for “best rap performance” started recognizing hip-hop’s contribution to U.S. music, and house had to wait another decade, with the introduction of “best dance/electronic recording” in 1998.
At this year’s awards, taking place on Feb. 2, hip-hop and house artists will be among the most talked about. House duo Justice and Kendrick Lamar, a hip-hop superstar who incorporates elements of house himself, are among those looking to pick up an award. Meanwhile, a nomination for a collaboration between DJ Kaytranada and rapper Childish Gambino shows how artists from both genres continue to feed off each other.
And while both genres are now celebrated for their separate contributions to the music landscape, as a scholar of African American culture and music, I am interested in their commonality: Both are distinctly Black American artforms that originated on the streets and dance floors of U.S. cities, developing a devoted underground following before being accepted by – and transforming – the mainstream.
The pulse of the 1970s
The roots of hip-hop and house music both lie in the seismic shifts of the late 1970s, a period of sociopolitical unrest and electronic experimentation that redefined the possibilities of sound.
For hip-hop, this was expressed through the turntable manipulation pioneered by DJ Kool Herc in 1973, when he extended and looped breakbeats to energize crowds. House music’s innovators turned to the drum machine to create the genre’s foundational four-on-the-floor dance rhythm.
That rhythm, foreshadowed by Eddy Grant’s 1977 production of “Time Warp” by The Coachouse Rhythm Section, would go on to shape house music’s distinct pulse. The track showed how electronic instruments such as the synthesizer and drum machine could recast traditional rhythmic patterns into something entirely new.
This dance vibe – in which a base drum provides a steady four-four beat – became the heartbeat of house music, creating an enduring structure for DJs to layer basslines, percussion and melodies. In a similar way, Kool Herc’s breakbeat manipulation provided the scaffolding for MCs and dancers in hip-hop’s formative years.
Marginalized communities in urban centers like Chicago and New York were at the forefront of these innovations. Despite experiencing grinding poverty and discrimination, it was Black and Latino youth – armed with turntables, drum machines and samplers – who made these groundbreaking advances in music.
For hip-hop, this meant manipulating breakbeats from songs like Kraftwerk’s “Trans-Europe Express” and “Numbers” to energize b-boys and b-girls; for house, it meant extending disco’s rhythmic pulse into an ecstatic, inclusive dance floor. Both genres exemplified – and continue to exemplify – the ingenuity of predominantly Black and Hispanic communities who turned limited resources into cultural revolutions.
From this shared origin of technological experimentation, cultural resilience and creative ingenuity, hip-hop and house music grew into distinct yet globally influential movements.
The message and the MIDI
By the early 1980s, both genres had found their feet.
Hip-hop emerged as a powerful voice for storytelling, resistance and identity. Building on the foundations laid down by DJ Kool Herc, artists like Afrika Bambaataa emphasized hip-hop’s cultural and communal aspects. Meanwhile, Grandmaster Flash elevated the genre’s technical artistry with innovations like cutting and scratching.
By 1984, hip-hop had evolved from its grassroots beginnings in the Bronx into a cultural movement on the cusp of mainstream recognition. Run-DMC’s self-titled debut album released that year introduced a harder, stripped-down sound that departed from disco-influenced beats. Their music, paired with the trio’s Adidas tracksuits and gold chains, established an aesthetic that resonated far beyond New York City. Music videos on MTV gave hip-hop a new medium for storytelling, while films like “Beat Street” and “Breakin’” showcased the features and tenets of hip-hop culture: DJing, rapping, graffiti, breaking and knowledge of self – cementing its cultural presence, and presenting it to a world outside the U.S.
But at its core, hip-hop remained a voice for the voiceless that sought to address systemic inequities through storytelling. Tracks like Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five’s “The Message” vividly depicted the reality of living in poor, urban communities, while Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” and Tupac Shakur’s “Keep Ya Head Up” became anthems for social justice.
Together these artists positioned hip-hop as a platform for resistance and empowerment.
Becoming a cultural force
Unlike hip-hop’s lyrical storytelling, house music focused on the physicality of rhythm and the collective experience of the dance floor. And as hip-hop moved away from disco, house leaned into it.
Italy’s “father of disco,” Giorgio Moroder, showed the way with his pioneering use of synthesizers in Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love.” Over in New York, Larry Levan’s DJ sets at Paradise Garage demonstrated how electronic instruments could create immersive, emotionally charged experiences as a club that centered crowd participation through dance and not lyrics.
By 1984, Chicago DJs Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy were repurposing disco tracks with drum machines like the Roland TR-808 and 909 to create hypnotic beats. Knuckles, known as the “Godfather of House,” transformed his sets at the Warehouse club into euphoric experiences, giving the genre its name in the process.
As with hip-hop, by the the mid-1980s house music had become a cultural force, spreading from Chicago to Detroit, to New York and, eventually, to the U.K.’s rave scene. Its emphasis on repetition, rhythm and electronic instrumentation solidified its global appeal, uniting people across identities and geographies.
Mainstays in modern music
Despite their differences, moments of crossover highlight their shared DNA.
From the late 1980s, tracks like Fast Eddie’s “Yo Yo Get Funky” and the Jungle Brothers’ “I’ll House You” merged house beats with hip-hop’s lyrical flow. Artists like Kaytranada and Doechii continue to blend the two genres today, staying true to the genres’ legacies while pushing their boundaries.
And technology continues to drive both genres. Platforms like SoundCloud have democratized music production, allowing emerging artists to build on the decades of innovations that preceded them. Collaborations, such as Disclosure and Charli XCX’s “She’s Gone, Dance On,” highlight their adaptability and enduring appeal.
Whether through hip-hop’s lyrical narratives or house’s rhythmic euphoria, these genres continue to inspire, challenge and transcend.
As the 2025 Grammy Awards celebrate today’s leading house and hip-hop artists and their contemporary achievements, it is clear that the legacies of these two genres are mainstays in the kaleidoscope of American popular music and culture, having come a long way from back-to-school park jams and underground dance parties.
Joycelyn Wilson is affiliated with the Recording Academy.
Statements made by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Spokesperson (Paris – January 30, 2025)
France expresses its deep sadness following the collision between a passenger plane and a U.S. Army helicopter just outside of Washington, DC, on the night of January 29. The crash left several dozen dead.
France offers its heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones, and expresses its solidarity with the American people and authorities.
The good news comes just ahead of World Wetlands Day, which celebrates and raises awareness of the significant role wetlands play for the planet and people. This year’s theme is protecting wetlands for our common future.
Aotearoa has seven Ramsar-listed wetlands, recognised as internationally significant sites, including Whangamarino Wetland in Waikato.
The October fire burned through about 1000 hectares of the peatland, one of the few remaining raised peatlands in the southern hemisphere. It stores a significant amount of carbon in its soils, and is home to rare native plants and threatened species like the matuku-hūrepo/Australasian bittern and pūweto/spotless crake.
DOC Whangamarino Ranger Lizzie Sharp says thanks to relatively high water levels in the peatland before the fire, only a shallow layer of the peat soils was burned.
“The wetland is showing signs of hope. The peatland areas of Whangamarino were healthy before the fire as it wasn’t being actively drained and had good vegetation cover dominated by native plants, so we’re more confident about its recovery.”
“Although this is great news, the fire has still caused significant damage to the vegetation and upper layers of the wetland, resulting in loss of 1000ha of critical habitat for threatened species. The loss of biodiversity caused by the fire will likely take decades to recover.
It’s like the peat bog has lost its skin. It is still vulnerable and losing water more easily than it should. The new conditions are inviting for weeds like willow, royal fern, and pampas.”
Lizzie says the recovery plan will focus on controlling invasive weeds which will give the native peat vegetation time to recover from their seed sources which survived the fire.
“Peat bog wetlands are normally low-nutrient environments and the plants living there have adapted to those conditions. The firefighting effort used water from nearby waterways which had much higher nutrient levels, so we want to understand how the wetland responds to this.”
DOC Principal Science Advisor Freshwater Hugh Robertson says other peatland fires in New Zealand have emitted more than 200 tonnes of carbon per hectare, but the loss of carbon at Whangamarino is likely to be only about 50-80 tonnes per hectare because the wet peat soils did not burn. However, further research is needed to confirm the carbon emissions.
“Peatlands are great carbon stores because the vegetation in them, which holds the carbon, decomposes very slowly, trapping it. It’s like the vegetation freezes in time.
“However, peat soils are highly flammable, particularly when they’re dried out. Re-wetting our wetlands will make them less susceptible to the impacts of fires which in turn will reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Hugh says.
World Wetlands Day, celebrated annually on 2 February, dates back to 1971 when environmentalists gathered in the city of Ramsar, Iran, to reaffirm protection for our world’s wetlands.
The day highlights the influence and positive production wetlands have on the world and brings communities together for the benefit of wetlands. It also raises global awareness of the significant role wetland’s play for the planet and people.
BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kindcard, Inc. (OTC Markets: KCRD) (“Kindcard” and the “Company”), an innovative FinTech and PayTech company which provides alternative payments solutions to businesses across a wide variety of merchant verticals through its wholly owned subsidiary, Deb, Inc. (“DEB”) (www.debpayments.com), today announced that the Company has reviewed its position within the payments industry in light of the significant expansion of technologies which connect payments of all types worldwide.
Michael Rosen, CEO of Kindcard, stated, “We are excited about our upcoming launch of DEB’s All-In-One Marketplace for payment solutions. DEB’s strategic partnerships and payment solutions integration will cover traditional low to high-risk processing domestically and internationally, as well as provide the ability for merchants to accept all digital currencies for payments, allowing for conversion and settlement to fiat in any currency worldwide.” Mr. Rosen Continued, “In DEB’s All-In-One Marketplace for payment solutions, ISO’s, agents, and merchants will find a compliant and fast way to connect to our payment platforms at a simple fixed cost.”
Kindcard, Inc. (OTC Markets: KCRD) (“Kindcard” and the “Company”) is engaged in designing, partnering and taking to market safer, faster, and more competitive and secure ways for businesses and consumers to transact business in the ever-growing world economy. www.kindcard.com
Kindcard is subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and, in accordance with the Exchange Act, the Company files periodic reports, documents, and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) relating to our business, financial statements, and other matters. These filings are available to the public on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
Safe Harbor Provision
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created thereby. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” or “believes” or the negative thereof or any variation thereon or similar terminology or expressions. These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from results proposed in such statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can provide no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include, but are not limited to, those factors set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2024 and its other filings and submissions with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. This press release includes forward-looking statements concerning the future performance of our business, its operations and its financial performance and condition, and also includes selected operating results presented without the context of accompanying financial results. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements with respect to our objectives and strategies to achieve those objectives, as well as statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, expectations, anticipations, estimates or intentions. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations. We caution that all forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and actual results may differ materially from the assumptions, estimates or expectations reflected or contained in the forward-looking information, and that actual future performance will be affected by a number of factors, including economic conditions, technological change, regulatory change and competitive factors, many of which are beyond our control. Therefore, future events and results may vary significantly from what we currently foresee. We are under no obligation (and we expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or alter the forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)
Vought as Budget Director Would Fuel Chaos and Confusion of Trump Administration Efforts to Withhold Approved Federal Funding, Hurt New Mexico Families
WATCH HERE: Senator Luján Warns How Russell Vought Would Hurt New Mexicans
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of Senate Committee on the Budget, was joined by Budget Committee Ranking Member Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), along with Budget Committee Democrats, to call out the threat of Russell Vought’s nomination to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Russell Vought would add to the Trump administration’s unprecedented chaos and confusion. Reporting shows that he worked behind the scenes to orchestrate the halt to all federal funding including grants and loans, upending trillions of dollars and creating cruel and unnecessary chaos for child care centers, firefighters, domestic violence shelters, law enforcement, health care providers, seniors and veterans, and American families.
“This week, the Trump administration created chaos and confusion across New Mexico with the threat of withholding vital federal funding to every community in America. Russell Vought has not been confirmed, and yet, his fingerprints are all over the Trump administration’s unlawful and dangerous funding freeze. Mr. Vought wrote Project 2025 and now we are seeing the playbook in action,” said Senator Luján. “I’ve heard from New Mexicans in all corners of the state worried about how the chaos and confusion of this administration will impact their daily life. Mr. Vought will only fuel this mayhem and devastate the lives of New Mexico families.”
“Given the chaos and confusion of this week, I am disappointed that Budget Committee Republicans did not delay this vote,” continued Senator Luján. “The American people deserve answers – not more confusion.”
Through Senator Luján’s role on the Senate Committee on the Budget, he has expressed his concerns regarding the nomination of Russell Vought to be OMB Director. During the nomination hearing for Russell Vought, Senator Luján called out the nominee’s clear record of proposing drastic cuts to vital programs for pregnant mothers, babies, and early childhood education. Senator Luján also urged the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget to postpone the nomination of Russell Vought.
Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)
Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) convened a meeting with claimants who have unsettled total loss claims from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and Claims Office Director Jay Mitchell. The meeting provided an opportunity for claimants to share their concerns about the process and allow Director Mitchell to provide a direct update on the progress of claims.
“I am thankful to all of the total loss victims who joined us today to tell their devastating stories. Each one of your stories is unique, and we need to hear them. What has become clear in these discussions is the urgent need to make people whole again as quickly as possible,” Senator Luján said in the meeting.
“I have worked hard in Congress to secure $5.45 billion for recovery efforts, but FEMA must improve the claims office process to get victims the compensation they are owed and to speed up the process. New Mexicans are hurting,” said Senator Luján following the meeting. “In our meeting, I am glad that FEMA shared that funding will not be impacted by President Trump’s efforts to freeze federal funding. I continue to urge FEMA to provide clarity to New Mexicans during this chaotic and stressful time.”
Senator Luján has pressed FEMA to fully compensate the victims of the fire. Earlier this month, Senator Luján met with Director Mitchell to address ongoing issues with the claims process, particularly concerning total loss claims. Senator Luján emphasized the need for immediate action to improve the system, including:
Confirming the total number of individuals who lost their primary homes and have not yet received substantial payments.
Reducing the frequency with which claimants are reassigned to new navigators.
Ensuring that partial payments are sufficient to help families start rebuilding or purchase new homes.
Senator Luján and the New Mexico delegation have secured more than $5.45 billion for recovery efforts following the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. The fire, which was started by the U.S. Forest Service, caused widespread damage and uprooted the lives of many New Mexicans.