Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott
Since U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) announced the Modern Worker Empowerment Act as a part of a package focused on giving independent contractors greater flexibility and benefits earlier this month, key national and South Carolina organizations have come out in support of passage of the bill.
“For decades, our laws have treated flexible work like a fallback, not a choice. Millions are building careers on their own terms—and they deserve benefits and protections that follow the worker, not the job. This legislation is a necessary step toward a future of work that actually reflects how people work today and creates more certainty for innovative companies looking to harness technology to democratize access to work.
We commend Senators Scott, Cassidy, and Paul for advancing legislation that acknowledges the dignity of all work and helps create a more inclusive, responsive economy. This is where the future of work is headed—and policy should meet it there.”
– Regan Parker, Chief Legal and Public Affairs Officer, ShiftKey
“Under the previous administration, truck drivers’ freedom came under fire when the Department of Labor published a rule that made it more difficult to operate independently, despite our home state of South Carolina’s clear language in this regard. We applaud Senator Scott for standing up for the rights of trucking entrepreneurs whose livelihoods were put in jeopardy. His legislation will protect the integrity of our interstate supply chain and ensure that South Carolina truckers who choose to work as independent contractors will be able to continue to run their own small businesses and control their own hours and routes.”
– Rick Todd, President & CEO, South Carolina Trucking Association
“The independent truckers who have spent years or even decades building their own small businesses deserve commonsense regulations that ensure their livelihoods will not be uprooted. Senator Scott has been a champion of the more than 350,000 Americans in trucking who chose this entrepreneurial pathway because of the economic opportunity it creates and the flexibility it provides. ATA strongly supports his legislation to protect independent truckers, and we will continue to work alongside him and other Members of Congress to defend Americans’ right to earn a living in the manner that they choose.”
– Henry Hanscom, SVP of Legislative Affairs, American Trucking Associations
Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer
Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced more than $9 million for critical Nebraska safety priorities through the Senate Appropriations Committee. The funding was included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations Act, which now awaits consideration on the Senate Floor.
“Nebraska’s police officers and first responders work around the clock to keep our communities safe, which is why it’s important they have the tools at their disposal to carry out their duties effectively. I’m proud to champion efforts through the Appropriations Committee to bring federal dollars back to Nebraska to support our law enforcement, upgrade our emergency communication systems, and support child trafficking prevention efforts. I will always support our men and women in blue, and I look forward to seeing these important provisions advance through the legislative process,”Fischer said.
Funding projects advanced by Fischer for Nebraska are listed below:
Child Trafficking Prevention Project Project Description: Implementing and assessing the Missing and Anti-Trafficking Youth Services Program to protect children from exploitation. Project Location: University of Nebraska—Omaha Amount: $2,000,000
Communications Modernization Project Project Description: System-wide upgrades for emergency communications. Project Location: Otoe County Amount: $2,700,000
Emergency Radio System Improvements Project Description: Equipment upgrades for emergency radio communications interoperability. Project Location: Thayer County Amount: $327,000
Nebraska Online Child Exploitation Prevention Technology Project Project Description: Nebraska State Patrol task force technology upgrades to support investigations for the arrest of child predators. Amount: $176,000
Police Public Safety Equipment Project Description: Public safety equipment upgrades for the Omaha Police Department. Project Location: City of Omaha Amount: $1,000,000
Sheriff’s Office Equipment & Body-Worn Cameras Project Description: Acquisition of equipment, including body-worn cameras, for the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office. Project Location: Lancaster County Amount: $1,200,000
Sheriff’s Office Technology Systems Upgrades Project Description: Equipment and technology upgrades for law enforcement information systems. Project Location: Douglas County Amount: $639,000
Southeast Communications 911 Center Equipment Upgrades Project Description: Emergency communications equipment upgrades at the Southeast Communications 911 Center. Project Location: City of Beatrice Amount: $782,000
Region 26 Communications Center Radio Update Project Description: Equipment upgrades to support fire, rescue, and law enforcement emergency communications. Project Location: Region 26 Council: Thomas, Blaine, Loup, Garfield, Wheeler, Greeley, Valley, and Sherman Counties Amount: $415,000
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)
Congressman Allen Votes to Fund U.S. Military Superiority
Washington, July 18, 2025
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4016, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2026. This legislation serves as the vehicle to provide funding for the Department of Defense (DoD) and funds critical programs regarding national security, military operations abroad, and the health and quality of life for those in the Armed Forces and their families. After voting in support of the bill, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) issued the following statement:
“As I’ve said before, strong national security begins with a strong defense. Not only does this legislation ensure that the Department of Defense is properly funded, but it also sends a clear message to our adversaries that America’s military is fully focused on superiority and lethality. The days of funding DoD programs that distract from our core mission of deterring and destroying the United States’ enemies are long gone. I was proud to support this bill that strengthens our nation on the world stage, provides a pay raise for the men and women in uniform, cuts waste, and keeps American citizens safe. I will urge my colleagues in the Senate to do the same,”said Congressman Allen.
The Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2026:
Champions America’s military superiority by:
Enhancing investments in 5th and 6th generation aircraft.
Allocating approximately $13 billion for missile defense and space programs to augment and integrate in support of the Golden Dome effort.
Supporting our close ally Israel by providing $500 million for the Israeli Cooperative Missile Defense Programs, and $122.5 million for U.S.-Israel cooperative development programs.
Cares for our troops and their families by:
Including an increase of 3.8% in basic pay for all military personnel effective January 1, 2026.
Continuing historic pay increases enacted in Fiscal Year 2025 for junior enlisted servicemembers.
Improving quality of life, readiness, and continuity for servicemembers by slowing permanent change of station moves, saving over $662 million.
Shapes a more efficient and effective Department of Defense by:
Prioritizing fiscal sanity and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse through codifying both the Department’s cooperation with DOGE and streamlined functions and management improvements at the Pentagon.
Requiring detailed reporting on the Department’s proposed allocations and expenditures of reconciliation.
Supports the Trump Administration and mandate from the American people by:
Codifying President Trump’s executive actions to end discriminatory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs by prohibiting funding for DEI efforts and Critical Race Theory.
Amplifying President Trump’s executive action to restore readiness by prohibiting funding for sex-change surgeries.
Advancing prohibitions on funding for abortion-related travel, drag queen shows, and COVID vaccine and mask mandates.
overnor Kathy Hochul today highlighted growing momentum for New York’s implementation of distraction-free schools this fall, as nearly 150 school districts statewide have already submitted their plans for bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions – well in advance of the State’s August 1 deadline. This wave of early submissions came just one week after the New York State Education Department (NYSED) sent a survey prompting school district leaders to send in their district’s distraction-free policy by August 1, in accordance with New York State law. These early submissions also came following Governor Hochul’s launch of a State website for distraction-free schools, which provides a policy FAQ, external informational toolkit and other resources to help districts as they finalize their policy.
“As August 1 approaches, more and more districts across New York are thinking creatively about how to implement a bell-to-bell smartphone restriction policy that works best for their unique school community,” Governor Hochul said. “I encourage all schools to learn from these additional examples and resources on our website to develop a plan suited for their students, teachers and families by the deadline.”
This new requirement will take place in the 2025-26 School Year and applies to all schools in public school districts, as well as charter schools and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES).
Governor Hochul’s cellphone policy creates a statewide standard for distraction-free schools in New York including:
Prohibits unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices on school grounds in K-12 schools for the entire school day (from “bell to bell”), including classroom time and other settings like lunch and study hall periods
Allows schools to develop their own plans for storing smartphones during the day — giving administrators and teachers the flexibility to do what works best for their buildings and students
Secures $13.5 million in funding to be made available for schools that need assistance in purchasing storage solutions to help them go distraction-free
Requires schools to give parents a way to contact their kids during the day when necessary
Requires teachers, parents and students to be consulted in developing the local policy
Prevents inequitable discipline
Governor Hochul’s policy clarifies that students will have authorized access to simple cellphones without internet capability, as well as internet-enabled devices officially provided by their school for classroom instruction, such as laptops or tablets used as part of lesson plans.
Additionally, the Governor’s policy includes several exemptions to smartphone restrictions, including for students who require access to an internet-enabled device to manage a medical condition, where required by a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), for academic purposes or for other legitimate purposes, such as translation, family caregiving and emergencies.
Governor Hochul pursued this initiative after engaging in a statewide listening tour with teachers, parents, and students. Her report “More Learning, Less Scrolling: Creating Distraction-Free Schools” underscores the following:
Smartphones distract students and inhibit learning and creativity
Phone-free environments do not compromise student safety
Phone-free environments support the mental health of students and teachers
Open communication and direct guidance for all stakeholders is key for successful implementation
Schools must address any parent concerns about staying in contact with their children during the day
An effective distraction-free policy must focus on the entire school day, rather than solely on time in the classroom
Schools can strengthen their distraction-free environment by connecting more students with in-person engagement like clubs, sports, arts and other programming
State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “As we near the start of the school year, it is important that school districts find the bell-to-bell implementation plan that works best for their school district, students, and teachers – with the viewpoints of students, parents, teachers, and administrators at the forefront of the discussion. I am pleased to see that so many school districts have already finalized their plans for next year and am optimistic that with the bell-to-bell cell phone policy, students will face fewer distractions and more opportunities.”
State Senator John Liu said, “This wave of early submissions shows just how eager our school districts are to get phones out of the classrooms and back to the basics of a focused, in-person learning environment. Not only is this new statewide standard responsive to the wants and needs of teachers and students for phone-free schools, but it marks a new era for learning and education that puts our kids’ concentration, mental health, and academic achievement first.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mark Alford (Missouri 4th District)
Alford: Our Defense Appropriations Bill is a Commitment to Strength
Washington, July 18, 2025
Today, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4016, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026.
H.R. 4016 funds the Department of Defense with $831.5 Billion to invest in American military superiority, shape a more efficient and effective Department of Defense, protect from threats at America’s border, and take care of our troops and their families.
Watch Congressman Alford’s remarks on the House floor is support of the defense appropriations bill here or by clicking the images above.
“Our defense appropriations bill, H.R. 4016, isn’t just policy—it’s a commitment to strength,”said Congressman Alford. “House Republicans are ensuring our troops are well-equipped and our military remains dominant. We’re prioritizing readiness, providing military personnel with an across-the-board pay raise, investing in the B-21 Raider, and eliminating DEI overreach. Paired with the One Big, Beautiful Bill, we’re making bold investments to confront modern threats head-on.”
Congressman Alford is a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee and represents two military instillations—Fort Leonard Wood and Whiteman Air Force Base—in Missouri’s Fourth District.
Background:
H.R. 4016 champions America’s military superiority by:
Enhancing investments in 5th and 6th generation aircraft including the F-35, F-47, and F/A-XX.
Supporting the modernization of the nuclear triad: the B-21 Raider, the Columbia Class Submarine, and Sentinel.
Targeting resources for unmanned aerial systems, uncrewed maritime platforms, and land-based counter-unmanned aerial systems to advance capabilities and strengthen our national defense.
Investing in national security space, including proliferated missile warning, missile tracking satellite, and next generation intelligence collection systems to ensure national leaders have real-time global situational awareness.
Allocating approximately $13 billion for missile defense and space programs to augment and integrate in support of the Golden Dome effort.
Providing over $2.6 billion for hypersonics programs.
Reversing the “divest to invest” trend by preserving F-15s and U-2s while investing in next-generation fighters and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems.
Continuing to prioritize innovation through over $1.3 billion combined for the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT), and Office of Strategic Capital (OSC).
Supporting our close ally Israel by providing $500 million for the Israeli Cooperative Missile Defense Programs, and $122.5 million for U.S.-Israel cooperative development programs.
H.R. 4016 cares for our troops and their families by:
Including an increase of 3.8% in basic pay for all military personnel effective January 1, 2026.
Continuing historic pay increases enacted in Fiscal Year 2025 for junior enlisted servicemembers.
Improving quality of life, readiness, and continuity for servicemembers by slowing permanent change of station moves, saving over $662 million.
H.R. 4016 shapes a more efficient and effective Department of Defense by:
Reducing $6.5 billion and almost 45,000 civilian full-time equivalents to capture Workforce Acceleration and Recapitalization Initiative efforts.
Prioritizing fiscal sanity and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse through codifying both the Department’s cooperation with DOGE and streamlined functions and management improvements at the Pentagon.
Requiring detailed reporting on the Department’s proposed allocations and expenditures of reconciliation.
H.R. 4016 combats international actors who facilitate drug trafficking and manufacturing by:
Providing $1.15 billion for counter drug programs, which is $245 million above the budget request.
Increasing funding for the National Guard Counterdrug Program.
Transferring Mexico from U.S. Northern Command’s jurisdiction to U.S. Southern Command for better coordination and prioritization.
H.R. 4016 supports the Trump Administration and mandate of the American people by:
Codifying President Trump’s executive actions to end discriminatory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs by prohibiting funding for DEI efforts and Critical Race Theory.
Backing President Trump’s executive action to restore free speech by prohibiting funding for federal government censorship.
Amplifying President Trump’s executive action to restore readiness by prohibiting funding for sex-change surgeries.
Reinforcing President Trump’s executive action on withdrawing funding from United Nations organizations acting contrary to U.S. interests by prohibiting funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.
Continuing the prohibition on funding for any discriminatory action against individuals advocating for traditional marriage.
Advancing prohibitions on funding for abortion-related travel, drag queen shows, and COVID vaccine and mask mandates.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Becca Balint (VT-AL)
Rep. Becca Balint Slams Republican $9 Billion Federal Funding Clawback
Washington, July 18, 2025
Washington, D.C. – Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) released the following statement on the passage of the rescissions package, which slashes $7.9 billion from international development and humanitarian programs, and $1.1 billion from public media.
“This rescissions package is a betrayal of working families, especially in rural communities like Vermont,” said Rep. Balint. “Millions of Americans rely on our public broadcasting system for free and factual news coverage and programming, including lifesaving emergency alerts. This is clearly not about cost-cutting, as Republicans just voted for huge tax cuts for billionaires. It’s about prioritizing the ultra-rich and leaving rural communities vulnerable.”
These cuts would continue the reckless agenda started by Elon Musk and weaken the United States’ power around the world. This terrible bill comes on the heels of Republicans’ cuts to Medicaid and food assistance—all to fund tax cuts for billionaires.
This Republican package hurts hardworking American families by:
Harming millions of preschool-age kids (and their families) that currently benefit from PBS Kids children’s educational programs, such as Sesame Street or Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, that improve children’s literacy and math skills.
Terminating $1.1 billion in funding for public television and public radio, including funding that is allocated directly to more than 1,500 locally-owned public television or public radio stations.
Vermont stations received more than $2 million from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in Fiscal Year 2024.
Hurting rural communities, as locally-owned public television stations and public radio stations are often the only trusted and reliable news source available, as well as the only coverage of local high school sports.
Threatening public safety and disaster response, as public television and public radio provide emergency alerts even when other communications systems go down.
Cutting global health programs and undermining America’s global leadership and security.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Becca Balint (VT-AL)
House Votes to Fund Vermont Small Business, MVP Robotics, Contract with Department of Defense
Washington, July 18, 2025
Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL)’s amendment to include a $10,000,000 Department of Defense contract with a Vermont small business, MVP Robotics, in the appropriations bill passed today. MVP Robotics is headquartered in Bradford, VT and employs 23 people across Vermont and New Hampshire. The passage of Rep. Balint’s amendment will bring major growth to an emerging technology company. MVP Robotics dual use technology was developed for sports teams and military training.
“It is critical our small businesses have growth opportunities to bring jobs to and grow innovation in Vermont,” said Rep. Balint. “And since its founding MVP Robotics has been on the cutting edge of our state’s technology industry. I’m thrilled to have secured this amendment in the larger Department of Defense spending bill to continue to support our state’s culture of innovation and the strength of our small businesses.”
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China strengthens supersize market, investment hub position with high-standard opening up in 14th Five-Year Plan period
BEIJING, July 18 — China has made significant progress on key tasks related to consumption, foreign trade and investment cooperation in the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025). These achievements are expected to continue to inject momentum into global economic growth.
At a press conference held in Beijing on Friday, senior commerce ministry officials highlighted that China has further solidified its position as the world’s second-largest consumption market and biggest goods trader.
“The vast Chinese market has become a shared market for the world and will surely continue to be the source of growth and vitality for the world economy,” said Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao at the press conference.
The country has also worked to improve the business environment for foreign-funded enterprises during the period, with many multi-nationals saying that China is an “ideal, safe and promising” destination for cross-border investment.
Despite facing challenges from rising unilateralism and protectionism, the officials shared their vision for the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), revealing that China will seek to strengthen international cooperation, increase the resilience of trade and strive to build an international trade pattern, featuring openness, cooperation, common development, and mutual benefits and win-win results.
SUPERSIZED CONSUMPTION MARKET
According to Wang, the commerce minister, China’s supersized consumption market has expanded during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, reinforcing the nation’s position as the second-largest consumer market globally.
With an average annual growth rate of 5.5 percent in the retail sales of consumer goods since 2021 in China, consumption has contributed around 60 percent on average annually to the nation’s economic growth over the past four years, Wang said, who forecast the sales to top 50 trillion yuan (about 7 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2025.
In terms of absolute value, he revealed, China’s retail sales of consumer goods are about 80 percent of those in the United States. However, in terms of real purchasing power, the nation’s retail sales of consumer goods have surpassed those in the United States, Wang said, citing World Bank data and calculations.
In illustrating the huge potential of the Chinese consumption market, the minister said that China has ranked top in terms of online retail sales for 12 consecutive years. China has also been the world’s biggest consumption market for cars and home appliances such as air conditioners and washing machines.
“China has a population of 1.4 billion. Any product, if multiplied by 1.4 billion, means definitely a supersize market,” Wang said, adding that measures will be taken to boost services consumption, which has grown at a much faster rate compared to the consumption of goods.
“The characteristics of China’s consumption market, which feature great potential, strong resilience and abundant vitality, have not changed,” he said, saying that the ministry will introduce targeted measures in light of the changing times and circumstances to further stimulate goods consumption and tap the potential of service consumption in the next five years.
IDEAL INVESTMENT HUB
Data from the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) indicates that as of the end of June this year, China’s actual use of foreign direct investment during the 14th Five-Year Plan period had reached a cumulative total of 708.73 billion U.S. dollars. This figure meant the country has achieved the 700 billion U.S. dollar investment attraction target ahead of schedule.
Demonstrating confidence in investing in China’s investment climate, 229,000 new foreign-funded enterprises were established during the period in the country, an increase of 25,000 compared with the 13th Five-Year Plan period. “Foreign-funded enterprises have contributed one third of China’s imports and exports, one fourth of its industrial added value and one seventh of its tax revenue, and have created over 30 million jobs, making significant contributions to China’s economic and social development,” Vice Minister of Commerce Ling Ji said.
Ling revealed at the press conference that foreign investors have increased their allocations in China’s high-tech sectors compared with 2020, with many multinational companies establishing regional headquarters and global R&D centers in China.
To create a favorable environment for foreign investment, China has expanded opening up by lifting restrictions on foreign investment in the manufacturing industry across the country, Ling said.
Additionally, the country has improved its market and policy environment by implementing various measures with regard to government procurement, intellectual property protection, cross-border data flow and fiscal and tax incentives. Since 2023, the MOC has held over 30 roundtable meetings for foreign-funded enterprises, helping resolve more than 1,500 various demands raised by foreign-funded enterprises, he said.
“Investing in China is investing in the future. We hope that the vast number of foreign-funded enterprises can achieve greater development in the process of China’s modernization,” Ling said.
WIN-WIN RESULTS THROUGH COOPERATION
During the past several years, economic globalization faced headwinds, with unilateralism and protectionism on the rise, causing significant disruptions to the international economic order and governance system. Despite these challenges, China has firmly upheld the multilateral trading system by promoting both multilateral cooperation and regional cooperation, vice commerce minister Li Chenggang said at the press conference.
Throughout this period, China’s trading partners have become more diverse. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has remained China’s largest trading partner for five consecutive years. In 2024, the proportion of China’s trade with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative has exceeded 50 percent of its total trade, MOC data showed.
“We are a major trading partner of over 150 countries and regions. We not only provide high-quality products and services to the world, but also ensure the resilience and stability of the global industrial and supply chains,” Wang said, who stressed that the huge Chinese market is also a shared market for the world.
From 2021 to 2024, China imported goods worth 7.4 trillion yuan, MOC data showed. Wang said that from the perspective of imports, the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong accounted for approximately 13.3 percent of world’s total goods imports, very close to the 13.6 percent share taken by the United States, quoting data from the World Trade Organization.
Responding to a journalist’s question about China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation, Wang said that despite the ups and downs in China-U.S. economic and trade relations, the two sides have remained important partners to each other in trade and investment. “In 2024, the trade volume of goods between China and the United States was 688.3 billion U.S. dollars, and the trade volume of services was 155.8 billion U.S. dollars. Both figures increased by 18 percent and 34.7 percent, respectively, compared with 2017.”
Wang said that it is inevitable that there will be differences and frictions in China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation, but this is a normal situation and that dialogues and consultations are the best choice to solve problems.
Wang said China is willing to work with the United States, based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, to continue to strengthen dialogues and communications, enhance consensus and reduce misunderstandings, and jointly promote the China-U.S. economic and trade relations back to the right track and achieve healthy, stable and sustainable development.
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
HAMMOND- Deyon Washington, 45 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession a firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.
Washington was sentenced to 51 months in prison followed by 24 months of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on September 11, 2021, Deyon Washington was a passenger in vehicle that was pulled over in Valparaiso, Indiana. During a search of the vehicle, law enforcement recovered a loaded pistol with an extended magazine attached to it. Washington’s criminal history revealed he was previously felony convicted for armed robbery in 2001 and 2002, which were felonies that disqualified him from possessing any firearm or ammunition.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Toth.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
HAMMOND- Isaiah Castro, 23 years old, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.
Castro was sentenced to 60 months in prison followed by 24 months of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on April 16, 2024, Isaiah Castro distributed pills containing fentanyl while possessing a firearm. A search warrant resulted in the recovery of the firearm. Law enforcement also recovered another firearm with an extended magazine, firearm magazines, ammunition, and cash. Castro was previously convicted of resisting law enforcement and was on probation at the time.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin M. Padula.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
At the beginning of the month, I had the opportunity to represent the Law Library at the annual American Library Association (ALA) conference that took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this year. It was my first year attending the ALA conference, and it was a sight to behold. From all exhibitors, whether publishing houses, universities offering MLIS degrees, or the Library of Congress pavilion, where I spent the majority of my time, there was something for everyone.
Library of Congress staff with former Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden, at the LOC Pavilion at ALA.
As a representative of the Law Library at the Library of Congress pavilion, I answered questions about the services the Law Library offers and highlighted the work that the Library of Congress continues to provide to the public while communicating with attendees. Additionally, I had the opportunity to be present when former Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden, stopped by to greet attendees as well as engage with our acting Librarian of Congress, Robert Newlen, who previously worked in the Law Library. As an employee in the Office of External Relations within the Law Library, the most fulfilling part of my time at the conference was being able to speak with other librarians about the services of the Library of Congress while also networking with other industry professionals, some even being colleagues from other service units in the Library of Congress that I do not get to interact with on a day to day basis.
There was also time to explore the city of brotherly love, which was exciting. On my walk to the famous Rocky statue, I stumbled upon another famous statue. A cast of the 1902-1904 version of The Thinker by the sculptor Auguste Rodin greets attendees at the entrance of the Rodin Museum, which was installed at the opening of the museum in 1929.
The Thinker at the entrance of the Rodin Museum in Center City, Philadelphia. Picture courtesy of Taylor Gulatsi.One of the two Rocky statues is at the top of the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Picture courtesy of Taylor Gulatsi.
I was not the only staff member from the Law Library in attendance at ALA; my colleague Sarah was in attendance and was happy to share her thoughts regarding her experience at the conference:
ALA was a great opportunity to hear from librarians from across the country who are working in all different types of libraries. I enjoyed attending sessions about tips for better serving library patrons, connecting with librarians around the world, preserving collections, and sharing historical information. Like Taylor, I took the opportunity to do some sightseeing as well, visiting the Liberty Bell, Old City Hall (home to the Supreme Court in the 1790s), and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
The Liberty Bell, picture courtesy of Sarah Friedman.
Did you attend ALA? If so, what was one of your favorite parts of the conference?
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Community research can improve health outcomes and advance science, but it takes work to build trust, streamline administrative processes, align priorities, and build partnership equity.
On May 30, UConn faculty researchers and community partners gathered at the UConn Library in downtown Hartford for a panel discussion and afternoon of networking. UConn’s Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy’s (InCHIP) Community Engagement Core and Office of the Provost’s Office of Outreach and Engagement organized the event to provide attendees a space to connect, explore potential research collaborations, and learn more about community needs.
Attendees gather around a table during the networking portion of InCHIP’s Community Engagement Research Core event (Danielle Faipler/UConn Photo)
InCHIP’s Community Engagement Core was originally established in 2017 to facilitate community research partnerships to promote innovative solutions to pressing health challenges affecting Connecticut communities. Kim Gans, professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, and Kristen Cooksey Stowers, assistant professor in the Department of Allied Health Sciences, co-chair the core’s steering committee.
“This gathering was an opportunity for community organizations and UConn researchers to reconnect, explore collaborations for community-engaged research, and discuss ways that InCHIP and academic research partnerships can better serve communities,” says InCHIP Associate Director Caitlin Caspi.
The panel discussion focused on strengthening community research partnerships. The panelists included: Cooksey Stowers; Beth Russell, associate professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, and co-Director of the Collaboratory for School and Child Health; Linda K. Barry, professor in the Department of Surgery and Department of Public Health Sciences at UConn Health, and associate director at the UConn Health Disparities Institute; Brittney Cavaliere, senior director of strategy at Connecticut Foodshare; and Sofia Segura-Perez, chief program officer at the Hispanic Health Council.
Each panelist has extensive experience in community-engaged research.
Community-engaged research refers to a collaborative approach in which researchers and community stakeholders work as equal partners to develop solutions to complex challenges. This paradigm can deepen existing connections and create new partnerships that produce meaningful, culturally appropriate interventions to improve health outcomes.
Building Relationships Through Trust and Respect
Traditional, top-down approaches to research have not always considered a community’s needs in research design or shared findings with the community.
Linda Barry, professor in the Department of Surgery and Department of Public Health Sciences at UConn Health (Danielle Faipler/UConn Photo)
“Some communities may feel that previous research collaborators treated their needs as an afterthought, and they’re distrustful of the ivory tower. In working with communities, it’s important to engage the community as a real partner, and that if you can make them a co-principal investigator on a grant, it shows respect and can translate to a longitudinal partnership,” said Barry.
Barry also emphasized the importance of maintaining connections after a grant ends.
“Sometimes I think researchers should be creating relationships just because. Not for now, but for later. And then, when you have a partnership, don’t let it go after the grant ends. Show that you’re invested in the organization’s long-term success, because they often feel like they’re not recognized as bringing something valuable to the table,” said Barry.
Sofia Segura-Perez, chief program officer at the Hispanic Health Council (Danielle Faipler/UConn Photo)
For Segura-Perez, listening to community partners and being flexible can foster the respect and trust that are vital to sustaining research partnerships.
“Starting a strong partnership with the community in the beginning is very important and shows respect for that community. Community partners can provide insights into more effective ways to engage with a community. Both researchers and community partners should have frank conversations about their expectations, be flexible and listen to one another,” said Segura-Perez.
Clear Communication Sustains Relationships
Russell, who also directs the Center for Applied Research in Human Development, emphasized the value of clear communication.
Beth Russell, associate professor of human development and family sciences (Danielle Faipler/UConn Photo)
“Being honest about timelines and boundaries will help researchers and partners navigate barriers that come up and can help achieve multiple goals. Sustaining community partnerships relies on very honest communication,” said Russell.
Open communication can also help resolve conflicts, allowing research to progress.
“There can be unnecessary red tape that makes day-to-day work tough. Small decisions can have big impacts when it comes to doing community research,” says Cooksey Stowers. “My lab has been advocating for citizen research, and it can be difficult making sure community partners have everything they need to do their work. When roadblocks happen, we approach them with grace and patience.”
Her team partnered with Connecticut Foodshare to better understand residents’ experience of food insecurity and food assistance usage, ensuring data collection methods inform programs and services that expand food access.
“Everyone on my team has a master’s in public health, and we can design a program evaluation and carry it out, but at the end of the day, we are not researchers, and we needed support to conduct a statewide survey,” said Cavaliere. “We wanted to ensure the survey responses were representative of neighbors visiting food pantries across the state, and partnering with Kristen’s team is helping us reach that goal.”
Putting Lessons into Practice
These points resonated with attendees.
Xiang (Peter) Chen, associate professor of geography, sustainability, community, and urban studies (Danielle Faipler/UConn Photo)
“People have research needs, but a community organization’s goals may differ from their research partners’ goals. It’s important to understand what your partners’ goals are so you can use your data to improve services or infrastructure. Without these kinds of conversations, those goals may not be achieved,” says Xiang (Peter) Chen, an associate professor in the Department of Geography, Sustainability, Community, and Urban Studies.
Chen’s research leverages geographic information systems (GIS), spatial modeling, and mobility tracking to create more equitable environments and systems that support the health of underserved populations.
Kathleen Holgerson, interim Associate Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion at UConn, agreed that community collaborators should be involved in project design, and that these efforts can forge stronger relationships.
“It’s important to value this work and community relationships from the beginning. Oftentimes, it may seem like folks from higher education are entering the community to do things for it as opposed to working in partnership with it. I’m appreciative to InCHIP for holding this event,” says Holgerson, who previously directed the UConn Women’s Center.
In addition to faculty members, attendees from community-based organizations found the event valuable and plan to implement what they learned.
“This event was truly valuable to attend. I’m looking forward to bringing back many insights to the office that will help us expand our efforts and strengthen our impact within the community,” said Dionne Quenah, program manager at Connecticut Children’s Office of Community Child Health.
The core plans to hold similar events in the future to support networking opportunities and strengthen collaborations between researchers and community partners.
Seattle – An Army veteran who illegally possessed high powered firearms was sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Seattle to two years in prison, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Kyle Christopher Benton, 29, was arrested in September 2024, following an investigation of his activities both online and in person involving high-powered weapons. Benton possessed both unregistered, short barrel rifles and machineguns, weapons capable of firing multiple rounds with a single trigger pull. Moreover, he used these weapons to further his standing with various racially or ethnically motivated violent extremist groups and groups espousing white supremacy.
At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Tana Lin said, “You not only illegally possessed extremely dangerous firearms, but you bragged about it and put on firearms trainings for others while doing so.”
According to records filed in the case, Benton was investigated by the FBI after he was discharged from the United States Army and after he threatened to kill his wife. The investigation revealed Benton operated multiple social media accounts where he posted violent extremist content, neo-Nazi propaganda, and anti-Semitic materials. But it was not just online activity. Benton participated in “hate rallies” and other gatherings located in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho in furtherance of his white supremacist views. Drawing upon his military training and veteran status, he led workshops about firearms for various white supremacy groups.
On September 6, 2024, law enforcement executed a court authorized search warrant at Benton’s Snohomish home and seized a firearm resembling an M16 rifle that fired in a fully automatic fashion. They also seized an uninstalled drop-in auto sear (which makes a gun fire like a machinegun) and two rifles with overall barrel lengths of less than 16 inches. Such guns must be registered under the National Firearms Act.
On March 28, 2025, Benton pleaded guilty to Unlawful Possession of a Machinegun, and Possession of an Unregistered Firearm.
In asking for a 30-month sentence Assistant United States Attorney Brian Wynne wrote to the court, “while Benton was in possession of these weapons, he was actively engaged with groups encouraging racially or ethnically motivated violence and white supremacy. Benton
used the firearms along with his military experience to establish himself within the groups. While engaged with these groups he put on workshops about firearms and held tactical trainings for group members.”
In his letter to the court, Benton now disavows his white supremacist views.
The case was investigated by the FBI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brian J. Wynne.
Saskatoon, SK., July 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO) (CSE: DPRO) (FSE: 3U8A) (“Draganfly” or the “Company”), an award-winning developer of drone solutions, software, and robotics, today announced that it has entered into a securities purchase agreement with several institutional investors to purchase 4,672,895 units of the Company (the “Units”), at a price of US$5.35 per Unit, for gross proceeds of approximately US$25.0 million, before deducting placement agent discounts and offering expenses (the “Offering”).
Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a “Common Share”) and one common share purchase warrant (each, a “Warrant”). The Warrants will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of CA$7.3579 (the Canadian dollar equivalent of US$5.35) per Common Share, are exercisable immediately and will expire five years following the date of issuance.
Maxim Group LLC is acting as sole placement agent for the Offering.
Draganfly currently intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for general corporate purposes, including to fund its capabilities to meet demand for its new products including growth initiatives and/or for working capital requirements including the continuing development and marketing of the Company’s core products, potential acquisitions and research and development. The Offering is expected to close on or about July 21, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
The Offering is subject to customary closing conditions including receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange and notification to the Nasdaq Stock Market.
The Offering is being made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form F-10, as amended, (File No. 333-271498) previously filed with and subsequently declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on July 5, 2023 and the Company’s Canadian short form base shelf prospectus dated June 30, 2023 (the “Base Shelf Prospectus”). Draganfly will offer and sell the securities in the United States only. No securities will be offered or sold to Canadian purchasers.
A prospectus supplement and accompanying Base Shelf Prospectus relating to the Offering and describing the terms thereof will be filed with the applicable securities commissions in Canada and with the SEC in the United States and will be available for free by visiting the Company’s profiles on the SEDAR+ website maintained by the Canadian Securities Administrators at www.sedarplus.ca or the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, as applicable. Copies of the prospectus supplement and accompanying Base Shelf Prospectus relating to the Offering may be obtained, when available, by contacting Maxim Group LLC, at 300 Park Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10022, Attention: Syndicate Department, or by telephone at (212) 895-3745 or by email at syndicate@maximgrp.com.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.
About Draganfly
Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO; CSE: DPRO; FSE: 3U8A) is a pioneer in drone solutions, AI-driven software, and robotics. With over 25 years of innovation, Draganfly has been at the forefront of drone technology, providing solutions for public safety, agriculture, industrial inspections, security, mapping, and surveying. The Company is committed to delivering efficient, reliable, and industry-leading technology that helps organizations save time, money, and lives.
Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements, based as they are on the current expectations of management, inherently involve numerous important risks, uncertainties and assumptions, known and unknown. In this news release, such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the timing, size and expected gross proceeds of the Offering, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the Offering and sale of securities, the intended use of proceeds, and Draganfly’s ability to complete the Offering. Closing of the Offering is subject to numerous factors, many of which are beyond Draganfly’s control, including but not limited to, the failure of the parties to satisfy certain closing conditions, and other important factors disclosed previously and from time to time in Draganfly’s filings with the securities regulatory authorities in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Ontario and Saskatchewan and with the SEC. Actual future events may differ from the anticipated events expressed in such forward-looking statements. Draganfly believes that expectations represented by forward-looking statements are reasonable, yet there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The reader should not place undue reliance, if any, on any forward-looking statements included in this news release. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and Draganfly is under no obligation and disavows any intention to update publicly or revise such statements as a result of any new information, future event, circumstances or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned not to unduly rely on these forward-looking statements and are encouraged to read the Offering documents, as well as Draganfly’s continuous disclosure documents, including its current annual information form, as well as its audited annual consolidated financial statements which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.
Seeking to expand Florida’s role in federal immigration enforcement, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in May 2025 submitted the state’s Immigration Enforcement Operations Plan to the Trump administration.
The plan, endorsed by President Donald Trump, says all of Florida’s roughly 47,000 law enforcement officers have received, or soon will receive, training to act as immigration officers. It’s part of an effort to, as the plan notes, “maintain state-led border security operations in the absence of federal support.”
The DeSantis plan includes a proposal to deputize Florida’s nine National Guard Judge Advocate General’s Corps officers to serve as immigration judges. JAG officers are attorneys who serve as legal advisers, prosecutors, defense counsel and military judges in a wide range of matters specific to the armed forces. That includes courts-martial and civil matters involving the military.
In general, a U.S. noncitizen may face removal from the country based on violations to the immigration laws. Those range from unauthorized entry to committing or being convicted of certain crimes.
Congress designated the Executive Office for Immigration Review, an agency within the Department of Justice that houses the immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals, as the body exclusively responsible for deciding immigration removal cases. The office also details the authority and standards for how immigration judges conduct deportation hearings.
The McCarran-Walter Act also contains several provisions that subject most immigration court decisions such as removal or asylum to judicial review in federal courts. That can happen on direct appeal or as part of habeas corpus petitions that challenge the legality of detention or removal.
The system is far from perfect. But Congress designed it to ensure legal expertise and due process guarantees.
As an immigration scholar, I believe that allowing Florida JAG officers to serve as immigration judges bypasses this framework that is set in law, and violates the constitutionally mandated separation of powers.
JAG officers, including those in Florida’s National Guard, are not governed by the McCarran-Walter Act. They are military lawyers in an entirely separate system, overseen by the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which defines the role of military judges. The code retains a unique military character that is substantially different from the judicial appellate system that governs immigration administrative rulings.
Simply put, neither Trump nor DeSantis can create an entirely new system of immigration judges outside of the one already established by Congress.
Federal agencies cannot deputize JAGs
A current immigration provision, known as the 287(g) program, authorizes U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to collaborate with local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws.
But this provision only authorizes deputizing local law enforcement to assist “in relation to the investigation, apprehension, or detention” of immigrants – not the arbitration of deportation cases.
In the nearly three decades since 287(g) was enacted, no state or local officials – let alone military officers – have been permitted to act as immigration judges.
DeSantis’ plan seeks to convert Florida’s JAG officers from state to federal officials to function as immigration judges. Trump’s approval of this plan would also exceed the scope of his statutory authority.
An aerial view of the migrant detention center in Ochopee, Florida on July 4, 2025. Alon Skuy/Getty Images
JAGs cannot engage in domestic law enforcement
Even if Florida’s National Guard were federalized, JAG officers still could not legally serve as immigration judges.
The Posse Comitatus Act, enacted in 1878, restricts the use of federal military personal in civilian law enforcement. It reflects a longstanding American principle: The military should not police civilians.
Immigration enforcement – including deciding whether someone is deported – is fundamentally a civilian enforcement function.
The only narrow exceptions to the Posse Comitatus Act’s restrictions require a clear statutory basis, such as Trump invoking the Insurrection Act of 1807, a law that would allow the president to rely on the military for domestic enforcement to quell a rebellion or widespread violence.
Due process concerns
The DeSantis plan also compromises constitutionally guaranteed rights to a fair process for immigrants facing removal.
JAG officers, trained primarily in military law, would face immense challenges interpreting and applying immigration statutes. That’s especially true with only weeks of preparation, as DeSantis proposes.
But due process isn’t only about knowledge of legal technicalities. The Fifth Amendment guarantees due process rights to all persons on U.S. soil, regardless of immigration status.
By circumventing established procedures, DeSantis’ plan risks creating a system where expedited deportations come at the expense of accuracy and constitutional rights.
Raquel Aldana does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
WASHINGTON —Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) released the following statement after he supported the passage of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 4, theRescissions Act of 2025, to codify the Trump Administration’s rescissions request:
“America has been on the wrong track for too long, spending money we don’t have on programs that don’t deliver results for hardworking families. Thankfully, the Trump Administration is taking our national debt crisis seriously and has laid the roadmap for robust, necessary, and commonsense reforms to bring accountability back to Washington. This legislation represents a crucial first step toward fiscal sanity, and I’m proud to stand with President Trump and my Republican colleagues in getting America’s financial house back in order.”
This legislation would rescind $9 billion in unnecessary funding appropriated in FY24 and FY25 from programs in the State Department and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).
WASHINGTON —Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) released the following statement after voting in support of H.R. 4016, theDepartment of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026:
“Following four years of weakness and appeasement, our nation’s military is leading once again on the world stage with peace through strength. This year’s defense appropriations bill builds on this restoration by bolstering our national security, advancing our hypersonic capabilities, and hardening our cyber defenses. I was proud to support this bill for our Armed Forces and our national security.”
Over 20 provisions from Luttrell were included in the House version of the bill, which provided the following funding:
$40.5 million for post-traumatic stress disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) research.
$575 million for cybersecurity operations and cybersecurity for weapon systems.
$520 million for childcare centers for our military families.
$300 million for drone and counter-drone technologies.
$100 million for advancements in military equipment technologies.
$55 million for intelligence collection in the Indo-Pacific.
$10.5 million for increased development of hypersonic missiles. This builds on additional funding Luttrell secured in H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and supports research and development activities in Texas.
$9.85 million for PTSD treatment for service members.
$7.5 million for advancing space-based technologies.
Louisville, Colorado, July 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CEA Industries Inc. (NASDAQ: VAPE) (“CEA Industries” or the “Company”), owner of Central Canada’s largest independent vape retailer and vertically integrated manufacturer, Fat Panda Ltd., today issued a statement applauding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) decision to authorize JUUL e-cigarette products for sale in the United States.
The announcement follows the FDA’s reversal of its 2022 federal ban, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of the U.S. nicotine market and underscoring the agency’s recognition of e-cigarettes as a less-harmful alternative for adult cigarette smokers.
“We applaud the FDA’s decision to authorize JUUL products for U.S. sale,” said Tony McDonald, Chairman and CEO of CEA Industries. “This milestone represents a critical step toward establishing a regulated and transparent U.S. marketplace for nicotine vape products. We view the FDA’s action as a sign of growing recognition of science-backed alternatives for smokers, and we are optimistic that it will create opportunities for CEA Industries to participate in the U.S. nicotine vape market over the long-term.”
CEA Industries believes the FDA’s authorization of JUUL sets an important precedent for product validation and regulatory clarity across the e-cigarette industry. The Company sees this development as paving the way for broader participation in the U.S. market under a more defined and predictable regulatory framework.
About CEA Industries Inc.
CEA Industries Inc. (NASDAQ: VAPE) is a growth-oriented company focused on building category-leading businesses in regulated consumer markets. With a focus on the high-growth, Canadian nicotine vape industry, one of the fastest-expanding segments of the global nicotine market, CEA Industries targets scalable operators with strong regulatory alignment, defensible market share, and high-margin business models. The Company provides capital, operational expertise, and strategic resources to accelerate retail expansion, strengthen e-commerce infrastructure, and drive long-term value creation in performance-driven sectors. For more information, visit www.ceaindustries.com.
New York City, NY, July 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Earlier, Trump said on the social media platform Truth Social: “Happy Cryptocurrency Week! The House of Representatives will soon vote on a major bill that will make the United States the undisputed number one leader in the field of digital assets-no one can match it!”
He also called the “Genius Act” “significant” and said that the bill will make the United States “light years ahead of China, Europe and all other countries” and demanded that “all Republicans should vote in favor!”
For the bill that has been passed, the sharp rise in cryptocurrency, LET Mining has increased the daily income of cloud mining contracts, and can be opened with XRP, BTC, SOL, DOGE, USDC and other cryptocurrencies, allowing users to participate in platform cloud mining to get more benefits.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Paul Tonko (Capital Region New York)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Paul D. Tonko released a statement following the House vote on President Trump’s Rescissions package, which claws back $9 billion in funding for public broadcasting and foreign aid that was already approved by Congress.
“Instead of addressing the rising cost of living or making life better for working Americans, Trump is using his power to go after Elmo and Big Bird.
“Public, independent broadcasting is essential to any democracy, providing critical access to information, educational programming, and updates and emergency alerts. This bill doesn’t just target national NPR or PBS. By law, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting sends over 70% of its funding to local stations. These cuts directly threaten those stations, their communities, and the trusted local journalism and programming they deliver. And international aid delivered by the U.S. has saved tens of millions of lives, addressing hunger, defending human rights, and addressing global health crisis.
“I’ve heard from thousands of constituents — hardworking American taxpayers — calling to demand these essential programs keep this funding, which was already agreed upon and approved by both Democrats and Republicans in Congress.
“But President Trump would rather pursue his personal, petty vendettas than do anything to make life better or more affordable for working families. While Republicans once again kowtowed to the President’s demands, I won’t stop working to defend and uphold these programs that serve my constituents, our nation, and our planet.”
LA federal judge on Friday could deal another blow to President Donald Trump’s attempts to limit birthright citizenship, even though a U.S. Supreme Court decision last month made it more difficult for lower courts to block White House directives.
A group of Democratic attorneys general
from 18 states and the District of Columbia will urge U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin at a hearing in Boston at 10 a.m. ET Friday to maintain an injunction he imposed in February that blocked Trump’s executive order nationwide.
The order directs U.S. agencies to refuse to recognize the citizenship of children born in the United States after February 19 if neither their mother nor father is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
The states’ case is back in Sorokin’s courtroom so he can assess the impact of the Supreme Court’s landmark June 27th decision. In that 6-3 ruling authored by conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the court directed lower court judges like Sorokin that had blocked Trump’s policy to reconsider the scope of their orders.
Rather than address the legality of Trump’s executive order, the justices used the case to discourage nationwide, or “universal,” injunctions — in which a single district court judge can block enforcement of a federal policy across the country.
COMPLETE RELIEF
But the court raised the possibility that universal injunctions are still permissible in certain circumstances, including class actions, in which similarly situated people sue as a group, or if they are the only way to provide “complete relief” to litigants in a particular lawsuit.
Friday’s hearing will shed light on how lower courts plan to address what providing complete relief entails, said George Washington University law professor Paul Schiff Berman.
“One of the questions the Supreme Court left open in its nationwide injunction decision is whether states can assert claims on behalf of their citizens and, if so, whether a large-scale injunction would then be necessary to vindicate the rights of large numbers of citizens from large numbers of states,” Berman said.
Spokespersons for the White House and the attorneys general did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A ruling from Sorokin, an appointee of Democratic President Barack Obama, in favor of the states would be the second blow to Trump’s executive order this month. On July 10 at a hearing in New Hampshire, U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante, an appointee of Republican president George W. Bush, issued a nationwide injunction blocking Trump’s order after he found that children whose citizenship status would be threatened by it could pursue their lawsuit as a class action.
The Democratic-led states, backed by immigrant rights groups, argue the White House directive violated a right enshrined in the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment that guarantees that virtually anyone born in the United States is a citizen.
They have argued that, if the executive order is allowed to take effect, it would wreak havoc on the administration of federal benefits programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by making it difficult to verify eligibility.
They also argue that, because children often move across state lines or are born outside their parents’ state of residence, a “patchwork” of injunctions would be unworkable.
“Families are likely to be confused if federal benefits eligibility — let alone U.S. citizenship — differs by State,” the states wrote in a July 15 court filing.
They have urged Sorokin to double down on his February injunction, saying in the court filing that the Supreme Court decision has no bearing on the case before him.
“This Court correctly remedied the States’ injuries via a nationwide injunction, based on the same complete-relief principle that the Supreme Court recently recognized and endorsed,” the brief argued.
The Justice Department has countered that Sorokin’s injunction from February was “clearly overbroad and inappropriate.”
In a July 8 court filing, the department argued that individuals are best situated to litigate their own citizenship status.
LA federal judge on Friday could deal another blow to President Donald Trump’s attempts to limit birthright citizenship, even though a U.S. Supreme Court decision last month made it more difficult for lower courts to block White House directives.
A group of Democratic attorneys general
from 18 states and the District of Columbia will urge U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin at a hearing in Boston at 10 a.m. ET Friday to maintain an injunction he imposed in February that blocked Trump’s executive order nationwide.
The order directs U.S. agencies to refuse to recognize the citizenship of children born in the United States after February 19 if neither their mother nor father is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
The states’ case is back in Sorokin’s courtroom so he can assess the impact of the Supreme Court’s landmark June 27th decision. In that 6-3 ruling authored by conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the court directed lower court judges like Sorokin that had blocked Trump’s policy to reconsider the scope of their orders.
Rather than address the legality of Trump’s executive order, the justices used the case to discourage nationwide, or “universal,” injunctions — in which a single district court judge can block enforcement of a federal policy across the country.
COMPLETE RELIEF
But the court raised the possibility that universal injunctions are still permissible in certain circumstances, including class actions, in which similarly situated people sue as a group, or if they are the only way to provide “complete relief” to litigants in a particular lawsuit.
Friday’s hearing will shed light on how lower courts plan to address what providing complete relief entails, said George Washington University law professor Paul Schiff Berman.
“One of the questions the Supreme Court left open in its nationwide injunction decision is whether states can assert claims on behalf of their citizens and, if so, whether a large-scale injunction would then be necessary to vindicate the rights of large numbers of citizens from large numbers of states,” Berman said.
Spokespersons for the White House and the attorneys general did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A ruling from Sorokin, an appointee of Democratic President Barack Obama, in favor of the states would be the second blow to Trump’s executive order this month. On July 10 at a hearing in New Hampshire, U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante, an appointee of Republican president George W. Bush, issued a nationwide injunction blocking Trump’s order after he found that children whose citizenship status would be threatened by it could pursue their lawsuit as a class action.
The Democratic-led states, backed by immigrant rights groups, argue the White House directive violated a right enshrined in the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment that guarantees that virtually anyone born in the United States is a citizen.
They have argued that, if the executive order is allowed to take effect, it would wreak havoc on the administration of federal benefits programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by making it difficult to verify eligibility.
They also argue that, because children often move across state lines or are born outside their parents’ state of residence, a “patchwork” of injunctions would be unworkable.
“Families are likely to be confused if federal benefits eligibility — let alone U.S. citizenship — differs by State,” the states wrote in a July 15 court filing.
They have urged Sorokin to double down on his February injunction, saying in the court filing that the Supreme Court decision has no bearing on the case before him.
“This Court correctly remedied the States’ injuries via a nationwide injunction, based on the same complete-relief principle that the Supreme Court recently recognized and endorsed,” the brief argued.
The Justice Department has countered that Sorokin’s injunction from February was “clearly overbroad and inappropriate.”
In a July 8 court filing, the department argued that individuals are best situated to litigate their own citizenship status.
Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast applauded the Justice Department’s indictment of aVOA employee for allegedly threatening Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene:
“Voice of America was built to fight propaganda — now it’s spewing hate at our own leaders. This is just another example in a long string of liberal taxpayer-funded hit jobs.”
1. We strongly condemn Russia’s malicious cyber activities, which constitute a threat to Allied security. We stand in solidarity and recognise that Estonia, France, the United Kingdom and the United States have recently attributed malicious cyber activity targeting several NATO Allies and Ukraine to Russia’s military intelligence service (GRU). We recall that in 2024, Germany and the Czech Republic individually attributed activity to APT 28, which is sponsored by the GRU. We also note with concern that the same threat actor targeted other national governmental entities, critical infrastructure operators and other entities across the Alliance, including in Romania. These attributions and the continuous targeting of our critical infrastructure, with the harmful impacts caused across several sectors, illustrate the extent to which cyber and wider hybrid threats have become important tools in Russia’s ongoing campaign to destabilise NATO Allies and in Russia’s brutal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine.
2. We call on Russia to stop its destabilising cyber and hybrid activities. These activities demonstrate Russia’s disregard for the United Nations framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace, which Russia claims to uphold. Russia’s actions will not deter Allies’ support to Ukraine, including cyber assistance through the Tallinn Mechanism and IT capability coalition. We will continue to use the lessons learned from the war against Ukraine in countering Russian malicious cyber activity.
3. NATO stands for a free, open, peaceful and secure cyberspace. We call on all States, including Russia, to uphold their international obligations, also when acting in cyberspace, and to act consistently with the framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace as affirmed by all members of the United Nations.
4. We remain united in our determination to counter, constrain, and contest Russian malicious cyber activities and are investing in our defences; including through the establishment of the NATO Integrated Cyber Defence Centre and upholding our Cyber Defence Pledge commitments as well as through the commitments made in the Hague Summit Declaration.
5. We are determined to employ the full range of capabilities in order to deter, defend against and counter the full spectrum of cyber threats. We will respond to these at a time and in a manner of our choosing, in accordance with international law, and in coordination with our international partners including the EU.
1. We strongly condemn Russia’s malicious cyber activities, which constitute a threat to Allied security. We stand in solidarity and recognise that Estonia, France, the United Kingdom and the United States have recently attributed malicious cyber activity targeting several NATO Allies and Ukraine to Russia’s military intelligence service (GRU). We recall that in 2024, Germany and the Czech Republic individually attributed activity to APT 28, which is sponsored by the GRU. We also note with concern that the same threat actor targeted other national governmental entities, critical infrastructure operators and other entities across the Alliance, including in Romania. These attributions and the continuous targeting of our critical infrastructure, with the harmful impacts caused across several sectors, illustrate the extent to which cyber and wider hybrid threats have become important tools in Russia’s ongoing campaign to destabilise NATO Allies and in Russia’s brutal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine.
2. We call on Russia to stop its destabilising cyber and hybrid activities. These activities demonstrate Russia’s disregard for the United Nations framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace, which Russia claims to uphold. Russia’s actions will not deter Allies’ support to Ukraine, including cyber assistance through the Tallinn Mechanism and IT capability coalition. We will continue to use the lessons learned from the war against Ukraine in countering Russian malicious cyber activity.
3. NATO stands for a free, open, peaceful and secure cyberspace. We call on all States, including Russia, to uphold their international obligations, also when acting in cyberspace, and to act consistently with the framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace as affirmed by all members of the United Nations.
4. We remain united in our determination to counter, constrain, and contest Russian malicious cyber activities and are investing in our defences; including through the establishment of the NATO Integrated Cyber Defence Centre and upholding our Cyber Defence Pledge commitments as well as through the commitments made in the Hague Summit Declaration.
5. We are determined to employ the full range of capabilities in order to deter, defend against and counter the full spectrum of cyber threats. We will respond to these at a time and in a manner of our choosing, in accordance with international law, and in coordination with our international partners including the EU.
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CARMELO CANCEL, also known as “Bebe,” 31, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 37 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for supplying cocaine to two Waterbury drug trafficking organizations.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the FBI’s Waterbury Safe Streets Gang Task Force and other law enforcement agencies investigated two drug trafficking organizations based in the city of Waterbury. One organization was headed by Angel Quiros, also known as “Papa John,” and operated in the area of William Street, and the other was headed by Daniel Diaz-Rivera and operated in the area of Maple Avenue. The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps on multiple phones, video surveillance, GPS tracking of vehicles, and numerous controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that the two organizations distributed cocaine, crack, and fentanyl through a network of sellers. Cancel supplied cocaine to both organizations, which worked together to further their operations.
Cancel, Quiros, Diaz-Rivera, and 14 other individuals were charged with federal offenses as a result of the investigation. Cancel and several codefendants were arrested on November 29, 2023. In association with the arrests, investigators executed multiple search warrants and seized approximately 700 grams of crack cocaine, more than 900 vials (“caps”) of crack, approximately 200 grams of loose fentanyl, more than 1,600 dose bags of fentanyl/heroin, two stolen firearms, numerous rounds of ammunition, and more than $39,000 in cash.
On April 23, 2025, Cancel pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Released on $100,000 bond, he is required to report to prison on September 17.
Quiros and Diaz-Rivera pleaded guilty to related charges. Quiros awaits sentencing and, on June 23, 2025, Diaz-Rivera was sentenced to 210 months of imprisonment.
The FBI’s Waterbury Safe Streets Gang Task includes members from the FBI, the Waterbury Police Department, the Naugatuck Police Department, and the Connecticut Department of Correction. The DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Connecticut State Police, Wolcott Police Department, and Meriden Police Department have assisted the investigation.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha Freismuth and Shan Patel through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the Waterbury State Attorney’s Office for its cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of this case.
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
TYLER, Texas – A Mexican national, illegally living in Tyler, has been charged with a federal firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Marco Imanol Ferrusca-Ortega, 23, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.
The indictment alleges that on July 8, 2025, Ferrusca-Ortega was found illegally in the United States and in possession of a firearm
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
If convicted, Ferrusca-Ortega faces up to 15 years in federal prison and deportation.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Homeland Security Investigations; and the Tyler Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Farahnak.
A federal indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
LOS ANGELES – A former Amtrak employee was sentenced today to 25 months in federal prison for conspiring with her husband to steal nearly $1 million in COVID-19 pandemic-related unemployment insurance (UI) benefits and for fraudulently obtaining more than $63,000 in sickness benefits while she worked at the passenger railroad company.
Lizette Berrios Lathon, 48, of Moreno Valley, was sentenced by United States District Judge Fernando M. Olguin, who also ordered her to pay $1,061,667in restitution.
In November 2022, Lizette Lathon pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of wire fraud.
Previously, in July 2024, Judge Olguin sentenced Lathon’s husband, Kenneth Andrew Lathon, 50, also of Moreno Valley, to 54 months in federal prison and ordered him to pay $998,630 in restitution.
Kenneth Lathon pleaded guilty in November 2022 to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
From 2014 until at least September 2022, Lizette Lathon, in addition to her one-time duties as a service attendant for Amtrak, operated at least three tax preparation businesses: Miracle Tax Service, which was located on Los Angeles’ Miracle Mile; Hardcore Corp., which did business as “Hardcore Taxes”; and Lathon LLC, which did business as “LL Taxes.” The latter two companies were in Moreno Valley.
Lathon and her husband took advantage of the expanded eligibility for UI benefits made possible by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed into law in 2020. The CARES Act also established the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, which provided additional UI benefits to qualified individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic, including people who did not otherwise qualify for UI such as business owners, self-employed workers, independent contractors, and those with a limited work history.
In some instances, Lizette Lathon submitted fraudulent applications with the California Employment Development Department (EDD) for UI benefits using names, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth that she obtained from former clients of her tax preparation businesses without the permission of those former clients. On the applications, she falsely asserted inflated income for the named claimants – many of whom had never lived in California – to receive the maximum benefit amount.
As a result of the fraudulent claims she filed, EDD authorized Bank of America to issue debit cards in the names of Lizette Lathon’s former clients, but the cards were mailed to addresses she and her family controlled. She and her husband then used the debit cards to make cash withdrawals at ATMs and to make purchases at retail stores.
During the conspiracy, which lasted from the spring of 2020 until March 2021, Lathon and her husband caused at least 44 fraudulent unemployment claims to be filed, resulting in losses to EDD and the United States Treasury of approximately $998,630.
Lizette Lathon, who was employed at Amtrak from 2000 to 2021, also schemed to defraud the Railroad Retirement Board out of sickness benefit payments by filing forged and false claims that stated she was being treated by a medical professional for pain and anxiety. Through this scheme, which lasted from September 2014 to January 2020, she fraudulently obtained approximately $63,047 in sickness benefit payments.
Kenneth Lathon possessed a .22-caliber rifle and 12-gauge shotgun despite his criminal history, which includes felony convictions in California state court for theft, cocaine possession, and fraud.
These matters were investigated by the Amtrak Office of Inspector General; the United States Railroad Retirement Board Office of Inspector General; the United States Department of Labor Office of Inspector General; the United States Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration; the California Employment Development Department; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
Assistant United States Attorney Cory L. Burleson of the Riverside Branch Office prosecuted these cases.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at (866) 720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Christopher Murrita Diaz, 20, and Gustavo Vergara Avalos, 21, both of Monroe, N.C., were each sentenced to 130 months in prison followed by a term of supervised release yesterday for drug and gun charges, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Both Diaz and Avalos pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession of a machinegun. Diaz also pleaded guilty to distribution of cocaine, transfer of a machinegun, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Alicia Jones, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Sheriff Eddie Cathey of the Union County Sheriff’s Office, join U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making the announcement.
According to court documents and court proceedings, law enforcement initiated and investigation into Diaz after they learned he was selling cocaine and machinegun conversion devices, commonly referred to as a “Glock switches.” During the investigation, Diaz sold cocaine to a confidential informant working with the ATF, 28 Glock switches, a firearm, two AR style firearms, and a machinegun. At least one of the sales of contraband occurred at Vergara-Avalos’ residence. In October 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the residence where they seized a total of 10 firearms, 26 Glock switches, and more cocaine.
Both men are in custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
The ATF and Union the Union County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. The U.S.
Attorney’s Office in Charlotte handled the prosecution.
In my writing and rhetoric courses, students have plenty of opinions on whether AI is intelligent: how well it can assess, analyze, evaluate and communicate information.
When I ask whether artificial intelligence can “think,” however, I often look upon a sea of blank faces. What is “thinking,” and how is it the same or different from “intelligence”?
We might treat the two as more or less synonymous, but philosophers have marked nuances for millennia. Greek philosophers may not have known about 21st-century technology, but their ideas about intellect and thinking can help us understand what’s at stake with AI today.
The divided line
Although the English words “intellect” and “thinking” do not have direct counterparts in the ancient Greek, looking at ancient texts offers useful comparisons.
In “Republic,” for example, Plato uses the analogy of a “divided line” separating higher and lower forms of understanding.
A Roman mosaic from Pompeii depicts Plato’s academy in Greece. Wikimedia Commons
Plato, who taught in the fourth century BCE, argued that each person has an intuitive capacity to recognize the truth. He called this the highest form of understanding: “noesis.” Noesis enables apprehension beyond reason, belief or sensory perception. It’s one form of “knowing” something – but in Plato’s view, it’s also a property of the soul.
Lower down, but still above his “dividing line,” is “dianoia,” or reason, which relies on argumentation. Below the line, his lower forms of understanding are “pistis,” or belief, and “eikasia,” imagination.
Pistis is belief influenced by experience and sensory perception: input that someone can critically examine and reason about. Plato defines eikasia, meanwhile, as baseless opinion rooted in false perception.
In Plato’s hierarchy of mental capacities, direct, intuitive understanding is at the top, and moment-to-moment physical input toward the bottom. The top of the hierarchy leads to true and absolute knowledge, while the bottom lends itself to false impressions and beliefs. But intuition, according to Plato, is part of the soul, and embodied in human form. Perceiving reality transcends the body – but still needs one.
So, while Plato does not differentiate “intelligence” and “thinking,” I would argue that his distinctions can help us think about AI. Without being embodied, AI may not “think” or “understand” the way humans do. Eikasia – the lowest form of comprehension, based on false perceptions – may be similar to AI’s frequent “hallucinations,” when it makes up information that seems plausible but is actually inaccurate.
Embodied thinking
Aristotle, Plato’s student, sheds more light on intelligence and thinking.
A 15th-century relief of Aristotle and Plato by Luca della Robbia in the Florence Cathedral in Italy. sailko/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA
In “On the Soul,” Aristotle distinguishes “active” from “passive” intellect. Active intellect, which he called “nous,” is immaterial. It makes meaning from experience, but transcends bodily perception. Passive intellect is bodily, receiving sensory impressions without reasoning.
We could say that these active and passive processes, put together, constitute “thinking.” Today, the word “intelligence” holds a logical quality that AI’s calculations may conceivably replicate. Aristotle, however, like Plato, suggests that to “think” requires an embodied form and goes beyond reason alone.
Aristotle’s views on rhetoric also show that deliberation and judgment require a body, feeling and experience. We might think of rhetoric as persuasion, but it is actually more about observation: observing and evaluating how evidence, emotion and character shape people’s thinking and decisions. Facts matter, but emotions and people move us – and it seems questionable whether AI utilizes rhetoric in this way.
Finally, Aristotle’s concept of “phronesis” sheds further light on AI’s capacity to think. In “Nicomachean Ethics,” he defines phronesis as “practical wisdom” or “prudence.” “Phronesis” involves lived experience that determines not only right thought, but also how to apply those thoughts to “good ends,” or virtuous actions. AI may analyze large datasets to reach its conclusions, but “phronesis” goes beyond information to consult wisdom and moral insight.
‘Thinking’ robots?
Today, AI takes on many physical forms, from autonomous vehicles and humanoid robots to health care robotsand drones. If intelligence requires embodiment, as Plato and Aristotle believed, it might seem as if AI is coming closer than ever to human thinking.
AI does take on many forms, but they’re still not bodies; they run on code, algorithms and datasets. Intuitive understanding, emotion, integrity and practical wisdom seem to require an embodied, perishable form that is moved by experience.
Perhaps we should ask AI itself – so I did. When I prompted ChatGPT with the simple question, “Can you think?” it responded: “I can process information, analyze patterns, and generate responses based on data. So in some ways, it might ‘seem’ like I’m thinking. But it’s not thinking like a human does. I don’t have consciousness, emotions, intentions, or awareness. Everything I ‘do’ is based on patterns learned from huge amounts of text and a set of rules and probabilities. I can ‘simulate’ certain aspects of thinking, but I don’t truly think or understand in the human sense.”
That response aligns with Plato and Aristotle’s views. For now.
Ryan Leack does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
