NewzIntel.com

Category: United States of America

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Titus, Cohen, Ciscomani Introduce Bipartisan Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act of 2025

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Dina Titus (1st District of Nevada)

    WASHINGTON – Today Representative Dina Titus, a Co-Chair of the Congressional Wild Horse Caucus, reintroduced the bipartisan Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act of 2025, along with Reps. Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ).

    In efforts to control equine populations, the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is currently directed to “humanely capture” wild free-roaming horses and burros and set them up for adoption. To assist in the roundup, or “gathering”, of wild horses and burros, the BLM contracts directly with private enterprises, including helicopter companies, to pursue equines over long distances, creating situations that can be frightening and even deadly to the animals.

    These roundup practices also come at a steep cost to taxpayers. In the past five years (2020-2024), at least $36.7 million has been spent on roundups, including over $6 million paid to helicopter roundup contractors in fiscal year 2022 alone. Scientific research has shown that more humane and cost-effective alternatives, like fertility control, are equally effective in controlling equine populations. The BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program, however, currently spends less than four percent of its budget on these methods. Rep. Titus’s Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act of 2025 would more effectively advance the BLM’s directive to humanely capture horses while providing significant savings for taxpayers.

    “Nevada is home to more wild horses than any other state in our country. Tragically, these animals are subjected to taxpayer-funded helicopter roundups and removals that are all too often costly, ineffective, and inhumane,” said Rep. Titus, a Co-Chair of the Congressional Wild Horse Caucus. “My legislation would eliminate the use of helicopters in BLM wild horse gathers and require a report to explore the benefits of alternative methods for humanely gathering horses and the workforce opportunities for traditional cowboys. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan proposal that would protect these icons of the American West which remain a source of pride for Nevada residents.”

    “As one of the founding co-Chairs of the Wild Horse and Burro Caucus, I’m pleased to co-lead the Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act to improve accountability and transparency of how these icons of the West are managed by the Bureau of Land Management,” said Rep. Cohen.

    “For too long, wild horses and burros have been subjected to dangerous, cruel, and costly roundups that often result in the death of the animal,” said Rep. Ciscomani. “As Co-Chair of the Congressional Wild Horse Caucus, I’m proud to support this common sense, bipartisan legislation that would eliminate the use of helicopters during Bureau of Land Management roundups and encourage more humane and cost-effective alternatives to manage these iconic animals.”

    “The Bureau of Land Management is charged with humanely managing our nation’s federally protected wild horses, yet every year we see horrific fatalities during helicopter roundups — from wild mustangs running for their lives on broken legs to foals dying from exhaustion,” said Joanna Grossman, Ph.D., equine program director for the Animal Welfare Institute. “Taxpayer dollars should not be funding this abject cruelty. We are grateful to Reps. Titus, Cohen, and Ciscomani for their leadership on this critical bill that would end the use of helicopter roundups and prioritize a more sustainable, humane path forward.” 

    “We commend Representative Dina Titus for her leadership in introducing the Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act of 2025. This bill is a critical step toward ending the cruel and unnecessary use of helicopters in wild horse roundups and bringing long-overdue transparency to the Bureau of Land Management’s operations through immediate implementation of onboard cameras,” said Suzanne Roy, executive director of American Wild Horse Conservation. “The American public overwhelmingly supports humane, accountable management of our iconic wild herds, and this legislation delivers just that.” 

    The Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act of 2025 has been endorsed by the Animal Welfare Institute and the American Wild Horse Conservation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ADDRESSES FEDERAL RECONCILIATION BILL IMPACTS AND VIRGIN ISLANDS RECOVERY PRIORITIES

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI)

    For Immediate Release                                          Contact: Tionee Scotland
    July 10, 2025                                                           202-808-6129

    PRESS RELEASE

    CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ADDRESSES FEDERAL RECONCILIATION BILL IMPACTS AND VIRGIN ISLANDS RECOVERY PRIORITIES 

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement on the federal reconciliation bill signed into law by President Trump and its potential impacts on the U.S. Virgin Islands: 

    “Last week President Trump signed into law his tax and spending bill, H.R. 1, which passed the House and Senate narrowly with solely Republican votes and several Republican defections.  While the inclusion of permanent rum cover-over in H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, represents a major win for the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico and the culmination of years-long efforts by elected officials and stakeholders, as I have consistently indicated from the beginning of the year, the bill will also bring significant challenges to our territory through cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, and other critical programs.

    “My office has reached out to the Legislature of the Virgin Islands and the Government of the Virgin Islands finance team to share our concerns and offer our support as we hope the local government will begin the efforts to prepare for these impacts over the coming years. It will be imperative for the Virgin Islands local government to focus on finding new revenues and act creatively to remedy the impacts of federal cuts locally. This legislation will require us to find additional sources for increasing revenues to the general fund to continue providing support to families—supporting new businesses, jump starting local small businesses and training our own local workforce to support the rebuilding and construction projects that must come online.” 

    Congresswoman Plaskett emphasized the importance of the Government of the Virgin Islands taking advantage of the rebuild to create additional revenue, ancillary businesses and increased workforce.  Doing so means capitalizing on the cost-share waiver granted by the Biden-Harris administration, which has allocated billions of federal dollars for recovery projects across the territory. 

    “Seven years ago, our community’s infrastructure was devasted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, leaving our critical infrastructure decimated. Out of devastation came the opportunity to transform our territory and rebuild our critical infrastructure in a more resilient manner with profound funding from the federal government. In the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, I obtained provisions to allow the Virgin Islands to rebuild critical infrastructure with resilient design and features, up to the latest industry building standards and notwithstanding pre-disaster conditions in the Virgin Islands (the standard that normally applies).

    “That change in law has meant the Government of the Virgin Islands has been allocated billions in federal funding for our schools, hospitals, water systems, power grid, communications infrastructure, and other critical projects. In 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration announced that rebuild projects approved before September 30, 2024, require only a 2 percent local match instead of the original 10 percent, with other projects requiring just 5 percent – projected cost savings for the local government of almost $1.5 billion. This represents an unprecedented opportunity to complete our hurricane recovery while stimulating economic growth. However, the cost share is for a ten-year period.  We must capitalize on this timeframe and utilize this opportunity not only to rebuild our infrastructure but also to attract small businesses and other industries to our territory,” Plaskett added. 

    “Now that the battle for the permanent increased rum cover-over rate of $13.25 is over, we need to focus on two critical areas related to the rum cover over: ensuring the Virgin Islands receives our fair share of worldwide rum cover-over revenue and working with rum companies to understand the utilization of funds for marketing and potentially increase the amount that comes directly to the Virgin Islands Government. Under the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), rum produced outside the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico and then imported into the US also has a rum cover over that is divided between the two territories.  Under the CBI, that ratio should be based upon the rum produced by each, however there was never a change in ratio made when Diageo came to the Virgin Islands from Puerto Rico.  I previously engaged both the Mapp-Potter and Bryan-Roach Administrations on this issue, and it is my hope that the Bryan Administration will take this matter up so the Virgin Islands will receive its fair share of the cover over. Additionally, we need to ensure the rum companies are utilizing these funds for the maximum benefit for our community.” 

    “While federal cuts will create challenges, we also have untapped resources and underutilized opportunities at our disposal. The key is acting decisively during this critical recovery window while building sustainable economic growth for our future. My team and I remain ready to work with Governor Bryan and his team along with the Legislature of the Virgin Islands to ensure that we can not only weather these changes but emerge stronger.” 

    ### 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ADDRESSES FEDERAL RECONCILIATION BILL IMPACTS AND VIRGIN ISLANDS RECOVERY PRIORITIES

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI)

    For Immediate Release                                          Contact: Tionee Scotland
    July 10, 2025                                                           202-808-6129

    PRESS RELEASE

    CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ADDRESSES FEDERAL RECONCILIATION BILL IMPACTS AND VIRGIN ISLANDS RECOVERY PRIORITIES 

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement on the federal reconciliation bill signed into law by President Trump and its potential impacts on the U.S. Virgin Islands: 

    “Last week President Trump signed into law his tax and spending bill, H.R. 1, which passed the House and Senate narrowly with solely Republican votes and several Republican defections.  While the inclusion of permanent rum cover-over in H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, represents a major win for the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico and the culmination of years-long efforts by elected officials and stakeholders, as I have consistently indicated from the beginning of the year, the bill will also bring significant challenges to our territory through cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, and other critical programs.

    “My office has reached out to the Legislature of the Virgin Islands and the Government of the Virgin Islands finance team to share our concerns and offer our support as we hope the local government will begin the efforts to prepare for these impacts over the coming years. It will be imperative for the Virgin Islands local government to focus on finding new revenues and act creatively to remedy the impacts of federal cuts locally. This legislation will require us to find additional sources for increasing revenues to the general fund to continue providing support to families—supporting new businesses, jump starting local small businesses and training our own local workforce to support the rebuilding and construction projects that must come online.” 

    Congresswoman Plaskett emphasized the importance of the Government of the Virgin Islands taking advantage of the rebuild to create additional revenue, ancillary businesses and increased workforce.  Doing so means capitalizing on the cost-share waiver granted by the Biden-Harris administration, which has allocated billions of federal dollars for recovery projects across the territory. 

    “Seven years ago, our community’s infrastructure was devasted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, leaving our critical infrastructure decimated. Out of devastation came the opportunity to transform our territory and rebuild our critical infrastructure in a more resilient manner with profound funding from the federal government. In the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, I obtained provisions to allow the Virgin Islands to rebuild critical infrastructure with resilient design and features, up to the latest industry building standards and notwithstanding pre-disaster conditions in the Virgin Islands (the standard that normally applies).

    “That change in law has meant the Government of the Virgin Islands has been allocated billions in federal funding for our schools, hospitals, water systems, power grid, communications infrastructure, and other critical projects. In 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration announced that rebuild projects approved before September 30, 2024, require only a 2 percent local match instead of the original 10 percent, with other projects requiring just 5 percent – projected cost savings for the local government of almost $1.5 billion. This represents an unprecedented opportunity to complete our hurricane recovery while stimulating economic growth. However, the cost share is for a ten-year period.  We must capitalize on this timeframe and utilize this opportunity not only to rebuild our infrastructure but also to attract small businesses and other industries to our territory,” Plaskett added. 

    “Now that the battle for the permanent increased rum cover-over rate of $13.25 is over, we need to focus on two critical areas related to the rum cover over: ensuring the Virgin Islands receives our fair share of worldwide rum cover-over revenue and working with rum companies to understand the utilization of funds for marketing and potentially increase the amount that comes directly to the Virgin Islands Government. Under the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), rum produced outside the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico and then imported into the US also has a rum cover over that is divided between the two territories.  Under the CBI, that ratio should be based upon the rum produced by each, however there was never a change in ratio made when Diageo came to the Virgin Islands from Puerto Rico.  I previously engaged both the Mapp-Potter and Bryan-Roach Administrations on this issue, and it is my hope that the Bryan Administration will take this matter up so the Virgin Islands will receive its fair share of the cover over. Additionally, we need to ensure the rum companies are utilizing these funds for the maximum benefit for our community.” 

    “While federal cuts will create challenges, we also have untapped resources and underutilized opportunities at our disposal. The key is acting decisively during this critical recovery window while building sustainable economic growth for our future. My team and I remain ready to work with Governor Bryan and his team along with the Legislature of the Virgin Islands to ensure that we can not only weather these changes but emerge stronger.” 

    ### 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Carter introduces bipartisan PBM reform package

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

    Headline: Carter introduces bipartisan PBM reform package

    Washington, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today led 11 bipartisan members of Congress in introducing the PBM Reform Act, which protects patients and pharmacies from the harmful and anticompetitive business practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBM).


    “It’s time to bust up the PBM monopoly, which has been stealing hope and health from patients for decades. As a pharmacist, I’ve seen how PBMs abuse patients firsthand, and believe that the cure to this infectious disease is transparency, competition, and accountability, which is exactly what our bipartisan package provides,” said Rep. Carter.

    The PBM Reform Act will: 

    • Ban “spread pricing” in Medicaid and move to a transparent system that ensures pharmacies are fairly and adequately reimbursed for serving Medicaid beneficiaries.
    • Establish new requirements for PBMs under Medicare Part D, including a policy to delink PBM compensation from the cost of medications and increase transparency. 
    • Promote transparency for both employers and patients in their prescription drug plans, with semi-annual reporting on drug spending, rebates, and formulary determinations.
    • Require Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to define and enforce “reasonable and relevant” contract terms in Medicare Part D pharmacy contracts and enforce oversight on reported violations.


    Original Co-Sponsors include:     Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Greg Murphy (R-NC), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Rick Allen (R-GA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), John Rose (R-TN), Derek Tran (D-CA), and Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY). 


    “For too long, pharmacy benefit managers have been allowed to operate unchecked, raising prices and preventing many patients from getting the medications they depend on,” Rep. Debbie Dingell said. “I hear from too many Michiganders, especially seniors, who can’t conveniently access the prescriptions they need, due to exploitative PBM practices complicating access to their local pharmacies. Their harmful, aggressive tactics are only getting worse, and we must take action now to protect pharmacies and lower patient costs. I remain committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this across the finish line.”


    “Unaffordable health care, unclear pricing practices, and a burdensome system that is difficult to navigate has created life-threatening barriers to care for Americans,” said Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D. “At the heart of this problem are pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), middlemen who withhold money from independent pharmacies, obscure drug costs, and make out like bandits, all at the expense of patients. This corruption of the health care delivery system must stop. For years, we have heard from small business owners, physicians, and patients about the damage greedy PBMs have inflicted. I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation to put an end to the extortion and lower drug costs through increased transparency and competition.”


    “For too long, PBMs have served as unregulated middlemen, driving up prices for life-saving medications for patients,” said Rep. Deborah Ross. “Nobody should have to choose between paying for life-saving medication and putting food on the table. Our bipartisan PBM Reform Act will protect Americans from abusive practices that raise prices and reduce fairness. I’m proud to work with Rep. Carter on these long overdue reforms. It’s past time to hold PBMs accountable and ensure every American can access the medications they need.”


    “It’s time to put an end to the shady and manipulative practices of pharmacy benefit managers. For too long, PBMs have driven up drug prices and padded their pockets while independent community pharmacies are being pushed to the financial brink. My colleagues and I are committed to changing that. This legislation delivers long-overdue accountability, increases transparency, lowers out-of-pocket costs for families, and saves taxpayer dollars. Local pharmacies and the patients they serve are at a breaking point, and they deserve relief. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bill and look forward to passing real PBM reform that will deliver for both patients and providers,” said Rep. Diana Harshbarger. 


    “Pharmacy Benefit Managers line their pockets and drive up the cost of life saving drugs at the expense of South Texans and the community pharmacies they depend on — this is shameful, dangerous, and must be stopped,” said Rep. Vicente Gonzalez. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Buddy Carter that puts patients first, increases price transparency, and holds PBMs accountable.”


    “PBM reform has long been a pressing issue, not only in rural Georgia, but across the nation. I am proud to work with Representative Carter on this commonsense package to eliminate the use of spread pricing, make prescription drugs more affordable, and establish rigorous oversight over PBM tactics that threaten access to care. Our health care system is in need of patient-centered, cost-effective, market-driven solutions and this package delivers,” said Rep. Rick W. Allen.


    “I’m proud to co-lead the PBM Reform Act to crack down on abusive practices by pharmacy benefit managers and drive down the cost of prescription drugs for working families,” Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi said. “This bipartisan legislation brings long-overdue transparency and accountability to the prescription drug supply chain, ensuring patients, not middlemen, come first.”


    “Seniors should be able to fill the prescriptions they need without having to drive long distances or pay exorbitant costs,” Rep. John Rose said. “For far too long, Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) have favored large chains and driven away customers from independent pharmacies, especially those in rural communities. I am proud to co-lead this legislation, which will be a gamechanger for countless Tennesseans.”

    “Southern California families are seeing their cost-of-living skyrocket, especially the cost of essential health care. I’m laser-focused on bipartisan, common-sense solutions that bring down costs and ensure that our economy works for working families. My experience running a community pharmacy with my wife showed me firsthand the urgent need for greater transparency and accountability in how Pharmacy Benefit Managers operate. That is why I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan effort with Representatives Carter and Dingell to reform PBM practices, increase transparency, and put patients first,” said Rep. Derek Tran.


    “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this critical PBM reform package, which cracks down on the exploitative pricing tactics of pharmacy benefit managers to make prescription drugs more affordable,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. “PBMs’ shady practices have left consumers footing the bill and are driving many ‘Mom & Pop’ pharmacies in my district out of business. Our legislation will deliver long-overdue reforms to increase price transparency and protect patients. Now is the time for Congress to act and get PBM reform across the finish line.”

    Background

    Pharmacy benefit managers were created as middlemen to reduce administrative costs for insurers, validate a patient’s eligibility, administer plan benefits, and negotiate costs between pharmacies and health plans. Over time, PBMs have been allowed to operate virtually unchecked as they consolidated to where three companies now control 80% of the prescription drug market.

    Vertical integration and a lack of transparency have led to pharmacy closures and higher costs for patients across the country.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Carter introduces bipartisan PBM reform package

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

    Headline: Carter introduces bipartisan PBM reform package

    Washington, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today led 11 bipartisan members of Congress in introducing the PBM Reform Act, which protects patients and pharmacies from the harmful and anticompetitive business practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBM).


    “It’s time to bust up the PBM monopoly, which has been stealing hope and health from patients for decades. As a pharmacist, I’ve seen how PBMs abuse patients firsthand, and believe that the cure to this infectious disease is transparency, competition, and accountability, which is exactly what our bipartisan package provides,” said Rep. Carter.

    The PBM Reform Act will: 

    • Ban “spread pricing” in Medicaid and move to a transparent system that ensures pharmacies are fairly and adequately reimbursed for serving Medicaid beneficiaries.
    • Establish new requirements for PBMs under Medicare Part D, including a policy to delink PBM compensation from the cost of medications and increase transparency. 
    • Promote transparency for both employers and patients in their prescription drug plans, with semi-annual reporting on drug spending, rebates, and formulary determinations.
    • Require Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to define and enforce “reasonable and relevant” contract terms in Medicare Part D pharmacy contracts and enforce oversight on reported violations.


    Original Co-Sponsors include:     Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Greg Murphy (R-NC), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Rick Allen (R-GA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), John Rose (R-TN), Derek Tran (D-CA), and Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY). 


    “For too long, pharmacy benefit managers have been allowed to operate unchecked, raising prices and preventing many patients from getting the medications they depend on,” Rep. Debbie Dingell said. “I hear from too many Michiganders, especially seniors, who can’t conveniently access the prescriptions they need, due to exploitative PBM practices complicating access to their local pharmacies. Their harmful, aggressive tactics are only getting worse, and we must take action now to protect pharmacies and lower patient costs. I remain committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this across the finish line.”


    “Unaffordable health care, unclear pricing practices, and a burdensome system that is difficult to navigate has created life-threatening barriers to care for Americans,” said Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D. “At the heart of this problem are pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), middlemen who withhold money from independent pharmacies, obscure drug costs, and make out like bandits, all at the expense of patients. This corruption of the health care delivery system must stop. For years, we have heard from small business owners, physicians, and patients about the damage greedy PBMs have inflicted. I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation to put an end to the extortion and lower drug costs through increased transparency and competition.”


    “For too long, PBMs have served as unregulated middlemen, driving up prices for life-saving medications for patients,” said Rep. Deborah Ross. “Nobody should have to choose between paying for life-saving medication and putting food on the table. Our bipartisan PBM Reform Act will protect Americans from abusive practices that raise prices and reduce fairness. I’m proud to work with Rep. Carter on these long overdue reforms. It’s past time to hold PBMs accountable and ensure every American can access the medications they need.”


    “It’s time to put an end to the shady and manipulative practices of pharmacy benefit managers. For too long, PBMs have driven up drug prices and padded their pockets while independent community pharmacies are being pushed to the financial brink. My colleagues and I are committed to changing that. This legislation delivers long-overdue accountability, increases transparency, lowers out-of-pocket costs for families, and saves taxpayer dollars. Local pharmacies and the patients they serve are at a breaking point, and they deserve relief. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bill and look forward to passing real PBM reform that will deliver for both patients and providers,” said Rep. Diana Harshbarger. 


    “Pharmacy Benefit Managers line their pockets and drive up the cost of life saving drugs at the expense of South Texans and the community pharmacies they depend on — this is shameful, dangerous, and must be stopped,” said Rep. Vicente Gonzalez. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Buddy Carter that puts patients first, increases price transparency, and holds PBMs accountable.”


    “PBM reform has long been a pressing issue, not only in rural Georgia, but across the nation. I am proud to work with Representative Carter on this commonsense package to eliminate the use of spread pricing, make prescription drugs more affordable, and establish rigorous oversight over PBM tactics that threaten access to care. Our health care system is in need of patient-centered, cost-effective, market-driven solutions and this package delivers,” said Rep. Rick W. Allen.


    “I’m proud to co-lead the PBM Reform Act to crack down on abusive practices by pharmacy benefit managers and drive down the cost of prescription drugs for working families,” Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi said. “This bipartisan legislation brings long-overdue transparency and accountability to the prescription drug supply chain, ensuring patients, not middlemen, come first.”


    “Seniors should be able to fill the prescriptions they need without having to drive long distances or pay exorbitant costs,” Rep. John Rose said. “For far too long, Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) have favored large chains and driven away customers from independent pharmacies, especially those in rural communities. I am proud to co-lead this legislation, which will be a gamechanger for countless Tennesseans.”

    “Southern California families are seeing their cost-of-living skyrocket, especially the cost of essential health care. I’m laser-focused on bipartisan, common-sense solutions that bring down costs and ensure that our economy works for working families. My experience running a community pharmacy with my wife showed me firsthand the urgent need for greater transparency and accountability in how Pharmacy Benefit Managers operate. That is why I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan effort with Representatives Carter and Dingell to reform PBM practices, increase transparency, and put patients first,” said Rep. Derek Tran.


    “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this critical PBM reform package, which cracks down on the exploitative pricing tactics of pharmacy benefit managers to make prescription drugs more affordable,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. “PBMs’ shady practices have left consumers footing the bill and are driving many ‘Mom & Pop’ pharmacies in my district out of business. Our legislation will deliver long-overdue reforms to increase price transparency and protect patients. Now is the time for Congress to act and get PBM reform across the finish line.”

    Background

    Pharmacy benefit managers were created as middlemen to reduce administrative costs for insurers, validate a patient’s eligibility, administer plan benefits, and negotiate costs between pharmacies and health plans. Over time, PBMs have been allowed to operate virtually unchecked as they consolidated to where three companies now control 80% of the prescription drug market.

    Vertical integration and a lack of transparency have led to pharmacy closures and higher costs for patients across the country.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Kim, Kamlager-Dove Push to Strengthen U.S.-Africa Ties

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Young Kim (CA-39)

    Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Young Kim (CA-40) and Sydney Kamlager Dove (CA-37) introduced the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Act, a bipartisan bill to make permanent the State Department’s YALI program. 

    YALI is the United States’ signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders. With a median age of 19, the continent is home to the world’s youngest population. Recognizing the immense potential of this rising generation of change-makers, YALI was launched in 2010 to support young African leaders as they spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across sub-Saharan Africa. This legislation also reaffirms the United States’ commitment to investing in Africa’s youth, promoting initiatives to enhance leadership skills, support entrepreneurship, and strengthen U.S.-Africa people-to-people ties. 

    “People-to-people diplomacy is how we build relationships and ensure the United States is the partner of choice for allies and partners,” said Rep. Young Kim. “The State Department’s Young African Leaders Initiative has proven to strengthen democracy, prosperity, and peace in the region while supporting young Africans making a difference in their communities. I thank Rep. Kamlager-Dove for working with me on this bill.”  

    “The Young African Leaders Initiative has been a cornerstone of America’s commitment to Africa’s future since 2010, and I’m proud to support its ongoing efforts through the bipartisan, bicameral YALI Act,” said Rep. Kamlager-Dove. “Despite historic bipartisan support, the Trump Administration has proposed a 40% cut to YALI’s budget, jeopardizing a program that has proven effective in strengthening democracy, building communities, and fostering people-to-people ties. With 70% of Sub-Saharan Africa under 30, now’s the time to invest in—not retreat from—emerging leaders who will play vital roles in solving global challenges. We must pass the YALI Act to protect this crucial program and reaffirm the United States as a strong partner in Africa’s future.” 

    Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. 

    “Continued U.S. engagement in African nations is essential to building strategic partnerships, while also limiting the influence of our near-peer adversaries in the region,” said Senator Rounds. “The Young African Leaders Initiative was created in 2010 to empower young African leaders to gain the skills and education for the advancement of democratic governance and stability across the continent. Our legislation would make this program permanent and continue its role in advancing democracy and economic development in Africa.” 

    “Over the last 15 years, YALI has helped strengthen our relationships with nations across Africa – fostering partnerships that expand opportunity, promote peace, and bolster people-to-people ties between the U.S. and these nations. As the continent’s youth population expands dramatically, it’s all the more important that we’re investing in the next generation of leaders. We should make YALI permanent to continue this critical support and pave the way for a brighter shared future for the nations of Africa and the U.S.,” said Senator Van Hollen. 

    Read the bill HERE. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Andrea Salinas Introduces Bill to Improve Workforce Training for SNAP Recipients

    Source: US Representative Andrea Salinas (OR-06)

    Today, U.S. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) reintroduced the SNAP E&T Data and Technical Assistance (DATA) Act, legislation to improve workforce training programs for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries and help put them on the path to self-sufficiency. 

    “SNAP is critical to ensuring that children, veterans, and seniors across Oregon don’t go hungry. This bill would improve employment and training opportunities for SNAP recipients to put them on the pathway to self-sufficiency,” said Rep. Salinas. “Given that Congressional Republicans just slashed SNAP benefits and imposed harsh work requirements, this bill is more important than ever to provide people with the tools they need to build a better life for themselves and their families.”

    State SNAP agencies are required to administer Employment and Training (E&T) programs for beneficiaries. These programs help participants gain skills, education, training, and experience that lead to good stable jobs. Through SNAP E&T, states are able to provide additional support services – such as transportation and child care – to help participants overcome barriers to joining or moving up in the workforce. However, many states do not have a user-friendly way to collect data on SNAP E&T programs or conduct robust analyses to improve program performance.

    The SNAP E&T DATA Act would codify and expand Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Data and Technical Assistance Grants to improve performance of Employment and Training programs. Specifically, the bill would: 

    • Support state and local agencies in the development of E&T data collection systems and processes that enhance states’ ability to review and analyze program services and outcomes for continuous program improvement.
    • Provide additional funds for technical assistance, so that states can become more effective, data driven E&T providers.
    • Encourage participation among states that have not yet received such grants.
    • Encourage data improvements that 1) facilitate co-enrollment and coordination with other federally supported workforce development programs and 2) support interoperability between SNAP E&T data systems and other state longitudinal data infrastructure, such as that for K-12 education, postsecondary education, and existing workforce development programs.

    In 2023, the Oregon Department of Human Services was awarded $1.5 million to assess and improve E&T participation and more accurately track program outcomes. Rep. Salinas’ legislation would significantly expand federal support for data collection on the effectiveness of SNAP E&T programs in Oregon.

    The SNAP E&T DATA Act is endorsed by the Data Quality Campaign and America Forward.

    “America Forward Coalition members who work with states, local governments, and participants in the SNAP Employment and Training program require accurate and accessible data to deliver the strongest possible SNAP E&T opportunities that advance economic mobility. We applaud Representative Andrea Salinas and urge Congress to include this critical legislation in the Farm Bill to enable continuous improvement, strengthen transparency, and break down barriers to participation in SNAP E&T,” said Chase Sackett, Policy Director, America Forward. 

    “Everyone should have the information they need to make informed decisions about their workforce pathways, support individuals navigating these pathways, and create policies that might help others navigate smoother pathways. DQC applauds the efforts of Rep. Salinas to ensure that the SNAP E&T program has the data infrastructure necessary so that it fulfills its role in helping individuals improve their economic mobility,” said Kate Tromble, Vice President of Federal Policy, Data Quality Campaign. 

    To read a one-page description of this legislation, click here.

     To read the full text of this legislation, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NREL Modeling Shows Geothermal and Borehole Thermal Energy Storage Can Reliably Heat Buildings in Extreme Cold

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    New Study Demonstrates Efficient Performance—Even on Frozen Alaska Soils

    Anaktuvuk Pass, Alaska, in winter. Photo by Molly Rettig, NREL

    New energy storage research from NREL, a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory, has demonstrated a way to store and reuse heat underground to meet the heating demands of cold regions like Alaska.

    Published on June 17 in the journal Energy & Buildings, the feasibility study examined a 20-year period in which borehole thermal energy storage (BTES)—a system that stores heating or cooling energy underground—could reliably supply heating to two U.S. Department of Defense buildings in Fairbanks, Alaska.

    Through building energy usage and system performance modeling, researchers show how waste heat from a nearby coal plant could be captured during summer months, stored underground, and then drawn on in the winter to warm the buildings via geothermal heat pumps (GHPs).

    The analysis was led by Hyunjun Oh, a geothermal research engineer in NREL’s thermal energy science and technologies research group, in collaboration with researchers Conor Dennehy, Saqib Javed, and Robbin Garber-Slaght at NREL’s Alaska Campus. NREL’s Applied Research for Communities in Extreme Environments program is a nonprofit, industry-based initiative dedicated to advancing extreme energy efficiency, building science, and socioeconomic research for communities in Alaska and the broader Circumpolar North. The project was also in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory.

    BTES relies on a network of narrow holes drilled vertically underground, known as boreholes, which act as a rechargeable battery for heat. During warmer months, waste heat can be pumped into the boreholes, where it is insulated by surrounding soil and rock until it is needed. In the winter, circulating pumps move a water-antifreeze solution through the boreholes to pick up stored heat and deliver it to the building’s geothermal heat pump. Rather than extracting heat from cold outdoor air, the heat pump uses this warmer fluid to efficiently transfer heat into the building’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system.

    NREL researchers modeled the heating and cooling demands of the cold-climate buildings using EnergyPlus software and found that the annual heating demand was 5.6 times higher than the cooling demand—an imbalance typical of climates like Alaska’s, where winters are long and cold and summers are short and mild.

    To meet this heating load, the team predesigned a system of 40 boreholes at a depth of 91 meters located about 100 meters away from the buildings, in alignment with regulatory guidelines and nearby land availability. They then modeled the 20-year performance of the BTES system, running simulations for two scenarios: one in which the ground subsurface was preheated for five years using a hot water injection before supplying heat to the buildings and one without preheating.

    In both scenarios, wells at the center of the borehole field produced about one-third more thermal energy than those on the outer edges, likely because the outer wells lost heat to the surrounding ground. This finding offers insight into how borehole fields can be better designed and insulated for more balanced energy distribution.

    Additionally, systems that underwent preheating before regular use showed even better performance, with higher underground temperatures and greater thermal energy production during the first eight years of operation compared to systems without preheating.

    Altogether, the results point toward BTES as a reliable heating solution in cold climates, helping communities capture waste heat and use energy more efficiently.

    Oh said that, while there have been extensive case studies validating GHP performance in cold regions of Europe, this is one of the first to show the potential of GHPs connected to BTES in the United States.

    “This paper demonstrates that even cold subsurface conditions—like those in Alaska, where 50% to 90% of the ground has permafrost—can be used for heating,” Oh said. “A geothermal heat pump system can supply higher efficiency if we consider seasonal or storage-system-integrated operations.”

    The study also showed that the local subsurface in Fairbanks is well suited for other kinds of geothermal systems, too. The research team used thermal response tests and previous literature to estimate the geothermal gradient—the rate at which temperature increases with depth—at about 27.9 degrees Celsius per kilometer.

    This gradient allows usable heat to be accessed at relatively shallow depths underground, making it a candidate for direct use or a future distributed energy system, Oh said.

    As this study was intended to assess the practicality of BTES and GHP at a specific location in Fairbanks, the team recommends comprehensive future analyses that go beyond the scenarios described here to better tailor energy systems to local conditions and available waste heat sources.

    The study, “Techno-Economic Feasibility of Borehole Thermal Energy Storage System connected to Geothermal Heat Pumps for Seasonal Heating Load of Two Buildings in Fairbanks, Alaska,” was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Geothermal Technologies Office and the U.S Department of Defense Environmental Security Technology Certification Program.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NREL Modeling Shows Geothermal and Borehole Thermal Energy Storage Can Reliably Heat Buildings in Extreme Cold

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    New Study Demonstrates Efficient Performance—Even on Frozen Alaska Soils

    Anaktuvuk Pass, Alaska, in winter. Photo by Molly Rettig, NREL

    New energy storage research from NREL, a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory, has demonstrated a way to store and reuse heat underground to meet the heating demands of cold regions like Alaska.

    Published on June 17 in the journal Energy & Buildings, the feasibility study examined a 20-year period in which borehole thermal energy storage (BTES)—a system that stores heating or cooling energy underground—could reliably supply heating to two U.S. Department of Defense buildings in Fairbanks, Alaska.

    Through building energy usage and system performance modeling, researchers show how waste heat from a nearby coal plant could be captured during summer months, stored underground, and then drawn on in the winter to warm the buildings via geothermal heat pumps (GHPs).

    The analysis was led by Hyunjun Oh, a geothermal research engineer in NREL’s thermal energy science and technologies research group, in collaboration with researchers Conor Dennehy, Saqib Javed, and Robbin Garber-Slaght at NREL’s Alaska Campus. NREL’s Applied Research for Communities in Extreme Environments program is a nonprofit, industry-based initiative dedicated to advancing extreme energy efficiency, building science, and socioeconomic research for communities in Alaska and the broader Circumpolar North. The project was also in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory.

    BTES relies on a network of narrow holes drilled vertically underground, known as boreholes, which act as a rechargeable battery for heat. During warmer months, waste heat can be pumped into the boreholes, where it is insulated by surrounding soil and rock until it is needed. In the winter, circulating pumps move a water-antifreeze solution through the boreholes to pick up stored heat and deliver it to the building’s geothermal heat pump. Rather than extracting heat from cold outdoor air, the heat pump uses this warmer fluid to efficiently transfer heat into the building’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system.

    NREL researchers modeled the heating and cooling demands of the cold-climate buildings using EnergyPlus software and found that the annual heating demand was 5.6 times higher than the cooling demand—an imbalance typical of climates like Alaska’s, where winters are long and cold and summers are short and mild.

    To meet this heating load, the team predesigned a system of 40 boreholes at a depth of 91 meters located about 100 meters away from the buildings, in alignment with regulatory guidelines and nearby land availability. They then modeled the 20-year performance of the BTES system, running simulations for two scenarios: one in which the ground subsurface was preheated for five years using a hot water injection before supplying heat to the buildings and one without preheating.

    In both scenarios, wells at the center of the borehole field produced about one-third more thermal energy than those on the outer edges, likely because the outer wells lost heat to the surrounding ground. This finding offers insight into how borehole fields can be better designed and insulated for more balanced energy distribution.

    Additionally, systems that underwent preheating before regular use showed even better performance, with higher underground temperatures and greater thermal energy production during the first eight years of operation compared to systems without preheating.

    Altogether, the results point toward BTES as a reliable heating solution in cold climates, helping communities capture waste heat and use energy more efficiently.

    Oh said that, while there have been extensive case studies validating GHP performance in cold regions of Europe, this is one of the first to show the potential of GHPs connected to BTES in the United States.

    “This paper demonstrates that even cold subsurface conditions—like those in Alaska, where 50% to 90% of the ground has permafrost—can be used for heating,” Oh said. “A geothermal heat pump system can supply higher efficiency if we consider seasonal or storage-system-integrated operations.”

    The study also showed that the local subsurface in Fairbanks is well suited for other kinds of geothermal systems, too. The research team used thermal response tests and previous literature to estimate the geothermal gradient—the rate at which temperature increases with depth—at about 27.9 degrees Celsius per kilometer.

    This gradient allows usable heat to be accessed at relatively shallow depths underground, making it a candidate for direct use or a future distributed energy system, Oh said.

    As this study was intended to assess the practicality of BTES and GHP at a specific location in Fairbanks, the team recommends comprehensive future analyses that go beyond the scenarios described here to better tailor energy systems to local conditions and available waste heat sources.

    The study, “Techno-Economic Feasibility of Borehole Thermal Energy Storage System connected to Geothermal Heat Pumps for Seasonal Heating Load of Two Buildings in Fairbanks, Alaska,” was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Geothermal Technologies Office and the U.S Department of Defense Environmental Security Technology Certification Program.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Signs Legislation into Law Promoting Economic Development

    Source: US State of Missouri

    JULY 10, 2025

    Jefferson City — Today, at bill signing ceremonies in St. Louis, Governor Mike Kehoe signed House Bills (HB) 199 and 1041 into law.

    Governor Kehoe joined St. Louis local business and community leaders and elected officials at Union Station to sign HB 199, which allows a special entertainment district to be established in downtown St. Louis. The legislation, sponsored by Representative Bill Falkner and Senator David Gregory, also modifies over 30 additional provisions relating to political subdivisions.

    • Allows the St. Charles Conventions and Sports Facilities Authority to receive a state tax incremental financing (TIF) district without first having a local TIF.
    • Allows Benton, Camden, Miller, and Morgan counties, as well as the City of Lake Ozark, to establish entertainment districts.
    • Extends eligibility to the St. Louis Port Authority for the Waterways and Ports Trust Fund.
    • Clarifies that the Kansas City Mayor must appoint commissioners to the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority from candidate panels submitted by the Clay or Platte County Commissions when their respective seats on the board become vacant.
    • Enables the establishment of a Clay County Sports Complex Authority, with similar powers and processes to those of the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority.

    “I’m proud to be born and raised in St. Louis and remain committed to revitalizing downtown,” said Governor Kehoe. “This special entertainment district marks a new chapter for business and community leaders to promote tourism, public safety, and economic growth in St. Louis.”

    At Anheuser-Busch’s St. Louis Brewery, Governor Kehoe joined Missouri brewers from across the state to sign Representative Dane Diehl’s and Senator Kurtis Gregory’s HB 1041, which modifies regulations for alcoholic beverages.

    • Reduces the malt liquor tax from $1.86 per barrel to $0.62 per barrel for all malt liquors produced at American Breweries.
    • Expands current law to allow wine, beer, malt liquor, and spirits to be donated by manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and unlicensed persons to charitable or religious organizations and educational institutions for auction or raffle.
    • Expands current law to allow cash rebate coupons for wine and liquor sales.
    • Increases revenues deposited into the Missouri Wine and Grape Fund from $0.12/gallon of wine sold to $0.21/gallon, allowing the Missouri Wine and Grape Board to use the additional revenue to support the University of Missouri’s Grape and Wine Institute.
    • Allows entities licensed to sell liquor by the drink for consumption on their licensed premises to be open 24 hours a day and serve alcohol from 6 a.m. to 5 a.m. the following day during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    “We are proud to sign this legislation today, rightly branded as the American Beer Act, to help support and strengthen Missouri breweries, farmers, suppliers, and retailers who brew and sell American beer,” said Governor Kehoe. “Our state has a long history of being home to some of the best brewers in the nation, and by taking this action today to support breweries at a state level, Missouri is setting an example of supporting companies that are investing in American manufacturing, jobs, and communities.”

    For more information on the legislation and additional provisions signed into law, visit house.mo.gov and senate.mo.gov. Photos from the bill signing will be uploaded to Governor Kehoe’s Flickr page. Additional bill signings will continue to take place over the next several days. For more information on the bill signings, view Governor Kehoe’s schedule.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Armstrong authorizes ND National Guard to provide aerial support in search for Texas flood victims

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Gov. Kelly Armstrong has authorized the North Dakota National Guard to provide aerial support in the search for victims of catastrophic flash flooding in central Texas that has claimed the lives of 120 people, with more than 170 still missing.

    A seven-person crew from the North Dakota Air National Guard’s 119th Wing is operating an MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft to aid search efforts. Armstrong approved the request from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), the national interstate mutual aid system that allows states to share resources during disasters.

    “Other states have come to our aid in extremely challenging times, and North Dakota stands ready to help Texas through this catastrophe however we can,” Armstrong said. “We pray for everyone affected by the flash flooding, especially those families grieving lost loved ones, and thank all the first responders, volunteers, search and rescue teams, and emergency management personnel working day and night to provide safety, shelter and closure.”

    The Fargo-based 119th Wing remotely pilots the MQ-9 Reaper, providing air support and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to ground forces. This is the first time the 119th Wing has provided MQ-9 support for an EMAC request.

    “Our North Dakota National Guard Airmen are working with Texas as they continue search and rescue missions and provide assessment of impacted areas following this flash flooding,” said Brig. Gen. Mitch Johnson, adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard and director of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, which coordinates EMAC requests with other states. “We are controlling a Texas-based MQ-9 from Fargo in order to support emergency management teams on the ground with meaningful and effective information.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Armstrong authorizes ND National Guard to provide aerial support in search for Texas flood victims

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Gov. Kelly Armstrong has authorized the North Dakota National Guard to provide aerial support in the search for victims of catastrophic flash flooding in central Texas that has claimed the lives of 120 people, with more than 170 still missing.

    A seven-person crew from the North Dakota Air National Guard’s 119th Wing is operating an MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft to aid search efforts. Armstrong approved the request from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), the national interstate mutual aid system that allows states to share resources during disasters.

    “Other states have come to our aid in extremely challenging times, and North Dakota stands ready to help Texas through this catastrophe however we can,” Armstrong said. “We pray for everyone affected by the flash flooding, especially those families grieving lost loved ones, and thank all the first responders, volunteers, search and rescue teams, and emergency management personnel working day and night to provide safety, shelter and closure.”

    The Fargo-based 119th Wing remotely pilots the MQ-9 Reaper, providing air support and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to ground forces. This is the first time the 119th Wing has provided MQ-9 support for an EMAC request.

    “Our North Dakota National Guard Airmen are working with Texas as they continue search and rescue missions and provide assessment of impacted areas following this flash flooding,” said Brig. Gen. Mitch Johnson, adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard and director of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, which coordinates EMAC requests with other states. “We are controlling a Texas-based MQ-9 from Fargo in order to support emergency management teams on the ground with meaningful and effective information.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: California scores more clean energy records: 9 in 10 days this year partially powered by 100% clean energy

    Source: US State of California Governor

    Jul 10, 2025

    What you need to know: New data shows California’s power grid has run on 100% clean energy for some part of the day nearly every day this year – thanks to the state’s commitment to investing in new resources.

    SACRAMENTO – More than 9 out of 10 days so far this year have been powered by 100% clean energy for at least some part of the day in California. In 2025, California’s grid has run on 100% clean electricity for an average of 7 hours a day.

    Data compiled by the California Energy Commission shows clean energy has powered the equivalent of 51.9 days in the state – nearly 30% of the year to date running on 100% clean electricity. That already surpasses the amount of “clean energy days” last year – and represents a 750% increase in clean energy days since 2022.

    “The fourth largest economy in the world is running on more clean energy than ever before. Clean energy met our grid’s total demand for some part of the day almost every day this year – the equivalent of 51 full days powered by 100% clean electricity.

    Trump and Republicans can try all they want to take us back to the days of dirty coal but the future is cheap, abundant clean energy.” 

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    California has installed a record amount of clean energy – faster

    The addition of new clean energy resources – including battery storage – to the state’s grid has helped make clean energy days a reality in California.  

    Earlier this year, Governor Newsom announced more than 25,000 megawatts (MW) of new resources have been added to the state’s electric grid over the past five years — an amount equivalent to roughly half of the state’s record peak demand in 2022 and in addition to existing capacity.

    In 2024 alone, California added approximately 7,000 megawatts (MW) of new clean energy nameplate capacity —representing the largest single-year increase in clean energy capacity added to the grid in state history. This new figure broke the previous records set in both 2022 and 2023, marking a third consecutive year of unprecedented clean energy growth.

    Since the beginning of the Newsom Administration, battery storage is up to over 15,000 megawatts – a 1,944% increase.

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    Jul 9, 2025

    News What you need to know: California is sending more resources to assist New Mexico, Oregon, and Texas in disaster response, including incident support personnel and Urban Search and Rescue teams.  SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that California…

    Jul 9, 2025

    News Sacramento, California – Acting Governor Eleni Kounalakis today issued a proclamation declaring July 2025 as Disability Pride Month.The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below: PROCLAMATION California joins communities around the nation in…

    Jul 9, 2025

    News What you need to know: Governor Newsom announced $35 million for law enforcement partners, local governments and community groups tackling impaired driving. Sacramento, California – Helping to address the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Convicted Felon Sentenced To Prison For Illegal Possession Of A Firearm

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    The Defendant Discharged a Stolen Gun Inside a Residence with Minor Children Present

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Michael Angelo Crank, 44, of Charlotte, was sentenced today to 51 months in prison followed by a term of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

    Alicia Jones, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making today’s announcement.

    According to court records and court proceedings, on August 15, 2024, an individual identified as T.T. called 911 to report that Crank had discharged a firearm. Officers responding to the service call arrived at the residence and spoke with Crank, T.T. and three minor children. T.T. told the officers that Crank had fired a gun during an argument while her young children were at home. Officers executed a search warrant on the residence where they located and seized five discharged 9mm shell cases; a 9mm Glock, model 17 semiautomatic pistol; one 30-round magazine for the Glock; one 17-round magazine for the Glock; a 9mm Hi-Point model C9 semiautomatic pistol; and several rounds of various ammunition. Officers also reviewed footage from the home security system. The footage captured Crank following T.T. and her minor children into the front yard with a gun in his hand. During the investigation, law enforcement determined that both seized firearms had been reported stolen. Crank has a criminal history that includes state felony convictions of Assault on a Female and Felony Possession of Cocaine, and a federal conviction in South Carolina for conspiracy and using, carrying, and possessing firearms during, in relation to, and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

    On October 29, 2024, Crank pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Thomas is in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

    The ATF and CMPD led the investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Feenstra Introduces Legislation to Improve Livestock Indemnity Program and Support Iowa Cattle Producers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Randy Feenstra (IA-04)

    HULL, IOWA – Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) introduced legislation – the Livestock Indemnity Program Improvement Act – to make needed updates to the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) so that Iowa cattle and livestock producers receive a fair market price for their livestock.

    Under current law, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency only makes annual updates to LIP payment rates. Feenstra’s legislation would make these price updates quarterly to accurately account for turbulent and unpredictable market conditions.

    “When severe storms strike or animal disease spreads, Iowa cattle producers deserve a fair price for deceased livestock. However, under current law, payment rates from the Livestock Indemnity Program are only updated once a year – a lengthy period that does not accurately reflect unpredictable market conditions or support family farms,” said Rep. Feenstra. “My bill – the Livestock Indemnity Program Improvement Act – will cut that timeframe down to every three months so that our producers receive a fair and more accurate price for their livestock. Allowing the free market to work as intended will ensure that cattle producers are fairly compensated for losses out of their control.” 

    “Livestock producers work tirelessly to prevent disease, mitigate risk, and remain resilient in the face of disaster. Yet, even with every precaution, losses still occur. That’s why regular updates to payment rates in the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) are essential to help producers recover. The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association appreciates Congressman Feenstra’s commitment to cattlemen and ensuring LIP payments reflect the current market value of livestock,” said Rob Medberry, President of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association.

    The National Milk Producers Federation also supports this legislation.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sens. Scott, Warnock and Colleagues Introduce Hospital at Home Healthcare Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott
    WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) introduced the Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act, legislation that would extend the Acute Hospital at Home Waiver program and modernize how Americans receive hospital-level care. This bill would build on the successful Hospital at Home program, which currently allows thousands of Americans to safely receive hospital-level care in their homes through a Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) waiver. 
    “The American healthcare system must evolve to meet the needs of the patients in the 21st century,” said Senator Scott. “Hospital-at-home care provides better outcomes for patients while reducing costs. This legislation ensures that successful programs like this can continue to serve families across South Carolina and the nation.”
    “This legislation is about protecting access to quality health care, lowering costs for patients, and improving the health and well-being of our family and neighbors,” said Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock. “I will always work to lower costs and increase health care access for Georgians, and I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan effort.”
    This legislation addresses the unsustainable costs of the current healthcare system by leveraging technology and alternative care models. 
    In addition to Senators Scott and Warnock, this bill was cosponsored by Senators Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-N.Y.).
    Read the text of the bill here.
    Background:
    Under the current program, CMS requires an in-person physician evaluation and screening protocols to assess medical and non-medical factors before at-home care can begin. Research has shown hospital-at-home programs decrease hospital-acquired infections, falls, delirium, and immobility while providing cost savings. 
    The waiver programs launched in November of 2020 to help decompress hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Senator Scott and former Senator Carper worked to extend the Hospital at Home Program during the 117th and 118th Congress. During the 117th Congress, they introduced and passed the Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act, legislation that extended the Hospital at Home waiver program two years beyond the duration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. The March Continuing Resolution extended Hospital-at-Home until the end of this fiscal year. Now, more than 37 states have Hospital-at-Home programs, including South Carolina. The program is set to expire on September 30th, 2025.
    While the federal healthcare system is transitioning from payment models that solely fund care in traditional facilities, several states have passed legislation allowing varying levels of hospital-at-home flexibility.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Superman wasn’t always so squeaky clean – in early comics he was a radical vigilante

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By John Caro, Principal Lecturer, Film and Media, University of Portsmouth

    Superman was the very first superhero. He debuted in Action Comics issue #1 which was released in June 1938. Over time, the character has been assigned multiple nicknames: “The Man of Steel”, “The Man of Tomorrow” and “The Big Blue Boy Scout”. However, in his first appearance in ravaged Depression-era America, the byline used to announce Superman’s debut was: “The Champion of the Oppressed”.

    Created by the sons of Jewish immigrants, writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, Superman is an example of youthful male wish fulfilment: an all-powerful figure dressed like a circus strong man, who uses brawn to right wrongs. However, Siegel and Shuster’s initial version of the character was a more flawed character.

    Appearing in a 1933 fanzine, Siegel’s prose story The Reign of the Superman with accompanying illustrations by Shuster, featured a reckless scientist whose hubris is punished when he creates the telepathic “super man” by experimenting on a drifter plucked from the poverty lines. Echoing Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the creator is dispatched by his creation.

    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    Siegel and Shuster had some early success selling stories to National Allied Publications, the forerunner of DC Comics. At this time, comic books were mainly collections of newspaper cartoons – the “funnies” – pasted together to create more portable anthologies. They featured the escapades of characters like Popeye and Little Orphan Annie.

    Inspired by the heroic tales of derring do of pulp fiction adventurers such as Johnston McCulley’s Zorro (1919) and Philip Wylie’s 1930 science fiction novel Gladiator, Siegel and Shuster further developed their Superman character. They transformed him into a hero and added the now familiar cape and “S” logo.

    Having no luck selling their superhero to the newspapers, they eventually sold the rights to Superman to DC Comics, where Superman achieved huge success. Within a year, there was a syndicated newspaper strip and a spin-off Superman comic book featuring the first superhero with their own exclusive title. Along with extensive merchandising, there was a 1940 radio show, followed by an animation series in 1941, with the inevitable live action serial in 1948.

    In this early example of a property crossing multiple media platforms, Superman’s apparent appeal lay with the fantastical aspects, as he battled mad scientists, criminal masterminds and giant dinosaurs.

    But in the early issues, Superman’s enemies were noticeably more earthbound and reflected the concerns of an audience reeling from the effects of the Great Depression. In an early story, War in Sante Monte, Superman confronts a corrupt Washington lobbyist, Alex Greer, who is bribing a greedy senator. It transpires that Greer represents an arms dealer who is profiteering by manipulating both sides in an overseas war.

    In a later tale, Superman Battles Death Underground, our hero challenges the owner of a dangerous mine who is cutting corners with safety precautions.

    In 1932 Siegel’s father, a tailor, died following the attempted robbery of the family shop – so it is no surprise that Superman had a low tolerance for crime and its causes. In the story Superman in the Slums, dated January 1939, the social commentary is plain. When teenager Frankie Marello is sentenced to reform school, Superman acknowledges the impact of the boy’s social environment:

    It’s these slums – your poor living conditions – if there was only some way I could remedy it!

    His solution is to raze the dilapidated buildings to the ground, forcing the authorities to replace them with modern cheap-rental apartments. In creating new construction work, here is Superman’s extreme version of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal.

    In the 1998 forward to Superman: The Action Comics Archives Volume 2, former DC Comics editor Paul Kupperberg comments this is a Superman “who fought (mainly) guys in suits out to screw over the little guy”. The form that the fight took is of interest, for this Superman has no time for niceties or due process, as he gleefully intimidates and bullies anyone who gets in his way.

    A man caught beating his wife is thrown into a wall and warned that there is plenty more where that came from. The corrupt lobbyist is dangled over power cables until he reveals who he is working for. Any police officers that attempt to obstruct Superman’s personal quest for justice are brushed aside with annoyance.

    Refining Superman

    Through his appearances on mainstream radio and cinema, Superman softened and became more patient. In popular culture, concerns about the depression and social injustice shifted to efforts to encourage a national consensus as the United States moved to a war footing in the early 1940s.

    Post-war, there were occasional returns to the more radical interpretations of Superman, but generally it is the clean cut, fantastical Big Blue Boy Scout perception of the character that has dominated.

    The new Superman film appears to be maintaining that image. In the trailer, actor David Corenswet’s Superman tackles various super-villains and a destructive Kaiju (a Godzilla-like skyscraper-sized monster) – although there is the suggestion that behind them all is the corrupt industrialist, Lex Luthor.

    The trailer for the latest Superman film.

    Fittingly, it is in the pages of comic books that a more progressive, militant representation of Superman has emerged. In 2024 DC rebooted its familiar superheroes with its new grittier “Absolute” universe.

    Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval’s Absolute Superman comic (2024) emphasises the character’s status as an isolated blue-collar immigrant from the doomed planet of Krypton. This is a youthful, less seasoned Superman who is quick to anger and less likely to pull his punches. Their interpretation is closer to Superman’s early vigilante roots, including a storyline where he liberates the workers in a Brazilian mine from the clutches of exploitative big business.

    Perhaps – in the comic books at least – the Champion of the Oppressed has finally returned.

    This article features references to books that have been included for editorial reasons, and may contain links to bookshop.org. If you click on one of the links and go on to buy something from bookshop.org The Conversation UK may earn a commission.

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

    – ref. Superman wasn’t always so squeaky clean – in early comics he was a radical vigilante – https://theconversation.com/superman-wasnt-always-so-squeaky-clean-in-early-comics-he-was-a-radical-vigilante-260721

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UN calls for reversal of US sanctions on Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese

    Source: United Nations 2

    They’re calling for the decision to be reversed, warning it could undermine the wider international human rights system.

    The sanctions were announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday under a Presidential Executive Order.

    Mr. Rubio alleged that Ms. Albanese had “directly engaged with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in efforts to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute nationals of the United States or Israel, without the consent of those two countries,” which he called a “gross infringement” on national sovereignty.

    The US and Israel are not parties to the Rome Statute, the international treaty that established the ICC.

    Call for reversal

    In a statement issued on Thursday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called for the “prompt reversal” of the sanctions against the Human Rights Council-appointed Special Rapporteur “in response to work she has undertaken under the mandate” she is tasked with.

    “Even in face of fierce disagreement, UN Member States should engage substantively and constructively, rather than resort to punitive measures,” he said.

    The UN rights chief also called for an end to attacks and threats against mandate holders appointed by the council, as well as key institutions like the ICC.

    “The solution is not less, but more, debate and dialogue on the very real human rights concerns they address,” Mr. Türk urged.

    Cooperation, not reprisal

    Jürg Lauber, President of the UN Human Rights Council, also voiced regret over the punitive move by the US.

    In a statement, he highlighted that Special Rapporteurs “are an essential instrument” in fulfilling the Council’s mandate and urged all nations to “fully cooperate” with them.

    “I call on all UN Member States…to refrain from any acts of intimidation or reprisal against them,” he said.

    Independent Special Rapporteurs

    Special Rapporteurs are appointed under what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council.

    They are independent experts appointed to monitor and report on human rights issues worldwide. These experts serve in their personal capacity, are not UN staff and receive no financial remuneration for their work.

    They regularly report to the Geneva-based council as well as to the UN General Assembly in New York.

    In addition to the mandate on the occupied Palestinian territory, mandates exist to monitor human rights in countries such as Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Afghanistan. In all there are 46 thematic and 14 different country-based mandates.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM Union Statement on Cascades Containerboard’s Niagara Falls Facility Closure

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    “The IAM Union is deeply disappointed to learn of Cascades Containerboard’s decision to close its Niagara Falls, N.Y., facility, which will impact approximately 50 IAM District 65 members. We want to assure our members and the community that we will do everything in our power to vigorously defend their rights and interests throughout this process.

    “We recognize the long and hard-fought efforts of our members to organize and secure their first contract, and it is a privilege to represent them. We are committed to negotiating strongly during effects bargaining to secure a fair and comprehensive severance package.

    “This announced closure occurs during broader economic uncertainties, including tariffs on our ally, Canada, which has impacted the business environment for Cascades, a Quebec-based company. We will continue to call for an immediate end to job-killing tariffs on Canada.

    “We urge Cascades management, and our state, local and federal partners, to work with us cooperatively during this difficult time.” 

    The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across the United States and Canada.

    goIAM.org | @IAM_Union

    The post IAM Union Statement on Cascades Containerboard’s Niagara Falls Facility Closure appeared first on IAM Union.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Southbound I-5 pavement repair work begins July 16 from Blaine to Ferndale

    Source: Washington State News 2

    Travelers should expect overnight lane and ramp closures during project

    BLAINE – Southbound Interstate 5 will get a facelift in northern Whatcom County, as a project to repair and replace pavement between Blaine and the Nooksack River crossing in Ferndale will begin Wednesday, July 16.

    Paving

    Starting at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will replace failing pavement on segments of southbound I-5 and make repairs where on- and off-ramps connect to the interstate.

    Crews will repair potholes, cracking and settling pavement, and replace the top level of asphalt. This project will extend the life of the pavement and provide a smoother, safer driving experience along the 10-mile stretch of southbound I-5.

    Guardrail

    WSDOT also will upgrade aging guardrail on the shoulders of southbound I-5 and update cable barrier between the northbound and southbound lanes. The new guardrail and cable barriers are designed to help prevent vehicles from leaving the roadway and reduce the severity of crashes.

    Guardrail work will take place off the roadway, but drivers should still expect lane and shoulder closures to create a safe work zone.

    Keeping drivers moving during construction

    Paving and guardrail repair work requires different lane, shoulder and ramp closures, including:

    • Nighttime lane closures: Southbound I-5 lane closures are allowed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., nightly, Sundays through Friday mornings. The speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph for all lane shifts.
    • Daytime and nighttime shoulder closures: Southbound I-5 shoulder closures are allowed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily Sundays through Thursdays or 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly Sundays through Friday mornings.
    • Nighttime ramp closures and detours: Southbound I-5 ramp closures are allowed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly Sundays through Friday mornings.

    The $7.6 million project is expected to be finished in fall 2025.

    Real-time information is available via the WSDOT app and WSDOT Travel Center map.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: $21M for Flood Protection in the Southern Tier 

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced $21 million to support flood protection projects in the Southern Tier. The projects address vital stormwater management and resilient infrastructure projects in communities including Binghamton, Elmira, Olean, and Whitney Point to help advance New York’s comprehensive clean water and resiliency efforts that will safeguard New Yorkers from extreme weather and the costly expenses of rebuilding after a flood.

    “As we face more and more devastating extreme storms, we must do everything we can to ensure our communities are resilient, sustainable and ready,” Governor Hochul said. “We saw the flooding in Binghamton almost 15 years ago, and we don’t want to see it again. These projects help us get ahead of the storm damage, save taxpayers millions of dollars in the long run, and prevent post-flood recovery costs for homeowners and businesses alike.”

    The $21 million provided through the ‘Restoration and Flood Risk’ category of the historic $4.2 billion Clean Air, Clean Water and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 will support projects implemented by the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The initial four projects announced today will help make necessary updates and bolster the resilience of existing flood infrastructure like levees and flood walls, to help ensure these structures’ long-term effectiveness in protecting communities from flooding. These flood control structures were originally constructed under the federal 1936 Flood Control Act to specifically address flooding along the Southern Tier of New York State and built in the 1940s and early 1950s.

    Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “Thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership and historic investments, New York State is making important progress to protect communities and infrastructure from the devastating impacts of flooding. By supporting DEC’s repairs and upgrades in Binghamton, Elmira, Olean, and Whitney Point with the record funding from the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, the Governor is advancing key projects in communities that are susceptible to flooding, helping provide residents the support they need to avoid potential costly repairs if flooding occurs.”

    Assemblymember Deborah Glick said, “As climate change continues to intensify storms and flooding across New York, proactive investments like these are critical to protecting communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems. The $21 million in Environmental Bond Act funding announced today will strengthen flood control systems in the Southern Tier, projects that are not only long overdue, but essential for public safety and long-term resiliency. I applaud Governor Hochul and Commissioner Lefton for advancing these vital efforts to build a safer, more climate-resilient New York.” 

    City of Binghamton Flood Control Project

    DEC is making improvements to the Binghamton Flood Control Project located along the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers in the City of Binghamton. Rehabilitation of the floodwalls is necessary to ensure Binghamton has a resilient working flood protection system. The construction includes replacement of two floodwall panels, replacing deteriorated concrete, and application of a protective coating on the floodwalls to extend the useful life of the concrete walls.    

    City of Elmira Flood Control Project

    DEC is making improvements to the Elmira Flood Control Project along the Chemung River, which provides flood protection for the city of Elmira. The project consists of levees, and flood walls with appurtenant drainage structures. The project will install 65 relief wells along with collector pipes to provide pressure relief caused by floodwaters and will ensure the structure meets U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requirements.    

    City of Olean Flood Control Project

    DEC is making improvements to the Olean Flood Control Project located on the Allegheny River and Olean Creek in the city of Olean. The project will stabilize a section of existing levee system, mitigate erosion, and improve access to the levee for regular DEC maintenance.   

    Village of Whitney Point Flood Control Project

    DEC is making improvements to the Whitney Point Flood Control Project located on the Tioughnioga River in the village of Whitney Point. The project will upgrade the manual gate system and install a new swing gate closure structure to more efficiently and effectively close the existing stoplog railroad closure.   

    On Nov. 8, 2022, New Yorkers overwhelmingly approved the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act ballot proposition to make $4.2 billion available for environmental and community projects. The Environmental Bond Act supports new and expanded projects across the state to safeguard drinking water sources, reduce pollution, and protect communities and natural resources from climate change. State agencies, local governments, and partners can access this historic funding to protect water quality, help communities adapt to climate change, improve resiliency, and create green jobs.

    The projects announced today complement other state investments and opportunities to protect communities from flood damage. In May, Governor Hochul announced more than $78 million in funding available through the Water Quality Improvement Project Program and $22 million in Climate Smart Community grants, which both support projects that include flood risk reduction. Applications for these latest rounds of funding are due by July 31, 2025. In April, the Governor also announced $60 million in Environmental Bond Act funding for the next round of Green Resiliency Grants. The program supports vital stormwater management and resilient infrastructure projects in flood-prone communities across New York State. Applications for this program are due by Aug. 15, 2025. To learn more about resources available for resilient Bond Act-supported projects, visit environmentalbondact.ny.gov.

    New York’s Commitment to Water Quality

    New York State continues to increase its nation-leading investments in water infrastructure. With an additional $500 million for clean water infrastructure in the 2025-2026 enacted State Budget announced by Governor Hochul, New York will have invested a total of $6 billion in water infrastructure since 2017. The budget also maintains a strong commitment to environmental conservation with a $425 million Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). This funding bolsters a wide array of vital programs, including land acquisition for habitat and open space preservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives, and water quality improvement projects.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Major Renewable Energy Project Approved for Madison County

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul announced today that the New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (ORES) has issued a final siting permit to Cypress Creek Renewables to develop and operate Oxbow Hill Solar, a 140-megawatt (MW) solar array in the Town of Fenner in Madison County. The project will create good-paying jobs, improve grid reliability, invest in crucial infrastructure, and increase tax revenues for local schools and other community priorities.

    “We are extremely pleased to announce the latest investment in solar technology, upholding our commitment to improving grid reliability and building a clean energy economy,” Governor Hochul said. “The projects we have approved over the last few years are a testament to New York’s commitment to sustainability and resiliency.”

    The Oxbow Hill Solar facility will contribute 140 MW of clean, renewable energy to New York’s electric grid while offsetting over 177,000 metric tons of CO2 and providing power for approximately 23,000 average-sized homes.

    The new solar facility will consist of the solar array and associated support equipment, along with an interconnection substation, fencing, access roads and an operations and maintenance building. The facility will interconnect to the New York electrical grid via the Fenner Wind to Whitman Road 115 kV transmission line that is owned and operated by National Grid. Oxbow Hill is sited on a portion of the existing Fenner Wind Farm, making it the first ORES permit where a solar facility is co-located with a wind facility.

    This project was approved in less than the one-year timeframe required under the law, and was issued after a thorough, timely, and transparent review process that included public comment periods and hearings.

    Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission Executive Director Zeryai Hagos said, “As the state approaches 4 gigawatts of clean, renewable energy, a monumental achievement, we are reminded that we still have work to do to address New York’s growing energy needs. ORES will continue to advance New York’s nation-leading clean energy policies while being responsive to community feedback and protecting the environment.”

    This project is anticipated to create a total of 330 jobs during construction and marks 24 clean energy projects approved by ORES since 2021, when it was created to accelerate permitting for renewable energy generation. New York State has approved 28 large-scale solar and wind projects since 2021, including 24 permitted by ORES and four approved by the NYS Siting Board under Article 10, the statute that governed solar and wind projects over 25-MW prior to the creation of ORES. The 28 permitted facilities represent 3.9 gigawatts of new clean, renewable energy.

    ORES’ decision for these facilities follows a detailed and transparent review process with robust public participation to ensure the proposed project meets or exceeds the requirements of Article VIII of the New York State Public Service Law and its implementing regulations. The application for the Oxbow Hill Solar project was deemed complete on November 18, 2024 with a draft permit issued by ORES on January 14, 2025. This solar power project meaningfully advances New York’s clean energy goals while establishing the State as a paradigm for efficient, transparent, and thorough siting permitting process of major renewable energy facilities.

    Today’s decisions may be obtained by going to the ORES website.

    Assemblymember Al Stirpe said, “By strengthening New York’s energy economy, we position ourselves to not only meet the growing electricity demand, but to do so sustainably. The solar array in Madison County brings us one step closer in reaching our climate and energy goals. Each major renewable energy project helps deliver the critical climate action that our state urgently needs, while also creating hundreds of local jobs and new revenue for community priorities. At a time where the federal government threatens progress on clean energy, New York remains unwavering in its provision of renewable and efficient energy for years to come.”

    New York State’s Climate Agenda
    New York State’s climate agenda calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments, and directs a minimum of 35 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy by 2050, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kamlager-Dove, Kim, Van Hollen, Rounds, Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Strengthen U.S.-Africa Ties

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager California (37th District)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) and Young Kim (R-CA) and U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) reintroduced the bipartisan Young African Leaders Initiative Act, legislation to make permanent the State Department’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). 

    YALI is the United States’ signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders. With a median age of 19, the continent is home to the world’s youngest population. Recognizing the immense potential of this rising generation of change-makers, YALI was launched in 2010 to support young African leaders as they spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across sub-Saharan Africa. This legislation also reaffirms the United States’ commitment to investing in Africa’s youth, promoting initiatives to enhance leadership skills, support entrepreneurship, and strengthen U.S.-Africa people-to-people ties.

    “The Young African Leaders Initiative has been a cornerstone of America’s commitment to Africa’s future since 2010, and I’m proud to support its ongoing efforts through the bipartisan, bicameral YALI Act,” said Rep. Kamlager-Dove. “Despite historic bipartisan support, the Trump Administration has proposed a 40% cut to YALI’s budget, jeopardizing a program that has proven effective in strengthening democracy, building communities, and fostering people-to-people ties. With 70% of Sub-Saharan Africa under 30, now’s the time to invest in—not retreat from—emerging leaders who will play vital roles in solving global challenges. We must pass the YALI Act to protect this crucial program and reaffirm the United States as a strong partner in Africa’s future.”

    “People-to-people diplomacy is how we build relationships and ensure the United States is the partner of choice for allies and partners,” said Rep. Kim. “The State Department’s Young African Leaders Initiative has proven to strengthen democracy, prosperity, and peace in the region while supporting young Africans making a difference in their communities. I thank Rep. Kamlager-Dove for working with me on this bill.” 

    “Over the last 15 years, YALI has helped strengthen our relationships with nations across Africa – fostering partnerships that expand opportunity, promote peace, and bolster people-to-people ties between the U.S. and these nations. As the continent’s youth population expands dramatically, it’s all the more important that we’re investing in the next generation of leaders. We should make YALI permanent to continue this critical support and pave the way for a brighter shared future for the nations of Africa and the U.S.,” said Senator Van Hollen.

    “Continued U.S. engagement in African nations is essential to building strategic partnerships, while also limiting the influence of our near-peer adversaries in the region,” said Senator Rounds.“The Young African Leaders Initiative was created in 2010 to empower young African leaders to gain the skills and education for the advancement of democratic governance and stability across the continent. Our legislation would make this program permanent and continue its role in advancing democracy and economic development in Africa.”

    Bill text can be viewed here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kamlager-Dove Statement on the Supreme Court’s Ruling in Trump v. CASA, Inc.

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager California (37th District)

    WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) shared the following statement to social media after the Supreme Court’s ruling in Trump v. CASA, Inc.:

    “The Trump Administration knows full-well that its Executive Order nullifying birthright citizenship violates the 14th Amendment.

    “But instead of addressing this blatantly unconstitutional action, SCOTUS’ conservative supermajority chose to suck up to Trump by limiting nationwide injunctions—in this case, allowing the Trump Administration to keep pursuing its assault on birthright citizenship.

    “The Constitution is clear: everyone born in the U.S. is a U.S. citizen. This fight isn’t over. I will continue to stand up for our immigrant communities and the Constitution.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaptur Applauds $650,000 in Research Awards to University of Toledo, Stresses Importance of Federal Funding

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

    Toledo, OH — Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) announced two major research awards totaling $650,000 for the University of Toledo from the National Science Foundation (NSF). These investments are a testament to Northwest Ohio’s scientific leadership and a clear reminder of the critical role federal research funding plays in the future of American innovation, education, and security.

    “The University of Toledo continues to shine as a center of scientific excellence and innovation,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “These awards are a powerful example of how federal research funding drives discovery, creates jobs, and gives students real opportunities here in Northwest Ohio. But we must be clear: if the Trump Administration fails to protect funding for science and innovation, we not only stall progress — we risk losing the talent, technology, and competitiveness that keep the innovative engine of our nation alive.”

    The two NSF awards include:

    •  $149,999 for research into fatigue-resistant aerospace-grade aluminum nanocomposites, led by Dr. Meysam Haghshenas. This work aims to improve safety and durability in critical sectors like aviation, space, and transportation.

    • $500,000 for the development of adaptive metal origami structures, spearheaded by Dr. Ala Qattawi, which has applications in robotics, defense systems, and biomedical devices.

    “This National Science Foundation project is an exciting convergence of two foundational research missions, where an equipment award from the U.S. Department of Defense provided the critical infrastructure that now empowers our fundamental investigations supported by the National Science Foundation,” said Dr. Meysam Haghshenas, an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering and the director of UToledo’s Failure, Fracture and Fatigue Laboratory. “It is a perfect example of how strategic investment in cutting-edge instrumentation can bridge agencies and catalyze fundamental scientific discovery at the core of national interest.”

    “I’m honored and excited to receive the National Science Foundation’s CAREER Award,” said Dr. Ala Qattawi, an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering. “This award will help propel our research into foldable metal structures inspired by origami by using advanced 3D printing and smart materials that respond to heat and other triggers. These adaptable geometries hold great promise for applications in aerospace, robotics and biomedical devices. Federal support through the NSF, along with growing interest from industry partners, is helping us build critical momentum in this area along with the ability to train and prepare future workforce in advanced materials manufacturing. I’m grateful for the opportunity to push the boundaries of what’s possible and to provide UToledo students with more exposure and experience in basic research and additive manufacturing.”

    Combined, these projects are projected to support dozens of undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and lab technicians over the next several years. The research also bolsters workforce development by integrating student-led research into university coursework, and by providing outreach opportunities in local K–12 classrooms — exposing young learners to high-tech, hands-on science before they reach college.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LYCOMING COUNTY – Governor Shapiro to Announce Opening of Verne Inc.’s First Manufacturing Facility in Pennsylvania, Creating Jobs and Growing Pennsylvania’s Clean Energy Economy

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    July 10, 2025 – Muncy, PA

    ADVISORY – LYCOMING COUNTY – Governor Shapiro to Announce Opening of Verne Inc.’s First Manufacturing Facility in Pennsylvania, Creating Jobs and Growing Pennsylvania’s Clean Energy Economy

    Governor Josh Shapiro will join Verne Inc. Co-Founder David Jaramillo and local leaders to announce the opening of Verne Inc.’s first manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania, creating 61 new jobs and advancing Pennsylvania’s clean energy economy.

    Since taking office, the Shapiro Administration has secured over $25.2 billion in private sector investments, creating nearly 11,000 jobs. From day one, Governor Shapiro has worked to spur economic development in Pennsylvania, creating the Economic Development Strategy, securing historic funding for site development, and speeding up the Commonwealth’s permitting, licensing, and certification processes.

    WHO:
    Governor Josh Shapiro
    David Jaramillo, Co-Founder and CTO, Verne Inc.
    Jason Fink, President and CEO, Lycoming County Chamber of Commerce
    Perry Babb, President and CEO, KeyState Energy

    WHEN:
    Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 11:00 AM

    WHERE:
    Verne, Inc.
    285 Marcellus Dr.
    Muncy, PA 17756

    LIVE STREAM:
    pacast.com/live/gov
    governor.pa.gov/live/

    RSVP:
    Press who are interested in attending must RSVP with the names and phone numbers for each member of their team to ra-gvgovpress@pa.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The state of our union: Pressing forward on a better path

    Source: US International Brotherhood of Boilermakers

    The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers is secure, it is prosperous and it is growing.

     Timothy Simmons, International President

    It is no secret that our union has been through some trying times. I don’t need to go further on what has transpired in our industries, our world and even within our own union over the past few years; we all lived through these things together.

    The Boilermakers union is no stranger to challenges and change. Time and again in our history, when industry innovations have threatened to make our crafts obsolete, we too have innovated and risen to greet new opportunities and evolve.

    Time and again in our history, when external or internal issues have shaken us, we have rolled up our sleeves, set differences aside, rallied, regrouped and refocused on what’s right and good for our union and the men and women we call brothers and sisters.

    Time and again, we have come through these trials stronger; we have made difficult and necessary changes; and we have pressed forward, set forth on a better path.

    That is where we find ourselves today.  

    The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers is secure, it is prosperous and it is growing. For the first time in many years, we have had successful organizing campaigns, with multiple campaigns currently in progress throughout the country. We are hiring recruiters nationwide to build our Boilermaker workforce. We are aggressively going after work we may have lost in the past—and in new industries where our craft belongs but has not yet been.

    We have restructured our organization, and as a result, we are leaner, we are meaner and we are more financially sound than we have been in five years. We are working together and implementing better programs and better processes. We are innovating the way we promote our union and more nimbly seizing improvements and new problem-solving approaches. We are data driven.

    And we have changed. We are focused on the people we are obligated to serve: the members. You. The Boilermakers who work 1,000 feet up on the top of a stack. The Boilermakers who, right now, are crawling through an economizer. The Boilermakers who got up before the sun this morning to mill talc or make cement. The Boilermakers who drive forklifts third shift in manufacturing warehouses, who get greasy repairing locomotives, who contort themselves into the tightest corners of the sweltering inner-bottoms to weld the keel of a U.S. Navy vessel. The Boilermakers who keep the U.S. and Canada going.

    It bears repeating: We are working together, all of us—because the better we, as a union, work together, the better our union can serve the members we represent.

    That is the state of our union today.

    We have come a long way and we’re in good shape. I’m proud of where we are today and where we are going next. We cannot stagnate; we cannot—and we will not—stop. We must press forward.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Statement from FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H: 100 Days of Embracing Gold-Standard Science, Transparency and Common Sense

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    For Immediate Release:
    July 10, 2025
    Statement From:

    As I mark my hundredth day on the job at the FDA, I’m proud to celebrate the agency’s accomplishments in the bipartisan effort to Make America Healthy Again. I came here with big questions: Why does it take ten years for a drug to reach patients? How can we fix America’s  food supply so it is not filled with harmful chemicals and additives? Why are childhood chronic diseases so prevalent? We are taking bold action to address these big, obvious problems, and more, which have been staring at us for years.
    The FDA regulates products that account for 20% of all U.S. consumer spending, and our work impacts the lives of every American. Over the past 100 days, we’ve launched dozens of key initiatives across the full range of the FDA’s purview to help make food healthier for children and families, accelerate meaningful cures and treatments, and modernize the agency with transparency, gold-standard science and common sense. Highlights include:  
    Food – Healthier Food for Children

    Fixing America’s Food Supply

    Petroleum-based food dye removal – Took action to phase out petroleum-based synthetic food dyes from the U.S. food supply, which are linked to numerous health risks.
    Improving infant formula – Continued the work of Operation Stork Speed by hosting an expert roundtable on infant formula and exploring new ways to bring additional and healthier options without ingredients like seed oils, added sugars and heavy metals to market.
    Food chemical review – Initiated a robust, transparent review of chemicals currently in the food supply, such as BHT, BHA and ADA; and expedited the review of chemicals currently under review, such as phthalates, propylparaben and titanium dioxide.
    GRAS reform – Exploring rulemaking to require “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) submissions to FDA to stop industry’s long-standing practice of introducing ingredients into the food supply without FDA knowledge or oversight.
    Natural food dyes – Approved uses of three food colors derived from natural sources: Galdieria extract blue, butterfly pea flower extract and calcium phosphate, and initiated an accelerated the review of other natural alternatives.
    Began revising broken dietary guidelines – Launched the Nutrition Regulatory Science Program in partnership with NIH to better address highly relevant questions for Americans’ health, such as the impact of ultra-processed foods and the effect of certain food additives.
    Defining ultra-processed foods – Will launch FDA/USDA request for data and information to help develop a uniform definition of ultra-processed foods, and industry roundtable, paving the way for additional study and action.

    More Meaningful Cures, Treatments and Diagnostics

    Accelerating Cures  

    Reducing animal testing – Published a roadmap to transition away from animal testing for investigational new drug applications wherever possible and use more effective, human-relevant methods, such as organ-on-a-chip systems, advanced computer simulations, and pre-existing international data. Announced the intent to launch a pilot program in which select monoclonal antibody developers may pursue a primarily non-animal-based testing strategy, under close FDA consultation.
    Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher program – Announced a pilot program to expedite drug review processes from 10-12 months to 1-2 months following submission of a final application addressing U.S. national priorities, such as tackling a major health crisis or unmet public health need, increasing domestic drug manufacturing, and delivering more innovative cures for the American people.
    Revised Covid-19 vaccine regulatory framework – Adopted a new evidence-based approach to Covid-19 booster approvals, replacing a one-size-fits-all regulatory framework and broad marketing authorizations with a risk-stratified approach that is already embraced by most doctors and parents. Updated labeling of mRNA shots to include new safety information about myocarditis and pericarditis.
    Addressed industry influence – Limited the circumstances where individuals employed at FDA-regulated companies, such as pharmaceutical companies, may serve as members of FDA advisory committees, where statutorily possible, to mitigate perceived conflicts of interest and strengthen integrity to the review process.
    CEO Listening Tour – Launched a six-city listening tour to meet directly with pharmaceutical and biotech executives, gathering honest feedback and big ideas to help the agency better accelerate cures and innovation.
    Cell and Gene therapy innovation – Engaged dozens of industry experts in a roundtable to shape actions that will ensure America leads at the forefront of innovation in this space.
    Removed restrictions on certain gene therapies – Removed REMS requirement for currently approved BCMA- and CD19-directed autologous chimeric antigen receptor CAR T cell immunotherapies, the first of many steps towards a more common-sense regulatory approach in this space.
    Diagnostics to empower healthy decisions – Cleared the first in vitro diagnostic device that tests blood to aid in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease.  Initiated process to remove regulations on Laboratory Developed Tests (LDTs).
    Extended-release drug labeling change – Revised labeling on extended-release stimulants for ADHD treatment, cautioning parents and providers about the risks of adverse reactions, including weight loss, when used by children under six.

    Administration – Gold-Standard Science & Common Sense

    Protecting American Consumers

    Combatting illegal vapes – In collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, seized nearly $34 million worth of illegal, youth-appealing e-cigarette products originating in China.
    Protecting the microbiome from fluoride tablets – Initiated action to remove concentrated ingestible fluoride prescription drug products for children from the market, which were not FDA-approved and have been shown to alter the gut microbiome.
    Examining talc – Hosted an expert panel to review the latest evidence and discuss potential health risks associated with talc used in food, drugs and cosmetics.
    Unannounced foreign inspections – Expanded the use of unannounced foreign inspections where appropriate, holding domestic and international drug manufacturers to the same high standard.
    Holistic inspection policy review – Began comprehensive review of the agency’s policies and practices for foreign inspections (including policies related to travel accommodations), ensuring the FDA remains the gold standard for regulatory oversight.
    Protecting American’s biological samples – Initiated action to review and, where necessary, halt clinical trials which involve exporting Americans’ living cells and DNA to labs in hostile countries, such as China, for genetic engineering and subsequent infusion back into U.S. patients.
    Enhancing drug importation – Fought high prescription drug prices by working to streamline the process by which states can pursue importation of safe, effective and affordable drugs from Canada, without imposing additional risk to public health and safety.
    Cracking down on falsified data – Discovered that third-party testing companies in China were producing falsified or otherwise invalid data; acted swiftly to protect the integrity of the premarket application process and the medical device supply chain.
    Fighting “gas station heroin” –Issued warning letters against companies distributing and selling unlawful tianeptine products, warned health care professionals and the general public about the extensive adverse events associated with tianeptine use.
    FDA import alerts – Updated several import alerts – for certain dietary supplements, cheeses, seafood, fish products and more – to help prevent illegal and unauthorized products flooding the U.S. market and risking American’s safety and health.

    Unleashing AI and Big Data

    AI-assisted review – Completed a successful first AI-assisted scientific review pilot, demonstrating that internal AI tools can greatly reduce the time reviewers spend on mundane tasks or non-productive busywork.
    Equipping reviewers with internal AI tools – Launched Elsa, a generative AI tool designed to help all FDA employees – from scientific reviewers to investigators – work more efficiently. Elsa is just an initial step in the FDA’s larger plans to integrate AI into agency processes.
    Building a better adverse event reporting database – Launched a comprehensive effort to consolidate disparate adverse event reporting databases, which will enable far more effective post-market monitoring of drug products.

    Modernization and Radical Transparency

    Transparent communications – Created FDA Direct, a regular channel for communicating directly with the public through frequent, unscripted conversations with the FDA Commissioner about strategic updates and the thinking behind key agency decisions.
    Transparent agenda – In the Journal of the American Medical Association, provided a clear outline of FDA leadership’s priorities for modernizing and improving the agency in the months ahead.
    Transparent decision making – Began publishing, to the greatest extent possible, decision letters issued in response to applications for new drugs and biological products.

    I’m excited by what the talented FDA team have been able to achieve in 100 days by embracing gold-standard science, radical transparency and common sense. This is just the beginning. We’ll continue to introduce initiatives to modernize the agency, protect consumers, bring more meaningful cures, treatments and diagnostics to patients, and make healthier food available for children, using the best science and data to Make America Healthy Again.
    Related Information

    Related Information

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    Boilerplate

    The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, radiation-emitting electronic products, and for regulating tobacco products.

    Content current as of:
    07/10/2025

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: For Immediate Release: Congressman Hunt Statement on Hill Country Flooding

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Wesley Hunt (Texas 38th District)

    Contact: James Kyrkanides, Chief of Staff

    Houston, TX – Congressman Wesley Hunt issued a statement today about his active involvement with federal, state, and local leaders regarding the flash flooding in Hill Country, Texas. 

    Many members of the Houston community had children enrolled at Camp La Junta and Camp Mystic while the flash flooding hit Hill Country. 

    “I am closely monitoring the flooding situation in Kerville, Texas,” said Rep. Hunt. “I have been in contact with Secretary Kristi Noem, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to ensure that those in danger are rescued immediately. 

    “Emily and I are praying for all those affected by this tragedy, including those in our Houston Community. May God watch over the victims, the first responders, and all the families impacted. May God bless Texas.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: For Immediate Release: Rep. Wesley Hunt Commends DOI for Implementation of his OBBB Policy Priority

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Wesley Hunt (Texas 38th District)

    July 7th, 2025

    Contact: James Kyrkanides, Chief of Staff

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Wesley Hunt released a statement commending the Department of the Interior for implementing his top policy priority in the One Big Beautiful Bill, which President Trump signed into law on Friday, July 4th. 

    “Since the day I entered Congress, unleashing American energy and championing our vital oil and gas sector has been a top priority. I’m proud that, under President Trump’s leadership, our commingling policy is now law through the One Big Beautiful Bill,” said Congressman Hunt.

    “This is about common sense and catching up with today’s technology,”said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “The current rules were written for a different era. These updates will help us manage public resources more efficiently, support responsible energy production, and make sure taxpayers and tribes get every dollar they’re owed.” 

    Production Commingling Background Information:

    Congressman Hunt’s commingling language was included in Title V, Section 50101, Subsection (q) in the One Big Beautiful Bill. This language will allow all exploration and production companies operating on federal lands to combine their facilities (e.g., storage containers, oil/gas sales pipelines) from different leases into one set of facilities.

    The implementation of this language by the DOI will:

    • Significantly decrease the cost to drill a well, thereby reducing energy prices for Americans.
    • Substantially minimize the surface impact of drilling a well, benefiting the environment.
    • Drastically improve emissions controls in the oil patch.

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    MIL OSI USA News –