Source: United States Coast Guard
U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 07/18/2025 05:45 PM EDT
| News Release |
U.S. Coast Guard Southeast District PA Detachment Jacksonville |
07/18/2025 05:22 PM EDT
Source: US Congressional Budget Office
The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives announces bills that will be considered under suspension of the rules in that chamber. Under suspension, floor debate is limited, all floor amendments are prohibited, points of order against the bill are waived, and final passage requires a two-thirds majority vote.
At the request of the Majority Leader and the House Committee on the Budget, CBO estimates the effects of those bills on direct spending and revenues. CBO has limited time to review the legislation before consideration. Although it is possible in most cases to determine whether the legislation would affect direct spending or revenues, time may be insufficient to estimate the magnitude of those effects. If CBO has prepared estimates for similar or identical legislation, a more detailed assessment of budgetary effects, including effects on spending subject to appropriation, may be included.
CBO’s estimates of the bills that have been posted for possible consideration under suspension of the rules during the week of July 21, 2025, include:
Source: US Commodity Futures Trading Commission
CFTC Staff Withdraws Advisory on Prime Brokerage Arrangements | CFTC
/PressRoom/PressReleases/9097-25
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July 18, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Division of Clearing and Risk today announced it is withdrawing CFTC Letter No. 23-06, Staff Advisory Relating to Prime Brokerage Arrangements and Derivatives Clearing Organization Registration, effective immediately.
Market participants should contact DCR staff with questions regarding the potential need to register as a derivatives clearing organization.
-CFTC-
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
NEW ORLEANS – Acting U.S. Attorney, Michael M. Simpson, announced that KAREN DUCKWORTH, age 66, of New Orleans, was charged on July 14, 2025 with theft of government funds.
According to court documents, on or before January 2009 and continuing through August 2024, KAREN DUCKWORTH, allegedly stole social security benefits improperly paid to her deceased mother’s bank account.
The maximum penalty for the offense is ten years imprisonment and/or up to a fine of $250,000, followed by up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of one hundred dollars.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson reiterated that the bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Richard R. Pickens, II of the Financial Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland man was sentenced to federal prison Thursday for illegally possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Rocky Allan Rainwater, 25, was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release.
According to court documents, in January 2024, investigators with the FBI and Clackamas County Interagency Task Force (CCITF) learned that an individual, later identified as Rainwater, used Telegram, an encrypted messaging service, to advertise the sale of various illegal narcotics including cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms, MDMA, ketamine, LSD, Xanax, Adderall, and marijuana.
During the investigation, investigators learned that Rainwater sold drugs to several minors in the Portland area and determined that he was advertising and selling drugs to both adults and minors. In addition to delivering drugs locally, Rainwater, using the Telegram username “smokeyinpdx,” also advertised that he would sell and ship drugs to out-of-state customers.
On March 22, 2024, investigators arranged a controlled buy of cocaine from Rainwater. When Rainwater arrived, investigators arrested him and seized a loaded .22 caliber pistol, 73 grams of cocaine, 465 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, LSD, dextroamphetamine, and a scale. The same day, investigators executed a search warrant on Rainwater’s residence and found cocaine, LSD, methamphetamine, an electronic scale, .22 caliber ammunition, $1,490 in cash, and a money ledger.
On March 23, 2024, Rainwater was charged by criminal complaint with distributing and possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
On February 7, 2025, Rainwater pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
This case was investigated by the FBI and Clackamas County Interagency Task Force (CCITF). It was prosecuted by Scott M. Kerin, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
CCITF is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program.
The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives.
If you or someone you know suffers from addiction, please call the Lines for Life substance abuse helpline at 1-800-923-4357 or visit www.linesforlife.org. Phone support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also text “RecoveryNow” to 839863 between 2pm and 6pm Pacific Time daily.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
An armed serial robber and convicted felon who robbed five cash loan businesses across the Fort Worth metroplex was sentenced today to 60 years in federal prison, announced Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy E. Larson.
Charles Brownlee, 37, was convicted by a jury in March 2025 for one count of Hobbs Act Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery, five counts of Hobbs Act Interference with Commerce by Robbery, five counts of Using, Carrying, and Brandishing a Firearm during a Crime of Violence, and one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. He was sentenced today to 720 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Reed C. O’Connor, who also ordered him to pay $21,123.47 in restitution.
According to evidence presented at trial, between May 9 and May 21, 2024, Brownlee robbed at gunpoint five Cash Store businesses in Grand Prairie, Fort Worth, Euless, Hurst, and Grapevine. Trying to conceal his identity, Brownlee covered his face with a medical mask and wore different baseball caps and outfits for the robberies.
“After terrorizing employees at multiple businesses throughout the DFW area, this defendant’s violent crime spree ended because of the stellar work of our law enforcement partners,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson. “The lengthy sentence imposed justly puts this serial felon behind bars for a very long time and serves as a message to others that we will vigorously prosecute those who jeopardize our communities’ safety.”
“The significant sentence received by the defendant is a result of the collaborative efforts of the Longhorn Violent Crimes Task Force to hold a violent, serial robber accountable. This individual committed a series of robberies throughout Tarrant County and strong partnerships with local law enforcement allowed us to stop these acts of violent crime,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “The FBI will continue to work alongside our local, state, and federal law enforcement to surge resources and fight violent crime in our communities across North Texas.”
Numerous law enforcement agencies were involved in the investigation, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, Fort Worth Resident Agency, Grand Prairie Police Department, Fort Worth Police Department, Euless Police Department, Hurst Police Department, and Grapevine Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric B. Chen and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Levi Thomas prosecuted and tried the case.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott
“President Trump was crystal clear on the campaign trail: under his leadership, the United States will be the crypto capital of the world. With his signature on the GENIUS Act, we’ve made history and have delivered important regulatory clarity for the stablecoin industry…,” said Senator Scott.
WASHINGTON — Today, President Donald J. Trump signed the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act – legislation Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) co-sponsored and championed as it advanced through the Senate. The GENIUS Act – which was led by Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and also cosponsored by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), and Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) – establishes a first of its kind regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, protecting consumers and strengthening national security. Under Senator Scott’s leadership, the bill passed the Senate Banking Committee in March, with every Republican and five Democrats supporting it.
“President Trump was crystal clear on the campaign trail: under his leadership, the United States will be the crypto capital of the world. With his signature on the GENIUS Act, we’ve made history and have delivered important regulatory clarity for the stablecoin industry. I’m grateful to the president and my colleagues for their tireless efforts and leadership on this legislation, which will not only support working families, small businesses, and communities across America with faster, cheaper, and more accessible payments but will also solidify the U.S. dollar’s dominance across the world. Let’s be clear – our work here is not finished – and I look forward to taking the same energy and approach to deliver digital asset market structure legislation to President Trump’s desk,”said Senator Scott.
BACKGROUND:
Upon becoming Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, Scott pledged to advance a regulatory framework that will provide clarity for the digital assets industry and promote consumer choice, education, and protection. Building on that promise, Senator Scott created the first-ever Subcommittee on Digital Assets, led by Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.).
In its first legislative markup of the 119th Congress, and after considering nearly 40 amendments to the bill, the Senate Banking Committee voted to advance the GENIUS Act, with every Republican and five Democrats supporting it.
Ahead of the Senate’s vote on the bill, key stakeholders voiced support for the legislation. After the Senate voted to begin consideration of the bill, Senator Scott issued astatement and spoke on the Senate floor highlighting the importance of passing the bill, noting that the GENIUS Act is the result of months of good-faith, bipartisan negotiations and has benefited from extensive consultation with industry participants, legal and academic experts, and government stakeholders. On June 17, the Senate passed the bill and President Trump endorsed the legislation. The House of Representatives advancedthe legislation on July 17, 2025.
To read Senator Scott’s op-ed in the Washington Examiner on the GENIUS Act, click here.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott
WASHINGTON — This week, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) was joined by Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Cynthis Lummis (R-Wyo.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) in introducing legislation to reauthorize rural health outreach services programs that were signed into law under President Trump in 2020. The Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act would ensure that local rural needs are prioritized in grant awards by requiring community involvement in the planning and implementation of projects to ensure services are tailored to local needs.
“The 43 percent higher mortality rate in rural communities is not just a statistic, it represents our neighbors, our families, and fellow Americans who deserve equal access to quality healthcare,” said Senator Scott. “By reauthorizing these critical health service outreach programs, we are helping to close the gap and prevent these communities from being left behind.”
“When I meet with families, farmers, businesses and community leaders in greater Minnesota, one of the first issues that comes up is health care,” said Senator Smith.“Rural communities often face increased barriers to medical services, including staff shortages and lack of federal funding. The Improving Care in Rural America Act continues the important progress we’ve made in providing these small towns and rural communities with the resources they need to support appropriate care for all.”
“The people of Wyoming should not have to travel far for quality care,” said Senator Lummis. “The Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act ensures rural clinics will continue to be funded and equipped to provide patient-centered services from corner to corner of the Cowboy State. Wyoming faces unique healthcare challenges, and I am proud to champion tailored solutions by reauthorizing this vital grant program to make medical services more accessible throughout my state.”
“Across Virginia and throughout the U.S., rural communities often face unique challenges that lead to reduced or even nonexistent access to lifesaving medical care,” said Senator Kaine. “Especially at a time when our rural health providers are grappling with severe budget cuts that could force them to close their doors, I urge all of my colleagues to join us in passing this bipartisan legislation to reauthorize key federal grants that support rural health care.”
This bill reauthorizes three key programs under the Public Health Service Act through FY2030:
A version of the bill was also introduced in the House by Congressmen, Earl Carter (R-GA), Shomari Figures (D-AL), Michael Rulli (R-OH), and Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA).
Background:
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester (both D-Del.), released the following statement on President Trump’s nomination of Jennifer Mascott to fill the open Delaware seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit:
“For months, we have worked with the White House in good faith to identify and interview qualified Delawareans for this lifetime position on the Third Circuit. We interviewed several promising candidates, including sitting members of the federal judiciary, with deep roots in the Delaware legal community and the qualifications to serve our state and the Third Circuit with distinction. We were encouraged when the White House Counsel’s Office – led by a Delawarean – interviewed those candidates as well. We had hope that the advice and consent process set out in the Constitution could work because it had in the past. During President Trump’s first term, Delaware’s senators identified, and a bipartisan Senate unanimously confirmed, two consensus judicial nominees to Delaware’s federal bench.
“That was not the case this time around. The Trump administration has now nominated someone with whom we have never met and who has little– if any – connection to our state or to the Third Circuit. Ms. Mascott has never been a member of the Delaware bar and was only admitted to practice before the Third Circuit two months ago. Her key qualification appears to be that she works in President Trump’s White House Counsel’s Office. She has never been a judge of any kind, yet she is nominated to one of the highest judicial posts in the country. As far as we know, her relationship to Delaware is confined to a vacation beach house she sometimes visits in our state.”
Source: US Whitehouse
PROTECTING CONSUMERS IN THE DIGITAL MARKET: President Trump supports the GENIUS Act because it protects consumers from nefarious actors in financial markets.
ENSURING U.S. DOLLAR GLOBAL RESERVE CURRENCY STATUS: By driving demand for U.S. Treasuries, stablecoins will play a crucial role in ensuring the continued global dominance of the U.S. dollar as the world’s reserve currency.
COMBATING ILLICIT ACTIVITY IN DIGITAL ASSETS: Through regulation and registration of stablecoin issuers, along with coordination with the Treasury Department on sanctions enforcement, the GENIUS Act reinforces our national security.
DELIVERING ON PROMISE TO MAKE AMERICA THE CRYPTO CAPITAL OF THE WORLD: President Trump is fulfilling his campaign promise to position America as the global leader in cryptocurrency.
Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors Devin Dreeshen will attend this year’s Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) Annual Summit and take part in a panel discussion and fireside chat to highlight the importance of economic corridors to facilitating Alberta’s mutually beneficial trade with the region.
Associate Minister of Water Grant Hunter will participate in two panels: Aquatic Invasive Species: Lurking Threat to the Regional Economy and Environment, and Technology and the Future of Water.
MLA for Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland Shane Getson, MLA for Vermilion-Lloydminster-Wainwright Garth Rowswell, MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat Justin Wright, MLA for Chestermere-Strathmore Chantelle de Jonge and MLA for Leduc-Beaumont Brandon Lunty will also attend the summit, teaming up to advance Alberta’s priorities in meetings, working groups and sessions.
Alberta’s delegates will bring the province’s perspective to future-focused discussions on a broad range of priorities when meeting and engaging with U.S. state legislators, officials and influential corporate leaders from across the Pacific Northwest region. These priorities include making the case for enhancing Alberta-U.S. energy collaboration and working together to support the key policies, infrastructure and pathways needed to move even more of Alberta’s traditional and emerging energy products to our growing list of customers in the U.S.
Alberta’s government and industry partners have begun preparations to host the 2026 PNWER Annual Summit. MLA Shane Getson will also take the opportunity to formally invite PNWER delegates to make the trip to Edmonton next July to see firsthand why Alberta’s vast resources and homegrown solutions are the answer to the United States’ prosperous future.
“Alberta is a leader in collaborating with other jurisdictions to advance strategic trade corridors to position Canada as a global gateway and unlock access to new markets, strengthen national security and drive economic growth. I look forward to meeting with our U.S. partners and sharing Alberta’s successes in establishing economic corridors as well as highlighting our vision related to new corridors and nation-building projects.”
“Water is one of our most valuable resources, and this summit is a chance to have meaningful conversations that help to drive regional solutions for the issues that matter to Albertans. From drought and water infrastructure to the fight against aquatic invasive species, this is an opportunity to work with our neighbours, share what’s working and shape what comes next.”
“As the president of PNWER Canada, I am eager to strengthen our trade relationships with member states. I am confident that this year will grow the long list of influential U.S. decision makers who are committed to working with Alberta, aiding in decision-making that will benefit people on both sides of the border.”
“We are a trading province, and our goal is to strengthen Alberta’s ties with the U.S. Pacific Northwest for the benefit of the people of Alberta, and every province and state represented at PNWER.
I look forward to highlighting the countless opportunities to grow our economies, and our trading relationship as long-standing allies.”
“Along with our fellow Canadians in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon and the Northwest Territories, Alberta has been a member of PNWER since its founding more than three decades ago. Our time at this year’s summit is a great opportunity to continue building on that legacy as Alberta prepares to host the 2026 PNWER Annual Summit in our capital city next July.”
“Alberta’s strengths in agriculture, energy, ground-breaking technologies, emissions reduction solutions and more make our province the perfect fit for addressing the priorities of our PNWER partners. I look forward to showcasing the important role that Alberta can play in building a resilient future through regional collaboration, innovation and enhanced trade across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.”
“Alberta is a powerhouse of economic opportunity. Working alongside U.S. legislators to maintain and enhance cost-effective and efficient corridors between Alberta and our long-standing customers in the Pacific Northwest is key to ensuring our two nations contribute to one another’s overall success, including job security and economic stability for all our citizens.”
PNWER is a non-partisan, public/private partnership that was established in 1991 to advance the economic well-being, quality of life and common interests of its 10 member jurisdictions, which include the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Washington, the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan, and the Yukon and Northwest Territories.
Minister Dreeshen will travel with one staff member and Associate Minister Hunter will travel with two staff members. Mission expenses will be posted on the travel and expense disclosure page.
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US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS), announced that the U.S. Department of Education will officially release critical funding to support 21st Century Community Learning Centers.
This announcement comes after Senator Capito led a group of her Republican colleagues in a letter this week to Russell Vought, Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), advocating to release anticipated education formula funding—an issue she has heard about directly from impacted individuals. Click here to read the full letter.
“21st Century Community Learning Centers offer important services that many West Virginians rely on. This program supports states in providing quality after-school and summer learning programs for students while enabling their parents to work and contribute to local economies. We should be supporting education opportunities like these. I made this clear to OMB Director Vought and was glad he followed through on my request to release these critical funds. Doing so will help our students in West Virginia and across country thrive,” Senator Capito said.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman
WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) welcomed the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to release critical education funding. This comes days after Boozman joined a letter led by Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and signed by eight additional Senate Republican colleagues supporting the 21st Century Community Learning Centers.
The letter urged White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought to release education funding secured in the Fiscal Year 2025 Full-Year Continuing Resolution Act, signed into law by President Trump earlier this year. These funds support longstanding, bipartisan initiatives like after-school and summer programs in The Natural State and across the country.
“Arkansas families, students and teachers benefit from programs that provide safe and enriching environments,” said Boozman. “I am pleased to continue working alongside my colleagues and the administration to champion access to the educational opportunities that can help Americans thrive.”
Text of the letter can be found here.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) joined Congresswoman Norma Torres (D-CA), Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Congressmen Derek Tran (D-CA), Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), and the entire California Democratic Congressional Delegation in demanding the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) immediately release nearly $7 billion in Congressionally-appropriated funding for K-12 schools and adult education — including $928 million owed to California.
With the start of the new school year approaching in California, the Trump administration gave states only one day’s notice that these critical funds would be indefinitely frozen past their typical release on July 1, 2025. As a result, California schools are already being forced to roll back programs, lay off staff, and cut student services.
“These programs support some of the most vulnerable and underserved students and communities in California and have been demonstrated to have lifelong benefits to students’ educational attainment, income, and other measures of well-being. Each passing day that these funds are unlawfully withheld hurts our schools and students and strains already limited budgets,” said the Members. “In California alone, the Trump administration’s funding freeze is affecting hundreds of thousands of students and educators. For many of California’s school districts, this funding had already been accounted for in school budgets for the upcoming school year. Now, our schools are being forced to delay hiring and reduce resources to help students.”
The withheld funding includes vital investments in:
With nearly 5.8 million K-12 students in California, the illegal freezing of these funds is already hurting our schools and students. Many school districts had already budgeted for these federal dollars, leaving them scrambling to fill massive funding gaps just weeks before the school year begins.
“We demand that the Department of Education and the Trump Administration stop holding K-12 student funding hostage and release the nearly $7 billion in funding meant to help our students, teachers, and families, including the $928 million being unlawfully withheld from California,” the members continued. “This illegal freeze in funding is setting our students and schools up for failure. Our teachers, families, and children deserve better than the Trump Administration’s reckless upheaval and chaos.”
The letter was also signed by Pete Aguilar (D-CA), Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Ami Bera (D-CA), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Judy Chu (D-CA), Gilbert Cisneros (D-CA), Lou Correa (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Laura Friedman (D-CA), John Garamendi (D-CA), Robert Garcia (D-CA), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Adam Gray (D-CA), Josh Harder (D-CA), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Mike Levin (D-CA), Sam Liccardo (D-CA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Dave Min (D-CA), Kefvin Mullin (D-CA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Scott Peters (D-CA), Luz Rivas (D-CA), Raul Ruiz (D-CA), Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Mark Takano (D-CA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Maxine Waters (D-CA), and George Whitesides (D-CA).
The full letter can be found here and below:
The Honorable Linda E. McMahon
Secretary
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Ave., SW
Washington, D.C. 20202
The Honorable Russell Vought
Director
Office of Management and Budget
Executive Office of the President
725 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20503
Dear Secretary McMahon and Director Vought:
As Members of the California Congressional Delegation, we write to express deep concerns regarding the Department of Education’s illegal and reckless decision to withhold nearly $7 billion in funding for K-12 schools and adult education, including $928 million for California. With the start of the new school year approaching, on June 30, 2025, States were just given one day’s notice that the funds would be indefinitely frozen past their typical release on July 1. This freeze leaves our communities scrambling and is already forcing schools in California and across America to roll back programs, lay off staff, and cut services for our students. Releasing these funds, which support critical education programs and services for millions of students, is required by law. We call on you to immediately reverse your illegal decision and distribute the funding to States.
These funds make up more than 10% of federal investments in K-12 schools in most states. With nearly 5.8 million K-12 students in California, the illegal freezing of these Congressionally appropriated funds is already hurting our schools and students, impacting the planning, operation, and funding for programs that support:
These programs support some of the most vulnerable and underserved students and communities in California and have been demonstrated to have lifelong benefits to students’ educational attainment, income, and other measures of well-being. Each passing day that these funds are unlawfully withheld hurts our schools and students and strains already limited budgets. In California alone, the Trump Administration’s funding freeze is affecting hundreds of thousands of students and educators. For many of California’s school districts, this funding had already been accounted for in school budgets for the upcoming school year. Now, our schools are being forced to delay hiring and reduce resources to help students. Rather than being able to work towards and plan for a successful learning environment for our students, each day that goes by means schools are forced to consider rolling back the programs mentioned above, lay off teachers, and cut back essential services.
We demand that the Department of Education and the Trump Administration stop holding K-12 student funding hostage and release the nearly $7 billion in funding meant to help our students, teachers, and families, including the $928 million being unlawfully withheld from California. This illegal freeze in funding is setting our students and schools up for failure. Our teachers, families, and children deserve better than the Trump Administration’s reckless upheaval and chaos.
Thank you for your urgent attention to this matter. Given the imminent start of the next school year, we request a prompt response no later than July 21, 2025.
###
Issues: 119th Congress, Education, Local Issues
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
BILLINGS – A man who distributed drugs in the Billings area was sentenced today to 144 months in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Shannon Ray Emeline, 45, pleaded guilty in January 2025 to one count of distribution of methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on February 22, 2024, DEA agents arranged for a confidential source to purchase methamphetamine from Emeline. The deal took place in Emeline’s vehicle and the source paid him $2,000 for a quantity of meth.
In April 2024, agents with the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation searched a residence in Billings, where they located a significant quantity of methamphetamine. They subsequently learned Emeline had purchased the meth and was actively distributing the drugs in Billings.
On May 1, another confidential source told investigators Emeline was staying at a Billings hotel to meet with a source of supply. Agents surveilled the hotel and located Emeline’s vehicle in the parking lot. They performed a traffic stop, searched the vehicle, and seized a plastic bag containing meth and another bag containing fentanyl.
Investigators interviewed Emeline, who admitted renting the hotel room to facilitate the purchase of two pounds of meth. Agents subsequently searched the room and found a bag of meth, a bag of fentanyl, and $6,855.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Yerger prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the DEA, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, and Montana Highway Patrol.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.
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Source: Office of United States Attorneys
A man who shot his roommate while under the influence of hallucinogenic mushrooms has been sent to federal prison, announced Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy E. Larson.
Russell Alan Ragsdale, 25, has been in federal custody since his arrest on November 22, 2024. On April 29, 2025, Ragsdale pled guilty to possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance. On July 17, 2025, Senior United States District Judge Barbara M. G. Lynn sentenced Ragsdale to 66 months in federal prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.
According to court documents, Ragsdale was arrested on Feb. 3, 2022, in Seagoville for the felony murder of his roommate. At the time, Ragsdale told Seagoville law enforcement that his roommate attacked him, and he claimed he “shot him many times” in self-defense. Officers recovered three firearms, including a 10mm Glock and an AR-15 rifle, and almost two grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms from the residence. An analysis of Mr. Ragsdale’s phone showed a history of drug use dating back to November 2021, as well as evidence of purchasing and using hallucinogenic mushrooms on Feb. 2, 2022. As part of his guilty plea, Ragsdale admitted that he was legally intoxicated from consuming hallucinogenic mushrooms when he possessed the 10mm Glock.
During sentencing, Judge Lynn found that the defendant did not present sufficient evidence to support his self-defense claim. The Court also noted that the unfortunate death of the victim was the defendant’s own making. Ragsdale remains in custody pending transfer to the Bureau of Prisons to serve his sentence.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office and the Dallas Police Department conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives’ Dallas Field Division, the Seagoville Police Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety, which participated in the murder investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jongwoo Chung prosecuted the case.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced he will join President Donald Trump tonight at the White House for a dinner celebrating the passage of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill.
“Looking forward to dinner with President Trump tonight,” said Dr. Cassidy. “We will talk about how we can continue to work together to push a pro-worker, pro-family, pro-patient agenda.”
On Wednesday, Cassidy joined President Trump at the White House for the signing of Cassidy’s HALT Fentanyl Act.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)
U.S. Representative Don Beyer (D-VA) today led 26 U.S. Representatives in pressing the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to immediately withdraw Postal Inspectors from the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) immigration task force. They warned that diverting USPS resources to DHS priorities jeopardizes USPS’ abilities to fulfill its essential responsibilities, including interdicting dangerous drugs, stopping theft, and investigating and preventing crimes against children.
They wrote to Acting Postmaster General Doug Tulino:
“We write with grave concern over the reported diversion of essential Postal Service law enforcement resources away from critical tasks like drug interdiction, anti-theft measures, and the prevention and investigation of crimes against children.
“As supporters of drug interdiction, anti-theft measures, and the protection of children, we are deeply concerned over reports that USPIS is being diverted away from those core missions to work on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) priorities. According to those reports, inspectors are spending time assisting DHS with painstaking review of individual letters and packages to locate individual immigrants targeted by DHS. That new task comes only a year after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) specifically recommended that USPIS continue its “increasingly important” efforts to align its resources with current mail security needs—not external priorities.
“At a time when the Postal Service is seeing year-over-year increases in serious crimes, both to employees and to mailboxes themselves, as well as mail theft, USPIS needs to focus on its core mission and not be subsumed into playing support staff for another agency’s priorities. If DHS needs additional staff and resources for their investigations, they can request additional appropriations from Congress as well as end reduction-in-force plans and hiring freezes that limit their ability to allocate and maintain appropriate staffing.
“On behalf of the countless Americans who are concerned about illegal narcotics, mail theft, child protection, we ask that you immediately end USPIS’ participation in DHS’ immigration task force and allow the service to renew its focus on its essential law enforcement efforts. Please provide an update as to the status of this request by Friday, August 1, 2025.”
The letter to Acting Postmaster General Tulino was sent by U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (VA), Suzanne Bonamici (OR), André Carson (IN), Troy Carter (LA), Greg Casar (TX), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL), Judy Chu (CA), Yvette Clarke (NY), Steve Cohen (TN), Lou Correa (CA), Danny Davis (NC), Dwight Evans (PA), Dan Goldman (NY), Al Green (TX), Jonathan Jackson (IL), Pramila Jayapal (WA), Henry Johnson (GA), Zoe Lofgren (CA), Sarah McBride (DE), LaMonica McIver (NJ), Jimmy Panetta (CA), Bobby Scott (VA), Mark Takano (CA), Paul Tonko (NY), Marc Veasey (TX), Nydia Velázquez (NY), and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC).
Full text of the letter follows below, and a signed copy is available here.
***
Dear Acting Postmaster General Tulino:
We write with grave concern over the reported diversion of essential Postal Service law enforcement resources away from critical tasks like drug interdiction, anti-theft measures, and the prevention and investigation of crimes against children.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) is the oldest law enforcement agency in the country and has more than 200 years of experience protecting USPS workers from serious crime while enforcing laws that prohibit the use of our nation’s mail system for illegal activities. Among other responsibilities, postal inspectors prevent the flow of illegal and dangerous drugs through the mail and aggressively investigate mail theft. They are also invaluable partners to broader federal programs like the Department of Justice’s (DOJ’s) Project Safe Childhood (PSC), which is the federal government’s nationwide initiative to prevent the sexual exploitation of children.
Thanks to its long history and narrow focus on mail-related crimes, USPIS is tremendously effective at its core missions. In FY25 alone, USPIS has seized 1,301 pounds of fentanyl— enough for more than 295 million lethal doses of the drug. Over the course of another recent year, the Inspection Service initiated 1,559 arrests for mail theft, 482 for assault or robbery, and 3 for child exploitation. Historically, thanks to investigators’ dedicated work the consistent resources dedicated to USPIS, the service has more than a 98% conviction rate when it takes a case to trial.
As supporters of drug interdiction, anti-theft measures, and the protection of children, we are deeply concerned over reports that USPIS is being diverted away from those core missions to work on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) priorities. According to those reports, inspectors are spending time assisting DHS with painstaking review of individual letters and packages to locate individual immigrants targeted by DHS. That new task comes only a year after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) specifically recommended that USPIS continue its “increasingly important” efforts to align its resources with current mail security needs—not external priorities.
At a time when the Postal Service is seeing year-over-year increases in serious crimes, both to employees and to mailboxes themselves, as well as mail theft, USPIS needs to focus on its core mission and not be subsumed into playing support staff for another agency’s priorities. If DHS needs additional staff and resources for their investigations, they can request additional appropriations from Congress as well as end reduction-in-force plans and hiring freezes that limit their ability to allocate and maintain appropriate staffing.
On behalf of the countless Americans who are concerned about illegal narcotics, mail theft, child protection, we ask that you immediately end USPIS’ participation in DHS’ immigration task force and allow the service to renew its focus on its essential law enforcement efforts. Please provide an update as to the status of this request by Friday, August 1, 2025.
Sincerely,
Source: US State of Oregon
n the aftermath of a disaster, Oregonians often ask, “How can I help?” While offers of donated goods like clothing, food, and household items are heartfelt, they can create serious logistical challenges for emergency responders and community organizations already stretched thin. Unless specifically requested, these types of donations can actually slow down relief efforts.
The best way to support disaster survivors is by donating cash to trusted relief organizations.
Cash donations:
-Allow relief organizations to purchase exactly what is needed, when it is needed
– Help local businesses recover by sourcing supplies locally
– Require no transportation, storage, or sorting
– Can be deployed immediately to where they’re most needed
Before giving, always confirm that your donation is going to a verified, local fund or nonprofit that is active in the response and recovery effort.
We continue to receive generous offers of support for those impacted by the Rowena Fire in Wasco County. While we deeply appreciate this compassion, we kindly ask that the public donate cash instead of goods to help the community recover effectively and efficiently.
Here’s how you can help:
Make a donation to the official Rowena Fire Relief & Recovery Fund, managed by United Way of the Columbia Gorge:
https://uwcg.ejoinme.org/RowenaFireReliefRecoveryFund
100% of donations will stay local and directly support individuals and families impacted by the fire.
For Wasco County-specific updates and long-term recovery efforts, visit:
https://www.co.wasco.or.us/departments/emergency_management/rowena_fire_long_term_recovery_group/index.php
Come out and cheer on our first responders as they take the field for a great cause!
Charity Baseball Game: Mid-Columbia Fire District vs. The Hustlers
Sunday, July 20 5:30 PM
Quinton Street Ballfield
This fun, family-friendly event will raise funds for Rowena Fire survivors. All donations collected at the game will be directed to the official United Way fund.
We appreciate your support and generosity. In times of crisis, compassion paired with coordination helps our communities recover stronger and faster.
###
Source: US State of Oregon
n the aftermath of a disaster, Oregonians often ask, “How can I help?” While offers of donated goods like clothing, food, and household items are heartfelt, they can create serious logistical challenges for emergency responders and community organizations already stretched thin. Unless specifically requested, these types of donations can actually slow down relief efforts.
The best way to support disaster survivors is by donating cash to trusted relief organizations.
Cash donations:
-Allow relief organizations to purchase exactly what is needed, when it is needed
– Help local businesses recover by sourcing supplies locally
– Require no transportation, storage, or sorting
– Can be deployed immediately to where they’re most needed
Before giving, always confirm that your donation is going to a verified, local fund or nonprofit that is active in the response and recovery effort.
We continue to receive generous offers of support for those impacted by the Rowena Fire in Wasco County. While we deeply appreciate this compassion, we kindly ask that the public donate cash instead of goods to help the community recover effectively and efficiently.
Here’s how you can help:
Make a donation to the official Rowena Fire Relief & Recovery Fund, managed by United Way of the Columbia Gorge:
https://uwcg.ejoinme.org/RowenaFireReliefRecoveryFund
100% of donations will stay local and directly support individuals and families impacted by the fire.
For Wasco County-specific updates and long-term recovery efforts, visit:
https://www.co.wasco.or.us/departments/emergency_management/rowena_fire_long_term_recovery_group/index.php
Come out and cheer on our first responders as they take the field for a great cause!
Charity Baseball Game: Mid-Columbia Fire District vs. The Hustlers
Sunday, July 20 5:30 PM
Quinton Street Ballfield
This fun, family-friendly event will raise funds for Rowena Fire survivors. All donations collected at the game will be directed to the official United Way fund.
We appreciate your support and generosity. In times of crisis, compassion paired with coordination helps our communities recover stronger and faster.
###
Source: US FBI
An intense, weeklong manhunt for Benjamin Hanil Song—an alleged shooter at the Prairieland Detention Center on July 4th—has ended with his arrest by FBI agents in Dallas, Texas, announced Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy E. Larson.
Song’s capture marks the fourteenth arrest in the case. Court documents reflect that Song, a former United States Marine Corps reservist, joined ten others in an organized attack against officers at the Prairieland Detention Center just after 10:30 p.m., Friday, July 4. Song has been charged by federal complaint with three counts of attempted murder of federal agents and three counts of discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.
Ten others charged with these offenses in a July 7th complaint include Cameron Arnold, Savanna Batten, Nathan Baumann, Zachary Evetts, Joy Gibson, Bradford Morris, Maricela Rueda, Seth Sikes, Elizabeth Soto, and Ines Soto. Also on July 7, Daniel Rolando Sanchez Estrada was charged with obstruction of justice for concealing evidence related to the ambush after talking with Rueda, who was in custody at the time. Two others, John Thomas and Lynette Sharp, were charged on July 14 with accessory after the fact when law enforcement agents determined that they helped Song abscond from the Prairieland area and evade arrest.
The complaints allege that group was dressed in black military style clothing. The group began shooting fireworks towards the detention center, and some sprayed graffiti on vehicles and a guard structure in the parking lot at the facility. These destructive acts were designed to lure correctional officers outside the facility. After correctional officers called 911 to report suspicious activity, an Alvarado police officer responded to the scene. Upon exiting his vehicle, the officer was shot in the neck by a defendant positioned in nearby woods. Another alleged assailant across the street fired 20 to 30 rounds at unarmed correctional officers who had stepped outside the facility.
As alleged in the complaints, Song purchased four of the guns associated with the ambush. Additionally, defendants communicated using Signal Chat groups to plan the attack and share reconnaissance, including an image of the Prairieland Detention Center that identified the locations of six local police departments.
Ten assailants charged in the July 7th complaint fled from the detention center but were apprehended by additional responding law enforcement officers. Song, however, was not located by law enforcement officers that night. As alleged, the location data associated with Song’s cellular telephone indicates that his phone was located within several hundred meters of the Prairieland Detention Center from late in the evening of July 4, 2025, until after dark on July 5, the day after the shooting.
“After the immediate apprehension of Song’s coconspirators at the scene, the FBI and our federal prosecutors—together with our other law enforcement partners—worked tirelessly around the clock pursuing Song. Their tremendous efforts culminated in the arrest of this alleged violent criminal today,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson. “Though Song escaped by hiding overnight after the attack, we were confident he would not remain hidden for long. The fourteen individuals who planned and participated in these heinous acts will be prosecuted, and we expect justice will be swift.”
“The FBI has worked tirelessly to arrest everyone associated with the shooting at the Prairieland Detention Center. We would like to thank all the entities that publicized this case and assisted in our efforts to successfully locate Benjamin Song,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “His arrest is the result of our determination to protect not only the community, but also our law enforcement partners that were the targets of a coordinated attack. We have said it before, the FBI will not tolerate acts of violence toward law enforcement and will thoroughly investigate anyone that commits these types of offenses.”
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If convicted, most of the charged defendants face a minimum penalty of ten years in federal prison and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Those defendants charged with obstruction of justice and accessory after the fact face a maximum of ten years and fifteen years in federal prison, respectively.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI—Dallas, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Office (ICE ERO), ATF, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Alvarado Police Department, and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
BILLINGS – A Billings man who illegally possessed a firearm was sentenced today to 72 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
In March 2025, a federal jury found Joshua David Heafner, 40, guilty of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on March 14, 2023, around 8:00 p.m., the Billings Police Department received a report of a hit and run at the intersection of North 31st Street and 6th Avenue North. Officers observed an unoccupied Volkswagen Passat in the middle of the intersection and witnesses described a man who resembled Heafner fleeing the scene on foot after the accident. Inside the car, officers saw a black pistol, some rounds of ammunition, and a methadone bottle with Heafner’s name on it. Heafner, who had outstanding arrest warrants at the time, was located near his residence, where he ran from the police before eventually being detained. Further investigation of the Passat revealed Heafner’s fingerprints in multiple locations on the driver’s side and on a cell phone found on the front driver’s side floorboard. Heafner was convicted of assault on a peace officer, robbery, and assault with a weapon, all felonies, in Billings in September 2013.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob Yerger and Julie Patten prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the ATF and the Billings Police Department.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.
XXX
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that on July 8, 2025, MERVIN AMACKER, JR. (AMACKER), age 43, pled guilty to Count 1 and Count 2 of a Superseding Bill of Information that charged him with carjacking, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §2119(1) and felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). As to each of Counts 1 and 2, AMACKER faces up to 15 years of imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. AMACKER’s sentencing is set for October 14, 2025.
On March 8, 2023, AMACKER boarded an New Orleans Regional Transit Authority bus at Hayne Boulevard and Lacombe Street in New Orleans East. The bus proceeded on its normal route until near the intersection of Curran Boulevard and Vincent Road, at which time AMACKER produced a firearm and demanded to be driven to the hospital. At various points, he threatened to shoot or kill the driver. The driver began to drive at a high rate of speed, disregarding traffic signals.
When the bus arrived at the hospital, AMACKER demanded that the driver proceed up the ramp to the emergency room entrance. AMACKER then exited the bus, walked into the emergency room, and was admitted. He reported that he was suffering from a gunshot wound. He was found to be in possession of a loaded Ruger Model 9E, nine-millimeter pistol. The firearm was secured by hospital security and surrendered to NOPD.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Dawkins of the Violent Crime Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
Published: July 18, 2025
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured significant funding and provisions for Maine in the Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
The measure, which was advanced by a vote of 26-3, provides $153.5 billion in discretionary funding, including $19.8 billion in defense funding and $133.6 billion in nondefense funding.
“The dedicated men and women that make up the Maine National Guard and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard workforce play an important role in strengthening our national security. This significant investment would help to ensure our military’s readiness and safety while reducing maintenance costs,” said Senator Collins. “As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to champion this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
Bill Highlights:
Local Projects: $9 million for Congressionally Directed Spending projects that support the Maine National Guard and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
Power Reliability & Water Resiliency Upgrades: Nearly $228 million for the first increment of Power Reliability & Water Resilience Upgrades at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. The project would increase reliability, resiliency, and capacity of electric and water utility systems that support nuclear-powered submarines and nuclear support facilities.
Multi-Mission Drydock #1: Nearly $221 million for the sixth increment of the Multi-Mission Drydock #1 at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP): Report language on the SIOP emphasizing its importance and urging the Navy to prioritize the timely funding of public shipyard infrastructure.
GI Bill Apprenticeship Program: Report language driving attention on the underutilization of apprenticeship and on-the-job training under the GI Bill.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $14,566,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for Maine law enforcement and public safety upgrades. These projects were included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations bill. The legislation, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now await consideration by the full Senate and House.
“It is critical that the men and women who make up Maine’s finest and bravest have access to the most effective equipment to better protect themselves and our communities,” said Senator Collins. “This funding would improve public safety efforts and emergency response capacity throughout Maine. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY 2026 CJS Appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bills to be considered by the full Senate.
Funding advanced by Senator Collins for Maine law enforcement and public safety upgrades in the FY 2026 CJS Appropriations bill is as follows:
Cornish Public Safety Communications EquipmentRecipient: Town of CornishProject Location: Cornish, MEAmount Requested: $218,000Project Purpose: To purchase public safety communications equipment.
Farmington Police Department Public Safety EquipmentRecipient: Farmington Police DepartmentProject Location: Farmington, MEAmount Requested: $240,000Project Purpose: To purchase public safety equipment.
Hancock County Public Safety Equipment Recipient: Hancock County Project Location: Hancock County, ME Amount Requested: $2,300,000 Project Purpose: To purchase public safety equipment for law enforcement agencies in Hancock County.
Kennebunk Public Safety Communications Equipment Recipient: Town of KennebunkProject Location: Kennebunk, MEAmount Requested: $5,018,000Project Purpose: To purchase public safety communications equipment.
Lewiston Police Department Public Safety Equipment Recipient: Lewiston Police DepartmentProject Location: Lewiston, ME Amount Requested: $2,170,000Project Purpose: To purchase protective gear and other public safety equipment.
Lincoln Police Department Public Safety Equipment Recipient: Lincoln Police DepartmentProject Location: Lincoln, ME Amount Requested: $565,000Project Purpose: To purchase public safety equipment.
Rumford Police Department Public Safety Equipment Recipient: Rumford Police DepartmentProject Location: Rumford, ME Amount Requested: $1,000,000 Project Purpose: To purchase public safety equipment.
Somerset County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Equipment Recipient: Somerset County Sheriff’s Office Project Location: Somerset County, ME Amount Requested: $294,000 Project Purpose: To increase evidence storage capacity and purchase public safety equipment.
Veazie Police Department Public Safety Equipment Recipient: Town of Veazie Police DepartmentProject Location: Veazie, ME Amount Requested: $125,000 Project Purpose: To purchase public safety equipment.
Waldo County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety EquipmentRecipient: Waldo County Sheriff’s OfficeProject Location: Waldo County, MEAmount Requested: $688,000Project Purpose: To purchase public safety equipment for law enforcement agencies in Waldo County.
Washington County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety EquipmentRecipient: Washington County Sheriff’s OfficeProject Location: Washington County, MEAmount Requested: $187,000Project Purpose: To purchase public safety equipment for law enforcement agencies in Washington County.
Wells Police Department Emergency Response VesselRecipient: Wells Police DepartmentProject Location: Wells, MEAmount Requested: $599,000 Project Purpose: To purchase an emergency response vessel and related equipment.
Winthrop Public Safety Communications EquipmentRecipient: Town of WinthropProject Location: Winthrop, ME Amount Requested: $1,162,000Project Purpose: To purchase public safety communications equipment.
This funding builds on the more than $12 million Senator Collins secured for fire stations and emergency services throughout Maine in the FY 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration Appropriations bill.
In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $1 billion for hundreds of Maine projects for FY 2022, FY 2023, and FY 2024. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
Published: July 18, 2025
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced significant funding and key language to support Maine’s lobster industry in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee yesterday, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.
“This funding would support Maine’s lobster industry by improving the incomplete and imprecise science and research upon which the federal government relies. The flawed data being used to inform regulations has created unnecessary, burdensome requirements for Maine lobstermen and women,” said Senator Collins. “As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
Funding and legislative language advanced by Senator Collins:
North Atlantic Right Whale: $30 million for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission for Right Whale related research and monitoring.
Language is also included directing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to work with Canada to develop risk reduction measures that are comparable in effectiveness to U.S. measures.
National Sea Grant Program: $80 million for the National Sea Grant Program. Earlier this year, the Department of Commerce announced that Maine Sea Grant was being defunded. At the urging of Senator Collins, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick directed NOAA to renegotiate the terms and conditions of the work to be performed by Maine Sea Grant to ensure that it focuses on advancing Maine’s coastal economies, working waterfronts, and sustainable fisheries.
American Lobster Research: $2 million for Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank American lobster research through Maine Sea Grant.
$300,000 to support a cooperative research program to collect biological, fishery, and environmental data for American lobster and Jonah crab using modern technology on commercial fishing vessels.
Language is also included that directs this research to be carried out through a partnership of state agencies, academia, and industry with a focus on “stock resilience in the face of environmental changes” and “topics necessary to respond to newly implemented or future modifications to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan.”
Gray Zone: Report language directing NOAA to work with Canadian and state fisheries officials to develop a cooperative fisheries management plan in the Gray Zone.
In addition, Senator Collins advanced more than $73 million for Congressionally Directed Spending projects in Maine through the CJS Appropriations bill. Of these projects, $1 million is included to expand the American Lobster Settlement Index collector survey at the University of Maine.
This funding and language advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY 2026 CJS appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
Published: 07.17.2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement after she and Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) submitted candidates to the White House that their bipartisan nominating commission recommended to fill the vacancy on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit:
“Senator Johnson and I continued the Wisconsin tradition in setting up a bipartisan nominating commission because it has been a process that has served the people of Wisconsin well. Presidents of both parties have honored and respected this process and Wisconsin’s Senators’ input, and we hope President Trump will do the same. But, let me make it crystal clear that moving forward in this process is by no means my endorsement of any of these candidates. Wisconsinites deserve someone on the bench who has sound judgment, deep and relevant experience, and will fairly deliver justice. I will thoroughly vet any candidate that President Trump selects to ensure they fulfill that criteria and do right by the people of Wisconsin.”
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)
Padilla, Schiff, Booker Announce Bill to Make Access to Equitable Health Care a Protected Civil Right
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) announced the Equal Health Care for All Act, bicameral legislation that would make equal access to medical care a protected civil right to help address the racial inequities and structural failures in America’s health care system that have led to higher mortality rates in communities of color. As President Trump and Republicans gut critical health care funding, the Equal Health Care for All Act would establish a definition for inequitable health care to help ensure that hospitals provide the same high quality health care services to all patients, regardless of race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, or religion.
Republicans voted to gut Medicaid by over $900 billion, stripping health care from 17 million Americans, including over 2.3 million Californians. They cut more than $4 billion in funding for California hospitals, which will lead to hospital closures and higher health care costs, all to pay for tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy.
“By gutting billions of dollars for hospitals and other essential Medicaid services, the Trump Administration is hurting our patients and their pocketbooks in communities across the country,” said Senator Padilla. “Our bill would treat equitable health care as a civil right to provide every patient with the access to the high-quality care they deserve.”
“Everyone deserves equal access to comprehensive, high-quality health care, free from discrimination,” said Senator Booker. “However, this is not the reality for most communities across our country, with communities of color, especially women of color, bearing the disproportionate burden of poor health outcomes due to a lack of access to quality medical care. The Equal Health Care for All Act is legislation to combat the stark inequalities that exist in our health care system, and ensure every American has access to affordable, equitable care.”
“As the Trump administration rolls back access to funding for health care, it is imperative to protect the right to these essential services for all communities. I’m proud to co-lead the Equal Health Care Act for All to continue supporting high quality health care for all, because equal access is a fundamental right, and one that every American should enjoy,” said Senator Schiff.
The Equal Health Care for All Act aims to remedy structural and systemic failures in America’s health care system that have led to Black, Hispanic, and indigenous individuals disproportionately suffering from a range of illnesses, from asthma to heart disease. Black women are more likely than white women to die from breast cancer and during childbirth. Hispanic individuals suffer from higher rates of chronic diseases, including an 80 percent higher rate of diabetes.
Specifically, the Equal Health Care for All Act would:
Require the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary to promote regulations requiring health care providers and facilities to disaggregate data on health outcomes by demographic characteristics;
Require inclusion of quality measures of equitable health care in hospital value-based purchasing programs;
Empower Medicare and Medicaid providers to enforce equitable health care standards;
Rename the HHS “Office on Civil Rights” to “Office of Civil Rights and Health Equity;”
Prohibit health care providers from providing inequitable health care to patients;
Establish a Federal Health Equity Commission; and
Authorize grants for hospitals to promote equitable health care outcomes.
The bill is also cosponsored by U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and is supported by NAACP, National Urban League, American Diabetes Association, and American Cancer Society.
Senator Padilla has long been a leader in the fight to make health care more equitable, affordable, and accessible in the United States. Last year, Padilla introduced the Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA) of 2024 to address health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities as well as women, the LGBTQ+ community, rural populations, and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities across the United States. He also recently joined Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and over 100 lawmakers in reintroducing the Medicare for All Act, historic legislation that would guarantee health care as a fundamental human right to all people in the United States regardless of income or background.
Earlier this year, Padilla introduced the bipartisan Health ACCESS Act to improve digital health services by allowing patients to easily search for and book health care appointments online while protecting personal health information. Padilla also recently introduced the EASE Act, bipartisan legislation that would increase access to specialty care for rural and underserved Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) patients. Additionally, he introduced the PEAKS Act to bolster emergency medical transportation services in mountainous areas, including supporting some of California’s 37 total Critical Access Hospitals.
A one-pager on the bill is available here. Full text of the bill is available here.
Source: US Geological Survey
The flights are a collaborative effort between the U.S. Geological Survey’s Earth Mapping Resources Initiative and the state geological surveys of South Dakota and Wyoming, and are part of a national effort to modernize mapping of the nation’s geology.
“Partnership with state surveys helps accomplish national goals like mapping the critical minerals the U.S. needs, as well as water and potential hazards. The Wyoming and South Dakota geological surveys are helping with the work of the nation—and adding to state knowledge crucial to water access, hazards and the mining economy,” said Jamey Jones, science coordinator for the U.S. Geological Survey’s Earth Mapping Resource Initiative.
“Collection of these fundamental geologic data addresses the national prioritization of locating domestic mineral resources needed to drive the U.S. economy and provide for national security,” said Erin Campbell, Director and State Geologist of the Wyoming State Geological Survey.
The survey is designed to advance interpretations of the Precambrian geologic framework of the greater Black Hills area, as well as aid in mapping Tertiary-age intrusions known to host rare earth elements. These elements are used in magnets for electric motors, wind turbines, and hard drives, as well as defense applications such as radar and guidance systems in fighter jets and missile systems. In 2024, the U.S. was reliant on imports for 80% of rare earth element use.
Tim Cowman, State Geologist and Program Administrator for the South Dakota Geological Survey, noted the importance of this regional work.
“The collaboration between the USGS, Wyoming, and South Dakota geological surveys will benefit the entire country,” he said. “Once completed, we will have a better understanding of the complicated structure of this region and how that structure influenced emplacement of carbonatite intrusions.”
The survey will acquire both magnetic and radiometric data using a fixed-wing aircraft. The aircraft will fly along pre-planned flight paths relatively low to the ground at about 300 feet (100 meters) above the surface. Ground clearance will be increased to 1,000 feet (300+ meters) over populated areas and will comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations.
Flights may be based out of several regional airports, with Rapid City as the primary airport.
The USGS has contracted with Fugro and Xcalibur Aviation Limited to collect data.
Funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has facilitated coverage of such a large area.
The survey fits into a broader effort by the USGS, the Wyoming State Geological Survey, the South Dakota Geological Survey, and other partners—including private companies, academics and state and federal agencies—to modernize our understanding of the Nation’s fundamental geologic framework and knowledge of mineral resources.
This effort is known as the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative, and it includes airborne geophysical surveys like this one, geochemical reconnaissance surveys, topographic mapping using LiDAR technology, hyperspectral surveys and geologic mapping projects.
Caption: Outline of survey boundaries. The fixed wing survey will take place within the blue polygon on the map.Caption: Photo of the contractor’s fixed wing survey aircraft with a “tail boom” containing sensors that measure the magnetic field. (Photo courtesy of Xcalibur Smart Mapping)
Caption: Photo of the contractor’s fixed wing survey aircraft with a “tail boom” containing sensors that measure the magnetic field. (Photo courtesy of Xcalibur Smart Mapping)
Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
BOSTON —The former leader of the Lynn Chapter of the Trinitarios was sentenced in Boston federal court on July 16 to RICO conspiracy charges following an investigation by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations New England field office.
Aaron Diaz Liranzo aka Sosa, 26, was sentenced to 14 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. In March 2025, Diaz Liranzo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy. Diaz Liranzo was arrested and charged in February 2025 at which time he was the Leader of the Lynn Chapter of the Trinitarios.
Homeland Security Investigations New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol, U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley, FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Ted E. Docks, Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker, Massachusetts State Police Col. Geoffrey D. Noble and Lynn Police Chief Christopher P. Redd made the announcement.
The Trinitarios is a violent criminal enterprise comprising thousands of members across the United States. The group adheres to a Magna Carta, employ an internal hierarchy to organize and execute violence, and have undertaken extensive efforts to maintain the secrecy of the organization and its members.
In February 2025, federal racketeering charges were unsealed against 22 Trinitarios leaders and members. The charges were the result of a multijurisdictional investigation, which began in the aftermath of four murders and a series of attempted murders and shootings that took place in the Lynn area, allegedly committed by the Trinitarios criminal enterprise and its members.
From at least 2021 through 2025, Diaz Liranzo served as the “Primera,” or “Number One” of the Lynn Chapter of the Trinitarios. He admitted to participating in a shooting that took place in March 2019 that targeted multiple rival gang members outside a Lynn nightclub. Another gang member, who posed as a woman who needed a ride, lured the victims there. Equipped with a firearm and knowledge of the victims’ vehicle and whereabouts, the defendant traveled to the nightclub and opened fire, discharging at least six rounds. During the incident, Diaz Liranzo shot two of the three victims seated in the car. Both victims suffered life-threatening injuries, but ultimately survived the incident.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office, the Rockingham County District Attorney’s Office and the Andover, Boston, Lawrence, Peabody and Salem Police Departments provided valuable assistance.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.