NewzIntel.com

Category: Natural Disasters

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Vermont Private Nonprofits Affected by June Severe Storms and Flooding

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Vermont of the June 10 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by severe storms and flooding occurring June 22-24, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the county of Lamoille.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to PNPs providing non-critical services of a governmental nature with financial losses directly related to the disaster. Example of eligible non-critical PNPs include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools and colleges.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 3.25% and terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 10, 2025.

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    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Pennsylvania Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by October Drought

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP)organizations in Pennsylvania of the June 9 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the drought beginning Oct. 1, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the counties of Allegheny, Beaver, Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland in Pennsylvania as well as Brooke, Hancock, Marshall and Ohio in West Virginia.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”  

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 9, 2025.

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    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to New York Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in New York of the June 9 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding occurring July 10, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the New York counties of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Onieda, Oswego, St. Lawrence, Warren, and Washington as well as the counties of Addison and Chittenden in Vermont.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses and PNPs providing non-critical services of a governmental nature impacted by financial losses directly related to the disaster. Example of eligible non-critical PNP organizations include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools, and colleges.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the Small Business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for private nonprofit organizations, and terms up to 30 years. The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to a disaster.

    To apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 9, 2025.

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    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis Takes Action to Ensure Continued Emergency Response Support for Colorado Disasters

    Source: US State of Colorado

    DENVER – Today, Governor Polis took executive action to ensure that Colorado communities affected by the Pine Gulch, Bent’s Fort, Fort Lyons, High Park, Ute Pass, and Menkhaven Fires can continue utilizing disaster emergency funds for response and recovery efforts. 

    This Executive Order also amends prior Executive Orders related to the historic 2013 flooding in Colorado by extending the availability of disaster funds. The extension is needed due to the State’s and the federal government’s timeline for the administrative closeout of projects and to ensure all local entities achieve the maximum reimbursement possible. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell, Risch Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Small Business Disaster Coordination

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    05.09.25
    Cantwell, Risch Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Small Business Disaster Coordination
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and senior member of the Senate Committee on Finance, and U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) introduced the bipartisan Small Business Disaster Coordination Act to improve on-the-ground support for small businesses affected by disasters.
    This bill would allow Small Business Administration (SBA) resource partners to assist businesses outside their usual service areas in an emergency. The Small Business Disaster Coordination Act would also require the SBA to work with these partners on disaster planning and response, ensuring local networks can share recovery-related information. 
    “Wherever disasters strike, it has to be all-hands-on-deck,” said Sen. Cantwell. “This bill will ensure SBA partners such as Small Business Development Centers, SCORE, and Women’s Business Centers can work with local partners to assist small businesses as they recover.”
    “From catastrophic wildfires to disastrous flooding, SBA resource partners stand ready to assist small businesses in times of emergency,” said Sen. Risch. “By expanding opportunities for these partners to help through my Small Business Disaster Coordination Act, we can ensure that the small businesses vital to our communities and economy stick around for years to come.”
    Sen. Cantwell and Sen. Risch are joined by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Michael Bennet (D-CO) in introducing the legislation.
    The Small Business Disaster Coordination Act has received support from America’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), SCORE, and the Association of Women’s Business Centers.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Members Mfume, Connolly Issue Statement on Appointment of New Postmaster General

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-07)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Kweisi Mfume, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Government Operations, and Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, issued a joint statement following the announcement of David Steiner, a FedEx board member and former Waste Management CEO, as the next Postmaster General of the United States by the U.S. Postal Board of Governors:

    “The American people deserve and expect an independent, fair, and accessible Postal Service that operates without prejudice or political influence.  It is our sincere hope that as Postmaster General, Mr. Steiner will put the interests of the American people and the U.S. Postal Service ahead of any whims or demands of an Administration that has failed to respect the independence of this trusted institution and has instead worked to undermine and privatize America’s mail service. The Oversight Committee will be keeping a very close eye on the actions of the new Postmaster, especially considering DOGE’s infiltration of the agency, and it is our hope that Mr. Steiner will commit to a productive and collaborative relationship with Congress,” said the lawmakers.   

    Ranking Members Mfume and Connolly are leading Congressional oversight and investigations into the Trump Administration’s relentless attacks on the U.S. Postal Service and DOGE’s infiltration of the agency:

    • On March 31, Ranking Members Mfume and Connolly sent a letter to Amber F. McReynolds, Chair of the United States Postal Service’s Board of Governors (the Governors), escalating Congress’s concerns that DOGE is attempting to actively undermine the stability and integrity of the Postal Service.
       
    • On March 18, Ranking Member Connolly sent a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy demanding a copy of the agreement the Postmaster General signed with DOGE, allowing Elon Musk to infiltrate the independent U.S. Postal Service, gain access to its data and systems, and make drastic cuts to the service.
       
    • On March 17, in response to the agreement between Postal Service and DOGE, Rep. Kweisi Mfume, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Government Operations, Ranking Member Connolly, and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services led Committee Democrats in sending a letter to Chairman James Comer demanding an immediate public hearing on the Trump Administration and DOGE’s plans for the Postal Service. 
       
      • Later that day, Ranking Member Connolly issued a statement after Postmaster General DeJoy sent a letter to Congress trying to explain why he entered the Postal Service into an agreement with the General Services Administration and DOGE representatives.
         
    • On March 13, Ranking Member Connolly released a statement after Postmaster General Louis DeJoy sent a letter to Congress admitting he “signed an agreement with the General Services Administration and DOGE representatives” and is allowing Elon Musk to infiltrate the U.S. Postal Service. DeJoy’s letter suggested alarming actions for DOGE to pursue that would easily lead to the privatization and politicization of the Postal Service.
       
    • On February 22, Ranking Member Connolly led Committee Democrats in sending a letter to President Trump demanding he immediately abandon any plans that would either dismantle or privatize the U.S. Postal Service or undermine its independence in any way.  The letter followed reporting from the Washington Post that the Trump Administration is preparing a plan to fire the bipartisan Postal Board of Governors and absorb the Postal Service into the Department of Commerce, “potentially throwing the 250-year-old mail provider and trillions of dollars of e-commerce transactions into turmoil.”  The Members also cited subsequent reporting from CNN showing “the White House was silent on the question as to whether it is interested in privatizing the service, which is something that Trump has voiced support for in the past.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Colleagues Call on Trump Admin to Address Impact of Fired IVF Researchers, Support Access to IVF

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Hickenlooper – Colorado

    CDC, under Trump admin orders, fired the IVF team responsible for unbiased information for American families seeking fertility treatment

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper joined 12 of his Senate colleagues to call on Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to address the impact of the Trump administration’s reckless decision to fire the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) team responsible for providing support and unbiased information for American families seeking fertility treatment.

    “The Trump administration is now moving beyond broken promises to purposely dismantling the very system that provides hopeful families with accountability and transparency regarding fertility clinic success rates,” wrote the senators.

    Specifically, the administration fired the Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance and Research team (ARTS), a team of deeply qualified scientists and public health practitioners who analyzed IVF clinic data success rates and conducted important clinic oversight. ARTS provided unbiased information for patients seeking fertility treatment, collecting and maintaining data on approximately 98 percent of all IVF and assisted reproductive technology cycles performed in the United States.

    “Your actions threaten hopeful parents and families’ ability to access high-quality, safe, and effective fertility care,” continued the senators.

    Full text of the letter available HERE and below.

    Dear Secretary Kennedy:

    We write regarding reports that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) eliminated the team responsible for tracking assisted reproductive technology success rates, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), across the country. These firings impede HHS’s ability to comply with the law and have devastating consequences for all people who are trying to become parents and rely on this information to thoughtfully and safely grow their families.

    Infertility affects millions of Americans throughout their lifetimes, and can have a profound impact on a person, couple, and family. IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies can be a lifeline. As of 2021, almost 90,000 infants born were conceived through IVF, a significant increase over the 47,818 infants born in 2011, just ten years prior, who were conceived through IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies. Because IVF is a complicated and expensive process, the American people deserve access to the best information possible to inform their family building journey.

    Unfortunately, hollowing out National Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Surveillance System capabilities and capacity is consistent with Donald Trump’s deceitful and disingenuous rhetoric on IVF. Just last year, then-candidate Trump promised the American people that if elected, Donald Trump would make IVF free for every American, declaring, “[w]e are going to be, under the Trump administration, we are going to be paying for that treatment” and claiming, “[w]e’re going to be mandating that the insurance company pay [for IVF].” These comments have proven to be bold-faced lies.

    Roughly one month after being sworn in, Donald Trump issued an IVF Executive Order that did nothing to fulfill his promise to make IVF free for every American. The Trump administration is now moving beyond broken promises to purposely dismantling the very system that provides hopeful families with accountability and transparency regarding fertility clinic success rates.

    The Fertility Clinic Success Rate and Certification Act of 1992 (FCSRCA), authored by Senator Ron Wyden, is the cornerstone of consumer protections as people seek to grow their families through IVF. It was passed in large part to assure transparency for patients seeking IVF care. The law requires all fertility clinics to report pregnancy success rates to the federal government in a standardized manner and for this information to be published publicly. These responsibilities are delegated to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC is also responsible for establishing licensure and accreditation processes for IVF laboratories and delegating the oversight of these responsibilities to an approved organization. Since the passage of FCSRCA, the increase in IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies has been substantial and, consequently, the importance of the law’s mandates has only grown.

    The Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance and Research team (ARTS) was housed within the CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health. This team of six carried-out the CDC’s statutorily mandated responsibilities under the FCSRCA, including conducting IVF clinic data analysis related to success rates, yearly audits and site visits, and monitoring lab certification status. The team collects and maintains data on approximately 98 percent of all IVF and assisted

    reproductive technology cycles performed in the United States.

    The team was composed of deeply qualified and trained scientists, including statisticians, doctors, and people with advanced degrees in epidemiology and public health. Across the team, there were combined decades of experience and deep expertise in the complex field of assisted reproductive technology. The ARTS team was also a careful steward for decades worth of highly sensitive, personally identifiable information (PII) related to IVF procedures, including the

    medical history of both hopeful parents undergoing IVF and their children, demographic information, and more.

    The ARTS team was uniquely well-suited to carry-out the CDC’s extensive responsibilities under FCSRCA, and its positive impact on the field and the lives of millions of Americans is impossible to quantify. The team’s work increased the likelihood of healthy pregnancies and births conceived via IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies. No other resource or dataset exists that comprehensively tracks as many IVF and other assisted reproductive

    technology cycles across the country as the ARTS team did.

    The ARTS team also played a major role in informing clinical guidelines and improving IVF safety and access. This team also built a patient-facing IVF success estimator to help people make informed, individualized decisions about where, when, and how to receive fertility care.

    The ARTS team was also passionate about being a source of unbiased information for fertility patients. Given the broad range of specialized knowledge required to carry-out these duties, it is hard to imagine that others at CDC, or any agency, would be able to step-in and fill these roles.

    Your actions threaten hopeful parents and families’ ability to access high-quality, safe, and effective fertility care. The American people deserve assurances that their rights under the FCSRCA will continue to be guaranteed, as Congress intended. In closing, we demand that you immediately rehire every civil servant formerly on the ARTS team. Further, please respond to the questions below by Friday, May 16:

    1. When will you reinstate the entirety of the ARTS team?
    1. How many employees on the ARTS team, and any supporting contracts, have been fired since January 20, 2025? Please provide a complete breakdown by position, provide information on GS level and veteran status, and clearly state the justification for termination. This accounting should include any employees who have since been reinstated or placed on administrative leave, noting that change in status.
    1. Which officials at HHS were involved in these staffing reduction decisions and what planning, if any, was undertaken prior to these reductions? Please describe the events that unfolded and name each office that was involved in the decision. Further, please name the official(s) who approved the staffing reductions as well as specifically indicate if any of the below individuals, or direct reports to these individuals, were involved in the decision-making. Name any such direct reports.
      1. Elon Musk, Special Government Employee, DOGE.
      2. Amy Gleason, Acting Administrator, DOGE.
      3. Susan Monarez, Acting Director, First Assistant to the Director, Principal Deputy Director, CDC.
    1. Without an ARTS team, how will the CDC continue to carry-out its statutorily-required responsibilities under FCSRCA? Please provide a detailed plan, including noting who has the expertise, skills, capacity, and resources to carry-out the responsibilities formerly carried-out by the ARTS team.
    1. Have, or will, any of the CDC’s responsibilities previously carried-out by the ARTS team been contracted out?
      1. If so, what assurance will you give the American people that the data and analysis produced will be comprehensive, transparent, publicly accessible and cover all IVF cycles annually, as the ARTS team did?
      2. If so, please describe the cost of contracting out these services.
    1. In some instances, the HHS’s Reduction In Force (RIF) efforts have been characterized as final. Those same people have stated that, as per the nature of the layoffs, the roles and responsibilities previously carried out by fired staff cannot be refilled. Is this characterization of the RIF efforts correct?
      1. If so, how can the CDC continue to carry-out its statutorily required responsibilities under FCSRCA?
    1. What communication, if any, has been given to IVF clinics in connection with the ARTS layoffs and how to report data going forward? If any such communication was distributed, please produce it.
    1. Does the CDC continue to collect data from IVF clinics across the country?
      1. If so, who is responsible for collecting that data and where is the data presently being stored?
    1. People considering and undergoing IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies rely on up-to-date information to make informed medical decisions. Each year, CDC collects data from IVF clinics across the country and standardizes this information into a public-facing website and report.
      1. As of the ARTS team’s firings, the 2023 data had been fully collected. What is the anticipated release date for the 2023 IVF report? Has this timeline been impacted by the ARTS layoffs?
      2. Have any of the information categories published in previous years been removed or altered? If so, please describe the changes that have been made to information categories and provide a rationale for any changes.
    1. The ARTS team was operational for over 30 years and the historical information it held related to ARTS is uniquely instructive to public health efforts and contains sensitive PII about hopeful parents undergoing IVF and their children. How will the CDC maintain patient confidentiality, protect PII, and sustain this critical database moving forward? Please provide a detailed plan.
      1. Further, who is presently in charge of the historical information previously held by the ARTS Team and where is this information held?
    1. Was the decision to dismiss the ARTS team made in consultation with any nongovernmental entities, including nonprofits, think tanks, advocacy organizations, research or educational institutions, or public policy research organizations.
      1. If so, please provide any written documents or correspondence that informed this decision and name all non-governmental entities involved in the decision to terminate the ARTS team.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Law Enforcement Seizes Nine DDoS-for-Hire Webpages as Part of Global Crackdown on ‘Booter’ and ‘Stresser’ DDoS Services

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    LOS ANGELES – The Justice Department today announced the court-authorized seizure of nine internet domains associated with some of the world’s leading DDoS-for-hire services. Poland’s Central Cybercrime Bureau simultaneously announced the arrests of four administrators of such services, investigations which were assisted by U.S. authorities. Several of the arrested administrators operated websites seized pursuant to previous operations by the Central District of California. 

    Federal law enforcement continues to seize websites that allow paying users to launch powerful distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. These attacks flood targeted computers and servers with information to prevent them from being able to access the internet.

    Booter services such as those named in this action allegedly attacked a wide array of victims in the United States and abroad, including schools, government agencies, gaming platforms, and millions of people. In addition to affecting targeted victims, these attacks can significantly degrade internet services and completely disrupt internet connections. 

    The websites targeted in this operation were used for hundreds of thousands of actual or attempted DDoS attacks targeting victims worldwide. While some of these services claimed to offer “stresser” services that purportedly could be used for network testing, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) determined these claims to be a pretense, and “thousands of communications between booter site administrators and their customers…make clear that both parties are aware that the customer is not attempting to attack their own computers,” according to an affidavit filed in support of court-authorized warrants to seize the booter sites.

    Today’s announcement builds on the success of the prior cases by targeting all known booter sites, shutting down as many as possible, and undertaking a public education campaign. In the last four years more than 11 defendants have been charged in Los Angeles and Anchorage for facilitating DDoS-for-hire services. More than 75 domains associated with such services have been seized.

    “Booter services facilitate cyberattacks that harm victims and compromise everyone’s ability to access the internet,” said United States Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California. “This week’s sweeping law enforcement activity is a major step in our ongoing efforts to eradicate criminal conduct that threatens the internet’s infrastructure and our ability to function in a digital world.”

    “DDoS for hire criminal booter services impact internet services for victims in every corner of the United States, including Alaska,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. “This threat highlights the continued need to pursue cybercrime services like booter providers. We remain committed to bolstering our collaborative partnerships in the U.S. and abroad to address threats to critical internet infrastructure and services.”

    “The enforcement actions launched today, made possible by enduring partnerships between law enforcement and private industry, represents continued pressure on DDoS-for-hire services and the cybercriminals and hacktivists who use them.” said Special Agent in Charge Kenneth DeChellis of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Cyber Field Office. “This success demonstrates the resolve of the DCIS to relentlessly pursue those who target our warfighters and their information systems.”

    In conjunction with the website seizures, Homeland Security Investigations, DCIS, and the Netherlands Police have launched an advertising campaign using targeted placement ads in search engines, which are triggered by keywords associated with DDoS activities. The purpose of the ads is to deter potential cybercriminals searching for DDoS services in the United States and around the globe, and to educate the public on the illegality of DDoS activities.

    In recent years, booter services have continued to proliferate as they offer a low barrier to entry for users looking to engage in cybercriminal activity. These types of DDoS attacks are so named because they result in the “booting” or dropping of the targeted computer from the internet.

    For additional information on booter and stresser services and the harm that they cause, please visit: https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/anchorage/fbi-intensify-efforts-to-combat-illegal-ddos-attacks.

    The seizures announced today were performed by DCIS’s Cyber-West Resident Agency.

    These law enforcement actions were taken in conjunction with Operation PowerOFF, an ongoing, coordinated effort among international law enforcement agencies aimed at dismantling criminal DDoS-for-hire infrastructures worldwide, and holding accountable the administrators and users of these illegal services. Principal partners in Operation PowerOFF include EUROPOL; the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska; The Department of Justice Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS); FBI’s Anchorage and Los Angeles field offices; HSI’s Columbus field office; Germany’s Bundeskriminalamt (BKA); United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA); Netherlands Police; Polish Central Cybercrime Bureau; Brazilian Federal Police, Japan’s National Police Agency, France’s Police Nationale, and many others.

    Assistance was provided by Akamai, Amazon Web Services, Cloudflare, Digital Ocean, Flashpoint, Google, PayPal, The University of Cambridge, and Unit 221B.

    Assistant United States Attorneys James E. Dochterman of the Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section and Aaron Frumkin of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section are handling this investigation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two South Gate Men Charged with over a Dozen Highway Robberies Following Gamblers Targeted for Their Casino Winnings

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LOS ANGELES – Two South Gate men have been charged in a federal indictment unsealed today for allegedly committing more than a dozen armed robberies, stealing gambling winnings from individuals leaving local casinos.

    Juan Gabriel Gonzalez, 22, was arrested and will make his initial appearance in federal court today. Dereck Nathan Lopez, 21, is currently in state custody and expected to appear in federal court in the coming weeks.

    Both defendants are charged with multiple counts of interference and attempted interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), one count of Hobbs Act conspiracy, and multiple counts of using firearms during a crime of violence. Lopez is also charged with one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. 

    According to the 10-count indictment, Lopez and Gonzalez entered local casinos under false names to hunt gamblers appearing to win or cash-in a large number of chips. Lopez, Gonzalez and other co-conspirators then followed the victims’ vehicles from the casino, ambushed them on the highway, brandished firearms, smashed the vehicle’s windows, demanded money or chips, and fled. Lopez, Gonzalez, and other conspirators allegedly robbed and attempted to rob individuals leaving casinos in this manner on at least 15 different occasions, including three on a single night. 

    Before one incident, Lopez is seen on casino surveillance video celebrating a gambling victory with a victim he was scouting, including high-fiving the victim after the win, according to court documents. Within an hour, Lopez’s co-conspirators had blocked in her vehicle, brandished firearms, and stolen $21,000 in cash. In a separate incident, Lopez, Gonzalez and their co-conspirators stole at least $130,000 in casino winnings.

    Lopez is also charged with being a felon in possession of three firearms and over 30 rounds of ammunition found at his home in December 2023. Lopez is not legally permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition because his criminal history includes a conviction in San Bernardino Superior Court for grand theft in November 2023 during the pendency of the indicted robbery spree.

    An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

    If convicted of all charges, each defendant would face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison.

    Operation Safe Cities establishes strategic enforcement priorities with an emphasis on prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. Across this region, the most damaging and horrific crimes are committed by a relatively small number of particularly violent individuals. This strategic enforcement approach is expected to increase the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions of recidivists engaged in the most dangerous conduct. It is designed to improve public safety across the region by targeting crimes involving illicit guns, prohibited persons possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause havoc and extensive losses to retail establishments.

    The FBI, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Los Angeles Police Department, the California Highway Patrol, the California Department of Justice Bureau of Gambling Control, and the Montebello Police Department are investigating this matter.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin J. Butler and Jena A. MacCabe of the Transnational Organized Crime Section are prosecuting this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Leader of drug trafficking ring connected to Aryan prison gangs sentenced to more than 17 years in prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Tacoma – A co-leader of a drug distribution ring selling fentanyl pills, methamphetamine, and heroin throughout the Puget Sound region was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 17 and a half years in prison for his role in the conspiracy to distribute narcotics, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and for possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Bryson Gill, 32, most recently of Buckeye, Arizona, attempted to evade law enforcement by moving the headquarters of his drug distribution ring to Arizona after the Shelton, Washington, stash house he and his co-conspirators operated was raided in December 2022. When law enforcement moved in on the multi-faceted drug conspiracy in March 2023, Gill was arrested in Arizona.

    At today’s sentencing hearing Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo said, “The seriousness of these offenses cannot be understated. There are so many people out there that become addicted on these drugs or suffer overdoses and are no longer with us.”

    “Make no mistake, Gill’s drug ring used violence and threats of violence as their stock in trade. Gill was heard on the wiretap plotting to kidnap another drug dealer and expressing a desire to murder a law enforcement officer,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Miller. ““With the more than $1 million he laundered, Gill bragged that he was going to set up a compound with an airfield in Arizona to further his drug trafficking. This conviction and sentence successfully ended those plans.”

    According to records filed in the case, this drug organization was one branch of three investigated for dealing substantial amounts of drugs in the Puget Sound region. Participants in the drug rings have ties to Aryan prison gangs in the Washington State Department of Correction.

    In the fall of 2022, Gill was in touch with his right-hand man, Michael Slocumb, as the latter made multiple trips to Arizona to pick up and transport narcotics to a stash house in Shelton. Gill instructed Slocumb and other coconspirators about using two pill presses to manufacture fentanyl pills. When Gill’s home and the stash house property was searched on December 9, 2022, law enforcement seized more than 640,000 pills containing fentanyl, as well as a kilogram of fentanyl powder and 12 kilograms of methamphetamine, along with more than $81,000 in cash proceeds from drug trafficking.

    The stash house property also contained 23 firearms, including a shotgun kept where the drugs were stored, and the pills manufactured.

    During this conspiracy, law enforcement intercepted Gill and Slocumb discussing kidnapping another drug dealer who was also under investigation by federal authorities. Slocumb was surveilling the target’s apartment when law enforcement made a show of being in the vicinity to get Slocumb to leave and ward off any violence.

    Following the stash house raid, Gill and Slocumb were heard on the wiretap discussing plans to move drug operations to Arizona. Gill discussed with his mother his plan to acquire property in Arizona in her name and talked with an incarcerated friend about coming to work for him as a pilot when the man got out of prison. Gill had said he planned to put in an airfield on the property in Arizona where the conspirators had relocated their drug trafficking organization.

    Gill and Slocumb remained in Arizona until they were arrested in March 2023. When law enforcement searched the Arizona property Gill and Slocum had purchased, they seized approximately 70 illegally possessed firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

    From May of 2021 until December 2022, Gill laundered at least $927,059 through bank accounts set up to appear to be for a dog training business. The money was used for things such as luxury cars, expensive jewelry, airline tickets and Seattle Seahawks tickets. Over $81,000 in cash seized from Gill and his conspirators at various locations was forfeited to the government.

    In asking for a 17.5-year sentence, prosecutors wrote to the court, “Gill played a leadership role in purchasing, processing, and distributing massive quantities of fentanyl pills, fentanyl powder, and methamphetamine. He directed his fellow co-conspirators to transport narcotics from Arizona to Washington, use pill presses to manufacture fake OxyCodone pills laced with fentanyl, and distribute large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl pills throughout the Western District of Washington. … (Washington State Department of Health) data shows the number of drug overdose deaths occurring annually in the state more than doubled from 2019 to 2023. “

    Bryson Gill pleaded guilty on February 7, 2025.

    Law enforcement made two dozen arrests on federal charges on March 22, 2023. The coordinated takedown involved ten swat teams and more than 350 law enforcement officers. On that day law enforcement seized 177 firearms, more than ten kilos of methamphetamine, 11 kilos of fentanyl pills and more than a kilo of fentanyl powder, three kilos of heroin, and more than $330,000 in cash from eighteen locations in Washington and Arizona. Earlier in the investigation law enforcement seized 830,000 fentanyl pills, 5.5 pounds of fentanyl powder, 223 pounds of methamphetamine, 3.5 pounds of heroin, 5 pounds of cocaine, $388,000 in cash, and 48 firearms.

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

    This investigation was led by the FBI with critical investigative teamwork from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Washington State Department of Corrections and significant local assistance from the Tacoma Police Department, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, and the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force, led by the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office. Throughout this investigation the following agencies assisted the primary investigators: Washington State Patrol, Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, Lakewood Police Department, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Zach Dillon, Max Shiner, and Jehiel Baer.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Blumenthal, Senators Pen Letter To HHS Secretary Kennedy, FDA Commissioner Makary Urging Them To Halt Efforts To Weaken Food Oversight

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    May 09, 2025

    FDA “is one of the best positioned federal offices to help ‘Make America Healthy Again,’ but the Trump Administration has undermined the program,” the Senators wrote in their letter

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and three of their Senate Democratic colleagues today sent a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Martin Makary raising concerns about recent changes to the FDA that will weaken the Human Foods Program, which spearheads all food safety and nutrition efforts at FDA.  The Senators’ letter comes as Secretary Kennedy has slashed staffing at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), terminating 10,000 employees, including 19 percent of the FDA workforce. 

    “The Human Foods Program oversees 78 percent of food in the United States.  It enforces federal laws, coordinates with other federal agencies and state and local governments, and distributes public health information.  Further, it combats diet-related chronic diseases, such as heart disease and certain cancers, that shorten lives and contribute to rising health care costs,” the Senators wrote in their letter. 

    “The Human Foods Program is one of the best positioned federal offices to help ‘Make America Healthy Again,’ but the Trump Administration has undermined the program through workforce terminations, funding cuts, and haphazard ‘reorganizations,’ all of which will put the health and well-being of Americans at risk,” the Senators continued their letter.

    Secretary Kennedy and Commissioner Makary have signed off on massive cuts to FDA, damaging critical operations at the Human Foods Program.  In addition to laying off 3,500 FDA employees, including hundreds of workers in the Human Foods Program and Office of Inspections and Investigations, FDA has slashed funding for state inspection offices that review processed food facilities, produce facilities, and restaurants.

    “The Government Accountability Office found that food inspections need to be strengthened to prevent outbreaks.  However, HHS’ changes will force food inspectors to spend valuable time booking their own travel and seeking approvals, rather than inspecting food facilities.  This is careless and will lead to even fewer inspections—and less safe food,” the Senators wrote.

    Further, Secretary Kennedy has senselessly chosen to consolidate HHS’ 28 divisions into 15 while reducing HHS regional offices from 10 to five, resulting in the closure of HHS’ Chicago office that worked with state and local governments to address outbreaks and other public health concerns. 

    “Eliminating these regional offices will reduce state and local governments’ access to HHS resources, and the decision to shutter laboratories across the nation—some which had been working to curb the spread of bird flu—will lead to even slower response times to future outbreaks.  Further, reports that FDA is considering combining all product offices into a single Office of Product Evaluation and Regulation would further undermine oversight and enforcement,” the Senators wrote.

    The Senators concluded their letter, urging Secretary Kennedy and Commissioner Makary to reconsider their decision to ax HHS and FDA’s workforce at the detriment of Americans’ health.

    “Americans deserve access to the safest and healthiest food.  But, too often, it has been a source of sickness, rather than a source of health.  The Trump Administration’s recent actions, sadly, will not change that—and will not ‘Make America Healthy Again.’  Americans will become even sicker.  We encourage HHS and FDA to abandon these plans and invest in improving the health and well-being of Americans,” the Senators concluded their letter.

    In addition to Durbin and Blumenthal, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Tina Smith (D-MN) signed onto the letter.

    In April, Durbin led the Illinois Democratic Delegation in sending a letter to Secretary Kennedy vocalizing their strong opposition to his decision to close the HHS Region 5 office in Chicago.  In addition to ripping away billions in promised federal funding, Secretary Kennedy has overseen the destruction of HHS’ workforce and infrastructure, putting thousands of dedicated career civil servants out of a job while gutting critical federal agencies.  Since President Trump’s inauguration, 10,000 HHS employees have left the agency or been fired.  A couple weeks ago, HHS announced that an additional 10,000 public health workers will be fired, including 3,500 from the Food and Drug Administration, 2,400 workers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1,200 workers from the National Institutes of Health, and 300 workers from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

    Full text of the letter follows:

    May 9, 2025

    Dear Secretary Kennedy and Commissioner Makary,

                We write with concern about recent changes at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that will weaken the Human Foods Program.  We urge you to abandon these plans before Americans become even sicker.

                The Human Foods Program oversees 78 percent of food in the United States.  It enforces federal laws, coordinates with other federal agencies and state and local governments, and distributes public health information.  Further, it combats diet-related chronic diseases, such as heart disease and certain cancers, that shorten lives and contribute to rising health care costs.  The Human Foods Program is one of the best positioned federal offices to help “Make America Healthy Again,” but the Trump Administration has undermined the program through workforce terminations, funding cuts, and haphazard “reorganizations,” all of which will put the health and well-being of Americans at risk.

    For example, in March, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced plans to eliminate 3,500 FDA employees, including hundreds of workers in the Human Foods Program and nearly 170 workers in the Office of Inspections and Investigations, who helped to book travel for inspectors and processed reimbursements.  In addition, FDA is cutting funding to state inspection offices, which conduct more than 50 percent of inspections at processed food facilities, 90 percent of inspections at produce facilities, and all inspections at restaurants.  In the face of too many serious outbreaks and recalls, FDA has not taken the steps necessary to inspect food facilities or address serious issues, such as prior to the nationwide infant formula recall in 2022.  The Government Accountability Office found that food inspections need to be strengthened to prevent outbreaks.  However, HHS’ changes will force food inspectors to spend valuable time booking their own travel and seeking approvals, rather than inspecting food facilities.  This is careless and will lead to even fewer inspections—and less safe food.

    HHS also announced a significant reorganization, including the closure of regional offices in Chicago, New York, Boston, Seattle, and San Francisco, and the closure of laboratories across the nation.  Eliminating these regional offices will reduce state and local governments’ access to HHS resources, and the decision to shutter laboratories across the nation—some which had been working to curb the spread of bird flu—will lead to even slower response times to future outbreaks.  Further, reports that FDA is considering combining all product offices into a single Office of Product Evaluation and Regulation would further undermine oversight and enforcement.

    Americans deserve access to the safest and healthiest food.  But, too often, it has been a source of sickness, rather than a source of health.  The Trump Administration’s recent actions, sadly, will not change that—and will not “Make America Healthy Again.”  Americans will become even sicker.  We encourage HHS and FDA to abandon these plans and invest in improving the health and well-being of Americans.

    Sincerely,

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Lamont Signs Legislation Expanding the Connecticut Firefighters Cancer Relief Program

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has signed into law legislation making several updates to the Connecticut Firefighters Cancer Relief Program, including adding skin cancer to the types of cancer covered under the program, and modifying the language governing its eligibility to make it clear that all firefighters statewide have access to the program, regardless of whether they work for a state or municipal fire department.

    The legislation is Senate Bill 1426, An Act Making Changes to the Firefighters Cancer Relief Program.

    “This program was created with the understanding that firefighters have high-risk jobs and are exposed to toxins that can wreak havoc on their health and put them at risk for cancer,” Governor Lamont said. “Expanding its coverage and making it clear that all firefighters in Connecticut are eligible is the right thing to do. I appreciate lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for crafting this legislation, voting in favor of it, and sending it to my desk. I am glad to sign it into law.”

    The program, which was recently created, provides workers’ compensation-like benefits to firefighters who have certain cancers and meet other criteria.

    According to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, skin cancer is one of the top ten cancers that firefighters develop. Other types of cancer already covered by the program include those affecting the brain or the skeletal, digestive, endocrine, respiratory, lymphatic, reproductive, urinary, or hematological systems.

    Last month, Governor Lamont and Comptroller Sean Scanlon announced that they’ve made an administrative change to the state employee health plan and Partnership Plan that will provide firefighters with free, enhanced cancer screenings every two years. These comprehensive, full-body screenings are designed to detect cancers early – often before symptoms appear – when treatment is more effective, and outcomes are significantly better. That benefit went into effect on May 1, 2025.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Sues Trump Administration over “Declaring a National Energy Emergency” Executive Order

    Source: US State of California

    20th lawsuit against Trump Administration asks court to block executive order and directive to expedite non-emergency permitting procedures

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today co-led a coalition of 14 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s Executive Order (EO) entitled “Declaring a National Energy Emergency,” along with the actions taken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation pursuant to the EO. Although national energy production reached an all-time high under President Biden and has continued growing, President Trump unlawfully invoked authority under the National Emergencies Act to improperly declare a national energy emergency. Congress passed the National Emergencies Act to prevent Presidents from declaring national emergencies for frivolous or partisan matters — exactly what the President has done here.  Based on that declaration, the EO directs federal agencies to exercise their emergency authorities – reserved for disaster prevention and recovery – to facilitate and expedite the development of energy projects. Notably, the directives under the EO would expedite fossil fuel projects but exclude solar and wind power. Attorney General Bonta and the multistate coalition allege that the President’s directive is not only unlawful, but will unnecessarily fast-track non-emergency projects, which the states allege will result in damage to their states’ waters, historic properties, and tribal lands and the people and wildlife that rely on our precious natural resources.  

    “Just another unlawful directive from the President, this time acting well beyond the scope of his emergency powers,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The invocation of the country’s emergency authorities is reserved for actual emergencies— not changes in Presidential policy or because the President feels like it. These procedures misuse authorities meant for disaster response and bypass important health and environmental protections for the benefit of the fossil fuel industry. That’s why my fellow attorneys general and I are filing this lawsuit to hold the President accountable for breaking the law, again.” 

    On January 20th, his first day in office, President Trump issued an executive order, which declared a “national energy emergency” under the National Emergencies Act. Pursuant to this directive, the Corps was instructed to identify projects for accelerated permitting under the Clean Water Act (CWA). Under Section 404 of the CWA, the Corps issues permits for the discharge of dredged or fill materials into navigable waters nationwide, typically for water resource projects such as dams and levees, infrastructure development such as highways and airports, mining projects, and flood control projects. The Corps subsequently issued “special emergency permit processing procedures” for Corps districts across the country. Other agencies, including the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, have followed suit, issuing emergency procedures and/or guidance to expedite permitting of energy projects. Until now, federal agencies have used emergency procedures during actual emergencies such as hurricanes and catastrophic oil spills — for example, the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Now agencies are acting under emergency procedures only due to the President’s decision to declare a national energy emergency when no such emergency actually exists. 

    In the lawsuit, the attorneys general allege that the President’s directive, and federal agencies’ subsequent implementation of it, violate multiple federal laws, including the Administrative Procedure Act. The attorneys general are asking the Court to declare the President’s directive illegal and prevent the Administration from taking any action to pursue emergency permitting for non-emergency projects.

    Joining California Attorney General Bonta and Washington Attorney General Brown in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

    A copy of the complaint can be found here.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Baltimore Man Sentenced to More Than Six Years in Prison for Possession of Firearm and Ammunition by Prohibited Person

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Maddox sentenced Derek Harvey, 36, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 78 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person. 

    Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). 

    On January 26, 2024, while observing a Citi Watch Camera (CCTV), a Baltimore City Police Department (BPD) detective observed a hand-to-hand gun exchange on Milton Avenue. The detective saw Harvey and his co-defendant, Robert Jackson, walking southbound on North Milton Avenue in Baltimore.

    Jackson reached into his hoodie and pulled out a tan handgun and handed it to Harvey, who then placed the gun in his waistband. BPD detectives arrested both men shortly after observing the weapon exchange, seizing the firearm and ammunition. Due to prior felony convictions, both men were prohibited from possessing the weapon and ammunition.  

    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.

    U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the ATF and BPD for their help in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kertisha Dixon who prosecuted the case.

    For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Beckley Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug Crime

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BECKLEY, W.Va. – Devin I. Cresce, 28, of Beckley, was sentenced today to seven years and eleven months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, for distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, on or about July 13, 2023, Cresce sold approximately 53 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in exchange for $500 while in a vehicle outside the Crossroads Mall in Mount Hope. Cresce admitted to the transaction. Cresce further admitted to selling approximately 80 grams of methamphetamine for $750 on July 18, 2023, approximately 24 grams of fentanyl for $1,800 on July 28, 2023, and approximately 62 grams of methamphetamine for $750 on August 8, 2023. Each distribution occurred at Cresce’s residence and involved the same confidential informant.

    On August 10, 2023, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Cresce’s residence and seized approximately 94.5 grams of fentanyl and 63 grams of methamphetamine. Cresce admitted that he intended to distribute these controlled substances in and around the Southern District of West Virginia.

    Cresce has a long criminal history that includes prior convictions for embezzlement, fraudulent schemes, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Central West Virginia Task Force.

    Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Brian D. Parsons prosecuted the case.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-92.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Coons, colleagues urge Trump to press for immediate resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza and return to Israel-Gaza hostage and ceasefire negotiations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), along with Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) led a letter of 25 Democratic senators to President Trump in advance of the president’s upcoming travel to the Middle East next week, urging him to take an active role in pressing for humanitarian aid and a return to ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas in order to ensure Israel’s security and end more than 15 months of devastating conflict in Gaza.
    When Trump took office, the January 15 ceasefire deal negotiated under the presidential transition of the Biden administration was in effect––30 Israeli hostages were reunited with their families, Hamas’ military capacity had been effectively obliterated, and humanitarian aid was reaching Gaza. In the months since Trump’s inauguration, however, negotiations towards long-term regional security have collapsed, and dozens of hostages remain imprisoned by Hamas.
    Before next week’s visit, the senators wrote to President Trump that “the United States is not providing much needed leadership to drive peace forward in the region.” President Trump’s planned visit to the region does not include a stop in Israel.  He has chosen to conclude a truce with Houthi terrorists even as they pledge to continue striking Israel. He also appears to be turning a blind eye towards the core task of ensuring Israel’s security for today and for the long term. 
    The senators described Gaza’s catastrophic humanitarian crisis under a months-long blockade of aid. More than 116,000 metric tons of food assistance have been stuck outside Gaza, and an estimated 90 percent of Gaza’s population face high levels of acute food and water insecurity. According to the United Nations, most civilians face emergency or crisis levels of hunger.
    This week, Israel also announced its intent to expand military operations and pursue a long-term occupation of Gaza. “The announcement has already escalated tensions in the Middle East, once again threatening to engulf the volatile region in conflict,” wrote the senators. “The Houthis struck Israel’s Ben Gurion airport on May 4 and have vowed to further retaliate against the proposed occupation. Jordan, one of our most important regional security partners, is facing intensifying pressure amid continued public anger over Gaza. Saudi Arabia has made it clear there can be no progress towards normalization with Israel without a pathway toward Palestinian statehood.”
    “Israel’s proposed occupation plans take us further away from permanently ending the Israel-Gaza war and upholding Israel’s security, both goals that you have promised to achieve under your administration,” the senators added. 
    Specifically, the senators asked Trump to press all parties to agree to a deal that: 
    Secures the immediate release of all remaining hostages
    Ushers in a ceasefire
    Works towards the creation of a security force backed by Arab partners to administer Gaza without Hamas
    Creates a path toward a lasting solution that will allow the Israeli and Palestinian people to live in security, dignity, and prosperity
    The senators ended the letter by reaffirming their unequivocal commitment to Israel’s security and its right to defend itself.  
    “It has been nearly 20 months since Hamas murdered more than 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages, including American citizens,” the senators concluded. “This period has also been marked by severe humanitarian suffering of civilians in Gaza, where more than 52,000 Palestinians have been killed and millions displaced. All of us are longstanding advocates of the U.S.-Israel security partnership, and we will continue to fight for the defense of the Israeli people. That is why, today, we stand with the nearly three-quarters of the Israeli public who are fighting for the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza in exchange for a ceasefire.”
    In addition to Senator Coons, Reed, Schatz, Shaheen, and Warner, the letter is signed by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).
    Senator Coons is the Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
    You can read the full letter here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner, Kaine, Colleagues Push Trump Administration to Fill Sudan Special Envoy Position as Civil War Continues

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging him to work with President Trump to appoint a new Special Envoy for Sudan, build out key senior Africa roles at the State Department and the National Security Council, and to hold accountable both internal and foreign actors prolonging the conflict.
    The ongoing violence in Sudan has led to a massive humanitarian crisis. Since the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began in April 2023, it’s estimated that the conflict has claimed the lives of tens of thousands to potentially over one hundred thousand individuals, and in the region, an estimated 30 million Sudanese are in need of immediate assistance.
    Warner and Kaine have led efforts to address this crisis, including introducing the Response to Conflict in Sudan Act, legislation to bolster and coordinate the U.S. response to the war in Sudan. The senators also previously pushed the Biden administration to take steps to better address the chaos and violence displacing millions of people in Sudan and the surrounding regions by appointing a Special Envoy for Sudan. Following the senators’ calls for a special envoy, President Biden appointed former U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello to the position, but the position has remained vacant under the Trump administration.
    The senators wrote, “Since its outbreak, this conflict has displaced more than 14 million people – an estimated 11.5 million internally, plus an additional 3 million fleeing to neighboring countries and regions. Approximately 30 million people – more than half of Sudan’s population – are in urgent humanitarian need. By some estimates, the conflict has killed upwards of 150,000 people, in what the U.S. government has officially declared a genocide. Belligerents on both sides stand accused of atrocities, including killings, abductions of civilians, and horrific instances of sexual violence against women and children.”
    The senators highlighted continued bipartisan efforts to respond to the crisis in Sudan and the need to fill crucial roles in countries impacted by the ongoing civil war. 
    Added the senators, “We urge the Administration to fill the Special Envoy position, which would align with bipartisan Congressional intent expressed through the passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, which included provisions of the Response to Conflict in Sudan Act. We also strongly urge you to work with the President to nominate senior officials responsible for Africa, including the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, ambassadors to countries impacted by or otherwise implicated in the conflict, and push for the appointment of a Senior Director for Africa at the National Security Council to coordinate interagency efforts.”
    In addition to the need to fill these crucial roles, the senators highlighted the impact that outside influences are having on this crisis, and the need for the U.S. to hold accountable any foreign actors exacerbating the crisis. 
    “To date, the Office of Foreign Assets Control added SAF and RSF members to the Specially Designated Nationals List and taken action against numerous UAE companies for potentially violating U.S. sanctions. We encourage you, alongside allies and partners, to continue to hold accountable external actors that support and/or finance the conflict, using all available tools,” they wrote. 
    In addition to Warner and Kaine, the letter was signed by Todd Young (R-IN), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Cory Booker (D-NJ).
    A copy of letter is available here and text is below.
    Dear Secretary Rubio,
    Now into the third year of destructive conflict in Sudan, with escalating violence and atrocities between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF), U.S. engagement to bring a resolution to this conflict is more critical than ever. You can send a strong signal to the region by working with the President to appoint a new Special Envoy for Sudan and holding accountable both Sudanese and foreign actors prolonging the conflict. 
    Since its outbreak, this conflict has displaced more than 14 million people – an estimated 11.5 million internally, plus an additional 3 million fleeing to neighboring countries and regions. Approximately 30 million people – more than half of Sudan’s population – are in urgent humanitarian need. By some estimates, the conflict has killed upwards of 150,000 people, in what the U.S. government has officially declared a genocide. Belligerents on both sides stand accused of atrocities, including killings, abductions of civilians, and horrific instances of sexual violence against women and children.
    We urge the Administration to fill the Special Envoy position, which would align with bipartisan Congressional intent expressed through the passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, which included provisions of the Response to Conflict in Sudan Act.  We also strongly urge you to work with the President to nominate senior officials responsible for Africa, including the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, ambassadors to countries impacted by or otherwise implicated in the conflict, and push for the appointment of a Senior Director for Africa at the National Security Council to coordinate interagency efforts.
    In addition to naming an envoy, we urge you to hold accountable external actors – including the UAE, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt – and foreign businesses fueling the gruesome atrocities. The recent large-scale offensive by the RSF in Darfur – which has included storming and systematically burning down the Zamzam refugee camp, killing hundreds of people in a massacre that has also forced hundreds of thousands more to flee the camp in a matter of days – exemplifies the depravity that is being enabled by these external forces.
    To date, the Office of Foreign Assets Control added SAF and RSF members to the Specially Designated Nationals List and taken action against numerous UAE companies for potentially violating U.S. sanctions. We encourage you, alongside allies and partners, to continue to hold accountable external actors that support and/or finance the conflict, using all available tools.
    Conflicts rarely stay localized, and the longer this horrific war drags on, the more combustible this region becomes – an outcome that creates a power vacuum that extremists, terrorists, and our foreign adversaries will only be too happy to fill. The war’s continuation not only harms millions of innocent civilians, but also poses serious risk to American security interests in the region.
    We strongly support U.S. engagement and leadership in Sudan. The appointment of a new Special Envoy would send a strong signal. We look forward to working together to support your efforts to end the conflict in Sudan, address the humanitarian crisis, hold accountable those responsible for atrocities, and stop the actors fueling this crisis inside and outside Sudan.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Vanderwagon Man Pleads Guilty to Assault and Federal Firearms Charges Following Armed Confrontation

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – A Vanderwagon man pleaded guilty to assault and federal firearms charges after firing shots and threatening a man with a rifle during a confrontation on the Navajo Nation.

    According to court records on May 1, 2023, Perris Jeremiah Arthur, 36, initiated a confrontation at John Doe’s residence in Vanderwagon. Arthur then went outside to retrieve a rifle from his ATV, fired two shots into the RV, and later pointed the weapon directly at John Doe, threatening him with the firearm. 

    At sentencing, Arthur faces a minimum of seven years and up to life in prison. Upon his release from prison, Arthur will be subject to up to five years of supervised release.

    U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Philip Russel, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office made the announcement today.

    The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Department of Investigation and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Western District of Texas Adds 316 Immigration Cases in First Week of May

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN ANTONIO – Acting United States Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas announced today, that federal prosecutors in the district filed 316 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from May 2 through May 8.

    Among the new cases, Cirilo Delgado-Alderete, Dilan Karim Valenzuela-Baca, and Antelmo Eligio Ramirez-Bernardo were arrested at an alleged stash house in Anthony, New Mexico. According to an affidavit, U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations agents observed three vehicles that had been identified as being used to smuggle illegal aliens to Albuquerque, New Mexico, parked at the residence. When agents questioned Ramirez-Bernardo, a Guatemalan national, they allegedly discovered he possessed a key to the residence on his keychain. Agents then located 25 individuals inside the residence who admitted to being citizens of Mexico, Peru, Honduras, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, and Pakistan without documentation to be in the U.S. Two of the individuals, Delgado-Alderete and Valenzuela-Baca, were identified as alleged stash house caretakes and drivers to harbor and transport the illegal aliens. Delgado-Alderete, Valenzuela-Baca, and Ramirez-Bernardo are charged with one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens and one count of conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens.  The drivers allegedly picked up aliens in El Paso before transporting them to New Mexico.

    Mexican national Erasmo Soto-Aguilar and Cesar Jared Garcia-Raucho, a U.S. citizen, were charged with statutes related to harboring illegal aliens after agents arrested them outside an alleged stash house in El Paso. A criminal complaint alleges that Soto-Aguilar had been involved in multiple smuggling schemes in which he coordinated pick-up drivers to meet and exchange illegal aliens. The complaint also alleges that Garcia-Raucho admitted to working as an illegal alien caretaker.

    Leonel Sotelo-Santillan, a Mexican national, was arrested after allegedly entering a National Defense Area near El Paso illegally on May 2. Sotelo-Santillan is a convicted felon with two 2015 convictions for domestic abuse battery and theft in Louisiana, as well as a felony conviction in June 2024 for illegal re-entry. He has two prior removals, the last one being Dec. 28, 2024.

    In San Antonio, Mexican national Joandel De Jesus Tierrablanca-Tellez aka Joandel Tierras Blanca was arrested after law enforcement officers allegedly observed him sell four firearms to a buyer in New Braunfels. Homeland Security Investigations had previously learned the firearms were to be sold and trafficked to Mexico for a predetermined amount of U.S. currency. A search of Tierrablanca-Tellez’s vehicle allegedly revealed his Mexican passport and an additional firearm along with .223 caliber and .308 caliber ammunition. Tierrablanca-Tellez is charged with one count of illegal alien in possession of a firearm and, if convicted, faces up to 15 years in federal prison.

    Alejandro Mata-Zavala, also a Mexican national, was arrested during a traffic stop in Guadalupe County on May 6. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)/Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) immigration history inquiry determined Mata-Zavala had been convicted in April 2021 for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison, and was removed from the U.S. to Mexico on or about June 2, 2022. He’s currently charged with one count of illegal re-entry and faces up to 20 years in federal prison, if convicted.

    USBP agents arrested Mexican national Tomas Medina-Martinez near Brackettville on May 1. Medina-Martinez is a two-time convicted felon with three prior removals from the U.S., the most recent being Feb. 12. Mexican national Mauro Morales-Lopez was also arrested by USBP on May 1 near Eagle Pass. Morales-Lopez was deported Nov. 12, 2024 through Atlanta, Georgia following multiple violent misdemeanor convictions for family violence.

    On May 5, Mexican national Sergio De La Cruz-Ruiz was arrested near Brackettville for being illegally present in the U.S. His criminal record includes nine deportations and multiple felony convictions. De La Cruz-Ruiz was also convicted in January 2024 for assault on a family member. His latest removal was April 18 through Harlingen.

    Jorge Luis Benavides-Alvarado, a Mexican national, was encountered by federal law enforcement at the Williamson County Jail and charged with illegal re-entry. He was convicted for possession of a dangerous drug in Georgetown on May 7. In 2017, Benavides-Alvarado was convicted for aggravated robbery in Dallas. He was removed from the U.S. July 26, 2019. Also encountered at the Williamson County Jail, Mexican national Agustin Ruiz-Vazquez was convicted May 7 for assault causing bodily injury. Federally charged with illegal re-entry, Ruiz-Vazquez was previously removed from the U.S. July 10, 2014, two years after being convicted of injury to a child in Austin.

    And in Midland, Salvadoran national Edenilzon Hernandez was encountered at the Ector County Detention Center in Odessa, where he was being held for indecency with child sexual contact. Now facing a federal illegal re-entry charge, Hernandez has three prior removals and a criminal history that includes convictions for burglary of a habitation, assault on a public servant and an additional assault charge.

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

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.

    These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Previously convicted felon sentenced to seven years in prison for federal drug-trafficking and firearm charges

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

    RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man was sentenced today to seven years in prison for distribution of cocaine and possessing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

    According to court documents, on Jan. 16, 2024, law enforcement conducted a controlled purchase of fentanyl from Demario Avanti Henderson, 39. On Jan. 24. 2024, agents arranged another controlled purchase where Henderson sold cocaine and fentanyl. During the transaction, Henderson was openly carrying a handgun. Upon completion of the transaction, agents arrested Henderson and recovered the handgun, which was loaded.

    Henderson was previously convicted of 17 criminal offenses, including, among other crimes, for larceny, eluding police causing endangerment, assault and battery of a family member, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and assault on law enforcement.

    Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge David J. Novak.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia L. Norman prosecuted the case.

    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.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cr-73.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: B.C. supports projects that help communities prepare for climate emergencies

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    The new Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding (DRIF) program provides support to First Nations and local governments for projects that will enhance their ability to withstand and adapt to natural hazards and climate-caused disasters.

    Funding is available in two categories:

    • Structural projects
    • Foundational and non-structural projects

    Local governments and First Nations throughout British Columbia are receiving approximately $21 million for 46 projects as follows:

    Structural projects

    City of Pitt Meadows: Kennedy Drainage Pump Station upgrades
    This project will increase the resilience of the City of Pitt Meadows and help protect people, businesses, farmers and critical transportation networks from flooding.
    Amount: $3.65 million

    City of Merritt: Installation of the next phase of the City of Merritt flood-protection dikes
    Planning to begin construction of another section of dike to help protect the city from flooding. This dike section protects the Middlesboro area and the downtown core.
    Amount: $3,398,150

    Nazko First Nation: Natural infrastructure disaster risk-reduction project
    An urban forest will be created to offer relief during extreme heat and provide flood mitigation through increased soil stability.
    Amount: $1,102,560

    Regional District of Central Okanagan: Community hall HVAC installations
    This project strengthens critical community infrastructure against extreme temperatures and associated power outages, particularly supporting vulnerable populations during emergencies.
    Amount: $200,000

    Foundational and non-structural projects

    Aitchelitz First Nation: Cost benefit analysis for flood-risk and mitigation strategies
    Enhance the understanding of flood-risk and flood-mitigation strategies in the community, and support future projects to reduce flood risk.
    Amount: $147,845

    City of Burnaby: Burnaby Strategies and Actions for Earthquake Resilience (B-SAFER)
    B-SAFER focuses on developing seismic resiliency strategies, including recommendations for infrastructure improvements, upgrades and revision of bylaws and guidelines.
    Amount: $400,000

    City of Castlegar: Floodplain mapping and climate change hazard risk assessment
    This project will provide a better understanding of areas within the city that are at a higher risk of flooding. This will allow the city to co-ordinate and communicate with residents in times of higher flood risk.
    Amount: $399,920

    City of Chilliwack: Chilliwack Creek catchment flood-mitigation project
    The project will improve the city’s resilience to natural and climate-driven disasters through improved understanding of flood risks, vulnerabilities and available risk-reduction options.
    Amount: $110,000

    City of Courtenay: Anderton Dike remediation assessment, design and engagement
    The planning phase of the dike remediation project will determine how to best apply engineering and biology to naturalize the shore to mitigate the risk associated with erosion and flooding.
    Amount: $400,000

    City of Delta: Climate-adaptation and resilience strategy
    Delta will improve its understanding of risks, vulnerabilities and impacts to climate-related hazards through a review of climate-change projections and impacts, and a review of the city’s hazard, risk and vulnerability analysis (HRVA).
    Amount: $75,000

    City of Kamloops: Thompson River watershed climate-adaptation plan
    Drought risk in Kamloops is increasing annually, with a trend of water-level decline found in recent floodplain mapping. To complete planning for critical infrastructure, the study will include hydrologic and hydraulic analysis of the Thompson River watershed.
    Amount: $400,000

    City of Merritt: Hazard risk and vulnerability analysis (HRVA)
    An updated, modernized HRVA is essential to identify hazards of biggest concern and to allow communities to reduce risks through identifying future risk-reduction projects.
    Amount: $60,000

    City of Merritt: Sandbagging machine
    A sandbagging machine improves flooding resiliency by allowing the rapid sealing of manholes and catch basins. It reduces the labour required to produce sandbags in an emergency, freeing up personnel to conduct other response actions.
    Amount: $100,000

    City of Nanaimo: Sea-level rise management plan
    This project helps the city plan for and manage potential sea-level rise before severe impacts occur, and ensure new infrastructure is designed and located to be resilient to sea-level rise and coastal flooding impacts.
    Amount: $400,000

    City of Richmond: North Dike preliminary design project
    This project improves the city’s resilience to flood, addressing both current and future risks associated with sea-level rise and climate change.
    Amount: $400,000

    Cowichan Valley Regional District: Tsunami modelling and mapping – Regional partners: Municipality of North Cowichan, Town of Ladysmith
    Resiliency will be increased by improving the understanding of disaster risk from tsunami caused by earthquake and underwater landslide/sand slide.
    Amount: $400,000

    District of North Vancouver: Disaster risk-reduction action plan for the North Shore – Regional partners: City of North Vancouver, District of West Vancouver
    This project is a collaboration between the three North Shore municipalities, the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Squamish Nation and critical infrastructure partners. The action plan will reduce risk and empower residents, organizations and communities to share the responsibility to reduce disaster risk and adapt to climate change.
    Amount: $997,000

    Dzawada’enuxw First Nation: Disaster risk assessment, and resilience and innovation planning-mitigation options assessment
    The disaster risk assessment will identify potential solutions to mitigate hazards and identify adaptation and risk-reduction options. The resilience and innovation assessment will increase the remote Nation’s resilience through a mitigation and planning analysis.
    Amount: $400,000

    Fraser Valley Regional District: Landslide hazard assessment at Boston Bar, and risk-management framework for catastrophic landslides
    This project includes a technical evaluation of the landslide hazard above the community, and an examination of existing risk-management policies. It will build resiliency through co-ordination and engagement with First Nations, infrastructure owners and the regional district.
    Amount: $345,434

    Lytton First Nation: Enhancing climate resilience through infrastructure planning
    This project is part of a five-year strategy to improve the Nation’s ability to plan, prioritize and implement infrastructure projects and programs to improve resilience in the face of growing impacts caused by climate change.
    Amount: $325,000

    Metro Vancouver (Regional District): Rice Lake dams – Seismic hazard and stability assessments
    The Rice Lake dams are classified as “very high consequence” under the BC Dam Safety Regulation, indicating the importance of understanding potential risks.
    Amount: $300,000

    District of Peachland: Hazard, risk and vulnerability analysis (HRVA) and climate-change risk assessment (CCRA)
    The project will assess hazard probabilities by comparing annual climate hazard occurrences with historical climate trends and thresholds for specific assets or systems.
    Amount: $70,000

    Regional District of Central Kootenay: Updated floodplain bylaws and associated mapping – Regional partner: Village of Salmo
    This project will improve resilience of the small rural communities by providing updated and detailed floodplain and hazard mapping and bylaws related to land adjacent to flood-prone and steep creek areas.
    Amount: $194,000

    Regional District of Central Okanagan: Comprehensive hazard risk and vulnerability assessment
    The project will improve resilience by enhancing co-ordination and engagement, informing mitigation strategies and existing infrastructure upgrades, promoting green infrastructure and guiding the development of new infrastructure.
    Amount: $125,000

    Regional District of Kootenay Boundary: Floodplain and alluvial fan mapping, Electoral Areas D and E
    This region experiences regular and destructive flooding. The two electoral areas were identified in previous risk assessments as requiring updated flood mapping that incorporates climate change forecasting.
    Amount: $400,000

    Saulteau First Nation: Water-related hazard management plan
    The project will improve resilience through increased and more accessible planning/mapping resources. This work aids the Nation in working with external partners toward regional resiliency.
    Amount: $245,987

    Skowkale First Nation: Disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation plan – Regional partners: Aitchelitz First Nation, Yakweakwioose First Nation
    This regional project increases resilience of the First Nations to natural and climate disasters through a deeper understanding of their specific risks and the development of community-centred solutions.
    Amount: $486,579

    Strathcona Regional District: Walters Island water system study
    The regional district will assess the system’s vulnerabilities and develop a more resilient design that reduces the risk of catastrophic water shortages.
    Amount: $70,000

    Village of Kaslo: Enhancing Kaslo’s resilience to flooding and geohazards
    A two-part project that helps ensure a sustainable future for Kaslo’s drinking-water sources, and planning for flood and erosion mitigation on the Kaslo River by identifying hazards and mitigating the effects of extreme weather events.
    Amount: $150,000

    Town of Princeton: Diking system ownership study and Similkameen dike upgrades pre-design report
    The pre-design project identifies dike sections to upgrade, alternatives for flood protection upgrades, and provide the foundational work for a future structural project.
    Amount: $400,000

    Town of Sidney: Disaster-safe water supply
    This project will help the town access alternate sources of potable water when primary infrastructure is damaged during an earthquake or cannot deliver expected volumes or quantities.
    Amount: $176,000

    Ts’kw’aylaxw First Nation: Pesqatwa7 (Pavilion Lake) landslide hazard mitigation planning
    Continual monitoring of existing landslide hazards to better define their extents and magnitude. Community resilience will be increased by the development of preliminary mitigation measures and designs.
    Amount: $400,000

    Uchucklesaht Tribe Government: Shoreline protection analysis
    A shoreline protection analysis will examine nature-based and engineering approaches to shoreline protection that could result in new infrastructure that enhances resilience to coastal storms, flooding and tsunamis.
    Amount: $400,000

    Village of Cumberland: Perseverance watershed initiative
    This project provides hydrometric and soil data to improve understanding of water scarcity, drought and flood issues in the region.
    Amount: $75,000

    Village of Lumby: Duteau Creek flood-mitigation works preliminary design
    Continuation of the village’s flood-mitigation plan that will reduce the risk of flooding and increase resilience. A proposed new dike will provide structural flood mitigation to the project area.
    Amount: $400,000

    Village of Pemberton: Ayers Dike flood mitigation project
    This project will inform decision-making around structural and non-structural flood mitigation to increase resilience in the Pemberton Valley, ensuring flood mitigation strategies are cost-effective, data-driven and sustainable.
    Amount: $297,589

    Wei Wai Kum First Nation: IR #11 disaster resilience and development planning
    The project includes a flood-mitigation-and-erosion-control plan, including floodplain mapping, a seismic assessment and an environmental assessment, including consideration of future structural disaster risk-reduction projects.
    Amount: $400,000

    Witset First Nation: Comprehensive study for water supply resilience
    Detailed hydrologic modelling, flow, water-quality monitoring and infrastructure assessments will generate vital data on risks such as water shortages, reduced water quality and system failures.
    Amount: $399,226

    Xaxli’p First Nation: IR1 Landslide hazard assessment and preliminary mitigation design
    This study will provide the framework for future detailed mitigation design and continued monitoring as part of the next phase of the project, increasing the resiliency of this remote community.
    Amount: $400,000

    City of Vancouver: Reducing extreme heat risk in multi-family buildings
    This project forms the foundation for increasing city resilience through municipal actions, policies or programs to reduce the risk of extreme heat in homes across Vancouver.
    Amount: $215,000

    Kitselas Band Council: Assessment and design to mitigate sediment inputs from the Clore Slide
    The project will develop mitigation options and a detailed design to reduce the potential for landslide activity, which will reduce the risks to people and infrastructure.
    Amount: $170,000

    Leq’a:mel First Nation: Building resilience and strengthening relationships for disaster risk mitigation – Partnering proponent: Sumas First Nation
    The two First Nations will lead a project in developing partnerships with 15 Coast Salish Nations to create a regional resilience plan, promoting disaster risk reduction around drought and water scarcity, extreme temperatures, flood and geohazards.
    Amount: $200,000

    Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine: Climate action plan
    The climate action plan will provide a better understanding of the impacts of climate change and the risks it poses on the region, where vulnerabilities lie and what options are available to reduce these risks.
    Amount: $174,558

    Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) First Nation: Nature-based solutions assessment
    This work will identify potential structural and non-structural mitigation works to support the Nation to adapt to climate change and impacts from sea-level rise and shifting precipitation patterns.
    Amount: $233,832

    Town of Smithers: Integrated climate change and natural-assets management plan
    The plan will help the town understand the risks posed by climate change to natural assets, the value that they provide from an economic and ecological perspective, and the options available to mitigate that risk.
    Amount: $199,300

    Village of Cache Creek: Sewer protection options analysis and design
    An options analysis and detailed plan contribute to a better understanding of risks and vulnerabilities to floods, avalanches and landslides.
    Amount: $394,000

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner, Young, Colleagues Push Trump Administration to Fill Sudan Special Envoy Position as Civil War Continues

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Todd Young (R-IN) wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging him to work with President Trump to appoint a new Special Envoy for Sudan, build out key senior Africa roles at the State Department and the National Security Council, and to hold accountable both internal and foreign actors prolonging the conflict. Joining Sens. Warner and Young in the letter are U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Cory Booker (D-NJ).
    The ongoing violence in Sudan has led to a massive humanitarian crisis. Since the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began in April 2023, it’s estimated that the conflict has claimed the lives of tens of thousands to potentially over one hundred thousand individuals, and in the region, an estimated 30 million Sudanese are in need of immediate assistance.
    Sen. Warner has led bipartisan efforts to address this crisis, including pushing the Biden administration to take steps to better address the chaos and violence displacing millions of people in Sudan and the surrounding regions. Following the senators’ calls for a special envoy, President Biden appointed former U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello to the position, but the position has remained vacant under the Trump administration.
    The senators wrote, “Since its outbreak, this conflict has displaced more than 14 million people – an estimated 11.5 million internally, plus an additional 3 million fleeing to neighboring countries and regions. Approximately 30 million people – more than half of Sudan’s population – are in urgent humanitarian need. By some estimates, the conflict has killed upwards of 150,000 people, in what the U.S. government has officially declared a genocide. Belligerents on both sides stand accused of atrocities, including killings, abductions of civilians, and horrific instances of sexual violence against women and children.”
    The senators highlighted continued bipartisan efforts to respond to the crisis in Sudan and the need to fill crucial roles in countries impacted by the ongoing civil war. 
    Added the senators, “We urge the Administration to fill the Special Envoy position, which would align with bipartisan Congressional intent expressed through the passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, which included provisions of the Response to Conflict in Sudan Act. We also strongly urge you to work with the President to nominate senior officials responsible for Africa, including the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, ambassadors to countries impacted by or otherwise implicated in the conflict, and push for the appointment of a Senior Director for Africa at the National Security Council to coordinate interagency efforts.”
    In addition to the need to fill these crucial roles, the senators highlighted the impact that outside influences are having on this crisis, and the need for the U.S. to hold accountable any foreign actors exacerbating the crisis. 
    “To date, the Office of Foreign Assets Control added SAF and RSF members to the Specially Designated Nationals List and taken action against numerous UAE companies for potentially violating U.S. sanctions. We encourage you, alongside allies and partners, to continue to hold accountable external actors that support and/or finance the conflict, using all available tools,” they wrote. 
    Sen. Warner has been a leading voice in the Senate about the need for increased diplomatic and humanitarian support for Sudan since the war erupted. Last year, Sen. Warner pushed the Biden administration take more decisive action against foreign entities fueling the ongoing civil war in Sudan. In May 2023, he and Sen. Kaine requested that the Biden administration issue a new Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Sudan, which was subsequently issued. Later that month, Sens. Warner and Kaine led a group of colleagues in urging the administration to offer all available support for humanitarian efforts in the region – and to be forward leaning on prioritizing local and community-based response efforts – as well as appoint a Special Envoy to Sudan tasked with coordinating and leading U.S. diplomatic efforts to address the crisis. In December 2023, the senators continued calling on the Biden administration to designate a Special Envoy to Sudan, and former U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello was subsequently appointed to the position. Sen. Warner has also continued his efforts to provide support to Sudan and the Sudanese diaspora and meeting with the Sudanese community in Virginia.  
    A copy of letter is available here and text is below.
    Dear Secretary Rubio,
    Now into the third year of destructive conflict in Sudan, with escalating violence and atrocities between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF), U.S. engagement to bring a resolution to this conflict is more critical than ever. You can send a strong signal to the region by working with the President to appoint a new Special Envoy for Sudan and holding accountable both Sudanese and foreign actors prolonging the conflict. 
    Since its outbreak, this conflict has displaced more than 14 million people – an estimated 11.5 million internally, plus an additional 3 million fleeing to neighboring countries and regions. Approximately 30 million people – more than half of Sudan’s population – are in urgent humanitarian need. By some estimates, the conflict has killed upwards of 150,000 people, in what the U.S. government has officially declared a genocide. Belligerents on both sides stand accused of atrocities, including killings, abductions of civilians, and horrific instances of sexual violence against women and children.
    We urge the Administration to fill the Special Envoy position, which would align with bipartisan Congressional intent expressed through the passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, which included provisions of the Response to Conflict in Sudan Act.  We also strongly urge you to work with the President to nominate senior officials responsible for Africa, including the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, ambassadors to countries impacted by or otherwise implicated in the conflict, and push for the appointment of a Senior Director for Africa at the National Security Council to coordinate interagency efforts.
    In addition to naming an envoy, we urge you to hold accountable external actors – including the UAE, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt – and foreign businesses fueling the gruesome atrocities. The recent large-scale offensive by the RSF in Darfur – which has included storming and systematically burning down the Zamzam refugee camp, killing hundreds of people in a massacre that has also forced hundreds of thousands more to flee the camp in a matter of days – exemplifies the depravity that is being enabled by these external forces.
    To date, the Office of Foreign Assets Control added SAF and RSF members to the Specially Designated Nationals List and taken action against numerous UAE companies for potentially violating U.S. sanctions. We encourage you, alongside allies and partners, to continue to hold accountable external actors that support and/or finance the conflict, using all available tools.
    Conflicts rarely stay localized, and the longer this horrific war drags on, the more combustible this region becomes – an outcome that creates a power vacuum that extremists, terrorists, and our foreign adversaries will only be too happy to fill. The war’s continuation not only harms millions of innocent civilians, but also poses serious risk to American security interests in the region.
    We strongly support U.S. engagement and leadership in Sudan. The appointment of a new Special Envoy would send a strong signal. We look forward to working together to support your efforts to end the conflict in Sudan, address the humanitarian crisis, hold accountable those responsible for atrocities, and stop the actors fueling this crisis inside and outside Sudan.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Smith, Baldwin, Sanders Slam Trump Admin Proposal to Dissolve Mental Health Agency

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla, Smith, Baldwin, Sanders Slam Trump Admin Proposal to Dissolve Mental Health Agency

    Senators to Secretary Kennedy: “We demand that HHS not unlawfully dismantle SAMHSA, which would only serve to further exacerbate a growing mental health and substance use disorder crisis.”
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), co-founder of the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus, Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, condemned the Trump Administration’s proposed dissolution of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as part of the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) restructuring plan and the White House Office of Management and Budget’s HHS budget proposal. In their letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the Senators expressed deep concerns about the consequences of dismantling SAMHSA, outlined the impacts on the worsening behavioral and mental health crisis, and detailed why the proposal is unlawful.
    According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 50 million Americans aged 12 and older battled a substance use disorder and 58.7 million Americans aged 18 and older experienced a mental illness in 2023. The programs administered by SAMHSA are crucial to addressing this national crisis. The Trump Administration’s actions harm the operations of crucial programs, including roughly $7 billion in grant distribution, access to early intervention for mental health care, and support services for crisis care, many of which are statutorily required.
    “At a time when America is in a dual mental health and substance use crisis, a time when youth suicide is at all-time highs, a time when synthetic opioids are destroying communities and taking lives, this proposed destruction of SAMHSA will harm the American people,” wrote the Senators. “This proposed reorganization and your proposed cuts of over $1 billion to mental health and substance use programs threaten the lives of millions of Americans and appear to violate federal law.”
    “SAMHSA, its functions, its role, and many of its positions are clearly outlined and required by federal law. Firing most of SAMHSA’s staff and breaking up SAMHSA appear to violate these statutory requirements,” continued the Senators. “Downsizing SAMHSA into a new ‘division’, dismantling its functions, and firing over half its workforce puts at risk the lives of the 58.7 million Americans who experience a mental health condition and 48.5 million of those who are impacted by a substance use disorder.”
    The Senators emphasized the importance of SAMHSA’s essential work in administering programs including State Opioid Response grants, the National Survey of Drug Use and Health for crucial behavioral health data collection, the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program for funding community-based care, and FindTreatment.gov for connecting people to mental health care resources, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
    Furthermore, the Senators stressed that Congress has passed multiple bills creating and expanding SAMHSA’s behavioral and mental health services, and that eliminating SAMHSA would violate the law. The bipartisan Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration Reorganization Act (ADAMHA), signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1992, established SAMHSA and included requirements for various grant programs and roles that the Trump Administration has proposed eliminating. The ADAMHA Reorganization Act codified additional positions and transferred numerous authorities to SAMHSA.
    Moreover, the 21st Century Cures Act established the Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee through 2027, which the Trump Administration terminated, and codified SAMHSA’s Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality to administer the annual National Survey of Drug Use and Health, but the team responsible for the survey was reportedly eliminated in the mass layoffs.
    The Senators concluded by demanding answers on the Trump Administration’s plans for the continuity of SAMHSA’s statutorily required roles and programs and the impacts of HHS’ restructuring.
    “We demand that HHS not unlawfully dismantle SAMHSA, which would only serve to further exacerbate a growing mental health and substance use disorder crisis,” concluded the Senators.
    Senator Padilla is a leading advocate for expanding mental health care access, especially for underserved communities. Earlier this year, Padilla led 12 Democratic Senators in warning HHS Secretary Kennedy that additional staffing cuts at SAMHSA would have disastrous ramifications for millions of Americans struggling with mental and behavioral health challenges. In 2023, Padilla launched the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus to serve as a forum for Senators to collaborate on and promote bipartisan legislation and solutions, hold events to raise awareness of critical mental health issues, and destigmatize mental health. Padilla applauded the Federal Communications Commission for making critical improvements to the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by adopting the main provisions of his Local 9-8-8 Response Act of 2023. 
    Additionally, Padilla recently introduced bipartisan legislation to combat the growing youth mental health crisis in America through early intervention and prevention services. Last year, Padilla passed a Senate resolution to raise the alarm about the mental health care crisis American children face and highlight the urgent need to increase our investment in mental health care for children and adolescents. Padilla previously introduced a trio of bills to address the unique mental health needs of military children, Latinos, and farm workers.
    Full text of the letter is available here and below:
    Dear Secretary Kennedy,
    We write in strong opposition to the proposed dissolution of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) outlined in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) fact sheet on March 27, 2025, and by the proposal from the White House Office of Management and Budget. At a time when America is in a dual mental health and substance use crisis, a time when youth suicide is at all-time highs, a time when synthetic opioids are destroying communities and taking lives, this proposed destruction of SAMHSA will harm the American people. This proposed reorganization and your proposed cuts of over $1 billion to mental health and substance use programs threaten the lives of millions of Americans and appear to violate federal law, including the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration (ADAMHA) Reorganization Act and the 21st Century Cures Act.
    President George H.W. Bush signed the bipartisan ADAMHA Reorganization Act into law in 1992. This law formed SAMHSA, a new agency to be the nation’s lead on community-based mental health and substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery services. In addition to creating a variety of grant programs to be administered by SAMHSA, the ADAMHA Reorganization Act created the role of the Assistant Secretary, transferred numerous authorities to SAMHSA, and created Centers and Center Director and Associate Administrator positions. Therefore, SAMHSA, its functions, its role, and many of its positions are clearly outlined and required by federal law. Firing most of SAMHSA’s staff and breaking up SAMHSA appear to violate these statutory requirements.
    SAMHSA leads the government’s efforts to promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and advance the behavioral health of people across this country. SAMHSA’s programs provide a model for behavioral health care. Downsizing SAMHSA into a new “division”, dismantling its functions, and firing over half its workforce puts at risk the lives of the 58.7 million Americans who experience a mental health condition and 48.5 million of those who are impacted by a substance use disorder.
    The White House Office of Management and Budget HHS Budget Proposal eliminates SAMHSA and creates a new “Mental Health Division”, demotes substance use from its focus, and guts budgets focused on prevention, treatment, and recovery. Amid a dual crisis, this undoes the bipartisan work that Congress and past Administrations have worked to improve. And the federal investments, the expansion of SAMHSA’s work through grant programs and expertise, have worked – for the first time in years, the U.S. has seen a decline in opioid overdose deaths. As the mental health crisis grows, as new synthetic opioids continue to surge, restructuring the agency stands to reverse this historic decline. Now is not the time to change course and risk American lives.
    Congress has passed numerous bills expanding SAMHSA services to reach more Americans. In 2014, the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) was signed into law, creating the Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Program, which funds community-based programs for adults with serious mental illness. This program allows individuals to stay in their community and their homes while also receiving “medically prescribed mental health treatment.” For example, using SAMHSA funds, an AOT program in Montana is working to reduce homelessness and incarceration while improving health and social outcomes for individuals with serious mental illness. Because HHS is dissolving SAMHSA and firing its staff, Montana is in jeopardy of losing the ability to provide their patients with up-to-date, evidence-based services, a key SAMHSA function. Any interruption to the effective delivery of these programs has detrimental consequences.
    In 2016, Congress again prioritized SAMHSA and expanded its services and programming by passing the 21st Century Cures Act. This bill codified SAMHSA’s Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ), requiring CBHSQ to perform several functions. One of these requirements was to publish an annual report on mental health and substance use disorder, also known as the National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). NSDUH is the only source of behavioral health data for people 12 and older in the U.S. and is a critical tool to combat these dual crises. Without this data, states would not be able to implement State Opioid Response grants with fidelity.
    The State Opioid Response (SOR) grant was created to address the overdose crisis, which is now driven by illicit fentanyl, and is meant to help states provide a continuum of care, including prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services. Funding to support states in combating this epidemic is critical, especially as the crisis is exacerbated by other synthetic opioids. States use SOR funding to purchase and distribute naloxone, test strips, buprenorphine, and much more. SOR is proven to be effective – in 2023, the percentage of people who did not use substances increased by 29.7 percent. SOR funding and NSDUH data give states the ability to purchase these medications, implement these programs, and track outcomes. Reports suggest the entire team running NSDUH was fired on April 1, 2025. Without NSDUH data, states will have inaccurate information on how opioids are affecting their communities, which will result in a lack of resources, incomplete strategies, and an increase in deaths.
    In addition to data collection, CBHSQ is responsible for operating FindTreatment.gov, a critical tool where individuals can find treatment for mental health and substance use disorder care. Launched in 2019 under the first Trump Administration, FindTreatment.gov provides individuals with resources in their communities and connects those in crisis with helplines, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Without adequate staffing of FindTreatment.gov, people across this country are left stranded, not knowing where to turn to find treatment and services. The mass terminations at SAMHSA’s CBHSQ and HHS’s announced reorganization make unclear who is operating and overseeing this program that President Trump proudly launched. It is unclear how HHS can now live up to its claim of continuing “to support people who seek substance use treatment on their journey to recovery.”
    The 21st Century Cures Act not only expanded data collection but also improved interdepartmental coordination, something that you claim to prioritize. This bill established the first ever Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC) to better direct mental health services for adults and children with a serious mental illness. ISMICC is tasked with evaluating the effects of federal programs, including programs for suicide prevention and overdose reduction, so they can provide “recommendations for actions that agencies can take to better coordinate the administration of mental health services.” By law, ISMICC must be operating to achieve these goals through at least September 30, 2027. However, HHS terminated ISMICC on April 9, 2025. By dismissing ISMICC, HHS is actively putting people in crisis at risk and violating a statutory requirement to protect the American people.
    We demand that HHS not unlawfully dismantle SAMHSA, which would only serve to further exacerbate a growing mental health and substance use disorder crisis. To better understand HHS’s plans and statutory compliance, we request responses to the following questions by May 16, 2025.
    1) Per the 21st Century Cures Act, SAMHSA is required to have an Assistant Secretary, a Chief Medical Officer, and a Director, with specific qualifications, at each of its four mandated Centers – the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, the Center for Mental Health Services, and CBHSQ.
    a. Who is currently serving in these roles, and what are their qualifications?
    b. Have any of the people in these roles been subject to the reduction in force that occurred on April 1, 2025? If so, please explain why these legally mandated positions were part of the reduction.
    c. What is HHS’s plan to maintain these positions and centers under the restructuring at HHS?
    2) SAMHSA is required to have Associate Administrators for Alcohol Prevention and Treatment Policy and Women’s Services.
    a. Who is currently serving in these roles, and what are their qualifications?
    b. Have any of the people in these roles been subject to the reduction in force that occurred on April 1, 2025? If so, please explain why these legally mandated positions were part of the reduction.
    c. What is HHS’s plan to maintain these positions under the restructuring at HHS?
    3) SAMHSA is required to have a National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory to coordinate policy changes, review programs, identify duplication, and more.
    a. Please provide a list of all employees in SAMHSA’s Policy Laboratory as of January 19, 2025, and as of April 15, 2025, including job title and General Schedule rank. Please indicate which staff were part of the reduction in force that occurred on April 1, 2025.
    b. How did HHS determine that the proposed restructuring will not prevent fulfilling these statutory duties?
    4) Which Centers and Branches are overseeing each of SAMHSA’s grant programs, including AOT? Please provide the number of employees currently employed for each Center and Branch, and the number of grants each employee is required to supervise.
    5) Who is overseeing each of CBHSQ’s data collection and roles, including NSDUH and FindTreatment.gov? Please provide a list of staff working on each service and provide their qualifications.
    6) Is NSDUH data still being collected through its contract with RTI International?
    a. Does HHS plan to continue its contract with RTI International and ensure all payments are received promptly?
    b. Has there been any break in data collection since January 20, 2025? If so, why, and what did HHS do to restore any missing information?
    7) Why did HHS terminate statutorily-required ISMICC?
    a. When will ISMICC be restored?
    8) What is HHS’s long-term plan with SAMHSA under the restructuring? Please explain how HHS plans to remain in compliance with all relevant statutes under this restructure.
    9) Explain how your decision to dissolve SAMHSA into a “division” will increase efficacy and improve mental health and substance use disorder outcomes for Americans.
    Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Disaster Relief to Florida Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by April Drought

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Florida to offset economic losses caused by caused by drought beginning April 15.  

    The disaster declaration covers the primary counties of Broward and Collier, and the adjacent counties of Hendry, Lee, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach.

    Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”  

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.62% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The deadline to return economic injury applications is Dec. 22, 2025.

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    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Phil Scott Announces 2025 Downtown Transportation Fund Grantees

    Source: US State of Vermont

    Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott and the Department of Housing and Community Development today announced the 2025 recipients of Vermont Downtown Transportation Fund awards. This year, the Community Investment Board chose eight Designated Downtowns and Village Centers to share $1,452,405 in funding.

    “Our historic downtowns and village centers are part of what makes Vermont so special,” said Governor Scott. “Keeping them vibrant is a priority for my Administration and I want to thank the Community Investment Board for endorsing these projects.”

    The Downtown Transportation Fund makes investments in infrastructure and public spaces, stimulates private investment, and creates a sense of identity and pride in Vermont’s downtowns by helping municipalities pay for transportation-related capital improvements within or serving a Designated Downtown or Village Center. 

    “These grants will be put to use to make these communities more inviting to guests and residents,” said Alex Farrell, Vermont Housing and Community Development Commissioner and chair of the Community Investment Board Chair. “Whether it’s increasing walkability, supporting multi-modal transportation, or providing better lighting, these are important investments that benefit everyone.”

    Below are highlights from this year’s awarded projects:

    Town of Brattleboro, Bridge Street Enhancements Project: $124,405

    Support walkability via enhancements to Bridge Street and the intersection of Main Street, Bridge Street, and Vernon Street.

    City of Burlington, Great Streets Main Street Project: $200,000  

    Installation of streetscape amenities along Main Street, including benches, bike racks, a bus shelter, and granite elevation indicators.

    City of Essex Junction, Essex Junction Multimodal Train and Bus Station Improvements: $200,000 

    Renovating and adding to the existing station building to include a pitched roof canopy and lighting.

    Town of Hardwick, Hardwick Pedestrian Bridge Replacement Project: $200,000

    Demolition and replacement of the deteriorated, unsafe, and currently closed pedestrian bridge with a new ADA compliant pedestrian bridge.

    Town of Hinesburg, Town Common Project: $128,000

    Add two entryways from existing sidewalks along Route 116, signage, sidewalk, a gravel path, more parking on connector road.

    Town of Lyndon, Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project: $200,000 

    Installation of four raised crosswalks with curb extensions and four light posts at each crosswalk, upgrading existing ten light posts.

    City of Montpelier, Montpelier’s Downtown Illumination Project: $200,000

    Assessment and repair of street lights and outlets damaged by the July 2023 flood; installation of a new light on State Street; adding permanent lighting systems to Main Street Bridge, Taylor Street Bridge, North Branch Pedestrian Bridge, Winooski Pedestrian Bridge, and Spring Street Bridge.

    Town of Waterbury, Foundry Street and Bidwell Lane Streetscape Improvements: $200,000

    Add wayfinding signage, flower baskets, and illuminated grapevine balls; install sidewalk on Foundry Street; replace street lights.

    Since its inception in 1999, the Downtown Transportation Fund has invested more than $17 million in Vermont’s downtowns and villages. Visit DHCD’s website to learn more about the 2025 Downtown Transportation Fund grantees.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: THE REAL STORY: DHS Sets the Record Straight on Terrorist Sympathizer and Leader of the Columbia Pro-Terrorist Riots Mohsen Mahdawi

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    The mainstream media fawned over this terrorist sympathizer and claimed his arrest was an attack on First Amendment Rights

    WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today set the record straight on Columbia University riots ringleader Mohsen Mahdawi. In recent days, misleading and lazy reporting painted the leader of pro-terrorist demonstrations as a “peacemaker.” Court records allege that Mahdawi told a gun shop owner that he used firearms to “kill Jews.”

    In a brief filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on April 28 in the United States District Court for the District of Vermont, Mohsen Mahdawi was cited as admitting to being involved in and supporting pro-terrorist acts of violence. Mahdawi also allegedly admitted to familiarity with firearms per a police report. The federal filing reveals: 

    • Mahdawi supposedly told a gun shop owner “that he had considerable firearm experience” and used guns to “kill Jews while he was in Palestine.”
    • Mahadawi was cited as having experience building firearms, including modified 9mm submachine guns.
    • Another member of the community recalled Mahdawi stating “I like to kill Jews.”
    • In a police report, a concerned individual reported that Mahdawi requested to purchase a sniper rifle and a machine gun. He also claimed that he said he used to make guns for Hezbollah.

    Below is an excerpt of the DOJ’s brief:

     

    This week, Mahdawi also accused the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of staging a citizenship interview as a trap in order to arrest him. Many in the media failed to report the real story here, which is that this terrorist sympathizer allegedly bragged to a gun shop owner that he had considerable firearms experience as he used to “kill Jews while he was in Palestine.”

    Statement Attributable to Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin:

    “As the media works overtime to glorify a ringleader of the Columbia pro-terrorist riots, court documents show Mahdawi allegedly told a gun shop owner that he had considerable firearms experience and he ‘used to kill Jews.’ The media tried to paint Mohsen Mahdawi as a martyr for free speech. The truth is he is a terrorist sympathizer and national security threat who does not belong in this country. Why does the media continue to defend terrorist sympathizers?” 

    Below are just a handful of examples of misleading headlines.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Reports on Success of Operation Relentless Pursuit One Month After the Anti-Crime Effort Began Operations

    Source: US State of Missouri

    MAY 9, 2025

    Jefferson City — In its first four weeks of operations across Missouri, Operation Relentless Pursuit (ORP) has arrested or assisted in the arrest of 148 fugitives wanted for outstanding felony warrants. One-hundred twelve of the arrests were made by ORP officers, and ORP officers assisted other law enforcement agencies in the arrest of 36 other wanted fugitives. The 148 arrests resulted in clearing 251 outstanding arrest warrants.  

    Original arrest charges have included rape, kidnapping, voluntary manslaughter, sex trafficking of a child under 18, sexual misconduct involving a child, possession of child pornography, drug trafficking, domestic assault, assault, burglary, felony stealing, unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance, and probation violation.

    ORP is a component of Governor Kehoe’s Safer Missouri public safety initiative announced on his first day in office, January 13, 2025. As outlined in Executive Order 25-02, it is a regional anti-crime effort that emphasizes intelligence-led policing and cross-jurisdiction collaboration to apprehend the most dangerous fugitive felons.

    Data analysis showed there were over 17,600 active felony arrest warrants across Missouri in January, which poses a significant threat to public safety since studies show that individuals evading felony warrants are likely to engage in additional criminal activities, further endangering Missourians.      

    “We are extremely impressed with the outstanding work of our joint crime-fighting teams of Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers and sheriffs’ deputies across the state,” Governor Kehoe said. “It has been incredible to see the enthusiasm that law enforcement agencies have for Operation Relentless Pursuit and how many more agencies are joining, or planning to join, these efforts. Taking felons off the streets is dangerous work, but officers are, once again, running toward danger to keep others safe.”

    “These numbers are even more impressive when you consider the amount of intelligence gathering and surveillance work that goes into making these arrests. These are felons who have been avoiding arrest, sometimes for years,” Missouri Department of Public Safety Director Mark James said. “What is making ORP a success is the incredible buy-in we are receiving from law enforcement leadership and the tremendous collaboration, team-effort, and hard work of the officers assigned to this vitally important mission.”

    The 148 ORP arrests and ORP-assisted arrests occurred in 37 counties across the state. Six of the arrests required SWAT team activations because the suspects barricaded themselves to avoid arrest. Six firearms have been seized during the arrests.  

    The initial 37 counties with ORP arrests include:

    • Adair
    • Audrain
    • Bollinger
    • Boone
    • Buchanan
    • Butler
    • Camden
    • Cape Girardeau
    • Cass
    • Clay
    • Crawford
    • Franklin
    • Greene
    • Howell
    • Jackson
    • Laclede
    • Lincoln
    • Madison
    • Miller
    • Mississippi
    • New Madrid
    • Pemiscot
    • Phelps
    • Platte
    • Polk
    • Pulaski
    • Randolph
    • Reynolds
    • Shannon
    • St. Charles
    • St. Francois
    • St. Louis
    • Stoddard
    • Taney
    • Texas
    • Washington
    • Wayne

    There are nine regional ORP teams composed of Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control officer and a local deputy sheriff in each of the nine Patrol troops. These leaders act as liaisons with local law enforcement in the regions. Through May 4, ORP has made arrests or assisted in making arrests with participation from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, at least 24 sheriffs’ offices, at least 11 police departments, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

    Highlights of ORP arrests include:

    • One of the very first fugitives arrested in Pulaski County, as ORP operations began on April 7, was wanted for five counts of possession of methamphetamine. While taking the  suspect into custody, three other fugitives with possession of methamphetamine warrants were located hiding in the residence and also taken into custody. One of the suspects at the residence was in possession of methamphetamine at the time of his arrest and faces that additional charge.
    • One of the oldest cases cleared was a parole absconder wanted for over 12 years, who was captured in Howell County.
    • On April 28, the Platte County Prosecutor’s Office requested that ORP assist in apprehending a suspect wanted for domestic assault who was allegedly continuing to stalk, harass and threaten the victim. ORP, working with the U.S. Marshal for Western Missouri Task Force, located and surveilled the suspect. When officers attempted to arrest him at a residence, he attempted to escape through a bedroom window and was taken into custody after a foot pursuit. He faces the additional charge of resisting arrest by flight.    

    “Sheriffs and deputies across Missouri see the importance of this effort to rid our state of wanted felons who continue to pose a threat to our communities,” Sheriff Brad Cole, Christian County Sheriff and Operation Relentless Pursuit Co-Coordinator said. “Hunting down and taking the felons into custody takes considerable effort, but our ORP team members and partnering agencies are committed to this program. We are seeing more  sheriffs’ offices participating in ORP and I expect that to continue based on the success of the program.”

    “Partnerships across the state enable us to do what we do best, and we’re just getting started” said Missouri State Highway Patrol Colonel Michael A. Turner. “We are proud to work with many outstanding sheriffs’ offices for our shared mission of working together to make a safer Missouri. The combined resources of troopers and deputies working together during these operations is truly a force multiplier.”

    Last week, DPS Director James, Highway Patrol Col. Michael Turner, Sheriff Cole, U.S. Marshal John Jordan of the Eastern District of Missouri, Acting U.S. Marshal Josh Hillard of the Western District, and other ORP leaders of Missouri met to review early operations and plans for potential expansion due to ORP’s strong start.

    State funds have been requested in Governor Kehoe’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget to pay the cost of the deputy sheriff liaison within each region and overtime costs of participating local law enforcement agencies. Each of the regional liaisons received training from the U.S. Marshals Service.

    Members of the public with information that could lead to the capture of a Missouri fugitive can share it with the ORP team at this link.

    Future data and updates on ORP will be provided by the Missouri Department of Public Safety.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Largest Investment in New York State’s Transportation History

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today signed new legislation as part of the FY26 Enacted Budget to fully fund the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) $68.4 billion 2025-29 Capital Plan — a move that represents the largest investment in New York State’s transportation history. The plan will enable the MTA to make transformative investments that will include breaking ground on the new Interborough Express (IBX), rehabilitating the Grand Central Artery and improving the overall rider experience.

    “Public transit is the lifeblood of New York and our investments in this century-old system will ensure it can thrive for years to come,” Governor Hochul said. “For too long, leaders had ignored the needs of straphangers and underfunded public transit. When I took office we changed that approach — and now, we’re making long-overdue investments to keep this system strong.”

    MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, “The Governor and legislature have been great supporters of MTA riders and understand the importance of mass transit to New York’s economy. An extraordinary effort went into identifying what needs to be done to maintain the $1.5 trillion asset that is our region’s transportation network. The women and men of the MTA look forward to getting to work on important capital projects that deliver on the Governor’s vision and ensure that New Yorkers keep moving for decades to come.”

    The investment will enable the MTA to:

    • Start construction of the new Interborough Express (IBX) — a transformative new rapid transit service between Brooklyn and Queens
    • Rehabilitate the Grand Central Artery — a four-mile stretch that carries 98 percent of all Metro-North service
    • Purchase thousands of new subway and rail cars
    • Modernize signals to provide faster, more frequent and more reliable service
    • Upgrade maintenance facilities
    • Renew electric power systems to enhance reliability
    • Repair structurally deficient bridges and tunnels
    • Deliver full ADA-accessibility improvements at more than 65 subway and railroad stations
    • Make safety enhancements at stations and across infrastructure systems
    • Install modern fare gates at more than 150 stations to prevent fare evasion
    • Grow its zero-emissions bus fleet to stay on track for a fully-electric fleet by 2040
    • Increase resiliency against flooding and protect the Hudson Line against severe weather

    All of this will be achieved with a funding plan that also includes cuts to the regional Payroll Mobility Tax (PMT) for roughly 10,000 small businesses and an elimination of the PMT for self-employed individuals earning $150,000 or less. The plan will also fully eliminate the PMT for all local governments outside of New York City.

    Notably, the FY 2026 Budget also reallocates up to $1.2 billion from the Penn Station redevelopment project to be put towards priority capital projects such as the Interborough Express, safety initiatives, and efforts to reduce fare evasion.

    The MTA’s capital plan will also spend $6 billion on the Metro-North Railroad, including:

    • Rolling stock: Completing the replacement of 40-year-old railcars with new, fully accessible M9A trains for use on the Harlem and Hudson Lines
    • Station platforms and components: Replacing and rehabilitating deteriorating station platforms and other major station components
    • Climate and weather protection: Coordinating investments at the most vulnerable locations – including bridges, culverts, retaining walls, and shoreline structures – to reduce service disruptions and equipment damage caused by extreme weather

    Additionally, the MTA’s capital plan will spend $6 billion on the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) which would include:

    • Rolling stock: Purchasing new railcars to allow MTA to retire 1980s-era M3 cars and provide for more reliable new dual-mode locomotives
    • Power system improvements: Replacing or renewing 16 substations making the system more reliable
    • Accessibility: Achieving 98 percent accessibility by making four more stations accessible, including Bellerose, Douglaston, and Cold Spring Harbor

    Finally, the MTA capital plan includes $800 million to advance regional investments that help create additional capacity, connect with underserved communities, and respond to changing populations and land-use patterns. The plan supports projects to reduce conflicts at the nation’s busiest railway junction, electrification and capacity initiatives on the LIRR and MNR, and the evaluation and development of promising improvement and expansion projects.

    The funding plan includes a balanced and responsible mix of local, state, federal and MTA sources as well as new Payroll Mobility Tax (PMT) revenues from the region’s largest businesses. In addition to providing $8 billion in total operating aid for the MTA, the FY 2026 Budget will provide a $3 billion State capital appropriation to support the MTA capital plan. The modest change to the Payroll Mobility Tax (PMT) will cause the largest businesses in the region with payrolls of $10 million or more to pay less than one percent more in PMT.

    The FY 2026 Budget also requires the City of New York to provide $3 billion toward the MTA capital plan and requires the MTA to find $3 billion in efficiencies.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fighting Crime and Keeping New Yorkers Safe

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today signed new legislation as part of the FY26 Enacted Budget to fight crime and reduce recidivism, protect public transit workers and commuters, combat sexual and domestic violence, and enhance the safety and security of correction officers and incarcerated individuals. Highlights of Governor Hochul’s public safety budget priorities include strengthening the State’s discovery statutes, increasing law enforcement presence in the New York City subways, combatting the rise in hate crimes, and cracking down on individuals who use a mask to conceal their identities to commit crimes.

    “Keeping New Yorkers safe has always been and always will be my top priority – and we are delivering a budget that makes record investments to crack down on crime while making commonsense changes that close the revolving door of our court system,” Governor Hochul said. “With this Budget, we are sending a clear message: we will do everything in our power to protect New Yorkers to make our streets, communities and families safer all across our State.”

    Fighting Crime and Reducing Recidivism

    Building upon Governor Hochul’s record investments in proven crime prevention initiatives, the FY26 Enacted Budget includes essential, commonsense changes to New York’s Discovery Laws to support survivors, hold perpetrators accountable and safeguard the right to a fair and speedy trial. The changes will prevent cases from being thrown out over technical errors and eliminate dismissals and disruptions that have re-traumatized survivors of domestic violence and other serious crimes. There is $135 million allocated for prosecutors and defenders to ensure compliance with discovery, a year-to-year increase of $15 million.

    Governor Hochul is investing $347 million in gun violence prevention programs that have helped drive gun violence down by more than 50% when compared to pandemic-era peaks. This includes $50 million for Law Enforcement Technology grants.

    The Budget includes investments to further protect our borders with $8 million to boost the State Police’s enforcement efforts at the Northern Border with dedicated law enforcement and technology to stop transnational criminal organizations and the trafficking of guns, drugs and people.

    New York State continues to combat the rise in hate crimes with $35 million for Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes (SCAHC) program. These grants provide funding to boost safety and security for certain organizations at risk of hate crimes or attacks because of their ideology, beliefs, or mission.

    A new statute creates a Class B misdemeanor to crack down on individuals who use a mask to conceal their identity when committing or fleeing from a Class A misdemeanor or higher.

    $2.3 million for mass violence crisis response preparation. The funding is to support local communities in preparedness and to ensure rapid, coordinated support for survivors and their communities, addressing immediate needs in the aftermath of any mass violence event.

    Protecting Subway Riders and Transit Workers

    The Budget delivers on the Governor’s public safety commitments to continue making our subways safer for all riders and transit workers. These major investments increase the presence of law enforcement, make crucial safety upgrades in protective barriers and LED lighting and continue cracking down on fare evasion.

    The Budget allocates $77 million to partner with NYPD to increase police presence on platforms and trains by temporarily surging patrol levels for six months.

    An additional $45 million for the National Guard’s Joint Task Force – Empire Shield mission will continue to deter and prevent terrorist activity in the New York City area, including transit and commuter hubs.

    New protective barriers installed on subway platforms will protect riders and LED lighting in all subway stations throughout the system to increase visibility throughout the stations.

    Additionally, new fare gate systems in more than 150 subway stations will increase fare collection and improve accessibility.

    Combatting Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence

    Supporting survivors remains a top priority for Governor Hochul, as she continues to lead efforts to address sexual assault, domestic violence, gender-based violence and sex trafficking. Through historic investments and bold policy initiatives, New York is setting a national standard for protecting survivors and holding offenders accountable.

    The FY26 Enacted Budget expands protections and services to victims of sexual assault including extending HIV prophylaxis medication coverage to all survivors of sexual assault, and over $3.3 million to increase reimbursement rates for forensic exams and expand virtual forensic exam services in underserved areas.

    The FY26 enacted budget also includes the first funding increase for rape crisis centers in a decade: nearly $13 million – double the funding included in last year’s budget – for the 52 programs across the state certified by the state Department of Health.

    New York State is also expanding victim support services by providing $3.8 million to increase the cap for funeral expenses for homicide victims from $6,000 to $12,000 and increase the compensation for scam victims.

    Governor Hochul continues strengthening support for survivors of gender-based violence by improving access to public assistance for survivors of gender-based violence, and codifying gender-based violence workplace policy that requires vendors doing business with New York State to affirm they have a gender-based violence workplace policy.

    Protecting the Safety and Security of Correctional Staff and Incarcerated Population

    Following the death of Robert Brooks, Governor Hochul directed the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) to implement immediate changes to protect the safety and well-being of all DOCCS personnel and incarcerated individuals. The Budget delivers on these crucial changes while working to address safety and quality of life issues by staff following an illegal job action as the department continues to recover, recruit, and rebuild. These changes include:

    Investing over $18 million for the expansion of the body worn camera program and codifying the program to ensure cameras are powered on and recording at all times when employees are interacting with incarcerated individuals; $400 million for the acceleration and continued installation of fixed cameras in all facilities; $7.2 million to expand and restructure the Office of Special Investigations (OSI); and $685 million to stabilize the correctional system as a result of the correction officer strike, including corrections operating costs and the extended deployment of the National Guard.

    Governor Hochul’s Budget also allows the DOCCS Commissioner to designate new programs that incarcerated individuals can participate in and complete to qualify for merit time or limited credit time allowance. These allowances have successfully provided incentives for incarcerated individuals to participate in programming and keep clean disciplinary records. The new programming will help rehabilitate individuals and ensure they are ready for reentry into the community after they have served their time. These changes will promote a safer environment within facilities for both incarcerated individuals and corrections officers.

    Additional funding for the State Commission of Correction (SCOC) oversight of DOCCS: $1.5 million for additional staff to allow the SCOC to conduct regular inspections of DOCCS facilities and enhance other oversight functions

    In order to manage the ongoing staffing shortages of correction officers at New York’s correctional facilities, the Budget allows the Commissioner of Corrections and Community Supervision to hire persons aged 18 and over as corrections officers while the Department works to restore its staffing capacity to sustainable levels. These officers will receive enhanced training and mentorship, and they will be restricted from certain roles that generally require more experience, such as roles that require a firearm or those involving unsupervised contact with incarcerated individuals. Additionally, it authorizes the Commissioner to close up to three correctional facilities with 90 day notification.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Washington and California lead coalition of states to challenge Trump’s fake “energy emergency”

    Source: Washington State News

    SEATTLE — Washington state filed suit today alongside 14 other states to challenge the president’s fake “energy emergency,” declared to line the pockets of Big Oil by handing out free passes to pollute our environment.

    On Inauguration Day, President Donald Trump declared a “national energy emergency” under the National Emergencies Act. Congress passed the National Emergencies Act to prevent presidents from declaring national emergencies for frivolous or partisan matters — exactly what the president has done here.

    At the direction of the president, federal agencies are bypassing or shortening critical reviews under the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and the Historic National Preservation Act for energy projects. These laws play a critical role protecting the environment and human health and protecting our heritage and places sacred to tribes in Washington.

    U.S. energy production is at an all-time high. The country is producing so much oil and natural gas that energy companies do not plan to increase output in response to the president’s order. The president is simultaneously seeking to increase exports which, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, will increase prices for American consumers.

    The only “emergency” is that the president disagrees with policies to address climate change in Washington state and elsewhere. He is illegally using emergency authorities to keep the nation reliant on energy sources like coal, oil, and gas. The order excludes wind, solar, and batteries — among the cheapest and cleanest modern energy sources that exist today. The end goal is clear: eliminate the competition so his oil and gas donors can keep gouging Washingtonians and polluting the state.

    “The president’s attempt to bypass important environmental protections is illegal and would cause immense harm to Washingtonians. This won’t lower prices, increase our energy supply, or make our country safer,” Attorney General Nick Brown said. “We’re back in court to hold him accountable.”

    “Environmental regulations exist because we’ve seen what happens when they don’t,” said Casey Sixkiller, director of the Washington Department of Ecology. “The federal administration is proposing an end-run that ignores the hard lessons of the past. These protections aren’t red tape — they’re guardrails that protect our air, water, land, and keep our families safe.”

    Until now federal agencies have only used emergency procedures during actual emergencies such as hurricanes and catastrophic oil spills — for example, the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, where lives were at risk. Now agencies are acting under emergency procedures only due to the president’s order.

    The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, names as defendants President Donald Trump, as well as the head of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Both agencies have taken illegal action to implement the president’s directive.

    The attorneys general ask the court to declare the president’s directive, and the agencies’ implementation of it, illegal and stop them from issuing emergency permits under the executive order.  

    Joining Attorney General Brown and Attorney General Rob Bonta in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

    A copy of the complaint is available here.

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    Washington’s Attorney General serves the people and the state of Washington. As the state’s largest law firm, the Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington’s 39 counties.

    Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.

    Media Contact:

    Email: press@atg.wa.gov

    Phone: (360) 753-2727

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    MIL OSI USA News –