Source: New South Wales – News
Police and emergency services are responding to a serious crash on the Nullarbor.
About 6am on Tuesday 8 April, police received a report of a serious crash involving a truck and car on the Eyre Highway. The crash is about 75km’s from the Western Australian border.
Motorists travelling across the border on the Eyre Highway should expect lengthy delays.
Further information will be provided when known.
Source: United States Attorneys General
A Louisiana woman pleaded guilty today to receiving child sexual abuse material produced by a photographer she arranged to take the images.
According to court documents, Hannah Kinchen, 40, of Gonzales, coordinated with a photographer, who self-identified as a “pedophile,” to conduct photoshoots for the minor victim’s modeling career. During the photoshoots, Kinchen allowed and assisted the photographer in posing the minor victim wearing scanty attire, including thongs and G-strings. The photographer sent and Kinchen received most of the images through a file-sharing website on the internet. Some of the resulting images qualified as child pornography and some were later sold.
Kinchen pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography. She is scheduled to be sentenced on July 15 and faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Head of the Justic Department’s Criminal Division, Matthew R. Galeotti; Acting U.S. Attorney April M. Leon for the Middle District of Louisiana; and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp of the FBI New Orleans Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI New Orleans Division – Baton Rouge Resident Agency investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Rachel L. Rothberg of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen L. Craig for the Middle District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case, with substantial assistance from CEOS Trial Attorney Charles Schmitz.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Source: US State of California
Monday, April 7, 2025
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO — California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. today issued the following statements in response to the Orange County Superior Court’s decision denying the State’s petition for writ of mandate concerning the City of Huntington Beach’s voter identification (voter ID) law, Measure A. Without citing any evidence that fraudulent voting occurs with any regularity in the City or has ever compromised the outcome of a municipal election, Measure A amended Huntington Beach’s charter to purportedly allow the City to impose voter ID requirements at the polls for all municipal elections starting in 2026. The petition for writ of mandate asserted that state law prohibits and overrides Measure A.
“Yet again, we believe the Orange County Superior Court got it wrong,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Earlier this year, the California Fourth District Court of Appeal wrote that Huntington Beach’s argument that ‘it had a constitutional right to regulate its own municipal elections free from state interference . . . is . . . problematic.’ We agree. Now that we have a final order from the Orange County Superior Court, we look forward to moving on and appealing the decision. We remain confident that Measure A will ultimately be struck down.”
“The Court got it wrong. Access to the ballot box is a key component of our democracy. The Court’s order is in direct conflict with California election laws and will result in disenfranchising California voters,” said Secretary of State Shirley Weber. “As California’s chief elections officer, I will continue to advocate for this state and its eligible voters by partnering with Attorney General Bonta to appeal this decision.”
A copy of the court’s order can be found here.
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Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Fernando McMillan, Special Agent in Charge of the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations New York Field Office, and Stephen P. Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, announced that KRISTEN CAROTENUTO, 35, of Pelham, New York, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to tampering with vials of hydromorphone and fentanyl at a surgical clinic in Stamford where she was employed as a nurse.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Carotenuto was employed as a nurse at an outpatient surgical center in Stamford. As part of her employment, she was granted access to a secure location used by the surgical center to store controlled substances, including hydromorphone and fentanyl. In December 2024, Carotenuto removed several vials, each containing hydromorphone or fentanyl, from the secure storage area. She then took the vials home, removed the controlled substances using a syringe, and used the drugs. She then refilled the vials with either saline or water and returned the tampered vials to the storage area in a location where they could be distributed for patient use.
Carotenuto pleaded guilty to tampering with a consumer product, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. Judge Oliver scheduled sentencing for June 30.
Carotenuto is released on a $25,000 bond pending sentencing. She has surrendered her nursing license.
This matter is being investigated by the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations; the DEA’s Hartford Diversion Control Division; and the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Drug Control Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – Following a two-day trial, a jury found a Centralia man guilty of federal charges for distributing cocaine and fentanyl in Marion County.
A federal jury convicted Broderick K. Currie, also known as Broderick K. Wooters, 36, of one count of distribution of a controlled substance: cocaine and one count of distribution of a controlled substance: fentanyl.
“As a career offender, this defendant has sold drugs in southern Illinois and caused irrevocable harm to families for many years,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “The lethality of fentanyl cannot be understated, and another dealer off the streets is a win for our region.”
The evidence presented at trial proved Broderick sold nearly 12 grams of cocaine and one gram of fentanyl to a confidential source in February 2024 in Marion County.
“The conviction of the defendant provides an opportunity to remind everyone that the mission of the Springfield Southern Illinois TOC-West Task Force is to relentlessly pursue and destroy drug trafficking organizations operating in the Southern Illinois region,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Christopher Johnson. “If you are distributing controlled substances, especially deadly fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine, we will find you and hold you accountable.”
Currie’s distribution charges are punishable by up to 30 years’ imprisonment per count. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 12.
The FBI Springfield Field Office’s Southern Illinois TOC-West Task Force led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dan Carraway and Dan Kapsak prosecuted the case. The TOC-West Task Force has multiple members, this investigation was supported by Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Carlyle Police Department, Mt. Vernon Police Department, and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the U.S. using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp on Monday sentenced a former Phelps County Sheriff’s deputy to 65 years in prison for soliciting and/or receiving sex acts and child sexual abuse material from multiple minors and destroying evidence to impede the FBI.
Judge Schelp also ordered Justin Bradley Durham, of Rolla, to pay $79,160 in restitution to victims. Durham pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis in October to one count of production of child pornography, two counts of receiving child pornography and three counts of destroying records in a federal investigation.
Durham admitted requesting and receiving a sexually explicit video from a 15-year-old in 2013. He later provided $200 to the victim after she engaged in sex acts with him. He also admitted engaging in sex acts multiple times with a 17-year-old victim, including in his patrol vehicle. He exchanged sexually explicit images and videos with her. Durham met the second victim in 2016 when her friend contacted the police and he responded to the call.
The FBI interviewed Durham in 2023 after learning that his PayPal account had been used to send money to another account associated with the sale of child pornography. Durham denied purchasing child pornography and claimed that he hadn’t accessed his Dropbox account for years. He refused agents’ request to search his cell phone. Two days later, Durham bought a new phone, destroyed his old phone and deleted about 37 gigabytes of data in his Dropbox account before deactivating it. Among those files were hundreds of sexually explicit images and videos, including files containing child sexual abuse material. Durham was terminated by the Sheriff’s Department on Aug. 9, 2023, and arrested by them. In jail, he told FBI agents that he also destroyed a laptop computer, threw away his phone and conducted a “digital footprint scrub” of his online accounts, his plea agreement says.
Durham also sent sexual letters to inmates at the Phelps County Jail, solicited sexually explicit images from other women, including a woman who was on parole, according to a sentencing memo filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Bateman.
“Justin Durham avoided detection by exploiting what he knew about law enforcement. He often targeted vulnerable victims, some of whom suffered from mental health issues, poverty, or sexual abuse,” said Special Agent in Charge Ashley Johnson of the FBI St. Louis Division. “We applaud the bravery of the two victims who came forward to help end Durham’s disgraceful abuse.”
Sheriff Michael P. Kirn expressed his firm belief that accountability and transparency are essential in maintaining public trust. “The actions of individuals like Justin Durham are not representative of our dedicated law enforcement community. We will continue to ensure that justice is served and that ethical standards are upheld,” he asserted.
“This case serves as a reminder that the law applies equally to all, and the commitment to justice remains paramount. The Sheriff’s Office will continue to advocate for integrity and accountability within the law enforcement community and beyond,” Sheriff Kirk said.
The FBI and the Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Bateman is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
A federal grand jury recently returned a three-count indictment charging Edgar Javier Castillo-Rodriguez, age 53, of Mexico, with illegal re-entry into the United States by a removed alien and false representation of a Social Security number. Castillo-Rodriguez appeared for his arraignment and pled not guilty to the pending charges.
According to court documents, Castillo-Rodriguez, an alien who had previously been removed from the United States on or about October 30, 1996, at or near Brownsville, Texas, and on or about November 6, 2000, at or near El Paso, Texas, was again found in the United States on or about October 29, 2024, without having obtained the consent of the Attorney General of the United States or his successor, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
On October 29, 2024, Castillo-Rodriguez knowingly and falsely represented to the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office a Social Security number that had not been assigned to him by the Commissioner of Social Security.
On April 21, 2023, Castillo-Rodriguez knowingly and falsely represented to a potential employer a false Social Security number that had not been assigned to him by the Commissioner of Social Security.
This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Department of Homeland Security, Social Security Administration, Gonzales Police Department, Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Louisiana State Police, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy S. Johnson.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
NOTE: An indictment is an accusation by a grand jury. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless adjudicated guilty at trial or through a guilty plea.
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
acksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Braden Huston Hobbs (27, Ponte Vedra) with conspiracy to traffic firearms, conspiracy to deal firearms without a license, dealing firearms without a license, making a materially false statement to a licensed firearms dealer, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances—including 500 grams or more of cocaine, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. If convicted, Hobbs faces a minimum sentence of 5 years, up to 95 years, in federal prison.
According to court documents and proceedings, law enforcement began investigating Hobbs when several firearms he had purchased were recovered during unrelated search warrant executions by law enforcement agencies. These firearms were recovered in the homes of drug distributors and a convicted felon. Additionally, during a series of controlled purchase operations conducted in the summer of 2024, agents purchased 11 firearms from two co-conspirators. Hobbs was the original purchaser of multiple firearms purchased from these two co-conspirators. Cellphone records later showed that at least one of the co-conspirators regularly purchased firearms from Hobbs.
Through further investigation, agents discovered that between March 2022 and June 2024, Hobbs had purchased more than 120 firearms from 3 different federally licensed firearms dealers in Jacksonville, with 67 of those firearms being purchased between January and June 2024. Hobbs then sold those firearms to others. On multiple occasions, Hobbs advertised firearms for sale to potential customers before completing the purchase of the firearms from the federally licensed firearms dealer.
Customers typically paid Hobbs in cash for the firearms or traded drugs for the firearms. Hobbs was aware that some of his customers intended to resell the firearms and were drug users or drug distributors. Furthermore, Hobbs asked his co-conspirators to assist him in finding buyers for the firearms and the co-conspirators advertised Hobbs’s firearms for sale. Although he engaged in the business of dealing firearms, Hobbs is not a federally licensed firearms dealer, as required by federal law.
When Hobbs purchased the firearms from the federally licensed firearms dealers, he indicated on the required ATF Form 4473 that he was the actual buyer or transferee of the firearms. In addition, Hobbs indicated that he was not a user of or addicted to controlled substances. Both statements were false. Hobbs was not the actual buyer or transferee of the firearms, and he was a habitual user of controlled substances.
In addition, Hobbs was distributing controlled substances, including over 500 grams of cocaine and Adderall. He routinely advertised controlled substances for sale and coordinated deals. Hobbs often sold the controlled substances to the same customers to whom he was selling firearms. On June 26, 2024, Hobbs was arrested by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for driving under the influence and trafficking in cocaine. During a search of Hobbs’s car, officers located approximately 330 grams of cocaine and 17 grams of Adderall, as well as various items used to package and distribute controlled substances.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Secret Service, the North Florida HIDTA Tri-County Narcotics Task Force with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elisibeth Adams.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Source: US Congressional Budget Office
S. 860 would subject foreign persons and entities to sanctions under the Fentanyl Sanctions Act if they provide significant support to opioid trafficking or receive property that is either used for or acquired through opioid trafficking. In addition, the bill would require the Administration to report to the Congress on its work to prevent foreign opioid trafficking.
If the enactment of S. 860 leads the Administration to broaden existing sanctions for involvement in opioid trafficking, more people would be denied visas by the Department of State, resulting in an insignificant decrease in revenues from fees. Although most visa fees are retained by the Department of State and spent, some collections are deposited into the Treasury as revenues. Denying foreign nationals entry into the United States also would reduce direct spending on federal benefits (emergency Medicaid or federal subsidies for health insurance, for example) for which those people might otherwise be eligible.
The bill would block transactions involving certain assets either in the United States or under the control of people or entities in the United States. Under the bill, any person or entity violating those prohibitions would be subject to civil or criminal monetary penalties. Such penalties are recorded as revenues, and a portion can be spent without further appropriation.
On the basis of data about similar sanctions, CBO estimates any additional sanctions imposed under the bill would affect a small number of people. Thus, enacting S. 860 would have insignificant effects on revenues and direct spending, and would, on net, reduce deficits by insignificant amounts over the 2025-2035 period.
Using information about the cost of reports similar to those required by the bill, CBO estimates that implementing S. 860 would cost less than $500,000 over the 2025-2030 period. Such related spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
S. 860 would impose a private-sector mandate as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) by expanding the scope of authority for the Administration to regulate transactions between entities in the United States and foreign entities and officials of foreign governments who would be subject to sanctions under the bill. That expansion would result in additional burdens on individuals and entities, such as banks, in the United States that are required to monitor and report on foreign transactions and to block access to certain assets owned by sanctioned entities. It also would prohibit transactions between entities in the United States and sanctioned parties that otherwise would be permitted under current law.
The cost of the mandate would be any income or profit lost as a result of the bill’s enactment. CBO expects that because a small number of people or entities would be affected, the loss of income from any incremental increase in restrictions imposed by the bill would be small as well. CBO estimates that the cost of the mandate would fall well below the annual threshold established in UMRA for private-sector mandates ($206 million in 2025, adjusted annually for inflation).
S. 860 contains no intergovernmental mandates as defined in UMRA.
The CBO staff contacts for this estimate are Sunita D’Monte (for federal costs) and Brandon Lever (for mandates). The estimate was reviewed by Christina Hawley Anthony, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.
Phillip L. Swagel
Director, Congressional Budget Office
Source: Communications Workers of America
The following statement is from Margaret Cook, Vice President of the Communications Workers of America Public, Healthcare and Education Workers Sector:
Since the March 8 abduction of Mahmod Khalil—father, legal permanent resident, scholar, and union member—from the Columbia University campus for his activism and speech, the Trump Administration has seized at least seven additional international graduate students and scholars across the country. They have all participated in the peaceful protest movement against the ongoing and brutal war against Gaza and are being persecuted for their background, faith, and beliefs.
These abductions are an assault on the freedoms we value and depend on as union members. Our movement was built by workers who fought for the freedom to speak out and to engage in peaceful protest so we could pursue a better life for our families. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has declared his personal power to issue arrest and deportation mandates for these individuals without due process, taking us back to the days when police, acting on behalf of robber barons, used threats and violence to silence anyone who stood in their way.
We should make no mistake that these actions will target anyone the Administration deems to be problematic or undesirable, including workers who speak out in order to improve their working conditions. The Trump Administration has threatened to expand its extreme cuts to university research programs in retaliation for non-compliance with its repressive agenda, and too many university boards and administrators have chosen to collaborate rather than to defend our fundamental freedoms.
These students must be released. We must demand that campuses across this country stand up for everyone’s right to speak out, protest, and assemble. And we must continue to build and mobilize our unions in defense of one another, our colleagues, and all working people.
We must resist this authoritarian, unconstitutional attack on these students and scholars in order to uphold our democratic rights, protect speech—and stop this campaign of repression in its tracks before it spreads to every campus, including all of those at which we teach, research, study, work, and organize.
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About CWA: The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields, including tens of thousands of members on university and college campuses.
cwa-union.org @cwaunion
Source: American Clean Power Association (ACP)
Headline: ACP Statement: MISO’s Proposal Threatens Reliability and Affordability for Millions of Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. April 7, 2025 —The American Clean Power Association (ACP) released the following statement from ACP Vice President of Markets & Transmission Carrie Zalewski related to ACP’s protest to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), opposing the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s (MISO) proposed Expedited Resource Addition Study (ERAS):
“At a time of skyrocketing energy demand, MISO is headed down a concerning path of sidelining critical resources rather than diversifying its generation mix—a grid 45 million Americans rely on to be increasingly reliable and affordable. This proposal sets a dangerous precedent that could cause significant and lasting damage, injecting massive disruption to MISO’s already overburdened queue process.
“MISO must prioritize solutions that can swiftly address reliability needs — not burden consumers with expensive and unreliable outcomes. ACP urges FERC to reject the ERAS proposal.”
MISO ERAS is not a one-time emergency request, and lacks guardrails on timing, scope, and implementation.
The proposal does not address resolutions for existing concerns regarding systemic issues causing interconnection delays and readiness constraints, such as permitting, supply chain issues, and financing.
Further, MISO has not accounted for potential cost shifts to projects already in the queue, and in addition, has not demonstrated its ability to adequately implement the mechanism without shifting significant internal resources.
With a 15-state footprint, MISO’s proposed mechanism for accelerated interconnection would harm customers in the existing interconnection queue, create unfair grid access by excluding independent power producers, hinder competition, and increase costs for consumers.
MISO does not use objective metrics tied to its own stated resource adequacy concerns to select eligible projects and makes no attempt to limit the size of the program or penalize speculative projects to limit impacts to the existing queue.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brittany Pettersen (Colorado 7th District)
WASHINGTON — U.S. Representatives Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) and Sara Jacobs (D-CA) issued the following statements after Speaker Mike Johnson struck a deal that effectively blocks their bipartisan resolution to allow proxy voting for new parents in Congress. The agreement would replace their proposed policy with a limited “pairing” system that maintains outdated practices and fails to provide real solutions for lawmakers who are new parents.
Rep. Brittany Pettersen said: “We are so grateful to Rep. Anna Paulina Luna for championing this issue that matters deeply to us, and so many other families. Her partnership was essential in building broad bipartisan support from a majority of the House. When the Speaker refused to act, she continued working to make the House a more welcoming place for families. But the reality is — this outcome does not address the barriers we’ve fought so hard to overcome.
“When Speaker Johnson refused to bring our resolution to the floor for a vote – regardless of how many Members supported it – we followed the rules and tried to force a vote by filing a discharge petition and received the necessary signatures to bring it forward. Instead of letting us vote, he has instead gone to historic lengths to kill our resolution and make sure the large majority of his Members don’t have a voice. Let’s be clear: these changes are not a win for us and Speaker Johnson has turned his back on moms and dads in Congress and working families.
“I am deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the women and moms across the nation. I know that you’re as disappointed as I am that we’re not changing the Rules in Congress to make it more likely that people like us have a seat at the table. But our fight is far from over. I promise I won’t stop working on behalf of moms, our families, and most importantly our kids.”
Rep. Sara Jacobs said: “From the very beginning, our shared goal has been to support new parents so they can do their jobs and vote on behalf of their constituents while also taking care of themselves and their families. Unfortunately, this ‘deal’ falls short of that goal – silencing new parents and perpetuating the status quo and the notion that Congress is ineffective and obsolete. I won’t accept the way Congress has always done things, and the American people won’t either. We will keep pushing for innovative ways to support young people and parents in Congress – including by modernizing how we vote – even if it takes a Democratic majority to do so.”
Background:
In January, Pettersen introduced the bipartisan Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution alongside Representatives Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), and Mike Lawler (R-NY). After Republican Leadership refused to move forward with their bipartisan legislation, the Members used a rare procedural move called a discharge petition, collecting 218 signatures from a majority of the House.
This procedural tool is used to bypass Leadership and force a vote on the floor. However, despite broad bipartisan support, Speaker Johnson went to extreme lengths to block the measure from advancing. The Members defeated Johnson’s attempts to kill the discharge petition last week, bringing legislative business to a halt. Still, Speaker Johnson continued to ignore House rules and refused to bring the resolution forward for a vote.
This work is the latest in Pettersen’s continued efforts to make government more inclusive and accessible, especially for young families. During her time in the Colorado legislature, she was the first state lawmaker in Colorado history to take parental leave after giving birth to her son, Davis. Pettersen had to seek permission from Leadership and categorize her absence as a “chronic illness” in order to be paid while on leave. That’s why she brought legislation to change the outdated law and allow for paid parental leave for all future Colorado state lawmakers.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Randy Feenstra (IA-04)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) introduced legislation to lower interest rates on student loans by allowing states like Iowa to utilize more private activity bonds to offer student loans.
“As a father of four, ensuring that our kids have the resources that they need to pursue higher education and achieve future career goals is important to me. That includes lowering the cost of student loans and reducing financial barriers for Iowans who want to attend college but are prevented by the price tag,” said Rep. Feenstra. “That’s why I introduced legislation to enable more low-interest-rate student loans to be issued by exempting Qualified Student Loan Bonds – which states like Iowa already utilize to help many students attend college – from the cap for Private Activity Bonds. This investment in the next generation of leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs will support our economy, lower interest rates on student loans, and give Iowa kids a more viable financial option when considering the full cost of college.”
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US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) introduced the Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act of 2025, legislation that would increase access to dairy products for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants and support dairy farmers across the country. This bill would allow SNAP participants to purchase more milk, cheese, and yogurt with their benefits, expanding access to affordable and nutritious options. Companion legislation is led in the House by U.S. Representatives Jim Costa (D-California-21) and Nick Langworthy (R-New York-23).
“As a doctor who practiced medicine for more than 25 years, I cannot stress enough the importance of consuming dairy products, which serve as excellent sources of critical nutrients and contribute to a healthier cardiovascular system,” said Senator Marshall. “The Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act of 2025 would support dairy farmers and provide commonsense updates to increase incentives for milk, cheese, and yogurt purchases in SNAP – ensuring all American families can benefit from these nutrient-dense foods.”
“Making sure more Americans have better access to foods like yogurt and cheese while supporting our dairy farmers is a win-win,” said Senator Klobuchar. “Our bipartisan legislation will support healthy diets, make sure families are able to bring home more of the foods they love, and help dairy farmers feed Americans.”
The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Tina Smith (D-Minnesota), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York).
The Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act of 2025 is endorsed by the International Dairy Foods Association, National Milk Producers Federation, FMI – The Food Industry Association, National Grocers Association, and Associated Milk Producers Inc.
“A SNAP dairy incentive program is a reliable investment in improving our nation’s health and reducing hunger and chronic food insecurity among low-income Americans,” said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association. “Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt are nutritional powerhouses that promote healthy immune function, hydration, bone health, and lower risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. IDFA applauds U.S. Sens. Klobuchar and Marshall, and U.S. Reps. Costa and Langworthy for their leadership on the Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act of 2025, which would help our nation’s most vulnerable people afford wholesome, nutrient-dense dairy products for their families.”
“Dairy foods provide critical nutrients for healthy lives, but nearly 90 percent of Americans don’t meet dairy intake recommendations,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation. “We commend Representatives Jim Costa, D-CA, and Nick Langworthy, R-NY, and Senators Amy Klobuchar, D-MN, and Roger Marshall, R-KS, for their bipartisan Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act, which would expand SNAP participant access to healthful dairy products at the grocery store. We look forward to working with the bill’s sponsors and ensuring all Americans have access to healthy dairy products.”
“FMI – The Food Industry Association supports the Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act as a way to expand access to nutrient-rich dairy products within SNAP,” said Jennifer Hatcher, chief public policy officer and senior vice president, membership of FMI – The Food Industry Association. “By building on existing milk-purchase incentives, this bill empowers retailers to help low-income households incorporate a variety of dairy options – milk, cheese, and yogurt – into a healthy eating pattern alongside fruits and vegetables.”
“SNAP incentive programs for nutritious foods—like dairy, fruits, and vegetables—help families access healthier options while also strengthening independent grocers’ ability to promote better nutrition,” said Stephanie Johnson, group vice president for government affairs at the National Grocers Association. “NGA strongly supports the Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program, which expands SNAP incentives to include more milk varieties, yogurt, and cheese. This not only provides SNAP participants with greater access to nutritious dairy products but also simplifies the process for independent grocers to offer these benefits in their communities.”
“The Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act will help increase access to nutritious dairy products among SNAP participants and reinforce the essential role dairy plays in a healthy diet,” said Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) President and CEO Sheryl Meshke. “We are grateful to Senators Klobuchar and Marshall for championing this important legislation.”
Background:
The latest federal Dietary Guidelines for Americans report showed that more than 90% of Americans do not consume enough dairy products to meet daily nutrition requirements.
The Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act would increase access to dairy products by expanding the existing Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives program to include products like cheese and yogurt.
Under this plan, SNAP participants would receive a coupon for additional cheese or yogurt when they purchase these items with their groceries.
Source: Government of Canada regional news
As more cancer treatments are now being delivered faster in the province, BC Cancer will be ending its temporary program that was sending some patients to the U.S. for radiation therapy.
“Our priority has always been to ensure that cancer patients have timely access to life-saving treatment while we build and strengthen B.C.’s public health-care system for the long term,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “By hiring more specialists, upgrading our hospitals, and expanding innovative treatments, B.C.’s 10-Year Cancer Action Plan is working to improve wait times for radiation therapy and meet national benchmarks. Thanks to the progress we’ve made over the past two years, we can now safely wind down this temporary program and focus on getting patients the care they need in B.C.”
Since May 2023, BC Cancer has offered eligible patients the option to travel for radiation therapy treatment at two clinics in Bellingham, Wash., ensuring patients received timely access to life-saving treatment in the short term while investments were made to build B.C.’s capacity for radiation therapy in the province.
As of the end of February 2025, approximately 93% of patients in B.C. were waiting less than four weeks to start their radiation treatment – exceeding the national benchmark of 90%. This is also a 24% improvement since spring 2023, when only 69% of patients were starting treatment within four weeks.
As in-province wait times for cancer treatment have improved over the past two years, BC Cancer has seen a steady decline in the number of patients choosing to go to the U.S. for their treatment. A total of 1,107 patients have completed radiation therapy in the U.S. through the program to date. At the peak of the program, in fall 2023, there were an average of 50 patients being treated in the U.S. each week.
Based on current participation rates, it is estimated that approximately 104 patients would access the program over the coming year if it were to continue. This represents 0.6% of the 16,900 patients projected to need radiation treatment in 2025-26. However, these patients can be accommodated in B.C. without the need to travel out of country.
The Province appreciates the partnership it has had with the two U.S. clinics contracted to provide care to B.C. patients. BC Cancer’s contracts are set to expire on May 11 and May 31, 2025, and will not be renewed. Nine patients are scheduled to complete their treatment in the U.S. under the program before the end of the contracts.
The Province is expanding cancer care through B.C.’s 10-Year Cancer Action Plan to better prevent, detect and treat cancers today, and to meet growing future need for cancer care. This includes adding regional cancer centres in Nanaimo, Kamloops, Surrey and Burnaby, bringing the total number of cancer centres to 10. Existing centres are in Abbotsford, Kelowna, Prince George, Surrey, Vancouver and Victoria.
Learn More:
To learn more about B.C.’s cancer plan, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HLTH0012-000229
A backgrounder follows.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Representative Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), House Democratic Leader Jeffries (D-NY), and Representative Dan Goldman (D-NY) are leading a bipartisan letter calling on President Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reverse cuts to National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) staff that provide critical support for the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP).
The WTCHP offers medical monitoring and treatment for first responders and survivors diagnosed with 9/11-related health conditions, including many types of cancers, respiratory illnesses, and more. The cuts include the dismissal of Dr. John Howard, the administrator of the WTCHP, who makes critical decisions regarding covered conditions and ensures the WTCHP complies with statutes enacted by Congress. The WTCHP also currently uses NIOSH staff to determine the awards of research grants in the amount of nearly $20 million a year, an annual requirement of the program to fund research on 9/11 conditions and care.They were joined on the letter by Representatives Mike Lawler (R-NY), Nick LaLota (R-NY), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Laura Gillen (D-NY), Pat Ryan (D-NY), Grace Meng (D-NY), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), George Latimer (D-NY), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Tim Kennedy (D-NY), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Josh Riley (D-NY), Joseph Morelle (D-NY), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), John Larson (D-CT), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), and Nellie Pou (D-NJ), as well as Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).
“We were appalled at the recent announcement that the Department of Health and Human Services cut two-thirds of the staff at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), under which the WTCHP operates,” wrote the lawmakers. “We understand that your plan is to ultimately eliminate all NIOSH staff in the next few days. The WTCHP relies on NIOSH staff to fulfill many of its obligations under the law, and eliminating staff that implement it, especially as more and more responders and survivors fall ill with 9/11-related conditions, will directly interfere with program operations and undermine access to the treatment these heroes have earned and deserve. Congress has continually reaffirmed its bipartisan commitment to the responders and survivors of September 11th. We stand ready to work with you to reverse these cuts to ensure that current and future participants receive the coverage and care that Congress has continuously provided.”
“I am glad that the members of the NY Congressional Delegation are working together in a bipartisan manner to demand answers as to what Secretary Kennedy is doing. Why fire Dr. Howard, a Trump appointee, why fire the NIOSH staff the Doctors and epidemiologists that support the WTC Health Program, who is going to approve cancer treatments for 9/11 responders and survivors this week when they are seeking help, why fire the CDC staff that handle the programs contracts and grants, who is going to handle the contracts and grants that are the heart of this program? The Secretary needs to either answer all these questions or restore Dr .Howard and the NIOSH, CDC staff that were doing this work who were terminated. This wasn’t a scalpel or even a chainsaw this was bulldozer that is leveling the program,” said Benjamin Chevat, Executive Director of the Citizens for Extension of the James Zadroga Act, Inc.
In February 2025, the Trump administration drastically reduced the workforce of the World Trade Center Health Program. In response, Senator Gillibrand, Congressman Garbarino, and a number of their bipartisan colleagues in the House called on the administration to reverse the cuts, and the program’s staffing levels were ultimately restored.
After years of efforts and calls on the federal government, Congress established the WTCHP on a bipartisan basis in 2011 with a five-year authorization to provide medical treatment and monitoring for 9/11 responders and survivors suffering from the effects of the toxins at Ground Zero. The program covers the lifespans of all exposed, including responders and survivors of the attack on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, the Shanksville crash site, children who were in schools in downtown Manhattan on 9/11 and during clean-up, and those who have since experienced, or are expected to experience, adverse health effects that are linked to the attacks in the coming years. The program was reauthorized in 2015 and extended through 2090 with bipartisan support. In 2022, lawmakers delivered $1 billion for the WTCHP in the end-of-year spending bill, and in 2023, they secured an additional $676 million for the program.
The full text of the members’ letter to President Trump and Secretary Kennedy is available here or below:
Dear President Trump and Secretary Kennedy,
The World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) provides critical medical treatment, research, and monitoring to over 137,000 responders and survivors of the September 11th terrorist attacks, living in every state and nearly every Congressional district. The WTCHP serves first responders and survivors from the World Trade Center and lower Manhattan, the Pentagon, and the crash site in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. This vital program provides life-saving care to the heroes who answered the call to serve in one of our nation’s darkest hours and the survivors who are forced to live with the health consequences from the attacks every single day.
We were appalled at the recent announcement that the Department of Health and Human Services cut two-thirds of the staff at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), under which the WTCHP operates. We understand that your plan is to ultimately eliminate all NIOSH staff in the next few days.
Since the establishment of the WTCHP in 2011, the number of program enrollees has more than doubled from 61,000 to 137,000. The WTCHP relies on NIOSH staff to fulfill many of its obligations under the law, and eliminating staff that implement it, especially as more and more responders and survivors fall ill with 9/11-related conditions, will directly interfere with program operations and undermine access to the treatment these heroes have earned and deserve.
For example, the WTCHP does not employ any staff physicians or individuals with medical degrees. Under the statute medical doctors need to approve certifications of members coming forward with new conditions that meet the requirements of the law for them to receive treatment. The WTCHP has always used NIOSH doctors to perform this work.
Additionally, the WTCHP does not have a staff epidemiologist and has always used NIOSH epidemiologists to review pending petitions for considering whether to add new conditions to the list of covered conditions. The WTCHP also currently uses NIOSH staff to determine the awards of research grants in the amount of nearly $20 million dollars a year, an annual requirement of the program to fund research on 9/11 conditions and care.
We are extremely concerned regarding the dismissal of Dr. John Howard, the Program Administrator of WTCHP. Since the program’s inception, Dr. Howard has faithfully served as the Administrator, playing a critical role as the final decision-maker on determining which petitioned conditions should be covered and ensuring the WTCHP is adhering to the explicit statutes enacted by Congress. His institutional knowledge is unmatched and allows the program to operate effectively and efficiently. It is estimated that over 400,000 individuals were exposed to toxins or other hazards on 9/11, and we are gravely concerned that his termination will undermine the essential work the WTCHP does.
Finally, we are concerned about the termination of the staff at the Office of Acquisition Services at NIOSH. The Office of Acquisition Services oversees all contracts for the WTCHP’s Nationwide Provider Network (NPN), which is a vast network of contracted health providers throughout the country that provide the medical monitoring and treatment for program enrollees who live outside the New York metropolitan area. This office ensures these contracts and providers meet the needs of enrollees and provides oversight and quality assurance for the NPN. Without this coordinating mechanism, current contracts could receive little oversight and that future contracts could lapse, undermining access to enrollee care.
We are asking that the Administration provide answers on how the WTCHP will be impacted by these massive layoffs. Please respond to the below list of questions by April 9th, 2025.
Congress has continually reaffirmed its bipartisan commitment to the responders and survivors of the September 11th attacks. We stand ready to work with you to reverse these cuts to ensure that current and future participants receive the coverage and care that Congress has continuously provided.
###
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ritesh Chugh, Associate Professor, Information and Communications Technology, CQUniversity Australia
You’re about to recycle your laptop or your phone, so you delete all your photos and personal files. Maybe you even reset the device to factory settings.
You probably think your sensitive data is now safe. But there is more to be done: hackers may still be able to retrieve passwords, documents or bank details, even after a reset.
In fact, 90% of second-hand laptops, hard drives and memory cards still contain recoverable data. This indicates that many consumers fail to wipe their devices properly before resale or disposal.
But there are some simple steps you can take to keep your personal information safe while recycling responsibly.
Discarded or resold electronics often retain sensitive personal and corporate information. Simply deleting files or performing a factory reset may not be sufficient. Data can often be easily recovered using specialised tools. This oversight has led to alarming incidents of data leaks and breaches.
For example, 42% of used storage devices sold on eBay still contained sensitive data, despite sellers following methods to erase data. This included passport images, school records, and corporate documents.
Another 2022 study found that improperly erased internet-connected devices stored private data, making them vulnerable to exploitation. European e-waste exported to Ghana also contained classified corporate and government files, exposing security risks beyond personal identity theft.
A major wireless provider in the United States failed to securely decommission storage devices. This lead to a data breach affecting 14 million customers.
Similarly, in 2021 improperly discarded medical hard drives exposed over 100,000 confidential patient records.
Many people believe performing a factory reset fully erases their data. But this is not always the case.
An analysis of secondhand mobile devices found that 35% still contained recoverable data after being reset and resold. This highlights the risks of relying solely on factory resets.
On older devices or those without encryption, residual data can still be recovered using forensic tools.
iPhones use hardware encryption, making resets more effective, while Android devices vary by manufacturer.
To protect your personal and organisational information, consider these measures before disposing of old devices:
Data wiping
Personal users should use data-wiping software to securely erase their hard drive before selling or recycling a device.
However, for solid-state drives, traditional wiping methods may not be effective. This is because solid-state drives store data using flash memory and algorithms, which prolong a device’s lifespan by distributing data across memory cells and can prevent direct overwriting.
Instead, enabling full-disk encryption with software such as BitLocker on Windows or FileVault on Mac before resetting the device can help to ensure data is unreadable.
On Android phones, apps such as Shreddit provide secure data-wiping options. iPhones already encrypt data by default, making a full reset the most effective way to erase information.
Businesses that handle customer data, financial records or intellectual property must comply with data protection regulations. They could use certified data-wiping tools that meet the United States National Institute of Standards and Technology’s guidelines for media sanitisation or the US Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ standard for sanitising storage. These guidelines are globally recognised.
Many companies also choose third-party data destruction services to verify compliance and enhance security.
Physical destruction
If the data is highly sensitive, physically destroying the storage medium (such as a hard drive) is the most secure option. Common methods include degaussing (using a strong magnetic field), shredding, disintegration, melting, and drilling.
However, some of these techniques can be hazardous if not handled by professionals. They also make a hard drive or device unsuitable for resale and instead require it to be taken to a waste recovery centre so the rare earth metal components can be recovered.
Certified recycling services
Use reputable e-waste recyclers who adhere to strict data destruction protocols to ensure your information does not fall into the wrong hands. Look for certifications such as R2, e-Stewards, or AS/NZS 5377, which ensure compliance with industry security standards. An online database run by sustainable electronics organisation SERI of R2-certified facilities around the world can help with this.
Safe selling and donating practices
Before selling or donating devices, conduct a thorough data wipe. Be cautious of devices linked to cloud accounts, and remove all personal information to prevent unauthorised access. Resetting alone may not be enough.
Legal and regulatory considerations for businesses
Different regions have strict data-protection laws that impose legal and financial penalties for improper disposal of sensitive data.
It’s important for businesses to consider the legal standards for handling and disposing personal information in whatever region they’re operating in, whether that be Europe, the United States, Australia or elsewhere.
Before recycling or selling an old device, take the necessary steps to ensure your data is completely erased. Identity theft, financial fraud and data breaches are real risks. But they can be prevented with the right precautions.
A few extra steps now can protect your information and ensure responsible recycling.
Ritesh Chugh does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Selling your old laptop or phone? You might be handing over your data too – https://theconversation.com/selling-your-old-laptop-or-phone-you-might-be-handing-over-your-data-too-251613
Source: United Nations 2
As ceasefires grow more fragile and conflicts more unpredictable, UN peacekeeping is having to adapt faster amid rising political tensions, disinformation and confusion over mandates.
Addressing ambassadors in the Security Council, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, head of UN peace operations, highlighted the need for change.
“Ceasefire monitoring can no longer be just about being present, it is about rapidly understanding and acting on what is happening on the ground,” he said.
Advances in technology, he explained, are helping ‘blue helmets’ increase their impact by allowing them to monitor vast and complex landscapes in near-real time – overcoming the need to be physically on the ground.
At the same time, a political process backed by the unified support of Member States, particularly the Security Council, remains vital to secure and sustain peace.
“While peacekeeping can be an integral part of a ceasefire monitoring regime, the success of any ceasefire remains the sole responsibility of the parties [to the agreement],” he said.
Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz, Head of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), also underscored the critical importance of political process.
Originally established in 1978, the mandate of UNIFIL was most recently defined in resolution 1701 of 2006, which called for a full cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel following the 34-day war in Lebanon.
It reinforced UNIFIL’s mandate to monitor the ceasefire, support the Lebanese Armed Forces deployment in southern Lebanon and facilitate humanitarian access.
However, the conflict between Israeli security forces and Hezbollah following the 7 October 2023 attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in southern Israel, complicated UNIFIL’s operating environment, until the cessation of hostilities agreed in November 2024.
“Since this cessation of hostilities and in the absence of a permanent ceasefire, one of the main obstacles has always been that the parties interpret differently their obligations under resolution 1701 and now with respect to the cessation of hostilities understanding,” Lt. Gen. Lázaro said.
Another challenge is the rise of misinformation and disinformation, which undermines the credibility of UN peacekeepers and fuels local distrust. It compelled UNIFIL to adapt its approach to safeguard credibility, project impartiality and strengthen trust.
Effective outreach, fact-checking and timely responses are critical to safeguarding the mission’s impartiality, Lt. Gen. Lázaro said, noting that UNIFIL has implemented a structured communication strategy to counter misinformation, ensuring that messages are fact-based, clear and consistent across all peacekeeping units.
“It is essential that government actors also make public statements to sensitize the population to UNIFIL’s role and mandate, to avoid misperception,” he added.
Like UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) is also combating the growing influence of disinformation, which armed groups exploit to destabilize communities and undermine peacekeeping efforts.
UN Photo/Sylvain Liechti
An unmanned aerial vehicle or drone is prepared for flight in Goma, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Lt. Gen. Ulisses De Mesquita Gomes, MONUSCO Force Commander, highlighted the evolving threats peacekeepers face, particularly from armed groups leveraging modern technologies to evade detection and spread propaganda.
“While important to peacekeeping, surveillance technologies have also been used by armed groups, militia and criminal networks,” Lt. Gen. Gomes said.
“In recent months, we have observed the use of readily available drones for reconnaissance by armed groups and the exploitation of encrypted messaging apps for coordination and propaganda dissemination, circumventing traditional monitoring methods.”
He warned that these tactics, combined with the willingness of armed groups to operate beyond traditional State control, make them unpredictable and difficult to counter.
To address these evolving threats, MONUSCO has adapted its strategies to swiftly integrate new capabilities – both from the private industry and contributing nations – within weeks or months, rather than years.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Canberra’s Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) pilot program will be expanded.
2024–25 ACT Budget snapshot – Belconnen
With the ACT’s population set to reach 500,000 people by the end of 2027, the 2024–25 ACT Budget is funding the services and infrastructure this growing city needs.
Through this year’s Budget, the ACT Government is delivering more public health services, providing cost of living relief for those who need it most, and improving housing choice, access and affordability.
Some of the projects funded in Belconnen include:
A new health centre for West Belconnen
The 2024–25 ACT Budget is investing in health programs and infrastructure throughout the city.
This includes funding to design and plan a new health centre in West Belconnen. This will help provide the right services closer to where people live.
The Government is also investing in a new North Canberra Hospital, including upgrades to existing buildings to maintain services during construction and design work to relocate some existing services.
The ACT Government’s Indicative Land Release Program for 2024–25 to 2028–29 will help cater to the ACT’s growing population.
As part of the program, 2,012 new homes are planned for Belconnen.
Canberra’s Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) pilot program will be expanded.
This will generate useful information on how households in different types of multi-unit developments use the service.
The pilot currently services 5,300 households in Belconnen, Bruce, Cook and Macquarie.
An additional 1,150 units will be added, increasing the pilot by more than 20 per cent.
New and upgraded community facilities
The Budget will support new and upgraded community facilities and infrastructure across the region.
This includes:
The Government will also respond to community feedback regarding resources at ACT libraries. There will be new portable phone chargers and more power boards and charging stations, in addition to improving building security.
More funding for mowing and horticulture
The combination of unpredictable weather and a growing city have increased demands on those taking care of Canberra’s grass, trees, weeds and gardens.
The Budget includes funding for 10 full-time positions and eight additional mowers to deliver an expanded baseline capacity in the ACT’s mowing teams.
In the low season, mowing crews will assist with horticultural work across the city, including weeding, road edging and maintenance.
Belconnen to City Transitway feasibility study
The Government will undertake a bus transitway feasibility study to investigate potential upgrades to the transport corridor between Belconnen and the City.
The study will focus on improving bus services to minimise congestion and delays between two of Canberra’s major population hubs.
This initiative will be partially funded through a matching contribution from the Commonwealth Government.
The Budget will also provide funding to finalise the duplication of William Hovell Drive and Gundaroo Drive between Ginninderra Drive and the Barton Highway.
The region will benefit from a new suite of system-wide literacy and numeracy initiatives, called Strong Foundations, being rolled out across ACT public schools. The program will ensure all students have access to consistent, high-quality literacy and numeracy education.
There will also be a range of school upgrades across Canberra as part of the ACT Government’s annual Asset Renewal Program.
This includes roof replacement work at Charnwood Dunlop Primary School and Melba Copland Secondary School.
The Budget also includes funding to deliver:
Find out what else has been funded as part of the 2024-25 ACT Budget by clicking here.
The ACT’s horticulture and mowing teams will receive a funding boost.
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Budget will fund path improvements across the Inner North, Inner South and City.
2024–25 ACT Budget snapshot – Inner North, Inner South and City
With the ACT’s population set to reach 500,000 people by the end of 2027, the 2024–25 ACT Budget is funding the services and infrastructure this growing city needs.
Through this year’s Budget, the ACT Government is delivering more public health services, providing cost of living relief for those who need it most, and improving housing choice, access and affordability.
Some of the projects funded in the Inner North, Inner South and City include:
A new Inner South Health Centre
The 2024–25 ACT Budget is investing in health programs and infrastructure throughout the city.
This includes funding to build the new Inner South Health Centre in Griffith. This will help provide the right services closer to where people live.
The ACT Government’s Indicative Land Release Program for 2024–25 to 2028–29 will help cater to the ACT’s growing population.
As part of the program, 4,587 new homes are planned for the Inner North, Inner South and City region.
Road and path improvements across the region
Funding received through the 2024–25 ACT Budget will see improvements made to paths across the Inner North, Inner South and City.
Walkers, cyclists and those riding scooters can expect to see better line marking, completed missing links and more lighting as they exercise or head to and from work.
Other investments across the region include:
The electrification of Alfred Deakin High School
The Electrification of Gas Assets Program is a 17-year commitment by the ACT Government to replace all gas-powered assets used within Government owned and operated buildings.
The program will abolish and electrify over 1,000 gas assets and will contribute to the goal of net zero emissions from Government operations by 2040.
Funding in the 2024–25 ACT Budget will allow for cooling upgrades at Alfred Deakin High School as part of the program.
New and upgraded community facilities
The 2024–25 ACT Budget will support new and upgraded community facilities and infrastructure across the region.
This includes responding to community feedback regarding resources at ACT libraries. There will be new portable phone chargers and more power boards and charging stations, in addition to improving building security.
This Budget will also provide support for:
More funding for mowing and horticulture
The combination of unpredictable weather and a growing city have increased demands on those taking care of Canberra’s grass, trees, weeds and gardens.
The Budget will include funding for 10 full-time positions and eight additional mowers to deliver an expanded baseline capacity in our mowing teams.
In the low season, mowing crews will assist with horticultural work across the city, including weeding, road edging and maintenance.
The region will benefit from a new suite of system-wide literacy and numeracy initiatives, called Strong Foundations, being rolled out across ACT public schools. The program will ensure all students have access to consistent, high-quality literacy and numeracy education.
There will also be a range of school upgrades across Canberra as part of the ACT Government’s annual Asset Renewal Program.
This includes:
Find out what else has been funded as part of the 2024-25 ACT Budget here.
Canberra’s mowing teams and resources have been expanded.
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
There is a comprehensive cost-of-living package included in this year’s Budget.
The ACT Government is offering continued support to Canberrans most impacted by cost of living pressures.
Cost of living pressures are being felt across the country and this year’s ACT Budget does more for low-income households.
Supporting apprentices and trainees
One initiative is a new, one-off $250 payment to support local apprentices and trainees.
Apprentices and trainees have a restricted earning capacity while they are obtaining their qualification.
This payment recognises the financial pressures these Canberrans are facing.
The ACT Government will contact eligible apprentices and trainees by the end of September. It is not necessary to apply for the payment.
Assisting families with schooling costs
The ACT Government is also expanding the Future of Education Equity Fund.
The Fund has been hugely successful in supporting students and families in need, helping them with the costs of their education.
Already in 2024, the Future of Education Equity Fund has supported more than 5000 students in Canberra.
More families will be able to get financial assistance with things like textbooks, music lessons and sporting equipment.
Electricity, Gas and Water Rebate
Over 40,000 low-income households in Canberra will also benefit from an increase to the Electricity, Gas and Water Rebate.
The payment will be increased to $800 per year, helping these households with their home energy costs.
When combined with the $300 Federal Government energy payment, one in five Canberra households will receive $1,100 in assistance towards their energy bills.
Targeted cost of living support
These initiatives are part of a comprehensive cost of living package included in this year’s Budget. The package also includes:
Find more on cost-of-living support at act.gov.au/money-and-tax/cost-of-living-support
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Koori Preschool provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 3 to 5 years with a play-based, culturally safe learning program.
Proud First Nations women Chloe Spratt and Amanda Flemming are driven to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children thrive.
They wear many hats as the Early Years Engagement Officers at the ACT Government’s Child and Family Centres.
Central to their role is engaging with parents about their children’s education – and this begins with Koori Preschool.
Koori Preschool provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 3 to 5 years with a play-based, culturally safe learning program.
Each week, Chloe and Amanda visit Canberra’s five Koori Preschools to meet with families and staff.
Parents and carers get to know them during drop-off and pick-up times and can approach them to discuss support they might need.
School staff can also discuss any concerns with Chloe or Amanda – with consent from the family. Chloe and Amanda can then link the family to relevant services for support which could include referral into the Child and Family Centres or Child Development Service to assist addressing the individual needs of families.
Both officers are determined to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have a positive experience of school.
“I’ve been in the Early Years Engagement Officer for four years and I am very passionate about supporting our children in community and working so closely with the Koori Preschool program,” Chloe said.
They work tirelessly to empower families to play an active role in their child’s learning journey.
Such efforts have played a role in the success of Koori Preschool.
Enrolments have increased over the past five years and school readiness among First Nations preschoolers has also improved.
An additional 100 places at Koori Preschool were funded in last year’s budget.
Both women regard their work as not just a job, but a calling. This dedication illustrates the power of advocacy in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early childhood development.
“Being that person who family feel culturally connected to and feel safe to yarn with you is a great sense of belonging in the community,” Amanda said.
“I love that as An Early Years Engagement Officer I can help give the best start to the little Borri and help the families get the support they may need for their family.
“I enjoy being able to see the Borris go from strength to strength from the early intervention they may be linked into with the child development.
“I think the best part is when you visit each school the Borri running up to you and saying ‘Aunty Manda, can you came and play with me’ or ‘can you be my partner on the bus’ when I join them on learning on country,” she said.
Koori Preschools operate at five school sites around Canberra, with curriculum aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework.
Parents and carers can enrol Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Koori Preschool at any time between the ages of three and five.
Koori Preschool enrolments are now open for the 2025 school year.
For more information about the services and supports available at Child and Family Centres.
Amanda, left, and Chloe love being able to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids have the best start to their education.
Narrabundah Early Childhood School is one of Canberra’s five Koori Preschools.
Chloe loves connecting with the children.
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Canberra families will have better access to paediatric health services where and when they need it.
Canberra families will have access to more paediatric health services in both the hospital and the community, as part of the 2024–25 ACT Budget funding.
The investment will expand paediatric inpatient care as well as community-based paediatric services.
Eight inpatient paediatric beds at Canberra Hospital will be funded.
This will ensure Canberra Health Services can continue to support unwell children and young people when they need specialist paediatric care.
A new paediatric critical care team will also be established at Canberra Hospital.
The team will provide leadership and specialty skills in paediatric critical care to treat and care for children and young people.
They will also provide better coordination, support and upskilling of existing staff in this area.
There will be additional resourcing to expand multidisciplinary rehabilitation services for children with complex and chronic conditions – where care is shared between local and interstate hospitals.
This funding will develop a model of care to support children in a more sustainable and integrated way.
Budget funding will also support critically unwell newborns, with additional cots added the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Special Care Nursery at Canberra Hospital.
The ACT Government will establish a new location for community-based paediatric services.
This will give families with children with – or at risk of – developmental delays or certain health conditions easier access to services they need, outside of a hospital setting.
These investments will support implementation of actions in the Child and Adolescent Clinical Services Plan 2023–2030 and the opening of dedicated paediatric critical care spaces in Canberra Hospital’s new Critical Services Building.
This Budget builds on the range of Government investments in paediatric services, as well as the expansion of the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children.
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Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
CALGARY, Alberta, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Canoe EIT Income Fund (the “Fund”) (TSX – EIT.UN) announces the April 2025 monthly distribution of $0.10 per unit. Unitholders of record on April 23, 2025, will receive distributions payable on May 15, 2025.
About Canoe EIT Income Fund
Canoe EIT Income Fund is one of Canada’s largest closed-end investment funds, designed to maximize monthly distributions and capital appreciation by investing in a broadly diversified portfolio of high quality securities. The Fund is listed on the TSX under the symbol EIT.UN, and is actively managed by Robert Taylor, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, Canoe Financial.
About Canoe Financial
Canoe Financial is one of Canada’s fastest growing independent mutual fund companies managing over $20.0 billion in assets across a diversified range of award-winning investment solutions. Founded in 2008, Canoe Financial is an employee-owned investment management firm focused on building financial wealth for Canadians. Canoe Financial has a significant presence across Canada, including offices in Calgary, Toronto and Montreal.
For further information, please contact:
Investor Relations
1–877–434–2796
www.canoefinancial.com
info@canoefinancial.com
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gary Mortimer, Professor of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour, Queensland University of Technology
About 14% of Australians experienced personal fraud last year. Of these, 2.1 million experienced credit card fraud, 675,300 were caught in a scam, 255,000 had their identities stolen and 433,000 were impersonated online.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics latest Personal Fraud Survey, between July 2023 and June 2024, Australians lost A$2.1 billion through credit card fraud.
This was up almost 9% from the previous year. Even after reimbursements, the loss was still $477 million.
These figures do not include financial loss through identity theft, or phishing, romance, computer support and dodgy financial advice scams.
Research shows the more frequently we use technology, the more likely we are to be scammed. Monica Whitty from the Cyber Security Centre, University of Warwick, found victims of cyber-frauds were more likely to score high on impulsivity measures like ‘urgency’ and engage in more frequent online routine activities that place them at great risk of becoming scammed.
We communicate via email, we shop online, use dating apps and allow technicians to remotely access our computers. Meanwhile, amazing “get rich quick” opportunities are apparently being liked by our friends on our socials almost every day.
But too many of us do not stop and think, “is this legitimate?” It is no wonder we see personal fraud and scams increase every year.
While the Australian Bureau of Statistics figures suggest older Australians (aged 45 and over) are more exposed to card fraud, research has found demographics are not a significant predictor of fraud victimisation.
Being too trusting, drives complacency, which produces gullibility. Think about an online dating sites. The site uses a multi-factor authenticator, it requires you to authenticate your photo, password protect your profile and read the scam warnings.
A site’s apparent legitimacy increases your trust. Research has found if you perceive a platform to be legitimate you could be exposed to romance fraud. Fraudsters may be operating within a site, even if it is legitimate.
Another strong predictor of exposure to online fraud is self-control. Self-control theory predicts individuals with low self-control tend to pursue their own self-interest without considering the negative consequences.
Simply, if the investment scheme looks “too good”, they will mostly likely click on the link and get scammed.
Some individuals are prone to self-disclosing personal information online – and scammers love personal information. Self-disclosure is defined as the amount of information a person decides to make common knowledge.
Sometimes, we disclose, even when we don’t intend to. A common phishing technique on social media is status updates that read, “Your porn star name is your first pet’s name and the first street you lived on.”
They’re interesting, funny and bring on a healthy dose of nostalgia, but the answers to those questions that you tap in for all to see are also most likely to be your security questions on your bank accounts.
The most common scams in 2023-2024:
The Australian government recently passed legislation which targets scams. It places increased responsibilities on banking and finance, telecommunications and digital platforms organisations to protect customers.
Suspicious numbers can now be accompanied a warning of “potential fraud” on your smartphone screen. Banks are also informing customers about the latest scams. Some banking transactions can verify the identity of the payment recipient, to ensure the details you have match the actual account holder.
While these will not stop all scams, they are a step towards reducing the number of victims and the amount of money lost to fraudulent approaches.
There are some small but powerful steps we can all take to reduce the likelihood of financial harm.
1. Passwords: it is important to have strong, unique passwords across your accounts. Using a password manager can help with this.
2. Multi-factor authentication: many platforms will allow you to add extra layers of security to your account by using one-time passwords, authenticator apps, or tokens.
3. Review privacy settings: be aware of the different settings on your accounts and ensure you are in control of what information you provide and what can be accessed by others.
4. Be vigilant: know what you see and hear may not be real. The person or company you are communicating with may not be authentic. It is okay to be sceptical and take time to do your own checks.
5. Money transfers: never send money you are not willing to lose. Too often, people will send money before realising it is a scam. Never feel rushed or forced into any financial decision. It is OK to say no.
6. Credit monitoring: if you know or suspect you have been scammed, you can enact a credit ban, meaning no one can access your details or take further action in your name. This can be a good short-term solution.
Anyone can report money lost in a scam to ReportCyber, the Australian online police reporting portal for cyber incidents. If you have received scam texts or emails, you can report these to Scamwatch, to assist with education and awareness activities.
Gary Mortimer receives and has received funding from the Building Employer Confidence and Inclusion in Disability Grant, AusIndustry Entrepreneurs’ Program, National Clothing Textiles Stewardship Scheme, National Retail Association and Australian Retailers Association.
– ref. 3.5 million Australians experienced fraud last year. This could be avoided through 6 simple steps – https://theconversation.com/3-5-million-australians-experienced-fraud-last-year-this-could-be-avoided-through-6-simple-steps-253623
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacquelyn Harverson, PhD Candidate, School of Psychology, Deakin University
Once upon a time, children fought for control of the remote to the sole family television. Now the choice of screen-based content available to kids seems endless. There are computers, tablets, phones and gaming consoles offering streaming services, online content and apps.
Children also use devices at school, with digital literacy part of the Australian curriculum from the start of school.
The speed and scale of this change has left parents, researchers and policymakers scrambling to catch up. And it has inevitably led to concerns about screen use, as well as guidelines about limiting their use.
Our new study looks at the links between digital technology use and young children’s wellbeing, specifically for those aged four to six.
Our comprehensive analysis shows children who spend longer periods using digital technologies are more likely to have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. However, we can’t say at what age or level of screen use these negative effects are likely to become evident.
But for parents trying to navigate a world where technology is all around us, our study also shows there are things they can do to help their kids use screens in healthier ways.
Read more:
Why parents need to be like Big Ted and ‘talk aloud’ while they use screens with their kids
We carried out a systematic review of the research literature on children’s use of digital devices since 2011 (after the Apple iPad was launched). This means we examined all the available peer-reviewed research on digital devices and their impact on wellbeing for children.
We also focused on ages four to six age as it is a time when children are developing rapidly and beginning school. Other studies have focused on particular types of device. But we included all kinds of digital devices in our search – from televisions to phones, tablets and gaming consoles – to make sure we could provide comprehensive analysis of what kids are using.
The studies came from 20 countries, including Australia, China, the United States, Turkey, Germany and Canada. They were almost exclusively based on parents’ reports of their children and include more than 83,000 parents.
From this, we analysed the relationship between children’s technology use and the following four areas:
psychosocial wellbeing: an overall measure that captures children’s happiness, as well as social and emotional adjustment.
social functioning: children’s social skills, including how well they get along with their peers.
the parent-child relationship: the level of closeness or conflict between parents and their children.
behavioural functioning: the absence of behavioural difficulties such as tech-related tantrums, hyperactivity, depression or anxiety.
We did this with a meta-analysis – a statistical method that uses data from multiple studies to draw conclusions.
Read more:
3 ways to help your child transition off screens and avoid the dreaded ‘tech tantrums’
Our analysis found more digital technology use in young children was associated with poorer wellbeing outcomes across the four areas.
It is important to note correlation doesn’t equal causation. The scope of the research means at this point, it is not possible to identify the exact reasons behind the negative relationships.
But we do know the more time children spent watching TV, playing on iPads or apps, the more likely they were to have problems with behaviour, social skills, their relationship with their parents, and their emotional wellbeing.
Our research also brought together emerging evidence which shows the relationship between digital tech use and child wellbeing is complex.
This means the type of content children consume, and the context in which they consume it, can also have a bearing on their wellbeing. The research shows there are several ways parents can guide their children to potentially mitigate the negative links with social, emotional and behavioural wellbeing.
With this in mind, how can you encourage healthier screen use?
1. Keep an eye on the clock
The research cannot provide a specific “time limit” for screen use. But you can still be mindful of how much time your child spends on devices both at home and at school – moderation is key.
Try and mix screen time with other activities, such as time outside or time with friends and family, books or imaginary play.
2. Seek out quality
Research shows encouraging high-quality educational content during screen use may curb negative links between tech use and wellbeing.
Consider swapping fast-paced cartoons and time spent on lots of short clips with educational viewing, for example ABC kids programs that promote learning.
Introduce your child to age-appropriate educational and interactive games that challenge them and encourage them to be creative.
3. Use tech together
Tech time isn’t just for kids – parents can also join in.
Solo tech use may reduce opportunities for positive social interactions. But watching or playing with friends or family opens up opportunities for conversation, working together and learning.
This could include watching a movie together and talking about the characters, working on an online puzzle together or learning new coding skills together.
Jacquelyn Harverson is affiliated with the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child.
Louise Paatsch receives funding from Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child
Sharon Horwood is affiliated with the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child.
– ref. New research shows digital technology is linked to reduced wellbeing in young kids. So what can parents do? – https://theconversation.com/new-research-shows-digital-technology-is-linked-to-reduced-wellbeing-in-young-kids-so-what-can-parents-do-253637
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, (both D-VA) joined 19 of their senate colleagues in writing to U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to emphasize the detrimental effect shuttering the Department of Education will have on approximately 9.5 million students with disabilities and their families. Programs at risk include those authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which conducts vital oversight of federal civil rights laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
“We write with deep concern regarding the Trump administration’s recent actions to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education (the Department) and the impact this will have on students with disabilities and their families,” the senators wrote. “Shuttering the Department will cause immense harm to all students, and especially students with disabilities and their families who rely on federal funding for key special education services and support.”
“Over the years, the Department has developed specific expertise to deliver on the promise that children with disabilities will have equal and fair access to educational opportunity in the United States. Congress has promised to families that students with disabilities will have a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment and has specifically charged the Department of Education with making that promise real in the lives of students with disabilities,” the senators continued. “…Yet, on March 20th, President Trump signed an executive order directing the closure of the Department.”
“We are alarmed by the potential consequences your proposed reassignment will have on the larger framework of education for students with disabilities,” the senators wrote. “Prior to the passage of IDEA, only one in five children with disabilities were educated in schools, and more than 1.8 million children were systemically excluded from public school in the United States. Disabilities were seen as medical conditions to be treated and as a result, many children with disabilities were institutionalized rather than educated. We cannot risk regression to an outdated and dehumanizing perspective on disability, which prevented millions of children from accessing the inclusive public education they deserve. Our entire nation benefits when disabled people have equal access to a high-quality education that enables them to use their gifts and talents.”
Warner and Kaine have long supported equitable access to education for students with disabilities. Earlier this month, they joined their colleagues in cosponsoring the IDEA Full Funding Act, legislation that would ensure Congress fulfills its commitment to fully fund the IDEA.
The letter was led by U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and cosigned by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
Full text of the letter can be found here and below:
Dear Secretary McMahon:
We write with deep concern regarding the Trump administration’s recent actions to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education (the Department) and the impact this will have on students with disabilities and their families.
Shuttering the Department will cause immense harm to all students, and especially students with disabilities and their families who rely on federal funding for key special education services and support. There are approximately 9.5 million students with disabilities in the United States. The Department administers critical programs to support these students, such as those authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and conducts vital oversight of federal civil rights laws including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 95 percent of students served under IDEA attend public schools, and these 7.5 million students comprise 15 percent of the public school population.
Over the years, the Department has developed specific expertise to deliver on the promise that children with disabilities will have equal and fair access to educational opportunity in the United States. Congress has promised to families that students with disabilities will have a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment and has specifically charged the Department of Education with making that promise real in the lives of students with disabilities. It administers programs that support employment outcomes, like the Vocational Rehabilitation Services program which supports jobseekers with disabilities in preparing for and succeeding at work, including for underserved communities such as Native Americans. Yet, on March 20th, President Trump signed an executive order directing the closure of the Department. This followed your decision earlier this month to move forward with a reduction in force plan that will critically damage your ability to fulfill your statutory duties to students with disabilities by eliminating nearly half of your workforce.
It is essential to recognize the vital role the Department plays in safeguarding the rights of students with disabilities. We are concerned by President Trump’s effort to transfer implementation and oversight of special education to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), a move which you indicated you support during your confirmation hearing. The Department of Education has the statutory authority to implement and enforce IDEA. Without an act of Congress giving authority to HHS, this administration’s attempts to shift IDEA responsibility to HHS will merely prevent the law from being enforced at all. The Senate report from 1979 on the creation of the Department of Education found that the “significant, but carefully restrained Federal role in education…is severely hampered by its burial in [The Department of Health, Education and Welfare]…its confusing lines of authority and administration, its fragmentation, and its obvious lack of direction.” In other words, the Senate’s findings in 1979 indicate that this department structure was inefficient and resulted in a lack of attention to public education. The Department of Education is the only agency with an existing institutional infrastructure and a staff of subject matter experts dedicated to ensuring equal educational opportunity for children and students with disabilities. More than this, disabled students deserve to be seen as and treated as the learners and scholars they are. Students with disabilities belong in classrooms alongside their nondisabled peers, and they deserve the accommodations and supports that enable them to thrive. Because of the Department of Education’s specific expertise, it is best positioned to do the job well and efficiently. Transferring these authorities to HHS will not only overburden an agency already confronting massive workforce cuts orchestrated by this administration, but it will also stretch HHS beyond its expertise as medical, rather than educational, professionals.
We are alarmed by the potential consequences your proposed reassignment will have on the larger framework of education for students with disabilities. Prior to the passage of IDEA, only one in five children with disabilities were educated in schools, and more than 1.8 million children were systemically excluded from public school in the United States. Disabilities were seen as medical conditions to be treated and as a result, many children with disabilities were institutionalized rather than educated. We cannot risk regression to an outdated and dehumanizing perspective on disability, which prevented millions of children from accessing the inclusive public education they deserve. Our entire nation benefits when disabled people have equal access to a high-quality education that enables them to use their gifts and talents.
Additionally, the Trump administration instituted a one-month freeze on investigating discrimination complaints, an unprecedented decision even during a presidential transition. The Office for Civil Rights currently faces a backlog of 12,000 investigations, half of which involve students with disabilities. While the freeze was lifted February 20th for disability discrimination claims, we are concerned that the Department will still not have the capacity to process the backlog of 6,000 disability claims, as well as any incoming additional claims—especially considering the unjustified termination of dedicated public servants across the 12 regional divisions of the Office for Civil Rights.
While all disabled students are harmed when supports are taken away and barriers left unchecked, disabled students of color are harmed disproportionately relative to disabled white students and nondisabled students of color. Students of color are misidentified for special education – both improperly identified and improperly excluded from identification, overrepresented in restrictive placements (segregated from their nondisabled peers) and disciplined in school. Because of cuts to the Office for Civil Rights, as well as undermining the administration of education programs such as Title I that serve low-income students (who are disproportionately of color), disabled students of color stand to suffer the greatest harms of your policy actions. The Department of Education’s irreplaceable role providing guardrails and enforcing laws has allowed progress towards the goal of equal opportunity in education. While the work is unfinished, we must move forward not backwards.
In a speech on March 3rd, you called for the elimination of “unnecessary bureaucracy” at the Department. Yet, the Department has the smallest staff of any Cabinet-level agency while administering the third-largest discretionary budget. Prior to the recent firings, this number stood at 4,245 employees, including over 700 employees dedicated to addressing the needs of students with disabilities. More than 1,300 employees have since been fired, in addition to over 500 employees who have opted for separation packages. Indiscriminate firings of workers who are stewards of federal dollars appropriated by Congress with the mandate of ensuring equal access to education for all students does not eliminate “bureaucracy;” it merely impedes the Department’s ability to carry out its work on behalf of children. Indeed, following the recent reduction in force, a coalition of 20 state attorneys general filed a lawsuit arguing the layoffs are so severe the Department “can no longer function, and cannot comply with its statutory requirements.”
We are also concerned about the combined efforts from the Department and the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) to slash $900 million in education-related research and over $600 million in educator preparation grants. These cuts will negatively impact critical research into best practices to support students with disabilities who have the shared dream of graduating high school and contributing to our economy. The cuts also result in the suspension of highly successful programs designed to address the special education teacher shortage which has been consistent over decades and negatively impacts the educational outcomes of students with disabilities. We cannot effectively serve students with disabilities or make informed policy decisions without quality information and highly qualified teachers.
It is critical that students, parents, teachers, and schools have clear and accurate guidance in response to these recent actions to ensure and affirm the right of all students with disabilities to a free and appropriate public education.
We request that you respond to the following questions by no later than April 11, 2025.
Please provide a complete list of all terminated grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements that impact students with disabilities.
Please provide the guidance developed by the Department and DOGE to determine which grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to cancel.
How many Department employees have been affected by the reduction in force who conduct essential functions pertaining to serving students with disabilities?
How many employees impacted by the reduction in force are involved in investigating civil rights complaints? Of those employees, how many were investigating disability discrimination cases?
How many employees impacted by the reduction in force are responsible for ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)? How many employees in the Office of the General Counsel who focused on oversight of IDEA were impacted? What provisions have been made to ensure that oversight of that law continues?
As of January 20th, 2025, how many Department staff were employed in the Institute of Education Sciences’ National Center for Special Education Research, and how many staff have been impacted by the Department’s Reduction in Force (RIF) announced on March 11th, 2025?
Given the recent RIF and media reported cancellations of Institute of Education Sciences’ routine activities, what is the Department’s plan to carry out special education research, including the statutorily required scientific peer-review for research grants awarded by National Center for Special Education Research?
What, if any, criteria are the Department of Education using to determine which employees and divisions to cut or eliminate?
What is your plan to ensure that all statutory obligations to students with disabilities are properly delivered in light of recent executive actions?
Do you commit to the timely investigation of all disability-based discrimination complaints received by the Office for Civil Rights?
What evidence do you have that indicates transferring existing programs to other agencies will be more efficient and improve outcomes for students with disabilities?
How will the Department continue to monitor compliance with the significant disproportionality requirement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and its implementing regulation? How will cuts to OCR, OSERS, and OESE affect the Department’s ability to ensure students are protected from discrimination based on disability and race?
This letter has been endorsed by the following organizations: Access Ready Inc., American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), The Arc of Delaware, The Arc of the United States, Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE), Association of University Centers On Disabilities (AUCD), Autism Society of America, Center for Learner Equity, CommunicationFIRST, Council of Administrators of Special Education, Inc. (CASE), Council for Exceptional Children, Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Delaware State Education Association (DSEA), Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF), Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children (DEC),Division for Learning Disabilities of the Council for Exceptional Children, Michigan Alliance for Special Education, MomsRising, Muscular Dystrophy Association, National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD), National Down Syndrome Society, National Education Association (NEA), New America’s Early & Elementary Education Policy Team, School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA).
Sincerely,
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), members of the Senate Budget Committee, released the following statement after Senate Republicans voted to advance a budget resolution that will slash programs that Virginians rely on in order to pay for tax cuts for billionaires:
“The Trump Administration has thrown our economy into needless chaos by enacting universal tariffs that will raise costs. Now, despite our strong opposition, Republicans in Congress have moved forward with an enormous tax bill that will cut programs Virginians rely on, give massive tax breaks to billionaires, and raise the deficit by unprecedented levels. We should be focused on lowering the costs of child care and housing, cutting taxes for middle class Americans, and continuing to build on our progress to boost domestic manufacturing. President Trump and Republicans’ budget and economic policies will be a disaster for our country, and we urge them to reverse course before they do more harm.”
Warner and Kaine spoke on the Senate floor in opposition to Republicans’ budget resolution. They also filed amendments that would have protected federal employees, veterans, and Virginians on Medicaid, and held the Trump Administration accountable for its harmful actions, including its reckless, sloppy handling of classified information; however, Senate Republicans refused to incorporate them.
US Senate News:
Source: The White House
SUPPORTING AND EMBRACING AMERICAN INNOVATION: Under PresidentTrump’s leadership, America is well-positioned to maintain its global dominance in artificialintelligence (AI) innovation. Today, the White House Office of Management and Budget, incoordination with the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, issued two revised policies to facilitate responsible AI adoption to improve public services. These policies fundamentally shift perspectives and direction from the prior Administration, focusing now on utilizing emerging technologies to modernize the Federal Government.
The Executive Branch is shifting to a forward-leaning, pro-innovation and pro competition mindset rather than pursuing the risk-averse approach of the previousadministration.
The Federal Government will no longer impose unnecessary bureaucratic restrictions on the use of innovative American AI in the Executive Branch.
By embracing AI adoption, agencies will be more agile, cost-effective, and efficient.
This shift will deliver improvements to the lives of the American public while enhancingAmerica’s global dominance in AI innovation.
PROMOTING RAPID AND RESPONSIBLE AI ADOPTION: M-25-21 gives agencies thetools necessary to embrace AI innovation, while maintaining strong protections for Americans’ privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties.
Agencies will empower AI leaders to remove barriers to AI innovation.
Agency Chief AI Officer roles are redefined to serve as change agents and AI advocates, rather than overseeing layers of bureaucracy.
Chief AI Officers are tasked with promoting agency-wide AI innovation and adoption for lower risk AI, mitigating risks for higher-impact AI, and advising on agency AI investments and spending.
Agencies will produce an AI adoption maturity assessment to better track progress andneeds.
Policies introduce a single “high-impact AI” category to track AI use cases that requireheightened due diligence because of potential impacts on the rights or safety of theAmerican people.
Accountability for AI will mirror the existing process for using government IT, instead ofcreating new layers of approvals.
Use of American AI will be maximized when seeking new AI solutions.
DRIVING EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT AI ACQUISITION: M-25-22 provides agencieswith concise, effective guidance on how to acquire best-in-class AI quickly, competitively, and responsibly.
Agencies must support a competitive American AI marketplace, maximizing the use of American AI systems and services in support of American AI leadership, human flourishing, economic competitiveness, and national security.
This policy recognizes the importance of competition, communicating clear and specific requirements that avoid vendor lock-in.
The new approach removes burdensome agency reporting requirements and optimizes the acquisition process, while continuing to protect privacy and ensure lawful use ofgovernment data.
Agencies will use performance-based techniques to best harness the rapidly developing AI marketplace and create an online shared repository of resources and tools to assist with AI procurement.
AI WORKING FOR AMERICANS: Federal agencies are maximizing the benefits of AI topromote human flourishing, economic competitiveness, and national security. Illustrativeexamples include the following:
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) optimizes patient care through AI tools that help identify and standardize Veterans’ care.
The VA uses AI to support the identification and analysis of pulmonary nodulesduring lung cancer screening exams. The AI functionality improves detection of these nodules, assisting clinicians with life-saving diagnoses.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) improves public safety by leveraging AI to protect theAmerican public.
The DOJ is using AI to better understand the global drug market and the impact of illicit drugs on communities and individuals, in order to further drug traffickinginvestigations and protect the American public.
The National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) expands humanity’s ability tosafely traverse Mars by using AI.
NASA is using AI on the Mars2020 Rover to help it navigate with limited directionfrom Earth, optimizing scientific discovery from the rover’s sensors and assuring it safely traverses the planet’s hazardous terrain.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
A range of new and expanded measures will further support Canberrans to find a home that suits their needs.
The ACT Government is supporting more Canberrans to buy a home by extending a range of stamp duty concessions and exemptions.
Funding in the 2024–2025 ACT Budget will save many more first home buyers tens of thousands of dollars when they buy their first home.
It also includes specific assistance for downsizers, people with a disability and those fleeing domestic violence.
Home Buyer Concession Scheme
The ACT Government is making major changes to the Home Buyer Concession Scheme.
Buyers are eligible for the full stamp duty concession on the first $1 million of property value.
This will save eligible Canberrans up to $34,000 in tax when they purchase their home.
The Budget expands the scheme from 1 July 2024 to:
People fleeing family violence can have owned a property in the previous five years.
Helping more Canberrans buy a new apartment or townhouse
The Government has also temporarily expanded the stamp duty concession for off-the-plan unit-titled apartments and townhouses to include properties valued up to $1 million in 2024-25.
This will begin from 1 July 2024 and will support more Canberrans to buy an apartment or townhouse.
Currently, homebuyers do not have to pay stamp duty on off-the-plan unit-titled apartments and townhouses valued up to $800,000.
Supporting more housing options in existing suburbs
The Budget will temporarily extend the RZ1 Unit Duty Exemption Scheme to include properties valued up to $1 million in 2024-25.
This will align with the Off-The-Plan Unit Duty Exemption.
Announced in October 2023, this Scheme applies to the first transfer of unit-titled dwellings on suburban residential (RZ1) blocks.
It is for purchases valued up to $800,000, between 27 November 2023 and 30 June 2026.
The announcement coincided with the commencement of the new Territory Plan, which allows dual occupancy developments on large suburban residential blocks (over 800 square metres).
This extension further supports the development of more dual-occupancy homes in existing suburbs.
It will create more opportunities for Canberrans to find a home, including people looking to downsize in the suburbs they’ve long called home.
More support for people with a disability
The existing Disability Duty Concession Scheme is available to eligible homebuyers with a disability.
The scheme will be extended from 1 July 2024 to provide a full stamp duty concession on the first $1 million of property value, to further support people with a long-term or permanent disability.
As a result, a partial concession is now available for properties over $1 million. Previously, the scheme was limited to properties valued up to $1 million.
There will also be a new Severe Disability Duty Exemption from 1 July 2025 to support people with a severe disability, and their carers, to find a home.
This new exemption will mean people with severe disability and their carers will not have to pay stamp duty if the home they are buying is their principal place of residence.
The home does not have to be bought by a Special Disability Trust.
Supporting more pensioners to downsize
The Government has also extended the Pensioner Duty Concession Scheme from 1 July2024.
Pensioners will receive a full stamp duty concession on the first $1 million of property value.
A partial concession will be available for properties over $1 million.
This extension will support more pensioners to downsize.
The existing scheme provides a full stamp duty concession for homes valued up to $550,000, with a decreasing concession to zero for homes valued between $550,000 and $765,000.
These 2024-25 ACT Budget initiatives relate to the ACT Wellbeing Framework’s housing and home wellbeing domain.
For more information, visit the ACT Revenue Office website.
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