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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI USA: HOYLE, WYDEN, MERKLEY ANNOUNCE ANOTHER $29 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR PORT OF COOS BAY INTERMODAL PROJECT

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04)

    October 25, 2024

    New federal investment in South Coast comes on top of $25 million announced last week

    For Immediate Release: Oct. 25, 2024

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Val Hoyle, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, announced $29,751,615 in federal funding for the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port (PCIP) Coos Bay Rail Line (CBRL) Upgrades Planning Project. The investment comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Consolidated Rail and Infrastructure Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program.

    “Today’s award makes long overdue investments in the Coos Bay Rail Line and will improve sections of the line that have fallen into disrepair,” U.S. Representative Val Hoyle said. “Upgrades and repairs to rail line will help to move products across Oregon and the country faster. A renovated Coos Bay Rail Line is a key part of setting the Port of Coos Bay up to be the first ship-to-rail port on the west coast.” She went on to say, “I would like to thank Secretary Buttigieg, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the White House, and all members of the Oregon delegation for their continued support for bring this project one step closer to reality.”

    “Today’s great news for the Port of Coos Bay’s innovative ship-to-rail project keeps significant momentum rolling for this generational opportunity to spark thousands of good-paying jobs on the South Coast,” U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said. “On top of last week’s $25 million investment, today’s added $29 million for planning moves the port project and its huge economic and environmental benefits that much farther down the track to completion. I’m committed to continue the teamwork with Congresswoman Hoyle, Senator Merkley and the Biden-Harris administration to secure all the federal funds the Port of Coos Bay deserves for a successful result.”

    “The wins for Coos Bay’s transformative container port project keep rolling in! This additional $29.7 million award—bringing the total federal investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to $55 million—further moves the Port of Coos Bay toward the goal of becoming the first fully ship-to-rail port facility on the West Coast,” U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley said. “Specifically, the funding to upgrade the Coos Bay Rail Line is huge for the project because it ensures we have durable infrastructure in place that cuts climate-killing emissions and addresses bottlenecks in the national supply chain. I’ll keep working with the Oregon delegation to champion even more wins for this project that will create good-paying union and permanent local jobs on Oregon’s rural South Coast and boost the economy for our entire state.”

    Combined with a previous $25,018,750 Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight & Highway Projects (INFRA) grant award, that provides for engineering and design of the intermodal terminal component of the project, this award brings economic vitality back to the South Coast. With the potential to bring over 8,000 jobs back to the region, this project also makes good on the long-forgotten promise of creating new pathways to the middle class for South Coast residents.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: DIO and Royal Navy sign contract for construction project in Cornwall

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Royal Navy mark milestones in major project at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose.

    Representatives of RNAS Culdrose, Royal Navy Infrastructure, Kier Construction, Mott MacDonald and Defence Infrastucture Organisation inspect plans to demolish and replace the Engineering Training School. Credit: Crown Copyright

    The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and the Royal Navy have concluded a contract-signing and groundbreaking ceremony for a major construction project at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Culdrose in Cornwall. 

    This marks the beginning of work on a £99.5 million project to replace and refurbish the 820 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) hangars, associated office buildings, and the full replacement of the Engineering Training School (ETS).  The contract was awarded to Keir Construction with Mott MacDonald as the designated Technical Services Provider.

    DIO and its contractors will deliver the project on behalf of the Royal Navy, with the first phase seeing the construction of a new air Engineering Training School, a new hangar and refurbishment of existing buildings for 820 Naval Air Squadron, the helicopter unit dedicated to protecting the Navy’s aircraft carrier strike groups. The project covers a combination of demolition, a new build within the same site footprint, and the refurbishment of existing infrastructure. 

    Sustainability will be a key feature of the project which will include integrated water-saving measures, Net Zero carbon emissions, solar photovoltaic panels, energy efficient lighting, and air source heat pumps to improve energy efficiency and contribute to carbon reduction.

    RNAS Culdrose is integral to the UK’s defence posture and is home to the Royal Navy’s anti-submarine warfare helicopter fleet. RNAS Culdrose also houses the Engineering Training School responsible for Air Engineering (AE) specialist training, delivering fully trained engineers to support Merlin helicopter operations.

    L to R: Andy Roberts of Mott MacDonald; Stu Johnson, Head of Navy Infrastructure; Cpt Stuart Irwin, Culdrose CO; Doug Lloyd of Kier Construction; and Dan Ross of DIO. Credit: Crown Copyright

    Daniel Ross, DIO Programme Director, Major Programmes and Projects, said:

    “I am delighted that we can celebrate this significant milestone at RNAS Culdrose, marking the next phase of collaboration with our suppliers and the Royal Navy. Building on the sustainable designs already delivered, the project will continue to contribute towards defence’s Net Zero targets and ultimately enhance our military capability.”

    Captain Stuart Irwin, Commanding Officer, Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose said:

    “This project marks the start of an exciting regeneration and investment in RNAS Culdrose with new, modern facilities. The Engineering Training School is at the heart of our operations to maintain the Merlin helicopter fleet. Our young people, many of whom are just at the start of their naval careers, will learn how to maintain aircraft in a high-tech and modern teaching environment.

    The refurbishment of aircraft hangars and buildings at 820 Naval Air Squadron is another significant investment. It will provide us with more suitable and sustainable places to operate Merlin Helicopter Force now, and into the future.”

    Stu Johnston, Deputy Head, Navy Infrastructure and Projects, Senior Responsible Officer, said:

    “The DIO and Navy infrastructure teams have worked closely to develop what will be hangar and training facilities fit for the 21st Century Royal Navy.  The project will reflect our wider sustainability and energy efficiency ambitions. The team has embraced a collaborative and agile approach built on years of hard work by stakeholders.”

    Doug Lloyd, Regional Director, Kier Construction, said:

    “We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and the Royal Navy to deliver these new facilities.  We have a wealth of experience in delivering buildings of the highest quality across the defence estate and are proud to be creating this important enabler to the UK’s future defence capability.”

    Chris Ackerman, DIO Account Lead for Mott MacDonald, said:

    “We are really pleased to be working for DIO as their Technical Service Provider and alongside Kier, the Principal Contractor.  This project will provide a suite of modern and sustainable infrastructure for the Royal Navy in accordance with the Defence Operational Energy Strategy.”

    The project is scheduled for delivery in the spring of 2028.

    A proposed impression of the new Engineering Training School at RNAS Culdrose. Credit: Crown Copyright

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: National Apprenticeship Week 2025 website and toolkit launched

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    New website and toolkit launched ahead of next annual celebration of skills and apprenticeships

    Preparations are underway for the 18th annual celebration of apprenticeships and skills and the contributions they make to businesses and communities.

    Individuals, employers, and partners from across England are gearing up for National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2025 following the launch of a new website and communications toolkit.

    National Apprenticeship Week will take place 10-16 February 2025, with people from across the country being asked to get involved by sharing the good work apprentices do. NAW will highlight how apprenticeships are an excellent option to consider for young people wishing to start a career, for employees looking to progress in their current role or retrain for a new career, or for employers needing to fill skills gaps to help grow their business.

    The NAW website and toolkit contain support and guidance on how to get involved. This includes social media graphics, key apprenticeship messages, facts and figures, graduation toolkits, and advice so that individuals and businesses can explore the full range of benefits that apprenticeships offer.

    Apprenticeships and skills programmes are a key element of the government’s aim of boosting opportunities for young people following the recent announcement of apprenticeship reforms in England.

    Skills Minister Jacqui Smith said:

    We are focused on apprenticeships all year round, and I am looking forward to celebrating the achievements of the thousands who take on apprenticeships every year this coming National Apprenticeship Week.

    They wouldn’t have these opportunities without the support of employers who train these talented individuals in the skills we need for the future.

    With our new Growth and Skills Levy, we are giving these businesses greater flexibility over their training, and through Skills England we will boost opportunities across the country so even more people can get on in life and drive our economic recovery.

    From November, an events map will be available online for organisers to register their own celebrations so that local communities can also get involved, followed by the announcement of the National Apprenticeship Week 2025 Supporters Club – a list of leading employers sharing how apprenticeships are benefiting their organisation and    how they’re lending their support to NAW 2025.

    The week itself will also shine a spotlight on other government skills and training programmes, such as Higher Technical Qualifications and Skills Bootcamps. T Level Thursday will return, with a focus on the experiences of T Level students and the contributions they are making during their industry placements. A dedicated toolkit to support T Level Thursday will also be available.

    National Apprenticeship Week 2025 is part of the Department for Education’s ongoing Skills for Life campaign which is engaging young people, adult learners, and employers with government skills and training programmes and the opportunities they bring.

    Please visit the National Apprenticeship Week 2025 website for more information, to download the toolkits, and to get involved.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Bridge Strike Guidance

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A few years ago, after a high number of bridge strikes across the country, the Senior Traffic Commissioner, Richard Turfitt, wrote a letter to all operators across the country.

    Whilst the number of incidents has declined, many new operators have joined the industry and bridge strikes still remain a serious issue. The advice forms an integral part of the messaging sent to all operators joining the industry. The STC has now chosen to make it available to all current operators and drivers, through the Traffic Commissioners website.

    Bridge strikes are avoidable, and their cost is huge, both in monetary and safety terms.

    Commercial vehicle operators and drivers have a duty to take all practical steps to ensure that vehicles avoid colliding with infrastructure. This starts at the very basics with adequate training on risk assessment.

    The Senior Commissioner suggests some control measures which operators and drivers can take, including the information which should be given to those planning or altering a route. Network Rail also publishes useful good practice guides.

    Operators and drivers who fail to take appropriate measures can find themselves subject to significant regulatory action.

    The letter can be found here: https://draft-origin.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/publications/letter-to-operators-of-large-vehicle-regarding-bridge-strikes

    For any further details or enquiries, please contact:

    pressoffice@otc.gov.uk

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF’s Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Economic Outlook: Reform Amid Great Expectations

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    October 25, 2024

    • Growth in sub-Saharan Africa is projected at 3.6% in 2024, unchanged from 2023, with a modest increase to 4.2% in 2025 — insufficient to significantly reduce poverty or address development challenges.
    • Macroeconomic vulnerabilities persist and inflation remains high in many countries, while elevated public debt and rising debt service costs are crowding-out resources for development spending.
    • Policymakers face a tough balancing act in reducing vulnerabilities while addressing development needs and ensuring socially acceptable reforms amid tight financing constraints.

    Washington, DC: Sub-Saharan Africa’s economic growth is projected to remain subdued at 3.6 percent in 2024, unchanged from 2023, with a modest pickup to 4.2 percent expected in 2025, according to the latest IMF Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa published today. The report notes that countries in the region are still grappling with macroeconomic imbalances, tight financing conditions, amid rising social pressures, leaving policymakers facing difficult choices in implementing reforms.

    “Sub-Saharan African countries are navigating a complex economic landscape marked by both progress and persistent vulnerabilities,” said Abebe Aemro Selassie, Director of the IMF’s African Department. “While many of the region’s countries are among the world’s fastest-growing economies, resource-intensive countries —particularly oil exporters— continue to struggle with lower growth rates. Inflation is declining but remains in double digits in nearly one-third of countries. Public debt has stabilized at a high level, with rising debt service burdens crowding out resources for development spending.”

    “While we are seeing some improvement in macroeconomic imbalances, growth remains insufficient to significantly reduce poverty or address substantial developmental challenges in the region.”

    The report includes focused notes addressing critical issues facing the region: the urgent need for job creation, the economic divergence between resource-rich and non-resource-rich countries, and the positive effects of striving for greater gender equality.

    Against this backdrop, Mr. Selassie pointed to priorities for policymakers in the region:

    “The policy mix should be consistent with the size of macroeconomic imbalances, while taking into account the political economy constraints that will affect the pace of reforms.

    “Countries with high macroeconomic imbalances are more likely to resort to relatively large and frontloaded fiscal reforms, given the tight financing constraints. The need for financial support from the international community is most acute for this group.

    “For countries with lower imbalances, policymakers should consider easing monetary policy toward a more neutral stance, while rebuilding fiscal and external buffers over time.”

    “Policymakers need to focus on designing reforms that are socially acceptable, including effective communication and consultation strategies and measures to protect the most vulnerable.

    “With continued efforts, sub-Saharan Africa can address its current challenges and move towards more sustainable and inclusive growth,” Mr. Selassie concluded. “However, the path ahead requires careful policy calibration and a strong commitment to implementing necessary reforms while managing social pressures.”

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Kwabena Akuamoah-Boateng

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    @IMFSpokesperson

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2024/10/25/pr-24395-ssa-imf-ssa-reo-reform-amid-great-expectations

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lynn Man Charged with Multiple Drug Offenses After Selling Drugs to an Undercover Officer

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant was on probation for armed robbery when he sold fentanyl and methamphetamine to an undercover officer

    BOSTON – A Lynn man was arraigned Oct. 22, 2024 in connection to an ongoing investigation of fentanyl counterfeit pills containing methamphetamine.

    Ricardo Bratini-Perez, a/k/a “Rico,” a/k/a “Ricofromthesin,” 29, was arraigned on four counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, fentanyl analog, and methamphetamine, and one count possession with intent to distribute 400 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Bratini-Perez on Oct. 3, 2024.

    According to court records, Bratini-Perez was on probation following his release from state custody on armed robbery and firearm charges. While on probation, Bratini-Perez sold fentanyl and methamphetamine to an undercover officer on three occasions in March 2024 and April 2024. On April 8, 2024, Bratini-Perez was arrested following a fourth sale to the undercover officer. Following his arrest, investigators executed a search warrant at Bratini-Perez’s residence and recovered over 5,000 grams of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl. 
        
    The charge of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, five years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $10,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Lynn Police Chief Christopher P. Reddy made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime and Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

    The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: From fish to clean water, the ocean matters and here’s how to quantify the benefits

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Stefanie Broszeit, Senior Scientist, Marine Ecosystem Services, Plymouth Marine Laboratory

    Drake’s Island in Plymouth Sound, Devon, is part of the UK’s first national marine park. Artur Niedzwiedz/Shutterstock

    Nature protection, conservation and restoration is “not a trivial matter but key to human survival,” according to scientists quoted in a 2005 UN report. To demonstrate this, they developed the concept of “ecosystem services” – the benefits that people derive from nature. Over the next 20 years, this concept has been in constant development to reflect our growing understanding of how ecosystems work and how we benefit from them.

    For many people, it feels wrong to take a human-centred view on nature. But for governments and conservation organisations, this concept is a useful tool. It helps us quantify the value of nature and make sure certain aspects are conserved and protected.

    My team and I provide other scientists with information about how coastal areas help to regulate the climate and reduce water pollution. In part, we work with marine conservation experts who restore ecosystems that have been depleted, such as seagrass or oyster beds. This can help choose the best approaches to restoring coastal areas to healthy habitats while providing other benefits, such as shelter for young fish or food for seabirds. Another group of scientists use our data to assess the value of these habitats, now and in the future once they have been restored to good health.

    In my work as a marine ecologist, I split ecosystem services into three different groups. First, provisioning services include the provision of food or timber along many other material gains we get from nature. For marine ecosystem services ,this includes fish and chemicals used for research and medicines. Second, regulating services support our planet and human wellbeing. Mussels clean water by filtering it and seagrass takes up and stores carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thereby helping to regulate the climate. Third, cultural services include leisure and recreation such as sea swimming or fishing.

    Diving deeper

    A baby crab on seagrass growing at Kingsand, Plymouth Sound.
    Stefanie Broszeit, CC BY-NC-ND

    To better understand these marine ecosystem services and how to use them sustainably, my research delves into some of the more complicated processes that regulate ecosystem services. In terms of the ocean’s role in regulating climate, it’s not just about seagrass.

    Seaweeds such as kelp take up carbon too, but cannot bury it in the soil beneath them due to holding onto rocks rather than having roots. They store carbon by getting buried in the deep sea when they are whipped off the rocks during winter storms and transported by currents into deeper waters. There, worms and crabs can feed on this important food source, drawing the carbon deeper into the sediment.

    Another step is to measure the benefits of particular ecosystem services. Food provision can be relatively easily measured by data collected by harbours to quantify how much fish is being landed and sold. So we can estimate the volume of harvested fish and calculate their market value. Some cultural services, such as measuring the wellbeing benefits people receive from interacting with coastal environments, can be more difficult to measure.

    Plymouth Sound is a great place to assess both benefits to human wellbeing and marine ecology, because not only is this city a hotspot for marine biology research with three internationally recognised marine institutes, it’s also the UK’s first national marine park. Here, I can engage not only with the ecological sciences and datasets but also with environmental psychologists who study how nature affects us and how we affect nature. My team and I have created the marine, social and natural capital laboratory to explore this more.

    Plymouth Sound provides a multitude of ecosystem services.
    Robert Harding Video/Shutterstock

    Because of so many complex variables, it’s important that scientists like me choose the appropriate indicators to estimate the value of contributions from different ecosystem services. Then, we can assess whether interventions such as restoring seagrass or building a port might help or hinder the marine environment.

    Often, different ecosystem services might interact or conflict with each other. Fishing in the northeast Atlantic might, for example, negatively affect marine mammals such as seal if the fish they rely on as food are also being eaten by humans. So we need to look at the bigger picture to assess all of the ecosystem services provided by a particular area of ocean. And as our understanding of ecosystem services develops, we can refine efforts to give nature a helping hand.

    Swimming, sailing, even just building a sandcastle – the ocean benefits our physical and mental wellbeing. Curious about how a strong coastal connection helps drive marine conservation, scientists are diving in to investigate the power of blue health.

    This article is part of a series, Vitamin Sea, exploring how the ocean can be enhanced by our interaction with it.

    Stefanie Broszeit receives funding from the United Kingdom Research and Innovation and from Horizon Europe, funding European research through the European Commission.

    – ref. From fish to clean water, the ocean matters and here’s how to quantify the benefits – https://theconversation.com/from-fish-to-clean-water-the-ocean-matters-and-heres-how-to-quantify-the-benefits-241625

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The US is now at risk of losing to China in the race to send people back to the Moon’s surface

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jacco van Loon, Reader in Astrophysics, Keele University

    Who will be first to return humans to the lunar surface? Merlin74 / Shutterstock

    Will the next human to walk on the Moon speak English or Mandarin? In all, 12 Americans landed on the lunar surface between 1969 and 1972. Now, both the US and China are preparing to send humans back there this decade.

    However, the US lunar programme is delayed, in part because the spacesuits and lunar-landing vehicle are not ready. Meanwhile, China has pledged to put astronauts on the Moon by 2030 – and it has a habit of sticking to timelines.

    Just a few years ago, such a scenario would have seemed unlikely. But there now appears to be a realistic possibility that China could beat the US in a race that America, arguably, has defined. So who will return there first, and does it really matter?

    Nasa’s Moon programme is called Artemis. The US has involved international and commercial partners to spread the cost. Nasa set out a plan to get American boots back on lunar soil over the course of three missions. In November 2022, Nasa launched its Orion spacecraft on a loop around the Moon without humans aboard. This was the Artemis I mission.

    Artemis II, scheduled for late 2025, is similar to Artemis I, but this time Orion will carry four astronauts. They will not land; this will be left for Artemis III. For this third mission, Nasa will send a man and the first woman to the lunar surface. Though as yet unnamed, one of them will be the first person of colour on the Moon.

    Artemis III astronauts are set to use SpaceX’s Starship vehicle to land on the Moon.
    Nasa

    Artemis III was scheduled to launch this year, but the timescale has slipped several times. A review in December 2023 gave a one in three chance that Artemis III would not have launched by February 2028. The mission is currently slated to happen no earlier than September 2026.

    Meanwhile, China’s space programme seems to be moving at speed, without significant failures or delays. In April 2024, Chinese space officials announced that the country was on track to put its astronauts on the Moon by 2030.

    It’s an extraordinary trajectory for a country that launched its first astronaut in 2003. China has been operating space stations since 2011 and has been ticking off important, challenging firsts through its Chang’e lunar exploration programme.



    Read more:
    Nations realise they need to take risks or lose the race to the Moon

    These robotic missions returned samples from the surface, including from the lunar far side. They have tested technology that could be crucial for landing humans. The next mission will touch down at the lunar south pole, a region that attracts intense interest because of the presence of water ice in shadowed craters there.

    This water could be used for life support by a lunar base and turned into rocket propellant. Making rocket propellant on the Moon would be cheaper than bringing it from Earth, making lunar exploration more affordable. It is for these reasons that Artemis III will land at the south pole. It’s also the planned location for US and Chinese-led bases.

    On September 28 2024, China showed off a spacesuit, to be worn by its Moon walkers, or “selenauts”. The suit is designed to protect the wearer against extreme temperature variations and unfiltered solar radiation. It is lightweight and flexible. Is it a sign of China already overtaking the US in one aspect of the Moon race? The company manufacturing the Artemis Moon suit, Axiom Space, is currently having to modify several aspects of the reference design given to them by Nasa.

    The lander that will carry US astronauts from lunar orbit to the surface is also delayed. In 2021, Elon Musk’s SpaceX was given the contract to build this vehicle. It is based on SpaceX’s Starship, which consists of a 50m-long spacecraft that launches on the most powerful rocket ever built.

    On October 13 2024, Starship scored a successful fifth test flight. But several challenging steps are required before the Starship Human Landing System can carry astronauts down to the lunar surface. Starship cannot fly directly to the Moon. It must refuel in Earth orbit first (using other Starships that act as propellant “tankers”). SpaceX needs to demonstrate refuelling and conduct a test landing on the Moon without crew before Artemis III can proceed.

    In addition, during Artemis I, Orion’s heat shield suffered considerable damage as the spacecraft made the high-temperature return through Earth’s atmosphere. Nasa engineers have been working to find a remedy before the Artemis II mission.

    Too complicated?

    Some critics argue that Artemis is too complex, referring to the intricate way in which astronauts and Moon lander are brought together in lunar orbit, the large number of independently operating commercial partners and the number of Starship launches required. Depending who you ask, between four and 15 Starship flights are needed to complete the refuelling for Artemis III.

    Former Nasa administrator Michael Griffin has advocated a simpler strategy, broadly along the lines of how China expects to accomplish its lunar landing. His vision sees Nasa relying on traditional commercial partners such as Boeing, rather than relative “newbies” such as SpaceX.

    However, simple is not necessarily better or cheaper. The Apollo programme was simpler, but at almost three times the cost of Artemis. SpaceX has been more successful, and economical, than Boeing in sending crews to the International Space Station.

    The Artemis I mission was broadly successful, but Orion’s heat shield suffered damage.
    Nasa

    New technology is not developed through simple, tried approaches but in bold endeavours that push boundaries. The James Webb Space Telescope is highly complex, with its folded mirror and distant position in space, but it allows astronomers to peer into the depths of the universe as no other telescope can. Innovation is especially crucial bearing in mind future ambitions such as asteroid mining and a settlement on Mars.

    Does it matter whether the first 21st-century selenauts are Chinese or American? This is largely a question about the relationship between governments and their citizens, and between nations.

    Democratic governments depend on public support to safeguard funding for expensive, long-term ventures – and prestige is an important selling point. But prestige in a 21st-century Moon race will be earned by doing it well, not sooner. Rushing back to the Moon could be costly, both financially and in the risk to human life.

    Governments must set an example of responsible behaviour. Peace, inclusivity and sustainability should be guiding principles. Going back to the Moon must not be about dominion or superiority. It should be a chance to show that we can improve on how we have previously behaved on Earth.

    Jacco van Loon 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. The US is now at risk of losing to China in the race to send people back to the Moon’s surface – https://theconversation.com/the-us-is-now-at-risk-of-losing-to-china-in-the-race-to-send-people-back-to-the-moons-surface-241716

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Grigorenko: The effectiveness of inspections by regulatory authorities has increased

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The effectiveness of inspections by regulatory authorities has increased over the first nine months of 2024. This was discussed at a meeting of Deputy Prime Minister – Chief of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko with regulatory authorities.

    “The main result is that we have reoriented the work of control bodies to a risk-oriented approach. This means that inspections are carried out only where there is a risk of violating the law. When a business conscientiously complies with mandatory requirements, there is no reason to come to it. The entire inspection system has been digitalized and has become absolutely transparent. Both the Government and the prosecutor’s office – we see when, where and on what grounds the inspector went, what violations he identified during the inspection,” commented Dmitry Grigorenko.

    The most effective checks remain those based on the triggering of risk indicators. Over the first nine months of 2024, the accuracy of checks based on the triggering of indicator signals reached 87%, while for the same period in 2023 it was 69%. For comparison: the average effectiveness of checks for all other reasons today is about 60%. Effectiveness is understood as the ratio of the validity of the check and the violations identified during the inspection.

    A risk indicator is a set of features that reflects compliance by a controlled entity with mandatory requirements. If the indicator gives a signal, then there is a high probability that mandatory requirements may be violated at the facility. The number of risk indicators is steadily growing. Today, there are 481 risk indicators in the arsenal of control and supervisory authorities. By the end of the year, it is planned to introduce 20 more.

    According to the results of the first nine months of the current year, the volume of inspections based on risk indicators has doubled. The total number of inspections (scheduled and unscheduled for other reasons) has been steadily decreasing – by almost 4.2 times since 2019. Over the first nine months of 2024, 284 thousand inspections were carried out, at the level of the same period last year.

    At the meeting, the participants also discussed the need to further improve the supervisory system and the risk system based on feedback from businesses. The government receives it through the service for pre-trial appeal of decisions of regulatory authorities. The service is in high demand, with more than 5,000 applications submitted in the first nine months of 2024, which is the same as in 2023. This year, the ability to challenge the assigned risk category, appeal orders based on the results of events without interaction, and file objections to the announced warning has been added.

    Representatives of the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Ministry of Economic Development also took part in the meeting.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Adams Honored at Stratford Richardson YMCA After Securing Funds for New Clinic

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

    Appropriations and community project funding bearing fruit for Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Counties

    CHARLOTTE – Yesterday, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) was honored by the YMCA of Greater Charlotte for her years of service to the community and the role she played in securing $2 million for the construction of their new Atrium Health Community Care Primary Care West Boulevard Family Medicine Clinic. This on-campus clinic will help provide quality, affordable care to those in need. 

    “By providing minor surgical procedures, women’s care, pediatric care, and other preventive services, the Atrium Health Community Care Primary Care West Boulevard Family Medicine Clinic will be the difference between a family having to pay exorbitant emergency room fees and getting immediate treatment,” said Rep. Adams. “I am deeply honored to be chosen for the YMCA of Greater Charlotte’s inaugural ‘Champion of Change’ award. This work is personal for me and this clinic is an important step in closing the healthcare gaps that exist in our community.  Healthcare is one of my four H’s, so I am proud to have helped support this clinic and the YMCA of Greater Charlotte by securing funding towards its development.”  

    “We owe a debt of gratitude not only to Congresswoman Adams but also to our incredible partners—Atrium Health, our YMCA team, the congresswoman’s team, our elected officials, and our community partners,” said Sue Glass, President & CEO, YMCA of Greater Charlotte. “Together, through advocacy, commitment, and collaboration, we are transforming the Stratford Richardson YMCA campus into a catalyst for positive impact in Charlotte’s West Boulevard Corridor. 

    Other appropriations information and community project funding awards are available on Rep. Adams’ website. 

    ### 

    Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. represents North Carolina’s 12th Congressional District (Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Cabarrus County) and serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Education & the Workforce, where she serves as ranking member of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Historic Deployment: First time in 70 years, the Wyoming Army Guard 2-300th Field Artillery Regiment deploys together

    Source: US State of Wyoming

    The Wyoming National Guard held send-off ceremonies for different batteries of the 2nd Battalion, 300th Field Artillery Regiment in Torrington, Gillette, Lander and Casper on July 30, 2024, supporting the Soldiers and their families as they embark on their eighth deployment in the past 20 years.

    The send-off ceremony formally recognizes the Soldiers and their families who are about to deploy. It also demonstrates that they have the full support of their community, leadership and loved ones, according to Lt. Col. Michael Kingman, 2-300th commander. This is the first full battalion deployment in over 70 years to conduct a field artillery mission.

    “This deployment marks the eighth time since September 11, 2001, that this formation has answered the nation’s call,” Kingman said. “Most of those deployments involved only portions of the battalion. This mission marks the first time the battalion has deployed as an integrated whole on a field artillery mission since the Korean War.”

    More than 360 Soldiers will deploy to several Middle Eastern countries to support Operations Spartan Shield and Inherent Resolve.

    The ceremony started with the arrival of the official party.

    Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon presided over the ceremonies, joined by Maj. Gen. Greg Porter, Wyoming adjutant general, Chief Master Sgt. Josh Moore, command senior enlisted leader for the Wyoming Guard, Lt. Col. Michael Kingman, 2-300th commander, Command Sgt. Maj. Spencer Jolly, 2-300th command sergeant major, along with other battery and company leadership.

    In the next part of the ceremony, Governor Gordon, General Porter, and Lieutenant Colonel Kingman shared their commitment to support and gratitude.

    Since taking office in 2019, the governor has made it a point to personally send off each service member and their families during deployments. He shared his thoughts with the Soldiers.

    “You are Wyoming proud, Wyoming strong, Wyoming proficient and Wyoming professional,” the governor said. “Thank you. All of us at home, your families, and all of us will know you are protecting us. We thank you from the depths of our hearts, from the bottom of our souls.”

    Governor Gordon also expressed his commitment to the families.

    “We feel that as much service as our men and women on the front lines give, it is also their families that stand watch,” he said. “We will stand 100 percent with the families as well. Thank you to every family member for your service.”

    General Porter spoke about the 2-300th’s rich history of serving the nation.

    “For over 136 years, Wyoming citizen Soldiers have raised their right hands and said, ‘I will do the nation’s bidding. I will wear the cloth of my country and go forth to do what needs to be done,’” the general said. “That is an incredible sacrifice, and I deeply appreciate all of you here in the community who are here to congratulate and recognize that sacrifice.”

    General Porter also highlighted the role of Soldiers as community members.

    “They are also mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, friends, family members, coaches, ministers and teachers. Our guardsmen and women are an indelible part of the community, and when they leave, they leave a gap,” Porter said. “We will fill this gap for you. We will ensure your community is safe while you deploy, and more importantly, we will ensure your families are taken care of.”

    Lieutenant Colonel Kingman also thanked the families for their sacrifices and encouraged families to reach out if they need assistance.

    “It’s been said, and I believe it to be true, that they have the tougher task, staying behind,” he said. “For the Soldier who goes forward, time often flies. We will be mission-focused here very soon, and these 60 days will go by quickly because we will be busy. But for all the friends and family at home facing the daily grind, they will be going through that without the needed support from their loved ones at their side. I encourage you all to not suffer in silence. If you need someone to talk to, need encouragement, need a hot water heater fixed, or if a door won’t close properly—whatever it is—reach out. We have someone who is not only willing but eager to assist in solving whatever problem comes up.”

    The following segments are long-standing traditions of presenting an “Entering Wyoming” highway sign, the Wyoming flag and casing the 2-300th colors.

    An “Entering Wyoming” highway sign was presented to each battery. The sign will be displayed at each headquarters. Similar signs have been given to every Wyoming Army National Guard unit that has deployed since the Korean War.

    “For the Wyoming National Guard, this sign serves as a visual reminder to all who enter the area that they are in Cowboy Guard territory,” said 1st Lt. Chad Onthank, 920th Forward Support Command executive officer.

    Next, the governor presented the Wyoming flag to the 2-300th to remind each Soldier that those Wyomingites at home are with you every step of the way.

    Finally, Kingman and Jolly cased the battalion colors to show the unit has a mission forward and will deploy.

    For the deployment, Kingman issued a challenge to his Soldiers.

    “I am committed to ensuring that you have the best possible leadership and training every step of the way,” he said. “I am confident that if you work hard, are a good teammate, and keep a positive attitude, we can all come out of this experience as better friends, spouses, parents, Soldiers and human beings.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Project Rise Partners Issues Open Letter to Paramount Shareholders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Oct. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    Dear Paramount Shareholders,

    We are Project Rise Partners, a special-purpose vehicle comprised of Malka Investment Trust and Rise Beyond LLC. We are a group of investors with backgrounds in entertainment, media, finance, technology, real estate, and hospitality who are committed to Paramount Global’s future success and have formally offered Paramount $13.5 billion cash, which includes up to $5 billion debt restructuring, which we believe is far better for Paramount and its shareholders than their current agreement with Skydance Media.

    We’ve included a summary in the below table which demonstrates why our offer is significantly more favorable and fair to the shareholders when compared to the current Skydance agreement. This superior offer we have already presented is both well-financed and more beneficial to the shareholders because we recognize they are the ones who have built and sustained Paramount. Our offer rewards all stakeholders and ensures that your many different types of investments in the company are not just acknowledged but rewarded.

    Our view is straightforward: shareholders deserve a deal that reflects Paramount’s true value, as well as fairness and transparency in the process. Our offer is backed by a robust set of investors with a specific emphasis on investing into Paramount’s growth, while also providing shareholders a premium over recent market prices. We are confident that our offer not only surpasses other proposals, including the one from Skydance, but it also aligns with the long-term interests of Paramount, its employees, and you, its shareholders.

    Most importantly, we want to reiterate that we are dedicated to treating all shareholders fairly. Our proposal ensures that every investor receives favorable terms in a straightforward way. We believe that this approach honors the trust you have placed in Paramount and provides a path forward that delivers significant value to every shareholder.

    We look forward to engaging with you further and sharing the detailed financial terms of our offer. Thank you for your consideration, and we are confident that, together, we can shape a prosperous future for Paramount Global.

    Sincerely,
    Project Rise Partners
    C/O Malka Investment Trust

    Item Skydance Offer PRP Offer Delta
    Total Cash Consideration $7.2B $13.5B +17%
    Class A offer price $23 $24 +4.3%
    Class B offer price $15 $16 +6.7%
    Balance sheet infusion $1.5B $2B (incl. in total cash) +33%
    Warrants dilution 200M warrants None  
    Debt Restructuring package None Up to $5B (incl. in total cash)  
    Skydance share dilution +317M shares None  
    Overall dilution +615M New shares None  
    Dilution impact to existing Class B 50+% dilution None  
     

    Media Contact:
    media@malkatrust.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: IMF’s Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Economic Outlook: Reform Amid Great Expectations

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    October 25, 2024

    • Growth in sub-Saharan Africa is projected at 3.6% in 2024, unchanged from 2023, with a modest increase to 4.2% in 2025 — insufficient to significantly reduce poverty or address development challenges.
    • Macroeconomic vulnerabilities persist and inflation remains high in many countries, while elevated public debt and rising debt service costs are crowding-out resources for development spending.
    • Policymakers face a tough balancing act in reducing vulnerabilities while addressing development needs and ensuring socially acceptable reforms amid tight financing constraints.

    Washington, DC: Sub-Saharan Africa’s economic growth is projected to remain subdued at 3.6 percent in 2024, unchanged from 2023, with a modest pickup to 4.2 percent expected in 2025, according to the latest IMF Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa published today. The report notes that countries in the region are still grappling with macroeconomic imbalances, tight financing conditions, amid rising social pressures, leaving policymakers facing difficult choices in implementing reforms.

    “Sub-Saharan African countries are navigating a complex economic landscape marked by both progress and persistent vulnerabilities,” said Abebe Aemro Selassie, Director of the IMF’s African Department. “While many of the region’s countries are among the world’s fastest-growing economies, resource-intensive countries —particularly oil exporters— continue to struggle with lower growth rates. Inflation is declining but remains in double digits in nearly one-third of countries. Public debt has stabilized at a high level, with rising debt service burdens crowding out resources for development spending.”

    “While we are seeing some improvement in macroeconomic imbalances, growth remains insufficient to significantly reduce poverty or address substantial developmental challenges in the region.”

    The report includes focused notes addressing critical issues facing the region: the urgent need for job creation, the economic divergence between resource-rich and non-resource-rich countries, and the positive effects of striving for greater gender equality.

    Against this backdrop, Mr. Selassie pointed to priorities for policymakers in the region:

    “The policy mix should be consistent with the size of macroeconomic imbalances, while taking into account the political economy constraints that will affect the pace of reforms.

    “Countries with high macroeconomic imbalances are more likely to resort to relatively large and frontloaded fiscal reforms, given the tight financing constraints. The need for financial support from the international community is most acute for this group.

    “For countries with lower imbalances, policymakers should consider easing monetary policy toward a more neutral stance, while rebuilding fiscal and external buffers over time.”

    “Policymakers need to focus on designing reforms that are socially acceptable, including effective communication and consultation strategies and measures to protect the most vulnerable.

    “With continued efforts, sub-Saharan Africa can address its current challenges and move towards more sustainable and inclusive growth,” Mr. Selassie concluded. “However, the path ahead requires careful policy calibration and a strong commitment to implementing necessary reforms while managing social pressures.”

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Kwabena Akuamoah-Boateng

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    @IMFSpokesperson

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Deerfoot improvement project complete

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Deerfoot Trail is a vital artery for Calgary, enabling the efficient movement of people and goods. Improving this highway is essential to reduce congestion, improve safety and enhance connectivity for thousands of daily drivers. As Calgary grows, the improvements to Deerfoot Trail will better meet the needs of its growing population, helping drivers spend less time staring at tail-lights, and more time doing the things they love.

    The expansion of Deerfoot Trail as well as the new connection of Beddington Trail and the adjacent 11 Street NE is now complete, relieving many headaches for drivers. Diverting considerable commuter, industrial and airport traffic between McKnight Boulevard and Beddington Trail to this new connection will increase safety and reduce weaving northbound on Deerfoot Trail. These improvements will also address key bottlenecks between Glenmore Trail and Anderson Road/Bow Bottom Trail, helping people get where they need to go more efficiently.

    “It’s great to see provincial construction wrap up on this critical road for Calgary drivers. I’d like to thank the contractors for building a wider, more efficient Deerfoot and also thank Calgarians for their patience during construction. This project will benefit so many families that commute everyday and is another example of how we’re making life better for Albertans.”

    Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors

    Work on this section of Deerfoot Trail began in Spring 2023 and includes connecting 11 Street NE to westbound Beddington Trail and northbound Deerfoot Trail. Upgrades also included adding a fourth continuous lane to Deerfoot Trail in each direction from Airport Trail to Beddington Trail.

    The suite of Deerfoot Trail improvements began in 2022 with work on 64 Avenue, which was competed in 2023. The Beddington Trail and 11 Street project is the second key segment to be completed. The totality of work on Deerfoot Trail includes increased capacity on ramps, additional lanes, reconfiguring exits and intersections and twinning a bridge. Improvements to Deerfoot Trail are being completed in distinct projects, prioritizing the most congested areas. It is estimated that the remaining Deerfoot Trail improvements will be complete by fall 2027. This important work will enhance safety and save time for drivers.

    “I am thrilled the province has chosen to invest in one of our most critical transportation corridors. This investment will enhance the efficiency and safety in the movement of goods and people for all road users. We look forward to continuing our collaborative partnership with the provincial government on future enhancements that will contribute to a more effective and safer transportation network for our city.”

    Andre Chabot, Ward 10 councillor, City of Calgary

    “We are excited to have an improved Deerfoot Trail and completed Beddington Trail NW and 11 Street NE enhancing access to YYC Calgary International Airport for our guests and commercial partners by reducing traffic congestion, providing alternative routes, growing connectivity and boosting economic and logistics efficiency.”

    Chris Dinsdale, president and CEO, The Calgary Airport Authority

    Quick facts

    • Aecon Transportation West Ltd. completed the construction of the Beddington Trail and 11 Street NE connector for $19 million.
    • Other improvements will increase capacity for current and future traffic volumes and include:
    • Deerfoot Trail and 64 Avenue NE – Began in fall 2022; completed in summer 2023.
    • McKnight Boulevard. – Aecon Transportation West began work in spring 2023 anticipated completion in Fall 2025.
    • Bow Bottom Trail/Anderson Road, Southland Drive and Glenmore Trail work – Aecon Infrastructure Management started work in spring 2023; anticipated completion in fall 2027.
    • 16 Avenue NE – Aecon Transportation West began work in Spring 2024; anticipated completion in Fall 2025.
    • Ivor Strong Bridge twinning – Aecon Infrastructure Management continues progress; anticipated completion in fall 2027.
    • Budget 2024 allocated $523.8 million for these upgrades.
    • Deerfoot Trail is a major north-south freeway in Calgary and has been in operation since the 1970s; up to about 180,000 vehicles travel this road, daily.
    • When the entire suite of improvements on Deerfoot Trail is completed, motorists can expect about:
      • 15 per cent faster morning rush hour commutes
      • 22 per cent faster evening rush hour commutes
      • 900,000 hours saved annually on the Deerfoot Trail
      • An economic boost of about $23 million, annually

    Related information

    • Deerfoot Trail Improvements

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bank of the James Announces Third Quarter, First Nine Months of 2024 Financial Results and Declaration of Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LYNCHBURG, Va., Oct. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ:BOTJ), the parent company of Bank of the James (the “Bank”), a full-service commercial and retail bank, and Pettyjohn, Wood & White, Inc. (“PWW”), an SEC-registered investment advisor, today announced unaudited results of operations for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2024. The Bank serves Region 2000 (the greater Lynchburg MSA) and the Blacksburg, Buchanan, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Nellysford, Roanoke, and Wytheville, Virginia markets.

    Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $1.99 million or $0.44 per basic and diluted share compared with $2.08 million or $0.46 per basic and diluted share for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $6.33 million or $1.39 per share compared with $6.60 million or $1.44 per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

    Robert R. Chapman III, CEO of the Bank, commented: “The Company delivered stable, strong earnings that contributed to building value, growing stockholders’ equity, and a significant increase in book value per share. Our performance once again generated positive returns for shareholders, which have for many years included paying a quarterly cash dividend.

    “Our performance reflected strong interest expense management, sound investment practices, and a balanced and diversified stream of interest and noninterest income. Disciplined credit management has supported superior asset quality, maximizing the value of the revenue generated. Our team of skilled, dedicated professionals continue to do an outstanding job meeting customers’ financial needs, which has led to consistently positive and steady financial results.

    “Even through a period of unusually high interest rates that has moderated lending activity and provided challenges, we have worked with customers to find solutions. A healthy loan portfolio has been a key growth driver as total assets surpassed the $1 billion mark in the third quarter. Assets have increased more than $30 million during 2024, primarily reflecting loan portfolio growth, net of fees, of more than $25 million since the beginning of the year.

    “Initiatives to earn new deposits and a focus on retaining customers’ deposits have led to growth of total deposits since the beginning of the year. At September 30, 2024, interest bearing demand accounts have grown by $2.7 million, time deposits have increased, and noninterest-bearing demand deposits have held steady. We continue to focus on building this important source of funding for loans and providing liquidity.

    “Strategic locations in Buchanan, Virginia, opened at the end of the second quarter, and Nellysford, Virginia, opened at the beginning of the third quarter, are off to strong starts and further expand the Bank’s footprint and deposit-gathering capabilities.

    “The third quarter reflected healthy year-over-year growth of noninterest income. Expanding fee income from wealth management, treasury services for our business customers, and gains on sales of originated mortgage loans to the secondary market have fueled noninterest income.

    “During the third quarter of 2024, we saw encouraging signs that stabilizing interest rates, slowing inflation, and continued economic health in our served markets is supporting positive trends. We are continuing to see increased commercial lending demand, positive trends in residential mortgage volume and origination fees, and continued deposit growth.

    “Looking ahead, we feel that the interest rate environment and continuing economic stabilization and predictability will be clear positives. We anticipate a gradual lessening of the intense pressure on margins and slowing of interest expense increases that have characterized the past two years.

    “Our longstanding commitment to building strong, lasting banking relationships with customers has provided many opportunities to demonstrate the Bank of the James’ value. As a result, use of our commercial cash management services and digital banking capabilities continues to grow, retail customers take advantage of a wide range of digital and in-person banking options, and residential mortgage customers and retail banking customers benefit from our efficient service, digital capabilities and integrated financial offerings.

    “We feel the Company is well-positioned to continue on our path of providing superior value to our shareholders, customers, and the communities we serve.”

    Third Quarter and First Nine Months of 2024 Highlights

    • Total interest income of $11.56 million in the third quarter of 2024 increased 14% from a year earlier, and increased from $10.94 million in the second quarter of 2024. In the first nine months of 2024, total interest income of $33.01 million rose 15% compared with a year earlier. The growth in the quarter and first nine months primarily reflected commercial loan interest rates, commercial real estate (CRE) growth, and the addition of higher-rate residential mortgages.
    • Net interest income after provision for (recovery of) credit losses in the third quarter of 2024 was down marginally compared with the third quarter of 2023. For the first nine months of 2024, net interest income after provision for (recovery of) credit losses was relatively stable compared with the first nine months of 2023. The first nine months of 2024 reflected loan loss recoveries driven by strong asset quality. The third quarter of 2024 reflects a small credit loss provision based primarily on loan growth. Results in both 2024 periods reflected the impact of elevated interest expense.
    • Net interest margin in the third quarter of 2024 was 3.16%, marginally lower than a year earlier but up from second quarter of 2024 net interest margin of 3.02%. Interest spread was 2.81% in the third quarter of 2024. In the first nine months of 2024, net interest margin was 3.07% and interest spread was 2.73%.
    • Total noninterest income for the third quarter of 2024 rose 19% compared with the third quarter of 2023, and in the first nine months of 2024 increased 17% compared with the first nine months of 2023. Growth primarily reflected gains on sale of loans held for sale, strong wealth management fee income contributions from PWW, and fee income generated by commercial treasury services and residential mortgage originations.
    • Loans, net of the allowance for credit losses, increased to $627.11 million at September 30, 2024 compared with $601.92 million at December 31, 2023, primarily reflecting overall loan stability and growth in CRE and residential mortgage loans.
    • Measures of asset quality included a ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans of 0.20% at September 30, 2024, minimal levels of nonperforming loans, and zero other real estate owned (OREO).
    • Total assets increased to $1.01 billion at September 30, 2024 from $969.37 million at December 31, 2023.
    • Total deposits increased to $907.61 million at September 30, 2024 compared with $878.46 million at December 31, 2023.
    • Shareholder value measures at September 30, 2024 reflected consistent growth from December 31, 2023 in total stockholders’ equity and retained earnings. Book value per share of $15.15 has increased significantly from $13.58 at June 30, 2024 and $13.21 at December 31, 2023.
    • On October 15, 2024, the Company’s board of directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per common share to stockholders of record as of November 22, 2024, to be paid on December 6, 2024.

    Third Quarter, First Nine Months of 2024 Operational Review

    Net interest income after provision for credit losses for the third quarter of 2024 was $7.42 million compared to net interest income after recovery of credit losses of $7.53 million a year earlier. In the first nine months of 2024, net interest income after recovery of credit losses was $22.13 million compared with $22.63 million a year earlier. The Company recorded a small provision for credit losses in the third quarter of 2024, primarily due to higher loan levels. The credit loss recovery in the first nine months of 2024 was $584,000 compared with $278,000 in the first nine months of 2023.

    Total interest income increased to $11.56 million in the third quarter of 2024 compared with $10.14 million a year earlier. The first nine months of 2024 total interest income was $33.01 million, up from $28.82 million in the first nine months of 2023. The year-over-year increases primarily reflected upward adjustments to variable rate commercial loans and new loans reflecting the prevailing rate environment.

    Investment portfolio management has enabled the Company to capitalize on attractive Fed funds rates. In the third quarter of 2024, the yield on all interest-earning assets was 4.86% compared with 4.43% a year earlier. The yield on interest-bearing loans, including fees, was 5.65% in the third quarter of 2024 compared with 5.13% a year earlier. The interest rates on certain existing commercial loans continue to reprice upward in accordance with their terms.

    Total interest expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2024 increased significantly compared with the prior periods of 2023, primarily reflecting higher deposit rates commensurate with the prevailing interest rate environment, and growth of interest-bearing time deposits. Rates on interest-bearing deposits and total interest-bearing liabilities have placed continuing pressure on margins. The net interest margin in the third quarter of 2024 was 3.16% and the interest spread was 2.81% compared with 3.21% and 2.94%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2023.

    J. Todd Scruggs, Executive Vice President and CFO of the Bank commented: “Even before the Federal Reserve announced a 50 basis point reduction in rates, we anticipated that a stabilizing rate environment would gradually lessen the pressure on margins we have experienced. While not directly reflecting the Fed rate cut announced in mid-September, our third quarter net interest margin of 3.16% improved from the 3.02% margin in the second quarter of 2024. We anticipate continuing gradual margin and spread improvement in future quarters.”

    Noninterest income in the third quarter of 2024 rose 19% to $3.82 million compared with $3.20 million in the third quarter of 2023. In the first nine months of 2024, noninterest income was up 17% to $11.32 million from $9.70 million a year earlier.

    Noninterest income reflected income contributions from debit card activity, a gain on an investment in an SBIC fund, commercial treasury services, and the mortgage division. In the third quarter of 2024, income from wealth management fees increased 19% compared with a year earlier and gains on sale of loans held for sale rose 34% from a year earlier.

    Noninterest expense in the third quarter of 2024 was $8.78 million, up 8% compared with $8.14 million in the first nine months of 2023. Noninterest expense in the first nine months of 2024 was $25.60 million, up 6% from $24.09 million a year earlier. Noninterest expense in the first nine months of 2024 reflected additional personnel costs related to staffing new locations, and the decision to begin accruing for anticipated year-end performance-based compensation ahead of the fourth quarter.

    Balance Sheet: Strong Cash Position, Asset Quality, Stability

    Total assets grew to $1.01 billion at September 30, 2024 compared with $969.37 million at December 31, 2023, with the increase primarily reflecting loan growth.

    Loans, net of allowance for credit losses, were $627.11 million at September 30, 2024 compared with $601.92 million at December 31, 2023, primarily reflecting growth of commercial real estate loans and strong, stable residential mortgage, consumer, and construction lending.

    Commercial real estate loans (owner-occupied and non-owner occupied and excluding construction loans) were $333.77 million compared with $306.86 million at December 31, 2023, reflecting a decreasing rate of loan payoffs and new loans. Of this amount, commercial non-owner occupied was approximately $189.98 million and commercial owner occupied was $143.79 million. The Bank closely monitors concentrations in these segments. We have no commercial real estate loans secured by large office buildings in large metropolitan city centers.

    Commercial construction/land loans and residential construction/land loans were $50.00 million at September 30, 2024 compared with $53.64 million at December 31, 2023. The Company continued experiencing positive activity and health in commercial and residential construction projects.

    Commercial and industrial loans were $60.34 million at September 30, 2024, reflecting a continuing trend of stability in this loan segment. Commercial and industrial loans were $64.92 million at June 30, 2024 and $65.32 million at December 31, 2023.

    Residential mortgage loans were $114.99 million at September 30, 2024 compared with $112.73 million at June 30, 2024 and $106.99 million at December 31, 2023. Growth of retained mortgages has been minimal, as the Bank has continued to focus on selling the majority of originated mortgage loans to the secondary market. Consumer loans (open-end and closed-end) were $75.09 million at September 30, 2024, essentially unchanged from totals at December 31, 2023.

    Ongoing high asset quality continues to have a positive impact on the Company’s financial performance. The ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans at September 30, 2024 was 0.20% compared with 0.06% at December 31, 2023. The allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans was 1.12% at September 30, 2024 compared with 1.22% on December 31, 2023. Total nonperforming loans were $1.30 million at September 30, 2024. As a result of having no OREO, total nonperforming assets were the same as total nonperforming loans.

    Total deposits were $907.61 million at September 30, 2024, compared with $878.46 million at December 31, 2023. Noninterest bearing demand deposits were $132.22 million compared with $134.28 million at December 31, 2023. Initiatives to attract deposit business and new locations contributed to the approximately $2.8 million growth in NOW, money market, and savings totals since December 31, 2023. Time deposits were $234.42 million at September 30, 2024 compared with $205.96 million at December 31, 2023. At both September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Bank had no brokered deposits.

    Key measures of shareholder value continued trending positively. Book value per share rose to $15.15 compared with $13.21 at December 31, 2023, reflecting strong financial performance and a smaller unrealized loss in the Company’s available-for-sale investment portfolio. Total stockholders’ equity rose to $68.83 million from $60.04 million at December 31, 2023. Retained earnings at September 30, 2024 were $41.64 million compared with $36.68 million at December 31, 2023.

    Some balance sheet measures are impacted by interest rate fluctuations and fair market valuation measurements in the Company’s available-for-sale securities portfolio and are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss. These mark-to-market losses are excluded when calculating the Bank’s regulatory capital ratios. The available-for-sale securities portfolio is composed primarily of securities with explicit or implicit government guarantees, including U.S. Treasuries and U.S. agency obligations, and other highly-rated debt instruments. The Company does not expect to realize the unrealized losses as it has the intent and ability to hold the securities until their recovery, which may be at maturity. Management continues to diligently monitor the creditworthiness of the issuers of the debt instruments within its securities portfolio.

    About the Company

    Bank of the James, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. opened for business in July 1999 and is headquartered in Lynchburg, Virginia. The Bank currently services customers in Virginia from offices located in Altavista, Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Blacksburg, Buchanan, Charlottesville, Forest, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Lynchburg, Madison Heights, Nellysford, Roanoke, Rustburg, and Wytheville. The Bank offers full investment and insurance services through its BOTJ Investment Services division and BOTJ Insurance, Inc. subsidiary. The Bank provides mortgage loan origination through Bank of the James Mortgage, a division of Bank of the James. The Company provides investment advisory services through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Pettyjohn, Wood & White, Inc., an SEC-registered investment advisor. Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. common stock is listed under the symbol “BOTJ” on the NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC. Additional information on the Company is available at www.bankofthejames.bank.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “plan” and similar expressions and variations thereof identify certain of such forward-looking statements which speak only as of the dates on which they were made. Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company”) undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to, competition, general economic conditions, potential changes in interest rates, changes in the value of real estate securing loans made by the Bank as well as geopolitical conditions. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to materially differ from those in the forward-looking statements is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    CONTACT: J. Todd Scruggs, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (434) 846-2000.

    FINANCIAL RESULTS FOLLOW

    Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

           
      (unaudited)    
    Assets 9/30/2024   12/31/2023
    Cash and due from banks $ 22,692     $ 25,613  
    Federal funds sold   86,515       49,225  
    Total cash and cash equivalents   109,207       74,838  
           
    Securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of $3,328 as of September 30, 2024 and $3,231 as of December 31, 2023) net of allowance for credit loss of $0 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023   3,610       3,622  
    Securities available-for-sale, at fair value   192,469       216,510  
    Restricted stock, at cost   1,821       1,541  
    Loans held for sale   3,239       1,258  
    Loans, net of allowance for credit losses of $7,078 as of September 30, 2024 and $7,412 as of December 31, 2023   627,112       601,921  
    Premises and equipment, net   19,378       18,141  
    Interest receivable   2,697       2,835  
    Cash value – bank owned life insurance   22,716       21,586  
    Customer relationship intangible   6,865       7,285  
    Goodwill   2,054       2,054  
    Income taxes receivable   –       128  
    Deferred tax asset   7,576       8,206  
    Other assets   9,319       9,446  
    Total assets $ 1,008,063     $ 969,371  
           
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity      
    Deposits      
    Noninterest bearing demand $ 132,223     $ 134,275  
    NOW, money market and savings   540,966       538,229  
    Time   234,421       205,955  
    Total deposits   907,610       878,459  
           
    Capital notes, net   10,046       10,042  
    Other borrowings   9,444       9,890  
    Income taxes payable   212       –  
    Interest payable   758       480  
    Other liabilities   11,159       10,461  
    Total liabilities $ 939,229     $ 909,332  
           
    Stockholders’ equity      
                 
    Common stock $2.14 par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 4,543,338 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023   9,723       9,723  
    Additional paid-in-capital   35,253       35,253  
    Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)   (17,782 )     (21,615 )
    Retained earnings   41,640       36,678  
    Total stockholders’ equity $ 68,834     $ 60,039  
           
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 1,008,063     $ 969,371  
     

    Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Statements of Operation
    (dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

      For the Three Months Ended   For the Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   September 30,
    Interest Income   2024     2023       2024       2023  
    Loans $ 9,004   $ 7,990     $ 25,375     $ 23,251  
    Securities              
    US Government and agency obligations   369     321       1,068       962  
    Mortgage backed securities   442     435       1,974       1,255  
    Municipals – taxable   298     286       872       853  
    Municipals – tax exempt   18     18       55       55  
    Dividends   12     8       59       49  
    Corporates   136     139       407       423  
    Interest bearing deposits   303     134       628       375  
    Federal Funds sold   981     812       2,569       1,601  
    Total interest income   11,563     10,143       33,007       28,824  
                   
    Interest Expense              
    Deposits              
    NOW, money market savings   1,487     894       4,145       1,916  
    Time deposits   2,375     1,683       6,731       3,918  
    FHLB borrowings   –     –       –       31  
    Finance leases   18     22       58       66  
    Other borrowings   92     98       278       297  
    Capital notes   82     82       245       245  
    Total interest expense   4,054     2,779       11,457       6,473  
                   
    Net interest income   7,509     7,364       21,550       22,351  
                   
    Provision for (recovery of) credit losses   92     (164 )     (584 )     (278 )
                   
    Net interest income after recovery of provision for credit losses   7,417     7,528       22,134       22,629  
                   
    Noninterest income              
    Gain on sales of loans held for sale   1,326     989       3,526       3,065  
    Service charges, fees and commissions   991     1,004       2,930       2,942  
    Wealth management fees   1,244     1,050       3,583       3,098  
    Life insurance income   189     139       531       405  
    Gain on sales and calls of securities, net   31     –       669       –  
    Other   42     19       82       179  
                   
    Total noninterest income   3,823     3,201       11,321       9,689  
                   
    Noninterest expenses              
    Salaries and employee benefits   4,920     4,683       14,256       13,296  
    Occupancy   514     458       1,493       1,389  
    Equipment   640     501       1,879       1,813  
    Supplies   131     118       397       399  
    Professional   718     682       2,214       2,075  
    Data processing   764     689       2,263       2,079  
    Marketing   220     204       481       683  
    Credit   190     218       612       623  
    Other real estate   –     3       –       36  
    FDIC insurance   94     126       329       321  
    Amortization of intangibles   140     46       420       420  
    Other   445     412       1,258       957  
    Total noninterest expenses   8,776     8,140       25,602       24,091  
                   
    Income before income taxes   2,464     2,589       7,853       8,227  
                   
    Income tax expense   474     511       1,527       1,631  
                   
    Net Income $ 1,990   $ 2,078     $ 6,326     $ 6,596  
                   
    Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted   4,543,338     4,543,338       4,543,338       4,568,789  
                   
    Earnings per common share – basic and diluted $ 0.44   $ 0.46     $ 1.39     $ 1.44  
     

    Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data
    unaudited

    Selected Data: Three
    months
    ending
    Sep 30,
    2024    		 Three
    months
    ending
    Sep 30,
    2023    		 Change Year
    to
    date
    Sep 30,
    2024    		 Year
    to
    date
    Sep 30,
    2023    		 Change
    Interest income $ 11,563   $ 10,143     14.00 % $ 33,007   $ 28,824     14.51 %
    Interest expense   4,054     2,779     45.88 %   11,457     6,473     77.00 %
    Net interest income   7,509     7,364     1.97 %   21,550     22,351     -3.58 %
    Provision for (recovery of) credit losses   92     (164 )   -156.10 %   (584 )   (278 )   110.07 %
    Noninterest income   3,823     3,201     19.43 %   11,321     9,689     16.84 %
    Noninterest expense   8,776     8,140     7.81 %   25,602     24,091     6.27 %
    Income taxes   474     511     -7.24 %   1,527     1,631     -6.38 %
    Net income   1,990     2,078     -4.23 %   6,326     6,596     -4.09 %
    Weighted average shares outstanding – basic   4,543,338     4,543,338     –     4,543,338     4,568,789     (25,451 )
    Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted   4,543,338     4,543,338     –     4,543,338     4,568,789     (25,451 )
    Basic net income
    per share    		 $ 0.44   $ 0.46   $ (0.02 ) $ 1.39   $ 1.44   $ (0.05 )
    Fully diluted net income per share $ 0.44   $ 0.46   $ (0.02 ) $ 1.39   $ 1.44   $ (0.05 )
    Balance Sheet at
    period end:    		 Sep 30,
    2024    		 Dec 31,
    2023    		 Change Sep 30,
    2023    		 Dec 31,
    2022    		 Change
    Loans, net $ 627,112   $ 601,921     4.19 % $ 599,585   $ 605,366     -0.95 %
    Loans held for sale   3,239     1,258     157.47 %   3,325     2,423     37.23 %
    Total securities   196,079     220,132     -10.93 %   185,603     189,426     -2.02 %
    Total deposits   907,610     878,459     3.32 %   880,203     848,138     3.78 %
    Stockholders’ equity   68,834     60,039     14.65 %   50,129     50,226     -0.19 %
    Total assets   1,008,063     969,371     3.99 %   960,887     928,571     3.48 %
    Shares outstanding   4,543,338     4,543,338     –     4,543,338     4,628,657     (85,319 )
    Book value per share $ 15.15   $ 13.21   $ 1.94   $ 11.03   $ 10.85   $ 0.18  
    Daily averages: Three
    months
    ending
    Sep 30,
    2024    		 Three
    months
    ending
    Sep 30,
    2023    		 Change Year
    to
    date
    Sep 30,
    2024    		 Year
    to
    date
    Sep 30,
    2023    		 Change
    Loans $ 629,860   $ 612,021     2.91 % $ 617,582   $ 618,152     -0.09 %
    Loans held for sale   3,845     4,421     -13.03 %   3,454     3,548     -2.65 %
    Total securities (book value)   220,730     222,969     -1.00 %   237,215     223,391     6.19 %
    Total deposits   902,615     869,655     3.79 %   895,000     862,212     3.80 %
    Stockholders’ equity   61,576     52,564     17.14 %   60,564     51,274     18.12 %
    Interest earning assets   946,518     909,774     4.04 %   937,793     897,364     4.51 %
    Interest bearing liabilities   785,980     740,516     6.14 %   776,672     733,343     5.91 %
    Total assets   995,101     953,546     4.36 %   986,132     945,389     4.31 %
    Financial Ratios: Three
    months
    ending
    Sep 30,
    2024    		 Three
    months
    ending
    Sep 30,
    2023    		 Change Year
    to
    date
    Sep 30,
    2024    		 Year
    to
    date
    Sep 30,
    2023    		 Change
    Return on average assets   0.80 %   0.86 %   (0.06 )   0.86 %   0.93 %   (0.07 )
    Return on average equity   12.86 %   15.68 %   (2.82 )   13.95 %   17.20 %   (3.25 )
    Net interest margin   3.16 %   3.21 %   (0.05 )   3.07 %   3.33 %   (0.26 )
    Efficiency ratio   77.44 %   77.05 %   0.39     77.89 %   75.19 %   2.70  
    Average equity to
    average assets    		   6.19 %   5.51 %   0.68     6.14 %   5.42 %   0.72  
    Allowance for credit losses: Three
    months
    ending
    Sep 30,
    2024    		 Three
    months
    ending
    Sep 30,
    2023    		 Change Year
    to
    date
    Sep 30,
    2024    		 Year
    to
    date
    Sep 30,
    2023    		 Change
    Beginning balance $ 6,951   $ 7,586     -8.37 % $ 7,412   $ 6,259     18.42 %
    Retained earnings adjustment related to impact of adoption of ASU 2016-13   –     –     N/A     –     1,245     -100.00 %
    Provision for (recovery of) credit losses*   106     (130 )   -181.54 %   (494 )   (188 )   162.77 %
    Charge-offs   –     (144 )   -100.00 %   (84 )   (196 )   -57.14 %
    Recoveries   21     8     162.50 %   244     200     22.00 %
    Ending balance   7,078     7,320     -3.31 %   7,078     7,320     -3.31 %

    * does not include provision for or recovery of unfunded loan commitment liability

    Nonperforming assets: Sep 30,
    2024    		 Dec 31,
    2023    		 Change Sep 30,
    2023    		 Dec 31,
    2022    		 Change
    Total nonperforming loans $ 1,295   $ 391     231.20 % $ 585   $ 633     -7.58 %
    Other real estate owned   –     –     N/A     –     566     -100.00 %
    Total nonperforming assets   1,295     391     231.20 %   585     1,199     -51.21 %
    Asset quality ratios: Sep 30,
    2024    		 Dec 31,
    2023    		 Change Sep 30,
    2023    		 Dec 31,
    2022    		 Change
    Nonperforming loans to total loans   0.20 %   0.06 %   0.14     0.10 %   0.10 %   (0.01 )
    Allowance for credit losses for loans to total loans   1.12 %   1.22 %   (0.10 )   1.21 %   1.02 %   0.18  
    Allowance for credit losses for loans to nonperforming loans   546.56 %   1894.56 %   1,348.00     1251.28 %   989.42 %   261.86  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Obernolte, Rep. Panetta laud FAA’s approval of powered lift aircraft

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jay Obernolte (R-Hesperia)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), who together co-chair the bipartisan Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Caucus, applaud the decision by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue a final rule for powered lift operations. The Integration of Powered-Lift: Pilot Certification and Operations Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) provides a comprehensive framework for certifying the initial cadre of powered-lift instructors and pilots, a major step forward for the growing AAM industry.  

    “I commend the decision by the FAA to approve powered lift as a new category of civil aircraft, the first in over 80 years, and their continued efforts to promote innovation in America’s aviation industry,” said Rep. Obernolte. “This rule will allow these aircraft to provide services such as air taxi, cargo delivery, and an array of other operations within the United States. The possibilities of powered lift operations are transformative, and this rule allows industry to provide these services by creating an operational system for advanced air mobility.” 

    “With the proper federal regulatory framework, Advanced Air Mobility has the potential to revolutionize how we move people and goods throughout our country,” said Rep. Panetta.  “The Federal Aviation Administration’s final rule is a significant step forward in allowing powered lift aircraft to be integrated into our airspace and allow these operations to take flight.  I look forward to continuing our bipartisan work to advocate for the future of aviation and the innovation in California’s 19thCongressional District powering these exciting aircraft.”   

    Due to the concerted efforts of Rep. Obernolte, Rep. Panetta, members of theAAM Caucus, and FAA Administrator Whitaker, powered lift will be the first completely new category of civil aircraft since helicopters were introduced in the 1940s. The rule makes changes to existing regulations, establishes an SFAR for instructor and pilot certification and training, applies helicopter operating requirements to some phases of flight, adopts a performance-based approach to certain operating rules, and allows powered-lift pilot training with a single set of flight controls instead of two.

    What They’re Saying: 

    •  “Supernal is pleased to see the FAA finalize the rulemaking for pilot training and operations for the AAM industry, while adopting a more flexible approach to requirements such as dual controls” said Jaiwon Shin, CEO of Supernal. “We look forward to continued collaboration with the FAA and Congress to position the US as a global leader in this exciting new industry.”  
    • “We applaud the FAA on the release of the SFAR ahead of schedule as it represents a tremendous milestone for our country and the eVTOL industry. Now, Archer has a clear roadmap to pioneer eVTOL here in the U.S. Our team is full speed ahead in our ongoing partnership with the FAA as we work towards commercialization as soon as possible,” said Adam Goldstein, founder and CEO of Archer.  
    • “The regulation published will ensure the U.S. continues to play a global leadership role in the development and adoption of clean flight,” said JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby. “Delivering ahead of schedule is a testament to the dedication, coordination and hard work of the rulemaking team.” 
    • “Advanced air mobility promises to change the very definition of on-demand aviation worldwide,” National Business Aviation Association President and CEO Ed Bolen said. “Given the speed at which the technology is developing, it is critical that all stakeholders have clear, official guidance for AAM operations. We commend the FAA for providing that guidance with the publication of this new rule.” 

    ### 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: U.S. Naval Forces Participate in Republic of Korea Multi-National Mine Warfare Exercise

    Source: United States Navy

    Part of an annual series of exercises hosted by the ROK Navy, MNMIWEX 24 increased proficiency in mine countermeasures (MCM) operations within a multi-national naval force.

    This year’s iteration had 19 nations and approximately 100 personnel participating, making MNMIWEX 24 the largest of the series to be held.

    “I was grateful for the opportunity to work with our hosts, the ROK Navy, and our partner nations and allies,” said Capt. Antonio Hyde, commodore of Mine Counter Measures Squadron (MCMRON) Seven, which belongs to Task Force 76, U.S. 7th Fleet’s expeditionary warfare force. “This multi-national training refines how we operate in a complex maritime environment to maintain open sea-lanes and freedom of navigation for all countries in the region.”

    MCM forces from the U.S., Australia, Canada and New Zealand embarked the tank landing ship ROKS Cheon Wang Bong (LST 686), which teamed with the Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Patriot (MCM 7) to conduct mine hunting operations during the eight-day at-sea phase.

    A multinational watch floor directed MNMIWEX operations ashore. This facilitated a command structure that promoted interchangeability and helped build the capacity of multinational MCM forces to operate effectively as a team.

    “Through this exercise, we improve our abilities to carry out multinational mine operations to protect major ports and sea lines of communication from the complex threats of enemy in case of emergency,” said Capt. Lee Taek-sun, commander of ROK Navy Mine Squadron 52. “We will continue to develop the combat capabilities necessary for mine warfare and further improve mine operation abilities and procedures with multinational forces.”

    MNIMIWEX 24 featured participants from the United States, Republic of Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of the Philippines, Italy, Greece, Türkiye, Thailand, Belgium, Malaysia, Oman, Colombia, United Arab Emirates, Chile and the Netherlands.

    The exercise took place in U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, which routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: N.M. Delegation Announces Over $3 Million for Tribal Communities to Address Opioid Use Disorder

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján

    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) are announcing $3,068,909 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to Tribal communities to serve individuals with opioid use disorder and co-occurring substance use disorders by funding culturally specific and evidence-based treatment, including medication for the treatment of opioid use disorder (MOUD). These HHS Tribal Opioid Response Grants are being awarded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).  

    “Tackling the opioid crisis with the urgency it demands means expanding our approach. That includes everything from providing improved access to the lifesaving medication used to treat opioid use disorder to empowering local communities to develop treatment programs that are grounded in their distinct experiences and cultures. I’m proud to welcome over $3 million for Tribal communities to do exactly that,” said Heinrich. “I won’t stop fighting to eliminate barriers to lifesaving medication and help New Mexicans get the care they need.” 

    “Far too many across our Tribal lands have seen firsthand how the opioid epidemic has devastated our communities,” said Luján, a member of the Indian Affairs and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committees. “This $3+ million in federal funding will deliver critical treatments and medications to address opioid use disorder in our Tribal communities. Throughout my time in Congress, I have secured millions to expand opioid use disorder treatments, introduced bipartisan legislation to increase investments in substance misuse prevention, and called for an increase in funding in our nation’s response to the opioid use disorder epidemic. I am proud to welcome this funding alongside our Congressional delegation and will keep fighting to expand addiction treatment services and protect the health of our Tribal brothers and sisters.” 

    “For far too long, opioid addiction has ravaged our Tribal communities, and the need for culturally specific treatments is critical,” said Leger Fernández. “This funding will help provide life-saving treatment, tailored to the needs of Native communities, so that we can address the opioid crisis head-on. By combining evidence-based practices with the cultural knowledge of our Tribes, we can offer real hope and healing. I will continue to fight for more resources and support to make sure every New Mexican has access to the care they need to recover and thrive.” 

    “Culturally informed care is vital to addressing the opioid crisis in every community that is suffering,” said Stansbury. “This $3 million investment will help Tribal communities take care as they see fit, as they know what is best for their communities. I will continue to fight for more funding and tools to solve this crisis so New Mexicans can not only recover from addiction but thrive in life.” 

    “New Mexico’s Tribes and Pueblos have long faced significant challenges in combating the opioid crisis. I’m proud to welcome these funds to provide critical resources to help address opioid addiction head-on,” said Vasquez. “Supporting culturally specific and evidence-based treatments ensures that we’re not only tackling the crisis but also providing Indian Country with the tools they need to better support recovery. I’m committed to securing more funding and resources to combat this crisis and save lives.” 

    Recipient  Award Amount 
    Albuquerque Area Indian Health  $1,478,168 
    Pueblo of Pojoaque  $250,000 
    Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos, Inc.  $250,000   
    Santo Domingo Tribe  $295,107 
    Ohkay Owingeh  $250,000 
    Nambe Pueblo Governor’s Office  $295,634 
    Taos Pueblo  $250,000 

    The N.M. Delegation has continuously worked to make opioid use disorder treatments more readily available. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Powell Center Seminar: City-Scale Geothermal Energy Everywhere to Support Renewable Resilience – a Transcontinental Cooperation

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Powell Center Seminar: City-Scale Geothermal Energy Everywhere to Support Renewable Resilience – a Transcontinental Cooperation

    Join us for a Powell Center seminar on Tuesday, November 5th, from 10-11am MT/12-1pm ET.

    City-Scale Geothermal Energy Everywhere to Support Renewable Resilience – a Transcontinental Cooperation – Erick Burns, USGS

    Despite the proven efficacy of geothermal energy as a city-scale heating and cooling resource, the relative newness of most city-scale applications has resulted in limited widespread adoption.  Geothermal heating and cooling resources are ubiquitous and diverse, with technologies available both for harvesting ambient heat or for storing thermal energy.  These local low-carbon, baseload energy sources provide resilience, security, and local jobs.  As part of a U.S. Geological Survey hosted Powell Center project, a range of European and US partners (geological surveys, geoscience organizations, industry representatives and universities) seek an acceleration of understanding that could lead to adoption of geothermal technologies that offset shortcomings of other renewable technologies (e.g., episodic sources, and critical mineral demands).  Because better availability of geothermal energy will contribute to diversification of energy sources and improve global energy security, Powell Center team goals include the development of authoritative information suitable for city-managers and other decision-makers. 

    Speaker:

    Erick Burns is a Research Hydrologist and the Project Co-chief for the U.S. Geological Survey Geothermal Resources Investigations Project (GRIP).  He coordinates the research of ~30 scientists who are supported wholly, or in part, by the GRIP and a range of externally funded projects. He is the primary task-leader for: (1) development of updated new resource assessments for conventional hydrothermal and EGS electricity production in the western U.S., (2) development of local- and national-scale assessment tools for low-temperature and underground thermal energy storage (UTES) resources, and (3) joint-energy and water-resources studies in the northwest U.S. volcanic terranes. He leads multi-center/institution teams on machine learning for geothermal energy assessment, and on novel methods of characterizing and evaluating UTES resources (with the eventual goal of developing national maps of these resources).  He is a team-member of the USGS geologic energy storage project (as the thermal storage subject matter expert), and on projects developing temperature models for petroleum reservoirs. He has active collaborations in Europe and South America on these topics.

    Sign up to get direct emails for our future seminars!

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall on Fox Business: President Trump’s Cabinet Must Be Confirmed ASAP

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. joined Fox Business: The Bottom Line to discuss the Senate’s imminent vote to confirm Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, the determination of the Republican-led Senate to confirm President Trump’s Cabinet and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s upcoming Senate confirmation hearings.
    Senator Marshall sits on both the Senate Finance and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committees, both of which will be holding hearings next week to consider the nomination of RFK Jr. for Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Senator Marshall has met with both Hegseth and RFK Jr. and believes they are the best picks to carry out President Trump’s America First Agenda at the DOD and HHS.

    You may click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full interview.
    Highlights from Senator Marshall’s interview include:
    On Pete Hegseth being confirmed as Secretary of Defense, other Trump nominees on deck:
    “I’m sure optimistic. [Pete Hegseth is] on second base right now. He passed the procedural vote with one vote to spare. So I’m very optimistic. And I just want to emphasize why this is important. President Trump is issuing all these executive orders. We need these nominees then get in there to do the job and execute those orders. So we need Pete to jump in there. He’s going to do a great job recruiting, a great job with the morale, and just rewarding people for their merit, as opposed to anything else.”
    “[Democrats have] resorted to character assassination…But regardless, I think that once we get Pete across the finish line, Kristi Nome is on deck, she’s going to step up. I expect her to get across pretty easily, as you mentioned. Sean Duffy is there in the hole waiting as well. So I think we’re in good shape.”
    On GOP-led Senate’s determination to confirm President Trump’s Cabinet:
    “We’re willing to stay here and punish the Democrats. The good news is we had them kicking and screaming, so we’re over the target. We’re all committed to staying here this weekend. They can try to slow things down, and as long as they keep jamming us, we’re just going to stay up here and keep working away. I don’t think we’ll have to get to those recess appointments, but if necessary, we will. I’m really optimistic, if we just keep plugging away here, we’re going to get them all across the finish line.”
    On Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s upcoming Senate confirmation hearing:
    “Look, he has an army of people behind him. I mean, just a groundswell of people out there. 77 million…people voted for President Trump, and one of the reasons was because of Bobby Kennedy Jr….I think that the American public is going to carry Bobby through that nomination process. He’s brilliant. He’s going to do a great job- all those things. And I think when people just listen to his heart, that he loves this country, that he wants to make America healthy again, and he knows how to do it, so I expect that groundswell of support to get him over the finish line.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NPC Standing Committee member inspects passing-out parade at HK Police College (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    NPC Standing Committee member inspects passing-out parade at HK Police College (with photos)
    NPC Standing Committee member inspects passing-out parade at HK Police College (with photos)
    ******************************************************************************************

         Member of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC), Dr Starry Lee, inspected the passing-out parade for 37 probationary inspectors and 195 recruit police constables at the Hong Kong Police College today (January 25) and witnessed the moment they became the new blood of the Force.           Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Dr Lee said that the duty of the police officers bears the trust of the community, adding that the graduates would officially become the guardians of Hong Kong’s rule of law and shoulder the mission of maintaining law and order in the community. She believed that being a police officer is not only a profession, but also a commitment and a dedication to the society.           She continued that the graduates had experienced multiple physical and mental challenges during the training, ranging from physical exercise to tactical training; as well as from legal knowledge to adaptability. Each of the course not only brings the improvement of skills, but also the development of tenacity, and such perseverance being developed would be attribute for their career development.           Noting that Hong Kong is an international metropolis with a complex and rapidly changing security landscape, Dr Lee believed that law enforcement officers should possess a high degree of professionalism and sound psychological quality. She added that the graduates would face different challenges, from dealing with emergencies to handling social conflicts; and from combating crimes to serving citizens, each of their duty is related to the safety of Hong Kong citizens and social stability. Meanwhile, the modus operandi of crimes has become more complicated, coupled with new challenges emerging from technology crime, online fraud and transnational crime. As such, she encouraged the graduates to keep pace with the times, and keep learning to be more professional and resilient in coping with various challenges ahead in their career.           She also pointed out that as part of the country, Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability hinges on the national development. She hoped that the graduates can uphold the spirit of patriotism and love the city, make every effort to safeguard national security and maintain the successful implementation of “one country, two systems”.           She emphasised that police are not only the law enforcers, but also the guardians of the citizens; and the Police’s professionalism, fairness and responsibility in serving the public are essential for gaining public support. Therefore, she hoped the police to uphold their integrity and honesty, and carry out every task cautiously at all time, so as to let the public feel the professionalism and care of the Force.           Finally, she encouraged the graduates to remain true to their original aspiration and take upholding social justice as their responsibility, thereby becoming the trusted guardians of the citizens and a driving force of the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.

     
    Ends/Saturday, January 25, 2025Issued at HKT 13:37

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Why do kids cheat? Is it normal, or should I be worried?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Penny Van Bergen, Head of School of Education and Professor of Educational Psychology, University of Wollongong

    Basilco Stock Studio/ Shutterstock

    Everyone knows a kid who cheats at Monopoly or backyard cricket. Perhaps they have even cheated on a test at school.

    If your notice your own child is doing this, you may worry they are headed for a life of crime.

    But in developmental terms, cheating is not usually a cause for concern for kids.

    What is cheating?

    Cheating occurs when a child behaves dishonestly to gain an unfair advantage. They might pretend to roll a six, peek at others’ cards, score a sports game incorrectly, or use video game modifications to skip levels.

    Despite parents’ and teachers’ best efforts, cheating is remarkably common. In one experiment, five-year-olds were asked not to peek inside a box while the experimenter left the room. Almost all peeked and most then denied having done so.

    A sign of development

    The capacity to deceive can signal the emergence of new skills, including an understanding of others peoples’ minds.

    To cheat effectively, we have to think about what someone else is thinking. We then need to trick them into believing a different reality. These cognitive skills only emerge in preschool, and it is not until the primary years that children can successfully maintain a false story over time.

    Research shows it is very common for children to cheat.
    spass/Shutterstock

    Cheating at school

    As children get older, they can get more cautious about cheating in general, but also start cheating at school.

    In a US study, more than three in four high school students reported cheating at school at least once over the past year.

    Common techniques included sharing their work with others, getting test answers ahead of time, plagiarising from the internet, and collaborating when they weren’t supposed to.

    Students were more likely to see cheating as acceptable when helping a peer, or when they could rationalise the behaviour in a pro-social way (for example, they ran out of time and needed to cheat because they were caring for a family member).

    Temptation matters

    Like adults, children are more likely to cheat when the temptation is greater. In one study, children aged seven to ten were more likely to cheat at a die-rolling game if they could win a bigger prize.

    Children and adolescents also report being more likely to cheat to avoid negative consequences. As far back as 1932, US school principal M.A. Steiner wrote how too much work encourages students to cheat. In a 2008 study, students themselves reported cheating at school because they were uninterested in the material or under pressure to perform.

    While temptation encourages cheating, the risk of being caught can encourage honesty. Children must weigh up the benefits of cheating against the risks of being caught.

    As they get older, children may also consider how cheating impacts their sense of self. For example, “being a good person is important to me – so I won’t cheat”.

    Do boys cheat more than girls?

    Some children are more likely to cheat than others. For example, in a 2019 study in which children’s rolls of six dice could win them prizes, boys cheated more than girls. Boys and girls also approached cheating differently: girls were more likely to cheat to avoid losses, while boys were equally motivated by losses and gains.

    Social skills also make a difference. A 2003 US study showed second grade children who have been rejected by their peers are more likely to cheat at board games – even when playing with new children they have never met before. It is possible such children are not as good at regulating their emotions and behaviours.

    Adolescents with lower self-restraint and greater tolerance for breaking rules are more likely to accept academic cheating, as are those who misbehave in class.

    On study suggested boys are more likely to cheat than girls.
    Jacob Lund/Shutterstock

    How can adults discourage cheating?

    Although cheating is common, it can pose increasing problems for children and teens as the stakes become higher. Research with Chinese students in the eighth grade showed those who cheated when scoring their own test were less likely to have learned the correct answer later on.

    Here are four things parents and teachers can do to help discourage cheating.

    1. Have open conversations: talk openly and compassionately about why cheating is not a good idea (for example, “it ruins the fun for your friends”). Research shows children and adolescents who made a promise to experimenters not to cheat at a game were less likely to do so. But children who fear getting in trouble are less likely to tell the truth.

    2. Don’t put too much pressure on results: when talking about school, use language related to learning rather than performance (“just try your best, that’s all you can do”). Studies show highly competitive academic environments make cheating more likely, because the benefits of success and risks of failure are heightened.

    3. Be positive about your child’s character: in one study, preschoolers were allocated to one of two groups. In the “good reputation” group, children were told “I know kids in your class and they told me you were a good kid”. In another group, children were not told anything. All children were then asked not to peek at a tempting toy while the experimenter left the room. Those in the good reputation group were less likely to cheat (60%) than those in other group (90%).

    4. Show kids how it’s done: if adults are being honest and open, children are more likely to do the same. In one study, children were told there was a big bowl of candy in the next room. When this turned out to be a lie, children themselves were more likely to cheat in a game and to lie about it.

    Penny Van Bergen receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the NSW Department of Education.

    – ref. Why do kids cheat? Is it normal, or should I be worried? – https://theconversation.com/why-do-kids-cheat-is-it-normal-or-should-i-be-worried-242022

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Want genuine progress towards restoring nature? Follow these 4 steps

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yi Fei Chung, PhD candidate in Environmental Policy, The University of Queensland

    Black Dingo/Shutterstock

    “Nature positive” is seemingly everywhere. Two weeks ago, Australia hosted the first Global Nature Positive Summit. This week, nations are meeting in Colombia for a global biodiversity summit to discuss progress on nature positive commitments.

    Nature positive has a simple meaning: ensuring more nature in future than there is now. Making it a reality is the hard part.

    It’s necessary because nature is in trouble. Once common species are becoming threatened and threatened species are going extinct. Humans, too, will be severely impacted. When ecosystems are healthy, they provide vital benefits. Insects pollinate crops, trees slow floodwaters, earthworms, fungi and soil critters make healthy soil and natural vistas improve our mental wellbeing.

    While Australia’s government is working to embed nature positive ideas in environmental reform efforts, we may see lip service rather than real change. The government’s Nature Positive Plan faces opposition from businesses and politicians ahead of a looming election. And the plan itself doesn’t fully align with true nature positive outcomes.

    In our article published today in Science, we lay out four vital steps to ensure nature positive policies are actually positive for nature.

    Step 1: Ensure biodiversity increases are absolute

    At present, Australia’s planned nature positive reforms would only require developers removing habitat to achieve a relative net gain for nature compared to business as usual.

    We have argued this approach won’t work – it should be an absolute net gain.

    It might sound abstract – but it makes all the difference. For instance, consider a population of endangered koalas living on the site of a new mine. Any negative impact to koalas would have to be offset with a benefit to the species elsewhere, usually on a separate site.

    If Australia had absolute net gain in effect, the company would have to ensure there are more koalas overall. If the mine site and an offset site had a combined population of 100 koalas before the development, this combined population would need to be more than 100 koalas after the development – even though some will be lost.

    But let’s say these 100 koalas over two sites were expected to fall to 80, even if the mine didn’t happen. In this case, a relative net gain could be achieved if the mine and offset site had 90 koalas. The population fell, but less than it would have otherwise.

    Most state and national conservation laws use relative net gain in their biodiversity offsets. It slows the biodiversity decline – but it’s still a decline.

    By contrast, England brought in a net gain approach in February of this year, with developers now required to provide a 10% net gain in biodiversity.

    Importantly, the vast majority of developments affecting threatened species habitat never require any offset at all. Plugging this major gap is also key.



    Read more:
    Developers in England will be forced to create habitats for wildlife – here’s how it works

    For nature positive to work properly, any damage done to a species by a development has to be offset by net gain. Pictured: Peak Hill gold mine in NSW.
    Phillip Wittke/Shutterstock

    Step 2: Avoid conservation payments in risky situations

    The Australian government plans to introduce conservation payments, where developers can pay into a government-managed fund rather than providing direct offsets.

    If developers were to cut down trees used by the critically endangered Leadbeater’s possum, for example, they could choose either to improve habitat elsewhere to offset the damage – or they could pay into the fund instead.

    This is a risky plan. For one, it’s often almost impossible or extremely expensive to find suitable habitat for critically endangered species because they have very little habitat remaining.

    It’s far better to avoid all further habitat removal. For developers, this would mean avoiding damage to rare habitat in the first place.

    Even where offsetting is possible, payments are often inadequate to cover the cost of purchasing and managing an offset site.



    Read more:
    Developers aren’t paying enough to offset impacts on koalas and other endangered species

    Then there’s the time lag. The fund might take years to buy or restore habitat sites, adding to already-long delays between damage and any benefit. And worse, under the government’s proposal, the money could be used for different, potentially less threatened species.

    Under Queensland’s scheme, most developers choose to pay into a fund rather than create their own offset sites. Very little of these offset funds have been spent.

    Meanwhile, the latest independent assessment of the New South Wales biodiversity offset payment scheme recommended the fund be completely phased out.

    Step 3: Go beyond compensation

    Compensating for new damage is important. But it’s not nearly enough. Over the last century, we have done huge damage to the natural world. Australia’s southern seas were once ringed with oyster reefs, for instance, but these were nearly all fished out.

    We need to begin to recover what was lost by restoring ecosystems, managing weeds and reducing risk of diseases.

    Nature-positive laws should include funding and actions designed to produce absolute gains in biodiversity over and above any required compensation.

    The world has long seriously underfunded conservation, including threatened species recovery, ecosystem restoration and protected area management. Australia alone needs a roughly 20-fold increase in funding to actually bring back threatened species.

    While this sounds large, it’s off an extraordinarily low base – just A$122 million in 2019. By contrast, we spend over $100 billion on human health each year.

    Two years ago, the government passed the first of its nature-positive reforms to create a nature repair market aimed at drawing more funds into nature restoration. But as the market will rely on voluntary private sector investment, we don’t know how much funding will flow or whether it will focus on threatened species recovery.

    Step 4: Effectively implement nature positive laws

    Ensuring compliance with new nature-positive laws requires transparent and effective enforcement, such as through the independent national environment protection authority with extra powers proposed in Australia.

    Its independence and powers may be less than required, due to proposed call-in powers allowing the minister to overrule decisions. True independence and adequate resources are crucial.

    If governments do pass environmental reforms, we need to collect adequate and robust data on species to know if they are actually working to boost nature recovery. At present, many Australian threatened species remain unmonitored.

    Is nature positive within reach?

    It’s not easy to create a future with more nature than we have now. Australia’s current government took office vowing to embrace nature positive. To date, their reforms are not yet likely to make that a reality.



    Read more:
    Australia desperately needs a strong federal environmental protection agency. Our chances aren’t looking good

    But the task will only get more urgent. Meaningful nature-positive policy means ensuring targets of absolute net gain for threatened species, ensuring strict compensation for any nature loss, independently resourcing and financing other recovery efforts and implementing these laws effectively.

    With a course correction, Australia can still act as a leading example for other nations as they reform their own policies to meet nature-positive ambitions. Now is the time for real and decisive action.

    We acknowledge our research coauthors, Brooke Williams (Queensland University of Technology), Martine Maron (University of Queensland), Jonathan Rhodes (Queensland University of Technology), Jeremy Simmonds (2rog), and Michelle Ward (Griffith University).

    Yi Fei Chung has received funding from UQ Research Training Scholarship. He is also involving in a Australian Research Council Linkage Project with financial and in-kind support from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, the Biodiversity Conservation Trust, Tweed Shire Council, and the NSW Koala Strategy.

    Hannah Thomas has received funding from WWF-Australia and an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship. She is an early-career leader with the Biodiversity Council.

    – ref. Want genuine progress towards restoring nature? Follow these 4 steps – https://theconversation.com/want-genuine-progress-towards-restoring-nature-follow-these-4-steps-240569

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: For type 2 diabetes, focusing on when you eat – not what – can help control blood sugar

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Evelyn Parr, Research Fellow in Exercise Metabolism and Nutrition, Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University

    Lizardflms/Shutterstock

    Type 2 diabetes affects 1.2 million Australians and accounts for 85-90% of all diabetes cases. This chronic condition is characterised by high blood glucose (sugar) levels, which carry serious health risks. Complications include heart disease, kidney failure and vision problems.

    Diet is an important way people living with type 2 diabetes manage blood glucose, alongside exercise and medication. But while we know individualised, professional dietary advice improves blood glucose, it can be complex and is not always accessible.

    Our new study looked at the impact of time-restricted eating – focusing on when you eat, rather than what or how much – on blood glucose levels.

    We found it had similar results to individualised advice from an accredited practising dietitian. But there were added benefits, because it was simple, achievable, easy to stick to – and motivated people to make other positive changes.

    What is time-restricted eating?

    Time-restricted eating, also known as the 16:8 diet, became popular for weight loss around 2015. Studies have since shown it is also an effective way for people with type 2 diabetes to manage blood glucose.

    Time-restricted eating involves limiting when you eat each day, rather than focusing on what you eat. You restrict eating to a window during daylight hours, for example between 11am and 7pm, and then fast for the remaining hours. This can sometimes naturally lead to also eating less.

    Participants in our study could still share meals with family, as long as it was within a nine-hour window finishing at 7pm.
    Kitreel/Shutterstock

    Giving your body a break from constantly digesting food in this way helps align eating with natural circadian rhythms. This can help regulate metabolism and improve overall health.

    For people with type 2 diabetes, there may be specific benefits. They often have their highest blood glucose reading in the morning. Delaying breakfast to mid-morning means there is time for physical activity to occur to help reduce glucose levels and prepare the body for the first meal.

    How we got here

    We ran an initial study in 2018 to see whether following time-restricted eating was achievable for people with type 2 diabetes. We found participants could easily stick to this eating pattern over four weeks, for an average of five days a week.

    Importantly, they also had improvements in blood glucose, spending less time with high levels. Our previous research suggests the reduced time between meals may play a role in how the hormone insulin is able to reduce glucose concentrations.

    Other studies have confirmed these findings, which have also shown notable improvements in HbA1c. This is a marker in the blood that represents concentrations of blood glucose over an average of three months. It is the primary clinical tool used for diabetes.

    However, these studies provided intensive support to participants through weekly or fortnightly meetings with researchers.

    While we know this level of support increases how likely people are to stick to the plan and improves outcomes, it is not readily available to everyday Australians living with type 2 diabetes.

    What we did

    In our new study, we compared time-restricted eating directly with advice from an accredited practising dietitian, to test whether results were similar across six months.

    We recruited 52 people with type 2 diabetes who were currently managing their diabetes with up to two oral medications. There were 22 women and 30 men, aged between 35 and 65.

    Participants were randomly divided into two groups: diet and time-restricted eating. In both groups, participants received four consultations across the first four months. During the next two months they managed diet alone, without consultation, and we continued to measure the impact on blood glucose.

    In the diet group, consultations focused on changing their diet to control blood glucose, including improving diet quality (for example, eating more vegetables and limiting alcohol).

    In the time-restricted eating group, advice focused on how to limit eating to a nine-hour window between 10am and 7pm.

    Over six months, we measured each participant’s blood glucose levels every two months using the HbA1c test. Each fortnight, we also asked participants about their experience of making dietary changes (to what or when they ate).

    Continuous glucose monitoring measures the levels of glucose in the blood.
    Halfpoint/Shutterstock

    What we found

    We found time-restricted eating was as effective as the diet intervention.

    Both groups had reduced blood glucose levels, with the greatest improvements occurring after the first two months. Although it wasn’t an objective of the study, some participants in each group also lost weight (5-10kg).

    When surveyed, participants in the time-restricted eating group said they had adjusted well and were able to follow the restricted eating window. Many told us they had family support and enjoyed earlier mealtimes together. Some also found they slept better.

    After two months, people in the time-restricted group were looking for more dietary advice to further improve their health.

    Those in the diet group were less likely to stick to their plan. Despite similar health outcomes, time-restricted eating seems to be a simpler initial approach than making complex dietary changes.

    Is time-restricted eating achievable?

    The main barriers to following time-restricted eating are social occasions, caring for others and work schedules. These factors may prevent people eating within the window.

    However, there are many benefits. The message is simple, focusing on when to eat as the main diet change. This may make time-restricted eating more translatable to people from a wider variety of socio-cultural backgrounds, as the types of foods they eat don’t need to change, just the timing.

    Many people don’t have access to more individualised support from a dietitian, and receive nutrition advice from their GP. This makes time-restricted eating an alternative – and equally effective – strategy for people with type 2 diabetes.

    People should still try to stick to dietary guidelines and prioritise vegetables, fruit, wholegrains, lean meat and healthy fats.

    But our study showed time-restricted eating may also serve as stepping stone for people with type 2 diabetes to take control of their health, as people became more interested in making diet and other positive changes.

    Time-restricted eating might not be appropriate for everyone, especially people on medications which don’t recommend fasting. Before trying this dietary change, it’s best speak to the healthcare professional who helps you manage diabetes.

    Evelyn Parr receives funding from Diabetes Australia and Australian Catholic University.

    Brooke Devlin received funding from Diabetes Australia.

    – ref. For type 2 diabetes, focusing on when you eat – not what – can help control blood sugar – https://theconversation.com/for-type-2-diabetes-focusing-on-when-you-eat-not-what-can-help-control-blood-sugar-241472

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Most Republican states have made voting harder since 2020. Our research shows how successful they’ve been

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Schumaker, Senior Lecturer in American Studies, University of Sydney

    In late September, the governor of the state of Oklahoma, Kevin Stitt, boasted that election officials had removed 453,000 people from the state’s voter rolls since 2021. In a state with only 2.3 million registered voters, it appears that roughly one in six registered voters had been purged.

    While some of these people were dead or disfranchised owing to felony convictions, nearly 200,000 of them were removed for being “inactive voters”. This means they likely failed to respond to a postcard sent to their mailing address.

    Voters can re-register if they were incorrectly removed, but this “voter list maintenance” process still creates a barrier to democratic participation.

    Unsurprisingly, Oklahoma historically has one of the lowest voter turnout rates in the United States.

    This bucks the national trend. Overall, across the United States, electoral turnout has increased in presidential and midterm elections since 2018. Americans feel, now more than ever, that elections have high stakes.

    And some states have made it easier to vote. Minnesota, for example, allows voters to register online or at the polls on Election Day.

    In states like Oklahoma, however, voters are discouraged or demoralised by policies and laws meant to make voting difficult and time consuming. Legislatures in these states have been emboldened over the past decade by a series of Supreme Court rulings voiding key parts of the Voting Rights Act.

    These states are now the new fronts in the unfinished battle to secure one of the fundamental elements of democracy – the right to vote. We’ve analysed data on voter turnout and voting accessibility across the US and found states restricting access the most are overwhelmingly led by Republican legislatures.

    A long history of voter disenfranchisement

    US elections have always been the domain of the states. And state legislatures have long wielded this power to discriminate against marginalised groups.

    Prior to the Civil War, most states restricted the right to vote to white men. Then, in 1870, the 15th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, which forbade states from restricting the right to vote on the basis of “race, color or previous condition of servitude”

    In practice, however, this didn’t change things in all states. In the South, where Jim Crow laws maintained segregation in many facets of public life, lawmakers found other ways to disenfranchise Black voters.

    These methods included poll taxes, literacy tests, and grandfather clauses. In some Southern states, Democrats also held all-white primaries to prohibit Black voters from participating. They claimed that political parties were private organisations and not subject to the 15th Amendment.

    When other methods failed, white people used violence and intimidation to discourage Black voters from showing up at the polls.

    Women made gains state by state in the decades following the Civil War, though Black women in the South were disenfranchised alongside Black men. This made white women the primary beneficiaries of the 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920. This dictated that states could not withhold voting rights “on account of sex”.

    It was not until the ratification of the 24th Amendment in 1964, which prohibited the use of the poll tax, and the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which outlawed the literacy tests, that American democracy could begin to live up to its name.

    How states are erecting more barriers

    However, even these landmark developments have not ensured that voting is easy or universally accessible to all Americans.

    In fact, many states have accelerated efforts to police voting rolls and enact hurdles to civic engagement in the wake of then-President Donald Trump’s false claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election. Republican-dominated states like Oklahoma have been particularly keen to adopt restrictive policies.

    According to the Center for Public Integrity, 26 states have made voting less accessible since 2020. These barriers include many tactics:

    Partisan redistricting also discourages members of minority parties from turning out on Election Day. By drawing district lines that clearly favour one party over another, such practices can make people feel it is pointless to vote.

    What our research found

    According to our calculations, out of the states that have made voting less accessible since 2020, most are located in the South (43%) or Midwest (31%). The data reveal the most significant losses in voting access have occurred in southern states with large populations of Black voters.

    And the most restrictive lawmaking has been spearheaded by Republican-dominated state legislatures, with 86% of such states passing inequitable voting barriers. In contrast, only 5% of Democratic-led states have made voting harder.

    In addition, according to our research, high barriers to voting are directly related to lower voter turnout rates.

    When all states are analysed, “high barrier” states had an average turnout rate of 45.8% compared to 49% for “low barrier” states in the 2022 election, a statistically significant difference. The average turnout rate across all US states in 2022 was 46.2%.

    In the South, most states (11 of 16) made voting more difficult after the 2020 election – and nearly all had voter turnout rates well below the national average in 2022. (Mississippi was the lowest at 32.5%.)

    High-barrier southern states with Republican-led legislatures had an average turnout rate of 40.6%, compared to 46.2% in high-barrier, Republican-led states in other regions.

    Three states in low-barrier states, meanwhile, had turnout rates above 60% – Oregon, Maine and Minnesota. All had Democratic-majority legislatures, or in the case of Minnesota, a divided legislature and Democratic governor.

    States should motivate voters, not demoralise them

    These policies to restrict voting accessibility, draped in the cloak of “election security”, will no doubt affect turnout in certain states in the upcoming November elections, as well.

    Research shows Americans choose to vote because they think it is their civic duty or they believe the outcome of an election matters for their community, nation or self.

    Yet, staying home on Election Day is also a rational behaviour since the chances of being the pivotal voter that decides an election is estimated at one in one million in a battleground state and much less in a noncompetitive state.

    With national voter turnout already low compared to other democracies, state legislatures should be doing what they can to motivate voters and make it easier for them to cast a ballot – not making it more difficult for them to do so.

    Kathryn Schumaker has received funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

    Allyson Shortle is affiliated with the Public Religion Research Institute.

    – ref. Most Republican states have made voting harder since 2020. Our research shows how successful they’ve been – https://theconversation.com/most-republican-states-have-made-voting-harder-since-2020-our-research-shows-how-successful-theyve-been-240667

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Astronomers just found complex carbon molecules in space – a step closer to deciphering the origins of life

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Maria Cunningham, Honorary Senior Lecturer, School of Physics, UNSW Sydney

    Part of the Taurus molecular cloud. ESA, CC BY-SA

    A team led by researchers at MIT in the United States has discovered large molecules containing carbon in a distant interstellar cloud of gas and dust.

    This is exciting for those of us who keep lists of known interstellar molecules in the hope that we might work out how life arose in the universe.

    But it’s more than just another molecule for the collection. The result, reported today in the journal Science, shows that complex organic molecules (with carbon and hydrogen) likely existed in the cold, dark gas cloud that gave rise to our Solar System.

    Furthermore, the molecules held together until after the formation of Earth. This is important for our understanding of the early origins of life on our planet.

    Difficult to destroy, hard to detect

    The molecule in question is called pyrene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon or PAH for short. The complicated-sounding name tells us these molecules are made of rings of carbon atoms.

    Carbon chemistry is the backbone of life on Earth. PAHs have long been known to be abundant in the interstellar medium, so they feature prominently in theories of how carbon-based life on Earth came to be.

    A pyrene molecule, consisting of carbon atoms (black) and hydrogen atoms (white).
    Jynto/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY

    We know there are many large PAHs in space because astrophysicists have detected signs of them in visible and infrared light. But we didn’t know which PAHs they might be in particular.

    Pyrene is now the largest PAH detected in space, although it’s what is known as a “small” or simple PAH, with 26 atoms. It was long thought such molecules could not survive the harsh environment of star formation when everything is bathed in radiation from the newborn suns, destroying complex molecules.

    In fact, it was once thought molecules of more than two atoms could not exist in space for this reason, until they were actually found.
    Also, chemical models show pyrene is very difficult to destroy once formed.

    Last year, scientists reported they found large amounts of pyrene in samples from the asteroid Ryugu in our own Solar System. They argued at least some of it must have come from the cold interstellar cloud that predated our Solar System.

    So why not look at another cold interstellar cloud to find some? The problem for astrophysicists is that we don’t have the tools to detect pyrene directly – it’s invisible to radio telescopes.

    Using a tracer

    The molecule the team has detected is called 1-cyanopyrene, what we call a “tracer” for pyrene. It is formed from pyrene interacting with cyanide, which is common in interstellar space.

    The researchers used the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia to look at the Taurus molecular cloud or TMC-1, in the Taurus constellation. Unlike pyrene itself, 1-cyanopyrene can be detected by radio telescopes. This is because 1-cyanopyrene molecules act as small radio-wave emitters – tiny versions of earthly radio stations.

    As scientists know the proportions of 1-cyanopyrene compared to pyrene, they can then estimate the amount of pyrene in the interstellar cloud.

    The amount of pyrene they found was significant. Importantly, this discovery in the Taurus molecular cloud suggests a lot of pyrene exists in the cold, dark molecular clouds that go on to form stars and solar systems.

    A wide-field view of part of the Taurus molecular cloud ~450 light-years from Earth. Its relative closeness makes it an ideal place to study the formation of stars. Many dark clouds of obscuring dust are clearly visible against the background stars.
    ESO/Digitized Sky Survey 2. Acknowledgement: Davide De Martin.

    The complex birth of life

    We are gradually building a picture of how life on Earth evolved. This picture tells us that life came from space – well, at least the complex organic, pre-biological molecules needed to form life did.

    That pyrene survives the harsh conditions associated with the birth of stars, as shown by the findings from Ryugu, is an important part of this story.

    Simple life – consisting of a single cell – appeared in Earth’s fossil record almost immediately (in geological and astronomical terms) after the planet’s surface had cooled enough to not vaporise complex molecules. This happened more than 3.7 billion years ago in Earth’s approximately 4.5 billion history.

    For simple organisms to then appear so quickly in the fossil record, there’s just not enough time for chemistry to start with mere simple molecules of two or three atoms.

    The new discovery of 1-cyanopyrene in the Taurus molecular cloud shows complex molecules could indeed survive the harsh conditions of our Solar System’s formation. As a result, pyrene was available to form the backbone of carbon-based life when it emerged on the early Earth some 3.7 billion years ago.

    This discovery also links to another important finding of the last decade – the first chiral molecule in the interstellar medium, propylene oxide. We need chiral molecules to make the evolution of simple lifeforms work on the surface of the early Earth.

    So far, our theories that molecules for early life on Earth came from space are looking good.

    Maria Cunningham has received funding from The Australian Research Council. In the past she has collaborated with Anthony Remijan, one of the co-authors on the Science paper discussed in this publication. Their last co-authored paper was in 2015.

    – ref. Astronomers just found complex carbon molecules in space – a step closer to deciphering the origins of life – https://theconversation.com/astronomers-just-found-complex-carbon-molecules-in-space-a-step-closer-to-deciphering-the-origins-of-life-241889

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Carter lands rail improvement grant for Brunswick Port

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

    Headline: Carter lands rail improvement grant for Brunswick Port

    SAVANNAH – Following Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter’s (R-GA) letter of support, the Federal Railroad Administration today awarded $26.5 million to the Georgia Ports Authority for construction of a new rail yard at the Port of Brunswick’s Colonel Island Auto Terminal. 


    As the fastest growing Ro/Ro port in the nation, this funding will allow the Port of Brunswick to handle the increased volume of U.S. automotive exports and imports moving through it, while fostering sustainable growth, safety, and environmental stewardship.


    “The entire nation will benefit from this investment in one of the most efficiently run and heavily utilized ports in the country,”     said Rep. Carter. “Georgia’s ports are the economic engine of the southeast. By increasing their capacity to handle the growth of our state’s automotive industry, we will strengthen our economy, create jobs, and export American-made vehicles worldwide.”


    This grant is funded through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program.

    Read Rep. Carter’s letter of support here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaptur Announces $18.57 Million in Awards From the Federal Rail Administration to Northern Ohio & Western Railway and Napoleon, Defiance & Western Railway

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

    Toledo, Ohio – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) announced a total of $18.57 Million in awards from the Federal Rail Administration secured alongside the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) for Northern Ohio & Western Railway and Napoleon, Defiance & Western Railway.

    The first award for critical safety upgrades for Napoleon, Defiance & Western Railway totals $12.17 Million and was secured alongside the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) through the Bipartisan Infrastructure law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The project involves final design and construction activities to replace deteriorating and broken rail and ties and expanded capacity along the eastern half of the Napoleon, Defiance & Western Railway. The project is the third and final phase of the full corridor rehabilitation of Napoleon, Defiance & Western track. The project aligns with the selection criteria by enhancing safety as the project will improve safety, resilience, and operational efficiency with added benefit to Paulding and Defiance Counties. The Ohio Rail Development Commission and Napoleon, Defiance & Western Railway will contribute 25 percent of the total project cost.

    The second award for major rail upgrades for Northern Ohio & Western Railway totals $6.4 Million and was secured alongside the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) also through the Bipartisan Infrastructure law. This involves construction to upgrade track infrastructure across the approximately 24-mile rail line owned by the Sandusky County, Seneca County, and the City of Tiffin Port Authority and is operated by the Northern Ohio & Western Railway. The project aligns with the selection criteria by enhancing safety and improving system and service performance as the project will return the line to FRA standards. The Ohio Rail Development Commission and the Sandusky County-Seneca County-City of Tiffin Port Authority will contribute 20 percent of the total project cost.

    “I am encouraged to see these new investments in rail coming to Northern Ohio, and I know that this will be transformative for the people of Defiance County, Sandusky County, and so many across our region. This funding continues the lasting impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as an engine of economic development for the state of Ohio,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “Rail safety was a major impetus for our desire to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and now we are seeing investment and opportunity coming back to our region in transformational ways. We are working together to make our communities safer, and bring back major investment that underscores rail as the spine of our Northern Ohio economy. I will never stop fighting to deliver for the people of Northern Ohio.”

    These investments follow a $10,792,157 award Congresswoman Kaptur announced on October 3, 2023 for major rail upgrades for Napoleon, Defiance, & Western Railway. On September 22, 2023 Congresswoman Kaptur hosted a roundtable discussion on the future of passenger rail in Northern Ohio and the Great Lakes Region with participants including international, national, regional, and local transit, labor, and civic leaders and included FRA Administrator Amit Bose, Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner, and Eddie Hall, President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Public invited to send ornaments for North Dakota State Christmas Tree

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    The Office of the First Lady invites artists and craftspeople to provide handmade ornaments for the North Dakota State Christmas Tree. The tree will be on display in Memorial Hall at the state Capitol starting with a tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 5. 

    Submitted ornaments can vary from traditional to contemporary arts. Items that are commercially produced or made from kits are not eligible. This year’s theme, “Branches of Hope,” is inspired by First Lady Kathryn Burgum’s initiative to end the stigma surrounding the disease of addiction. Just as a tree’s branches extend outward, the theme symbolizes how hope reaches everyone impacted by addiction. Ornaments may reflect personal recovery journeys, support systems or community resources, showcasing how hope branches out in many meaningful ways. Designers are also free to create ornaments in any shape or medium of their choosing.

    Each ornament should include the name of the person entering it, their email address and a brief one- or two-line description of the ornament, including the art form used and the special circumstances through which it was created, such as a class or senior center project.

     

    Ornaments must be received in the Office of Management and Budget office no later than Dec. 4. The ornaments become the property of the Office of the First Lady and may be hung on the state tree in ensuing years. Mail ornaments to State of North Dakota, Office of Management and Budget, Julie Strom, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Bismarck, N.D. 58505.

     

    Gov. Doug Burgum and the first lady encourage the public to join them for holiday readings, music and carols at the annual North Dakota State Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 5 in Memorial Hall at the Capitol.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: North Dakota Development Fund Awards $5 Million to Support Automation Projects in 13 Communities

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    The North Dakota Development Fund (NDDF) received $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding during the 67th Legislative Assembly Special Session to create Automate ND, a grant program addressing workforce shortages by enabling companies to invest in automation equipment. This initiative helps companies increase productivity, improve working conditions, and drive revenue growth, all while contributing to North Dakota’s economic expansion. 

    “The Automate ND program received overwhelming interest, with 42 projects across 21 communities requesting over $11.8 million. We were able to fund 18 projects, showing a clear demand from businesses looking to leverage automation as a solution to workforce constraints,” said Shayden Akason, Deputy Director of Economic Development and Finance at Commerce. “To keep up with growing demand, it’s vital that we recruit and retain a qualified workforce while also supporting automation investments. North Dakota has a history of innovation, and this program is another step in helping businesses stay at the forefront of innovation. 

     

    The awarded projects span various industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, and advanced technology, focusing on automating essential processes. Notable recipients include: 

     

    • Precision Equipment Manufacturing, LLC (Fargo) – $97,386.79 for robotic welding and tooling equipment. This trailer manufacturer has been fabricating components in North Dakota for 20 years (total project cost: $207,616.87).  
    • Agri-Cover, Inc. (Jamestown) – $282,924.00 for robot arms and autonomous carts. Agri-Cover manufactures roll-up/hard covers for pickups, truck toppers, and pickup racks (total project cost: $709,783.00). 
    • Amber Waves, Inc. (Richardton) – $142,382.16 to automate a wash bay. Amber Waves specializes in hopper bottom grain bins (total project cost: $348,814.32). 
    • Marv Haugen Enterprises, Inc. (Casselton) – $267,862.50 for a robotic welding cell. This company manufactures over 100 types of telehandler, Skid-Steer, and wheel loader attachments (total project cost: $553,095.00). 
    • Northland Truss Systems, Inc. (Abercrombie) – $483,431.73 for an autonomous linear saw, jigging, and laser system. Northland Truss manufactures wood truss systems (total project cost: $1,016,606.46). 
    • ComDel Innovation, LLC (Wahpeton) – $500,000.00 for an autonomous mobile robot, automated cleaning equipment, and vision-guided robotics. ComDel is a contract manufacturer specializing in injection molding, metal stamping, and production machining (total project cost: $1,064,894.95). 
    • The Dairy Dozen (Milner) – $500,000.00 for a milking robot, automated manure collector, and automated feed pusher. This dairy operation is undergoing facility and process improvements (total project cost: $1,119,166.24). 
    • Killdeer Mountain Manufacturing, Inc. (KMM) (Killdeer/Dickinson) – $159,089.50 for automated parts storage and retrieval units. KMM is a third-generation, family-owned business specializing in aerospace and military-grade cable assemblies (total project cost: $318,179.00). 
    • YMI Industries, Inc. (Grand Forks) – $71,519.00 for an automatic bender and bar feeder. YMI provides precision machining services to OEM manufacturers and innovators (total project cost: $155,538.00). 
    • DR Millwork Company (dakBUILT) (Kindred) – $130,655.00 for a high-speed edge bander. This company provides custom woodwork and cabinetry (total project cost: $272,510.00). 
    • FlexTM, Inc. (Wahpeton) – $129,665.24 for a robotic welder. FlexTM supplies OEMs with complex weld assemblies and CNC machining (total project cost: $314,393.12). 
    • Integrity Steel Supply, LLC (Mapleton) – $500,000.00 for a robotic welder. Integrity Steel produces structural steel, joist, and deck systems (total project cost: $1,622,450.00). 
    • Malach USA, LLP (Valley City) – $500,000.00 for a robotic brake press. Malach is a metal and machining shop (total project cost: $1,205,500.00). 
    • Mid-Mac Marketing, Inc. (MidMach) (Jamestown) – $500,000.00 for three robotic welding cells. MidMach focuses on metal fabrication for the energy and agriculture sectors (total project cost: $1,227,600.00). 
    • Champ Industries USA, Inc. (Fargo) – $240,514.00 for an automated tool-loading brake press. Champ partners with OEMs and Tier One Suppliers in metal fabrication and assembly (total project cost: $489,288.00). 
    • Blue Flint Ethanol LLC (Underwood) – $28,500.00 to automate milling, liquefaction, and fermentation stages of ethanol production (total project cost: $175,609.00). 
    • PS Industries Incorporated (PSI) (Grand Forks) – $190,441.06 for an automated robotic press and CNC tube bender. PSI manufactures safety and fall-protection products for multiple industries, including the military and energy sectors (total project cost: $757,381.00). 
    • Wood Products, Inc. (dba American Woods) (Grand Forks) – $186,926.33 for automated material handling carts. American Woods manufactures residential furniture (total project cost: $347,036.00). 

     

    Applicants were required to conduct a feasibility study, assessing Smart Manufacturing readiness, with guidance from Impact Dakota. Jodie Mjoen, CEO of Impact Dakota, commended state leadership for their proactive approach to tackling workforce challenges, emphasizing the shift from offshoring to smarter advanced manufacturing solutions that create fulfilling job opportunities. 

     

    “Hats off to our state leadership, legislators, governor Burgum and Commerce team for leading the nation in addressing critical workforce challenges. Their efforts have been a driving force, sparking significant joint private industry & public policy investments in advanced manufacturing right here in North Dakota,” said Jodie Mjoen, CEO of Impact Dakota. He added, “For the past 30 years, the focus was on making products cheaper by offshoring. But in the next 30 years, it will be about making products smarter through advanced manufacturing. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the relief and excitement on the faces of our hardworking friends and neighbors in manufacturing, who now have vital solutions for filling and retaining challenging jobs. Workers previously tasked with dangerous, dull, and dirty jobs are being reallocated to higher paying, more fulfilling roles in programming and operating advanced manufacturing equipment in thriving factories across North Dakota. Now that’s what I call a win-win!” 

     

    Commerce, alongside Impact Dakota, remains dedicated to fostering automation and innovation in North Dakota businesses, continuing to support applicants in their pursuit of growth and success. 

     

    For further information about the Automate ND Grant Program, please visit the following link: ndgov /AutomateND. 

    MIL OSI USA News –