Public Policy & NGOs
Here's a look at documents from public policy and non-governmental organizations
Featured Stories
Trust for Public Land Project Garfield Heights Grows Awarded USDA Farm to School Grant
SAN FRANCISCO, California, April 23 -- The Trust for Public Land issued the following news release on April 21, 2026:
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Trust for Public Land Project Garfield Heights Grows Awarded USDA Farm to School Grant
Cleveland, OH - Trust for Public Land (TPL) today announced that its Ohio-based project, Garfield Heights Grows, has been selected as one of 52 projects nationwide to receive funding through the USDA Food and Nutrition Service's Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program.
The highly competitive Fiscal Year 2026 grant program supports initiatives that connect students to local food systems
... Show Full Article
SAN FRANCISCO, California, April 23 -- The Trust for Public Land issued the following news release on April 21, 2026:
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Trust for Public Land Project Garfield Heights Grows Awarded USDA Farm to School Grant
Cleveland, OH - Trust for Public Land (TPL) today announced that its Ohio-based project, Garfield Heights Grows, has been selected as one of 52 projects nationwide to receive funding through the USDA Food and Nutrition Service's Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program.
The highly competitive Fiscal Year 2026 grant program supports initiatives that connect students to local food systemsthrough school gardens, nutrition education, and partnerships with local farmers. The program is designed to improve access to healthy foods in schools while strengthening regional agricultural economies.
Through Garfield Heights Grows, TPL will work with Garfield Heights City Schools, Rid-All Green Partnership, and The Ohio State University Extension to expand hands-on learning opportunities, increase access to fresh, locally sourced foods, and build long-term connections between students and the food they eat. The project will help cultivate outdoor learning environments that support student health, environmental stewardship, and community resilience.
"Being selected for this USDA Farm to School grant underscores the power of connecting students to nature, healthy food, and hands-on learning," said Sean Terry, Ohio Program Director at Trust for Public Land. "Garfield Heights Grows will transform schoolyards into vibrant spaces where students can learn, grow, and thrive while building lifelong healthy habits."
"This investment is a win for Garfield Heights students, families, and the future of urban agriculture in our community. This grant will help create hands-on learning opportunities in our schools, expand access to fresh and healthy food, and open pathways for young people to pursue careers in sustainability and food systems. As a champion of the Farm to School program in Congress, I'm proud to see these federal resources supporting school gardens and nutrition education right here in our district," said Congresswoman Shontel Brown.
"It's great to see Garfield Heights Grows selected for the USDA Farm to School Grant. This project will connect students with healthy foods, local farmers, and hands-on lessons about nutrition. Agriculture remains one of Ohio's top industries, and it's important that students have opportunities to learn more about this critical sector while building healthy habits that will benefit them for years to come," said Senator Jon Husted.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture invests in Farm to School projects nationwide to increase the availability of local foods in school meals and provide agricultural education opportunities for students. Grants in 2026 range from $100,000 to $500,000 and support programs that integrate local food sourcing, school gardens, and experiential learning into child nutrition programs.
TPL's work in Ohio is part of its broader mission to create parks and protect land for people, ensuring that every child has access to nature and outdoor learning spaces close to home.
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About Trust for Public Land
Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,500 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, and raised $112 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 10 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org.
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Original text here: https://www.tpl.org/media-room/trust-for-public-land-project-garfield-heights-grows-awarded-usda-farm-to-school-grant
[Category: Environment]
Trust for Public Land Launches 2026 'On the Ground' Event Series With Program Honoring New Philadelphia's Freedom Legacy
SAN FRANCISCO, California, April 23 -- The Trust for Public Land issued the following news release on April 21, 2026:
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Trust for Public Land Launches 2026 "On the Ground" Event Series with Program Honoring New Philadelphia's Freedom Legacy
CHICAGO -- Trust for Public Land (TPL), in partnership with the New Philadelphia Association, kicked off its 2026 On the Ground event series with a powerful program titled Land Holds the Truth: Free Frank McWorter and the Freedom Story of New Philadelphia, Illinois.
This special event spotlighted the extraordinary legacy of New Philadelphia, Illinois,
... Show Full Article
SAN FRANCISCO, California, April 23 -- The Trust for Public Land issued the following news release on April 21, 2026:
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Trust for Public Land Launches 2026 "On the Ground" Event Series with Program Honoring New Philadelphia's Freedom Legacy
CHICAGO -- Trust for Public Land (TPL), in partnership with the New Philadelphia Association, kicked off its 2026 On the Ground event series with a powerful program titled Land Holds the Truth: Free Frank McWorter and the Freedom Story of New Philadelphia, Illinois.
This special event spotlighted the extraordinary legacy of New Philadelphia, Illinois,and the enduring importance of preserving places that tell the story of Black resilience, leadership, and freedom.
Dr. Abdul Alkalimat, also known as Gerald McWorter and the great-great-grandson of Free Frank McWorter, shared the remarkable history of New Philadelphia. Founded in 1836, New Philadelphia is the first known town in the United States planned and legally registered by an African American. Its founder, Frank McWorter, was born into slavery and through his initiative and determination, purchased the freedom of 16 family members, including himself. The town he established in Western Illinois grew into an intigrated community and became a stop on the Underground Railroad.
Today, the site is recognized as a National Historic Site and a unit of the National Park Service, preserving this powerful story of freedom, resilience, self-determination, and community-building.
Dr. Alkalimat was joined in conversation by Dr. Jocelyn Imani, Trust for Public Land's Director of Black History and Culture, and local historian Sherman "Dilla" Thomas. The discussion was moderated by Anton Seals Jr., a member of Trust for Public Land's National Board of Directors. The panel explored the broader importance of protecting landscapes that embody Black history.
The event is part of TPL's Illinois Black History and Culture Program, which is dedicated to creating and protecting public lands that honor and strengthen Black history and culture across the state. Through this work, TPL preserves and activates outdoor places that reflect the legacy, resilience, and achievements of Black communities, ensuring these stories remain visible in the landscapes where people gather, learn, and connect.
"Our public lands, parks, trails, and schoolyards should reflect the full breadth of our nation's stories and the people who shaped them," said Caroline O'Boyle, associate vice president and Illinois State Director for Trust for Public Land. "These places are living reminders of where history unfolded, and by expanding access to and protecting culturally significant sites, we help ensure that history of all Americans is preserved, celebrated, and shared for generations to come."
"New Philadelphia represents the often untold story of the agency of African Americans in this freedom struggle," Alkalimat said. "And so not only buying family members, not only setting up the town, not only begin an agency of the Underground Railroad and sending grandsons to fight in the Civil War but living free and owning land and having guns and that people came to buy lots knowing this is what was going on."
Only 3 percent of sites on the National Register of Historic Places reflect the experiences of Black Americans, and TPL's work prioritizes the protection and creation of outdoor spaces that commemorate Black history and culture. Projects such as the Great Migration Greenway in Chicago, WACA Bell Park, and the Hazel Johnson Memorial Greenway uplift stories of community leadership and environmental justice while providing welcoming green spaces for recreation, gathering, and reflection.
The On the Ground series offers attendees a unique opportunity to engage directly with this history, hear from leading voices, and learn how public land can serve as a platform for storytelling, healing, and connection. The next On the Ground series event is anticipated to occur this fall with a dialogue surrounding public land and the housing crisis.
To learn more about Trust for Public Land's Illinois Black History and Culture Program, visit: https://www.tpl.org/our-work/illinois-black-history-and-culture-program
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About Trust for Public Land
Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,500 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, raised $112 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 10 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit www.tpl.org
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About New Philadelphia
The New Philadelphia Association, a not-for-profit organization formed by area residents, seeks to appropriately preserve a substantial portion of the town site in honor of a remarkable man and family of the antebellum Western Illinois frontier and continue to learn and spread the word about this unique place and its context. Every year New Philadelphia hosts the Likes Lectures and all year long they maintain the site, do history work, and talk with visitors and others. For information about becoming a member or to give, visit http://newphiladelphiail.org/.
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Original text here: https://www.tpl.org/media-room/trust-for-public-land-launches-2026-on-the-ground-event-series-with-program-honoring-new-philadelphias-freedom-legacy
[Category: Environment]
Seeing is Believing: New Probes Reveal Proteins Inside Living Cells With Unprecedented Clarity
BRONX, New York, April 23 -- The Albert Einstein College of Medicine issued the following news release:
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Seeing is Believing: New Probes Reveal Proteins Inside Living Cells with Unprecedented Clarity
Multicolor Imaging Technology Lets Researchers Track Proteins and Cellular Activity with Exceptional Precision and Minimal Background
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Fluorescent probes have transformed modern biology by allowing researchers to tag and visualize individual molecules in living cells, tissues, and animals. Using these tools, researchers can watch viruses infect cells in real time, observe cellular trash
... Show Full Article
BRONX, New York, April 23 -- The Albert Einstein College of Medicine issued the following news release:
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Seeing is Believing: New Probes Reveal Proteins Inside Living Cells with Unprecedented Clarity
Multicolor Imaging Technology Lets Researchers Track Proteins and Cellular Activity with Exceptional Precision and Minimal Background
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Fluorescent probes have transformed modern biology by allowing researchers to tag and visualize individual molecules in living cells, tissues, and animals. Using these tools, researchers can watch viruses infect cells in real time, observe cellular trashcollection, and track the signaling that spurs tumor growth.
Now, scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have developed a new molecular imaging technology that illuminates proteins inside living cells and animals far more clearly than before. Described in today's issue of Nature Methods, the system uses engineered fluorescent nanobodies--tiny antibody-like protein fragments--that light up only when they bind to their specific targets.
"The key advantage of our approach is that the signal appears only where the target protein is present," said Vladislav Verkhusha, Ph.D., a co-corresponding author on the study and professor of genetics and co-director of the Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center at Einstein. "That eliminates the background glow that has long limited the precision of intracellular imaging." The study's other co-corresponding author is Axel Nimmerjahn, Ph.D., professor at Salk.
Solving a Key Imaging Problem
Over the past decade, fluorescent nanobodies have emerged as powerful tools because they bind to specific proteins in living cells. However, conventional versions glow whether or not they are attached to their targets, producing diffuse background signals that obscure fine details.
To overcome this limitation, the researchers engineered a new class of probes called VIS-Fbs (visible-spectrum target-stabilizable fluorescent nanobodies). These probes rapidly degrade if they do not bind to their intended target; only when bound do they become stable and brightly fluorescent. This "on-demand" fluorescence reduces background noise by as much as 100-fold, enabling much sharper visualization of protein location and dynamics.
The researchers created versions of their VIS-Fb probes that fluoresce across nearly the entire visible spectrum, from blue to far red, making it possible to track multiple proteins or cellular processes within the same living cell at once.
A Versatile Platform
Rather than create a single probe, Dr. Verkhusha and colleagues developed a modular engineering platform for building VIS-Fb probes that can be adapted to many targets and experimental needs. By integrating more than 20 different fluorescent proteins and biosensors into multiple nanobody scaffolds, they created a flexible toolkit with multiple capabilities.
With this approach, multiple proteins can be tracked simultaneously in different cellular compartments using VIS-Fb probes that emit distinct colors, enabling true multicolor imaging within the same cell. Certain VIS-Fb variants can also be activated, or switched on and off, with light, making it possible to follow protein behavior over time with high spatial and temporal precision. Incorporating biosensors for ions and metabolites further allows the probes to report not only where proteins are located but also what they are doing in real time, providing direct insight into cellular activity. In addition, combining stable reference signals with activity-sensitive fluorescence enables ratiometric measurements that improve the accuracy of quantifying cellular processes, even in complex environments such as living brain tissue.
"The VIS-Fb approach allows us to identify and track specific cell populations in living organisms based on the proteins they express, rather than just their location," said Natalia Barykina, Ph.D., the first author of the study and a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Verkhusha's lab.
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"Our results show that this imaging platform offers a much clearer and more precise view of how proteins behave inside living systems."
- Vladislav Verkhusha, Ph.D.
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The researchers demonstrated the system in a range of living models. In mice, VIS-Fb probes enabled precise imaging of central nervous system activity in neurons and astrocytes, with strong signal quality during behavior. In zebrafish embryos, the technology allowed real-time tracking of dynamic changes during early development and in response to drugs that alter signaling pathways.
"Our results show that this imaging platform offers a much clearer and more precise view of how proteins behave inside living systems," Dr. Verkhusha said. "It opens the door to studying complex biological processes, such as cell signaling, development, and disease progression, in new ways."
Additional Einstein authors include Juliana Mendoca-Gomes, Ph.D. and Sofia de Oliveira, Ph.D. Additional authors are Erin Carey, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, and Olena Oliinyk, Ph.D., University of Helsinki, Finland.
The title of the paper is "Synthetic multicolor antigen-stabilizable nanobody platform for intersectional labelling and functional imaging." Funding sources include the National Institutes of Health: GM122567 (V.V.), NS123719 (A.N.), and GM118027 (S.dO); the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation (220011); the Research Council of Finland (360277); the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Foundation (MET-000000045); the NOMIS Foundation Neuroimmunology Initiative; and the Edwards-Yeckel Research Foundation.
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Original text here: https://montefioreeinstein.org/news/2026/04/22/seeing-believing-new-probes-reveal-proteins-inside-living-cells-unprecedented-clarity
[Category: Health Care]
NRWA Rural Water Policy Forum Brings Rural Water Perspective to Water Week
DUNCAN, Oklahoma, April 23 -- The National Rural Water Association issued the following news release:
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NRWA Rural Water Policy Forum Brings Rural Water Perspective to Water Week
Water and wastewater professionals, policy advocates, and federal agency leaders convened to discuss critical issues facing small and rural water systems
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The National Rural Water Association (NRWA) hosted the Rural Water Policy Forum on April 16 during the 2026 Water Week in Washington, D.C. During the forum, four panels comprising industry professionals and leaders discussed voluntary regionalization for rural
... Show Full Article
DUNCAN, Oklahoma, April 23 -- The National Rural Water Association issued the following news release:
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NRWA Rural Water Policy Forum Brings Rural Water Perspective to Water Week
Water and wastewater professionals, policy advocates, and federal agency leaders convened to discuss critical issues facing small and rural water systems
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The National Rural Water Association (NRWA) hosted the Rural Water Policy Forum on April 16 during the 2026 Water Week in Washington, D.C. During the forum, four panels comprising industry professionals and leaders discussed voluntary regionalization for ruralwater systems, the viability and sustainability of small and rural water systems, and how federal policy can support these efforts.
"Water and wastewater systems are the backbone of rural communities, protecting public health and supporting economic growth. As the voice for rural water and wastewater systems across the country, NRWA was proud to host the Rural Water Policy Forum to bring the rural perspective and challenges to the national stage during Water Week," said NRWA Chief Executive Officer Matt Holmes. "We look forward to continuing these discussions to implement federal policy to help rural America thrive."
Those in attendance at the policy forum included water and wastewater professionals, policy advocates, and federal agency leaders from across the country.
The forum began a focus on regionalization with a discussion between NRWA and Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) CEO's Matt Holmes and Olga Morales Pate regarding the "Regional Partnership Program: A Community-Led Approach" white paper, an analysis examining how voluntary, community-led regional partnerships can help strengthen water and wastewater systems serving small and rural communities.
As detailed in the white paper and through discussions at the forum, rural utilities across the country face increasing pressure from aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, regulatory requirements, and rising operational costs. Federal policy must support voluntary, community-driven regionalization by ensuring communities have access to planning resources, technical assistance, and investment strategies that allow them to evaluate partnership opportunities while protecting local autonomy.
During the "Regionalization Done Right" panel, panelists shared their direct experiences with voluntary regionalization in small and rural communities and how trusted, third-party technical assistance providers are crucial to the regionalization process. Panelists included:
* Lee Koehn, Manager, Black Bayou Water Association - Mississippi
* Kirby Mayfield, CEO, Mississippi Rural Water Association
* Martin Lopez, General Manager, Lower Rio Grande Public Water Works Authority - New Mexico
The afternoon consisted of the "Small Systems are Successful, and We Can Prove It" and "Small and Rural Water System Viability: It's not a Myth" discussions. During both panels, participants shared their experience with systems of all sizes, both public and investor-owned, and dispelled the myth that small systems are not sustainable. Discussion also occurred on how they have successfully operated systems for decades, remained sustainable, and prepared for the future.
Panelists for the "Small Systems are Successful, and We Can Prove It" included:
* Mayor Bruce Alexander, Castroville, Texas
* Lara Zent, Executive Director, Texas Rural Water Association
* Jill Miller, Executive Director, South Carolina Rural Water Association
* Mitch Ellenburg, General Manager, Belton-Honea Path Water Authority - South Carolina
Panelists for the "Small and Rural Water System Viability: It's not a Myth" included:
* Kristina Gillespie-Jaques, Infrastructure Funding Advisor, Great West Engineering - Idaho
* Shellie Chard, President, Collaborative Environmental Solutions, LLC - Oklahoma
In addition to hosting the Rural Water Policy Forum, NRWA participated in other Water Week events, including the Environmental Protection Agency's Workforce Roundtable.
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About the National Rural Water Association
The National Rural Water Association (NRWA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to training, supporting, and promoting the water and wastewater professionals that serve small and rural communities across the country. NRWA provides nationwide training and technical assistance through its affiliated State Rural Water Associations that currently have over 31,000 utility system members across all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Rural Water training and technical assistance covers every aspect of operating, managing, and financing water and wastewater utilities.
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Original text here: https://content.nrwa.org/home/news/15822960/nrwa-rural-water-policy-forum-brings-rural-water-perspective-to-water-week
[Category: Water]
Human Rights First Democracy Watch Report Identifies Over 1,600 Threats to Civil Rights Nationwide
WASHINGTON, April 23 (TNSbrep) -- Human Rights First issued the following news on April 22, 2026:
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Human Rights First Democracy Watch Report Identifies Over 1,600 Threats to Civil Rights Nationwide
Today, Human Rights First released our annual Democracy Watch Report. The report's findings are drawn from our legislative tracker, which gathered 1600+ pieces of rights restricting legislation at the state and federal levels, exposing key authoritarian strategies within our legislative processes.
"We are witnessing a broad-scale and calculated assault on civil rights, one that has significantly
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 23 (TNSbrep) -- Human Rights First issued the following news on April 22, 2026:
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Human Rights First Democracy Watch Report Identifies Over 1,600 Threats to Civil Rights Nationwide
Today, Human Rights First released our annual Democracy Watch Report. The report's findings are drawn from our legislative tracker, which gathered 1600+ pieces of rights restricting legislation at the state and federal levels, exposing key authoritarian strategies within our legislative processes.
"We are witnessing a broad-scale and calculated assault on civil rights, one that has significantlyescalated since the beginning of the second Trump administration." said Hanah Stiverson, Director of Democracy in Action at Human Rights First. "Across the country, states have replicated this administration's efforts to quell student protest movements and stymie free speech by introducing and passing state legislation that replicates federal efforts. Attacks on immigrant communities, LGBTQ+ youth, and other vulnerable groups have likewise increased. This erosion of democratic norms is reshaping our nation in alarming ways that will reverberate for years to come."
Read the full report (https://humanrightsfirst.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/HRF_Democracy_Watch_2025.pdf) and explore the legislative tracker to understand how these trends are unfolding nationwide and what actions policymakers and advocates must take to protect fundamental rights.
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Original text here: https://humanrightsfirst.org/library/human-rights-first-democracy-watch-report-identifies-over-1600-threats-to-civil-rights-nationwide/
[Category: Sociological]
Flipping the Switch on Opportunity: The Church Helps Bring Solar Power to Navajo Nation Families
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, April 23 -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints issued the following news release:
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Flipping the Switch on Opportunity: The Church Helps Bring Solar Power to Navajo Nation Families
In recent years, the Church has supported expanded access to electricity and water in remote Navajo Nation communities
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As the sun set each evening in the Navajo Nation, Colynn Begay used a small battery-powered light to help her five sons finish homework, prepare snacks and get ready for bed. On its brightest setting, the light often lasted only 20 minutes.
"Life is so challenging
... Show Full Article
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, April 23 -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints issued the following news release:
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Flipping the Switch on Opportunity: The Church Helps Bring Solar Power to Navajo Nation Families
In recent years, the Church has supported expanded access to electricity and water in remote Navajo Nation communities
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As the sun set each evening in the Navajo Nation, Colynn Begay used a small battery-powered light to help her five sons finish homework, prepare snacks and get ready for bed. On its brightest setting, the light often lasted only 20 minutes.
"Life is so challengingbecause I have no electricity," said Begay, a single mother. "When this light goes out for me, I have no way to see to get my kids ready or prepare their school clothes the night before. Even walking into the kitchen, I cannot see in there, so I would just have to use my phone [light]. And my kids can't do their homework because we have no light at night. So I usually try to do their homework with them the moment they get back from school."
Begay's family lives about 30 minutes outside Chinle, Arizona. Across the Navajo Nation, approximately 14,000 homes lack access to electricity. Like many families, daily life revolved around daylight, including driving to relatives' homes to charge devices, and traveling an hour round trip each night just to eat out because they had neither a refrigerator nor a stove.
That changed in early March 2026 when her home received a solar power system through a collaboration between Heart of America, a national education nonprofit, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In recent years, the Church has supported efforts to expand access to electricity and water in remote Navajo Nation communities, working alongside tribal, state and nonprofit collaborators.
Meeting a Foundational Need
Heart of America works with local school districts to identify households with K-12 students that lack electricity. The organization has installed solar systems in hundreds of homes across the Navajo Nation, focusing on educational stability and student well-being.
"The opportunity for us to provide students and their families with electricity and power at home really is a game changer," said Heart of America President and CEO Jill Heath. "We focus on making sure the student has what he or she needs to succeed -- the ability to do homework after the sun sets, the ability to read, to connect with family. However, that's just the beginning."
After learning of the need and visiting the area, the Church joined with Heart of America to fund solar installations for another 100 student-family homes. In total, Heart of America has now helped more than 450 such homes across the Navajo Nation. The Church's support also helps provide portable lighting as well as age appropriate educational and enrichment materials for families.
"We were thrilled, we were overjoyed, and started planning immediately," Heath said. "When this grant came along, and the Church so generously said, 'We want to help provide more students with electricity and power,' we knew that this was going to be a great collaboration."
Power That Changes Daily Life
Each solar kit includes rooftop panels, batteries, lighting, a charge controller, an inverter and a refrigeration unit. Together, the systems provide reliable power for lighting, food storage and essential devices, replacing temporary solutions such as fuel-powered generators and battery lights.
"We hear stories of students doing better in school because they can do their homework after dark," said Lian Mah, who has worked on installation teams for several years. "We hear of stories of students who can keep their medicine in the refrigerator now. They don't have to store it at a neighbor's house. To keep their food cold, [some families] would literally freeze a gallon of water at a neighbor's house, bring it over every day, put it in their cooler to try and keep their food cold. And now they have fresh food in their house 24-7 because of this, which is just amazing."
Eugene Gorman, a father of three in the Red Valley community, said his family relied on generators for years, often spending significant amounts on fuel. He said the solar system will help reduce those costs and ease financial strain.
"This solar will help us a lot," Gorman said. "We'll be able to spend money in different places for our kids now instead of just worrying about electricity all the time. We'll have comfort now. I really appreciate you coming out and doing this for us."
Installation teams can typically complete a solar setup in about an hour, providing long-term access to electricity and opportunity.
"This is a force multiplier," Heath said. "It's elevating opportunities with education, with basic body and mind health, and really enabling multiple generations to thrive."
Flipping the Switch on Opportunity
For Begay, the impact was immediate.
"My kids get to do their homework [at night]," she said. "We have lights. We get to charge our laptops. We get to charge our phones and tablets. I get to wake up in the morning, turning on the light instead of using my phone. I'm very happy. I'm filled with joy and love. I'm very thankful for all of you."
Heath said schools have seen improvements in attendance, engagement and academic focus among students whose homes receive electricity.
"The home is where you should feel the most stable, the home is where you should feel the most safe," Heath said. "You [should] have all the basic needs covered, so that when you do go to school you can focus on learning."
Once installed, the solar project's meaning becomes clear, Heath added.
"Once the solar kit is in place, you flip the switch on -- but it's flipping the switch on not just to light but to opportunity," she said.
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Original text here: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/flipping-the-switch-on-opportunity--the-church-helps-bring-solar-power-to-navajo-nation-families
[Category: Religion]
California Bill Requiring Protein Powder Makers to Test Products For Heavy Metals and Disclose Results OKed by Senate Environmental Quality Committee
YONKERS, New York, April 23 -- Consumer Reports posted the following news release on April 22, 2026:
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California Bill Requiring Protein Powder Makers to Test Products For Heavy Metals and Disclose Results OKed by Senate Environmental Quality Committee
Consumer Reports Survey Finds Strong Public Support For Mandating Testing and Reporting of Toxic Elements in Protein Powders and Shakes
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SACRAMENTO, CA - The California Senate Environment Quality Committee approved a bill today introduced by Senator Steve Padilla that requires protein powder manufacturers to test their products for heavy
... Show Full Article
YONKERS, New York, April 23 -- Consumer Reports posted the following news release on April 22, 2026:
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California Bill Requiring Protein Powder Makers to Test Products For Heavy Metals and Disclose Results OKed by Senate Environmental Quality Committee
Consumer Reports Survey Finds Strong Public Support For Mandating Testing and Reporting of Toxic Elements in Protein Powders and Shakes
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SACRAMENTO, CA - The California Senate Environment Quality Committee approved a bill today introduced by Senator Steve Padilla that requires protein powder manufacturers to test their products for heavymetals and publicly disclose the results. SB 1033, which is cosponsored by Consumer Reports (CR) and Environmental Working Group (EWG), aims to encourage protein powder manufacturers to reduce the levels of lead and other heavy metals in their products and help consumers avoid those with high levels of contaminants.
"The rapidly expanding protein industry is putting untested and, in some cases, unsafe products onto store shelves," said Senator Padilla. "We need to put common sense guardrails in place to hold manufacturers accountable, require proper testing, and ensure families can trust that the products they buy won't put their health at risk."
Recent tests by Consumer Reports of 23 protein powders and shakes found that more than two-thirds of the products it analyzed contained more lead in a single serving than what its experts say is safe to consumer in a day - some by more than ten times.
"Our tests have found that toxic heavy metal contamination in protein supplements is widespread and has gotten worse since we first analyzed these products 15 years ago," said Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports. "No one should have to worry that their protein shake could expose them to dangerous levels of lead and other heavy metal contaminants. "This bill will help Californians make healthier buying decisions and create a strong incentive for protein powder manufacturers to get lead and other dangerous heavy metals out of their products."
A nationally representative survey conducted by CR in March 2026 of 2,212 U.S. adults found that 77 percent were concerned about toxic elements, such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium in protein powders and shakes. Eighty-six percent of those surveyed said that manufacturers of protein powders and shakes should be required to regularly test their products for the presence of toxic elements and make the results public.
Unlike prescription and over-the-counter drugs, the FDA doesn't review, approve, or test supplements like protein powders before they are sold. Federal Regulations also don't generally require supplement makers to prove their products are safe, and there are no federal limits for the amount of heavy metals they can contain.
CR tested a range of best-selling dairy, beef, and plant-based protein supplements, including protein powders, and ready to drink protein shakes. About 70 percent of the products tested contained over 120 percent of CR's level of concern, which is 0.5 micrograms per day.
No amount of lead exposure is considered safe, but the greatest danger comes from repeated or continuous exposure, particularly at high doses. Chronic lead exposure d high blood pressure in adults. has been linked to immune suppression, reproductive problems, kidney damage, and high blood pressure in adults. Since lead lingers in the body, even small amounts can add up over time and contribute to health risks.
Two other products tested by CR exceeded its level of concern for cadmium, classified as a probable human carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency. CR also detected 8.5 micrograms of inorganic arsenic, a known human carcinogen according to the EPA in one of the products tested, which is twice the limit its scientists say is safe to consume daily.
In February, CR published the results of a new round of testing on five of the most popular chocolate protein powders requested by its members. All five came back safe for daily or near-daily consumption, with lower average levels of lead and arsenic than what CR found in its previous protein powder tests, demonstrating that safer manufacturing is possible.
For a more detailed description of CR's tests, including the specific protein powder brands that had high levels of lead and other heavy metals, see Protein Powders and Shakes Contain High Levels of Lead.
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Original text here: https://advocacy.consumerreports.org/press_release/california-bill-requiring-protein-powder-makers-to-test-products-for-heavy-metals-and-disclose-results-oked-by-senate-environmental-quality-committee/
[Category: Business]
