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W.Va. State Treasurer Pack Releases 2025-2026 Hope Scholarship Annual Report
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, Oct. 27 (TNSrpt) -- West Virginia State Treasurer Larry Pack issued the following news release:
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Treasurer Pack Releases 2025-2026 Hope Scholarship Annual Report
10/26/2026
Report Highlights Record Growth, Strong Parent Satisfaction and Continued Expansion
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State Treasurer Larry Pack, who serves as Chairman of the Hope Scholarship Board, today released the 2025-2026 Hope Scholarship Annual Report, highlighting significant success for students making satisfactory academic progress, overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents and continued growth in expanding
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CHARLESTON, West Virginia, Oct. 27 (TNSrpt) -- West Virginia State Treasurer Larry Pack issued the following news release:
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Treasurer Pack Releases 2025-2026 Hope Scholarship Annual Report
10/26/2026
Report Highlights Record Growth, Strong Parent Satisfaction and Continued Expansion
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State Treasurer Larry Pack, who serves as Chairman of the Hope Scholarship Board, today released the 2025-2026 Hope Scholarship Annual Report, highlighting significant success for students making satisfactory academic progress, overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents and continued growth in expandingeducational opportunities for West Virginia students.
This makes the fourth consecutive year the Hope Scholarship Program has released an annual report since its inaugural 2022-2023 school year. The latest report also includes results from the 2025-2026 Hope Scholarship Parent Satisfaction Survey, which was previously released on September 14, 2026.
"The Hope Scholarship has come a long way since its launch in 2022, growing from just over 2,300 students to more than 14,400 during the past school year," Treasurer Pack said. "What started as new opportunities for students has evolved into the gold standard for education choice programs around the country. We are proud of our ability to serve students throughout all 55 counties while providing more education resources and greater flexibility than ever before. We encourage parents to explore how the Hope Scholarship can meet their child's unique educational needs."
The report shows that 14,486 students were awarded the Hope Scholarship during the 2025-2026 school year, a nearly 38 percent increase from the previous year and more than six times the number awarded during the program's inaugural year in 2022-2023.
One of the report's most notable findings came from the annual Hope Scholarship Parent Satisfaction Survey, which found that 96% of responding families were satisfied with the program. The report also highlights the historic eligibility expansion for the 2026-2027 school year. All West Virginia children in grades K-12, including existing private school and traditional homeschool students who were previously ineligible, can now apply to the program. So far, there have been more than 26,000 approved applications for the 2026-2027 school year.
Highlights from the 2025-2026 Hope Scholarship Annual Report include:
* Parent Satisfaction: Of the 893 families who completed the survey, 96% reported overall satisfaction with the program.
* Reasons for Participation: The leading reasons parents selected the Hope Scholarship were access to religious-based education (34%), concerns about public school curriculum (14%) and greater educational flexibility (10%).
* Statewide Participation: Hope Scholarship recipients represented all 55 West Virginia counties. Kanawha County had the most recipients with 1,668, followed by Berkeley County with 1,424.
* Educational Pathways: Approximately 62% of recipients attended nonpublic schools, while nearly 38% pursued an Individualized Instructional Plan (IIP), allowing families to customize their child's education through home-based learning or other approved educational options.
* Student Demographics: The program served students across all grade levels, with kindergarten representing the largest group at 2,130 recipients. Additionally, 1,217 recipients, or 8.4%, were identified as students with special needs.
* Recipient Ethnicity: Of the 14,486 Hope Scholarship recipients, 89.59% were White, 4.8% were Black or African American, 3.53% were Hispanic, 1.65% were Asian, 0.24% were American Indian or Alaska Native and 0.18% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.
* Academic Progress: Academic progress submissions were recorded for 14,116 students, representing approximately 97% of recipients. Of the total 14,486 recipients, 14,107, or 97%, had satisfactory academic progress documented.
* Financial Impact: More than $68.5 million in scholarship funds were spent on qualifying educational expenses, including approximately $45.5 million for nonpublic schools, $5 million for microschools and $4.7 million for education service providers.
The report also demonstrates the growing range of educational opportunities available to families, with more than 300 participating nonpublic schools and microschools and more than 1,300 non-school education service providers offering services such as tutoring, educational therapies, specialized instruction and supplemental learning resources.
Treasurer Pack said the findings reinforce the importance of continuing to strengthen the program as more students become eligible.
"The Hope Scholarship is about more than funding education. It's about empowering parents to make decisions that can shape their children's futures," Treasurer Pack said. "As a father of six children, I know first-hand every child learns differently and has unique needs. Next to your individual faith journey, education is the biggest determinate to a successful life. We look forward to working with policy makers to improve educational outcomes regardless if it's private, public, or an individualized learning plan."
The Hope Scholarship is an education savings account program that allows eligible West Virginia families to use the state portion of their child's education funding for qualifying expenses, including private school tuition, curriculum, tutoring and other educational services.
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REPORT: https://hopescholarshipwv.gov/Portals/HopeScholarship/content/Documents/Reports/Hope%20Scholarship%2025-26%20Annual%20Report.pdf.
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Original text here: https://wvtreasury.gov/About/Press-Releases/details/treasurer-pack-releases-2025-2026-hope-scholarship-annual-report
S.D. A.G. Jackley Announces South Dakota Receives First $9 Million in Settlement With Meta
PIERRE, South Dakota, Oct. 27 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Jackley Announces South Dakota Receives First $9 Million in Settlement with Meta
PIERRE, S.D. - Attorney General Marty Jackley announces South Dakota has received the first $9 million from Meta Platforms, Inc., as part of the state's $52 million share settlement with the company.
"This settlement established a national standard to protect our youth on social media and to empower parents," said Attorney General Jackley. "Our elected Legislature now has this opportunity
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PIERRE, South Dakota, Oct. 27 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Jackley Announces South Dakota Receives First $9 Million in Settlement with Meta
PIERRE, S.D. - Attorney General Marty Jackley announces South Dakota has received the first $9 million from Meta Platforms, Inc., as part of the state's $52 million share settlement with the company.
"This settlement established a national standard to protect our youth on social media and to empower parents," said Attorney General Jackley. "Our elected Legislature now has this opportunityto put these funds to work in the way it feels will best serve South Dakota, and I urge it to focus on improving and strengthening education in South Dakota for the future of our state."
South Dakota's share of the settlement, to be paid out during the next 10 years, could grow to $73,480,057 upon certain conditions. The state's share will be placed into the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Fund until the State Legislature decides how to allocate the money.
Attorneys General from 42 states sued Meta alleging that the company had designed its platforms with addictive features that knowingly exposed young users to serious mental harms.
The settlement also calls for Meta to implement a series of safety features on Instagram and Facebook to enhance online security for children.
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Original text here: https://atg.sd.gov/OurOffice/Media/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=3181
Pa. State Sen. Brooks Resolution to Strengthen Rural Hospitals and Healthcare Access Passes Senate, Securing Funding for Rare Disease Search Tool
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Oct. 27 -- The Pennsylvania Senate Republicans issued the following news release:
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Brooks Resolution to Strengthen Rural Hospitals and Healthcare Access Passes Senate, Securing Funding for Rare Disease Search Tool
October 26, 2026
HARRISBURG -- A resolution sponsored by Sen. Michele Brooks (R-50) to examine the financial impact of outdated regulatory burdens on healthcare was approved by the Senate and will now be implemented.
Senate Resolution 397 directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee -- a bipartisan research and oversight committee of the General
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HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Oct. 27 -- The Pennsylvania Senate Republicans issued the following news release:
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Brooks Resolution to Strengthen Rural Hospitals and Healthcare Access Passes Senate, Securing Funding for Rare Disease Search Tool
October 26, 2026
HARRISBURG -- A resolution sponsored by Sen. Michele Brooks (R-50) to examine the financial impact of outdated regulatory burdens on healthcare was approved by the Senate and will now be implemented.
Senate Resolution 397 directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee -- a bipartisan research and oversight committee of the GeneralAssembly -- to examine outdated hospital regulations that create barriers to patient care and increased costs for healthcare, as well as challenges reducing access to physicians in rural communities.
"This resolution continues my work to protect patient safety, while working to ensure our hospitals remain in our communities, and those families living in rural Pennsylvania have access to quality, doctor-led healthcare," said Brooks. "Through conversations with hospital leaders, physicians and rural health experts, I have heard firsthand about the redundant and burdensome regulatory challenges and paperwork facing our healthcare providers and the families who depend on them."
The study builds on Brooks' ongoing efforts to strengthen Pennsylvania's hospitals and preserve access to local healthcare. Those efforts include helping secure emergency funding for hospitals throughout Pennsylvania facing staffing and financial pressures, supporting investments in local hospital services and advancing legislation to strengthen oversight of hospital mergers and acquisitions. Brooks has helped secure funding for the Rural Health Redesign Center, which works to help rural hospitals remain financially sustainable and develop innovative approaches to delivering healthcare in rural communities, and has also addressed the unique needs of rare disease patients, who face significant delays in diagnosis, with nearly 45% of patients waiting over two years for a diagnosis and many seeing five or more specialists.
"Whether it is a parent seeking care for a sick child, a senior managing a chronic condition or a family facing a search for a diagnosis in the case of a rare disease, Pennsylvanians deserve access to quality healthcare no matter where they live. Protecting that access to care, and preserving the doctors needed to provide that care, will continue to be one of my priorities," said Brooks
Temporary regulatory waivers during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how greater flexibility could help healthcare providers respond to patients' needs quicker while maintaining patient safety. Brooks has continued to push for reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens, including sponsoring legislation passed by the Senate, requiring state agencies to review their own regulations for economic impacts on businesses, providers and families after three years, as well as legislation providing for alternative resolution of disputed inspection findings of hospitals by the Department of Health.
"Every dollar spent navigating unnecessary paperwork and regulatory requirements is a dollar that cannot be used to care for our patients and our loved ones, support our healthcare workforce, invest in services or keep hospital doors open," said Brooks. "We must do everything we can to ensure families have access not just to healthcare, but to quality care from doctors they know and trust. This resolution is another step toward protecting our rural hospitals and making sure our children and grandchildren can continue to receive the care they need close to home."
Brooks' efforts to improve access to care include funding she secured for the Pennsylvania Rare Disease Advisory Council (PARDAC) to create a database that identifies specialized institutions and supports groups for rare diseases. This innovative resource will help to alleviate the struggles often faced by rare disease patients and families, offering them a crucial lifeline in their fight for a better quality of life.
"I've spoken to so many people who have been searching for years as to why their health is declining," said Brooks. "It is my hope that this search tool saves precious time for rare disease patients. The sooner a diagnosis can be made and treatment can begin, the better the outcome."
Marie Conley, co-chair of PARDAC, applauded Brooks' involvement in supporting the rare disease community.
"For those living with rare diseases, the commitment of leaders like Sen. Brooks are not merely symbolic, they reinforce that their experiences matter, their voices are heard, and that there are people willing to work together on their behalf," said Conley. "A $300,000 grant, secured by Sen. Brooks, has enabled PARDAC to initiate the development of a centralized database for rare diseases. This vital resource will connect patients with specialized care and support services throughout the state."
Pennsylvanians seeking information about rare diseases and available resources can visit their website (https://www.pardac.org/).
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Original text here: https://www.pasenategop.com/news/brooks-resolution-to-strengthen-rural-hospitals-and-healthcare-access-passes-senate-securing-funding-for-rare-disease-search-tool/
NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF STATE ANNOUNCES $8 MILLION AWARDED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR EFFICIENCY AND SHARED SERVICE INITIATIVES
ALBANY, New York, Oct. 27 -- The New York Department of State issued the following news release:
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October 26, 2026
NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF STATE ANNOUNCES $8 MILLION AWARDED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR EFFICIENCY AND SHARED SERVICE INITIATIVES
Funding Awarded through NYS Department of State's Local Government Efficiency Grant Program
Projects include Planning and Implementation Projects Designed to Lower Current and Future Costs for Municipalities
Implementation of Shared Services Help Municipalities Join Forces to Incentivize Affordability and Save Taxpayers Money
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The New York Department
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ALBANY, New York, Oct. 27 -- The New York Department of State issued the following news release:
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October 26, 2026
NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF STATE ANNOUNCES $8 MILLION AWARDED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR EFFICIENCY AND SHARED SERVICE INITIATIVES
Funding Awarded through NYS Department of State's Local Government Efficiency Grant Program
Projects include Planning and Implementation Projects Designed to Lower Current and Future Costs for Municipalities
Implementation of Shared Services Help Municipalities Join Forces to Incentivize Affordability and Save Taxpayers Money
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The New York Departmentof State today announced $8 million in grant awards for 25 projects that are designed to create efficiencies and lower costs for local governments across New York State. The funding is administered by NYS Department of State through its competitive Local Government Efficiency Grant (LGEG) Program which incentivizes New York municipalities to engage in partnerships to help make New York communities more affordable by reducing municipal costs through consolidations, shared services, and internal efficiencies. The opportunity creates both short and long-term savings for counties, cities, towns, villages and other governmental entities.
"This funding announcement is one more step in creating a more affordable state for its residents because it encourages municipalities to join forces to find saving opportunities for the services they provide," said New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. "Under Governor Hochul's leadership, this new round of $8 million will help 25 local governments be ready to face current and emerging challenges to accomplish what ultimately matters most: effective municipal services and tax savings for residents."
The Local Government Efficiency Grant Program provides both planning and implementation funding to local governments that apply to the competitively scored grant program. The LGEG program awards individual municipalities up to $20,000 for planning grants and up to $250,000 for implementation grants.
New York State Senator Monica Martinez said: "When local governments work together, every taxpayer dollar can go further. The Local Government Efficiency Grant Program helps municipalities lower costs, maintain quality services and generate long-term savings that ease the burden on taxpayers, something every New Yorker can get behind."
New York State Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages said: "Helping governing bodies operate more efficiently is a win-win for both taxpayers and local government institutions. As Chair of the Assembly Committee on Local Governments, I welcome this $8 million investment to help municipalities work together and to make taxpayer dollars go further. I thank Governor Hochul and the Department of State for lowering costs for local governments across New York State."
Awarded projects include:
Capital Region:
* City of Schenectady: $675,000 for the Code Enforcement Assistance Platform project.
- Partners: City of Albany and the Village of Richfield Springs.
* Village of Schuylerville: $35,922 for the Tri-Municipal Code Enforcement Modernization project.
- Partners: City of Mechanicville and the Village of Stillwater.
* Troy City School District: $144,143 for the Troy and Wynantskill School District Consolidation project.
- Partner: Wynantskill UFSD
* Warren County: $50,000 for the Emergency Medical Services Operations Efficiency Assessment.
- Partners: West Glens Falls, Warrensburg, Hague, Rockwell Falls, Glens Falls, Bolton, North Warren, Johnsburg, Stony Creek, Luzerne, Lake George, and Queensbury EMS.
Central New York:
* Cortland County: $929,490 for the Advanced Life Support ambulance service project.
- Partners: City of Cortland; Towns of Cuyler and Homer; Village of Homer; Virgil Fire, Cortlandville Fire District, and Marathon Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
Finger Lakes Region:
* Village of Trumansburg: $1,000,000 for the Trumansburg Fire and Emergency Medical Services Rehabilitation and Expansion project.
- Partners: Towns of Ulysses, Hector, and Covert.
* Wayne County: $195,000 for the Municipal Integration to County Enterprise GIS project.
- Partners: Towns of Arcadia, Butler, Galen, Huron, Lyons, Macedon, Marion, Ontario, Palmyra, Rose, Savannah, Sodus, Walworth, Williamson, and Wolcott; and Villages of Red Creek, Wolcott, Sodus, Newark, Clyde, and Palmyra.
* Livingston County: $50,000 for the Countywide Code Enforcement Study.
- Partners: Towns of Leicester, York, Caledonia, and Conesus; Villages of Dansville, Mount Morris, Livonia, and Caledonia; and Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council.
Long Island:
* Suffolk County: $906,500 for the Suffolk County Organic Waste Reduction project.
- Partners: Towns of Islip, Southampton, Brookhaven, Smithtown, East Hampton, Babylon, Riverhead, Southold, Huntington, Shetler Island, and Smithtown.
* Town of Southampton: $173,700 for the Regional Marine Operations Shared Services project.
- Partners: Villages of Sag Harbor, Westhampton Beach, and Southampton.
Mid-Hudson Region:
* Town of Warwick: $33,500 for the Police Consolidation Study.
- Partners: Villages of Florida, Greenwood Lake, and Warwick.
Mohawk Valley Region:
* Town of Whitestown: $25,500 for the Town of Whitestown and Village of Whitesboro Police Department Consolidation Study.
- Partner: Village of Whitesboro.
* City of Little Falls: $75,000 for the Centralized Water Treatment Plant Study.
- Partners: Towns of Herkimer and Little Falls; Villages of Herkimer, Dolgeville, and Ilion.
Southern Tier Region:
* Southern Tier East Regional Planning Board: $301,514 for the Broome-Tioga Stormwater Solutions project.
- Partners: City of Binghamton; the Towns of Binghamton, Chenango, Conklin, Dickinson; Kirkwood, Vestal, Owego, and Union; Villages of Endicott, Fenton, Johnson City, and Port Dickinson; Tioga and Broome Counties; and Broome County SWCD.
* Bradford Central School District: $34,700 for the Bradford Campbell-Savona School District Merger Study.
- Partners: Campbell-Savona Central School District, GST BOCES.
* Delaware Chenango Madison Otsego BOCES: $40,000 for the Deposit - Hancock School District Merger Study.
- Partners: Deposit Central School District, Hancock Central School District, BT BOCES.
* Chenango County: $50,000 for the Greater Norwich Water and Sewer Authority Efficiency Plan.
- Partners: Towns of Norwich and North Norwich; and City of Norwich.
* Town of Horseheads: $40,000 for the Horseheads Highway Garage Shared Services Study.
- Partner: Village of Horseheads.
Western New York Region:
* Erie County: $1,126,281 for the Strategic Debris Removal project.
- Partners: Cities of Buffalo and Tonawanda; Towns of Newstead, Clarence, Evans, Grand Island, Aurora, and Boston; the Villages of Lancaster and Kenmore; and the Seneca Nation.
* Village of Fredonia: $1,250,000 for the Fredonia Water System Improvements - Regional Interconnection project.
- Partners: Town of Pomfret, City of Dunkirk, Chautauqua County, and the North Chautauqua County Water District.
* Town of Amherst: $250,000 for the Amherst & Williamsville Consolidated Development Services Technology project.
- Partner: Village of Williamsville.
* Bemus Point Central School District: $500,000 for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Decommissioning and Sewer Connection project.
- Partners: Chautauqua County South and Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer District.
* Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES: $31,250 for the Clymer Sherman Panama School District Merger Study.
- Partners: Clymer CSD, Sherman CSD, and Panama CSD.
* Town of Ripley: $45,000 for the Shared Animal Shelter Plan.
- Partners: Towns of Mina and Clymer.
* Town of Pomfret: $25,000 for the Shared Highway Department Feasibility Study
- Partners: Town of Dunkirk and Village of Fredonia.
New York State Association of Counties Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario said, "These grants support practical, forward-looking projects that help local governments work together, reduce costs, and deliver services more effectively for the people they serve. From emergency services and shared technology to infrastructure planning and environmental management, these investments demonstrate what local collaboration can accomplish. We thank Governor Hochul and the State Legislature for continuing to support these partnerships and investing in stronger, more efficient local governments across New York."
NYS Conference of Mayors Executive Director Barbara Van Epps said, "NYCOM is pleased to see continued investment in the Local Government Efficiency Grant Program, which gives municipalities the resources to work together on practical solutions that improve services and make better use of taxpayer dollars. These grants support innovative partnerships across our cities, villages, towns and counties, helping local governments address shared challenges while finding efficiencies that will benefit their communities for years to come."
New York Association of Towns Executive Director Christopher A. Koetzle said, "The New York Association of Towns (NYAOT) commends all of the towns, villages, cities and counties that are working together to save valuable taxpayer dollars by solving shared problems with shared solutions. The funding from this program is instrumental to our members as they continue to deliver the critical services and programs New York State residents deserve and expect. We thank the Department of State for its continuing support of the Local Government Efficiency Grant program."
In this round, priority scoring points were awarded to applications that included one or more of five target functions set by DOS, including: information technology services including cybersecurity; emergency management services; shared code enforcement and planning; water and wastewater management; and clean energy initiatives. Applications implementing a previous LGEG planning project or inclusion in a previously adopted or pending Countywide Shared Services Initiative Plan also received priority. All awards are reimbursement grants.
Applications are evaluated based on the potential return on investment, project need, service delivery benefits, operational changes, local and regional capacity, project readiness (ability to complete the project in 5 years) and the comprehensiveness and specificity of the work plan and budget. In the last five years, DOS has made 178 project awards through its local government efficiency program opportunities, totaling nearly $42 million in award funding.
Eligible Local Government entities are counties, cities, towns, villages, special improvement districts, fire districts, public libraries, association libraries, public library systems (if they advance a joint application on behalf of member libraries), water authorities, sewer authorities, regional planning and development boards, school districts, and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services.
Local Government Efficiency Grants may be used to cover costs integral to project implementation including but not limited to legal and consultant services, capital improvements and equipment, and transitional personnel costs not to exceed three years.
A new Request for Applications (RFA) for the next round of awards is expected in the coming weeks.
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About the Local Government Efficiency Grant
The LGEG grant program is administered by the Division of Local Government Services within the Department of State. The Division provides technical assistance and competitive grants to local governments. For more information on LGEG or any programs administered by the Division, please contact localgov@dos.ny.gov or call 518-473-3355
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Original text here: https://dos.ny.gov/news/8-million-awarded-for-local-governments-efficiency-and-shared-services-2026
Montana DEQ Publishes Final Second Supplemental EA for Yellowstone County Generating Station
HELENA, Montana, Oct. 27 -- The Montana Department of Environmental Quality issued the following news release:
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Montana DEQ Publishes Final Second Supplemental EA for Yellowstone County Generating Station
Madison McGeffers
HELENA--On Monday, October 26, 2026, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) published the final second supplemental environmental assessment (EA) for the Yellowstone County Generating Station. In the EA, DEQ analyzes potential impacts associated with greenhouse gas emissions from construction and operation of the natural-gas-fired power plant, commonly
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HELENA, Montana, Oct. 27 -- The Montana Department of Environmental Quality issued the following news release:
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Montana DEQ Publishes Final Second Supplemental EA for Yellowstone County Generating Station
Madison McGeffers
HELENA--On Monday, October 26, 2026, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) published the final second supplemental environmental assessment (EA) for the Yellowstone County Generating Station. In the EA, DEQ analyzes potential impacts associated with greenhouse gas emissions from construction and operation of the natural-gas-fired power plant, commonlyreferred to as the Laurel Generating Station near Laurel, Montana.
This second supplemental EA is the result of several legal challenges regarding the environmental review conducted in conjunction with the air quality permit for the Yellowstone County Generating Station. DEQ issued the first final EA and air quality permit for the Yellowstone County Generating Station in 2021 in accordance with the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA). After conservation groups challenged the 2021 EA, the Montana Supreme Court affirmed DEQ's decision on every issue except greenhouse gas emissions and lighting impacts. To address the Court's concerns, DEQ issued a Final Supplemental EA in August of 2025 analyzing impacts associated with facility lighting and greenhouse gas emissions.
This most recent supplemental EA has been issued because after DEQ completed the 2025 Final Supplemental EA for the Yellowstone County Generating Station, the agency released its Greenhouse Gas Guidance Document in January of 2026. The guidance document was required based on a law enacted by the 2025 session and sets forth the process and methodology that DEQ and other affected state agencies may use to evaluate greenhouse gases and associated climate impacts under MEPA.
In an additional legal challenge concerning the 2025 EA for the Yellowstone County Generating Station, DEQ and the plaintiffs entered an agreement allowing DEQ to issue this second supplemental EA in order to consider DEQ's Greenhouse Gas Guidance Document. DEQ accepted public comment on the draft second supplemental EA from August 24, 2026, to September 23, 2026. After reviewing, considering, and responding to comments, DEQ clarified its use of the Statewide Inventory Tool to quantify total greenhouse gas emissions for the state of Montana and clarified the methods and assumptions used to assess potential climate impacts from greenhouse gas emissions. The latest revisions are consistent with DEQ's Greenhouse Gas Guidance Document.
To view the second final supplemental EA, please visit DEQ's website (https://deq.mt.gov/News/publicnotices-folder/AQ-NWE-YCGS-EA-2026-10-26).
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Original text here: https://deq.mt.gov/News/pressrelease-folder/YCGS-finl-supplemental-2
Calif. Gov. Newsom on Federal Court Slapping Down Trump DOJ's Despicable Attacks on Democracy
SACRAMENTO, California, Oct. 27 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release:
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Oct 26, 2026
Governor Newsom on federal court slapping down Trump DOJ's despicable attacks on democracy
SACRAMENTO -- Governor Gavin Newsom today released the following statement in response to the three judge panel on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals slapping down the Trump Administration's attacks on democracy, efforts to baselessly sow doubt, and trying to get the legal system to go against the U.S. Constitution and decades of legal precedent establishing and reaffirming a state's
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SACRAMENTO, California, Oct. 27 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release:
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Oct 26, 2026
Governor Newsom on federal court slapping down Trump DOJ's despicable attacks on democracy
SACRAMENTO -- Governor Gavin Newsom today released the following statement in response to the three judge panel on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals slapping down the Trump Administration's attacks on democracy, efforts to baselessly sow doubt, and trying to get the legal system to go against the U.S. Constitution and decades of legal precedent establishing and reaffirming a state'sright to oversee elections within its jurisdiction.
"Today's ruling is a positive development and a welcome speed bump to Trump's disgusting attacks on the Constitution and our country's democracy. I have been sounding the alarm since last year, when Trump illegally federalized the California National Guard -- Trump is illegally trying to seize powers in the Constitution entrusted to others so he can stay in power. This lawsuit is just the latest step."
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"Make no mistake: Trump's assault on democracy won't slow down. Each and every one of us can do something: participate in democracy, don't become disillusioned. Vote early, go to a vote center, put your ballot in a dropbox. If everyone who cares about democracy participates, this election won't be close -- and none of Trump's lies or conspiracy theories will be able to call that result, and the will of people, into doubt."
"California is fighting back. And we are calling on all Californians to do the same."
- Governor Gavin Newsom
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"The U.S. Constitution gives states and Congress -- not the President or the Executive Branch -- the power to determine the time, place, and manner of elections. The court's order serves as an important step in our efforts to protect Californians' right to vote and our state's authority to run fair and secure elections," said Attorney General Bonta. "All the evidence -- counts, recounts, hand counts, audits -- shows that voter fraud is exceedingly rare. Consistent with federal law, California has safeguards in place to protect election integrity and those who break the law should be held accountable. We will fight back against the Administration's unlawful overreach at every turn."
Trump's DOJ prior admissions
Claims of widespread voter fraud by the Trump Administration in California began unraveling almost immediately during last Monday's press conference.
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Original text here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/10/26/governor-newsom-on-federal-court-slapping-down-trump-dojs-despicable-attacks-on-democracy/
Ariz. State Sen. Dunn Proposes New Water Supplies, Stronger Voice in Colorado River Negotiations
PHOENIX, Arizona, Oct. 27 -- The Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus issued the following news release:
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Senator Dunn Proposes New Water Supplies, Stronger Voice in Colorado River Negotiations
Monday, October 26, 2026
PHOENIX, ARIZONA--With Arizona fighting further Colorado River cuts in court, Senator Tim Dunn is drafting legislation to create an Arizona Colorado River Commission and calling on Congress to advance HR 10420, Congressman Andy Biggs' Colorado River Basin Water Security and Infrastructure Act.
Arizona is the only Lower Basin state without a dedicated state-level Colorado
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PHOENIX, Arizona, Oct. 27 -- The Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus issued the following news release:
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Senator Dunn Proposes New Water Supplies, Stronger Voice in Colorado River Negotiations
Monday, October 26, 2026
PHOENIX, ARIZONA--With Arizona fighting further Colorado River cuts in court, Senator Tim Dunn is drafting legislation to create an Arizona Colorado River Commission and calling on Congress to advance HR 10420, Congressman Andy Biggs' Colorado River Basin Water Security and Infrastructure Act.
Arizona is the only Lower Basin state without a dedicated state-level ColoradoRiver Commission. Senator Dunn's proposal would establish one to strengthen Arizona water contract holders' position in negotiations with other Basin states. His push comes after Arizona joined Nevada's lawsuit challenging new federal river operating rules. U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has warned that leaving water allocation decisions to a judge could backfire on Arizona.
Senator Dunn spent the past year helping develop key ideas in Congressman Biggs' bill, focusing on additional water supplies and the infrastructure required to deliver them to Arizona communities with the greatest need. The effort builds on legislative Republicans' work through the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority to support conservation and long-term investments in new water sources.
"Arizona families, farmers, and businesses cannot afford a future defined only by deeper cuts and higher costs," said Senator Dunn. "Legislative Republicans have already invested in conservation and the tools to develop additional supplies. I've worked this past year on ideas now included in Congressman Biggs' bill because Arizona needs a comprehensive plan that brings new water into the system and moves it where it is needed most. Conservation is essential, but telling our state to stop growing and simply make do with less is not a strategy. Arizona feeds the nation and supports industries critical to America's independence and defense. Congress must advance these projects, and I am drafting legislation to establish an Arizona Colorado River Commission so we can strengthen our water contract holders' position in negotiations with other Basin states."
HR 10420 would authorize $19 billion for water supply and infrastructure investments across the seven Colorado River Basin states, including a $5 billion Colorado River Basin Water Augmentation Fund. Eligible projects would receive $2 in federal assistance for every $1 in nonfederal funding, subject to appropriations. States, local governments, tribes, utilities, and private entities could pursue desalination, aquifer recharge, storage, treatment, and infrastructure to move water. Projects benefiting multiple states and producing measurable additional supplies would receive priority. The bill would accelerate federal permitting, requiring agencies to determine whether applications are complete within 30 days and issue final decisions within 180 days, with a limited extension of up to 90 days.
To help meet U.S. treaty obligations to Mexico while preserving Colorado River water, the legislation would require the Yuma Desalting Plant to be restored to operational status within 180 days of enactment. It would authorize $1 billion for the plant's restoration, operation, modernization, and expansion, plus $1 billion for desalination projects in Mexico, with the Departments of State and Interior coordinating negotiations. An additional $12 billion would support federal water infrastructure, including feasibility studies for capturing water otherwise discharged to the Pacific Ocean in California, water supply projects serving Arizona and Nevada, and Upper Basin water development.
Senator Dunn is urging water users across all seven Basin states to contact their Republican and Democratic members of Congress in support of HR 10420. Developing additional supplies could help protect water users from rising costs while supporting the communities, agriculture, and industries that depend on the river.
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Original text here: https://www.azsenaterepublicans.gov/press-releases/senator-dunn-proposes-new-water-supplies-stronger-voice-in-colorado-river-negotiations
