Featured Stories
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom: India Must Be Held Accountable for Religious Freedom Violations
WASHINGTON, Aug. 27 -- The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom issued the following news release:
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India Must Be Held Accountable for Religious Freedom Violations
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is deeply concerned about the visit of Mohan Bhagwat, chief of India's Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), to the United States. As USCIRF has reported in recent years, members of RSS subgroups have perpetrated violent attacks against religious minorities, including Christians, Dalits, Muslims, and Sikhs.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 27 -- The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom issued the following news release:
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India Must Be Held Accountable for Religious Freedom Violations
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is deeply concerned about the visit of Mohan Bhagwat, chief of India's Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), to the United States. As USCIRF has reported in recent years, members of RSS subgroups have perpetrated violent attacks against religious minorities, including Christians, Dalits, Muslims, and Sikhs.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi,India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has enforced policies that closely align with the RSS' Hindutva ideology, inherently discriminating against religious minority communities. The government has also engaged in acts of transnational repression to target religious minorities beyond its borders, including assassination and assassination attempts on members of Sikh communities in North America.
"Religious freedom conditions in India continue to deteriorate as violence and incitement are frequently used to target religious minority communities," said Chair Asif Mahmood. "We urge the U.S. government to consider targeted sanctions against RSS members and Indian officials complicit in religious freedom violations, including revoking the visa issued to Mohan Bhagwat and making him ineligible for future entry into the United States."
Under the BJP-led government, Indian authorities have failed to prevent, investigate, or punish egregious mob violence against Muslims and Christians. Such vigilante violence is often predicated on enforcing the Indian government's strict anti-conversion laws predominately targeting Christians and other religious minorities. Authorities have also forcefully expelled Muslim citizens in Assam under the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Space for civil society has additionally diminished under the ruling BJP government, with pending amendments to the Financial Contributions Regulation Act (FCRA) threatening the ability of faith-based organizations to continue their operations in the country.
"The U.S. government has an opportunity to hold India accountable and signal that the United States stands for religious freedom for the people of India," said Vice Chair Cece Heil. "Without this accountability, religious freedom will only deteriorate further, as vigilante mobs continue to attack religious minorities and their houses of worship under the guise of enforcing anti-conversion laws and other harmful policies."
In its 2026 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate India as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations. USCIRF highlighted India's religious freedom conditions during its hearing on Deteriorating Religious Freedom Conditions in India in May 2026.
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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion or belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at media@USCIRF.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.uscirf.gov/news-room/releases-statements/india-must-be-held-accountable-religious-freedom-violations
IDB Launches $2.5 Billion 3.5-Year Global Benchmark Bond
WASHINGTON, Aug. 27 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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IDB Launches $2.5 Billion 3.5-Year Global Benchmark Bond
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) issued a $2.5 billion 3.5-year global bond, marking its third U.S. dollar benchmark transaction of its 2026 funding program.
The bond generated strong and well-diversified investor demand, with orders exceeding $6.4 billion (including $650 million joint lead managers interest). The bond matures on March 20, 2030, and carries a fixed semi-annual coupon of 4.250%.
"We are delighted with the strong
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 27 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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IDB Launches $2.5 Billion 3.5-Year Global Benchmark Bond
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) issued a $2.5 billion 3.5-year global bond, marking its third U.S. dollar benchmark transaction of its 2026 funding program.
The bond generated strong and well-diversified investor demand, with orders exceeding $6.4 billion (including $650 million joint lead managers interest). The bond matures on March 20, 2030, and carries a fixed semi-annual coupon of 4.250%.
"We are delighted with the stronginvestor demand for the 3.5-year global benchmark, as we have not issued in the short end of the curve in nearly three years. It is our final U.S. dollar global benchmark for 2026 and rounds out our dollar curve after earlier 5- and 10-year issuances. We are also pleased to see continued investor interest in supporting IDB's mission to further economic and social development across Latin America and the Caribbean," said Laura Fan, Head of Funding at the IDB.
"Congratulations to the IDB team on today's $2.5 billion long three-year Global. Following 5-year and 10-year benchmarks earlier this year, today's transaction continues the IDB's strategy of giving investors consistent access across the U.S. dollar curve. The trade was well timed into a constructive market, with the orderbook building above $6.4 billion, their largest in a three-year bond since September 2021, and giving the IDB the flexibility to price a $2.5 billion size at SOFR MS+25bps. The breadth of participation is a testament to IDB's credit standing and its consistent investor engagement. Barclays is delighted to have been involved," said Alex Paterson, Managing Director, Head of SSA DCM at Barclays.
"Congratulations to the IDB team on the successful execution of their new long three-year $2.5 billion transaction. The team expertly navigated a congested issuance pipeline and a tricky geopolitical backdrop with a pragmatic approach that was instrumental in successfully securing this strategic 2030 maturity. The robust investor demand and high-quality orderbook generated are a clear testament to the market's deep confidence in the IDB's credit strength and vital developmental mission. We are delighted to have supported the IDB on this transaction," said Katrin Wehle, Managing Director, SSA DCM Origination at Deutsche Bank.
"Congratulations to the IDB team on the successful execution of its new long three-year U.S. dollar benchmark. The transaction attracted strong demand from a high-quality and globally diversified investor base, underscoring the market's continued confidence in the IDB and its credit. The strength of the orderbook enabled an excellent pricing outcome and a successful benchmark print. Morgan Stanley is delighted to have supported the IDB on this important transaction," said Ben Adubi, Head of SSA at Morgan Stanley.
"With this successful transaction, the IDB has once again demonstrated its status as a premier issuer within the U.S. dollar market. The deal was aptly timed into a supportive market window amidst geopolitical headlines, generated ample support from high-quality investors and crystallized an efficient funding spread. This new $2.5 billion 3.5-year fixed-rate benchmark follows IDB's 10-year and 5-year transactions in 2026 and underlines its strategic commitment to add liquid lines across the curve. Many congratulations to the team involved and thank you for entrusting RBC with this important mandate," said James Taunton, Managing Director, Head of Public Sector Origination Europe at RBC.
Distribution Summary:
Geographic Region ... % ... Investor Type ... %
EMEA ... 57% ... Banks & Private Banks ... 52%
Asia & Pacific ... 27% ... Central Banks/Official Institutions ... 28%
Americas ... 16% ... Asset Managers/Pension Funds/Insurance/ Corporates ... 20%
Bond Summary Terms
Issuer: ... Inter-American Development Bank (Ticker: IADB)
Issuer rating: ... Aaa / AAA (Stable / Stable)
Amount: ... USD 2.5 billion
Settlement date: ... September 1, 2026 (T+5)
Coupon: ... 4.250%, Fixed, SA 30/360
Coupon payment dates: ... March 20 and September 20 (semi-annually)
Maturity date: ... March 20, 2030
Issue price: ... 99.772%
Issue yield: ... 4.319% s.a.
Reoffer spread (bps): ... SOFR MS +25bps / CT3+6.7bps
Listing: ... London Stock Exchange's Regulated Market
Clearing systems: ... Fedwire, Euroclear, Clearstream
Joint lead managers: ... Barclays, Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley, RBC
Co-lead managers: ... Barclays, BMBMO, BNP Paribas, BofA Securities, Citi, Daiwa, HSBC, JP Morgan, Nomura, Scotiabank, Wells FargoO Citi, Daiwa, DB, HSBC, JPM, MS, RBC and TD
ISIN: ... US4581X0FB95
Information on bonds for Investors is available on the IDB website: https://www.iadb.org/en/investors/investors
*/ This press release is not an offer for sale of the securities of the Inter-American Development Bank. Any offering of IDB securities will be made only by means of a prospectus or other definitive offering document that contains important information about the securities, the offering and IDB. Offerings of securities will be made only in compliance with applicable laws.
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About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a member of the IDB Group, is devoted to improving lives across Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1959, the Bank works with the region's public sector to design and enable impactful, innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development. Leveraging financing, technical expertise, and knowledge, it promotes growth and well-being in 26 countries. Visit our website: https://www.iadb.org/en
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Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/idb-launches-25-billion-35-year-global-benchmark-bond
SSA OIG Joins DOJ in Launch of National Fraud Detection Center
WOODLAWN, Maryland, Aug. 26 -- The Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General issued the following news release:
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SSA OIG Joins DOJ in Launch of National Fraud Detection Center
New partnership enhances federal law enforcement coordination to identify and disrupt complex fraud schemes targeting Social Security programs
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The SocialSecurity Administration Office of the Inspector General (SSA OIG) announced its partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in the launch of the National Fraud Detection Center (NFDC).
As a signatory of the NFDC Charter, SSAOIG
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WOODLAWN, Maryland, Aug. 26 -- The Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General issued the following news release:
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SSA OIG Joins DOJ in Launch of National Fraud Detection Center
New partnership enhances federal law enforcement coordination to identify and disrupt complex fraud schemes targeting Social Security programs
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The SocialSecurity Administration Office of the Inspector General (SSA OIG) announced its partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in the launch of the National Fraud Detection Center (NFDC).
As a signatory of the NFDC Charter, SSAOIGhas committed dedicated analysts and investigators to the prosecutor-led effort to strengthen interagency coordination to detect and dismantle complex fraud schemes.
"This partnership strengthens SSA OIG's ability to support and collaborate with our law enforcement counterparts. By integrating our analysts into the National Fraud Detection Center, we can fuse Social Security specific intelligence with investigative data from across the federal enforcement community," said Kevin Huse, Acting Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General. "This unified approach enhances our capacity to identify criminal patterns, disrupt organized fraud networks, and protect the programs relied on by millions of Americans."
The NFDC serves as a centralized, collaborative space bringing together federal law enforcement, the Inspector General community, and state partners. By joining forces with the DOJ's Fraud Division, fellow OIGs, and federal law enforcement agencies, SSA OIG reinforces its commitment to holding accountable those who seek to defraud federal programs and abuse public trust.
Read the U.S. Department of Justice announcement here (https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-announces-launch-national-fraud-detection-center-combat-fraud-against).
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Original text here: https://oig.ssa.gov/news-releases/2026-08-25-ssa-oig-joins-doj-in-launch-of-national-fraud-detection-center/
SBA and DoW Establish Smaller War Plants Commission in Historic Effort to Strengthen Defense Industrial Base Capacity
WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 -- The Small Business Administration issued the following news release on Aug. 25, 2026:
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SBA and DoW Establish Smaller War Plants Commission in Historic Effort to Strengthen Defense Industrial Base Capacity
Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Department of War (DoW) announced a historic initiative to expand American military capacity, capability, and resilience by establishing the Smaller War Plants Commission (SWPC). Created through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the Commission will marshal federal resources to expand production
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 -- The Small Business Administration issued the following news release on Aug. 25, 2026:
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SBA and DoW Establish Smaller War Plants Commission in Historic Effort to Strengthen Defense Industrial Base Capacity
Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Department of War (DoW) announced a historic initiative to expand American military capacity, capability, and resilience by establishing the Smaller War Plants Commission (SWPC). Created through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the Commission will marshal federal resources to expand productioncapacity, eliminate burdensome regulations, accelerate innovation, and provide targeted capital and support to small business suppliers. Together, the agencies are putting the full weight of the federal government behind the small businesses that comprise more than 70% of the defense industrial base -- ensuring the manufacturers, suppliers, and innovators that support our warfighters have the resources to build, grow, and keep America's military the strongest in the world.
"Since our nation's earliest days, American battle readiness has run through small businesses -- from the local factories to the labs that forge the Arsenal of Freedom. But over the last fifty years, foolish trade deals and globalist policies shipped American jobs and manufacturing power overseas -- eroding the domestic productive capacity that underpins American military might and surrendering our critical supply chains to China," said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. "Under President Donald J. Trump, the Smaller War Plants Commission will end the era of dependence by putting the full weight of the federal government behind the small businesses that power our defense industrial base. This historic partnership with the Department of War will help small firms expand, innovate, and hire to deliver world-class, Made in America capabilities to our warfighters. With the strong leadership of Secretary Pete Hegseth, the most lethal fighting force in the world will be backed by the world's most nimble industrial base -- offering our warfighters an asymmetric advantage, and our nation peace through strength."
"The American military is already the strongest fighting force the world has ever known. President Trump has made clear that we will keep it that way -- not by accepting a hollowed-out industrial base, but by building an arsenal that can outproduce, out-innovate, and outlast any adversary," said Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. "The Smaller War Plants Commission marks a historic commitment by this Administration to put the full weight of the federal government behind the small businesses powering America's Arsenal of Freedom. We are restoring the industrial dominance that made the United States the decisive force of the twentieth century and applying it to the threats of this century. By marshaling capital, private investment, and contracting opportunities behind the companies that build the ships, munitions, electronics, components, and capabilities our warfighters rely on, we will supercharge the industrial strength that underwrites our military advantage."
The Smaller War Plants Commission draws its name from the Smaller War Plants Corporation, a World War II-era SBA predecessor that was formed to build the defense industrial base by helping small businesses secure financing, government contracts, and technical assistance for essential military production. Its credit and contract authorities ultimately flowed through successor agencies and the Small Defense Plants Administration before being transferred to the SBA in 1953.
The newly established Smaller War Plants Commission serves as the federal government's central coordinating body to expand the defense industrial base by investing in small suppliers. The Commission will develop a comprehensive inventory of small business production capacity for the Civil Reserve Manufacturing Network (CRMN). Both agencies will work to identify and eliminate costly or complex regulations that impede small manufacturers and deploy support to clear operational bottlenecks.
The SBA will work to strengthen access to capital and other federal support for small businesses across the defense industrial base. Consistent with applicable law and program requirements, the agencies will prioritize defense-critical NAICS sectors and industrial focus areas for enhanced access to SBA lending, capital-investment, contracting, and technical-assistance tools. This effort will support capacity in critical areas including munitions and their components, drones and one-way attack systems, microelectronics, strategic and critical minerals, shipbuilding and repair components, sensors, batteries, castings and forgings, and textiles.
Eligible small manufacturers will also be able to access SBA's Made in America Loan Guarantee through the International Trade Loan program, which provides a 90% federal guarantee--compared with the standard 75% guarantee in SBA's flagship 7(a) program--to help finance equipment, facility modernization, inventory, acquisitions, and domestic capacity expansion.
Under the framework, the agencies will:
* Mobilize strategic capital and market access: Pair enhanced SBA loan guaranties -- up to 90 percent where authorized -- with targeted investment and contracting opportunities for priority manufacturers, helping them finance expansion, secure demand, and scale critical domestic capacity.
* Map the industrial base: Use the Civil Reserve Manufacturing Network to identify the manufacturers, production capabilities, and supply-chain gaps most vital to national defense.
* Cut red tape: Deploy joint teams to identify and remove the regulatory and operational barriers that delay production, limit growth, and keep small manufacturers from delivering for America's warfighters.
* Hold Washington accountable: Deliver regular reports to President Trump on industrial strength, supply-chain readiness, federal investment, and progress toward rebuilding the Arsenal of Freedom.
This joint effort ensures taxpayer dollars directly bolster the domestic defense supply base, driving long-term resilience and securing American military readiness for generations to come.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
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Original text here: https://legacy.sba.gov/article/2026/08/25/sba-dow-establish-smaller-war-plants-commission-historic-effort-strengthen-defense-industrial-base
Postal Service IG: Evaluation of Contract Delivery Services
WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 25-136-R26) on August 18, 2026, entitled "Evaluation of Contract Delivery Services."
Here are excerpts:
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Background
Contract Delivery Service (CDS) is a contractual agreement between the U.S. Postal Service and an individual or company for the delivery and collection of mail to and from homes and businesses. CDS routes, operated by suppliers or their employees, were established to provide a cost-effective and efficient solution for the Postal Service, especially in rural areas.
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 25-136-R26) on August 18, 2026, entitled "Evaluation of Contract Delivery Services."
Here are excerpts:
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Background
Contract Delivery Service (CDS) is a contractual agreement between the U.S. Postal Service and an individual or company for the delivery and collection of mail to and from homes and businesses. CDS routes, operated by suppliers or their employees, were established to provide a cost-effective and efficient solution for the Postal Service, especially in rural areas.In fiscal year (FY) 2025, the Postal Service had more than 8,273 active CDS contracts, which cost approximately $593 million. Poor management of CDS suppliers can lead to inefficiencies, higher costs, and greater risks of mail loss, damage, or theft, and accidents and injuries due to inadequate enforcement of safety and security measures.
What We Did
Our objective was to evaluate the management, efficiency, and safety of CDS. For this audit, we reviewed CDS operations at ten delivery units nationwide. Additionally, we conducted a random confidential survey of 213 administrative officials (AO) responsible for managing CDS operations.
What We Found
We identified challenges with the management and execution of CDS impacting mail security, carrier safety, and operational efficiency. Specifically, some CDS mail carriers lacked security clearances, while others engaged in unsafe driving practices and there were no requirements for accident reporting. Further, certain carriers did not possess required English language skills to effectively communicate with Postal Service staff and customers. We also found that local management of CDS operations could be improved and identified $1.9 million in incorrect extra trip payments made annually to suppliers in FYs 2024 and 2025, which resulted from using incorrect rates. Finally, headquarters management's limited oversight and dependence on manual processes restricted visibility into local operations and minimized performance accountability.
Recommendations and Management's Comments
We made four recommendations to address issues regarding safety and security deficiencies. Additionally, we made six recommendations to streamline and improve oversight of CDS operations. Postal Service management agreed with all 10 recommendations. Management's comments and our evaluation are at the end of each finding and recommendation. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (OIG) considers management's comments responsive to all recommendations except for recommendations 4 and 5, which we consider partially responsive. For the others, the corrective actions should resolve the issues identified in the report.
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View the original text at: https://www.uspsoig.gov/sites/default/files/reports/2026-08/25-136-r26.pdf
Expansive Survey of Bisa Butler's Celebrated Quilts To Open at Smithsonian American Art Museum March 2027
WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 (TNSxrep) -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
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Expansive Survey of Bisa Butler's Celebrated Quilts To Open at Smithsonian American Art Museum March 2027
"Bisa Butler: Tender Monuments" Traces Artist's Creative Practice Across Three Decades
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Bisa Butler is a singular voice among a cadre of contemporary artists who engage figural representation to examine the beauty and complexity of Black experience. Marking the largest survey to date of the artist's large-scale quilts, "Bisa Butler: Tender Monuments" explores Butler's distinctive, multifaceted
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 (TNSxrep) -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
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Expansive Survey of Bisa Butler's Celebrated Quilts To Open at Smithsonian American Art Museum March 2027
"Bisa Butler: Tender Monuments" Traces Artist's Creative Practice Across Three Decades
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Bisa Butler is a singular voice among a cadre of contemporary artists who engage figural representation to examine the beauty and complexity of Black experience. Marking the largest survey to date of the artist's large-scale quilts, "Bisa Butler: Tender Monuments" explores Butler's distinctive, multifacetedpractice. Her body of work draws largely on historical research into archival photographs of Black Americans and other African diasporic people, which she transforms into her own brightly colored interpretations, using carefully selected and shaped textiles with vibrant colors, lush textures and symbolic patterns. Through culturally significant fabric choices and technical prowess, Butler creates deeply empathetic portrayals of both unnamed subjects and well-known figures such as Harriet Tubman, Octavia Butler and Salt-N-Pepa.
"Bisa Butler: Tender Monuments" will be on view at the Smithsonian American Art Museum Friday, March 19, 2027, through Sunday, Aug. 22, 2027. This mid-career survey, the result of five years of planning and research into Butler's practice, brings together three decades of Butler's work, from a 1995 self-portrait made while studying painting at Howard University to her most recent work, a self-portrait completed in 2026. Organized thematically, the exhibition features nearly 40 quilts by Butler, presented alongside works by her artistic influences and predecessors such as Romare Bearden, Faith Ringgold, Betye Saar and others, drawn from Smithsonian collections.
"Bisa Butler: Tender Monuments" is co-curated by Dalila Scruggs, the museum's Augusta Savage Curator of African American Art, and Liz Andrews, executive director of the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art, in close collaboration with the artist and with support from Maria R. Eipert, curatorial assistant. The exhibition will travel following its presentation in Washington, D.C.; specific venues will be announced once they are confirmed.
"As home to one of the most significant collections of works by American artists in the world, and African American artists in particular, the Smithsonian American Art Museum is uniquely positioned to uplift Bisa Butler's work within a lineage of American artistic innovation," said Jane Carpenter-Rock, the acting Margaret and Terry Stent Director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. "We look forward to inviting communities in Washington, D.C., and beyond into our galleries to experience the power of these artworks and the universal human stories they convey."
"Bisa Butler: Tender Monuments" frames Butler's quilts as large-scale commemorations that affirm Black joy, self-determination and solidarity. In contrast to traditional monuments made of stone or bronze, Butler's quilts use thread and fabric to memorialize stories of resilience and possibility for Black Americans, Africans and people across the African diaspora.
"Butler tenders, or makes a formal offering to her audience, of a wide array of materials--silk, velvet, sequins, fur and lace," Scruggs said. "These deeply layered works also imbue a tenderness toward her subjects, rendering human emotion into a tactile, sensory experience for viewers."
"Bisa Butler's vibrant, loving portraits monumentalize Black subjects, histories and possibilities," Andrews said.
The exhibition will feature an in-gallery fabric touch station, bringing viewers even closer to Butler's rich materiality and offering a tactile, sensory entry point into the artist's practice. Videos and audio stops will offer additional insights into Butler's process and further illuminate the stories of the individuals she honors in her quilts.
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About Bisa Butler
Born in New Jersey to an African American mother and a Ghanian father, Butler earned her bachelor's degree in fine arts in painting at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she began incorporating textiles into her practice. She holds a master's degree in teaching art from Montclair State University in New Jersey and taught art in Newark Public schools for over a decade. Her work has been exhibited widely in the United States and internationally. In 2020, the Katonah Museum of Art in New York and the Art Institute of Chicago co-organized her first institutional solo exhibition. Butler's work can be found in the collections of numerous museums, including the Brooklyn Museum; the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; the High Museum of Art, Atlanta; the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture; and the Smithsonian American Art Museum among others. Butler lives and works in Orange, New Jersey.
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Publication
A major catalog with new scholarship, co-published by the museum and Smithsonian Books, is forthcoming. It is edited by Andrews and Scruggs with a foreword by Carpenter-Rock and includes an interview with the artist and contributions by Robin Givhan, Lisa Farrington, Carolyn L. Mazloomi, John Jacob, Phoebe Hillemann, Joanne Hyppolite, Rhea L. Combs, Brittany Webb and Robyn Simpson.
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Credit
"Bisa Butler: Tender Monuments" is organized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Major support is provided by Henry Luce Foundation and Vlisco. Generous support is provided by Melissa Clark, Harris Family Fund, Eric G. Johnson and Holly Gaines Johnson, Pamela Royall and the Lenore G. Tawney Foundation. Additional support is provided by William R. Kenan Jr. Endowment Fund; Jeffrey Deitch, New York and Los Angeles; Amy Sabrin and Evans Witt. This project received financial support from the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum. This exhibition received support from the Fisher Arts Impact Fund.
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About the Smithsonian American Art Museum
The Smithsonian American Art Museum is the flagship museum in the United States for American art and craft. It is home to one of the most significant collections of American art in the world. The museum's main building, located at Eighth and G streets N.W., is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. The museum's Renwick Gallery, a branch museum dedicated to contemporary craft, is located on Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street N.W. and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Check online for current hours and admission information. Admission is free. Follow the museum on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. Smithsonian information: (202) 633-1000. Museum information (recorded): (202) 633-7970. Website: americanart.si.edu.
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Original text here: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/expansive-survey-bisa-butlers-celebrated-quilts-open-smithsonian-american-art
EPA Selects 24 Gulf Watershed Projects for Water Quality and Local Economies
WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Selects 24 Gulf Watershed Projects for Water Quality and Local Economies
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Contact: EPA Region 4 Press Office - (404) 562-8400, region4press@epa.gov
GULFPORT, Mississippi (August 26, 2026) - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Gulf of America Division (GAD) announced 24 projects selected from the Innovative Solutions for Improving Water Quality and Strengthening Local Economies in the Gulf of America Watershed Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The NOFO encompassed EPA
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Selects 24 Gulf Watershed Projects for Water Quality and Local Economies
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Contact: EPA Region 4 Press Office - (404) 562-8400, region4press@epa.gov
GULFPORT, Mississippi (August 26, 2026) - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Gulf of America Division (GAD) announced 24 projects selected from the Innovative Solutions for Improving Water Quality and Strengthening Local Economies in the Gulf of America Watershed Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The NOFO encompassed EPARegions 4 through 8 and the awards ranged from $500,000 to $ 1,000,000 with a 3-to-5-year project period.
The full list of award recipients and project summaries can be found here.
"EPA is proud to invest in these innovative projects, which span across various EPA regions," said EPA Region 4 Administrator Kevin McOmber. "By deploying advanced technologies to curb nutrient runoff upstream, we are not just fixing localized water issues-we are directly safeguarding the ecological health and the vital economy of our shared Gulf of America coastline."
"Researchers are stepping up with forward-looking solutions to protect our waters and strengthen local economies. EPA is proud to support projects that pair nutrient-reduction strategies with cutting-edge technologies," said EPA Region 5 Administrator Anne Vogel. "These grants empower farmers and local partners to test scalable innovations that improve water quality, reduce harmful algal blooms, and deliver long-term economic benefits."
"With a vast basin, the Mississippi River empties into the Gulf of America from Louisiana carrying water, sediment and pollution accumulated from nearly every Midwestern and Eastern state. That's why a holistic approach to water quality is so important to restoring and maintaining the health of the Gulf," said EPA Region 6 Administrator Scott Mason. "The project winners from Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma universities show the diverse way we can protect coastal communities and the natural, economic and recreational resources of the Gulf."
"Every dollar we invest upstream pays dividends for water quality and local economies," said EPA Region 7 Administrator Jim Macy. "This funding advances gold-standard science that supports farmers and rural communities, with benefits realized across the watershed and at the Gulf of America."
"Clean, healthy water systems in upstream states shape water quality, ecosystem vitality and economic resiliency of the entire watershed," said EPA Region 8 Administrator Cyrus Western. "These EPA grants support the ingenuity of local and state partners that know their region's natural resources best, which will help protect and even strengthen human, environmental and economic health for all Americans."
This funding opportunity sought applications that improve water quality through nutrient reduction demonstration projects that are enhanced by innovative technology. All applicants identified how their nutrient reduction project and use of innovative technology could lead to cost savings and economic benefits in the future.
This announcement also reflects EPA's strong commitment to cooperative federalism. By partnering with state, local, tribal, academic, agricultural, and community stakeholders, EPA is supporting place-based solutions that leverage the expertise of those closest to the water and the land. This shared approach recognizes that the most durable progress on water quality is achieved when federal resources, state leadership, and local knowledge work together to advance common goals for the benefit of entire watersheds.
About the Gulf of America Division
The Gulf of America Division (GAD) is one of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Great Water Body programs, founded to facilitate collaborative actions that protect, maintain, and restore the health and productivity of the Gulf of America in ways consistent with the economic well-being of the region. The division maintains and expands partnerships with state and federal agencies, federally recognized tribes, local governments and authorities, academia, regional businesses and industry, agricultural and environmental organizations, and individual citizens and communities.
For more information, visit: https://www.epa.gov/gulfofamericaExit EPA's website
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-selects-24-gulf-watershed-projects-water-quality-and-local-economies
