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National Business Aviation Association Issues Letter to FAA Flight Standards Service Executive Director Thomas
WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 (TNSletter) -- The National Business Aviation Association issued the following letter to Hugh Thomas, executive director for flight standard service at the Federal Aviation Administration:
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Here is the text of the letter:
September 29, 2026
Mr. Hugh Thomas, Executive Director
Flight Standards Service
Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 821
Washington, DC 20591
RE: NBAA and CJP's Request for Temporary Stay of Effective Date of FAA's Notice of Policy Change and Rescission of Single-Pilot Training Exemptions for Certain Cessna Aircraft
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 (TNSletter) -- The National Business Aviation Association issued the following letter to Hugh Thomas, executive director for flight standard service at the Federal Aviation Administration:
* * *
Here is the text of the letter:
September 29, 2026
Mr. Hugh Thomas, Executive Director
Flight Standards Service
Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 821
Washington, DC 20591
RE: NBAA and CJP's Request for Temporary Stay of Effective Date of FAA's Notice of Policy Change and Rescission of Single-Pilot Training Exemptions for Certain Cessna Aircraftand establishment of inter-departmental FAA-Industry working group
Dear Mr. Thomas:
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the Citation Jet Pilots (CJP) respectfully request that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stay the effective date of the FAA's Notice of Policy Change and Rescission of Single-Pilot Training Exemptions for Certain Cessna Aircraft as published in the Federal Register on September 28, 2026, by at least 90 days for entities compliant with their previous conditions and limitations. A temporary stay would enable the FAA to evaluate specific safety concerns for single-pilot operations, distinguish compliant entities from problematic ones, and work collaboratively with operators/owner-pilots and training providers on a durable solution.
In addition, NBAA and CJP would request the establishment of an FAA-industry working group consisting of representatives of affected operators and inter-departmental FAA representation to collaboratively work towards alternative methods of compliance.
A temporary stay would not prevent oversight or enforcement against a specific entity presenting a demonstrated safety or compliance concern. But it would avoid immediate, industry-wide consequences for operators/owner-pilots and training providers that would incur irreparable harm despite having safely operated within an FAA-approved and FAA-supervised framework for decades.
As you are no doubt aware, the FAA has established that at the administrative level, "the primary stay consideration ... usually relates to whether the public interest or the interest of the private parties involved, or both would be served by a delay of the proceeding." In re Albert O. Mccauley; Herbert Gene Vance; Duncan Black Parker, FAA Docket CP89SO0149, FAA Docket CP89SO0182, 1990 FAA LEXIS 200, at 7 (January 12, 1990). NBAA and CJP respectfully submit that the requested stay would be in the interest of all parties.
The FAA's recent actions affect two interconnected groups: (1) aircraft operators/owner-pilots who have relied on the exemption framework, and (2) training providers that have built their training programs, staffing, simulator capacity, and business operations to serve those operators. The effects of the FAA's recent actions are immediate and extend beyond the individual exemption holders, and themselves implicate safety.
For aircraft operators/owner-pilots, the consequences include:
* Loss of access to an established training pathway, potentially preventing otherwise qualified and compliant pilots from completing required initial or recurrent training.
* Aircraft grounding or reduced utilization, when pilots cannot obtain the training necessary to maintain qualification, or when an appropriately qualified second-in-command pilot is not available for the trip.
* Significant operational disruption, including canceled trips, repositioning difficulties, and the need to locate a qualified second-in-command pilot on short notice, as a result of those groundings/reductions.
* Substantial reliance costs, for owners who purchased and operated aircraft with the reasonable expectation that the existing FAA-authorized training structure would remain available.
* Potential safety consequences from reduced training availability, because a policy intended to address safety concerns will inadvertently make high-quality, aircraft-specific training harder to obtain.
* Unequal treatment of compliant operators. Operators with strong safety and compliance records may suffer the same consequences as entities that created the concerns underlying the FAA's action, without an individualized determination.
For training providers, the consequences include:
* Loss of students and training activity, due to the affected aircraft and exemption holders.
* Stranded investment, in aircraft-specific curricula, simulator devices, instructors, evaluators, facilities, and course development that are no longer viable.
* Disruption to staffing and scheduling, particularly where specialized instructors and simulator capacity have been dedicated to specific aircraft types.
* Business uncertainty created without a meaningful transition period, making it difficult to plan training schedules, retain personnel, or make future capital investments.
* Damage to the existing FAA-industry training infrastructure, despite Part 142 centers already being subject to FAA oversight via certification, curriculum evaluation, inspection, recordkeeping, and surveillance requirements.
* Loss of a valuable safety resource, if specialized training programs become economically unsustainable because the operators they serve can no longer use them.
Additionally, we are concerned that even to the extent the FAA potentially may have identified valid safety concerns, not only does the September 28, 2026, notice overreach by its blanket action of prohibiting all single-pilot exemptions for Cessna Citation CE-500 aircraft, but the safety data relied upon by the FAA also is not adequately explained to justify any actions by the FAA. The FAA refers to "numerous" instances of non-compliance with conditions and limitations but otherwise fails to document them; similarly, it indicates that exemptions had been rescinded and/or extensions denied for 13 of 14 Part 61 exemption holders, without elaboration or explanation of how that is relevant to other exemption holders.
Likewise, the FAA asserts in the September 28, 2026, notice that the rescission of the exemption is justified by accident rates, but the FAA did not provide the underlying data to allow it to be independently analyzed, nor did it address whether the raw numbers from the two datasets invoked were properly comparable. Notably, the only two specific accidents cited by the FAA includes the December 18, 2025 accident involving Greg Biffle, which the FAA concedes was being operated illegally; that facially is irrelevant to the safety of compliant single-pilot operations.
The establishment of a collaborative FAA-industry working group would allow affected operators the ability to review the safety data used as the basis for the policy change and to work with the agency on alternative paths forward.
We appreciate the agency's consideration of these requests and stand ready to work collaboratively toward a safe and effective solution.
Sincerely,
Heidi J. Williams, Senior Vice President Operations, NBAA
Rob Balzano, CEO, CJP
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Original text and footnotes here: https://nbaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/20260929-NBAA-CJP-Request-Temporary-Stay-FAA-Rescission-Single-Pilot-Training-Exemption-Certain-Cessna-Aircraft.pdf
News Release here: https://nbaa.org/2026-press-releases/nbaa-cjp-urge-collaborative-solutions-in-request-to-pause-faa-citation-spe-rescissions/
[Category: Transportation]
HFTP Recognizes Top Chapters in 2026 With Annual Awards
AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 3 -- Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals issued the following news:
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October 2, 2026
HFTP Recognizes Top Chapters in 2026 with Annual Awards
Each year, HFTP strives to recognize the chapters who demonstrate extraordinary efforts to engage their local members and provide educational and networking opportunities to advance their professional development. The chapters who went above and beyond in 2026 were celebrated at the HFTP 2026 Annual Convention in Reno, Nevada.
Congratulations to the following chapters!
* Tier A (1-35 members): HFTP Central Carolina
... Show Full Article
AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 3 -- Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals issued the following news:
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October 2, 2026
HFTP Recognizes Top Chapters in 2026 with Annual Awards
Each year, HFTP strives to recognize the chapters who demonstrate extraordinary efforts to engage their local members and provide educational and networking opportunities to advance their professional development. The chapters who went above and beyond in 2026 were celebrated at the HFTP 2026 Annual Convention in Reno, Nevada.
Congratulations to the following chapters!
* Tier A (1-35 members): HFTP Central CarolinaChapter
* Tier B (36-70 members): HFTP North Texas Chapter
* Tier C (71+ members): HFTP Gulf Coast Chapter
* Student Chapter of the Year: HFTP Cougar Chapter -- University of Houston
Representatives from all four winning chapters were in attendance at the HFTP 2026 Annual Convention to receive their awards.
HFTP has approximately 66 chapters organized in countries and regions around the world including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, United Kingdom, Italy, United Arab Emirates and India. Upon joining HFTP, members have the option to join a local chapter. Members can engage with their local chapter by attending chapter meetings to connect with a local network of their fellow members, share solutions with other professionals in the community, and access tremendous opportunities for education and leadership. Learn more about chapters on the HFTP website.
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Original text here: https://www.hftp.org/news/hftp-recognizes-top-chapters-in-2026-with-annual-awards
[Category: Travel]
Latin America Business Travel Spending Forecast to Reach $67.7 Billion USD in 2026 as Growth Accelerates Amid Ongoing Economic Pressures
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 2 [Category: Travel] -- The Global Business Travel Association posted the following news release:
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Latin America Business Travel Spending Forecast to Reach $67.7 Billion USD in 2026 as Growth Accelerates Amid Ongoing Economic Pressures
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At GBTA LATAM Conference 2026, industry leaders examine business travel's growth, innovation, impact and resilience in the region
Business travel spending in Latin America is forecast to reach $67.7 billion USD in 2026, an increase of approximately 11% year over year and among the highest regional growth rates globally, according
... Show Full Article
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 2 [Category: Travel] -- The Global Business Travel Association posted the following news release:
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Latin America Business Travel Spending Forecast to Reach $67.7 Billion USD in 2026 as Growth Accelerates Amid Ongoing Economic Pressures
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At GBTA LATAM Conference 2026, industry leaders examine business travel's growth, innovation, impact and resilience in the region
Business travel spending in Latin America is forecast to reach $67.7 billion USD in 2026, an increase of approximately 11% year over year and among the highest regional growth rates globally, accordingto research unveiled yesterday at the Global Business Travel Association's(GBTA) LATAM Conference 2026 held in Mexico City.
Despite the near-term growth, the broader outlook in Latin America remains measured with regional spending growth forecast to slow to 3.3% in 2027 due to a high dependence on broader economic stability. Even so, the latest expectations underscore the resilience and strategic importance of business travel across Latin America.
The 18th GBTA LATAM Conference, held at Hotel Camino Real Polanco, brought together over 450 registered attendees representing 17 countries from Latin America and beyond, including 277 buyers and suppliers. The Expo featured 40 exhibiting companies.
This year's Conference theme, "AI With Purpose: Reimagining Business Travel Through Human-Centric Innovation," featured programming that combined research and leadership perspectives with practical education on the trends reshaping managed travel. Topics included artificial intelligence and data analytics, pricing and economic projections, traveler experience, sustainability, geopolitical risk and the growing pressure to demonstrate the return on every business trip. GBTA leadership and top executives from international companies such as Deloitte, Microsoft, and Qualcomm also offered their industry perspectives.
"Latin America has strong momentum and a clear opportunity to turn business travel growth into broader economic value," said Katharine Farrell, Vice President, Americas. "The research points to rising spend and renewed confidence, while higher costs and geopolitical uncertainty reinforce the need for resilient, purposeful travel programs. The outlook is positive, but continued success will depend on smart planning and measurable returns. The conversations at this year's Conference demonstrate the strength and optimism we're seeing across the region."
Latin America Outlook: Strong 2026 Growth, Moderation Ahead
Mariana Ponce de Leon, GBTA Regional Director, Mexico, Central America & Colombia, added, "The strong forecast reflects the essential role of in-person engagement in building customer relationships, entering new markets and strengthening organizations across the region," said Ponce de Leon. "At the same time, travel programs must remain disciplined and focused on value as cost and risk pressures persist."
Part of the Main Stage session was comprised of LATAM-specific research from the 2026 GBTA Business Travel Index (BTI) unveiled in August. Highlights included:
* Business trip volume originating in Latin America is forecast at 64 million trips in 2026, up 1.5% year over year.
* Mexico ranks 20th globally, with forecast spending of $10.4 billion USD in 2026.
* Brazil, the region's only market among the global top 15, is forecast to reach $35.8 billion USD in spending, an increase of 13.8% from 2025.
* Argentina is forecast at $6.1 billion USD; Colombia at $5.5 billion USD, Peru at $5.9 billion USD and Chile at $3.4 billion USD.
* Manufacturing, public administration and defense, construction, retail trade, and agriculture, forestry and fishing are among the sectors expected to show the strongest business travel growth in Latin America.
Business Travel Delivers Local Economic Value
Additionally, new findings presented from the just-released 2026 GBTA Global Cities Economic Impact Study demonstrate the significant value and impact for the destinations where business travel takes place.
Business travel to and within Mexico City generated $3.3 billion USD in industry revenue for the destination based on 2024 data, including $2.1 billion USD in direct contribution and $1.1 billion USD in indirect and induced contribution. It supported 50,858 jobs, generated $867 million USD in local value-added revenue and contributed $419 million USD in taxes. For every $1 USD spent on business travel in Mexico City, 41% remains in the local economy.
"These findings show that business travel's impact is visible in local revenue, jobs, supplier activity and commercial growth," said Daniel Duarte, GBTA Regional Manager, LATAM South. "The opportunity ahead is to sustain that momentum through smarter investment, strong regional partnerships and travel programs that balance growth with resilience."
Increased Confidence Among LATAM Industry Professionals
Findings were also presented from GBTA's September 2026 Industry Sentiment Poll which reflected the highest level of renewed confidence among global regions: 76% of Latin American travel industry professionals were optimistic about the next 12 months (although the regional sample was limited.)
Honoring Regional Volunteers and Board Service
The Conference also recognized the contributions of part of the 2026 GBTA LATAM Advisory Board. Chaired by Felipe Cardona, Travel Manager for the Americas at DHL, GBTA LATAM Advisory Board members Miguel Ruiz, Vice President, Solutions Advisory Americas at SAP; Monica Crawfurd, Managing Director of Sales, CALA at Hilton; Estela Pedrozo, Director, Business Development & Corporate Solutions at Mastercard; and Conrado Sainz, Corporate Travel Global Coordinator at Exiros/Techint, provide strategic guidance and regional insight to support GBTA's mission across Latin America.
Turning Insight into Action Across LATAM
Attendees also learned about the GBTA Foundation's professional development and sustainability opportunities aimed at supporting a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient future for business travel:
* GBTA WINiT, offering mentorships, events, workshops, awards and professional development opportunities for women in the business travel industry.
* The Sustainability Acceleration Challenge, a tool to support companies on their journey toward net zero travel emissions and to strengthen their sustainability efforts.
Ways to Become Involved in GBTA
The Conference ended with a calendar of events taking place in LATAM and beyond, including the GBTA Europe Conference 2026, going on Nov 2-4 in Vienna, and upcoming GBTA 2027 LATAM events:
Business Travel Forums
* March in Monterrey, Mexico
* April in Santiago, Chile
* May in Bogota, Colombia
* July in Guadalajara, Mexico
* November in Buenos Aires, Argentina
The New Business Travel Summit
* June in Sao Paulo, Brazil
GBTA is also planning Fundamentals of Business Travel Management and Advanced Principles of Business Travel Management in-person courses for Mexico and Brazil in the second half of 2027, as well as buyer-only webinars for the region.
For more information about the GBTA LATAM Conference, visit mexicoconference.gbta.org, and access pictures from the Conference in the coming days here.
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Original text here: https://gbta.org/latin-america-business-travel-spending-forecast-to-reach-67-7-billion-usd-in-2026-as-growth-accelerates-amid-ongoing-economic-pressures/
Fact Check: Chris Jones Out of Step with Iowa, Democrats, and Reality
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, Oct. 2 [Category: Energy] -- The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association posted the following news release:
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Fact Check: Chris Jones Out of Step with Iowa, Democrats, and Reality
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WEST DES MOINES, IA - During a taping of Iowa Public Television's Iowa Press show featuring Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, challenger Chris Jones took positions attacking Iowa farmers and ethanol production that set him apart from mainstream Iowa views, other leading Democratic candidates, and reality itself.
"It's pretty obvious that Iowa City-based Chris Jones doesn't know which
... Show Full Article
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, Oct. 2 [Category: Energy] -- The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association posted the following news release:
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Fact Check: Chris Jones Out of Step with Iowa, Democrats, and Reality
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WEST DES MOINES, IA - During a taping of Iowa Public Television's Iowa Press show featuring Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, challenger Chris Jones took positions attacking Iowa farmers and ethanol production that set him apart from mainstream Iowa views, other leading Democratic candidates, and reality itself.
"It's pretty obvious that Iowa City-based Chris Jones doesn't know whichend of the cow to put the corn in," stated Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw. "We can all disagree on some things, but this guy is completely out of touch with rural Iowa, Iowa Democratic leaders, and basic ag facts. While criticizing Iowa's hard-working farmers, he fails to ever lay out a viable alternate path forward. Iowa's future deserves better."
An IRFA fact check of candidate Jone's erroneous statements is below.
Jones: "[Ethanol is] directly responsible for a lot of this water pollution."
Fact: Growing corn in Iowa predates modern ethanol production by 150 years. However, due to the demand for low-carbon ethanol, ethanol plants are increasingly sourcing low-carbon corn. The same practices that qualify for the federal low-carbon tax credit known as 45Z are the practices that help improve water quality: no/reduced till, cover crops, and nutrient management practices.[1] Instead of hurting water quality, ethanol and 45Z are poised to be the single biggest clean water program in US history.
Jones: "I would suggest that it [ethanol] just has not been good for Iowans in general."
Fact: Candidate Jones is out of step with the vast majority of Iowans. Polls routinely show that 85% of Iowans view ethanol production as important to the state's economy.[2] Economic studies show ethanol production drives over $5 billion of Iowa GDP, over $2 billion of household income, and powers nearly 30,000 jobs throughout the state economy.[3]
Jones: "[Ethanol] has provided a security blanket for farmers."
Fact: The opportunity for a farmer to sell their corn for more than the cost of production is not a "security blanket," it's a viable market. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, farmers routinely relied on government payments to keep their family farms intact. During the first two decades of this century, corn farmers were usually able to farm for the market, not a government program, largely due to the growth in ethanol demand.[4]
Higher corn prices from ethanol demand increased farm income and created generational wealth opportunities in rural Iowa. A recent study found that farmland values rose 44% due to the ethanol boom of the last two decades.[5] That equity has created meaningful economic opportunities in rural communities.
Jones: "We know this, that the demand for liquid fuels in the United States is going to decline, along with that, the demand for ethanol is going to decline."
Fact: Ethanol demand is poised to grow dramatically over the next thirty years even if on-road liquid fuel use declines. First, adoption of E15 is hitting record levels thanks to bipartisan support for consumer access in Iowa.[6] Nationwide, E15 represents a potential market of nearly 7 billion gallons.[7] Emerging markets for ethanol, like marine fuels[8] and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)[9] should drive demand for tens of billions of additional gallons of ethanol, dwarfing current on-road use.
In fact, increasing ethanol demand is the best opportunity to maintain and enhance rural prosperity over the next 30 years.[10]
Jones: "Well, the question is here for me, has corn and soy and ethanol brought prosperity to rural Iowa? It has not. Every indication is that it has not. In many parts of rural Iowa, it's almost destroyed the society there."
Fact: This statement is utterly divorced from reality. The growth in ethanol production was a boon for the communities where they are located specifically and the rural economy in general, providing good-paying direct jobs and supporting businesses of all kinds.[11] With the US E10 market saturated, the key isn't to turn your back on the best news in agriculture this century, but to support new markets like E15, marine fuels, and SAF. Instead of making silly comments from an ivory tower in Iowa City, either show us the mayor or local economic development volunteer who says the nearby ethanol plant hurt their community or stop talking.
Jones: "[Ethanol] It's a dead end economically. It's a dead end environmentally. It's a dead end politically."
Fact: We've addressed the first two inaccurate statements above. As for politically, ethanol maintains strong bipartisan support because of the wide array of benefits it brings: boosting corn prices, enhancing energy security, lowering tailpipe and carbon emissions, powering jobs, and - now - incentivizing clean water ag practices.
A bill to remove barriers to year-round E15 passed the U.S. House with bipartisan support this summer (122 Republicans and 95 Democrats supported).[12] In Iowa, the groundbreaking Governor's Biofuels Bill was passed with strong bipartisan support (passed 123 to 16 - both chambers combined).[13]
All leading Iowa Democratic candidates support ethanol, except for Chris Jones.
Iowa Gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand: "You started this by saying you want to pitch me on ethanol. I'd reframe that in your mind, for where it comes to me personally, because when I hear people talking negative about agriculture in Iowa or about ethanol, one of the first things I remind them of is: well, you (ethanol) support Iowa public schools. You want to have well-funded public schools? Okay, well, right now, today in the state of Iowa, we're going to want agriculture and ethanol to be doing well because we want to have roads and bridges that work. We want to have public schools that are paying teachers well and getting our kids educated. We want to have good public safety. And we can have conversations around, like you're talking about, the ways we can find to make it work better."[14]
US Senate candidate Josh Turek: "Out here discussing ways and policies, federally, that we can actually have an expansion and support of renewable energy, renewable fuels. Iowa has, by far, the most to gain or lose with these federal fuel standards. We need to have year-round E15. We need to make sure Iowa is leading the way on sustainable aviation fuel, marine fuels. And that's exactly what you'll get from me in the United States Senate. Someone that is always fighting for Iowa and Iowans first, and fighting for renewable fuels, renewable energies, and our ethanol industry here in Iowa."[15]
US House candidate Christina Bohannan: "I think that we need to get E15 in that bill [Farm Bill] year-round."[16]
US House candidate Lindsay James: "I support year-round E15."[17]
US House candidate Trone Garriott: "In Congress, I'll support investments in clean energy like wind, solar, and biofuels-which already power thousands of Iowa jobs-and I'll work with farmers to promote sustainable practices that keep our soil healthy and our water safe."[18]
US House candidate Dave Dawson: "We could also pass a long-term Farm Bill that included E15 year-round that would help supplement our farm markets for corn and making sure we have better homegrown fuels."[19]
The facts are clear: Chris Jones is out of touch with agriculture, out of touch with Iowans, and even out of touch with Democrats.
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association represents the state's liquid renewable fuels industry and works to foster its growth. Iowa is the nation's leader in renewable fuels production with 42 ethanol refineries capable of producing over 5 billion gallons annually - including 34 million gallons of annual cellulosic ethanol production capacity - and 8 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce 408 million gallons annually. For more information, visit the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association website at: www.IowaRFA.org.
[1] https://www.usda.gov/usda-fdcic
[2] https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/iowa-poll/2021/09/24/giant-majority-say-ethanol-important-state-economy-iowa-poll/5818848001/
[3] https://iowarfa.org/economiccontribution/
[4] https://ethanolrfa.org/media-and-news/category/blog/article/2013/05/ethanol-corn-prices-government-payments-and-the-real-reason-meat-groups-oppose-the-rfs
[5] https://www.sdstate.edu/news/2026/05/how-did-ethanol-boom-2000s-impact-farm-values-midwest
[6] https://iowarfa.org/2026/10/new-monthly-record-e15-sales-keep-climbing-in-iowa/
[7] https://ncga.com/stay-informed/media/the-corn-economy/article/2025/10/the-case-for-e15-boosting-demand-for-american-corn
[8] https://growthenergy.org/2026/09/28/marine-fuel-nlr-report/
[9] https://iowarfa.org/2024/01/sustainable-aviation-fuel-study-finds-midwest-economy-would-be-taken-to-new-heights/
[10] https://iowarfa.org/ethanol-center/ethanol-facts/the-demand-gap-for-corn/
[11] https://www.reuters.com/article/world/us/ethanol-boom-fuels-prosperity-in-rural-america-idUSL15767794/
[12] https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2026/05/13/e15-vote-gas-gasoline-us-house-bill-passes/90060892007/
[13] https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ba=HF2128&ga=89&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
[14] https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/08/18/iowa-ethanol-backers-share-concerns-with-rob-sand/
[15] https://www.facebook.com/reel/4512158949067616
[16] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXlLO0jDS4U
[17] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxmmjLQ5-9M
[18] https://sarahforiowa.com/issue/protecting-iowas-land-water-and-clean-energy-future/
[19] https://www.ktiv.com/2026/09/30/watch-live-7pm-ktiv-host-debate-between-candidates-iowas-4th-congressional-district/
***
Original text here: https://iowarfa.org/2026/10/fact-check-chris-jones-out-of-step-with-iowa-democrats-and-reality/
(TNSmrp)
ENA Members Choose Vanessa Gorman as 2027 President-elect
SCHAUMBURG, Illinois, Oct. 2 -- The Emergency Nurses Association issued the following news:
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ENA Members Choose Vanessa Gorman as 2027 President-elect
Paige Fumo Fox
Secretary/treasurer, two board members also picked in annual election
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (Oct. 1, 2026) - A believer in the power of connecting people and building the community of emergency and forensic nurses, Vanessa Gorman, DNP, MSN, RN, CCRN, FAEN, FCENA, of Australia, has been chosen as the 2027 Emergency Nurses Association president-elect.
Vanessa Gorman
Gorman currently serves as the association's secretary/treasurer
... Show Full Article
SCHAUMBURG, Illinois, Oct. 2 -- The Emergency Nurses Association issued the following news:
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ENA Members Choose Vanessa Gorman as 2027 President-elect
Paige Fumo Fox
Secretary/treasurer, two board members also picked in annual election
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (Oct. 1, 2026) - A believer in the power of connecting people and building the community of emergency and forensic nurses, Vanessa Gorman, DNP, MSN, RN, CCRN, FAEN, FCENA, of Australia, has been chosen as the 2027 Emergency Nurses Association president-elect.
Vanessa Gorman
Gorman currently serves as the association's secretary/treasurerand has been a member of the ENA Board of Directors for five years. Prior to joining the board, her involvement in the association included serving on ENA's Global Advisory Committee and the ED Leadership Committee. She will serve as president-elect in 2027 and as president in 2028. Chris Parker, MSN, RN, CNL, CEN, CFRN, CPEN, TCRN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, NRP, of Virginia, is the incoming 2027 ENA president.
"I look forward to working with Chris and the rest of the board in the next year, continuing to move the association forward so that every member finds value and sees we are strong advocates for what they need," Gorman said. "I love that this association is global and has such reach and impacts so many people. We can come together with that shared purpose regardless of geography."
Gorman, a Melbourne resident - whose professional experience includes statewide government operations in Victoria, Australia, and more than a decade of emergency department leadership - is ENA's first global president-elect.
"That milestone is more than one person or one country. It demonstrates that emergency nursing leadership can come from anywhere in the world," Gorman said.
ENA voters also selected a new secretary/treasurer, two directors and four members of the Leadership Development and Elections Committee. The election results were announced Oct. 1 as part of Emergency Nursing 2026, ENA's annual education and networking conference in Phoenix.
2027 ENA Secretary/Treasurer:
Tyler Babcock, MSN, MBA, RN, CEN, NEA-BC, TCRN, of New Jersey
ENA Board of Directors:
Heidi Gilbert, MSN, RN, CEN, SANE-A, TCRN, of Oklahoma
Heather Knapp, MSN, RN, CEN, CPEN, CPHQ, of Idaho
Leadership Development and Elections Committee:
Region 1: Katherine Hammond, DNP, APRN, CEN, FNP-C, of Oregon
Region 3: Renee Cecil, DNP, RN, CEN, SANE, TCRN, of Kentucky
Region 5: Marvella Cephas, DNP, RN, CEN, NEA-BC, of New Jersey
Member-at-large: Terry Foster, MSN, RN, CEN, CPEN, CCRN, TCRN, FAEN, of Kentucky
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The Emergency Nurses Association is the premier professional nursing association dedicated to defining the future of emergency nursing through advocacy, education, research, innovation, and leadership. Founded in 1970, ENA has proven to be an indispensable resource to the global emergency nursing community. With 40,000 members worldwide, ENA advocates for patient safety, develops industry-leading practice standards and guidelines and guides emergency health care public policy. ENA members have expertise in triage, patient care, disaster preparedness, and all aspects of emergency care. Additional information is available at www.ena.org.
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Original text here: https://www.ena.org/news-publications/newsroom/ena-members-choose-vanessa-gorman-2027-president-elect
[Category: Nursing]
CMS Finalizes New Mandatory Drug Payment Model
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, Oct. 2 [Category: Health Care] -- The Missouri Hospital Association posted the following news:
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CMS Finalizes New Mandatory Drug Payment Model
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a final rule to address the increasingly expensive cost of drugs in Original Medicare Part B while preserving or enhancing Medicare beneficiaries' quality of care.
The Global Benchmark for Efficient Drug Pricing Model is designed to test whether a new rebate formula for certain drugs in the Medicare Part B Drug Inflation Rebate Program will reduce costs for original
... Show Full Article
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, Oct. 2 [Category: Health Care] -- The Missouri Hospital Association posted the following news:
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CMS Finalizes New Mandatory Drug Payment Model
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a final rule to address the increasingly expensive cost of drugs in Original Medicare Part B while preserving or enhancing Medicare beneficiaries' quality of care.
The Global Benchmark for Efficient Drug Pricing Model is designed to test whether a new rebate formula for certain drugs in the Medicare Part B Drug Inflation Rebate Program will reduce costs for originalMedicare beneficiaries while preserving quality of care.
The GLOBE Model will use an alternative method for calculating Medicare Part B drug inflation rebate amounts that will reduce out-of-pocket cost to patients. The GLOBE Model will begin Jan. 1, 2027, and end March 31, 2032.
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Original text here: https://www.mohospitals.org/newsroom/cms-finalizes-new-mandatory-drug-payment-model
CENTER FOR DAIRY EXCELLENCE: GRANT PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR PA DAIRY PRODUCERS TO MAKE ON-FARM INVESTMENTS
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Oct. 2 -- The Center for Dairy Excellence issued the following news release:
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October 1, 2026
GRANT PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR PA DAIRY PRODUCERS TO MAKE ON-FARM INVESTMENTS
Dairy Excellence Grants and Dairy Productivity Grant Applications Are Due November 1
Harrisburg, Pa. - The Center for Dairy Excellence opened two competitive grant programs on October 1 for Pennsylvania dairy producers who are looking to improve efficiency and invest in projects that directly impact milk production on their dairy operation. Leveraging funds provided through the Commonwealth of
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HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Oct. 2 -- The Center for Dairy Excellence issued the following news release:
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October 1, 2026
GRANT PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR PA DAIRY PRODUCERS TO MAKE ON-FARM INVESTMENTS
Dairy Excellence Grants and Dairy Productivity Grant Applications Are Due November 1
Harrisburg, Pa. - The Center for Dairy Excellence opened two competitive grant programs on October 1 for Pennsylvania dairy producers who are looking to improve efficiency and invest in projects that directly impact milk production on their dairy operation. Leveraging funds provided through the Commonwealth ofPennsylvania and PA Dairymen's Association, the Dairy Productivity Grant program supports first-time investments in Milking Efficiency Technologies, Feeding Technologies or Activity Monitoring Systems. The Dairy Excellence Grant program supports on-farm improvement projects, including anything related to boosting dairy farm efficiency, cow comfort, milking facilities, housing facilities, or feeding systems. Both grants are competitive with a limited window to apply. Pennsylvania dairy producers must submit their applications by November 1.
"Our hope is that these grant opportunities support projects that directly impact milk production and dairy farm families' bottom line. Whether you're focused on efficiency and want to invest in pipeline or automatic milking technology or you're looking to upgrade your facilities to help achieve your herd management goals, these grants can provide between $5,000 and $10,000 in funds if your application is accepted," said Melissa Anderson, Programs and Operations Manager at the Center for Dairy Excellence.
The Dairy Productivity Grant is focused on first-time investments in Milking Efficiency Technologies (pipeline, automatic milking technology, robotic milking technology, and direct load milking), Feeding Technologies (TMR mixer, feed tracking and inventory technology), or Activity Monitoring Systems (boluses, collars or tags). If approved, dairy producers will receive up to $10,000 for their project with a 25 percent match. Grant applications will only be accepted from October 1 to November 1, with selections made and winning applicants notified by November 20. Visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/productivity-grants to apply online or download a printed application to mail back.
"The Dairy Productivity Grant was a blessing in helping to fund a portion of the significant upfront investment in an activity monitoring system. The new monitoring system has improved our breeding results, herd health and overall ability to lead our herd to profitability," shared a Pennsylvania dairy farmer who received a Dairy Productivity Grant.
Farms may not apply for the Dairy Productivity Grant if they plan on utilizing the funding as a match for another state grant. This is a reimbursable grant with a 25 percent match required to receive up to $10,000 for the project described on the application. Producers must submit documentation of their expenses incurred for that project to receive payment. The total payment they receive will be based on the total cost of the project and will be adjusted to 75 percent of that total cost.
For Pennsylvania dairy producers who want to improve cow comfort, milk production per cow, or efficiency on their dairy operations, the Dairy Excellence Grants are designed to support improvement projects on the farm. If approved for the grant, producers will receive a 50 percent match, up to a maximum matching level of $5,000. Grant applications will only be accepted from October 1 to November 1, with selections made and winning applicants notified by November 20. Visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/excellence-grants to apply online or download a printed application to mail back.
"I just wanted to express my gratitude to the Center for Dairy Excellence for providing this grant money to our operation. Being a small dairy farm doesn't always allow for many improvements or upgrades to be made, so this grant was a game-changer for us. We were able to put a new water line in that has really improved our water flow and readily available access to water for our cows. We're very appreciative that we were awarded this grant," shared Jamie Crawford, a Bradford County dairy farmer and previous recipient of the Dairy Excellence Grant.
The Dairy Excellence Grant selection committee will award grants based on the impact the project would have on cow comfort and overall milk production, the detail in which the applicant describes what the project involves and how the project will benefit their operation, and the willingness of the applicant to provide requested information or to seek help in providing requested information.
Pennsylvania dairy farms that have 35 or more lactating cows or dairy heifer raising operations with more than 100 dairy heifers are eligible to apply for both grants. A $100 application fee is required upon submission for both grants but will be reimbursed if the application is not accepted.
To learn more about the grants and to apply online by November 1, visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org. Email Melissa Anderson at manderson@centerfordairyexcellence.org or call 717-788-0296 with questions.
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The Center for Dairy Excellence is a non-profit organization initiated by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture in 2004. Bringing together people from more than 40 different dairy organizations in Pennsylvania, the Center's mission is to enhance the profitability of the dairy industry by empowering people, creating partnerships, and increasing the availability and use of resources. Learn more at centerfordairyexcellence.org.
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Original text here: https://www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/wp-content/uploads/10-1_GrantsOpen.pdf
[Category: Agriculture]
