Featured Stories
More Than 50 Mayors From Latin America and the Caribbean Gather in Colombia to Strengthen Cooperation and Advance More Resilient Cities
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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More Than 50 Mayors from Latin America and the Caribbean Gather in Colombia to Strengthen Cooperation and Advance More Resilient Cities
BOGOTA -- The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), through its IDB Cities Network, is bringing together more than 50 mayors and national and local authorities from Latin America and the Caribbean in Bogota and Barranquilla, Colombia, for the 2026 Mayors Forum, one of the region's leading platforms for discussing the future of cities and urban transformation
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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More Than 50 Mayors from Latin America and the Caribbean Gather in Colombia to Strengthen Cooperation and Advance More Resilient Cities
BOGOTA -- The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), through its IDB Cities Network, is bringing together more than 50 mayors and national and local authorities from Latin America and the Caribbean in Bogota and Barranquilla, Colombia, for the 2026 Mayors Forum, one of the region's leading platforms for discussing the future of cities and urban transformationinitiatives to improve citizens' quality of life.
The event, held on September 2-4, seeks to foster cooperation and peer learning among cities to help strengthen management capacity, attract investment, and implement solutions that deliver tangible results.
The forum was officially inaugurated today in Bogota by the president of Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella, who delivered the opening remarks.
Juan Pablo Bonilla, manager of the IDB's Climate Change and Sustainable Development Sector, said, "At the IDB, we are committed to strengthening cooperation among local governments and expanding access to knowledge, financing, and innovation to support cities in their efforts to jointly address territorial development challenges."
Bogota Mayor Carlos Fernando Galan noted during the opening session that "just as we share challenges, cities can also share solutions that improve people's lives. Bogota has much to share, and also, much to learn. We thank the Inter-American Development Bank for creating this space for exchange, where cities can share experiences and build solutions that respond to urban challenges and improve the lives of millions of people across Latin America and the Caribbean."
For the first time, the forum is being held in two host cities. Following the opening in Bogota, participants will travel tomorrow to Barranquilla to continue exchanging experiences on topics related to fiscal sustainability, mobilization of financing, and investment to strengthen resilience and productivity.
"Barranquilla welcomes you with open arms and with the conviction that the best solutions to the world's challenges are born in local territories. Nearly 20 years of our governance model, working hand in hand with our people, have transformed the way our country and the world see us today, restoring confidence and harnessing our joy, hospitality, discipline, and responsible resource management to place people at the center of decision-making and our natural assets as a new engine of development," said Alejandro Char, mayor of Barranquilla. "Enjoy Barranquilla and feel the energy of a city that never stopped believing in itself," he added.
The event brings together representatives from cities including Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Guadalajara, San Jose, Cali, Panama City, Curitiba, Villavicencio, Kingston, and Montevideo, among others. Through this initiative, the IDB continues to strengthen a network of local leaders committed to sharing experiences and implementing solutions that improve lives across the region.
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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/more-50-mayors-latin-america-and-caribbean-gather-colombia-strengthen-cooperation-and-advance-more
SBA Unveils All Star Lineup for Million Dollar Pitch Competition
WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 -- The Small Business Administration issued the following news release on Aug. 31, 2026:
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SBA Unveils All Star Lineup for Million Dollar Pitch Competition
Judges Nicki Minaj, Grant Cardone, and Joe Gebbia to join host Dean Cain at finale in Washington, D.C.
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Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the all-star judging panel and event host for the grand finale of the agency's Million Dollar Pitch Competition. The judging panel will consist of global music icon and entrepreneur Nicki Minaj, inspiring business leader and real estate mogul Grant
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 -- The Small Business Administration issued the following news release on Aug. 31, 2026:
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SBA Unveils All Star Lineup for Million Dollar Pitch Competition
Judges Nicki Minaj, Grant Cardone, and Joe Gebbia to join host Dean Cain at finale in Washington, D.C.
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Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the all-star judging panel and event host for the grand finale of the agency's Million Dollar Pitch Competition. The judging panel will consist of global music icon and entrepreneur Nicki Minaj, inspiring business leader and real estate mogul GrantCardone, and visionary co-founder of Airbnb and design leader Joe Gebbia. Dean Cain, award-winning actor, producer, and television host, will serve as the show's host.
The celebrity panel will preside over the live finale event in Washington, D.C. on September 18th, where five successful entrepreneur finalists will pitch their small businesses for a chance to win a portion of a $1 million cash prize pool funded by Clover Network, Inc. (Clover). Launched as part of the SBA's Freedom 250 initiative commemorating 250 years of American free enterprise, the competition celebrates the ingenuity, grit, and national economic impact of America's local businesses.
"Great American entrepreneurs themselves, Nicki Minaj, Grant Cardone, Joe Gebbia, and Dean Cain will only add to the excitement of this historic celebration of free enterprise in the finale of our Million Dollar Pitch Competition," said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. "From building globally recognized personal and business brands and multibillion-dollar portfolios to launching innovative wellness solutions and digital platforms, each brings a unique, real world perspective on business growth and impact. Their presence will be invaluable in highlighting the unique and inspiring stories of the five finalists competing for $1 million in growth capital, and the importance of Main Street businesses in powering American strength."
Together, the high profile judges and host represent decades of experience building brands, growing portfolios, and engaging audiences across entertainment, real estate, digital media, and small business investment:
* Nicki Minaj: Global hip hop icon and record breaking artist who has built a multi industry business empire spanning the music business, fashion, beauty, and consumer products, including her own record label imprint, fragrance line, and brand partnerships with leading global companies.
* Grant Cardone: Entrepreneur, private equity fund manager, and real estate investor who leads Cardone Capital's multibillion dollar property portfolio, founded the 10X Movement and 10X Growth Conference, and is a New York Times bestselling author recognized for his leadership in sales and business scaling strategies.
* Joe Gebbia: Entrepreneur, innovative designer, and co-founder of Airbnb, who helped build the global travel platform into a leading hospitality marketplace. He also founded Samara, a company developing factory-made homes, serves on the boards of Airbnb and Tesla, and was appointed by President Trump in 2025 as the first-ever U.S. Chief Design Officer.
* Dean Cain (Host): Award-winning actor, writer, producer, director, and television host best known for his portrayal of Superman in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and for hosting Ripley's Believe It or Not!, with a long career across film, television, and unscripted programming.
At the Washington, D.C. event, the judges will evaluate pitches from the top five national finalists: Compotech, Inc. (Brewer, ME), Winton Machine (Suwanee, GA), Plas-Tech Tooling (Garner, IA), Red River (Gillette, WY), and VetPowered LLC (San Diego, CA). The finalists will compete for five cash prizes funded by Clover:
* First Place: $400,000
* Second Place: $250,000
* Third Place: $150,000
* Fourth Place: $125,000
* Fifth Place: $75,000
To learn more about the Patriot Pitch Competition and the SBA's Freedom 250 initiatives, visit www.sba.gov/freedom250.
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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/2026/08/31/sba-unveils-all-star-lineup-million-dollar-pitch-competition
NASA's Dark Universe-Seeking Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Launches
PASADENA, California, Sept. 1 -- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory issued the following news:
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NASA's Dark Universe-Seeking Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Launches
The spacecraft will study the mysteries of the cosmos while also testing the Coronagraph Instrument, designed and built by JPL to demonstrate advanced hardware for studying planets around other stars.
Now on a three-month, million-mile journey to its final orbit, NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will soon reveal the universe's darkest secrets. The mission launched at 7:26 a.m. EDT Sunday aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy
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PASADENA, California, Sept. 1 -- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory issued the following news:
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NASA's Dark Universe-Seeking Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Launches
The spacecraft will study the mysteries of the cosmos while also testing the Coronagraph Instrument, designed and built by JPL to demonstrate advanced hardware for studying planets around other stars.
Now on a three-month, million-mile journey to its final orbit, NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will soon reveal the universe's darkest secrets. The mission launched at 7:26 a.m. EDT Sunday aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavyrocket from Launch Complex 39A at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Roman pairs a large field of view with crisp infrared vision to explore vast swaths of the sky and probe deeply into cosmic history. This flagship mission will help astronomers explore dark matter, dark energy, and worlds outside of our solar system, known as exoplanets. Its surveys will support a broad range of research extending far beyond the mission's main science goals.
The ground control team at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, began receiving telemetry data from Roman seven minutes after launch. The Falcon Heavy rocket performed as expected, separating from the observatory 31 minutes into the flight. After separating from the center core, the rocket's boosters safely returned to the launch site for refurbishment.
The Roman team also confirmed successful deployment of the observatory's solar panels and lower instrument sun shade an hour and 23 minutes after launch. Within the upcoming days, Roman's high-gain antenna and visor-like deployable aperture cover will deploy, ground controllers will initiate the first of two-mid-course corrections, and the Coronagraph Instrument will power on. This instrument will demonstrate the technology that future missions like NASA's Habitable Worlds Observatory concept could use to image Earth-like planets in the search for life in the universe. Roman's Coronagraph will take a giant step in that direction by snapping pictures of Jupiter-like planets.
Read more here (https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasas-dark-universe-seeking-nancy-grace-roman-space-telescope-launches/).
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Original text here: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasas-dark-universe-seeking-nancy-grace-roman-space-telescope-launches/
GSA Applauds OMB Direction to Expand Governmentwide Use of Login.gov
WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 -- The General Services Administration issued the following news release:
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GSA Applauds OMB Direction to Expand Governmentwide Use of Login.gov
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New OMB Memo Reinforces Secure, Simple, and Fraud-resistant Access to Federal Services
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Today, the U.S. General Services Administration announced it will be leading implementation for the Office of Management and Budget's new directive to federal agencies to use GSA's Login.gov platform as the governmentwide sign-in and identity verification solution for public access to federal digital services.
OMB and
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 -- The General Services Administration issued the following news release:
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GSA Applauds OMB Direction to Expand Governmentwide Use of Login.gov
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New OMB Memo Reinforces Secure, Simple, and Fraud-resistant Access to Federal Services
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Today, the U.S. General Services Administration announced it will be leading implementation for the Office of Management and Budget's new directive to federal agencies to use GSA's Login.gov platform as the governmentwide sign-in and identity verification solution for public access to federal digital services.
OMB andGSA are advancing a more consistent, secure, and user-friendly approach to how the public accesses government services online. By expanding use of Login.gov, agencies will reduce duplicative technology investments, strengthen anti-fraud measures, and improve the citizen's user experience by making it easier for the public to securely access benefits, services, and information across government.
"Expanding Login.gov adoption creates a more simple, safe, and consistent digital government experience for the American people," said GSA Administrator Edward C. Forst. "GSA is proud to lead that transformation by bringing the operational capacity, technical expertise, and infrastructure needed to rapidly implement OMB's directive."
Login.gov, housed within GSA's Technology Transformation Services, provides a secure sign-in platform and is used by local, state, and federal government partners. The service has long invested in fraud prevention and identity protection through state-of-the-art technology from both the private and public sectors. Login.gov uses a layered approach to security, combining technical safeguards, risk-based detection, ongoing monitoring, and a specialized anti-fraud team focused on preventing identity theft and abuse. Ahead of its 10 year anniversary in 2027, GSA is strengthening Login.gov with additional fraud protections, lower pricing for agency partners, and a refreshed user experience.
GSA is prepared to support increased demand from federal agencies with onboarding processes, partner support teams, technical documentation, integration assistance, and operational playbooks to help agencies transition to the platform. GSA will work closely with agencies to assess needs, plan integrations, and support implementation in alignment with OMB guidance and applicable federal requirements.
The memo reflects a broader federal effort to streamline digital service delivery, improve public trust, and protect individuals from fraud and identity theft. By using Login.gov, agencies will offer the public a single, secure account for accessing multiple government services, reducing the need for separate usernames and passwords across federal websites.
Agencies seeking to begin or expand their use of Login.gov can learn more at https://www.login.gov/partners/get-started.
About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing approximately 360 million rentable square feet, overseeing over $126 billion in products and services via federal contracts, and delivering technology services to millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA's mission is to deliver exceptional customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology. To address nearly $50 billion in delinquent maintenance, GSA is leading a coalition of every cabinet agency and many federal leaders urgently advocating for full Federal Buildings Fund access and raising the prospectus threshold from $3.96 million to $75 million. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow @USGSA.
About Login: Login.gov is a shared technology service within GSA's Technology Transformation Services (TTS) that provides authentication and identity verification capabilities to government agencies. As the public's "one account for government," Login.gov gives the public the opportunity to use a single account to securely access services across participating government websites. Login.gov operates 24/7 support via phone and email. For assistance, visit www.login.gov/help.
Contact
press@gsa.gov
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Original text here: https://www.gsa.gov/about-gsa/newsroom/news-releases/gsa-applauds-omb-direction-to-expand-governmentwide-use-of-logingov-09012026
EPA Proposes Lower Cleanup Level for Pueblo Homes
WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Proposes Lower Cleanup Level for Pueblo Homes
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EPA proposal lowers the existing residential cleanup level and initiates a 30-day public comment period
DENVER - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection EPA (EPA) proposed changes to the residential cleanup level for lead at the Colorado Smelter Superfund site. EPA's proposal lowers the cleanup level for lead in residential soil to 240 parts per million (ppm) from the current cleanup level of 350 ppm. The proposal would also lower the cleanup
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Proposes Lower Cleanup Level for Pueblo Homes
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EPA proposal lowers the existing residential cleanup level and initiates a 30-day public comment period
DENVER - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection EPA (EPA) proposed changes to the residential cleanup level for lead at the Colorado Smelter Superfund site. EPA's proposal lowers the cleanup level for lead in residential soil to 240 parts per million (ppm) from the current cleanup level of 350 ppm. The proposal would also lower the cleanuplevel for indoor dust to 110 ppm from the current cleanup level of 275 ppm.
The proposed change reflects EPA's continued effort to use the latest science to improve protections for people living near the site. Residential sampling remains available while the agency's proposal goes through public comment and finalization. Properties that were previously sampled but did not meet the former cleanup threshold would also be reevaluated under the new standards. EPA does not anticipate revisiting yards that received whole-yard cleanups.
"This proposal moves the project forward using the latest science and stronger protective standards to better safeguard human health. Families shouldn't have to worry if their children are playing in lead-contaminated soil," said EPA Regional Administrator Cyrus Western. "We are committed to getting faster results to protect human health, which acts on the latest gold-standard science, and will provide real results to citizens of Pueblo."
In October 2025, EPA released the Residential Soil Lead Directive for CERCLA Sites and RCRA Hazardous Waste Cleanup Facilities (2025 Directive) to enable faster decisions that are built to quickly address risks posed by lead in residential soil and interior dust. The 2025 Directive evaluates and incorporates site-specific conditions to develop and select protective cleanup levels, which will help accelerate cleanups and deliver health and environmental protections to communities. In addition, the 2025 directive focuses on combining cleanups of lead contaminated soil with the education and action of individuals, communities, and government partners to provide an effective overall strategy for reducing blood-lead levels in children. The updated approach outlined in this Directive formalizes the use of these layers of protection to encourage early response in areas of greatest concern and to leverage the expertise and resources of state and local partners for long-term protection that provides greater certainty to communities and other stakeholders.
The proposed changes modify the existing cleanup plan outlined in the 2017 Interim Record of Decision (IROD). EPA's proposed revised cleanup levels are listed in the Explanation of Significant Differences (pdf) (1.2 MB), which is available for public review.
"By reducing the cleanup levels, EPA is taking a big step towards preventing lead exposure in Pueblo," said Pueblo Health Department Lead Program Manager Aaron Martinez. "We've partnered with EPA for years to conduct healthy home visits and provide education on lead safety. We're glad to see this proposal protects even the most sensitive populations."
EPA's current cleanup approach includes multiple layers of protection and continues to prioritize residences with vulnerable populations, including homes with young children and pregnant or nursing mothers.
EPA's proposal will undergo a 30-day public comment period, which will run from 9/1/26 to 10/1/26. EPA encourages residents and other interested parties to review the available documents and participate in the comment period.
Please submit comments one of the following ways:
* Via email: chan.sydney@epa.gov
* Via hard copy mail
* Sydney Chan, EPA, SEM-RB-A
* 1595 Wynkoop Street
* Denver, CO 80202
To learn more about these changes, please join the EPA at the upcoming Open Houses in Pueblo. The first Open House will held on September 8 from 4:30 - 6:00 pm at the Rawlings Library Branch (100 E Abriendo Ave, Pueblo, CO 81004) in the Friends of the Library Room. The second Open House will be held on September 9 from 11:30 - 1:00pm at Neighborworks of Southern Colorado (1241 E Routt Ave, Pueblo, CO 81004). Please note that although verbal comments cannot be accepted at the Open Houses, written comments are welcomed.
Following the conclusion of the public comment period, EPA will consider all public comments and provide responses in a formal Responsiveness Summary in the Explanation of Significant Differences.
EPA's proposal is available for review on the Colorado Smelter webpage. This document is also available for review at the EPA's Denver office (1595 Wynkoop St, Denver, Colorado) and will be available at the Rawlins Main Library Branch (100 E Abriendo Ave, Pueblo, Colorado).
Background
Since the 1970s, EPA has worked alongside partners at the federal, state, Tribal, and local levels to protect children's health and make progress in reducing lead exposures and lead-related health risks. Despite improvements over the last 50 years, ongoing exposures to lead where our families live, work, and play present a health risk, especially to children.
To combat this issue, in 2025 the Trump EPA reestablished a committee of senior leaders across the agency's program offices and ten regions to drive success in reducing children's exposure to lead. This renewed agency-wide focus is centered around strengthening cooperative federalism, streamlining actionable risk communications, and unleashing private sector innovation to protect human health and the environment.
Please see epa.gov/lead for additional information.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-proposes-lower-cleanup-level-pueblo-homes
EPA Extends Public Comment Period for Hopewell Precision Superfund Site Cleanup Proposal
WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Extends Public Comment Period for Hopewell Precision Superfund Site Cleanup Proposal
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NEW YORK - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending the public comment period for its proposed updated groundwater cleanup plan at the Hopewell Precision Superfund site in Dutchess County, New York. The comment period will now remain open until September 28, 2026. EPA is extending the comment period at the request of a member of the community.
The proposed change to the cleanup approach
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Extends Public Comment Period for Hopewell Precision Superfund Site Cleanup Proposal
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NEW YORK - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending the public comment period for its proposed updated groundwater cleanup plan at the Hopewell Precision Superfund site in Dutchess County, New York. The comment period will now remain open until September 28, 2026. EPA is extending the comment period at the request of a member of the community.
The proposed change to the cleanup approachfocuses on naturally occurring processes to reduce contamination over time, along with long-term groundwater monitoring and controls to prevent exposure to contaminated groundwater. EPA has already addressed drinking water wells contaminated with volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, at the site by connecting affected homes to the public water supply. Under the proposed plan, EPA will continue to monitor groundwater and maintain protections that require connection to the municipal public water system, limit use of nonmunicipal water sources, and require testing for private water sources outside the municipal system.
EPA selected a groundwater cleanup plan for the former manufacturing site in 2009, which focused on bioremediation, a process by which oxygen and naturally occurring microorganisms break down contaminants into less harmful substances. Since then, EPA conducted additional groundwater studies that revealed that concentrations have steadily declined. Based on the study findings, EPA has now determined that bioremediation is not needed. Naturally occurring processes will restore groundwater over a similar timeframe as the original approach while maintaining protection for the community.
EPA held a virtual public meeting on August 4, 2026, to discuss the proposed change to the cleanup plan and answer community questions. The presentation from that meeting, along with additional background and site documents, is available on the Hopewell Precision Superfund site profile pageExit EPA's website.
The public may submit written comments on the proposed plan to Ashley Similo, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2890 Woodbridge Avenue, Building 205, Bay B, Edison, NJ 08837 or by email to similo.ashley@epa.gov.
Follow EPA Region 2 on XExit EPA's website, InstagramExit EPA's website, and visit our FacebookExit EPA's website page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our websiteExit EPA's website.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-extends-public-comment-period-hopewell-precision-superfund-site-cleanup-proposal
Amtrak Board Establishes System Expansion Committee to Advance Passenger Rail Growth
WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news:
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Amtrak Board Establishes System Expansion Committee to Advance Passenger Rail Growth
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Committee will help guide new routes, additional frequencies, and strategic investments across the Amtrak network
WASHINGTON - Following recent announcements of expanded passenger rail service, including a second daily Pennsylvanian train between Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Philadelphia and New York, Amtrak today announced the creation of a new Board-level System Expansion Committee focused on growing passenger
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news:
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Amtrak Board Establishes System Expansion Committee to Advance Passenger Rail Growth
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Committee will help guide new routes, additional frequencies, and strategic investments across the Amtrak network
WASHINGTON - Following recent announcements of expanded passenger rail service, including a second daily Pennsylvanian train between Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Philadelphia and New York, Amtrak today announced the creation of a new Board-level System Expansion Committee focused on growing passengerrail service across the country.
The committee's initial members are Robert A. Gleason (Chair), Elaine Clegg (Vice Chair), Joel Szabat, Chris Koos, and a designated U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary representative.
"Expanding passenger rail service is essential to meeting growing demand, strengthening mobility, and connecting more communities to economic opportunity," said Chair of the System Expansion Committee and Amtrak Board Member Rob Gleason. "The creation of this committee reflects Amtrak's commitment to working with states, host railroads, and federal partners to advance new service opportunities and increase frequencies where investments and partnerships make growth possible."
Approved by the Amtrak Board of Directors on July 30, the System Expansion Committee will serve as the Board's primary forum for advancing passenger rail growth. The new committee comes as demand continues to grow across the Amtrak network. During the first nine months of the 2026 fiscal year, Amtrak served 1.7 million more customers than in the same period last year and exceeded its year-to-date ridership plan.
The committee will oversee:
Growing passenger rail service and frequencies
Advancing corridor development opportunities
Expanding state-supported service partnerships
Ensuring infrastructure and fleet readiness
Strengthening host railroad partnerships
Developing sustainable funding strategies for growth
The System Expansion Committee reflects Amtrak's continued focus on turning growing demand into real service expansion, building on recent milestones such as the launch of Borealis and the one-year anniversary of Amtrak Mardi Gras Service as Amtrak expands connectivity and transportation choice across America.
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Original text here: https://media.amtrak.com/2026/09/amtrak-board-establishes-system-expansion-committee-to-advance-passenger-rail-growth/
