Featured Stories
U.S. Helsinki Commission: Briefing - Protecting Ukraine's Energy Infrastructure - Winter, War, and Lessons for the U.S.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 -- The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, issued the following news release:
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BRIEFING--Protecting Ukraine's Energy Infrastructure: Winter, War, and Lessons for the United States
September 28, 2026
Stream live here (https://youtube.com/live/pcZEiH5nZx0?feature=share)
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Ukrainians are expecting another difficult winter of Russian attacks on their energy infrastructure. Last year, Russian forces damaged or destroyed all of Ukraine's power plants. This summer, Russia has expanded attacks to include roadside
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 -- The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, issued the following news release:
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BRIEFING--Protecting Ukraine's Energy Infrastructure: Winter, War, and Lessons for the United States
September 28, 2026
Stream live here (https://youtube.com/live/pcZEiH5nZx0?feature=share)
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Ukrainians are expecting another difficult winter of Russian attacks on their energy infrastructure. Last year, Russian forces damaged or destroyed all of Ukraine's power plants. This summer, Russia has expanded attacks to include roadsidegas stations. Central heating stations, natural gas production sites, power plants, electricity transmission lines, and transformers are all at risk. Ukraine enters this winter with significantly diminished air defense compared to last winter. Meanwhile, Russia has deployed a new generation of jet-powered drones that are harder to intercept than previous strike drones.
Ukrainians are responding by hardening their infrastructure and fielding defensive measures to protect energy assets. Their innovative approaches include lessons for the United States and allies who are now engaged in their own efforts to defend against attacks on critical infrastructure. Panelists will discuss Ukraine's vulnerabilities heading into the winter, examine new developments in how Ukraine is protecting its infrastructure, and discuss how the United States can assist and learn from Ukraine's efforts.
Panelists:
Meredith Berger, former Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy, Installations, and Environment)
Michael Kofman, senior fellow, Russia and Eurasia Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Alex Riabchyn, Chief International and Sustainability Officer, Naftogaz Ukraine
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Original text here: https://www.csce.gov/press-releases/briefing-protecting-ukraine-s-energy-infrastructure-winter-war-and-lessons-for-the-united-states
Major Survey Exhibition Exploring Glenn Ligon's Textual References Opens at the National Gallery of Art in April 2027
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 -- The National Gallery of Art issued the following news release:
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Major Survey Exhibition Exploring Glenn Ligon's Textual References Opens at the National Gallery of Art in April 2027
September 28, 2026
The artist's first survey exhibition in the United States in 15 years debuts new work and features a special section curated by the artist
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Washington, DC--Next April, the National Gallery of Art presents Glenn Ligon: Subtext, an exhibition tracing the process of the contemporary artist's text-based, citational practice over nearly 40 years. Glenn Ligon: Subtext,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 -- The National Gallery of Art issued the following news release:
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Major Survey Exhibition Exploring Glenn Ligon's Textual References Opens at the National Gallery of Art in April 2027
September 28, 2026
The artist's first survey exhibition in the United States in 15 years debuts new work and features a special section curated by the artist
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Washington, DC--Next April, the National Gallery of Art presents Glenn Ligon: Subtext, an exhibition tracing the process of the contemporary artist's text-based, citational practice over nearly 40 years. Glenn Ligon: Subtext,Ligon's first major solo exhibition in Washington, DC, in more than three decades, showcases the artist's signature work of referencing literary texts and cultural legacies to convey historical knowledge into the present. The survey will feature over 40 works by the artist spanning paintings, prints, drawings, and neon sculptures as well as a presentation of nearly 20 works the artist curated, as a show-within-the-show, to honor the visual art of other artists with whom his own practice is in dialogue. In addition, there will be a reading room featuring a selection of Ligon's literary source materials. The exhibition is on view from April 3 to September 6, 2027, in the East Building.
For over 40 years, Ligon has invited others to consider the changing conditions of representation. Incorporating selected text, his citational work draws from various cultural, literary, and historical references, allows viewers to engage in the pursuit of cultural literacy across a repertoire of knowledge.
"We are thrilled to present this exhibition providing a closer look at Glenn Ligon's rigorous interdisciplinary practice, which reflects the power and process of language as an artistic medium," said Kaywin Feldwin, director of the National Gallery of Art. "Ligon's layered approach to investigating key developments in American cultural and literary production continues to be deeply influential in the field of contemporary art and society. Through his incisive use of literary and compositional references, Ligon proposes new ways of seeing art and its histories."
Exhibition highlights include Ligon's breakthrough painting, Untitled (I Am a Man) (1988), referencing an iconic civil rights sign from 1968; a large-scale neon sculpture, Give Us a Poem (2007), inspired by one of Muhammad Ali's most memorable quotes; Double America (2012), referencing Charles Dickens's 1859 novel A Tale of Two Cities; and three monumental works, Stranger (Full Text) #1 (2020-2021), Stranger (Full Text) #2 (2020-2021), and Stranger (Full Text) #3 (2025-2026), reflecting the first times Ligon rendered the entirety of James Baldwin's essay "Stranger in the Village," in individual works. In addition, the show highlights several works on paper from the artist's series Blue (for JB), his most recent homage to Baldwin. Featured among these, Blue (for JB) #11 (2025) was recently acquired by the National Gallery, the first Baldwin-related work by the artist to enter the collection.
Glenn Ligon: Subtext debuts several other new works, including two of his latest neons and a series of drawings by the artist that illustrate his ongoing exploration of language and form through complex processes of multilayered text-based rubbings. These works produce language fragments that morph into forms based on Baldwin's essay, a textual thread that runs through the exhibition and has informed Ligon's practice for decades.
"Using text as both material and subject, Glenn Ligon creates art that rewards sustained engagement," said Molly Donovan, curator of contemporary art and acting head of modern and contemporary art at the National Gallery of Art. "This body of work pulls us in again and again, to look and to read deeply, encouraging viewers to consider the nature of language and representation in contemporary society."
The section of the exhibition curated by Ligon--a practice he began in the early 2000s--includes works by artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Beauford Delaney, Julius Eastman, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, David Hammons, Jennie C. Jones, Byron Kim, Adrian Piper, Lorna Simpson, Bob Thompson, Rosie Lee Tompkins, Bill Traylor, and Jack Whitten, among others. Reflecting many of Ligon's sources of inspiration, they offer new perspectives on the artistic dialogues foundational to his practice and collectively encourage deep looking and visual excavation of the recurring throughlines in his work.
The exhibition's reading room offers visitors the opportunity to engage with literary works formative to the works in the exhibition, including Gertrude Stein's short story "Melanctha" (1933), a poem by Reverend William Holmes Borders Sr., "I Am Somebody" (1940s), James Baldwin's essay "Stranger in the Village" (1953), and Toni Morrison's novel Jazz (1992).
Exhibition Tour
National Gallery of Art, Washington, April 3-September 6, 2027
Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, October 30, 2027-April 16, 2028
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, May 13-September 10, 2028
Exhibition Organization and Support
Glenn Ligon: Subtext is organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington. Major support for the exhibition has been provided by the Sam Gilliam Foundation. The exhibition is also made possible through the generosity of the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation. Additional support for the exhibition has been provided by the Henry Luce Foundationa and the Elizabeth Firestone Graham Foundation.
Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation.
Exhibition Curator
Molly Donovan, curator of contemporary art and acting head of modern and contemporary art, in consultation with the artist.
Exhibition Publication
An illustrated book copublished by the National Gallery of Art and the University of Chicago Press is the first publication ever to highlight Ligon's consistent focus on African American literary production. Glenn Ligon: Subtext features essays from exhibition curator Molly Donovan (National Gallery of Art), Jordan Carter (Dia Art Foundation), and Robert F. Reid-Pharr (New York University), alongside an interview with Glenn Ligon by fellow artist Jennie C. Jones and a written contribution from artist Julie Mehretu.
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About the National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, is the nation's art museum, home to a renowned collection of over 160,000 works of art, from antiquity to today. Each year, the museum welcomes millions of people in person and online to explore art, creativity, and our shared humanity. Located on the National Mall, admission to the West and East Buildings, Sculpture Garden, special exhibitions, and public programs is always free.
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Original text here: https://www.nga.gov/press/major-survey-exhibition-exploring-glenn-ligons-textual-references-opens-national-gallery-art-april
Social Security IG: 'Supplemental Security Income Recipients' Vehicle Ownership'
WOODLAWN, Maryland, Sept. 28 (TNSLrpt) -- The Social Security Administration Inspector General issued an audit report (No. 022514) on Sept. 15, 2026, entitled "Supplemental Security Income Recipients' Vehicle Ownership."
Here are excerpts:
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AUDIT REPORT
OBJECTIVES
Our objectives were to determine whether (1) Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients accurately reported vehicle ownership to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and (2) the Agency properly valued multiple vehicles when recipients reported more than one.
BACKGROUND
SSA administers the SSI program to provide monthly
... Show Full Article
WOODLAWN, Maryland, Sept. 28 (TNSLrpt) -- The Social Security Administration Inspector General issued an audit report (No. 022514) on Sept. 15, 2026, entitled "Supplemental Security Income Recipients' Vehicle Ownership."
Here are excerpts:
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AUDIT REPORT
OBJECTIVES
Our objectives were to determine whether (1) Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients accurately reported vehicle ownership to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and (2) the Agency properly valued multiple vehicles when recipients reported more than one.
BACKGROUND
SSA administers the SSI program to provide monthlypayments to people who have limited income and resources and are aged, blind, or disabled. 1 In June 2026, the Agency reportedly issued about $5.8 billion in SSI payments to approximately 7 million recipients. 2
Because SSI is a needs-based program, SSA considers recipients' resources at the beginning of each month when it determines their eligibility for SSI payments. 3 Individuals with countable resources valued above $2,000, and couples with countable resources valued above $3,000, are not eligible for SSI payments. 4
SSA policy defines a resource as cash, liquid assets, and real or personal property, including vehicles, recipients could convert to cash to provide for their needs. 5 SSA does not count one vehicle per household as a resource, regardless of value, when an eligible recipient, couple, or a household member uses that vehicle for transportation. 6 SSA generally views additional vehicles as countable resources when it determines SSI eligibility. 7
SSA relies on recipients to report the vehicles they own, and it does not independently verify vehicle ownership or identify additional vehicles that recipients own but do not report. However, if an employee suspects a recipient owns a vehicle they did not report, the employee may verify state vehicle title and registration information from third parties. 8
When recipients report they own multiple vehicles, policy requires that SSA employees verify their fair market values and exclude the vehicle with the highest equity value. 9 Employees may obtain vehicle values from a subscription-based online search tool or, if there is no search available, they may contact a knowledgeable source, such as a vehicle dealership or insurance company. 10
SSA relies on recipients to report changes in their vehicle ownership. 11 If recipients do not report to SSA that they have acquired a vehicle, the total value of their resources may exceed the SSI limit without SSA's knowledge. 12 As a result, they may continue receiving SSI payments even though they are no longer eligible. 13 If this happens, they may have to pay back overpayments, have penalties deducted from their SSI payments, or lose SSI eligibility.
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The report is posted at: https://oig.ssa.gov/~assets/audits/full/022514.pdf
Social Security IG: 'Supplemental Security Income Earnings Alerts'
WOODLAWN, Maryland, Sept. 28 (TNSLrpt) -- The Social Security Administration Inspector General issued an audit report (No. 022310) on Sept. 15, 2026, entitled "Supplemental Security Income Earnings Alerts."
Here are excerpts:
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Objective
To determine whether the Social Security Administration (SSA) resolved earnings alerts for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients that remained pending as of September 2024.
Background
The SSI program provides monthly cash assistance to people who are aged, blind, or disabled and have limited income and resources.
SSA evaluates income monthly.
... Show Full Article
WOODLAWN, Maryland, Sept. 28 (TNSLrpt) -- The Social Security Administration Inspector General issued an audit report (No. 022310) on Sept. 15, 2026, entitled "Supplemental Security Income Earnings Alerts."
Here are excerpts:
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Objective
To determine whether the Social Security Administration (SSA) resolved earnings alerts for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients that remained pending as of September 2024.
Background
The SSI program provides monthly cash assistance to people who are aged, blind, or disabled and have limited income and resources.
SSA evaluates income monthly.Generally, as a recipient's income increases, their SSI payment decreases. If a recipient's income exceeds allowable limits in a month, the recipient is not eligible for SSI payments for that month.
To maintain accurate earnings information, SSA uses the earnings alert system to identify discrepancies between a recipient's reported and actual wages. A discrepancy occurs when a recipient's actual earnings differ from the earnings SSA used to calculate the SSI payment.
We identified 417,291 SSI recipients who had at least 1 pending earnings alert on their record as of September 2024. We randomly selected 100 of these recipients to determine whether SSA took appropriate action to resolve the alerts.
Results
SSA employees resolved earnings alerts for 20 of the 100 recipients we reviewed. However, Agency employees did not resolve earnings alerts for 80 recipients who had at least 1 earnings alert pending as of September 2024.
* For 63 recipients, SSA employees did not start reviews of 37 earnings alerts and did not complete their reviews of 26 earnings alerts. As of April 2025, the 63 earnings alerts remained pending.
* For 17 recipients, SSA employees cleared the earnings alerts but did not verify and record all earnings that affected the SSI payment amounts.
The results of our current review indicate actions the Agency took in response to our prior review were not sufficient, as employees still were not taking appropriate actions to resolve earnings alerts.
Based on our sample results, we estimate SSA paid about 333,800 recipients approximately $1 billion that they would not have been eligible to receive had the Agency properly considered and fully developed their unreported earnings when it determined their SSI eligibility and associated payment amounts. Agency employees did not complete, or incorrectly completed, earnings reviews and eligibility determinations, which led SSA to issue these payments. Because of SSA's administrative finality policy, it will be unable to recover approximately $664 million of these payments, absent a determination of fraud or similar fault. SSA should be able to take corrective action on the remaining approximately $344 million.
Recommendations
We made three recommendations for SSA to review and take corrective action on errors our audit identified, identify the factors contributing to employees not diligently pursuing earnings alerts or not accurately resolving them, and implement appropriate corrective action.
SSA agreed to implement our recommendations.
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The report is posted at: https://oig.ssa.gov/~assets/audits/full/022310.pdf
Social Security IG: 'Single Audit of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Department of the Family for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2024'
WOODLAWN, Maryland, Sept. 28 (TNSLrpt) -- The Social Security Administration Inspector General issued an audit report (No. 772675) on Sept. 11, 2026, entitled "Single Audit of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Department of the Family for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2024."
Here are excerpts:
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This memorandum presents the Social Security Administration's (SSA) portion of the single audit of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Department of the Family for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2024.
The firm CPA Diaz-Martinez, CSP conducted the audit. Our objective was to report internal control weaknesses,
... Show Full Article
WOODLAWN, Maryland, Sept. 28 (TNSLrpt) -- The Social Security Administration Inspector General issued an audit report (No. 772675) on Sept. 11, 2026, entitled "Single Audit of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Department of the Family for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2024."
Here are excerpts:
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This memorandum presents the Social Security Administration's (SSA) portion of the single audit of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Department of the Family for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2024.
The firm CPA Diaz-Martinez, CSP conducted the audit. Our objective was to report internal control weaknesses,noncompliance issues, and unallowable costs identified in the single audit to SSA for resolution.
BACKGROUND
A single audit is an organization-wide financial statement and Federal awards audit of a non-Federal entity that expends $1 million or more in Federal funds in 1 year. It is intended to assure the Government that the non-Federal entity has adequate internal controls in place and is generally in compliance with program requirements. Non-Federal entities typically include state and local governments, Indian tribes, universities, and nonprofit organizations.
For single audit purposes, the General Services Administration maintains a list of all Federal programs in the Federal Assistance Listing. SSA's Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs are identified under listing number 96. SSA is responsible for resolving single audit findings reported under this listing number.
The Puerto Rico Disability Determination Services (DDS) performs disability determinations under SSA's Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs in accordance with Federal regulations. SSA reimburses the DDS for 100 percent of allowable costs.
The Puerto Rico Department of the Family (PRDF) is the Puerto Rico DDS' parent agency.
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The report is posted at: https://oig.ssa.gov/~assets/audits/full/772675.pdf
SBA IG: 'Small Business Lending Companies' Performance in the 7(a) Loan Program and SBA's Oversight'
WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 (TNSrep) -- The Small Business Administration Inspector General issued the following report (No. 26-14) entitled "Small Business Lending Companies' Performance in the 7(a) Loan Program and SBA's Oversight."
Here are excerpts:
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What OIG Reviewed
A Small Business Lending Company (SBLC) is a non-depository lending institution the Small Business Administration (SBA) licenses and authorizes to make 7 (a) loans. From fiscal years (FY) 2016 to 2023, SBLCs approved and disbursed 11,068 7(a) loans, totaling $9.5 billion.
As of April 5, 2025, there were 16 SBLC licenses. SBA's
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 (TNSrep) -- The Small Business Administration Inspector General issued the following report (No. 26-14) entitled "Small Business Lending Companies' Performance in the 7(a) Loan Program and SBA's Oversight."
Here are excerpts:
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What OIG Reviewed
A Small Business Lending Company (SBLC) is a non-depository lending institution the Small Business Administration (SBA) licenses and authorizes to make 7 (a) loans. From fiscal years (FY) 2016 to 2023, SBLCs approved and disbursed 11,068 7(a) loans, totaling $9.5 billion.
As of April 5, 2025, there were 16 SBLC licenses. SBA'sOffice of Credit Risk Management (OCRM) monitors and supervises SBLCs and oversees their performance in the 7(a) loan program by performing lender portal data analysis, riskbased reviews, and safety and soundness exams.
Our objective was to assess SBLCs' performance in the 7(a) loan program and SBA's oversight of SBLCs to ensure program integrity and mitigate financial loss.
What OIG Found
Opportunities exist for SBA to improve SBLCs' 7(a) loan portfolio performance and its oversight of SBLCs. Our analysis of 7(a) loans approved and disbursed from FYs 2016 to 2023 identified that loans made by SBLCs significantly underperformed, related to default rates, compared to loans made by other lender types.
Additionally, early defaults increased substantially for loans made by SBLCs during this same period.
As of March 31, 2025, SBLCs' 7(a) loan portfolio default rate was 14.97 percent compared to 9.79 percent for other lender types (53 percent higher). Similarly, the early default rate for 7(a) loans made by SBLCs was 5.38 percent, more than double the 2.62 percent early default rate for loans made by other lender types.
While OCRM monitored SBLCs' 7(a) loan portfolio performance, it did not sufficiently assess the root cause of the SBLCs' loan portfolio underperformance, related to default rates, to mitigate the risk of loans made by SBLCs continuing to underperform.
In addition, although OCRM reviewed SBLCs' compliance with program requirements, our evaluation found that the two SBLCs accounting for more than 80 percent of SBLCs' defaults and early defaults continued to have repeated categories of deficiencies across multiple years.
OCRM's monitoring procedures were not sufficient to ensure SBLCs implemented appropriate corrective actions to mitigate the risk of similar future loan deficiencies and financial loss. Lastly, we noted that OCRM has not conducted safety and soundness examinations of SBLCs since April 4, 2023, due to contractual issues.
Insufficient oversight of SBLCs increases the risk of financial loss and could negatively impact program integrity.
What OIG Recommended
We made three recommendations to improve SBLCs' 7(a) loan portfolio performance and SBA's oversight of SBLCs.
Agency Response
SBA management agreed with Recommendations 1 and 3 and partially agreed with Recommendation 2. Management's planned actions satisfy the intent of Recommendations 1, 2, and 3.
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The report is posted at: https://legacy.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2026-09/SBA%20OIG%20Report%2026-14%20-%20Small%20Business%20Lending%20Companies%E2%80%99%20Performance%20in%20the%207%28a%29%20Loan%20Program%20and%20SBA%E2%80%99s%20Oversight.pdf
[Category: IGIGRep]
SBA IG: 'Analysis of SBA's Fiscal Year 2025 Disaster Assistance Program Data'
WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 (TNSrep) -- The Small Business Administration Inspector General issued the following report (No. 26-13) entitled "Analysis of SBA's Fiscal Year 2025 Disaster Assistance Program Data."
Here are excerpts:
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What OIG Reviewed
This report presents the results of our analysis of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan program data for disasters declared in fiscal year (FY) 2025. Our objective was to examine disaster assistance response data for FY 2025, across the 10 SBA regions, focusing on the types of declarations and disasters, volume of disaster loan
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 (TNSrep) -- The Small Business Administration Inspector General issued the following report (No. 26-13) entitled "Analysis of SBA's Fiscal Year 2025 Disaster Assistance Program Data."
Here are excerpts:
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What OIG Reviewed
This report presents the results of our analysis of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan program data for disasters declared in fiscal year (FY) 2025. Our objective was to examine disaster assistance response data for FY 2025, across the 10 SBA regions, focusing on the types of declarations and disasters, volume of disaster loanapplications, timeliness of disaster loan application processing, and the disbursement of disaster loans.
Our intent was to provide a high-level review of disasters nationwide and to identify any data anomalies for potential future work.
To achieve our objective, we extracted and analyzed data from the Unified Lending Platform to assess loan application volume and disaster loan processing activity. We also interviewed SBA officials and reviewed applicable laws, regulations, standard operating procedures, and other SBA policies and guidance governing SBA's disaster assistance loan program.
What OIG Found
We found that SBA administered the disaster assistance loan program consistently across the nation. Specifically, there were 476 disaster declarations issued nationwide in FY 2025.
As a result, we determined SBA received
132,966 original disaster loan applications and approved 30,080 disaster loans totaling $3.6 billion. As of January 13, 2026, SBA had disbursed $1.7 billion of those approved loans.
To assess timeliness, we calculated the processing time from submission to action or decision because that reflects the full period a disaster survivor waits to learn whether their loan is approved. In contrast, the agency calculates the processing time from application acceptance to action or decision. The period between submission and acceptance includes confirming identity, fraud checks, and waiting for the applicant to provide documentation.
Using the Office of Inspector General's methodology, we determined that the overall processing time for disaster loan applications received for disasters declared in FY 2025 averaged only 15 days, and SBA processed 88 percent of the applications in our scope in 31 days or less.
Finally, while conducting our analysis, we noted that a high percentage of disaster loan applications were withdrawn in FY 2025.
SBA may withdraw an application for many reasons -- for example, when an applicant's identity cannot be verified or the agency is waiting for the applicant to provide further information. We also identified a high rate of loan withdrawals in our prior work and plan to evaluate the agency's withdrawal process in a separate review.
What OIG Recommended
We did not make any recommendations.
Agency Response
This report contains no recommendations, and the agency did not provide official comments.
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The report is posted at: https://legacy.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2026-09/SBA%20OIG%20Report%2026-13%20-%20Analysis%20of%20SBA%27s%20Fiscal%20Year%202025%20Disaster%20Assistance%20Program%20Data.pdf
[Category: IGIGRep]
