Featured Stories
Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust: People With Localised Prostate Cancer Could Benefit From Advanced Radiotherapy as an Alternative to Surgery While Maintaining Long-Term Cancer Control
LONDON, England, Sept. 29 (TNSxrep) -- The Royal Marsden National Health Service Foundation Trust issued the following news:
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People with localised prostate cancer could benefit from advanced radiotherapy as an alternative to surgery while maintaining long-term cancer control
Eight-year follow-up data from the PACE-A study suggests that five sessions of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) may be just as effective as radical prostatectomy for long-term disease control
28 September 2026
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People with localised, low-to-intermediate-risk prostate cancer could benefit from SBRT, a
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LONDON, England, Sept. 29 (TNSxrep) -- The Royal Marsden National Health Service Foundation Trust issued the following news:
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People with localised prostate cancer could benefit from advanced radiotherapy as an alternative to surgery while maintaining long-term cancer control
Eight-year follow-up data from the PACE-A study suggests that five sessions of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) may be just as effective as radical prostatectomy for long-term disease control
28 September 2026
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People with localised, low-to-intermediate-risk prostate cancer could benefit from SBRT, ahighly targeted form of radiotherapy, which research suggests may be just as effective as radical prostatectomy (surgical removal of the prostate) at controlling localised prostate cancer over the long term.
These findings from the PACE-A (Prostate Advances in Comparative Evidence) clinical trial, a multi-centre Phase 3 randomised controlled trial led by The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and The Institute of Cancer Research, London, have been presented at the 2026 American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting (https://www.astro.org/meetings-and-education/micro-sites/2026/annual-meeting).
Lower incontinence and sexual dysfunction risk associated with SBRT
Treatment decisions about localised prostate cancer are often informed by concerns about the potential long-term impact on the patient's urinary, bowel, and sexual function. Given that previous PACE-A findings have shown that SBRT was associated with less patient-reported urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction than prostatectomy, these results may help patients and clinicians make more informed decisions regarding quality of life when choosing treatment.
This trial included patients who were suitable candidates for prostatectomy and randomised them equally between SBRT and prostatectomy. Patients assigned to the SBRT arm received five fractions of radiotherapy over one to two weeks, often delivered via CyberKnife.
Cyberknife is a pioneering piece of equipment, funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, that can deliver larger doses of precisely targeted radiotherapy treatment at almost any angle using real-time imaging.
Over 94 per cent of trial participants showed no signs of cancer return or progression after five years
Drawing on data from 123 patients and a median follow-up period of eight years, researchers observed that only 13 patients showed signs that their cancer had returned or progressed, including five in the SBRT group and eight in the prostatectomy group.
Five years after treatment, 94.1 per cent and 94.8 per cent of SBRT and prostatectomy patients remained free from signs that their cancer had returned or progressed. After eight years, the figures were 91.2 per cent and 83.7 per cent, respectively.
Of those patients surveyed after five years, three of 36 treated with SBRT reported using at least one urinary pad per day, compared with 14 out of 29 of those who underwent surgery. While these findings are not conclusive, they underscore the importance of considering longer-term quality-of-life outcomes when weighing different treatment options.
"It is essential that patients with prostate cancer are aware of all the options available to them," says Professor Nicholas van As, Chief Investigator of the PACE-A trial.
Professor van As, who is a Consultant Clinical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Professor in Precision Prostate Radiotherapy at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, explains how the PACE-A trial will make a difference for patients.
"Treatment choices are often driven by the desire to preserve long-term urinary and sexual function, but until now we have had limited randomised evidence comparing the long-term cancer outcomes of surgery and SBRT. The PACE-A trial was designed to address this gap.
"Now, these results show that SBRT appears to achieve comparable long-term cancer control to surgery, helping patients make more informed decisions about their care."
"I hoped to continue being active following prostate cancer treatment"
Ken Morren, a 76-year-old civil engineering technologist from West Sussex, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017. After meeting with a surgeon to discuss the possibility of a prostatectomy, he asked for a referral to seek a second opinion with Professor van As at The Royal Marsden.
"It was naturally a shock to hear the diagnosis," he says.
"I've always lived a very active life, and I hoped to choose a treatment that would allow me to continue that.
"I had heard about SBRT and was very keen to explore it. After speaking with Professor van As, I felt grateful for the opportunity to be considered for the trial, and even more so when I was selected.
"I underwent five sessions of radiotherapy and, before long, my PSA levels began to drop steadily until they were negligible. They have remained that way ever since. Even better, the side effects have been very limited. I highly recommend and uphold the treatment."
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The PACE-A trial was funded by Accuray and Varian and sponsored by The Royal Marsden.
PACE is an umbrella of trials is supported by funding from The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
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Original text here: https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/news-and-events/news/people-localised-prostate-cancer-could-benefit-advanced-radiotherapy
GCF Honors Dr. Donald C. Harrison With Jacob E. Davis Volunteer Leadership Award
CINCINNATI, Sept. 29 -- The Greater Cincinnati Foundation issued the following news:
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GCF honors Dr. Donald C. Harrison with Jacob E. Davis Volunteer Leadership Award
Cincinnati, OH (September 28, 2026) - Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) has named Dr. Donald C. Harrison the 2026 recipient of its Jacob E. Davis Volunteer Leadership Award, recognizing his extraordinary leadership, service and generosity to Greater Cincinnati.
The Jacob E. Davis Volunteer Leadership Award honors community champions who exemplify leadership, vision, creativity and generosity. Named for GCF's first Governing
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CINCINNATI, Sept. 29 -- The Greater Cincinnati Foundation issued the following news:
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GCF honors Dr. Donald C. Harrison with Jacob E. Davis Volunteer Leadership Award
Cincinnati, OH (September 28, 2026) - Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) has named Dr. Donald C. Harrison the 2026 recipient of its Jacob E. Davis Volunteer Leadership Award, recognizing his extraordinary leadership, service and generosity to Greater Cincinnati.
The Jacob E. Davis Volunteer Leadership Award honors community champions who exemplify leadership, vision, creativity and generosity. Named for GCF's first GoverningBoard chair and volunteer director, the award celebrates Davis's enduring legacy of service, philanthropy and community impact.
Dr. Harrison is a renowned cardiologist, academic leader, entrepreneur and philanthropist whose career spanned more than five decades. Raised in the Appalachian region of Alabama, he became one of the world's most respected cardiologists, but for most of his career, and still today, he calls the Cincinnati region home.
During his leadership at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Dr. Harrison oversaw more than 1,000 faculty members and more than $240 million in funded research. He also helped pioneer treatments for heart disease, founded or co-founded six medical technology companies and served on 12 corporate boards.
Yet his impact extends well beyond medicine and business.
Nearly 20 years ago, Dr. Harrison and his late wife, Laura Harrison, came to GCF with a question: How could they make philanthropy a family activity? Their partnership with GCF grew into an intentional approach to giving that brought multiple generations together around a shared commitment to generosity, service and purpose.
In 2006, the Harrisons established the Donald C. and Laura M. Harrison Family Foundation. Guided by a belief in the power of education to change lives, the foundation focuses on innovative educational programs for children and adults, particularly programs expanding opportunities for underserved people. Since its inception, the family foundation has awarded more than $2.6 million to nonprofit organizations.
"Don's accomplishments in medicine, higher education and business are remarkable, but what makes him so deserving of the Jacob E. Davis Award is what he chose to do with that success," said Matthew Randazzo, president and CEO of Greater Cincinnati Foundation. "He has invested his time, wisdom and generosity in helping others thrive, while bringing his family along on that journey. His example reminds us that philanthropy is not simply about giving. It's about becoming deeply invested in the future of your community."
Dr. Harrison's recognition continues a GCF tradition of celebrating people whose leadership demonstrates what is possible when individuals choose to invest their time, talent and resources in something larger than themselves.
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Original text here: https://www.gcfdn.org/blog/gcf-honors-dr-donald-c-harrison-with-jacob-e-davis-volunteer-leadership-award/
Freedom From Religion Foundation: Christian Nationalism Takes Center Stage at Pray Vote Stand Summit
MADISON, Wisconsin, Sept. 29 -- The Freedom From Religion Foundation issued the following news release:
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September 28, 2026
Christian nationalism takes center stage at Pray Vote Stand Summit
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is calling attention to troubling rhetoric at a major recent evangelical gathering.
Prominent government officials and Christian nationalist leaders at the 2026 Pray Vote Stand Summit in Leesburg, Va., repeatedly portrayed political power as a vehicle for advancing their Christian nationalist political agenda. The assembly brought together Christian leaders, issue
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MADISON, Wisconsin, Sept. 29 -- The Freedom From Religion Foundation issued the following news release:
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September 28, 2026
Christian nationalism takes center stage at Pray Vote Stand Summit
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is calling attention to troubling rhetoric at a major recent evangelical gathering.
Prominent government officials and Christian nationalist leaders at the 2026 Pray Vote Stand Summit in Leesburg, Va., repeatedly portrayed political power as a vehicle for advancing their Christian nationalist political agenda. The assembly brought together Christian leaders, issueadvocates and government officials for what organizers described as a time of "prayer, inspiration, and action." The Christian nationalist group Family Research Council hosted the event, which featured elected officials alongside conservative Christian activists and attorneys.
Throughout the summit, speakers made remarkably explicit connections between Christianity, elections, government service and public policy.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is only two heartbeats away from the presidency, told Family Research Council President Tony Perkins that government officials should not separate their religious identity from their public roles. After Perkins suggested that openly Christian government leaders were "emboldening the church," Johnson responded, "I hope so," adding, "that's the objective." Johnson also touted what he claimed is a 24 percent increase in congressional references to God, faith and Christianity since he became speaker.
Johnson portrayed public service through an explicitly conservative Christian lens, telling the audience that leaders should represent the idea of "one nation under God" every day. He encouraged Christians to use their "sphere of influence" to speak openly about their faith and described religion and morality as essential to American government.
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., an archconservative Christian, similarly described his work in the U.S. Senate as a religious obligation. Discussing the pressures he faces over how he votes and what he says, Hawley said, "My first obligation's to the Lord and then to my wife and then to my family."
Hawley added, "I know that I'm accountable to the Lord," before mentioning accountability to constituents. Hawley professed that his ultimate hope is to hear God tell him, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
That religious conception of public office was paired with calls to translate conservative Christian beliefs into federal law. Hawley hawked a "Declaration for Life" that Christian pastors and leaders developed "on the basis of the gospel of Jesus Christ": to enact such policies as a federal ban on the medication abortion pill mifepristone. Hawley insisted that candidates who "want our support as Christians" should commit to the extremist anti-abortion position.
Perkins made the desired religious character of government officials even more explicit during another panel. Discussing state attorneys general, he declared that recent years have demonstrated "how important having attorneys general that have a constitutional foundation and a biblical worldview are."
Perhaps the summit's starkest illustration of its religious double standard came during a panel devoted to Islam and Shariah law. Perkins openly stated his desire for Christianity "to be the dominant religion in our country." Yet speakers on the same panel questioned whether Islam should even receive the constitutional protections afforded to religion.
Christian Pastor (and former Muslim) Shahram Hadian told the audience, "The problem we have is as long as we label Islam a religion, we will never be able to stop it." He accused Muslims of hiding "behind our First Amendment" when they lack political power.
The panel portrayed Muslim religious accommodations and civic participation as evidence of an Islamic takeover. Speakers objected to such things as prayer spaces, halal food, the Islamic call to prayer and Muslim representation in police departments. Hadian described Muslim participation in American institutions as evidence that Muslims were moving into a position of dominance.
Former Rep. Michele Bachmann went even further, declaring that Muslims "come into our country seeking to conquer our country and conquer it for Shariah." She characterized Islam and communism as two totalitarian threats to the Constitution and framed the political stakes as nothing less than the "destruction of America."
The contrast was striking: The Pray Vote Stand attendees again and again asserted that Christianity should influence government, Christians should use political power to implement their beliefs, government officials should have a "biblical worldview," and Christianity should become the country's "dominant religion." Meanwhile, another faith was depicted as a threat whose claim to religious status itself should be questioned.
Fortunately, the First Amendment does not establish such a hierarchy.
Christian government officials have the same right to their personal religious beliefs as every other American. But public office is a public trust -- not a Christian ministry. Government officials represent Christians, Jews, Muslims, atheists, agnostics and Americans of every other belief and nonbelief. Their obligation in office is to the Constitution and the people they serve, not to impose the dictates of any holy book.
The summit repeatedly blurred that critical distinction. Perkins explicitly characterized political disputes as "spiritual issues that are being played out in the political arena" and said there was "warfare" surrounding them. At another point, speakers described the conflict over Islam as a "spiritual battle" being fought through politics.
The Pray Vote Stand Summit offered a revealing vision of Christian nationalism in practice: Christianity elevated as the desired foundation of public life, elected officials encouraged to understand their offices through explicitly Christian obligations, public policy tied directly to biblical teachings, and minority religious beliefs treated with hostility.
That is precisely why the wall between church and state matters. The alternative is realistically not greater religious freedom; it is a government in which the politically powerful get to elevate their religion while deciding which beliefs deserve equal respect and protection.
FFRF will continue fighting for the constitutional principle the summit's speakers so conspicuously rejected: No religion is entitled to rule, no religion is entitled to favored status, and no American should have to share a politician's faith to be treated as a full and equal citizen.
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The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to defending the constitutional principle of separation between state and church and educating the public on matters relating to nontheism. With about 41,000 members, FFRF is the largest association of freethinkers (atheists, agnostics and humanists) in North America. For more information, visit ffrf.org.
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Original text here: https://ffrf.org/news/releases/christian-nationalism-takes-center-stage-at-pray-vote-stand-summit/
[Category: Religion]
FFRF Files Appellate Court Amicus Brief in Case Attacking Johnson Amendment
MADISON, Wisconsin, Sept. 29 -- The Freedom From Religion Foundation issued the following news release:
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September 28, 2026
FFRF files appellate court amicus brief in case attacking Johnson Amendment
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has filed a friend-of-the-court brief (https://ffrf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/FFRF-Religious-Broadcasters-Brief.pdf) before the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a case that threatens an IRS provision prohibiting nonprofit electioneering.
FFRF argues that the lawsuit filed by National Religious Broadcasters and allied entities against the IRS
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MADISON, Wisconsin, Sept. 29 -- The Freedom From Religion Foundation issued the following news release:
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September 28, 2026
FFRF files appellate court amicus brief in case attacking Johnson Amendment
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has filed a friend-of-the-court brief (https://ffrf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/FFRF-Religious-Broadcasters-Brief.pdf) before the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a case that threatens an IRS provision prohibiting nonprofit electioneering.
FFRF argues that the lawsuit filed by National Religious Broadcasters and allied entities against the IRSis bogus. The Johnson Amendment forbids nonprofits, including churches, from interfering in political campaigns. The religious groups claim that the Johnson Amendment violates their constitutional rights and that there's a "threat" of the IRS stripping them of their tax exempt status, even though the government has essentially admitted that the chances of the IRS enforcing it against the plaintiffs are vanishingly small.
The plaintiffs are the National Religious Broadcasters and various churches, and they filed this challenge in 2024 against the Johnson Amendment. This federal law prohibits tax-exempt 501(c) (3) organizations, such as churches, from endorsing or opposing candidates for office. In theory, violating the Johnson Amendment could result in the IRS stripping a nonprofit of its tax exempt status, but in practice the IRS has rarely, if ever, enforced the amendment against churches, and it has never been enforced against any of the plaintiffs in this case. The religious groups sued the federal government and then sought a settlement under what they believe to be a friendly administration in an effort to get a court ruling declaring that the Johnson Amendment is unconstitutional.
"Article III of the Constitution limits federal courts' power to only adjudicate actual cases and controversies," the FFRF brief states. "In this pre-enforcement challenge, the parties ask the court to disregard Article III limitations and issue an advisory opinion about the Johnson Amendment's inapplicability to the actions of the plaintiffs-appellants. Article III prohibits the court from adjudicating this case for three reasons: (1) the plaintiffs lack standing (2) no adversity exists between the parties and (3) the plaintiffs' claims are not ripe."
First, FFRF asserts that the plaintiffs lack standing to challenge the Johnson Amendment. To demonstrate standing in a pre-enforcement challenge, the plaintiffs must establish that there is a substantial threat of future enforcement of the law they are challenging. The plaintiffs here have failed to do so. In fact, they have established the opposite: no reasonable threat of enforcement of the Johnson Amendment. Not only is there a long history of nonenforcement of the Johnson Amendment, but Congress has enacted special IRS procedures that protect churches from enforcement. Even more explicitly, this current administration disavowed any intention of enforcing the Johnson Amendment in Executive Order 13798. The plaintiffs themselves state in their brief that "everyone who litigated this case below agreed on the result."
Second, FFRF points out that Article III requires genuine adversity or a controversy between the parties. Yet, no such adversity exists in this case. Rather, both parties agree that the Johnson Amendment is inapplicable to the plaintiffs -- explicitly denying the existence of any controversy requiring adjudication. However, the plaintiffs are asking the court to rule on this bogus, hypothetical case anyway and issue an advisory opinion based on broad claims that the First Amendment protects houses of worships' "right" to interfere in elections.
Third, the plaintiffs' claims are not ripe for review. As the plaintiffs' own brief recognizes, their claims are dependent on a chain of speculative events. The court must not disregard the constitutional limitations of Article III and must dismiss this case for lack of jurisdiction.
The plaintiffs here thus fail to establish the Article III bedrock principles of standing, adversity and ripeness. These failures are demonstrated by decades of nonenforcement, special protective procedures for churches, the executive order, and the parties' own assertions. Rather than asking the district court to resolve a legitimate adversarial dispute, the plaintiffs seek a favorable advisory opinion based on a hypothetical. FFRF contends that the court must refrain from entertaining suits premised on attenuated and hypothetical events that may never come to pass.
Because no case or controversy exists, FFRF asserts that the 5th Circuit should affirm the lower U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Texas' dismissal of the case.
"Religious groups cannot be allowed to manipulate the court system," says FFRF Legal Director Patrick Elliott. "The courts must apply the same rules to all plaintiffs instead of granting religious groups special treatment. We hope our brief sheds light on this manufactured case."
FFRF Legal Director Patrick Elliott is the counsel of record for the brief. FFRF would like to thank intern Emma Hanson for help in drafting the brief.
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The Freedom From Religion Foundation is the largest national association of freethinkers, representing atheists, agnostics, and others who form their opinions about religion based on reason, rather than faith, tradition, or authority. Founded nationally in 1978 as a 501(c) (3) nonprofit, FFRF has more than 40,000 members, including members in every state and the District of Columbia. FFRF's interest stems from its concern that parties to this case have sought to usurp the Internal Revenue Code and fundamental Article III principles in order to favor particular religious organizations. Courts must not stray from longstanding jurisdictional principle s to afford leniency to religiously-affiliated litigants while using the same principles to deny access to other civil rights litigants.
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Original text here: https://ffrf.org/news/releases/ffrf-files-appellate-court-amicus-brief-in-case-attacking-johnson-amendment/
[Category: Religion]
Central New York Community Foundation: Cayuga County Residents Invited to Vote on Community-Designed Projects for $75,000
SYRACUSE, New York, Sept. 29 -- The Central New York Community Foundation issued the following news release:
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Sep 28, 2026
Cayuga County Residents Invited to Vote on Community-Designed Projects for $75,000
Winning Project to be Announced at October 1 Community Celebration
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The Central New York Community Foundation is inviting Cayuga County residents to help decide how $75,000 will be invested in their communities through the final voting phase of its participatory budgeting initiative, part of the Community Foundation's centennial celebration.
During two community sessions held in
... Show Full Article
SYRACUSE, New York, Sept. 29 -- The Central New York Community Foundation issued the following news release:
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Sep 28, 2026
Cayuga County Residents Invited to Vote on Community-Designed Projects for $75,000
Winning Project to be Announced at October 1 Community Celebration
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The Central New York Community Foundation is inviting Cayuga County residents to help decide how $75,000 will be invested in their communities through the final voting phase of its participatory budgeting initiative, part of the Community Foundation's centennial celebration.
During two community sessions held inearly September at the Booker T. Washington Center, residents and volunteers worked together to identify the county's most pressing needs and begin shaping solutions. Through a series of collaborative exercises, participants discussed challenges facing the community and identified increasing overall health, skills and enrichment among youth in Cayuga County as the focus area for funding.
Local nonprofit organizations that serve Cayuga County residents were then invited to submit letters of interest outlining project ideas that respond directly to the priority. Community Foundation staff worked alongside participating nonprofits to refine proposals and ensure they reflect the input and intent of the participants.
"This process is about more than funding a project -- it's about building trust and making sure community voices guide community investment," said Qiana Williams, senior program officer at the Community Foundation. "Residents shared what matters most to them, nonprofits stepped forward with ideas and now the decision belongs to the community."
Residents are encouraged to learn more about the proposed projects during a virtual proposal presentation night on Wednesday, September 30, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. During this session, participating nonprofits will present their proposals and answer questions from the community ahead of voting.
The nonprofit organizations' projects that will be presented are:
Cayuga Counseling Services
Cayuga Counseling Services, in partnership with The Hideout Gaming Center, proposes expanding an existing space into a drop-in youth center offering recreation, workshops, job and college preparation, mentoring and other activities shaped by young people. The center would feature an esports program where youth can build teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills, as well as an audio and visual media room for podcasting, streaming, video production and content creation. A Youth Advisory Board would give young people a direct role in shaping the center's activities and environment, while trained community mentors would provide additional guidance and support.
Booker T. Washington Center:
Booker T. Washington Community Center proposes creating a countywide Teen Resource Program that would give young people a consistent place to turn for help navigating health, housing, financial, educational, career and other needs. A dedicated Teen Resource Navigator would work individually with teens to identify their needs, connect them with appropriate services, arrange transportation and follow up to help ensure they receive support. Services would be available in several settings throughout the community, and a Teen Advisory Council would help identify barriers, shape activities and recommend improvements to the program.
Southern Cayuga Central School District:
Southern Cayuga Central School District proposes revitalizing its Agricultural Science and Technology program to provide students with more hands-on learning and career preparation connected to the county's agricultural economy. The project would upgrade equipment and infrastructure, expand the district's greenhouse and establish an educational orchard where students could learn about growing, harvesting and distributing food. Produce could also support the district's food service program and the King Ferry Food Pantry, allowing the program to serve as both an educational opportunity for students and a resource for the broader community.
Confidential Help for Alcohol & Drugs (CHAD):
Confidential Help for Alcohol and Drugs, Inc. proposes expanding access to substance use disorder counseling and youth support within Cayuga County schools. A school-based counselor would meet with students in their own school environments, helping reduce barriers such as transportation, scheduling, stigma and limited access to specialized services. Youth would receive individualized counseling while building skills related to decision-making, coping, communication, problem-solving and self-advocacy. The counselor would also connect students and families with school and community resources that can address related challenges involving behavioral health, housing, food, transportation, education, employment and peer relationships.
Voting will take place on Thursday, October 1, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. All Cayuga County residents aged 14 or older are eligible to vote online by visiting cnycf.org/cayugapb, where a voting link will be available on the day of voting. Two-factor authentication will be used to help ensure that each participant votes only once. Individuals who are unable to vote online will have the opportunity to vote in person during the evening celebration.
The Community Foundation will host a live voting night celebration on October 1 from 6-7:00 p.m. at the Schweinfurth Art Center, located at 205 Genesee Street, Auburn. Residents and nonprofit partners are invited to attend as votes are cast and counted, culminating in the announcement of the winning project. Doors will open at 5:00pm for those looking to only vote in person but not stay for the event. Community members can register now to attend the celebration at cnycf.org/cayugapb.
As the Central New York Community Foundation approaches its 100th anniversary in 2027, participatory budgeting is one way the organization is engaging residents in shaping the region's future. The Cayuga County initiative is the fourth of five projects taking place across the Community Foundation's service area, collectively awarding $500,000 in funding determined by community vote. Participatory projects were completed so far this year in Oswego, Cortland and Madison counties; the Community Foundation will host its final one in Onondaga County in 2027.
Participatory budgeting is a community engagement process in which residents help decide how funding is allocated through a structured process of community need identification, prioritization and voting. In partnership with residents, nonprofits and grassroots organizations, participants identify priorities, co-design solutions and ultimately select the project they believe will best address a community need.
Residents who need transportation assistance may reach out to Sue Van Epps at suevanepps@yahoo.com or call 315-253-0996.
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Original text here: https://cnycf.org/cayuga-county-residents-invited-to-vote-on-community-designed-projects-for-75000/
Starlink V3 Deployment Shows Space Innovation Is Expanding Broadband, Says ITIF
WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 [Category: Computer Technology]-- The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation posted the following news release:
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Starlink V3 Deployment Shows Space Innovation Is Expanding Broadband, Says ITIF
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WASHINGTON-Following SpaceX's deployment of V3 Starlink satellites, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the leading think tank for science and technology policy, released the following statement from Joe Kane, director of broadband and spectrum policy:
"The successful launch of Starlink's V3 satellites shows how commercial space innovation
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 [Category: Computer Technology]-- The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation posted the following news release:
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Starlink V3 Deployment Shows Space Innovation Is Expanding Broadband, Says ITIF
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WASHINGTON-Following SpaceX's deployment of V3 Starlink satellites, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the leading think tank for science and technology policy, released the following statement from Joe Kane, director of broadband and spectrum policy:
"The successful launch of Starlink's V3 satellites shows how commercial space innovationis driving connectivity. Each of these new satellites brings an order of magnitude more capacity than its predecessors, which have already provided high speed service around the world.
While some advocates and policymakers have denigrated the capacity and scalability of LEO satellites, private sector investment and innovation has continually proven them wrong. Policymakers should lean into new technologies for extending broadband to all areas, not give into self-interested calls for ever greater subsidies for outdated rural ISPs.
These kinds of launches show the potential of the American space economy, but policy updates are necessary to maintain American leadership in space. Policymakers should prioritize reliable launch infrastructure, access to spectrum for telemetry and satellite communications, and streamlined licensing processes."
Contact: Austin Slater, press@itif.org
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Original text here: https://itif.org/publications/publications/2026/09/28/starlink-v3-deployment-shows-space-innovation-is-expanding-broadband-says-itif/
86-Year-Old Veteran Files Federal Charges Against UFCW Union for Causing his Illegal Firing from Part-Time Grocery Job
SPRINGFIELD, Virginia, Sept. 28 -- The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation posted the following news release:
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86-Year-Old Veteran Files Federal Charges Against UFCW Union for Causing his Illegal Firing from Part-Time Grocery Job
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Charge: UFCW bosses ignored Village Market employee for four years, then suddenly had him fired claiming he owed over $3,500 in back dues and fees
Oakland, CA (September 28, 2026) - With free legal aid from the National Right to Work Foundation, an 86-year-old veteran who worked part-time at Village Market in Oakland has filed federal charges at
... Show Full Article
SPRINGFIELD, Virginia, Sept. 28 -- The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation posted the following news release:
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86-Year-Old Veteran Files Federal Charges Against UFCW Union for Causing his Illegal Firing from Part-Time Grocery Job
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Charge: UFCW bosses ignored Village Market employee for four years, then suddenly had him fired claiming he owed over $3,500 in back dues and fees
Oakland, CA (September 28, 2026) - With free legal aid from the National Right to Work Foundation, an 86-year-old veteran who worked part-time at Village Market in Oakland has filed federal charges atthe National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5 (UFCW) union. The charge says UFCW 5 union officials illegally had Phil Holland fired in early September claiming he owed thousands of dollars in back dues and fees.
Holland, a Navy veteran with 30 years' of experience in law enforcement, who also works part-time as a YMCA fitness instructor, was hired by the Village Market grocery store that he shopped at for 30 years in February of 2022 after he noticed a "help wanted" sign in the window. During his first four years of employment, UFCW Local 5 union officials never contacted him, never asked him to pay union dues or fees, and never notified him of his legal rights under the 1988 Foundation-won CWA v. Beck Supreme Court decision, which protects employees from being required to pay full union dues for activities unrelated to union bargaining like union-boss political activism.
This suddenly changed in May 2026 when UFCW Local 5 union officials began sending threatening messages "welcoming" him to the union and later demanding that he become a member or lose his job.
Shortly after in July, UFCW Local 5 union bosses sent the part-time employee who worked 12 hours a week a letter demanding that he pay over $3,500 in retroactive dues and fees under the threat of termination. The union communication lacked the required information to inform him of his legal rights under the Beck decision.
Union Officials Rejected Proposed Partial Payment, Had Retired Veteran Terminated
With Holland not willing to pay the sudden and unlawful $3,500 dues demand, he proposed paying the Beck fee going forward and a partial payment of the back amount. UFCW officials not only rejected his request but also demanded that Village Market terminate his employment, which the company effectively did.
Because California lacks Right to Work protections for its private sector workers, UFCW union officials can require workers to pay money to the union or lose their jobs. However, the Supreme Court's NLRB v. General Motors decision forbids mandatory formal union membership.
The charge asks the NLRB to prosecute UFCW 5 for Holland's illegal termination and also hold that the union committed an unfair labor practice when union officials knowingly ignored his employment for years without attempting to collect dues, then suddenly sprung a multi-year dues demand on the part-time employee. Mr. Holland's charges will now be investigated by NLRB Region 32 officials.
"UFCW 5 union officials ignored Mr. Holland for more than four years while he worked part-time at his local grocery store, then out of nowhere ambushed the 86-year-old veteran with a bill for thousands of dollars and illegally had him fired when he didn't give into their unlawful demands," commented National Right to Work Foundation President Mark Mix. "The abusive tactics on display in this case show the need for additional protections for employees against union boss attempts to collect years of back dues after the union itself failed to legally request the money at the time.
"Ultimately though, cases like this demonstrate why every worker in America deserves Right to Work protections to ensure that all union payments are strictly voluntary," added Mix.
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The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization providing free legal aid to employees whose human or civil rights have been violated by compulsory unionism abuses. The Foundation, which can be contacted toll-free at 1-800-336-3600, assists thousands of employees in about 200 cases nationwide per year.
Posted on Sep 28, 2026 in News Releases
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Original text here: https://www.nrtw.org/news/veteran-filescharges-for-illegal-firing-09282026/
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