Featured Stories
Northwell's Heart, Lung, Liver & Kidney Transplant Programs Rate Among Best in Region - Above National Average
NEW HYDE PARK, New York, Oct. 3 -- Northwell Health issued the following news release:
* * *
Northwell Transplant Institute achieves exceptional outcomes
October 2nd, 2026
Northwell's heart, lung, liver and kidney transplant programs rate among best in region -- above the national average
-
The Northwell Transplant Institute has been recognized for exceptional outcomes across its adult heart, lung, liver and kidney transplant programs, rating among the best in the region in several quality measures, according to a report published by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR).
Heart
... Show Full Article
NEW HYDE PARK, New York, Oct. 3 -- Northwell Health issued the following news release:
* * *
Northwell Transplant Institute achieves exceptional outcomes
October 2nd, 2026
Northwell's heart, lung, liver and kidney transplant programs rate among best in region -- above the national average
-
The Northwell Transplant Institute has been recognized for exceptional outcomes across its adult heart, lung, liver and kidney transplant programs, rating among the best in the region in several quality measures, according to a report published by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR).
Hearttransplant recorded the highest one-year patient survival outcome in the tri-state area while being recognized for one of the highest transplant rates, translating into faster access to a heart transplant, the SRTR report showed. The program has a lower waitlist mortality than the regional or national average. Patients at Northwell move to transplant more quickly, with a median time to adult heart transplant of 1.5 months compared with the national median of 2.1 months.
"When comparing the New York State heart programs in terms of key quality metrics, only Northwell Health rated in the top three for each of the metrics: survival on the wait list, getting a donor faster and one-year heart survival," said Deane Smith, MD, surgical director for Northwell's Center for Heart Failure, Transplantation and Mechanical Circulatory Support.
"The numbers are a testament to the tremendous care the entire transplant team brings to each case."
100 lung transplants in four years -- and growing
Just four years after its inception, the lung transplant program successfully completed its 100th lung transplant on September 17. This rapid acceleration to significant surgical volume is matched by truly remarkable patient outcomes, setting a new benchmark for excellence. The program scored an exceptional 90-day survival rate of 100%. Its one-year survival rate is among the best across the region (NY, CT, MA, MD and PA). Beyond clinical success, the patient experience remains a cornerstone, with over 90% of patients reporting they would recommend the program.
Setting the pace for liver and kidney transplants
Northwell's liver transplant program is now the largest adult liver transplant program in the tri-state and is one of two programs that share the highest ranking for liver transplant outcomes in the region (NY, NJ, CT, PA, MA and MD). The program also provides faster access to deceased donor transplantation - 47% faster than the national average. When living donor transplants are included, Northwell's liver program transplants patients 42% faster than the national average, shortening wait times and helping patients reach transplant sooner.
Adult kidney transplant recipients at Northwell receive a new organ 55% faster than patients at kidney programs nationally, and the program's three-year patient survival rate exceeds those of more than 95% of U.S. programs. In addition, Northwell's pediatric kidney transplant program has the region's best one-year graft survival, reflecting exceptional care for children and families.
Building on a legacy of transplant excellence
"We are incredibly proud of these programs and the national stature they have achieved in caring for patients with end-stage organ failure," said Nabil Dagher, MD, senior vice president and director of the Northwell Transplant Institute. "Every day, our teams come to work with a shared mission: to provide better, more compassionate care than we did the day before. These results reflect that commitment and the culture of excellence our entire institute has built."
Following approval from the New York State Department of Health in December 2025 to launch its pancreas transplant program, the Transplant Institute performed Long Island's first pancreas transplant that spring. The Institute also remains the only pediatric heart transplant program on Long Island. The Northwell Transplant Institute recently earned CMS recertification for several of its programs with zero deficiencies, a testament to their distinction, broad reach and outstanding performance.
Northwell's North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) in Manhasset is home to the Northwell Transplant Institute. NSUH, a CMS 5-star hospital which has 806 licensed beds and treats more than 90,000 patients each year, is one of just 59 adult transplant centers nationwide that offer heart, kidney, liver, lung and pancreas transplant programs under one roof, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. That coordination of care, along with a state-of-the-art surgical pavilion and world-renowned surgeons, makes the Northwell Transplant Institute a leader in patient outcomes. NSUH was nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report in 10 adult specialties for the second straight year.
There were more than 23,000 organ donors nationally in 2025. However, more than 109,000 people in the United States currently need an organ transplant and about 61,000 of them are on active transplant waiting lists, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing. To learn more about the Northwell Transplant Institute, visit their website here.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.northwell.edu/news/the-latest/northwell-transplant-institute-achieves-exceptional-outcomes
[Category: Health Care]
Fuel Economy Remains Vitally Important to Prospective Car Buyers, According to New Consumer Reports Survey Research
YONKERS, New York, Oct. 3 (TNSrpt) -- Consumer Reports posted the following news release:
* * *
Fuel economy remains vitally important to prospective car buyers, according to new Consumer Reports survey research
October 2, 2026
* As the federal government weakens standards, CR data shows that fuel economy is still a major priority as people shop for a new or used vehicle
* Survey finds consumers' concerns about electric vehicles easing, but limited first-hand experience and other barriers to purchase interest remain
-
WASHINGTON, D.C.--Consumer Reports (CR) today released new survey data
... Show Full Article
YONKERS, New York, Oct. 3 (TNSrpt) -- Consumer Reports posted the following news release:
* * *
Fuel economy remains vitally important to prospective car buyers, according to new Consumer Reports survey research
October 2, 2026
* As the federal government weakens standards, CR data shows that fuel economy is still a major priority as people shop for a new or used vehicle
* Survey finds consumers' concerns about electric vehicles easing, but limited first-hand experience and other barriers to purchase interest remain
-
WASHINGTON, D.C.--Consumer Reports (CR) today released new survey datashowing that fuel economy remains vitally important to prospective buyers of new and used vehicles, even as the federal government finalizes revised, substantially weaker standards for auto manufacturers.
Chris Harto, Manager, Energy Impact at Consumer Reports, said, "Consumers have long told us that fuel economy was important to them, so it comes as no surprise that hybrids are flying off dealer lots as automakers--encouraged by strong fuel economy standards over the past few years--finally start delivering more hybrid options. What is unknown is if automakers continue to respond to strong consumer demand for efficient hybrids, or if momentum slows in the face of weak and toothless efficiency standards."
The new data comes from a July 2026 Consumer Reports nationally representative survey of 2,124 U.S. adults, which found that fuel economy remains a major priority for Americans shopping for their next vehicle. According to the survey, 94% of people who expect to buy or lease another vehicle say fuel economy is at least somewhat important; about two-thirds (68%) say it is very or extremely important--on par with the results of other nationally representative CR surveys of drivers in 2022 and 2024.
CR's survey also asked about electric vehicles, and while CR found a modest easing in Americans' concerns about EVs compared to previous research, this shift has not yet translated into increased consumer interest in purchasing an EV.
On the one hand, there has been a statistically significant decrease in all of the top 5 barriers to EV adoption since a previous nationally representative survey in 2023. Among Americans who are not definite EV buyers, the most common barriers remain charging logistics (57%), range anxiety (51%), and purchase/ownership costs (45%). Also, since 2023, the shares of people who have seen an EV, know someone who owns an EV, or have ridden in an EV have noticeably increased.
On the other hand, the share of those who reported having driven an EV in the past year has improved only slightly since 2023. Specifically, just 11% of Americans reported having driven an electric-only vehicle in the past year. Overall, a quarter of Americans (25%) said they would definitely buy or seriously seriously consider buying an EV if they were to get a vehicle today, but this varies depending on whether they have already driven one. Of those 11% who reported having driven an EV in the past year, 68% say they would definitely buy or seriously consider buying an EV today. Among those who have not driven one, only 20% say the same.
A 2024 CR nationally representative survey of 2,146 US adults found that half of consumers would be interested in test-driving a battery electric vehicle while car shopping, even if they were not ready to buy one, indicating an opportunity for dealers to potentially capitalize on.
"Time behind the wheel doesn't guarantee that someone will become interested in an EV, but it's a necessary step for them to realistically consider purchasing one," Harto added. "People can't reasonably be expected to adopt a new technology that they have very limited hands-on experience with, especially something as important to their daily lives as their car."
Because most shoppers' hands-on experience with battery electric vehicles remains limited, and concerns around charging, range, and cost remain significant, Consumer Reports advises that fuel-efficient hybrids can be good options for many drivers. The growing availability of hybrid models can provide a practical stepping stone for car buyers and lessees, allowing consumers to enjoy savings at the pump with lower barriers to entry.
For other recent CR materials to help consumers choose the vehicle that meets their needs, please see:
* CR's Guide to Fuel Economy (https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/fuel-economy-efficiency/guide-to-fuel-economy-a1223052728/)
* CR's Hybrids/EVs Buying Guide (https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/buying-guide/)
* * *
REPORT: https://article.images.consumerreports.org/image/upload/v1786722565/Consumer_Reports_AES_July_2026_sy13ua.pdf
* * *
Original text here: https://advocacy.consumerreports.org/press_release/fuel-economy-remains-vitally-important-to-prospective-car-buyers-according-to-new-consumer-reports-survey-research/
[Category: Business]
Fordham Political Review Issues Commentary: Politics of Cool - How Pop Culture Is Shifting Right
BRONX, New York, Oct. 3 -- The Fordham Political Review posted the following commentary:
* * *
The Politics of Cool: How Pop Culture Is Shifting Right
By Yasmine L'Bahy Oct 2, 2026
Politics, pop culture, and media are facets of our society that have always been intertwined. With media allowing and shaping public opinion on leaders and political movements, music and movies have often been filled with political symbolism, making issues more accessible and understandable to viewers and often serving as social commentary. This relationship with pop culture has, in turn, been reflected in social
... Show Full Article
BRONX, New York, Oct. 3 -- The Fordham Political Review posted the following commentary:
* * *
The Politics of Cool: How Pop Culture Is Shifting Right
By Yasmine L'Bahy Oct 2, 2026
Politics, pop culture, and media are facets of our society that have always been intertwined. With media allowing and shaping public opinion on leaders and political movements, music and movies have often been filled with political symbolism, making issues more accessible and understandable to viewers and often serving as social commentary. This relationship with pop culture has, in turn, been reflected in socialsettings and communities, as pop culture establishes what is cool and trending and which aesthetics and characteristics are associated with these traits. However, this relationship has been evolving and has undergone a noticeable shift in the last ten years, reflecting a red shift in the world. The idea of what used to be considered "cool" and "trendy" has shifted drastically and is now, for the first time, converging dangerously with conservatism, becoming part of the aesthetic of what is considered culturally "cool". This trend can be seen on social media, with the rise of micro-influencers and "cool girls," as well as in shifts in popular music genres, fashion trends, and body types.
More specifically, this new aesthetic increasingly centers cultural traits and beauty standards historically associated with whiteness. This is particularly significant given the history of American beauty standards, which have often treated Eurocentric features as the mainstream ideal while excluding Black women from dominant definitions of beauty.
There are multiple aspects of pop culture and social media that coincide with the rise of conservative ideals, but the focus of this article will be the "cool girl" and how the characteristics and aesthetics traditionally associated with being cool have shifted over the last ten years. More generally, this "cool girl" categorization isn't as typical as other style archetypes, such as the alternative or "clean girl" aesthetic. This new subgenre arises from the immense number of micro-influencers who have been popping up over the past two years. These people typically have fewer than 100,000 followers on social media platforms and focus on the niche or underground nature of the aesthetic, i.e., being an underground model and a DJ all at once. Generally, all the facets of this aesthetic clearly display the red shift and rise of conservatism present in current popular culture. More specifically, this aesthetic is reflected in music, fashion, and body-type standards. First and foremost, the people who embody this aesthetic, now deemed "cool," represent a complete shift in the types of people who used to embody this idea of coolness. Ten years ago, the people dictating what was cool in pop culture were actors/actresses, musicians, athletes, and others with a specific talent that allowed them to obtain social status. However, much of pop culture is now dictated by influencers posting on social media. This is a key part of this regressive trend. In particular, there is a contrast between what this new aesthetic promotes and what it embodies regarding what it deems "coolness" compared to ten years ago.
In terms of music, this shift is also very apparent. In 2016, rap and hip-hop were the genres that dominated the music industry, allowing for Black culture and political messages to be communicated. For example, Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly was released in 2015 and was filled with profound political symbolism depicting Black social realities in America; the album was nominated for a Grammy that year. Kanye West's The Life of Pablo was released the following year, in 2016, and explored the intersection of Black identity, anti-capitalism, and celebrity culture. Both these albums were very popular at the time and hold immense value in rap and pop culture today. Now, this is not the case; over the last ten years, rap and hip hop have been streamed less than other genres, even as others have risen. Now, DJing and house/EDM music have been on the rise in popularity and are integral to the rising "cool girl" aesthetic. The DJing industry is mostly comprised of white straight men, despite having roots in Black culture.
Body image ideals and fashion are where the shift toward more traditional and restrictive social values becomes most apparent. Regarding trending body types, we have seen a clear shift in what was once associated with coolness and what is considered cool today. Just ten years ago, features associated with Black women were trending. Being thick and curvy was idealized, and Black hairstyles and AAVE were being appropriated by celebrities such as the Kardashians and Ariana Grande. Now, this has taken a complete 180. The ideal of being thin has risen sharply, and this is evident in the increased use of GLP-1s such as Ozempic and peptides for aesthetic rather than health purposes. It's not just about being thin anymore; it's about the destructive habits that accompany achieving and maintaining that thinness. The rise of figures like Liv Schmidt clearly embodies this shift; there is now an exclusivity to thinness. She uses her platform to promote unhealthy eating habits, often teetering on the line of eating disorders, and has also created group chats on her platform that are invite-only, imitating the idea of an exclusive club for girls who look a certain way and obtain her standard of thinness. Being abnormally thin has become desirable and carries the connotation of being cool, which is directly associated with whiteness.
A more direct example of this collision can be seen with the rise of "Clavicular", a streamer and "looksmaxer" who uses his platform to casually promote ideas that are rooted in or directly affiliated with racism and misogyny. With this, his content also feeds into the new idea of "coolness," as he promotes a certain body type and facial features that signal that people who do not look a certain way are inherently less valuable and do not fit this up-and-coming aesthetic.
Fashion trends and self-expression also reflect this shift. Everything seems more brand-focused and rooted in consumer overconsumption. This is seen with the rise of brands like Edikted and Subdued. Their marketing strategies rely on high-volume user-generated content (UGC), micro-influencer tier targeting, and a performance-based affiliate model. These brands are on the rise, promoted by micro-influencers, which allows certain styles to become more mainstream and accessible to consumers, thereby promoting this new aesthetic.
While these are specific examples of the shift, the idea can also be analyzed more generally. Over the last 80 years, younger generations have been at the forefront of counterculture, including the hippie movement, protests against the Vietnam War, and the feminist and racial justice movements of the 2010s. During this period, being rebellious and "cool" was often associated with challenging traditional social norms, which made progressive politics closely connected to youth culture. The 2016 "I'm With Her" movement, #MeToo, and the 2017 Women's March all reflected this connection.
Today, however, the relationship between counterculture and politics is becoming more complicated. Social media has shifted cultural influence away from traditional celebrities and toward influencers who can shape trends around fashion, music, beauty, and lifestyle more intimately. Through these spaces, ideas about race, gender, body image, and social status can become political without being explicitly presented as such. The rise of exclusivity, thinness, hypermasculinity, and other regressive ideals within certain online communities demonstrates how conservatism can become embedded within aesthetics and popular culture.
Ultimately, this shift is not necessarily proof that an entire generation has become conservative. Rather, it shows that the cultural meaning of being "cool" and rebellious is changing. If progressivism once had a strong connection to youth counterculture, it now faces the challenge of remaining culturally relevant as new forms of rebellion and new definitions of "cool" continue to emerge.
* * *
This article was edited by Karol Quinde and Nicholas Meetze.
* * *
Original text here: https://fordhampoliticalreview.org/the-politics-of-cool-how-pop-culture-is-shifting-right/
[Category: Political]
Fordham Political Review Issues Commentary: Bougainville and the New Country Dilemma
BRONX, New York, Oct. 3 -- The Fordham Political Review posted the following commentary:
* * *
Bougainville and the New Country Dilemma
By Sahir Sadat Oct 2, 2026
Within the next year, the world may see a new nation join its ranks. Currently an autonomous region of Papua New Guinea, Bougainville and its government aim to achieve independence in 2027, an ambitious goal for its population of 300,000 people.
In 2019, the island held a referendum with two positions - increased self-governance or complete independence. With approximately 85% of voters turning out, the independence option won with
... Show Full Article
BRONX, New York, Oct. 3 -- The Fordham Political Review posted the following commentary:
* * *
Bougainville and the New Country Dilemma
By Sahir Sadat Oct 2, 2026
Within the next year, the world may see a new nation join its ranks. Currently an autonomous region of Papua New Guinea, Bougainville and its government aim to achieve independence in 2027, an ambitious goal for its population of 300,000 people.
In 2019, the island held a referendum with two positions - increased self-governance or complete independence. With approximately 85% of voters turning out, the independence option won with97% of the vote. Though the regional and national governments have pledged to enter cooperation talks, the result has not been recognized by Papua New Guinea's parliament and technically remains non-binding.
The referendum reflected continued division between the native population and the national government. Previously, these hostilities boiled over into a civil war that claimed over 15,000 lives, ending with a peace agreement in 2001 that established the region's autonomy and laid the groundwork for the independence referendum nearly two decades later.
Decades of Division
The island's unsuccessful attempts at independence follow a cycle of struggle for many aspiring nations. Geographically and culturally similar to the nearby nation of the Solomon Islands (of which it is the westernmost island in the archipelago), Bougainville has long been isolated from the rest of Papua New Guinea.
In the 1960s, the discovery of mineral deposits in Bougainville provided a boost to the Papuan economy. This would eventually lead to the opening of the Panguna copper mine in 1972. However, most of the mineral profits went to the federal government rather than the natives of Bougainville; the mine would eventually be closed in 1989 due to widespread opposition from local landowners. This issue was also compounded by the lack of significant political representation in the national government, which created some support for an independence movement.
Between 1989 and 1998, a series of armed conflicts would take place between the federal government and several rebel groups due to the aforementioned grievances, which displaced a large portion of the island's population and destroyed critical infrastructure. Even today, the independence movement represents the lingering disconnect between Bougainville and Papua New Guinea.
The Hurdles of Independence
If Bougainville does achieve independence, it will face several obstacles on its ascension to the international stage.
The main roadblock would be UN recognition. Being accepted into the United Nations requires an application to be submitted to the body's Security Council; this then must be approved by 9 of its 15 members, including all five permanent members that have had seats since the end of World War II - the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China.
If Bougainville chooses to pursue independence against the wishes of the Papua New Guinean government, it would still exist as a nation but with limited recognition as a non-UN member state. Given the Chinese government's growing interest in Papua New Guinea as a potential strategic ally, entrance into the United Nations would be unlikely, which means that Bougainville would likely exist in a limbo alongside other partially unrecognized states that lack large-scale international recognition.
Assuming the region achieves an independence agreement with Papua New Guinea and has a successful admission into the UN, Bougainville will still face issues of national stability and unity. The most recent nation to join the United Nations, South Sudan became a nation in 2011 following an independence referendum after previous civil wars against the government in the North, largely driven by religious, ethnic, and cultural divides. However, the country soon plunged into its own civil war. The country's path to independence shares parallels with Bougainville's; although this does not mean that this newly independent state will face a similar situation to South Sudan, it serves as a warning that independence does not guarantee peace and, in fact, can be a cause of further conflict for a nation and its people.
Additionally, while Bougainville's vast mineral wealth could be used to greatly benefit the native population, it could also establish a cycle of instability known as the "resource curse", where nations often fail to fully utilize resources like oil and minerals to the benefit of their people; this is often coupled with political and economic insecurity. While this issue is not always prominent for developing countries, it can often stifle their growth and make it difficult for developing institutions and infrastructure that are critical for these countries.
Conclusion
Whether Bougainville decides to declare independence or not is still up for question. Whatever path Bougainville aims to take, we should hope that it ultimately benefits the people first. Bougainville's independence is a challenge that requires its leadership to make long-term decisions in order to create a better future for its people.
* * *
This article was edited by Andrew Ang and Elise Grin.
* * *
Original text here: https://fordhampoliticalreview.org/bougainville-and-the-new-country-dilemma/
[Category: Political]
FFRF Action Fund: 'Theocratic' School Board Member Votes Against Class Trip to 'satanic Witch Museum'
MADISON, Wisconsin, Oct. 3 -- FFRF Action Fund, an organization that says it develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church, posted the following news:
* * *
'Theocratic' school board member votes against class trip to 'satanic witch museum'
October 2, 2026
The FFRF Action Fund names as its "Theocrat of the Week" a Christian school board member who voted against a class trip to a "satanic witch museum."
Batavia City School District (N.Y.) Board of Education member Dan Schmidt during
... Show Full Article
MADISON, Wisconsin, Oct. 3 -- FFRF Action Fund, an organization that says it develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church, posted the following news:
* * *
'Theocratic' school board member votes against class trip to 'satanic witch museum'
October 2, 2026
The FFRF Action Fund names as its "Theocrat of the Week" a Christian school board member who voted against a class trip to a "satanic witch museum."
Batavia City School District (N.Y.) Board of Education member Dan Schmidt duringa recent board meeting went on a tirade against the Salem Witch Museum, whose mission "is to be the voice of the innocent victims of witch hunts from 1692 to the present day." After student representatives presented a draft itinerary for a senior class trip to Boston, Schmidt cast the sole nay vote.
As "a pastor in the room," Schmidt explained his stance during the board's discussion, "we're going to send our kids to a witch museum? To me, like, that is awful." He said he didn't want kids going to "what I would consider a satanic witch museum."
"Not to be the Debbie Downer in the room, but the Salem Witch Museum," Schmidt stated. "Just wondering if there was an alternative option for that."
"If my boys ... if the Salem Witch Museum, as a Christian, was part of the trip ... he probably wouldn't go, you know?" He added. "So I'm just wondering if there's an alternative option. Like, why would we want to exclude somebody that would feel like this is kind of going against ... their core values in their life, you know?"
After an audience member countered that the museum serves to teach the history surrounding the Salem Witch Trials, not to promote witchcraft or satanism, Schmidt replied: "That's not the point. The point is ... we're encouraging our kids to go to a witch museum. To me, that is awful."
When a journalist from The Batavian spoke with Schmidt after the board meeting, pointing out that the museum details the "persecution of the innocent, including Christians," Schmidt said, "I can't really say that I know the history of it. But for me as a pastor, to hear that our students are going to a witch museum. ... I'm not satisfied. I just don't think that it's the healthiest choice for our students, and I hope the church rises up and has a problem with it."
Schmidt added that he felt the need to speak up against the museum trip because of his personal religious beliefs, saying, "I'm gonna stand before God someday, and I feel like to not share my voice in that moment -- I get that everybody's faith is, people have a different perspective on Christianity -- but for me, I think Jesus would frown on this."
In 2010, the Freedom From Religion Foundation celebrated the 318th anniversary of Massachusetts Gov. William Phips' declaration that effectively ended the Salem Witch Trials, by designating Oct. 12 through Oct. 19 as "Freethought Week." The Phips declaration was the first of its kind, requiring that evidence used in court be observable, measurable and replicable -- a step toward human enlightenment and the adoption of the scientific method.
Schmidt was elected to the Batavia school board in 2025 and is the lead pastor at the Batavia Assembly of God Church. The FFRF Action Fund urges Schmidt to fulfill his duty as an elected public official by keeping his personal religious beliefs out of government decisions. We hope Batavia's students have an enjoyable and enriching learning experience at the Salem Witch Museum.
* * *
FFRF Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization that develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church. It also advocates for the rights and views of nonbelievers, endorses candidates for political office, and publicizes the views of elected officials concerning religious liberty issues.
* * *
Original text here: https://ffrfaction.org/theocratic-school-board-member-votes-against-class-trip-to-satanic-witch-museum/
[Category: Sociological]
Coalition Sues Trump Administration Over Rule Making Cars Less Fuel Efficient
NEW YORK, Oct. 3 -- The Environmental Defense Fund issued the following news release:
* * *
Coalition Sues Trump Administration Over Rule Making Cars Less Fuel Efficient
Lawsuit Challenges Rollback of Fuel Economy Standards That Will Drive Up Costs for American Drivers
October 2, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A coalition of environmental and consumer protection organizations filed a lawsuit today challenging the Trump administration's final rule rolling back federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, a move that will make new vehicles less fuel efficient, increase gasoline consumption,
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Oct. 3 -- The Environmental Defense Fund issued the following news release:
* * *
Coalition Sues Trump Administration Over Rule Making Cars Less Fuel Efficient
Lawsuit Challenges Rollback of Fuel Economy Standards That Will Drive Up Costs for American Drivers
October 2, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A coalition of environmental and consumer protection organizations filed a lawsuit today challenging the Trump administration's final rule rolling back federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, a move that will make new vehicles less fuel efficient, increase gasoline consumption,and drive up costs for American drivers already facing high gas prices.
The lawsuit (https://library.edf.org/AssetLink/qk064a5s2o644n85d3t6r7r3b184g63r.pdf) challenges the administration's attempt to weaken longstanding fuel economy requirements that have helped reduce gasoline consumption and save drivers money at the pump. The rollback comes as families are already struggling with record-high gas prices, with transportation ranking as the second-largest household expense after housing, accounting for roughly 17% of average household spending.
The existing fuel economy standards, which the Trump administration has weakened, would have saved 64 billion gallons of gas. Even before the current rise in gas prices, they were set to deliver $35 billion in savings to consumers over the lifetimes of the vehicles covered. However, today's final rule weakens those standards, allowing manufacturers to produce a fleet of vehicles in model year 2031 that are less efficient than the model year 2024 vehicle fleet that is already on our roads.
The administration's own projections show that Americans will be forced to spend over $1,600 more on fuel over the life of these life-efficient vehicles, and NHTSA estimates this final rule will result in an increase of over 121 billion gallons of fuel consumption through 2050.
"The Trump administration's rollback will mean wasted gas, more air pollution, and higher costs for Americans who are already struggling with high fuel prices," said Andy Su, Senior Transportation Attorney at Environmental Defense Fund. "We're going to court to oppose this dangerous U-turn away from decades of successful work to make our cars more efficient and less expensive to drive."
"We're taking the Trump administration to court for this reckless rollback that prioritizes Big Oil and automaker profits over American families," said Katherine Garcia, Sierra Club's Clean Transportation for All Director. "It is unlawful for Trump to turn back the clock on fuel-efficient cars forcing drivers to waste more money on gas and communities to breathe toxic air. The Sierra Club is proud to stand with our coalition partners in defending our right to cleaner, more affordable vehicles."
"The Trump administration is steering us toward cars that burn more gas to travel the same miles, draining family budgets along the way," said James Crowley, senior attorney at Conservation Law Foundation. "As the needle drops toward empty, more grocery and rent money goes into the tank, while more pollution fills the air we breathe. We're taking this administration to court because families can't afford to be steered backward."
"With gas prices at historic highs, Trump picked the worst possible time to roll back federal mileage standards," said David Pettit, an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity's Climate Law Institute. "Oil companies will profit from less efficient cars, but drivers will take a hit to their wallets and our kids will breathe dirtier air. We'll all pay the price for more tailpipe pollutants spewing everywhere from playgrounds to wild places. We're asking the courts to put a stop to this callous giveaway to Big Oil and Big Auto."
"Consumers need more fuel efficient choices when considering new cars, and they deserve vehicles that get more miles per gallon and miles per dollar," said Robert Weissman, co-President of Public Citizen. "Trump's lawless push to roll back key safeguards on fuel economy will pollute our air, and line the pockets of oil and auto CEOs. We are confident of stopping Trump's CAFE standards rollback."
* * *
With more than 3 million members, Environmental Defense Fund creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships to turn solutions into action. edf.org
* * *
Original text here: https://www.edf.org/media/coalition-sues-trump-administration-over-rule-making-cars-less-fuel-efficient
[Category: Environment]
Better Wisconsin Together: Over $24.7M in MAGA Billionaire Cash Doled Out to Republican State Legislative Candidates, GOP Campaign Committees in State
MONONA, Wisconsin, Oct. 3 -- A Better Wisconsin Together, a state-based research and communications hub for progressives, posted the following news release:
* * *
October 2, 2026
Over $24.7 Million in MAGA Billionaire Cash Doled Out to Republican State Legislative Candidates, GOP Campaign Committees in Wisconsin
MADISON, Wis. - Newly filed campaign finance reports reveal that three MAGA billionaires have now spent more than $24.7 million in their efforts to buy a Republican state legislature in Wisconsin.
According to state campaign finance reports, between January 2025 and September 2026
... Show Full Article
MONONA, Wisconsin, Oct. 3 -- A Better Wisconsin Together, a state-based research and communications hub for progressives, posted the following news release:
* * *
October 2, 2026
Over $24.7 Million in MAGA Billionaire Cash Doled Out to Republican State Legislative Candidates, GOP Campaign Committees in Wisconsin
MADISON, Wis. - Newly filed campaign finance reports reveal that three MAGA billionaires have now spent more than $24.7 million in their efforts to buy a Republican state legislature in Wisconsin.
According to state campaign finance reports, between January 2025 and September 2026Illinois billionaires Dick and Elizabeth Uihlein and Wisconsin's richest person Diane Hendricks have doled out a combined total of $24,753,500 to the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee (RACC) and the Committee to Elect a Republican Senate (CERS). Then, using a loophole in the law created by the Republican controlled state legislature, the campaign committees are able to make unlimited transfers of campaign cash to Republican candidates and spend unlimited amounts on their behalf.
Hendricks and the Uihleins also made direct contributions to several of the candidates. The amount of MAGA billionaire cash flowing into GOP state legislative campaigns this cycle means only a small fraction of what certain Republicans have raised actually comes from the Wisconsinites they are running to represent.
"The state legislature should be a reflection of the people it represents," A Better Wisconsin Together said in a statement. "So when an elected official or someone seeking public office is getting sometimes less than even 1% of their campaign cash from the actual people they're supposed to represent, it certainly raises questions about who they're really looking out for."
Direct contributions, transfers from RACC and CERS, and RACC and CERS unlimited "in-kind" spending of billionaire cash on individual Republican state legislative candidates between January 2025 and September 2026 totals:
* $1,469,540.40 to Jim Croft, candidate in the 21st Senate District;
* $1,302,055.29 to Rep. Shannon Zimmerman in the 30th Assembly District;
* $791,322.46 to Michele Magadance Skinner, candidate in the 31st Senate District;
* $684,509.08 to Rep. Ben Franklin, in the 88th Assembly District;
* $665,201.55 to Rep. Pat Snyder in the 85th Assembly District;
* $645,094.56 to David Daniels, candidate in the 53rd Assembly District;
* $613,928.25 to Bobby Lindsey, candidate in the 89th Assembly District;
* $505,385.34 to Rep. Todd Novak in the 51st State Assembly District;
* $386,361.96 to Rep. Clint Moses in the 92nd Assembly District;
* $342,225.02 to Sen. Howard Marklein in the 17th Senate District;
* $274,583.29 to Dylan Pfaffenbach, candidate in the 21st Assembly District;
* $199,025.81 to Mike Roberts, candidate in the 5th Senate District
* $134,989.83 to Keith Purnell, candidate in the 94th Assembly District;
* $155,415.80 to Rep. Bob Donovan, in the 61st Assembly District;
MAGA state legislators and candidates have become so reliant on the checkbooks of the three billionaires and the special interests that they are raising shockingly small amounts of donations from individual Wisconsinites who aren't billionaires, or bundled conduit contributions, or affiliated with special interests PACs. The most recent campaign finance reports show that between July and September:
* Jim Croft, candidate in 21st state Senate District, raised only 0.8% of his total contributions from individuals;
* Rep. Shannon Zimmerman in the 30th Assembly District raised only 1.8% of his total contributions from individuals;
* Michele Magadance Skinner, candidate in the 31st Senate District raised only 2.7% of her total contributions from individuals;
* David Daniels, candidate in the 53rd Assembly District raised only 1% of his total contributions from individuals;
* Rep. Todd Novak, in the 51st Assembly District raised only 2.8% of his total contributions from individuals;
* Rep. Clint Moses, in the 92nd Assembly District raised only 7.8% of his total contributions from individuals;
* Sen. Howard Marklein, in the 17th Senate District raised only 20.2% of his total contributions from individuals;
* Mike Roberts, candidate in the 5th Senate District raised only 6.8% of his total contributions from individuals;
* Keith Purnell, candidate in the 94th Assembly District raised only 9.4% of his total contributions from individuals;
* Rep. Bob Donovan in the 61st Assembly District raised only 8.7% of his total contributions from individuals;
* Rep. Pat Snyder in the 85th Assembly District raised only 0.95% of his total contributions from individuals;
* Rep. Ben Franklin in the 88th Assembly District raised only 0.3% of his total contributions from individuals;
* Dylan Pfaffenbach, candidate in the 21st Assembly District raised only 0.7% of his contributions from individuals;
* Bobby Lindsey, candidate in the 89th Assembly District raised only 0.9% of his contributions from individuals.
* * *
A Better Wisconsin Together is a state-based research and communications hub for progressives and is an affiliate of ProgressNow.
* * *
Original text here: https://abetterwisconsin.org/over-24-7-million-in-maga-billionaire-cash-doled-out-to-republican-state-legislative-candidates-gop-campaign-committees-in-wisconsin/
[Category: Economics]
