Federal Independent Agencies
Here's a look at documents from federal independent agencies
Featured Stories
El Salvador and Costa Rica Issue First Digital Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificates With IDB and PAHO Support
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
* * *
El Salvador and Costa Rica Issue First Digital Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificates with IDB and PAHO Support
El Salvador and Costa Rica have made the Americas the first region in the world to issue digital yellow fever vaccination certificates in accordance with the standards of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Digital Health Certification Network. This achievement marks a milestone for the region and reflects its leadership in adopting digital innovations in public health. However,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
* * *
El Salvador and Costa Rica Issue First Digital Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificates with IDB and PAHO Support
El Salvador and Costa Rica have made the Americas the first region in the world to issue digital yellow fever vaccination certificates in accordance with the standards of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Digital Health Certification Network. This achievement marks a milestone for the region and reflects its leadership in adopting digital innovations in public health. However,while the WHO completes the consultation processes for the implementation of digital certificates, the international paper certificate continues to be required for travelers entering certain countries, ensuring the continuity and safety of international travel.
Both countries achieved this breakthrough thanks to their commitment to the digital transformation of health and the efforts being made in the region with the Pan American Digital Health Roadmap, an initiative promoted by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Through programs such as national and regional connectathons and technical support from the Latin American and Caribbean Network for Digital Health (RACSEL), each country has been able to strengthen its capacity to issue digital vaccination certificates in accordance with international standards.
Javier Guzman, chief of the Health, Nutrition, and Population Division at the IDB, said: "This progress shows how regional cooperation and digital infrastructure can transform the way people access health services. At the IDB, we will continue to support countries so that secure and internationally recognized certificates become a reality throughout the region."
Yellow fever certificates -- and polio certificates in some countries -- are the only health documents internationally recognized as an entry requirement under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR). The 2024 amendments, which came into force last September, introduced for the first time the possibility of issuing them in digital or paper format, ensuring authenticity, data protection, and international validity.
Marcelo D'Agostino, PAHO's head of information systems and digital health, stressed that "strengthening the digital health infrastructure will allow people to travel throughout the region in the future without the need for duplicate vaccinations or paperwork, representing a step toward more equitable and efficient health care throughout Latin America and the Caribbean."
Digital certificates also contribute to global public health security by enabling governments to obtain quality information in real time, optimize resources, and avoid unnecessary costs by preventing duplication in the administration of vaccines, as well as reducing irregular practices such as the creation of informal markets for health certificates that jeopardize public health.
Yellow fever is a potentially fatal viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, but it can be prevented with a single dose of vaccine that offers lifelong protection. In Latin America, as of early November 2025, there have been 295 cases in humans and 122 deaths in six countries.
This achievement reflects the spirit of regional cooperation of PH4H, a joint initiative by the IDB, PAHO, and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean to build more connected, safe, reliable, and resilient health systems in all countries in the region.
Within the Global Digital Health Certification Network, the PH4H initiative established a trust domain to enable member countries to mutually recognize and validate digital health certificates issued according to international standards. El Salvador and Costa Rica are setting the bar for the entire continent and inspiring and motivating other countries to continue advancing toward more connected, safe, and accessible health care systems.
The IDB and PAHO recognized the achievements of El Salvador and Costa Rica during the event Pan American Highway for Digital Health: Driving Innovation and Connection in the Americas, held recently in San Salvador, El Salvador, with the participation of 26 countries in the Americas.
During the meeting, twelve countries formally joined the Global Digital Health Certification Network's PH4H domain, expanding regional cooperation in digital health.
The Pan American Highway for Digital Health is supported by the government of Japan.
* * *
About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a member of the IDB Group, is devoted to improving lives across Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1959, the Bank works with the region's public sector to design and enable impactful, innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development. Leveraging financing, technical expertise, and knowledge, it promotes growth and well-being in 26 countries. Visit our website: https://www.iadb.org/en
* * *
About PAHO
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) works with the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of its population. Founded in 1902, it is the world's oldest international public health agency. It serves as the Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the Americas and is the specialized health agency of the Inter-American system (OAS). Visit www.paho.org
* * *
Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/el-salvador-and-costa-rica-issue-first-digital-yellow-fever-vaccination-certificates-idb-and-paho
NASA, Aerospace Corporation Study Sharpens Focus on Ammonia Emissions
PASADENA, California, Nov. 21 (TNSres) -- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory issued the following news:
* * *
NASA, Aerospace Corporation Study Sharpens Focus on Ammonia Emissions
The pungent gas contributes to fine airborne particulate pollution, which endangers human health when inhaled and absorbed in the bloodstream.
*
A recent study led by scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and the nonprofit Aerospace Corporation shows how high-resolution maps of ground-level ammonia plumes can be generated with airborne sensors, highlighting a way to better track the gas.
... Show Full Article
PASADENA, California, Nov. 21 (TNSres) -- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory issued the following news:
* * *
NASA, Aerospace Corporation Study Sharpens Focus on Ammonia Emissions
The pungent gas contributes to fine airborne particulate pollution, which endangers human health when inhaled and absorbed in the bloodstream.
*
A recent study led by scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and the nonprofit Aerospace Corporation shows how high-resolution maps of ground-level ammonia plumes can be generated with airborne sensors, highlighting a way to better track the gas.A key chemical ingredient of fine particulate matter -- tiny particles in the air known to be harmful when inhaled -- ammonia can be released through agricultural activities such as livestock farming and geothermal power generation as well as natural geothermal processes. Because it's not systematically monitored, many sources of the pungent gas go undetected.
Published (https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/25/11935/2025/) in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics in October, the study focuses on a series of 2023 research flights that covered the Imperial Valley to the southeast of the Salton Sea in inland Southern California, as well as the Eastern Coachella Valley to its northwest. Prior satellite-based research has identified the Imperial Valley as a prolific source of gaseous ammonia. In the study, scientists employed an airborne sensor capable of resolving ammonia plumes with enough detail to track their origins: Aerospace Corporation's Mako instrument is an imaging spectrometer that observes long-wave infrared light emitted by areas of Earth's surface and atmosphere 6 feet (2 meters) across.
Using the instrument, which can detect ammonia's chemical signature by the infrared light it absorbs, the authors found elevated levels of the gas near several sources, including agricultural fields, livestock feedlots, geothermal plants, and geothermal vents. Measurements in parts of the Imperial Valley were 21/2 to eight times higher than in Coachella Valley's Mecca community, which had ammonia concentrations closer to background levels.
Though not toxic on its own in low concentrations, ammonia is a precursor to particulate matter, also known as aerosol or particle pollution. It reacts with other gases to form solid ammonium salt particles small enough to penetrate the bloodstream from the lungs. Particles under 2.5 micrometers in diameter -- also known as PM2.5 -- are associated with elevated rates of asthma, lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease, among other negative health outcomes.
"Historically, more attention has focused on primary sources of PM2.5, such as auto emissions. But with significant reductions in those emissions and increasingly stringent air quality standards, there is growing interest in understanding secondary sources that form particles in the air from precursor gases," said Sina Hasheminassab, lead author of the paper and a research scientist at JPL. "As an important precursor to PM2.5, ammonia plays a key role, but its emissions are poorly characterized and undermonitored."
Rising ammonia
Previous satellite-based studies have shown rising levels of atmospheric ammonia, both globally and in the continental United States. That research revealed broad trends, but with spatial resolution on the order of tens of miles, the measurements were only sufficient to identify variation over areas of hundreds of square miles or more.
The chemical behavior of ammonia also poses a particular monitoring challenge: Once emitted, it only stays in the atmosphere for hours before reacting with other compounds. In contrast, carbon dioxide can remain in the air for centuries.
Planes and satellites can provide an overview of sources and the geographic distribution of emissions at a given moment. Although satellites offer wider and more recurrent coverage, airborne instruments, being closer to the source, produce higher-resolution data and can focus on specific locations at designated times.
Those proved to be the right capabilities for the recent study. Researchers flew Mako over the Imperial and Eastern Coachella valleys on the mornings and afternoons of March 28 and Sept. 25, 2023, and took concurrent measurements on the ground with both a fixed monitoring station in Mecca operated by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) and a mobile spectrometer developed at the University of California, Riverside.
"The goal was to show that this technique was capable of delivering data with the required accuracy that aerosol scientists and potentially even air quality regulatory bodies could use to improve the air quality in those regions," said David Tratt, a senior scientist at Aerospace Corporation and coauthor of the paper. "We ended up with maps that identify multiple sources of ammonia, and we were able to track the plumes from their sources and observe them coalescing into larger clouds."
Distinct plumes
During the flights, the team collected data over the southeastern coast of the Salton Sea, which straddles Riverside and Imperial counties. There, Mako revealed small plumes coming from geothermal fumaroles venting superheated water and steam that react with nitrogen-bearing compounds in the soil, releasing ammonia.
Farther to the southeast, the results showed several geothermal power plants emitting ammonia, primarily from their cooling towers, as part of their normal operations.
Farther southeast still, the researchers spotted ammonia emissions, a byproduct of animal waste, from cattle farms in the Imperial Valley. During the March 28 flight, a plume from the largest facility in the study area measured up to 1.7 miles (2.8 kilometers) wide and extended up to 4.8 miles (7.7 kilometers) downwind of the source.
'Very large puzzle'
As part of the study, AQMD's Mecca monitoring station recorded seasonal changes in ammonia concentrations. Given the few sources in the area, the researchers surmised that winds during certain months tend to blow the gas from Imperial Valley to the Coachella Valley.
The study underscores the benefits of detailed spatial information about ammonia emissions, and it partly informed the agency's decision in July to expand its ammonia-monitoring network and extend the life of the Mecca station.
As a precursor to PM2.5, ammonia is "one piece of a very large puzzle" that, for Coachella Valley residents, includes vehicle emissions, desert dust, and agricultural activities, said Payam Pakbin, manager of the Advanced Monitoring Technologies Unit at AQMD and a paper coauthor.
"These communities want to know the contributions of these sources to the air quality they're experiencing," he added. "Findings like these help our agency better prioritize which sources require the most attention and ultimately guide our focus toward those that are the highest priority for achieving emission reductions in this community."
* * *
Original text here: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasa-aerospace-corporation-study-sharpens-focus-on-ammonia-emissions/
More Than 100 Glass Pieces To Go on View at the National Museum of the American Indian in New York
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- The Smithsonian Institution National Museum of the American Indian issued the following news release on Nov. 20, 2025:
* * *
More Than 100 Glass Pieces To Go on View at the National Museum of the American Indian in New York
The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in New York will host the traveling exhibition "Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass," Nov. 28 through May 29, 2026. The exhibition features approximately 120 glass art objects created by 29 Native American and First Nations artists as well as leading glass artist Dale Chihuly,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- The Smithsonian Institution National Museum of the American Indian issued the following news release on Nov. 20, 2025:
* * *
More Than 100 Glass Pieces To Go on View at the National Museum of the American Indian in New York
The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in New York will host the traveling exhibition "Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass," Nov. 28 through May 29, 2026. The exhibition features approximately 120 glass art objects created by 29 Native American and First Nations artists as well as leading glass artist Dale Chihuly,who first introduced glass art to Indian Country as an instructor at the Institute of American Indian Arts. Many of these artists are widely known for their work in other media as well. In addition, two Yolnu (Aboriginal Australian) artists and two Maori artists who have collaborated with Native American artists are also featured, for a total of 33 artists, plus Chihuly.
The art in the exhibition embodies the intellectual content of Native traditions, newly illuminated by the unique properties that can only be achieved by working with glass. Whether reinterpreting traditional stories and designs in the medium of glass or expressing contemporary issues affecting tribal societies, Native glass artists have created a content-laden body of work. These artists have melded the aesthetics and properties inherent in glass art with their cultural ways of knowing. The result is a groundbreaking exhibition featuring an impressive body of artworks.
"This exhibition underscores one path of evolution for Indigenous artists that breaks beyond media considered traditional for their respective cultures," said Michelle Delaney, associate director for museum scholarship. "Through their work in glass, these artists have expanded into unexpected ways of expressing Native perspectives."
"Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass" was originated by the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where it was curated by Letitia Chambers, former CEO of the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona, and artist and museum consultant Cathy Short (Potawatomi). The traveling exhibition was curated by Chambers and is toured by International Arts & Artists. After its presentation at the National Museum of the American Indian in New York, "Clearly Indigenous" will travel to San Diego and Spokane, Washington.
Tour Schedule
* June 10, 2023-Sept. 17, 2023: Wichita Art Museum, Wichita, Kan.
* Dec. 15, 2023-April 7, 2024: Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati
* May 18, 2024-Aug. 25, 2024: Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo, Mich.
* Oct. 25, 2024-Jan. 10, 2025: Huntsville Museum of Art, Huntsville, Ala.
* Feb. 7, 2025-May 18, 2025: Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, Muncie, Ind.
* June 13, 2025-Sept. 14, 2025: Chrysler Museum of Art; Norfolk, Va.
* Nov. 28, 2025-May 29, 2026: National Museum of the American Indian, New York City
* June 27, 2026-Sept. 20, 2026: Mingei International Museum, San Diego
* Oct. 16, 2026-Jan. 8, 2027: Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, Spokane, Wash.
Exhibition Catalog
A companion book published by the Museum of New Mexico Press features most of the artworks in the exhibition. It was authored by Chambers, Short and the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture.
* * *
About the Museum
In partnership with Native peoples and their allies, the National Museum of the American Indian fosters a richer shared human experience through a more informed understanding of Native peoples. The museum in New York is located at 1 Bowling Green. For additional information, including hours and directions, visit AmericanIndian.si.edu. Follow the museum via social media @SmithsonianNMAI.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/more-100-glass-pieces-go-view-national-museum-american-indian-new-york
Jamaica to Strengthen Public-Sector Efficiency With IDB Support
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
* * *
Jamaica to Strengthen Public-Sector Efficiency with IDB Support
The Board of Executive Directors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a loan of up to US$70 million to advance Jamaica's ongoing public sector transformation program. The initiative aims to make public administration more efficient and effective, improving services for both citizens and public servants.
The program, financed by the IDB, will enhance the management of human, financial, and organizational resources
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
* * *
Jamaica to Strengthen Public-Sector Efficiency with IDB Support
The Board of Executive Directors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a loan of up to US$70 million to advance Jamaica's ongoing public sector transformation program. The initiative aims to make public administration more efficient and effective, improving services for both citizens and public servants.
The program, financed by the IDB, will enhance the management of human, financial, and organizational resourcesby strengthening core government functions, streamlining institutional structures, and modernizing civil service systems.
Financing will support measures such as implementing shared corporate across government, rationalizing public bodies, and modernizing civil service management systems and processes. These actions are designed to reduce duplication, improve coordination, and strengthen human resource practices.
These reforms are expected to improve coordination, increase effectiveness, and lower costs across government operations. By optimizing procurement, payroll, and financial management processes, the program will help Jamaica use public resources more efficiently and improve policy coordination.
The loan, under the Specific Investment Loan modality, has a repayment term of 23.5 years, a grace period of seven years, and an interest rate based on SOFR. The total financing for the program amounts to US$78.5 million, including US$8.5 million in local counterpart funding.
* * *
About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a member of the IDB Group, is devoted to improving lives across Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1959, the Bank works with the region's public sector to design and enable impactful, innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development. Leveraging financing, technical expertise, and knowledge, it promotes growth and well-being in 26 countries. Visit our website: https://www.iadb.org/en.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/jamaica-strengthen-public-sector-efficiency-idb-support
ICYMI: EPA and Army Corps Announce Clear WOTUS Definition to Protect Water Resources and Accelerate Economic Growth
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
* * *
ICYMI: EPA and Army Corps Announce Clear WOTUS Definition to Protect Water Resources and Accelerate Economic Growth
*
WASHINGTON - Yesterday, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin, together with Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle, announced a proposed rule that would establish a clear, durable, common-sense definition of "waters of the United States" (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. The proposal comes after the Supreme Court decision in
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
* * *
ICYMI: EPA and Army Corps Announce Clear WOTUS Definition to Protect Water Resources and Accelerate Economic Growth
*
WASHINGTON - Yesterday, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin, together with Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle, announced a proposed rule that would establish a clear, durable, common-sense definition of "waters of the United States" (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. The proposal comes after the Supreme Court decision inSackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, which delivered on the Trump Administration's commitment to protecting America's waters while providing the regulatory certainty needed to support our nation's farmers who feed and fuel the world and advance EPA's Powering the Great American Comeback initiative. The proposal was unveiled at a packed event at EPA headquarters yesterday in Washington, DC with over a hundred state and industry leaders in attendance.
Read coverage below on EPA's proposal to clearly define WOTUS.
ABC: ABC Welcomes Trump Administration's Proposal To Clarify 'Waters of the United States' Exit EPA's website
"... The November 2025 proposed rule would ensure USACE and EPA are in full compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court's May 25 decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, which placed clear boundaries on the scope of the federal government's authority while maintaining important environmental protections for America's waterways."
Agri-Pulse: EPA, Corps float new 'waters of the U.S.' proposal Exit EPA's website
"... At an event to announce the proposal, Zeldin said his goal in crafting the proposal 'was to come up with a definition that no matter what would happen in November of '28 or November 2032 that you're going to keep this definition. This wasn't about taking a pendulum and swinging it as far as you can up against another edge. It's about getting it right, and I think that our farmers, our ranchers, our landowners in these states absolutely deserve it.'"
AgWeb: New WOTUS Proposal Could Reduce Red Tape for Farmers and Ranchers Exit EPA's website
"Farmers and ranchers could soon face fewer regulatory hurdles when working near waterways, as EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers released a new proposal on Nov. 17 to redefine "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS)."
AgWeek: EPA unveils WOTUS proposal aimed at clarity and commonsense definitions Exit EPA's website
"The debate over the definition of Waters of the United States may be headed toward clarity soon, now that the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army for Civil Works released details of a new proposed rule on Monday, Nov. 17."
American Ag Network: EPA & Army Corps Unveil Clear, Durable WOTUS Proposal Exit EPA's website
"... This proposal recognizes that states and tribes know their local land and water resources best... Cooperative federalism has been a cornerstone of Clean Water Act implementation and the agency's proposed WOTUS rule at last fulfills that commitment to real, shared federal and state responsibility."
Associated Press: EPA moves to limit scope of clean water law to reduce amount of wetlands it covers Exit EPA's website
"... But Zeldin, who has traveled to all 50 states since taking office earlier this year, said complaints about the invasive nature of the water rule have emerged in every state. The Trump administration has listened to concerns from farmers and other groups worried about federal interference in how they use their land, he said, and has moved to set limited, predictable and lasting rules defining which waterways the Clean Water Act protects."
Beef Magazine: NCBA backs new WOTUS rule from EPA Exit EPA's website
"The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) announced support for the new proposed Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The revised WOTUS rule comes after decades of advocacy by NCBA and our state affiliate partners to remove confusing and burdensome regulations on cattle farmers and ranchers."
Bloomberg Law: EPA Proposes Scaled-Back Definition of Protected US Waters (1) Exit EPA's website
"... The proposal aims to bring Clean Water Act protections for waters and wetlands in line with the US Supreme Court's 2023 ruling in Sackett v. EPA, which reduced the scope of federal jurisdiction over waters and wetlands."
Breitbart: EPA Chief Zeldin to Revise Rule Dems Weaponized Against American Farmers Exit EPA's website
"... The proposed rule would eliminate needless red tape and provide clarity for American industry, energy producers, ranchers and others impacted by onerous regulations."
Daily Caller: Trump Admin To Wash Away Biden-Era Water Rule After Years Of Contentious Debate Exit EPA's website
"... Zeldin noted that during his 50 state tour as the EPA administrator, no issue came up more than WOTUS. The administrator argued the redefinition is a common sense update intended to 'get it right' that will not 'swing the pendulum' dramatically in a different direction."
DTN Progressive Farmer: Trump Releases New WOTUS Rule Defining Key Terms Important to Farms, Ranches Exit EPA's website
"... The new rule would reaffirm that wetlands must be indistinguishable from jurisdictional waters through a continuous surface connection. This means such waters are required to touch jurisdictional water and hold surface water for a certain duration annually."
Feedstuffs: EPA proposes revised WOTUS definition Exit EPA's website
"... In developing the proposed rule, EPA and the Army said they considered the extensive feedback and recommendations they received from states, tribes, local governments and stakeholders."
Fox News: Zeldin overhauls Obama-Biden water rule that let puddles trigger costly permits Exit EPA's website
"EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin will announce Monday a revamp of the widely criticized Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule - a regulation that, in one case, left an Idaho couple facing potential fines of $33,000 per day for building a home on 'soggy' ground."
Hoosier Ag Today: EPA, Army Corps Unveil New Proposed WOTUS Rule Following Sackett Ruling Exit EPA's website
"... The rule also maintains long-standing exclusions, including prior-converted cropland, waste treatment systems and a newly clarified exemption for groundwater. Federal officials said the updated definition aims to align the rule with the Supreme Court's guidance while providing clarity to landowners."
Iowa Capital Dispatch: EPA proposes narrowed rules for Clean Water Act jurisdiction Exit EPA's website
"... EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the proposed rules will protect navigable waters, advance cooperative federalism and result in economic growth."
KRC TV: LaMalfa praises EPA for cutting red tape, restoring rights to farmers and landowners Exit EPA's website
"Congressman Doug LaMalfa is in support of EPA's action to reform waters in the US... On Monday afternoon, Rep. LaMalfa released a statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced their proposed rule to define waters of the United States (WOTUS) as part of the Clean Water Act. According to officials, when finalized, this rule will help accelerate economic prosperity while protecting vital water resources."
KSAL News: Proposed Rules Would Protect Ranchers Exit EPA's website
"After decades of advocacy by NCBA and its state affiliate partners, including KLA, to remove confusing and burdensome regulations on ranchers, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a new proposed waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule that ensures only large bodies of water and their main tributaries fall under federal jurisdiction."
KXNET: EPA to refine water rules following feedback on 2023 amendments Exit EPA's website
"The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers have taken steps to redefine what counts as 'Waters of the United States' (WOTUS). The agencies announced Monday, 11/17/25, that they have signed off on a proposed rule that reflects the Supreme Court's ruling in the case of Sackett v EPA."
Lancaster Farming: Trump EPA Proposes New Rules for Waters of the United States Exit EPA's website
"... Ag groups are generally pleased with the Trump administration's latest attempt. 'For too long, shifting interpretations have created real uncertainty about whether everyday decisions might trigger federal oversight,' said Caleb Ragland, the president of the American Soybean Association."
Marcellus Drilling News: Trump EPA Proposes Common Sense Definition for Waters of the U.S. Exit EPA's website
"... The proposal, unveiled by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle, aims to protect water resources while accelerating economic growth by providing regulatory certainty for farmers, landowners, and businesses."
Odessa American Online: GUEST VIEW: Unleashing American Energy: EPA's WOTUS overhaul signals a win for oil and gas operators Exit EPA's website
"In a bold move that could turbocharge U.S. energy production, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dropped a proposed revision to the "waters of the United States" (WOTUS) definition on November 17, 2025."
RFD TV: WOTUS Update: Trump Administration Proposes New Rule to Comply with Supreme Court Decision Exit EPA's website
"... Congressional ag officials weigh in on the latest efforts around WOTUS, as officials work to get a clear definition on the books. House Agriculture Chair GT Thompson says the update delivers a 'clear, practical definition' for farmers and ranchers."
Southwest Arkansas Radio: Putting States Back in the Drivers' Seat Exit EPA's website
"... There is no doubt that Administrator Zeldin has everyday Americans in mind, and I look forward to working with him... to enact commonsense regulations that protect our navigable waterways, hardworking Arkansans, and constitutional separation of powers."
Tampa Free Press: EPA Moves To Narrow Federal Water Rules, Citing Clarity And Economic Growth Exit EPA's website
"... The EPA argues the redefinition is a 'common sense update' intended to 'get it right' and establish a 'durable' rule after years of regulatory uncertainty and shifting definitions between administrations."
Texas Farm Bureau: New WOTUS proposal offers clarity for farmers, landowners Exit EPA's website
"... The draft rule also gives states and tribes more authority to manage smaller or isolated waters, while the federal government maintains oversight of larger, more permanent bodies of water."
The Federalist: EPA's Proposed WOTUS Rule Eases Land Use Near Puddles Exit EPA's website
"The Trump administration is about to curb an overzealous Obama-era environmental regulation by revising the definition of "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act."
The Fence Post: EPA, Army Corps releases revised WOTUS rule Exit EPA's website
"... The agencies said they developed this proposed rule using input from multiple sources, including a pre-proposal recommendations docket, information from nine public listening sessions, and consultation comments from states, tribes and local governments."
The Hill: Trump proposes to narrow where Clean Water Act applies Exit EPA's website
"... EPA assistant administrator Jessica Kramer also told reporters that under the proposed rule, ephemeral streams those that only flow briefly after rain or snowfall would not be eligible for protections."
Washington Examiner: EPA moves to limit water rules fought by industry for decades Exit EPA's website
"The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed narrowing the definition of bodies of water subject to federal oversight, giving developers and businesses an advantage in a regulatory battle with environmentalists that has stretched beyond half a century."
Washington Examiner: Daily on Energy, presented by TC Energy: WOTUS, the House agenda, and oil forecasts Exit EPA's website
"... During a presser, Zeldin said the EPA's goal is to ensure the WOTUS definition stands the test of time despite which political party is in power."
WasteDive: EPA announces changes to 'waters of the United States' rule Exit EPA's website
"... But under the proposed definition update, a waste treatment system would be more specifically defined as including "all components of a waste treatment system designed to meet the requirements of the Clean Water Act," and including treatment ponds 'designed to either convey or retain, concentrate, settle, reduce, or remove pollutants, either actively or passively, from wastewater prior to discharge.'"
WV Metro News: EPA puts modified WOTUS out for public comment Exit EPA's website
"... In his remarks, Zeldin said they drafted the rule with the future in mind so it would survive future elections and changes at the top of the agency. The definition of WOTUS has been debated, litigated, and even changed at the request of an incoming administration. Zeldin said this rule is reasonable and durable to create certainty for decades to come."
WV News: Morrisey praises EPA's new WOTUS proposal as "wonderful turnaround" in water policy Exit EPA's website
"... Gov. Patrick Morrisey, who attended an announcement of the proposed rule in Washington, called the EPA's decision a 'wonderful turnaround' in policy. 'For too long there's been a great deal of uncertainty about this term 'waters of the United States' rule,' Morrisey said."
***
Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/icymi-epa-and-army-corps-announce-clear-wotus-definition-protect-water-resources-and
El Salvador to Modernize Its International Airport With IDB Support
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
* * *
El Salvador to Modernize Its International Airport with IDB Support
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Board of Executive Directors has approved a $195 million loan to finance the modernization of El Salvador International Airport (AIES).
This operation, approved under the Specific Investment Loan (ESP) modality, will boost the country's economic development, tourism, and air connectivity for passengers using the San Oscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdamez International Airport.
The plan aims
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
* * *
El Salvador to Modernize Its International Airport with IDB Support
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Board of Executive Directors has approved a $195 million loan to finance the modernization of El Salvador International Airport (AIES).
This operation, approved under the Specific Investment Loan (ESP) modality, will boost the country's economic development, tourism, and air connectivity for passengers using the San Oscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdamez International Airport.
The plan aimsto improve the quality of airport services and strengthen institutional capacity for planning, operating, and managing air transport.
This IDB-supported program is part of its America en el Centro initiative and contributes to implementing the productivity and economic integration pillar through the development of sustainable regional infrastructure. It will directly benefit 7.7 million passengers expected to use the new airport infrastructure annually by 2030 and generate benefits for more than 518,000 people directly or indirectly linked to tourism, as well as for over 1.8 million people indirectly.
Currently, El Salvador has opportunities to improve its air connectivity, which, if strengthened, would enhance competitiveness and boost tourism growth. A modern, efficient, and well-connected airport system would open new possibilities to fully leverage the economic and social benefits offered by this sector.
The country's air connectivity is concentrated almost entirely at AIES, which currently handles 99.8% of operations and all international flights. This scenario represents a valuable opportunity to strengthen the quality of airport services and enhance the planning, management, and operational capacities of the Autonomous Port Executive Commission (CEPA), thus driving more dynamic and sustainable development of air transport in the country.
The program includes the construction of the second phase of the passenger terminal expansion, as well as the expansion of the aircraft apron at AIES. It will also include the construction of a Foxtrot taxiway, a vehicle parking building, and a Rescue and Firefighting Service (RFFS) building.
The $195 million loan has a repayment term of 23 years, a grace period of 7.5 years, and an interest rate based on SOFR.
* * *
About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a member of the IDB Group, is devoted to improving lives across Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1959, the Bank works with the region's public sector to design and enable impactful, innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development. Leveraging financing, technical expertise, and knowledge, it promotes grow and well-being in 26 countries. Visit our website: https://www.iadb.org/en.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/el-salvador-modernize-its-international-airport-idb-support
Amtrak: A Year of Records Infographic
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news:
* * *
Amtrak: A Year of Records Infographic
*
Underscoring the growing demand for Amtrak across the United States, the company closed Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) with record ridership and revenue - marking another year of growth and strong performance. These results were achieved alongside improvements in the customer experience, reinforcing Amtrak's commitment to quality service as the foundation for future growth.
"Amtrak's operational success is not just about moving more people it's about moving them
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news:
* * *
Amtrak: A Year of Records Infographic
*
Underscoring the growing demand for Amtrak across the United States, the company closed Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) with record ridership and revenue - marking another year of growth and strong performance. These results were achieved alongside improvements in the customer experience, reinforcing Amtrak's commitment to quality service as the foundation for future growth.
"Amtrak's operational success is not just about moving more people it's about moving thembetter," said Amtrak President Roger Harris. "These results show what's possible when we lead with purpose. By prioritizing reliability and the customer experience, we're laying the foundation for the next generation of passenger rail in America."
"Amtrak's growth is a preview of what's possible when everyone is working together to help get the American people where they need to go," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. "Faster trains, more affordable service, and extended routes are opening up a new era of American rail. The best is yet to come as we continue to build big, beautiful infrastructure to support this bright future of transportation."
Amtrak provided 34.5 million customer trips - setting all-time records for both ridership and revenue for the second consecutive year. Through deliberate planning and thoughtful execution, Amtrak increased network capacity by 4.3% despite the challenges of an aging fleet - and customers responded with a strong demand for quality service, driving revenue that outpaced ridership.
By accessing and using our website and related links, you agree to be bound to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Please read them carefully.
Download Hi-Res
***
Original text here: https://media.amtrak.com/2025/11/amtrak-a-year-of-records-infographic/
