Federal Independent Agencies
Here's a look at documents from federal independent agencies
Featured Stories
Smithsonian Continues 250th Celebration of the Nation With a Focus on New Approaches to Civics Teaching Through Its Education Summit
WASHINGTON, April 3 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release on April 2, 2026:
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Smithsonian Continues 250th Celebration of the Nation With a Focus on New Approaches to Civics Teaching Through Its Education Summit
Free Three-Day Summit Features More Than 40 Sessions With Connections to Art, Culture, History and Science Through Virtual and In-Person Programs July 14-16
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Educators are invited to join the Smithsonian for its annual National Education Summit, a free, three day professional learning experience taking place Tuesday, July 14, through Thursday, July 16,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 3 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release on April 2, 2026:
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Smithsonian Continues 250th Celebration of the Nation With a Focus on New Approaches to Civics Teaching Through Its Education Summit
Free Three-Day Summit Features More Than 40 Sessions With Connections to Art, Culture, History and Science Through Virtual and In-Person Programs July 14-16
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Educators are invited to join the Smithsonian for its annual National Education Summit, a free, three day professional learning experience taking place Tuesday, July 14, through Thursday, July 16,in Washington, D.C., and online. As the nation continues its 250th anniversary commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, this year's summit explores bold, cross disciplinary approaches for engaging students in civic inquiry through the theme Together We Thrive: Towards a More Perfect Union.
This year, 2026 marks a once in a generation opportunity for reflection on the nation's founding ideals, not just a historical milestone but as an invitation to examine how those ideals have evolved and the roles young people will play in shaping the next 250 years of the nation. The summit offers participating educators Smithsonian education resources and tools, actionable teaching and learning strategies, and a unique opportunity to network with educators across a wide range of learning environments. Now in its sixth year, the summit brings together thousands of educators from across the country.
"By framing the summit around the theme, Together We Thrive, we're emphasizing the importance of connection--to each other, to our communities and to the shared work of supporting every learner," said Monique M. Chism, the Smithsonian's Under Secretary for Education.
This year's keynote speakers bring fresh perspectives and insights about how students engage, create, imagine and participate in civic life:
* Mac Barnett, the 2025-2026 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, a best-selling author whose playful, inventive storytelling inspires curiosity, joy and civic imagination in young readers
* Hahrie Han, 2025 MacArthur Fellow and director of the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University whose research as a leading political scientist on civic engagement and democracy offers powerful insights for educators and connected community partners
* Top educators from across the country, including teacher leaders from the Council of Chief State School Officers' National Teachers of the Year Program and Smithsonian museum experts, sharing their most innovative practices
On Tuesday, July 14 (online), and Wednesday, July 15 (hybrid), participants will explore curated session tracks that connect civics to art, culture, history and science, offering multiple entry points for participants across grade levels and subject areas. This year's summit introduces four signature tracks:
* Cultivating the Power of Dialogue
* Leveraging the Arts as Civic Voice
* Designing STEAM Solutions for Civic Challenges
* Placing History in Context
On Thursday, July 16, in person attendees can join exclusive workshops and tours, including a special behind the scenes session of "American Aspirations." Curated by Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, the exhibition offers a special look at how the Smithsonian is celebrating, contemplating and commemorating this historic milestone.
Thanks to the Horace Mann Educators Foundation, the summit will honor the first ever recipient of the Smithsonian Educator Excellence Award, celebrating an educator who exemplifies creativity, leadership and community impact. An evening reception at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery will feature the presentation of the award.
The summit is free and open to all educators:
* Tuesday, July 14: Virtual only sessions
* Wednesday, July 15: Hybrid programming at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library with livestreamed keynotes
* Thursday, July 16: Smithsonian behind-the-scenes and workshop experiences (limited capacity)
All virtual sessions will be livestreamed and archived for replay. American Sign Language interpretation and live closed captioning will be available.
Free registration is now open. Registration, more information and the session lineup are available on the summit website (https://www.si.edu/educators/national-education-summit-2026).
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Original text here: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/smithsonian-continues-250th-celebration-nation-focus-new-approaches-civics
Major Win for American Energy: EXIM Approves $2B+ to Send U.S. LNG to Egypt
WASHINGTON, April 2 -- The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. issued the following news release:
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Major Win for American Energy: EXIM Approves $2B+ to Send U.S. LNG to Egypt
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Washington, D.C. \- The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) Board of Directors this week approved an export credit insurance authorization of more than $2 billion supporting U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to Egypt, advancing Trump Administration priorities to expand American energy dominance, bolster domestic supply chains, and reinforce U.S. economic security.
As global demand for reliable energy
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WASHINGTON, April 2 -- The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. issued the following news release:
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Major Win for American Energy: EXIM Approves $2B+ to Send U.S. LNG to Egypt
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Washington, D.C. \- The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) Board of Directors this week approved an export credit insurance authorization of more than $2 billion supporting U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to Egypt, advancing Trump Administration priorities to expand American energy dominance, bolster domestic supply chains, and reinforce U.S. economic security.
As global demand for reliable energygrows, the approval extends EXIM's efforts to ensure American producers and exporters are positioned to compete and win in strategic markets. Expanding U.S. LNG exports helps sustain jobs across the American energy sector and strengthens the United States' role as a dependable energy supplier to partners around the world.
"American energy is in demand, and American workers deserve to be the ones supplying it," said Chairman John Jovanovic. "This authorization puts U.S. energy molecules to work in a critical market, stands behind American exporters who need a partner willing to compete, and deepens a strategic relationship that secures our supply chains and opens new doors for U.S. industry."
The authorization is expected to support LNG shipments scheduled across 2026 and 2027 under Hartree's contracts with EGPC, expanding access to reliable American energy supplies while strengthening commercial ties between the United States and Egypt.
EXIM continues to play a key role in helping American exporters compete and win in critical markets while supporting good-paying jobs and reinforcing U.S. leadership in global energy security.
ABOUT EXIM
As the United States government's official export credit agency, the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) supports American jobs by facilitating U.S. exports. As an independent agency, EXIM plays a critical role in supporting economic growth, securing critical supply chains, and ensuring American businesses are given a fighting chance. To achieve this mission, EXIM offers financing including export credit insurance, working capital guarantees, loan guarantees, and direct loans. Learn more at www.exim.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.exim.gov/news/major-win-for-american-energy-exim-approves-2b-send-lng-egypt
EPA, HHS Announce Historic Actions to Protect Americans from Microplastics and Safeguard Drinking Water
WASHINGTON, April 2 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA, HHS Announce Historic Actions to Protect Americans from Microplastics and Safeguard Drinking Water
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Joint initiative marks first-ever inclusion of microplastics on EPA's Contaminant Candidate List and launches groundbreaking ARPA-H program to detect and remove plastics from the human body
WASHINGTON - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. today announced landmark, coordinated
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WASHINGTON, April 2 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA, HHS Announce Historic Actions to Protect Americans from Microplastics and Safeguard Drinking Water
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Joint initiative marks first-ever inclusion of microplastics on EPA's Contaminant Candidate List and launches groundbreaking ARPA-H program to detect and remove plastics from the human body
WASHINGTON - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. today announced landmark, coordinatedactions to address microplastics contamination, one of the most urgent and growing public health challenges facing Americans. The announcements, made at a press conference at EPA headquarters, represent a major step forward in President Trump's commitment to Make America Healthy Again.
For the first time in the program's history, EPA is including microplastics as a priority contaminant group in its draft Sixth Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 6), now open for public comment. CCL 6 also includes pharmaceuticals as a group-another first-along with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), disinfection byproducts, 75 individual chemicals, and nine microbes that may be present in public drinking water systems.
The CCL is a critical tool under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that drives research, funding, and future decisions on regulating emerging threats to drinking water. By elevating microplastics and pharmaceuticals to priority group status, EPA is directly responding to the concerns of millions of Americans who have long demanded greater transparency and accountability about what is in their water.
Additionally, the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) announced the launch of STOMP-Systematic Targeting of Microplastics-a first-of-its-kind nationwide initiative to build a comprehensive toolbox for measuring, researching, and removing microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) from the human body. STOMP takes a three-pronged approach:
* Measure: Deploy gold-standard detection technology to accurately quantify microplastics levels in water and human tissue.
* Target: Identify the most harmful plastic contaminants and determine how they enter and move through the body.
* Remove: Develop and validate methods to eliminate microplastics from the human body.
Together, these two initiatives represent the most comprehensive federal effort to date to understand and combat the risks posed by microplastics to public health.
"For too long, Americans have vocalized concerns about plastics and pharmaceuticals in their drinking water. That ends today," said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. "By placing microplastics and pharmaceuticals on the Contaminant Candidate List for the first time ever, EPA is sending a clear message: we will follow the science, we will pursue answers, and we will hold ourselves to the highest standards to protect the health of every American family."
"Today, HHS and EPA are taking decisive action to confront microplastics as a growing threat to human health," said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. "Americans deserve clear answers about how microplastics in their bodies affect their health. Through ARPA-H's STOMP program, we will measure microplastic exposure, identify sources of risk, and develop targeted solutions to reduce it."
The announcements were unveiled at EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C., where Administrator Zeldin and Secretary Kennedy were joined by senior agency officials for a press conference before the public. The press conference was followed by an expert panel discussion examining the scope of microplastics and pharmaceutical contamination in America's drinking water and the real-world impact of today's actions.
Panelists included EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water Jessica Kramer; ARPA-H Director Dr. Alicia Jackson; leading microplastics researcher Dr. Marcus Eriksen; scientist Matthew Campen, whose research has documented the presence of microplastics in human tissue; Dr. Sherri A. Mason, a leader in studying the prevalence and impact of plastic pollution within freshwater ecosystems; and Carsten Prasse, an associate professor of environmental health and engineering at Johns Hopkins focused on the occurrence and fate of organic contaminants in the urban water cycle and their impact on environmental and human health.
Background
The CCL is published every five years under the SDWA and guides EPA's research priorities, funding decisions, and regulatory agenda for substances not yet subject to national drinking water standards. Inclusion on the CCL does not constitute regulation, but signals that a substance warrants serious scientific attention and may be considered for future regulatory action.
Learn more about CCL 6 and STOMP Exit EPA's website.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-hhs-announce-historic-actions-protect-americans-microplastics-and-safeguard
EPA Takes Bold Action to Ensure Drinking Water is Safe from Microplastics, Pharmaceuticals, and Potential Hidden Contaminants
WASHINGTON, April 2 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Takes Bold Action to Ensure Drinking Water is Safe from Microplastics, Pharmaceuticals, and Potential Hidden Contaminants
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Historic Step for MAHA Movement: For the first time, EPA targets microplastics and pharmaceuticals as priority drinking water threat groups
WASHINGTON - Today, at an event with Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced a landmark set of actions to safeguard
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 2 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Takes Bold Action to Ensure Drinking Water is Safe from Microplastics, Pharmaceuticals, and Potential Hidden Contaminants
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Historic Step for MAHA Movement: For the first time, EPA targets microplastics and pharmaceuticals as priority drinking water threat groups
WASHINGTON - Today, at an event with Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced a landmark set of actions to safeguardthe nation's drinking water from microplastics, pharmaceuticals, forever chemicals, and dozens of other contaminants -delivering on the Trump administration's promise to Make America Healthy Again (MAHA). At the heart of today's announcement is EPA's draft Sixth Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 6), which the agency is releasing for public comment, and is a critical tool under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that drives research, funding, and future decisions on regulating emerging threats in public water systems.
The draft CCL 6 includes four contaminant groups-microplastics, pharmaceuticals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and disinfection byproducts-as well as 75 chemicals and nine microbes that may be found in drinking water. For the first time in the program's history, EPA is designating both microplastics and pharmaceuticals as priority contaminant groups-a direct response to the concerns of millions of Americans who have long demanded answers about what they and their families are drinking every day. The CCL helps prioritize funding, research, and information collection to better understand the potential health risks of these substances in drinking water while advancing the agency's commitment to gold standard science.
"For too long, Americans have vocalized concerns about plastics and pharmaceuticals in their drinking water. That ends today," said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. "By placing microplastics and pharmaceuticals on the Contaminant Candidate List for the first time ever, EPA is sending a clear message: we will follow the science, we will pursue answers, and we will hold ourselves to the highest standards to protect the health of every American family."
For years, Americans have sounded the alarm about the potential for silent threats to lurk in America's drinking water. Today's actions take concrete steps to safeguard drinking water:
* Microplastics -tiny plastic particles that have been detected in human blood, breast milk, and organs-are now officially on EPA's radar as a drinking water priority. This is the first time the agency has elevated microplastics to the CCL as a contaminant group, unlocking focused research and potential future regulation.
* Pharmaceuticals, including antidepressants, hormones, antibiotics, and other drugs that enter water systems through human waste and improper disposal-are also being prioritized as a group for the first time. EPA is simultaneously releasing human health benchmarks for 374 pharmaceuticals, giving states, Tribes, and local water systems a critical new tool to assess risk and take action when drug residues are found at concerning levels.
Next Steps
Publication of the draft CCL 6 in the Federal Register will open a 60-day public comment period. Americans are encouraged to make their voices heard by submitting comments to docket number EPA-HQ-OW-2022-0946 at regulations.gov Exit EPA's website. EPA will also consult with its independent Science Advisory Board before finalizing the list, which is expected to be signed by November 17, 2026.
The SDWA requires EPA to publish a list of contaminants every five years that are not subject to any proposed or promulgated national primary drinking water regulation, that are known or anticipated to occur in public water systems, and that may require regulation. The CCL is the first step in the SDWA regulatory process. The human health benchmarks for pharmaceuticals are not regulations and are not enforceable on their own, but they are a vital resource, empowering local decision-makers to evaluate risks and protect their communities when pharmaceutical contamination is detected at concerning levels.
Overview
Today's actions represent a major step forward for drinking water, ensuring that the science catches up with the real-world challenges Americans face, and giving regulators the tools they need to act. This is a win for every American as the Trump EPA commits to advancing gold standard science to inform policy and ensure the best possible outcomes so parents can feel confident filling their children's glasses at the kitchen sink.
For more information about Contaminant Candidate Lists, visit EPA's CCL website.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-takes-bold-action-ensure-drinking-water-safe-microplastics-pharmaceuticals-and
Major National Archives Exhibition Explores Origins and Inspiration for the Declaration of Independence
WASHINGTON, April 1 -- The National Archives and Records Administration issued the following news release on March 31, 2026:
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New Major National Archives Exhibition Explores Origins and Inspiration for the Declaration of Independence
"Free and Independent" to open April 25, 2026, in celebration of America's 250th birthday
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The National Archives will open Free and Independent: A Celebration of the Declaration, a major special exhibition in Washington, DC on April 25, 2026.
Free and Independent will tell the riveting story behind America's most important founding document by transporting
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WASHINGTON, April 1 -- The National Archives and Records Administration issued the following news release on March 31, 2026:
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New Major National Archives Exhibition Explores Origins and Inspiration for the Declaration of Independence
"Free and Independent" to open April 25, 2026, in celebration of America's 250th birthday
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The National Archives will open Free and Independent: A Celebration of the Declaration, a major special exhibition in Washington, DC on April 25, 2026.
Free and Independent will tell the riveting story behind America's most important founding document by transportingvisitors back into the 18th century, exploring daily life in British America and getting to know some of the men who risked everything --including their lives-- by signing America's Declaration of Independence. This exhibition will also chronicle how this very precious and fragile piece of parchment has been preserved over 250 years, from its adoption in Philadelphia in 1776 to its permanent encasement behind layers of protective glass in the National Archives.
The bold and revolutionary words in the Declaration of Independence helped motivate and inspire American colonists to take up arms against Great Britain. The colonies became states, the states became united, and a new nation was born. Free and Independent will document this story using original records and state-of-the-art machine learning technology.
The exhibition will consist of 40 original artifacts from the National Archives collections and other lenders, including a 1763 Broadside from King George, Lafayette's Oath of Allegiance, and a playful selection of Centennial and Bicentennial related artifacts and ephemera.
Jim Byron, Senior Official at the National Archives performing the duties of the Archivist of the United States, said: "Our nation's entire origin story can be traced back to the Declaration of Independence. The Free and Independent special exhibition will take visitors back in time to see and hear what motivated the colonists to advocate for revolution. The National Archives is proud to play a leading role in America's 250th anniversary celebrations, and welcome millions of visitors to tour this exhibition and come away with a personalized appreciation of arguably the most seminal document in human history."
The exhibition will also explore the Declaration's cultural impacts over time, through visual arts and music, and spotlight the 1976 Bicentennial Celebrations, still a fresh memory for many Americans today. Exhibition visitors can be part of history by submitting photos of their own Independence Day traditions which will be displayed as part of the exhibition.
"The National Archives Foundation is proud to support this new exhibition that will thoughtfully tell the story of our nation's founding," said National Archives Foundation Chief Executive Officer Patrick Madden. "Free and Independent is part of our critical mission in this banner 250th year to connect more Americans to the document that sparked the constitutional democracy we cherish today."
This special exhibition will run through July 5, 2027 and is free and open to the public. Advance tickets can be reserved online at visit.archives.gov/visit.
Free and Independent: A Celebration of the Declaration is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation through the generous support of The Boeing Company, Comcast Corporation, Microsoft, and P&G. Additional support provided by Ancestry, John Hancock, and C&G Partners.
This special exhibition is one of many National Archives initiatives for America's 250th, including the ongoing Freedom Plane National Tour , as well as Opening the Vault Across America, wherein the National Archives is loaning many of the nation's seminal documents to Presidential Libraries.
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About the National Archives
The National Archives and Records Administration is a federal agency that serves the American people by preserving and making available the records of the United States Government through a nationwide network of archives, records centers, and Presidential Libraries. The National Archives is the custodian of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, on display for all to experience in Washington, DC. Learn more about the holdings of the National Archives at www.archives.gov.
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About the National Archives Foundation
The National Archives Foundation is an independent nonprofit foundation that increases public awareness of the National Archives, inspires a deeper appreciation of our country's heritage, and encourages citizen engagement in our democracy. The Foundation generates financial and creative support for National Archives exhibitions, public programs, and educational initiatives, introducing America's records to people around the U.S. and the world. Learn more at www.archivesfoundation.org.
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Original text here: https://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2026/nr26-2
Inter-American Development Bank: 'Relative Income and Gender Norms: Evidence From Latin America'
WASHINGTON, April 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following white paper in March 2026 entitled "Relative Income and Gender Norms: Evidence from Latin America."
Here are excerpts:
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1. Introduction
A set of papers in economics following Bertrand, Kamenica, and Pan (2015) identifies a large discontinuity to the right of the 50% mark in the distribution of households according to the wife's share of income in high-income countries. As traditional models of household formation and labor specialization do not predict such gaps, Bertrand and co-authors attribute
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WASHINGTON, April 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following white paper in March 2026 entitled "Relative Income and Gender Norms: Evidence from Latin America."
Here are excerpts:
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1. Introduction
A set of papers in economics following Bertrand, Kamenica, and Pan (2015) identifies a large discontinuity to the right of the 50% mark in the distribution of households according to the wife's share of income in high-income countries. As traditional models of household formation and labor specialization do not predict such gaps, Bertrand and co-authors attributethe discontinuity, at least partially, to gender norms that discourage women in the U.S. from earning more than their husbands. These patterns provide a straightforward and observable measure of how social norms and economic incentives influence decision-making, labor supply, and overall well-being.
Subsequent papers have expanded the findings to other high-income countries and have contested some of the main conclusions (Bertrand et al., 2015; Binder & Lam, 2022; Hederos & Stenberg, 2022; Zinovyeva & Tverdostup, 2021).
Today, however, the majority of the global population resides in low- and middle-income countries, where more conservative gender norms are prevalent and female labor force participation is lower (Inglehart et al. 2014; Verick 2014). In this paper, we use data from Mexico-- for which we have more detailed household information--and then expand the analysis to Brazil and Panama to examine the prevalence of these patterns worldwide, particularly in areas with more conservative gender norms. As shown in Figure A1, a significant and persistent proportion of both men and women in these countries holds traditional views on family roles and expresses negative attitudes toward couples in which the woman earns more than her husband. This pattern is broadly consistent with that of other Latin American countries, such as Colombia, but contrasts with the declining prevalence of such views in the U.S. and their rising salience in India and Nigeria.
Our main analyses are based on the 2015 Mexican Intercensal Survey, which includes over 500,000 dual-earner households. Our first result confirms the presence of a discontinuity in the distribution of relative income at 0.5. Using the McCrary (2008) discontinuity test, we find that the discontinuity is approximately twice as large as that in the U.S. and Finland (Bertrand et al., 2015; Zinovyeva & Tverdostup, 2021) and five times as large as that in Sweden (Hederos & Stenberg, 2022) and Canada (Doumbia & Gousse, 2021). We also document that the discontinuity has grown since 2000. These findings are replicated with census data from Brazil and Panama, highlighting the persistence of this discontinuity over time and across countries.
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View full text here: file:///Users/moirasirois/Downloads/Relative-Income-and-Gender-Norms-Evidence-from-Latin-America.pdf
[Category: IADB]
Amtrak to Begin Lewistown Station Renovations
WASHINGTON, April 1 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news:
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Amtrak to Begin Lewistown Station Renovations
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Customers will benefit from station upgrades and platform improvements
LEWISTOWN, Pa. - Amtrak is set to launch construction on substantial station and platform improvements at the Lewistown Station (LEW), which is served daily by the Pennsylvanian, a route financed primarily through funds made available by PennDOT.
"As Amtrak continues modernizing stations across the country, improving the customer experience remains at the heart of our efforts,"
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 1 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news:
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Amtrak to Begin Lewistown Station Renovations
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Customers will benefit from station upgrades and platform improvements
LEWISTOWN, Pa. - Amtrak is set to launch construction on substantial station and platform improvements at the Lewistown Station (LEW), which is served daily by the Pennsylvanian, a route financed primarily through funds made available by PennDOT.
"As Amtrak continues modernizing stations across the country, improving the customer experience remains at the heart of our efforts,"said Amtrak Vice President of Accessibility Dr. David Handera. "The station and platform enhancements at Lewistown will create a more welcoming and functional environment for those traveling with us for years to come."
The Lewistown Station (LEW) project is set to begin on Tues., April 7, and will include the following upgrades:
* 250 foot concrete boarding platform, built eight inches above top of rail for improved accessibility for passengers with disabilities and families with small children
* updated LED platform lighting and signage to enhance visibility and safety
* new passenger drop-off zone and two ADA compliant parking stalls for improved station access
* new entrance door and windows for the waiting room
* freshly renovated ADA compliant restroom
* new HVAC system to improve Pennsylvania Railroad Technical and Historical Society (PRRT&HS) comfort in the station waiting area
Considered the oldest depot served by Amtrak, the Lewistown Station is also home to the extensive collections of the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society.
"The society is excited to support this initiative to update the oldest remaining Pennsylvania Railroad train station to modern levels of safety and passenger support for years to come," said Dave Evans, president of the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society, owner of the station building.
This project represents a total $3.5 million federal investment administered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The Lewistown Station improvements are on track for completion in spring 2027. Additional information regarding customer impacts and station access during the temporary construction period is available here.
These improvements represent Amtrak's broader effort to bring integrated, comprehensive accessibility to stations nationwide, ensuring a more inviting and inclusive travel experience for all customers. Across the Amtrak network, 19 stations were brought into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act in the twelve months ending Sept. 30 (Fiscal Year 2025) and another 50 stations are targeted for completion in the next fiscal year (2026) at a forecasted investment of $311 million.
The Amtrak ADA Stations Program is advancing 134 station designs and 68 station construction projects as part of Amtrak's ongoing commitment to providing accessibility by working toward 100% completion by 2029 using funds provided by Congress through the Federal Railroad Administration.
REACTIONS:
Senator Judy Ward, Chair of Pennsylvania Senate Transportation Committee:
"Since 1849, the Lewistown Station has prominently shaped the transportation network of railroads, roadways and historic canals in the Keystone State, from a bustling trade center to an essential hub for freight and passenger rail in Rural Pennsylvania," said Senator Judy Ward, Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. "This transformative investment in one of the nation's oldest depots will honor the legacy of Lewistown and improve overall access, safety and accommodations in anticipation of the second Pennsylvanian passenger train this year."
Mayor Deborah Bargo of Lewistown, Pennsylvania:
"I can hardly find the words to express my excitement over this news. The impact on our large Amish community, who rely heavily on rail as their preferred mode of travel, will be tremendous, as will the benefits for our Penn State students. Our station, originally built in the 1800s, still carries the charm and character of a bygone era. Many thanks to everyone who helped make this possible."
Kevin Moore, Board Member, Western Pennsylvanians for Passenger Rail:
"Lewistown will enjoy more rail travel options with Amtrak's plans to double the frequency of its Pennsylvanian service beginning in Fall 2026. These station improvements will ensure the safe and continued use of this valuable historic building."
Rhonda Kelley, Executive Director, Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce :
"The Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce is pleased to see this important investment in the Lewistown Station, a historic gateway to our region. Reliable and accessible passenger rail service plays a vital role in connecting our communities, supporting local businesses, and attracting visitors to experience all that the Juniata River Valley has to offer. These improvements not only enhance safety and accessibility for travelers but also reinforce the value of preserving our historic assets while modernizing infrastructure for future generations. We commend Amtrak for its commitment to strengthening transportation options and economic vitality in our rural communities."
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Original text here: https://media.amtrak.com/2026/04/amtrak-to-begin-lewistown-station-renovations/
