Featured Stories
USPS Salutes the U.S. Coast Guard Academy's 150 Years
WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- The U.S. Postal Service posted the following news release:
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USPS Salutes the U.S. Coast Guard Academy's 150 Years
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NEW LONDON, CT -The Postal Service continues its tradition of honoring American military academies by issuing a stamp commemorating the 150th anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. A dedication ceremony for the stamp was held today at Custom House Pier in New London.
"U.S. postage stamps celebrate the very best of America, and we are proud to feature the U.S. Coast Guard Academy on millions of letters that will be sent across the country,"
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- The U.S. Postal Service posted the following news release:
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USPS Salutes the U.S. Coast Guard Academy's 150 Years
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NEW LONDON, CT -The Postal Service continues its tradition of honoring American military academies by issuing a stamp commemorating the 150th anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. A dedication ceremony for the stamp was held today at Custom House Pier in New London.
"U.S. postage stamps celebrate the very best of America, and we are proud to feature the U.S. Coast Guard Academy on millions of letters that will be sent across the country,"said Marc McCrery, USPS customer experience vice president and dedicating official. "I hope this stamp will serve as a reminder of how the cadets who graduate from the academy will serve with bravery and excellence and follow the Coast Guard motto: Semper Paratus -Always Ready."
Joining McCrery were Rear Adm. Gregory C. Rothrock, U.S. Coast Guard Academy superintendent, and Capt. Kristopher Ensley, the USCGC Eagle training vessel's commanding officer.
The academy educates young cadets and provides them with the skills and experience they need to successfully lead others as officers in the U.S. Coast Guard. The academy develops leaders of character who will shape the future of the service as it transforms into a more agile, capable and responsive fighting force ready to meet the complex global challenges of the 21st century.
"We are incredibly proud that the Postal Service has chosen to honor the Coast Guard Academy with this stamp," said Rothrock said. "This recognition highlights the critical importance of the Coast Guard to our nation's security and our unwavering commitment to developing the next generation of Coast Guard officers."
The Academy's History
On July 31, 1876, Congress passed legislation authorizing what would become the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Originally named the Revenue Cutter School of Instruction, it started with no real campus in the traditional sense.
Instead, on May 25, 1877, nine cadets joined three officers, a surgeon, six warrant officers and 17 enlisted crewmen for an extended training mission aboard the topsail schooner James C. Dobbin. This established a core principle that remains true today: The sea is the ultimate proving ground for a Coast Guard officer. Over the course of their journey, the cadets learned the foundational navigation and sailing skills that would prepare them for careers securing the nation's ports and waterways as officers in the Revenue Cutter Service.
The following year, a new three-masted barque -the cutter Salmon P. Chase -replaced the aging Dobbin. The Chase would go on to serve as the school's primary training vessel for nearly three decades, cementing a proud legacy that later training ships such as the Itasca and Eagle would carry into the future.
The Revenue Cutter School of Instruction moved ashore in 1900, first taking up residence in Curtis Bay, MD. In 1910, it moved to Fort Trumbull outside of New London. The school became known as the U.S. Coast Guard Academy after the merger of the Revenue Cutter Service and the Life Saving Service formed the Coast Guard in 1915. Additional maritime agencies combined with the organization over the years to form the Coast Guard of today. In 1932, the school outgrew the confines of Fort Trumbull and moved to a new campus two miles up the river. In the years since, it has grown to include more than 30 buildings across 103 acres. The academy began accepting women into its ranks in 1976.
Today, the academy boasts a student body of around 1,070 cadets. Applicants must meet high academic standards, display strong ethics and pass a physical fitness exam before earning a spot. Cadets can select one of 10 majors, including government, marine and environmental sciences, cyber systems, and several engineering disciplines. Additionally, like their predecessors aboard the Dobbin and the Chase, all cadets gain firsthand knowledge of seamanship aboard "America's Tall Ship," the barque Eagle, sometimes on weekslong cruises that carry them across oceans.
Each graduate commits to at least five years of service and earns both a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission as an ensign in the U.S. Coast Guard. Most elect to serve beyond their initial commitments. As officers, graduates take leadership roles among the Coast Guard's many essential missions, which include defending the nation, protecting the marine transportation system, regulating and safeguarding ports and waterways, maritime drug interdiction, and securing the maritime border.
Graduates will serve aboard the most technologically advanced vessels in Coast Guard history, providing key contributions demonstrating the Coast Guard's essential role in protecting our nation's interests at home and abroad. While the Coast Guard works primarily in and around U.S. waters, it also conducts international operations, including foreign port security inspections and polar icebreaking.
The Art of the Stamp
The stamp art features photographs of the barque Eagle, the academy's primary training vessel since 1946, and USCGC Bertholf, a Legend-class national security cutter whose missions include maritime drug interdiction and securing the maritime border.
Antonio Alcala, an art director for USPS, designed this stamp. The Eagle photo was taken by Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Thieme and the Bertholf photo was taken by Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Steven Strohmaier.
"Eagle is more than just a beautiful ship; it is a vital floating classroom where cadets forge the leadership and seamanship skills required to lead in today's Coast Guard," Ensley said. "We deeply appreciate Eagle being featured on this stamp, honoring the rigorous training that ensures our service remains always ready."
The stamps come in panes of 20. As Forever stamps, they will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag #USCoastGuardStamp.
Postal Products
Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through The Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic, or at Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon. Additional information on stamps, first-day-of-issue ceremonies and stamp-inspired products can be found at stampsforever.com.
The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to more than 170 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is currently pursuing a transformation plan aimed at restoring long-term financial sustainability, improving service, and maintaining the organization as one of America's most valued and trusted brands.
The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
For USPS media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Threads, and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.
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Original text here: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2026/0912-usps-salutes-the-us-coast-guard-academy-150-years.htm
Inter-American Development Bank: 'Are the Vulnerable Non-Poor Different? Heterogeneous Responses to Macroeconomic Fluctuations in Latin America'
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following white paper in August 2026 entitled "Are the Vulnerable Non-Poor Different? Heterogeneous Responses to Macroeconomic Fluctuations in Latin America."
Here are excerpts:
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Abstract
This paper studies the dynamics of vulnerable non-poor households in Latin America, focusing on how they compare with the poor and how both groups respond to macroeconomic fluctuations. Using harmonized household survey microdata from 15 countries over more than three decades (1992-2024), complemented with longitudinal data
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following white paper in August 2026 entitled "Are the Vulnerable Non-Poor Different? Heterogeneous Responses to Macroeconomic Fluctuations in Latin America."
Here are excerpts:
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Abstract
This paper studies the dynamics of vulnerable non-poor households in Latin America, focusing on how they compare with the poor and how both groups respond to macroeconomic fluctuations. Using harmonized household survey microdata from 15 countries over more than three decades (1992-2024), complemented with longitudinal datafor four of the region's largest economies, we examine how the size of socioeconomic groups evolves with long-run economic growth and cyclical fluctuations and whether labor market responses to macroeconomic conditions differ systematically between poor and vulnerable individuals. We find that the share of vulnerable non-poor individuals has risen modestly, reflecting higher inflows from poverty than outflows to richer groups. While labor market outcomes are strongly procyclical for both poor and vulnerable individuals, a striking pattern emerges across countries: In less developed economies, vulnerable individuals experience significantly stronger cyclical changes in labor market outcomes than the poor, whereas the opposite pattern arises in more developed economies, particularly along employment margins. Exploiting longitudinal data, we further show that transitions into and out of vulnerability are driven primarily by changes in labor income, especially through employment and hourly earnings adjustments. Overall, the results highlight that the relationship between vulnerability and macroeconomic fluctuations depends critically on labor market structure, which shapes the adjustment margins available to different groups of workers
Introduction
Over the last three decades, Latin America has experienced a substantial decline in poverty (Chang et al., 2025; Gasparini et al., 2023), yet a large share of the population remains concentrated just above the poverty line. These vulnerable non-poor households are not classified as poor under conventional definitions, but they still face a substantial risk of falling into poverty in the face of adverse shocks. Understanding the dynamics of this group is particularly relevant in a region characterized by recurrent macroeconomic instability, widespread labor market informality, and limited social protection systems (Levy and Schady, 2013; OECD, 2025).
While a large literature has examined poverty dynamics and labor market adjustment over the business cycle, much less is known about how vulnerable non-poor households respond to macroeconomic fluctuations and whether their responses differ systematically from those of the poor. This distinction is potentially important. Although both groups face economic insecurity, they may occupy different positions within the labor market, differ in their attachment to employment margins, and therefore adjust differently to changes in aggregate economic conditions. Understanding these heterogeneous responses is key to characterizing the nature of vulnerability in Latin America and the mechanisms through which macroeconomic fluctuations translate into changes in socioeconomic status.
This paper studies the dynamics of poor and vulnerable non-poor groups in Latin America, with a particular focus on their relationship with macroeconomic fluctuations. To this end, we draw on the Socio-Economic Database for Latin America and the Caribbean (SEDLAC, 2024), a large database of harmonized household surveys developed by CEDLAS and the World Bank, covering 15 Latin American countries over the period 1992-2024. Throughout the paper, we classify individuals into three groups based on daily household per capita income measured in 2017 PPP US dollars: the poor, with incomes below USD 6.85; the vulnerable non-poor, with incomes between USD 6.85 and USD 14; and the non-vulnerable, with incomes above USD 14.
The analysis combines repeated cross-sectional information for the full sample of countries with longitudinal data for four of the region's largest economies--Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Peru-- allowing us to examine both aggregate changes in the size of socioeconomic groups and individual labor market responses over the business cycle.
We first examine how the size of these groups evolved over the last three decades and how these changes correlate with long-run economic growth and cyclical economic fluctuations. To distinguish between long-run and cyclical movements, we decompose GDP per capita into trend and cyclical components using a Hodrick-Prescott filter (Hodrick and Prescott, 1997). We document two main patterns. First, the share of vulnerable non-poor individuals increased, driven by a greater incidence of transitions from poverty into vulnerability than from vulnerability into the non-vulnerable. This increase reinforces the view of vulnerability as a quantitatively important and persistent socioeconomic condition in Latin America. Second, while long-run economic growth is associated with a moderate expansion of the vulnerable group, negative cyclical fluctuations tend to increase its size, suggesting that macroeconomic conditions induce substantial movements across socioeconomic groups. These patterns are consistent with the idea that the vulnerable non-poor function as a transition group within the region's income distribution.
We then examine whether labor market outcomes of the poor and the vulnerable non-poor respond differently to macroeconomic conditions. A central empirical challenge is that labor market outcomes and socioeconomic status may be jointly determined by contemporaneous economic conditions. To address this issue, we implement two complementary strategies. First, for a subset of countries with longitudinal data, we classify individuals into socioeconomic groups based on lagged household income and examine how subsequent labor market outcomes evolve with macroeconomic conditions. Second, using repeated cross sections for the full sample of countries, we classify individuals according to predicted household income constructed from predetermined characteristics. Both approaches yield similar patterns. Across all countries, labor market outcomes are strongly procyclical for both groups: Periods of above-trend economic activity are associated with higher employment, lower unemployment and informality, and higher wages and earnings. However, the relative magnitude of these responses differs systematically across countries with different labor market structures.
In economies with higher levels of poverty, informality, and rurality, vulnerable individuals tend to experience stronger labor market improvements during economic expansions than the poor.
In contrast, in more developed economies, the poor often exhibit larger cyclical responses, particularly along employment margins. These patterns suggest that the relationship between vulnerability and macroeconomic fluctuations depends critically on the structure of labor markets. In less developed economies, poor individuals are more likely to be concentrated in low-productivity activities with limited scope for cyclical adjustment, while vulnerable individuals appear better positioned to benefit from economic expansions. By contrast, in more developed economies, poor individuals exhibit stronger attachment to the employment and unemployment margins, making their labor market outcomes more responsive to cyclical fluctuations.
Finally, exploiting the longitudinal data available for a subset of countries, we examine transitions into and out of vulnerability, thereby linking the cyclical labor market responses with changes in socioeconomic status. We document substantial movement into and out of vulnerability over the economic cycle and show that transitions are driven primarily by changes in labor income rather than other income sources or household composition. We further show that, within labor income, both the employment and earnings margins matter, with changes in hourly labor income playing a particularly important role in transitions into and out of vulnerability.
This paper relates to several strands of the literature. First, it contributes to work on vulnerability and the vulnerable non-poor in developing countries, which emphasizes that a large share of households above the poverty line remain exposed to adverse shocks and cannot be considered economically secure (Banerjee and Duflo, 2008; Birdsall et al., 2014; Lopez-Calva and Ortiz-Juarez, 2014; OECD, 2019). Second, it relates to the literature examining labor market adjustment over the business cycle in Latin America, particularly the role of the informality and employment margins in shaping responses to macroeconomic fluctuations (Bosch and Maloney, 2010; Fernandez and Meza, 2015; Coskun, 2022). Our contribution is to bring these strands of the literature together by examining how labor market responses to cyclical fluctuations differ between poor and vulnerable non-poor individuals, how these differences vary across labor market structures in the region, and how they translate into transitions across socioeconomic groups over the cycle.
The rest of the paper is organized as follows. Section 2 describes the main data sources and the construction of the harmonized database used throughout the analysis. Section 3 discusses the definition and operationalization of the vulnerable non-poor group and presents its main demographic, educational, and labor market characteristics. Section 4 examines the evolution of socioeconomic groups and their relationship with long-run economic growth and cyclical fluctuations. Section 5 analyzes how labor market outcomes of poor and vulnerable individuals respond to macroeconomic conditions and whether these responses differ systematically across socioeconomic groups and countries. Section 6 exploits longitudinal data to study transitions across socioeconomic groups over the economic cycle and the labor market mechanisms underlying those transitions. Section 7 concludes.
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View full text here: https://publications.iadb.org/en/are-vulnerable-non-poor-different-heterogeneous-responses-macroeconomic-fluctuations-latin-america
[Category: IADB]
IDB Group and Chile Advance Agenda to Accelerate Growth, Boost Economy, and Create Jobs
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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IDB Group and Chile Advance Agenda to Accelerate Growth, Boost Economy, and Create Jobs
Agenda prioritizes streamlining investment permits, expanding access to housing, and developing knowledge-based services.
SANTIAGO -- The Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) and the government of Chile will advance a joint agenda to attract new investment, strengthen strategic sectors, and accelerate economic growth, with the potential to generate 400,000 jobs in the coming years, according
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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IDB Group and Chile Advance Agenda to Accelerate Growth, Boost Economy, and Create Jobs
Agenda prioritizes streamlining investment permits, expanding access to housing, and developing knowledge-based services.
SANTIAGO -- The Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) and the government of Chile will advance a joint agenda to attract new investment, strengthen strategic sectors, and accelerate economic growth, with the potential to generate 400,000 jobs in the coming years, accordingto IDB estimates.
The agenda was presented during IDB Group President Ilan Goldfajn's visit to Santiago, where he met with President Jose Antonio Kast, Minister of Finance Jorge Quiroz, Minister of Economy, Development, and Tourism and Minister of Mining Daniel Mas, and business leaders to strengthen private-sector-based development. IDB Invest, the IDB Group's private-sector arm, projects investing $1 billion per year in Chile.
One of the priorities of the IDB Group's work in Chile is to strengthen capital-market reform and the National Housing Fund (FONAVI). This includes $2 billion from the IDB and IDB Invest through guarantees and mobilization of financing, which will expand access to credit for Chileans and help create jobs in the construction sector. This effort is expected to contribute to the recovery of 180,000 construction jobs compared to pre-pandemic levels.
The new agenda also addresses streamlining investment permits, strengthening knowledge services, and collaboration on issues such as critical minerals, security, regional integration, and disaster-risk management.
President Goldfajn also inaugurated the IDB Group's new headquarters in Chile, reflecting the institution's long-term commitment to the country. Located in one of Santiago's main financial hubs, the new offices triple the previous space, now with capacity to accommodate a 135% increase in staff compared to 2020.
"Chile has all the conditions to achieve greater dynamism in its economy and job creation. At the IDB Group, we want to support that ambition by mobilizing financing, knowledge, guarantees, and private investment to unlock projects, modernize key sectors, and turn opportunities into jobs and concrete results for Chileans," said Goldfajn.
Growth and Productivity
One of the IDB Group's main areas of work in Chile will be streamlining investment permits. The Group supports implementation of the Framework Law on Sectoral Authorizations and incorporation of digital tools and artificial intelligence to reduce processing times in maritime concessions, for example. This area has the potential to help create approximately 150,000 jobs over the next five years.
Reducing processing times will be highly relevant for sectors such as mining and critical minerals, in which Chile is a world leader, and which have the potential to generate 10,000 new jobs. The IDB Group will support this goal through reforms and policies that facilitate investment, the mobilization of private capital and risk management, and the development of infrastructure and value chains.
In addition, both sides will work to consolidate knowledge-based services as one of the country's main engines of growth and exports, promoting investment in digital talent, connectivity, and technological transformation. With the right strategy, this sector could generate up to 60,000 jobs over the next five years.
An additional priority of the joint agenda is strengthening public security. Crime costs Chile 2.4% of GDP annually, and reducing this problem -- beyond improving people's lives -- will have a positive impact on the economy and job creation. The agenda also includes regional integration, disaster-risk management, and strengthening care systems and early-childhood programs.
The participation of IDB Invest will be key to mobilizing private investment, attracting new international investors, and developing new solutions aligned with the country's economic priorities in strategic areas such as infrastructure, water security, electricity-sector sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
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About the IDB Group
The Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) is the leading source of financing and knowledge for improving lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. It comprises the IDB, which works with the region's public sector and enables the private sector; IDB Invest, which directly supports private companies and projects; and IDB Lab, which spurs entrepreneurial innovation.
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Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/idb-group-and-chile-advance-agenda-accelerate-growth-boost-economy-and-create-jobs
FHLBanks Price $1 Billion 2-Year Global on September 10, 2026
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- The Federal Home Loan Banks Office of Finance issued the following news release:
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FHLBanks Price $1 Billion 2-Year Global on September 10, 2026
The FHLBanks have priced the $1 billion 2-year Global as follows:
Leads: Barclays Capital Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
Distribution Group: 7 Firms
CUSIP: 3130BC4W0
Pricing Date: 9/10/2026
Settlement: 9/11/2026
Maturity: 9/1/2028
Treasury Yield: 4.535%
Spread: 3.0 bps
Yield: 4.565%
Price: 99.880
Coupon: 4.5%
Interest Payments: March 1 and September 1, beginning on March
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- The Federal Home Loan Banks Office of Finance issued the following news release:
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FHLBanks Price $1 Billion 2-Year Global on September 10, 2026
The FHLBanks have priced the $1 billion 2-year Global as follows:
Leads: Barclays Capital Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
Distribution Group: 7 Firms
CUSIP: 3130BC4W0
Pricing Date: 9/10/2026
Settlement: 9/11/2026
Maturity: 9/1/2028
Treasury Yield: 4.535%
Spread: 3.0 bps
Yield: 4.565%
Price: 99.880
Coupon: 4.5%
Interest Payments: March 1 and September 1, beginning on March1, 2027 (short first coupon)
Preliminary distribution information will be available on www.fhlb-of.com.
This announcement is neither an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of offers to buy, these securities. Distribution estimates are based on order book composition for syndicated issues furnished to the Office of Finance by underwriters at the time of securities pricing and may not reflect the current distribution of securities. The Office of Finance does not independently validate submitted data.
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Original text here: https://www.fhlb-of.com/news/fhlbanks-price-1-billion-2-year-global-on-september-10-2026/
EPA begins cleanup at Rumsey Mill in Montana
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA begins cleanup at Rumsey Mill in Montana
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HELENA, Mont. - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the start of a time-critical removal action at the Rumsey Mill site in Philipsburg, Montana, to address heavy metals contamination from historical mining and milling activities. The cleanup will reduce the risk of contaminated material spreading.
"The cleanup at Rumsey Mill demonstrates how targeted action can make a real difference for communities impacted by contamination,"
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA begins cleanup at Rumsey Mill in Montana
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HELENA, Mont. - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the start of a time-critical removal action at the Rumsey Mill site in Philipsburg, Montana, to address heavy metals contamination from historical mining and milling activities. The cleanup will reduce the risk of contaminated material spreading.
"The cleanup at Rumsey Mill demonstrates how targeted action can make a real difference for communities impacted by contamination,"said EPA Regional Administrator Cyrus Western. "EPA is proud to begin this important cleanup at Rumsey Mill and to work alongside local partners to address historic mining contamination, reducing human health risks today and improving conditions for the future."
"Trout Unlimited (TU) has worked with representatives of Granite County for years to study metals contamination on Fred Burr Creek and has been invested in fisheries restoration and reclamation in the Upper Clark Fork River watershed for more than two decades," said Trout Unlimited Senior Project Manager Rob Roberts. "This cleanup project at the Rumsey Mill site is an important first step for Fred Burr Creek and should help reduce the level of mercury and other metals at the source. TU looks forward to seeing these necessary improvements completed by the EPA and working with the local community to evaluate if future projects would further improve water quality, fisheries, and impacts to public health."
EPA is committed to accelerating and completing Superfund cleanup work, as part of the Superfund Solutions initiative. This forward-looking effort renews focus on EPA's core mission of protecting human health and the environment, while getting more sites to the finish line faster. The time-critical removal at the Rumsey Mill site will reduce risks to nearby residents, domestic wells and Fred Burr Creek, while also improving long-term water quality, habitat conditions and the overall stability of the site. EPA's Site Assessment program performed an expanded site inspection in 2021, and additional sampling identified elevated levels of arsenic, lead and mercury at the former mill site as well as in tailings material that had been deposited downstream. EPA determined that contaminated material continues to migrate off site, creating potential risks to human health and the environment.
The cleanup will include excavation of contaminated areas containing elevated levels of arsenic, lead and mercury. The excavated material will be transported to a nearby repository at the former mill site, where it will be capped, armored and protected with erosion controls. EPA will also backfill, stabilize and revegetate excavated areas with native seed to improve drainage and support long-term site stability. Additional work will include mine waste consolidation, surface water controls and restoration of the riparian corridor along Fred Burr Creek.
These actions are intended to improve the health of Fred Burr Creek by substantially reducing the ongoing release of mercury and arsenic into Fred Burr Creek. Additional work will include mine waste consolidation, surface water controls and restoration of the riparian corridor along Fred Burr Creek. Together, these measures are expected to reduce the spread of contamination and improve ecological conditions in and around the watershed.
Portions of the cleanup area will occur along the Fred Burr Creek bank. Final restoration of these areas will be coordinated with Trout Unlimited, a non-profit organization that is committed to mine reclamation, stream restoration and other activities that improve fisheries, water quality and watershed health.
EPA expects cleanup work to be completed by November 30, 2026.
Background
The Rumsey Mill Site, an abandoned mill site in the Philipsburg Mining District, is located within the Fred Burr Creek watershed in Philipsburg, Montana. Historical mining and milling operations associated with the site released metals including lead, arsenic and mercury into the surrounding area.
EPA's Site Assessment program performed an expanded site inspection (ESI) in 2021, and EPA's Removal program completed additional sampling in 2023 and 2024, which identified elevated levels of arsenic, lead and mercury at the former mill site as well as an ongoing release to Fred Burr Creek. Sampling also found that the contaminated material has been migrating downslope into and along Fred Burr Creek. Based on these results, EPA's Removal Program is taking action to secure the ongoing release to protect human health and the environment.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-begins-cleanup-rumsey-mill-montana
EPA Regional Administrator Kevin McOmber and U.S. Rep. Clay Fuller and to Highlight Significant Brownfield Investments in North Georgia
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Regional Administrator Kevin McOmber and U.S. Rep. Clay Fuller and to Highlight Significant Brownfield Investments in North Georgia
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CHICKAMAUGA, Georgia (Sept. 11, 2026) - On September 18, 2026, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Administrator Kevin McOmber and U.S. Representative Clay Fuller (GA-14) will join state and local officials to highlight $6 million in brownfield funding. This investment includes $4 million to City of Chickamauga to clean up the former Crystal
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Regional Administrator Kevin McOmber and U.S. Rep. Clay Fuller and to Highlight Significant Brownfield Investments in North Georgia
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CHICKAMAUGA, Georgia (Sept. 11, 2026) - On September 18, 2026, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Administrator Kevin McOmber and U.S. Representative Clay Fuller (GA-14) will join state and local officials to highlight $6 million in brownfield funding. This investment includes $4 million to City of Chickamauga to clean up the former CrystalSprings Print Works site, so it can be returned to productive reuse; $1.5 million to Northwest Georgia Regional Commission to assess properties for potential redevelopment; and $500,000 to Rome-Floyd County Development Authority to expand the inventory of brownfield sites and assess prospective properties.
Who:
Kevin McOmber, Regional Administrator, EPA Region 4
Clay Fuller, U.S. Representative (GA-14)
Jeff Cown, Director, Georgia Environmental Protection Division
Evitte Parrish, Mayor, City of Chickamauga
Boyd Austin, Executive Director, Northwest Georgia Regional Commission
Evie McNiece, board member, Rome Floyd County Development Authority
When:
Friday, September 18, 2026
2 p.m.
Where:
Chickamauga Civic Center
1817 Lee Clarkson Rd.
Chickamauga, GA 30707
RSVP: Credentialed media who wish to attend should sign up no later than 7 p.m. ET, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026 at: https://www.epa.gov/ga/forms/epa-region-4-event-rsvp-form.
Background: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $13.5 million in Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup (MAC) grants to accelerate the cleanup of polluted sites across Georgia. With these funds, EPA is investing directly in American communities to clean up and redevelop blighted properties, delivering on the Trump Administration's commitment to ensure that clean air, land, and water go hand-in-hand with economic growth and opportunity.
EPA's Brownfields Program began in 1995 and has provided over $3 billion in grant funding to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse.
To date, brownfields investments leveraged more than $45 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. Over the years, the relatively small investment of federal funding was able to leverage, from both public and private sources, more than 228,900 jobs. Through fiscal year 2025, on average, $19.47 was leveraged for each EPA Brownfields Grant dollar awarded through multipurpose, assessment, revolving loan fund and cleanup cooperative agreements.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-regional-administrator-kevin-mcomber-and-us-rep-clay-fuller-and-highlight
EPA Deputy Administrator Fotouhi Advances Cooperative Federalism in Wyoming
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Deputy Administrator Fotouhi Advances Cooperative Federalism in Wyoming
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Jackson, Wyoming - Last week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi traveled to Wyoming to advance cooperative federalism and highlight the Trump EPA's commitment to achieving measurable environmental results while supporting economic growth. During the visit, Deputy Administrator Fotouhi addressed state environmental leaders at the Fall 2026 Environmental Council of the States
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Deputy Administrator Fotouhi Advances Cooperative Federalism in Wyoming
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Jackson, Wyoming - Last week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi traveled to Wyoming to advance cooperative federalism and highlight the Trump EPA's commitment to achieving measurable environmental results while supporting economic growth. During the visit, Deputy Administrator Fotouhi addressed state environmental leaders at the Fall 2026 Environmental Council of the States(ECOS) Meeting and saw firsthand how Wyoming is using innovative approaches to improve water quality and expand American energy production.
"Wyoming is showing what is possible when federal, state, and local leaders work together to achieve real environmental results while supporting economic growth," said EPA Deputy Administrator Fotouhi. "It was great to be on the ground seeing this firsthand in Wyoming, from innovative stormwater solutions to leveraging technology for strong domestic energy production, but it was encouraging to hear this is happening across the nation from a variety of state leaders. EPA is committed to working with our state partners to advance practical solutions that protect our nation's resources and unleash American innovation."
Deputy Administrator Fotouhi began his visit with a tour of the Karns Meadow Stormwater Treatment Wetland in Jackson, Wyoming, alongside EPA Region 8 Administrator Cyrus Western, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) Water Quality Administrator Jennifer Zygmunt and local officials. The 40-acre wetland system was constructed with a combination of EPA and local funding to address longstanding water quality challenges in nearby Flat Creek. Today, the wetland captures and treats stormwater runoff from Jackson before it enters Flat Creek within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Post-implementation monitoring has demonstrated significant improvements in runoff quality, including an average 89% reduction in total settleable solids, a 95% reduction in nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia concentrations, and an 85% reduction in E. coli bacteria. The project demonstrates how targeted investments and innovative solutions can deliver measurable improvements in water quality.
The following day, Deputy Administrator Fotouhi delivered the keynote address at the Fall 2026 ECOS Meeting in Jackson, where he highlighted the Trump Administration's environmental accomplishments during its first 18 months and EPA's commitment to working with states to return ownership of environmental programs to state and local leaders. He was joined by regional administrators from all 10 EPA regions and numerous assistant administrators as they engaged with environmental regulators from all 50 states.
Deputy Administrator Fotouhi concluded his Wyoming visit with a tour of the Pinedale Anticline Natural Gas Field, one of the largest natural gas fields in the United States and a major contributor to Wyoming's energy production for more than two decades. Supplying millions of homes with energy each day, the Pinedale Anticline is an important part of America's domestic energy production and supports reliable, affordable power for American families. The field also demonstrates how technological innovation, combined with federal and state leadership and industry collaboration, can support environmental progress while strengthening domestic energy production. Deputy Administrator Fotouhi was joined on the tour by members of WDEQ, including Air Division Administrator Amber Potts.
Additionally, while in the area, Deputy Administrator Fotouhi joinedExit EPA's website Wake Up Wyoming to discuss the Trump EPA's commitment to energy dominance, including the June proposal to save the Dave Johnston power plant in Converse County, Wyoming. The Dave Johnston power plant uses local Wyoming coal, supports hundreds of Wyoming mining and energy jobs, and is essential to delivering reliable, affordable energy to families across the state.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-deputy-administrator-fotouhi-advances-cooperative-federalism-wyoming
