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Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute: Panama's Forests on NASA's Radar
PANAMA CITY, Panama, June 23 -- The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute issued the following news:
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Panama's forests on NASA's radar
NASA's radar visits Panama to study tropical forests from the ground, air and space
NASA and STRI join forces in Panama to investigate the structure of tropical forests using cutting-edge airborne technology
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Tropical forests regulate global climate, produce oxygen, purify water, and provide invaluable resources for modern medicine and food security. The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) has been identifying and measuring trees in tropical ... Show Full Article PANAMA CITY, Panama, June 23 -- The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute issued the following news: * * * Panama's forests on NASA's radar NASA's radar visits Panama to study tropical forests from the ground, air and space NASA and STRI join forces in Panama to investigate the structure of tropical forests using cutting-edge airborne technology - Tropical forests regulate global climate, produce oxygen, purify water, and provide invaluable resources for modern medicine and food security. The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) has been identifying and measuring trees in tropicalforests in Panama as part of the Forest-GEO initiative since 1980. So when NASA set out to find a tropical location to study forests and their biodiversity, Panama was the obvious choice.
The first major NASA campaign to study Panama's forests took place in February 2025 as part of the Airborne Validation Unified Experiment: Land to Ocean (AVUELO) project. The campaign combined ground-based data collection with aerial hyperspectral observations acquired by a NASA aircraft equipped with the state-of-the-art Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer-3 (AVIRIS-3) sensor. The resulting imagery provided detailed information on the chemical composition of each pixel, offering insights into leaf chemistry, photosynthetic activity, and overall forest health. AVIRIS-3 relies on reflected sunlight to collect data, making clear-sky conditions essential for acquiring high-quality observations. During the campaign, however, the team faced an unexpected challenge as periods of cloud cover and rainfall limited data collection opportunities.
To complement the first campaign and continue the AVUELO project, NASA returned to Panama in 2026 with a different sensor technology: a NASA aircraft carrying the Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR). Unlike optical instruments, radar can penetrate through clouds and operate independently of sunlight, making weather conditions far less restrictive for data collection.
The UAVSAR data collected provide valuable information on forest structure and biomass because the radar signal interacts with vegetation in ways that depend on factors such as tree size, forest height, and vegetation water content.
During both campaigns, teams on the ground collected measurements of trees and forest characteristics within some of the areas being overflown by the aircraft. These ground observations are essential for validating and interpreting the airborne data. The first campaign included field sites on Barro Colorado Island, Parque Natural Metropolitano in Panama City, STRI's Agua Salud reforestation project, Bosque Protector San Lorenzo in Colon, Parque Summit, and other locations representing a range of ecosystems, including mangroves, montane forests, reforestation areas, and agricultural areas.
The second campaign focused on Parque Natural Metropolitano, ForestGEO sites, and mangrove ecosystems, which are of particular interest because they have historically been underrepresented within the ForestGEO network of measurement plots, creating a significant gap in our understanding of forest structure and biomass in these vital ecosystems.
For both campaigns, a key objective was to develop and evaluate improved models for assessing biodiversity of tropical forests by integrating ground measurements with airborne remote sensing data and then scaling these observations to satellite platforms. This will enable more effective monitoring of tropical forests across large regions and improve our understanding of how tropical ecosystems are changing over time.
Erika Podest, a Panamanian scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA JPL) and STRI staff scientist Helene Muller-Landau are among the lead scientists of this project.
"We now have a satellite in orbit that we recently launched into space, called NISAR", said Podest "It's a NASA satellite that carries a radar instrument similar to the UAVSAR sensor we are using for the AVUELO campaign. By linking these airborne observations with satellite measurements, we can scale what we learn in Panama to tropical forests around the world.
"One of the big advantages for NASA of having the campaign here in Panama, in particular for the powerful UAVSAR insights into forest health, structure and biomass, is the ability to tap into our large pre-existing ground-based forest data," added Muller-Landau. [KB1]
Scientists gathered after the 2026 data collection for the AVUELO Post-Campaign Assessment Meeting. Here, students, postdoctoral fellows and scientists reviewed the data collected and discussed future data analyses to address different scientific objectives. Participants represented many institutions, including NASA Goddard, NASA's JPL, STRI, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Montana State University, the European Molecular Biology Lab (EMBL), and the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas Avanzadas en Tecnologias de Informacion y Comunicacion (INDICATIC) in Panama.
For example, Nathan Goncalves, a postdoctoral fellow at STRI, presented preliminary results on mapping the abundance of lianas across large areas using hyperspectral airborne data from the 2025 AVUELO campaign. Sarah Graves, a scientist from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, also participated in the meeting and discussed opportunities to support NASA efforts to map the diversity of tropical ecosystems. Jack Brookshire and his student Tim Gentry, both from Montana State University, shared their ideas during the meeting on ways to integrate their research efforts to better underestand how remote sensing data can inform studies of carbon and nitrogen cycling in tropical ecosystems. Both are essential nutrients that play a critical role in plant growth and ecosystem functioning.
"What makes this effort especially meaningful is the diversity of participants at every stage of their careers, from newcomer students and interns discovering fieldwork to postdoctoral fellows and experienced scientists helping shape the future of this work," stated Podest.
Together, these efforts highlight the critical importance of tropical forests and the value of collaboration between STRI and NASA in deepening our understanding of these ecosystems.
"Most of the ground data that's been collected to date in the world has been in temperate, boreal or arctic ecosystems or ecosystems found in developed countries. So, the tropics have been under sampled and that's a key missing piece because they are so important for forest biomass globally, for forest carbon storage and for species diversity," said Muller-Landau.
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Original text here: https://stri.si.edu/story/panamas-forests-nasas-radar
* * *
Panama's forests on NASA's radar
NASA's radar visits Panama to study tropical forests from the ground, air and space
NASA and STRI join forces in Panama to investigate the structure of tropical forests using cutting-edge airborne technology
-
Tropical forests regulate global climate, produce oxygen, purify water, and provide invaluable resources for modern medicine and food security. The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) has been identifying and measuring trees in tropical ... Show Full Article PANAMA CITY, Panama, June 23 -- The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute issued the following news: * * * Panama's forests on NASA's radar NASA's radar visits Panama to study tropical forests from the ground, air and space NASA and STRI join forces in Panama to investigate the structure of tropical forests using cutting-edge airborne technology - Tropical forests regulate global climate, produce oxygen, purify water, and provide invaluable resources for modern medicine and food security. The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) has been identifying and measuring trees in tropicalforests in Panama as part of the Forest-GEO initiative since 1980. So when NASA set out to find a tropical location to study forests and their biodiversity, Panama was the obvious choice.
The first major NASA campaign to study Panama's forests took place in February 2025 as part of the Airborne Validation Unified Experiment: Land to Ocean (AVUELO) project. The campaign combined ground-based data collection with aerial hyperspectral observations acquired by a NASA aircraft equipped with the state-of-the-art Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer-3 (AVIRIS-3) sensor. The resulting imagery provided detailed information on the chemical composition of each pixel, offering insights into leaf chemistry, photosynthetic activity, and overall forest health. AVIRIS-3 relies on reflected sunlight to collect data, making clear-sky conditions essential for acquiring high-quality observations. During the campaign, however, the team faced an unexpected challenge as periods of cloud cover and rainfall limited data collection opportunities.
To complement the first campaign and continue the AVUELO project, NASA returned to Panama in 2026 with a different sensor technology: a NASA aircraft carrying the Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR). Unlike optical instruments, radar can penetrate through clouds and operate independently of sunlight, making weather conditions far less restrictive for data collection.
The UAVSAR data collected provide valuable information on forest structure and biomass because the radar signal interacts with vegetation in ways that depend on factors such as tree size, forest height, and vegetation water content.
During both campaigns, teams on the ground collected measurements of trees and forest characteristics within some of the areas being overflown by the aircraft. These ground observations are essential for validating and interpreting the airborne data. The first campaign included field sites on Barro Colorado Island, Parque Natural Metropolitano in Panama City, STRI's Agua Salud reforestation project, Bosque Protector San Lorenzo in Colon, Parque Summit, and other locations representing a range of ecosystems, including mangroves, montane forests, reforestation areas, and agricultural areas.
The second campaign focused on Parque Natural Metropolitano, ForestGEO sites, and mangrove ecosystems, which are of particular interest because they have historically been underrepresented within the ForestGEO network of measurement plots, creating a significant gap in our understanding of forest structure and biomass in these vital ecosystems.
For both campaigns, a key objective was to develop and evaluate improved models for assessing biodiversity of tropical forests by integrating ground measurements with airborne remote sensing data and then scaling these observations to satellite platforms. This will enable more effective monitoring of tropical forests across large regions and improve our understanding of how tropical ecosystems are changing over time.
Erika Podest, a Panamanian scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA JPL) and STRI staff scientist Helene Muller-Landau are among the lead scientists of this project.
"We now have a satellite in orbit that we recently launched into space, called NISAR", said Podest "It's a NASA satellite that carries a radar instrument similar to the UAVSAR sensor we are using for the AVUELO campaign. By linking these airborne observations with satellite measurements, we can scale what we learn in Panama to tropical forests around the world.
"One of the big advantages for NASA of having the campaign here in Panama, in particular for the powerful UAVSAR insights into forest health, structure and biomass, is the ability to tap into our large pre-existing ground-based forest data," added Muller-Landau. [KB1]
Scientists gathered after the 2026 data collection for the AVUELO Post-Campaign Assessment Meeting. Here, students, postdoctoral fellows and scientists reviewed the data collected and discussed future data analyses to address different scientific objectives. Participants represented many institutions, including NASA Goddard, NASA's JPL, STRI, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Montana State University, the European Molecular Biology Lab (EMBL), and the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas Avanzadas en Tecnologias de Informacion y Comunicacion (INDICATIC) in Panama.
For example, Nathan Goncalves, a postdoctoral fellow at STRI, presented preliminary results on mapping the abundance of lianas across large areas using hyperspectral airborne data from the 2025 AVUELO campaign. Sarah Graves, a scientist from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, also participated in the meeting and discussed opportunities to support NASA efforts to map the diversity of tropical ecosystems. Jack Brookshire and his student Tim Gentry, both from Montana State University, shared their ideas during the meeting on ways to integrate their research efforts to better underestand how remote sensing data can inform studies of carbon and nitrogen cycling in tropical ecosystems. Both are essential nutrients that play a critical role in plant growth and ecosystem functioning.
"What makes this effort especially meaningful is the diversity of participants at every stage of their careers, from newcomer students and interns discovering fieldwork to postdoctoral fellows and experienced scientists helping shape the future of this work," stated Podest.
Together, these efforts highlight the critical importance of tropical forests and the value of collaboration between STRI and NASA in deepening our understanding of these ecosystems.
"Most of the ground data that's been collected to date in the world has been in temperate, boreal or arctic ecosystems or ecosystems found in developed countries. So, the tropics have been under sampled and that's a key missing piece because they are so important for forest biomass globally, for forest carbon storage and for species diversity," said Muller-Landau.
* * *
Original text here: https://stri.si.edu/story/panamas-forests-nasas-radar
Poet Amanda Gorman To Open Smithsonian's National Education Summit in Nation's Historic 250th Anniversary Year
WASHINGTON, June 23 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release on June 22, 2026:
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Poet Amanda Gorman To Open Smithsonian's National Education Summit in Nation's Historic 250th Anniversary Year
Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, will deliver the opening keynote for the 2026 Smithsonian's National Education Summit, the Institution's signature three-day conference for educators. Her keynote will be livestreamed for preregistered participants Tuesday, July 14, at 10:30 a.m. ET.
As the nation marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, June 23 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release on June 22, 2026: * * * Poet Amanda Gorman To Open Smithsonian's National Education Summit in Nation's Historic 250th Anniversary Year Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, will deliver the opening keynote for the 2026 Smithsonian's National Education Summit, the Institution's signature three-day conference for educators. Her keynote will be livestreamed for preregistered participants Tuesday, July 14, at 10:30 a.m. ET. As the nation marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence,Gorman will explore how poetry can shape civic understanding and inspire individuals to imagine and build a shared future. Her remarks will include a poetry reading.
"We are thrilled to welcome Amanda Gorman to open this year's summit," said Monique M. Chism, Ph.D., the Smithsonian's Under Secretary for Education. "At a time when we are reflecting on our nation's shared story, her voice offers a powerful catalyst for civic understanding. She reminds us that democracy is an active pursuit, and her work will inspire educators and learners alike."
The 2026 National Education Summit takes place Tuesday, July 14, to Thursday, July 16, in Washington, D.C., and online. This year's theme, "Together We Thrive: Towards a More Perfect Union," invites educators to reflect on Americans' shared story and imagine the future they want to build together. The summit offers free professional development, practical classroom strategies, Smithsonian resources and opportunities to connect with educators nationwide.
Featured Session Track and New Session Added
Gorman's keynote anchors a three-day agenda organized around four curated session tracks designed to bring history, civic dialogue and the arts into the classroom. On opening day, Gorman's keynote is followed by the "Leveraging the Arts as Civic Voice" track, with sessions including:
* Photos in Conversation, Then, Now, and Us at noon ET, presents tools to support student voice through the analysis of historical photographs and creation of multimedia portraits capturing the communities around them.
* Stories That Hold Us Together: Cultivating Civic Action Through Community and Storytelling at 1 p.m. ET, spotlights a unique cross-age collaboration across kindergarteners and high school students grounded in storytelling and expression through the arts.
* Stories 4-History: Fostering Civic Voice and Community Engagement through Film at 2 p.m. ET, focuses on a multi-step storytelling process designed to encourage active, student-centered civic participation.
* MORE COLORS THAN THE EYE CAN SEE: The Art of Jeffrey Gibson at 3 p.m. ET, introduces classroom-ready resources for making contemporary Indigenous art accessible and easy to bring to the classroom, alongside hands-on art-making lessons.
In addition, the Smithsonian has added a new session to the agenda, hosted in collaboration with the Exploratorium in San Francisco and the Smithsonian Office of Educational Technology. The in-person, hands-on workshop, "Reimagining the Classroom as a Space to Practice Being Human," is taking place Thursday, July 16, at 9 a.m. in Washington. Registration is free, but space is limited.
The summit provides a timely opportunity for educators to engage with new ideas, tools and perspectives during this historic anniversary year. For full session details and free registration, visit the summit website.
* * *
About the Smithsonian's Office of the Under Secretary for Education
The Smithsonian Institution's Office of the Under Secretary for Education (OUSE) advances the Smithsonian's mission to increase and diffuse knowledge through educational leadership, research and collaboration. OUSE works across the Smithsonian's museums, research centers and programs to develop and share high-quality educational resources, professional learning opportunities and partnerships that support teaching and learning nationwide. Through its work, OUSE helps connect learners of all ages to the Smithsonian's collections, scholarship and expertise.
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Original text here: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/poet-amanda-gorman-open-smithsonians-national-education-summit-nations-historic
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Poet Amanda Gorman To Open Smithsonian's National Education Summit in Nation's Historic 250th Anniversary Year
Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, will deliver the opening keynote for the 2026 Smithsonian's National Education Summit, the Institution's signature three-day conference for educators. Her keynote will be livestreamed for preregistered participants Tuesday, July 14, at 10:30 a.m. ET.
As the nation marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, June 23 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release on June 22, 2026: * * * Poet Amanda Gorman To Open Smithsonian's National Education Summit in Nation's Historic 250th Anniversary Year Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, will deliver the opening keynote for the 2026 Smithsonian's National Education Summit, the Institution's signature three-day conference for educators. Her keynote will be livestreamed for preregistered participants Tuesday, July 14, at 10:30 a.m. ET. As the nation marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence,Gorman will explore how poetry can shape civic understanding and inspire individuals to imagine and build a shared future. Her remarks will include a poetry reading.
"We are thrilled to welcome Amanda Gorman to open this year's summit," said Monique M. Chism, Ph.D., the Smithsonian's Under Secretary for Education. "At a time when we are reflecting on our nation's shared story, her voice offers a powerful catalyst for civic understanding. She reminds us that democracy is an active pursuit, and her work will inspire educators and learners alike."
The 2026 National Education Summit takes place Tuesday, July 14, to Thursday, July 16, in Washington, D.C., and online. This year's theme, "Together We Thrive: Towards a More Perfect Union," invites educators to reflect on Americans' shared story and imagine the future they want to build together. The summit offers free professional development, practical classroom strategies, Smithsonian resources and opportunities to connect with educators nationwide.
Featured Session Track and New Session Added
Gorman's keynote anchors a three-day agenda organized around four curated session tracks designed to bring history, civic dialogue and the arts into the classroom. On opening day, Gorman's keynote is followed by the "Leveraging the Arts as Civic Voice" track, with sessions including:
* Photos in Conversation, Then, Now, and Us at noon ET, presents tools to support student voice through the analysis of historical photographs and creation of multimedia portraits capturing the communities around them.
* Stories That Hold Us Together: Cultivating Civic Action Through Community and Storytelling at 1 p.m. ET, spotlights a unique cross-age collaboration across kindergarteners and high school students grounded in storytelling and expression through the arts.
* Stories 4-History: Fostering Civic Voice and Community Engagement through Film at 2 p.m. ET, focuses on a multi-step storytelling process designed to encourage active, student-centered civic participation.
* MORE COLORS THAN THE EYE CAN SEE: The Art of Jeffrey Gibson at 3 p.m. ET, introduces classroom-ready resources for making contemporary Indigenous art accessible and easy to bring to the classroom, alongside hands-on art-making lessons.
In addition, the Smithsonian has added a new session to the agenda, hosted in collaboration with the Exploratorium in San Francisco and the Smithsonian Office of Educational Technology. The in-person, hands-on workshop, "Reimagining the Classroom as a Space to Practice Being Human," is taking place Thursday, July 16, at 9 a.m. in Washington. Registration is free, but space is limited.
The summit provides a timely opportunity for educators to engage with new ideas, tools and perspectives during this historic anniversary year. For full session details and free registration, visit the summit website.
* * *
About the Smithsonian's Office of the Under Secretary for Education
The Smithsonian Institution's Office of the Under Secretary for Education (OUSE) advances the Smithsonian's mission to increase and diffuse knowledge through educational leadership, research and collaboration. OUSE works across the Smithsonian's museums, research centers and programs to develop and share high-quality educational resources, professional learning opportunities and partnerships that support teaching and learning nationwide. Through its work, OUSE helps connect learners of all ages to the Smithsonian's collections, scholarship and expertise.
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Original text here: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/poet-amanda-gorman-open-smithsonians-national-education-summit-nations-historic
Office of Advocacy Appoints Justin Crossie as Region 6 Advocate
WASHINGTON, June 23 -- The Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy issued the following news release:
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Office of Advocacy Appoints Justin Crossie as Region 6 Advocate
The Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is pleased to announce Justin Crossie has been named Region 6 Advocate. Prior to joining the Advocacy, Crossie was the SBA South Central Regional Administrator serving Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.
Crossie is a seasoned government affairs and public policy professional with extensive experience in federal, state, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, June 23 -- The Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy issued the following news release: * * * Office of Advocacy Appoints Justin Crossie as Region 6 Advocate The Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is pleased to announce Justin Crossie has been named Region 6 Advocate. Prior to joining the Advocacy, Crossie was the SBA South Central Regional Administrator serving Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Crossie is a seasoned government affairs and public policy professional with extensive experience in federal, state,and local government. He previously served as a policy advisor for Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry in the Governor's Office of Coastal Activities, shaping strategies for coastal protection.
During the first Trump administration, Mr. Crossie was the South Central Regional Administrator from 2018 to 2021, overseeing a multi-billion-dollar small business loan portfolio across five states and leading efforts in economic development, disaster recovery, and pandemic relief programs.
"Justin Crossie is a great addition to the Office of Advocacy. I look forward to working with him in this new role and seeing the impact of his outreach," said Everett M. Woodel, Jr., Acting Chief Counsel for Advocacy. "Justin's background makes him well-qualified and well-equipped to elevate the voices of small businesses in his region."
"I am thrilled to serve as the Region 6 Advocate and I look forward to continuing my work with small businesses in Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico," said Crossie. "It is an honor to serve President Donald J. Trump in this role and our nation's incredible small businesses."
Crossie can be reached at justin.crossie@sba.gov.
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Created by Congress in 1976, the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration is a voice for small business within the federal government. Appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, the Chief Counsel for Advocacy directs the office. The Chief Counsel advances the views, concerns, and interests of small business before Congress, the White House, federal agencies, federal courts, and state policymakers. Economic research, policy analyses, and small business outreach help identify issues of concern. Regional Advocates and an office in Washington, DC, support the Chief Counsel's efforts. For more information on the Office of Advocacy, visit advocacy.sba.gov or call (202) 205-6533.
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Original text here: https://advocacy.sba.gov/2026/06/22/office-of-advocacy-appoints-justin-crossie-as-region-6-advocate/
* * *
Office of Advocacy Appoints Justin Crossie as Region 6 Advocate
The Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is pleased to announce Justin Crossie has been named Region 6 Advocate. Prior to joining the Advocacy, Crossie was the SBA South Central Regional Administrator serving Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.
Crossie is a seasoned government affairs and public policy professional with extensive experience in federal, state, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, June 23 -- The Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy issued the following news release: * * * Office of Advocacy Appoints Justin Crossie as Region 6 Advocate The Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is pleased to announce Justin Crossie has been named Region 6 Advocate. Prior to joining the Advocacy, Crossie was the SBA South Central Regional Administrator serving Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Crossie is a seasoned government affairs and public policy professional with extensive experience in federal, state,and local government. He previously served as a policy advisor for Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry in the Governor's Office of Coastal Activities, shaping strategies for coastal protection.
During the first Trump administration, Mr. Crossie was the South Central Regional Administrator from 2018 to 2021, overseeing a multi-billion-dollar small business loan portfolio across five states and leading efforts in economic development, disaster recovery, and pandemic relief programs.
"Justin Crossie is a great addition to the Office of Advocacy. I look forward to working with him in this new role and seeing the impact of his outreach," said Everett M. Woodel, Jr., Acting Chief Counsel for Advocacy. "Justin's background makes him well-qualified and well-equipped to elevate the voices of small businesses in his region."
"I am thrilled to serve as the Region 6 Advocate and I look forward to continuing my work with small businesses in Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico," said Crossie. "It is an honor to serve President Donald J. Trump in this role and our nation's incredible small businesses."
Crossie can be reached at justin.crossie@sba.gov.
* * *
Created by Congress in 1976, the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration is a voice for small business within the federal government. Appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, the Chief Counsel for Advocacy directs the office. The Chief Counsel advances the views, concerns, and interests of small business before Congress, the White House, federal agencies, federal courts, and state policymakers. Economic research, policy analyses, and small business outreach help identify issues of concern. Regional Advocates and an office in Washington, DC, support the Chief Counsel's efforts. For more information on the Office of Advocacy, visit advocacy.sba.gov or call (202) 205-6533.
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Original text here: https://advocacy.sba.gov/2026/06/22/office-of-advocacy-appoints-justin-crossie-as-region-6-advocate/
The lower the better, for longer time: New cholesterol guidelines are a "paradigm shift" in preventing heart disease
WASHINGTON, June 22 -- The National Academy of Medicine issued the following news:
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The lower the better, for longer time: New cholesterol guidelines are a "paradigm shift" in preventing heart disease
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NAM Member Clyde W. Yancy, MD, MSc and NAM Fellow Nilay S. Shah, MD, MPH discuss what the new cholesterol guideli nes mean for patients and how we understand cardiovascular risk.
Interview by Laura DeStefano
In March 2026, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association released updated cholesterol management guidelines that reshape the prevailing wisdom for preventing ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, June 22 -- The National Academy of Medicine issued the following news: * * * The lower the better, for longer time: New cholesterol guidelines are a "paradigm shift" in preventing heart disease * NAM Member Clyde W. Yancy, MD, MSc and NAM Fellow Nilay S. Shah, MD, MPH discuss what the new cholesterol guideli nes mean for patients and how we understand cardiovascular risk. Interview by Laura DeStefano In March 2026, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association released updated cholesterol management guidelines that reshape the prevailing wisdom for preventingheart attacks and strokes. The recommendations reflect major advances in scientists' understanding of cardiovascular risk, emphasizing a personalized approach beginning at a younger age and reduction of cumulative, lifetime exposure.
To understand what the new guidelines mean for people of all ages, we spoke with NAM member Clyde W. Yancy, MD, MSc, and NAM fellow Nilay S. Shah, MD, MPH, both cardiologists who study, teach, and treat patients at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, IL.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Could you outline some of the key takeaways from the new guidelines?
Yancy: The guidelines now apply to people as young as 30. There are three different targets for optimal low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels: 90 mg/dL for people without cardiovascular disease, 70 mg/dL for people with significant risk factors, and 55 mg/dL for people with existing disease.
The guidelines recommend additional screenings to get a more complete picture of someone's risk so the right LDL target can be identified. This includes screenings for lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), an independent risk factor for heart disease that isn't measured in standard cholesterol tests, and Apolipoprotein B (ApoB), which can identify residual risk after LDL is optimized.
Finally, the guidelines endorse not only statins but also non-statin therapies to lower LDL. But the first steps are lifestyle modification, including diet and activity.
The update seems to be getting a lot of attention in the press and on social media. Why is that?
Yancy: This is a paradigm shift. There's been an evolution in science and technology that allows us to prevent heart attacks and strokes better than ever before.
We're beginning at an early age. We're screening everyone in the population at least once, not just selected individuals. We're calculating risk more precisely and accurately to identify the target cholesterol levels for each person that will have the most preventive effect. One size doesn't fit all.
Shah: These guidelines are very actionable. There are a lot of strategies that can be taken directly from the document and implemented in the clinic in a direct and immediate way. For instance, there's a new risk calculator that's much more accurate than earlier tools. There are goal LDL cholesterol numbers to aim for, depending on a patient's starting level of risk.
What new discoveries or research prompted the change in guidelines?
Yancy: There are several major insights that led us to where we are now. The first is the concept of "residual risk." We had patients who had stopped smoking, controlled their blood pressure, and reduced their LDL below 90 mg/dL, but they were still having cardiac events. This forced us to explore what else could be causing disease, which is why we now recommend testing for Lp(a) and ApoB, which are additional risk factors for atherosclerosis.
We also identified new therapies. Through the Dallas Heart Study, we discovered that people with an inherited mutation in the PCSK9 gene were seemingly protected from coronary disease. That contributed to the development of new drugs called PCSK9 inhibitors. We found that when we prescribe these medicines on top of statin therapy, we see an even greater reduction in not only LDL levels, but also cardiovascular events.
Shah: There's also the concept of "cumulative exposure," which means we care not only about what your cholesterol numbers are now, but also about how long your body has been exposed to those numbers over time. That's what leads to the accumulation of risk for heart disease.
The other big shift is the idea of matching the intensity of preventive efforts to the degree of risk. That idea has been around for two or three decades, but only recently have we developed an exceptionally accurate way to estimate someone's likelihood of experiencing heart disease in their lifetime (the American Heart Association's PREVENT TM Online Calculator ) and identify the people most likely to benefit from an intensive prevention regimen.
The risk calculator is based on data from several million individuals across the US, from multiple backgrounds and multiple risk profiles, and it consistently shows excellent validation in predicting someone's risk in the next 10 to 30 years. It's a precision approach to prevention.
How would you advise people who are middle-aged or older and haven't been managing their cholesterol with cumulative exposure in mind? Is it too late to prevent disease?
Shah: To borrow an adage, the best time to do something about your cholesterol was when it started increasing, but the second-best time is now. I tell my patients that although this is important and there is some urgency, it's not an emergency. You don't have to rush off and talk to your doctor tomorrow. But it's worth having a conversation at your next visit about options to mitigate your heart disease risk, no matter how old you are or what your risk factors may be. In other words, it's never too late.
Cholesterol is important, but it's not the only thing that's important. Risk comes from many places, including blood pressure and blood sugar, events in your medical history, your family history, and whether or not you smoke.
Sleep is also a very important factor with respect to heart health and prevention. We need to focus on mitigating your overall risk.
Yancy: One of the issues that's top of mind right now is the influence of coexisting inflammation, along with high triglycerides (too much fat in the blood), and oxidative stress. These are important categories that probably drive events as well, but we can't yet fully manipulate them. And the big unspoken risk today is medical obesity.
What about alcohol? Is the science clear on how drinking affects heart health?
Yancy: We used to think that small amounts of alcohol had a protective effect. But that was a confounded observation. It turns out that when we rigorously controlled for other lifestyle factors, especially income, in the original data, the impact of alcohol was infinitesimally small.
The beneficial nutrients you can find in alcohol -like resveratrol -can also be found in fruits and vegetables. Eat some grapes, and you're there. Drinking alcohol is a personal choice, but don't drink because you think it's going to lower your risk for heart disease.
Shah: I think the field as a whole is moving away from supporting alcohol consumption. We don't have the most rigorous studies yet, but the writing is on the wall. In my opinion, the data essentially tell us that no alcohol is the best option for heart health and health overall.
What do the guidelines mean for people with LDL levels labeled as "borderline"?
Yancy: We need to dismiss the idea of borderline cholesterol. The lower the better, period.
With this paradigm shift, we are thinking about 30-year risk models. Do you really want your arteries bathed in "borderline" cholesterol for the next 30 years, waiting for the moment it gets bad enough to treat? I think we have done more harm than good by depicting things like blood pressure and cholesterol as borderline values. The lower the better for blood pressure, the lower the better for cholesterol.
Should any groups of people pay special attention to these guidelines?
Yancy: Communities of African ancestry continue to carry a disproportionate risk for heart disease because of their high rates of hypertension, which plays an important role in cardiovascular disease alongside cholesterol. We're also learning that cardiovascular complications or other adverse events during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia, are associated with a higher risk for heart conditions over time, so women who have experienced this require a different longitudinal framing of risk.
Shah: Part of my research is focused on people of South Asian ancestry. They're not the largest group in the US demographically, but they experience higher rates of heart disease than other populations, and at younger ages.
I'm also interested in shifting the conversation to younger people. People who are 18 to 40 are arguably the least connected to the health care system because they've aged out of seeing a pediatrician and are generally healthy adults. But based on our epidemiologic data, this age group represents the prime time that prevention can have its biggest effect. So, I'm interested in learning how to intervene, especially using novel messaging, and help people maintain good health before they lose it.
There's an opportunity to prevent heart disease at even younger ages, too -like infancy and adolescence and even as early as in utero. Data show us that people born from pregnancies with complications like hypertension or gestational diabetes may have elevated risk for poor health across their lifetime. It's not a guarantee, but it sets the stage. This is part of an emerging concept of intergenerational transfer of cardiovascular risk.
Prevention can be a "tough sell" because you can't measure events that don't happen. How do you counsel patients about the benefits of a preventive approach to cholesterol management?
Shah: I tell my patients that if we are successful, they will experience nothing. We'll never really know whether we prevented a heart attack that they were going to have. But it's still worth it.
People are actually receptive to hearing that there are no guarantees. I say this as someone who is a clinician but also as someone who's been on the patient side of things with friends and family. There's more respect for uncertainty when the clinician is upfront about it.
I recommend what I think will give you the best opportunity to be healthy and do what you enjoy doing. I don't have a crystal ball. I can't and won't promise a particular outcome, but we can work together to put you in the best possible position.
Yancy: Dr. Shah just said something very important. Decades ago, when I was educated, we took a very paternalistic approach to medicine. A patient would come to see me, and I would tell them what they needed to do and what would happen if they did it.
I think paternalism in medicine was a fallacy. It has generated a false sense of certainty on one hand and a false sense of security on the other. We have to develop partnerships with patients and bring them into the thought process and decision making. That's the only way these guidelines will be effective.
We also have to acknowledge that some people are skeptical about the health care system's motives. They believe the companies that make the drugs have monopolized the data to drive uptake of their products. There is also concern about unrecognized side effects - especially from statins (known side effects are muscle aches and pains).
I don't declare any patient's point of view to be wrong. I listen and say, let me give you an alternative view. Importantly, we have a conversation. That's the starting point. When we allow space for people to state whatever it is they believe, however they want to state it, and when we provide an alternative approach without it being confrontational, we begin to build trust. And with trust, change can happen.
Re ad the latest insights from the NAM community.
Laura DeStefano is the Director of Strategic Communications & Engagement at the National Academy of Medicine and a science communicator.
***
Original text here: https://nam.edu/news-and-insights/the-lower-the-better-for-longer-time-new-cholesterol-guidelines-are-a-paradigm-shift-in-preventing-heart-disease/
* * *
The lower the better, for longer time: New cholesterol guidelines are a "paradigm shift" in preventing heart disease
*
NAM Member Clyde W. Yancy, MD, MSc and NAM Fellow Nilay S. Shah, MD, MPH discuss what the new cholesterol guideli nes mean for patients and how we understand cardiovascular risk.
Interview by Laura DeStefano
In March 2026, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association released updated cholesterol management guidelines that reshape the prevailing wisdom for preventing ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, June 22 -- The National Academy of Medicine issued the following news: * * * The lower the better, for longer time: New cholesterol guidelines are a "paradigm shift" in preventing heart disease * NAM Member Clyde W. Yancy, MD, MSc and NAM Fellow Nilay S. Shah, MD, MPH discuss what the new cholesterol guideli nes mean for patients and how we understand cardiovascular risk. Interview by Laura DeStefano In March 2026, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association released updated cholesterol management guidelines that reshape the prevailing wisdom for preventingheart attacks and strokes. The recommendations reflect major advances in scientists' understanding of cardiovascular risk, emphasizing a personalized approach beginning at a younger age and reduction of cumulative, lifetime exposure.
To understand what the new guidelines mean for people of all ages, we spoke with NAM member Clyde W. Yancy, MD, MSc, and NAM fellow Nilay S. Shah, MD, MPH, both cardiologists who study, teach, and treat patients at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, IL.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Could you outline some of the key takeaways from the new guidelines?
Yancy: The guidelines now apply to people as young as 30. There are three different targets for optimal low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels: 90 mg/dL for people without cardiovascular disease, 70 mg/dL for people with significant risk factors, and 55 mg/dL for people with existing disease.
The guidelines recommend additional screenings to get a more complete picture of someone's risk so the right LDL target can be identified. This includes screenings for lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), an independent risk factor for heart disease that isn't measured in standard cholesterol tests, and Apolipoprotein B (ApoB), which can identify residual risk after LDL is optimized.
Finally, the guidelines endorse not only statins but also non-statin therapies to lower LDL. But the first steps are lifestyle modification, including diet and activity.
The update seems to be getting a lot of attention in the press and on social media. Why is that?
Yancy: This is a paradigm shift. There's been an evolution in science and technology that allows us to prevent heart attacks and strokes better than ever before.
We're beginning at an early age. We're screening everyone in the population at least once, not just selected individuals. We're calculating risk more precisely and accurately to identify the target cholesterol levels for each person that will have the most preventive effect. One size doesn't fit all.
Shah: These guidelines are very actionable. There are a lot of strategies that can be taken directly from the document and implemented in the clinic in a direct and immediate way. For instance, there's a new risk calculator that's much more accurate than earlier tools. There are goal LDL cholesterol numbers to aim for, depending on a patient's starting level of risk.
What new discoveries or research prompted the change in guidelines?
Yancy: There are several major insights that led us to where we are now. The first is the concept of "residual risk." We had patients who had stopped smoking, controlled their blood pressure, and reduced their LDL below 90 mg/dL, but they were still having cardiac events. This forced us to explore what else could be causing disease, which is why we now recommend testing for Lp(a) and ApoB, which are additional risk factors for atherosclerosis.
We also identified new therapies. Through the Dallas Heart Study, we discovered that people with an inherited mutation in the PCSK9 gene were seemingly protected from coronary disease. That contributed to the development of new drugs called PCSK9 inhibitors. We found that when we prescribe these medicines on top of statin therapy, we see an even greater reduction in not only LDL levels, but also cardiovascular events.
Shah: There's also the concept of "cumulative exposure," which means we care not only about what your cholesterol numbers are now, but also about how long your body has been exposed to those numbers over time. That's what leads to the accumulation of risk for heart disease.
The other big shift is the idea of matching the intensity of preventive efforts to the degree of risk. That idea has been around for two or three decades, but only recently have we developed an exceptionally accurate way to estimate someone's likelihood of experiencing heart disease in their lifetime (the American Heart Association's PREVENT TM Online Calculator ) and identify the people most likely to benefit from an intensive prevention regimen.
The risk calculator is based on data from several million individuals across the US, from multiple backgrounds and multiple risk profiles, and it consistently shows excellent validation in predicting someone's risk in the next 10 to 30 years. It's a precision approach to prevention.
How would you advise people who are middle-aged or older and haven't been managing their cholesterol with cumulative exposure in mind? Is it too late to prevent disease?
Shah: To borrow an adage, the best time to do something about your cholesterol was when it started increasing, but the second-best time is now. I tell my patients that although this is important and there is some urgency, it's not an emergency. You don't have to rush off and talk to your doctor tomorrow. But it's worth having a conversation at your next visit about options to mitigate your heart disease risk, no matter how old you are or what your risk factors may be. In other words, it's never too late.
Cholesterol is important, but it's not the only thing that's important. Risk comes from many places, including blood pressure and blood sugar, events in your medical history, your family history, and whether or not you smoke.
Sleep is also a very important factor with respect to heart health and prevention. We need to focus on mitigating your overall risk.
Yancy: One of the issues that's top of mind right now is the influence of coexisting inflammation, along with high triglycerides (too much fat in the blood), and oxidative stress. These are important categories that probably drive events as well, but we can't yet fully manipulate them. And the big unspoken risk today is medical obesity.
What about alcohol? Is the science clear on how drinking affects heart health?
Yancy: We used to think that small amounts of alcohol had a protective effect. But that was a confounded observation. It turns out that when we rigorously controlled for other lifestyle factors, especially income, in the original data, the impact of alcohol was infinitesimally small.
The beneficial nutrients you can find in alcohol -like resveratrol -can also be found in fruits and vegetables. Eat some grapes, and you're there. Drinking alcohol is a personal choice, but don't drink because you think it's going to lower your risk for heart disease.
Shah: I think the field as a whole is moving away from supporting alcohol consumption. We don't have the most rigorous studies yet, but the writing is on the wall. In my opinion, the data essentially tell us that no alcohol is the best option for heart health and health overall.
What do the guidelines mean for people with LDL levels labeled as "borderline"?
Yancy: We need to dismiss the idea of borderline cholesterol. The lower the better, period.
With this paradigm shift, we are thinking about 30-year risk models. Do you really want your arteries bathed in "borderline" cholesterol for the next 30 years, waiting for the moment it gets bad enough to treat? I think we have done more harm than good by depicting things like blood pressure and cholesterol as borderline values. The lower the better for blood pressure, the lower the better for cholesterol.
Should any groups of people pay special attention to these guidelines?
Yancy: Communities of African ancestry continue to carry a disproportionate risk for heart disease because of their high rates of hypertension, which plays an important role in cardiovascular disease alongside cholesterol. We're also learning that cardiovascular complications or other adverse events during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia, are associated with a higher risk for heart conditions over time, so women who have experienced this require a different longitudinal framing of risk.
Shah: Part of my research is focused on people of South Asian ancestry. They're not the largest group in the US demographically, but they experience higher rates of heart disease than other populations, and at younger ages.
I'm also interested in shifting the conversation to younger people. People who are 18 to 40 are arguably the least connected to the health care system because they've aged out of seeing a pediatrician and are generally healthy adults. But based on our epidemiologic data, this age group represents the prime time that prevention can have its biggest effect. So, I'm interested in learning how to intervene, especially using novel messaging, and help people maintain good health before they lose it.
There's an opportunity to prevent heart disease at even younger ages, too -like infancy and adolescence and even as early as in utero. Data show us that people born from pregnancies with complications like hypertension or gestational diabetes may have elevated risk for poor health across their lifetime. It's not a guarantee, but it sets the stage. This is part of an emerging concept of intergenerational transfer of cardiovascular risk.
Prevention can be a "tough sell" because you can't measure events that don't happen. How do you counsel patients about the benefits of a preventive approach to cholesterol management?
Shah: I tell my patients that if we are successful, they will experience nothing. We'll never really know whether we prevented a heart attack that they were going to have. But it's still worth it.
People are actually receptive to hearing that there are no guarantees. I say this as someone who is a clinician but also as someone who's been on the patient side of things with friends and family. There's more respect for uncertainty when the clinician is upfront about it.
I recommend what I think will give you the best opportunity to be healthy and do what you enjoy doing. I don't have a crystal ball. I can't and won't promise a particular outcome, but we can work together to put you in the best possible position.
Yancy: Dr. Shah just said something very important. Decades ago, when I was educated, we took a very paternalistic approach to medicine. A patient would come to see me, and I would tell them what they needed to do and what would happen if they did it.
I think paternalism in medicine was a fallacy. It has generated a false sense of certainty on one hand and a false sense of security on the other. We have to develop partnerships with patients and bring them into the thought process and decision making. That's the only way these guidelines will be effective.
We also have to acknowledge that some people are skeptical about the health care system's motives. They believe the companies that make the drugs have monopolized the data to drive uptake of their products. There is also concern about unrecognized side effects - especially from statins (known side effects are muscle aches and pains).
I don't declare any patient's point of view to be wrong. I listen and say, let me give you an alternative view. Importantly, we have a conversation. That's the starting point. When we allow space for people to state whatever it is they believe, however they want to state it, and when we provide an alternative approach without it being confrontational, we begin to build trust. And with trust, change can happen.
Re ad the latest insights from the NAM community.
Laura DeStefano is the Director of Strategic Communications & Engagement at the National Academy of Medicine and a science communicator.
***
Original text here: https://nam.edu/news-and-insights/the-lower-the-better-for-longer-time-new-cholesterol-guidelines-are-a-paradigm-shift-in-preventing-heart-disease/
FHLBank Chicago Announces Start of 2026 Director Election
CHICAGO, Illinois, June 22 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, posted the following news:
* * *
FHLBank Chicago Announces Start of 2026 Director Election
*
On June 22, 2026, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) announced the start of the 2026 Election of FHLBank Chicago Directors. Please visit our Director Elections page, where you will find:
* The 2026 Member and Independent Director Election Schedule.
* The Independent Director Application Form and important Director requirements and instructions information. ... Show Full Article CHICAGO, Illinois, June 22 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, posted the following news: * * * FHLBank Chicago Announces Start of 2026 Director Election * On June 22, 2026, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) announced the start of the 2026 Election of FHLBank Chicago Directors. Please visit our Director Elections page, where you will find: * The 2026 Member and Independent Director Election Schedule. * The Independent Director Application Form and important Director requirements and instructions information.
If you have any questions, please contact Dana Gibbs, Vice President, Sr. Manager, Regulatory Affairs, at 312.565.5317 or directorelections@fhlbc.com.
***
Original text here: https://www.fhlbc.com/news/news-detail/2026/06/22/fhlbank-chicago-announces-start-of-2026-director-election
* * *
FHLBank Chicago Announces Start of 2026 Director Election
*
On June 22, 2026, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) announced the start of the 2026 Election of FHLBank Chicago Directors. Please visit our Director Elections page, where you will find:
* The 2026 Member and Independent Director Election Schedule.
* The Independent Director Application Form and important Director requirements and instructions information. ... Show Full Article CHICAGO, Illinois, June 22 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, posted the following news: * * * FHLBank Chicago Announces Start of 2026 Director Election * On June 22, 2026, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) announced the start of the 2026 Election of FHLBank Chicago Directors. Please visit our Director Elections page, where you will find: * The 2026 Member and Independent Director Election Schedule. * The Independent Director Application Form and important Director requirements and instructions information.
If you have any questions, please contact Dana Gibbs, Vice President, Sr. Manager, Regulatory Affairs, at 312.565.5317 or directorelections@fhlbc.com.
***
Original text here: https://www.fhlbc.com/news/news-detail/2026/06/22/fhlbank-chicago-announces-start-of-2026-director-election
EPA and HUD Settlements Safeguard Trenton Families from Lead Exposure
WASHINGTON, June 22 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
* * *
EPA and HUD Settlements Safeguard Trenton Families from Lead Exposure
*
The Trenton Housing Authority has committed to a comprehensive, year-long program to maintain compliance with federal lead-based paint requirements.
Trenton, N.J. (June 22, 2026) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced parallel agreements with the Trenton Housing Authority (THA) to address violations of federal lead-based paint requirements at their ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, June 22 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: * * * EPA and HUD Settlements Safeguard Trenton Families from Lead Exposure * The Trenton Housing Authority has committed to a comprehensive, year-long program to maintain compliance with federal lead-based paint requirements. Trenton, N.J. (June 22, 2026) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced parallel agreements with the Trenton Housing Authority (THA) to address violations of federal lead-based paint requirements at theirsix public housing developments with approximately 982 units housing 1,838 residents in Trenton, New Jersey. Under the agreements, THA will implement EPA- and HUD-approved lead compliance plans, train staff, educate residents, submit quarterly progress reports, and develop a work plan to test for and address lead-based paint at the six properties. Within 90 days, THA must inspect for lead-based paint in all units where young children reside and quickly implement appropriate measures to address hazards.
The agreements resolve alleged violations of federal lead-based paint rules at THA properties. EPA and HUD found that THA did not provide required lead-based paint information (including lead warning statements) and reports of lead-based paint testing to residents at Mayor Donnelly Homes and Woodrow Wilson Homes. EPA also found that lead-safe work practice requirements were not complied with while renovations were being performed. Among other things, EPA found that THA used staff who were neither properly trained nor certified to perform renovation work covered by the federal lead-safe work practice requirements.
"Families deserve to have renovation work done safely and to get clear information about reducing lead risks in their homes," said EPA Region 2 Administrator Michael Martucci. "This settlement requires the Trenton Housing Authority to correct their violations, train the people responsible for this work, and put stronger safeguards in place for residents across its housing portfolio."
"HUD is committed to ensuring Americans residing in public housing live in safe and healthy homes," said HUD Region II Administrator Jason Loughran. "Through this agreement and corrective action, the Trenton Housing Authority will have stronger protections in place, keeping residents safe and preventing the harmful effects of lead exposure."
When disturbed, lead-based paint can create dust and chips that pose serious health risks, especially to infants and young children. Federal rules require that landlords provide tenants with lead-based paint information, provide training for workers and that renovations be done by certified renovator to ensure that lead-safe work practice standards are met.
EPA's settlement assesses a $100,000 civil penalty that can be waived if THA completes the required corrective actions in a timely and satisfactory manner. HUD's settlement agreement assesses a $7,500 civil penalty.
Under the EPA settlement agreement, THA will:
* Implement EPA- and HUD-approved compliance plans for federal lead disclosure, lead-safe housing, and renovation requirements.
* Develop, submit for approval, and implement an Abatement Plan, including testing, interim controls for lead-based paint hazards, and permanent abatement of lead-based paint across all six developments.
* Submit quarterly progress reports to EPA for one year documenting compliance and corrective actions.
* Train leasing, maintenance, and management staff on federal lead regulations, and require maintenance workers to complete EPA-accredited Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule training.
* Provide tenant education on lead-based paint hazards and methods to reduce exposure.
* Distribute EPA- and HUD-approved lead-safe work practices fact sheets to maintenance staff and contractors.
EPA and HUD will oversee the authority's progress to ensure the required improvements are completed.
Background
EPA Region 2 and HUD inspected Mayor Donnelly Homes and Woodrow Wilson Homes in March 2023. Based on those inspections and related records, EPA determined that the Trenton Housing Authority failed to provide tenants with required lead-based paint disclosures, testing records, and lead warning statements between November 2019 and March 2023. EPA also determined that, between June 2020 and March 2023, the authority allowed at least 10 renovations to be performed by uncertified and untrained staff at the two properties.
Since the 1970s, EPA has worked alongside partners at the federal, state, Tribal, and local levels to protect children's health and make progress in reducing lead exposures and lead-related health risks. Despite improvements over the last 50 years, ongoing exposures to lead where our families live, work, and play present a health risk, especially to children.
To combat this issue, in 2025 the Trump EPA reestablished a committee of senior leaders across the agency's program offices and ten regional offices to drive success in reducing children's exposure to lead. This renewed agency-wide focus is centered around strengthening cooperative federalism, streamlining actionable risk communications, and unleashing private sector innovation to protect human health and the environment.
Please see epa.gov/lead Exit EPA's website for additional information.
Learn more about lead-based paint rules by visiting EPA's lead webpage. For information about enforcement and compliance, visit Enforcing Lead Laws and Regulations.
Follow EPA Region 2 on X Exit EPA's website, Instagram Exit EPA's website, and visit our Facebook Exit EPA's website page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
Follow @SecretaryTurner on X, FB, and Instagram. Follow @HUDgov on X, FB, and Instagram. HUD.gov
26-031
***
Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-and-hud-settlements-safeguard-trenton-families-lead-exposure
* * *
EPA and HUD Settlements Safeguard Trenton Families from Lead Exposure
*
The Trenton Housing Authority has committed to a comprehensive, year-long program to maintain compliance with federal lead-based paint requirements.
Trenton, N.J. (June 22, 2026) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced parallel agreements with the Trenton Housing Authority (THA) to address violations of federal lead-based paint requirements at their ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, June 22 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: * * * EPA and HUD Settlements Safeguard Trenton Families from Lead Exposure * The Trenton Housing Authority has committed to a comprehensive, year-long program to maintain compliance with federal lead-based paint requirements. Trenton, N.J. (June 22, 2026) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced parallel agreements with the Trenton Housing Authority (THA) to address violations of federal lead-based paint requirements at theirsix public housing developments with approximately 982 units housing 1,838 residents in Trenton, New Jersey. Under the agreements, THA will implement EPA- and HUD-approved lead compliance plans, train staff, educate residents, submit quarterly progress reports, and develop a work plan to test for and address lead-based paint at the six properties. Within 90 days, THA must inspect for lead-based paint in all units where young children reside and quickly implement appropriate measures to address hazards.
The agreements resolve alleged violations of federal lead-based paint rules at THA properties. EPA and HUD found that THA did not provide required lead-based paint information (including lead warning statements) and reports of lead-based paint testing to residents at Mayor Donnelly Homes and Woodrow Wilson Homes. EPA also found that lead-safe work practice requirements were not complied with while renovations were being performed. Among other things, EPA found that THA used staff who were neither properly trained nor certified to perform renovation work covered by the federal lead-safe work practice requirements.
"Families deserve to have renovation work done safely and to get clear information about reducing lead risks in their homes," said EPA Region 2 Administrator Michael Martucci. "This settlement requires the Trenton Housing Authority to correct their violations, train the people responsible for this work, and put stronger safeguards in place for residents across its housing portfolio."
"HUD is committed to ensuring Americans residing in public housing live in safe and healthy homes," said HUD Region II Administrator Jason Loughran. "Through this agreement and corrective action, the Trenton Housing Authority will have stronger protections in place, keeping residents safe and preventing the harmful effects of lead exposure."
When disturbed, lead-based paint can create dust and chips that pose serious health risks, especially to infants and young children. Federal rules require that landlords provide tenants with lead-based paint information, provide training for workers and that renovations be done by certified renovator to ensure that lead-safe work practice standards are met.
EPA's settlement assesses a $100,000 civil penalty that can be waived if THA completes the required corrective actions in a timely and satisfactory manner. HUD's settlement agreement assesses a $7,500 civil penalty.
Under the EPA settlement agreement, THA will:
* Implement EPA- and HUD-approved compliance plans for federal lead disclosure, lead-safe housing, and renovation requirements.
* Develop, submit for approval, and implement an Abatement Plan, including testing, interim controls for lead-based paint hazards, and permanent abatement of lead-based paint across all six developments.
* Submit quarterly progress reports to EPA for one year documenting compliance and corrective actions.
* Train leasing, maintenance, and management staff on federal lead regulations, and require maintenance workers to complete EPA-accredited Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule training.
* Provide tenant education on lead-based paint hazards and methods to reduce exposure.
* Distribute EPA- and HUD-approved lead-safe work practices fact sheets to maintenance staff and contractors.
EPA and HUD will oversee the authority's progress to ensure the required improvements are completed.
Background
EPA Region 2 and HUD inspected Mayor Donnelly Homes and Woodrow Wilson Homes in March 2023. Based on those inspections and related records, EPA determined that the Trenton Housing Authority failed to provide tenants with required lead-based paint disclosures, testing records, and lead warning statements between November 2019 and March 2023. EPA also determined that, between June 2020 and March 2023, the authority allowed at least 10 renovations to be performed by uncertified and untrained staff at the two properties.
Since the 1970s, EPA has worked alongside partners at the federal, state, Tribal, and local levels to protect children's health and make progress in reducing lead exposures and lead-related health risks. Despite improvements over the last 50 years, ongoing exposures to lead where our families live, work, and play present a health risk, especially to children.
To combat this issue, in 2025 the Trump EPA reestablished a committee of senior leaders across the agency's program offices and ten regional offices to drive success in reducing children's exposure to lead. This renewed agency-wide focus is centered around strengthening cooperative federalism, streamlining actionable risk communications, and unleashing private sector innovation to protect human health and the environment.
Please see epa.gov/lead Exit EPA's website for additional information.
Learn more about lead-based paint rules by visiting EPA's lead webpage. For information about enforcement and compliance, visit Enforcing Lead Laws and Regulations.
Follow EPA Region 2 on X Exit EPA's website, Instagram Exit EPA's website, and visit our Facebook Exit EPA's website page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
Follow @SecretaryTurner on X, FB, and Instagram. Follow @HUDgov on X, FB, and Instagram. HUD.gov
26-031
***
Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-and-hud-settlements-safeguard-trenton-families-lead-exposure
Amtrak and Penn Transformation Partners Sign Pre-Development Agreement for New York Penn Station Transformation Project
WASHINGTON, June 22 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news:
* * *
Amtrak and Penn Transformation Partners Sign Pre-Development Agreement for New York Penn Station Transformation Project
*
Provides Framework for Public-Private Partnership to Determine Final Project Cost, Advance Design, and Incorporate Stakeholder Input
NEW YORK, NY - Amtrak and Penn Transformation Partners (PTP) today announced they have finalized a Pre-Development Agreement (PDA) for the historic overhaul of New York Penn Station. During the PDA phase, Amtrak, led by Special Advisor Andy ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, June 22 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news: * * * Amtrak and Penn Transformation Partners Sign Pre-Development Agreement for New York Penn Station Transformation Project * Provides Framework for Public-Private Partnership to Determine Final Project Cost, Advance Design, and Incorporate Stakeholder Input NEW YORK, NY - Amtrak and Penn Transformation Partners (PTP) today announced they have finalized a Pre-Development Agreement (PDA) for the historic overhaul of New York Penn Station. During the PDA phase, Amtrak, led by Special Advisor AndyByford, and PTP, a joint venture led by Halmar and Skanska, will finalize the project's design and gather stakeholder input, which will then inform and establish a firm, fixed price to deliver the work. The PDA marks a major milestone in transforming the busiest transit hub in the Western Hemisphere into a new world-class station. The project is moving ahead on schedule and will break ground by the end of 2027.
Amtrak and PTP are advancing a comprehensive transformation that will create a modern, spacious, and fully accessible Penn Station, dramatically improving the visitor and customer experience. Since 2024, the Penn Station Working Advisory Group (SWAG) - comprising more than 50 organizations representing local stakeholders, community groups, transit riders, elected officials, and partner commuter agencies - has provided ongoing guidance to ensure the new Penn Station reflects the needs and priorities of the 600,000 daily commuters and millions of visitors. The PDA phase will run from summer 2026 through 2027, which will include Amtrak and PTP conducting robust community engagement and provide ample opportunities for public comment.
"The momentum continues to transform New York Penn Station, and having a renowned partner in PTP officially onboard ensures the project will progress even further and faster while maintaining our record of meeting all deadlines on schedule," said Byford. "New Yorkers just experienced a Knicks championship right above the station and we are committed to giving them something to be equally proud of within the same building where a banner will be raised."
"This agreement is another major step toward reimagining Penn Station as the transit hub that travelers, visitors, and New Yorkers have long deserved," said Peter Cipriano, Chief Executive Officer of Penn Transformation Partners. "Now, we will move forward as quickly and efficiently as possible to advance the design, establish a clear path to construction, and ensure the station reflects the needs of riders and the community. Thanks to our strong partnership with the Trump Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, and Amtrak, we are moving this once-in-a-generation project from vision to reality. We look forward to delivering a new Penn Station that will become a civic landmark and transit hub that is safer, more spacious, and better equipped to serve the growing needs of this region for decades to come."
"Executing the Pre-Development Agreement marks an important milestone for the Penn Station Transformation Project and advances our partnership with Amtrak and the U.S. Department of Transportation," said Magnus Eriksson, Chief Commercial Officer of Penn Transformation Partners. "This agreement allows us to begin the collaborative planning and development work that will help lay the foundation for a modernized Penn Station, improving the experience for millions of passengers and supporting the long-term transportation needs of New York City and the Northeast Corridor. With extensive experience delivering complex transportation and infrastructure projects, we are honored to work alongside our partners to help transform one of the nation's most important transit gateways and look forward to the work ahead."
Funding
The transformation of Penn Station is estimated to cost between $7 billion and $8 billion, with the final costs determined during the PDA phase. Byford has stated there will be no fare hikes or surcharges passed on to NJ TRANSIT, MTA, or Amtrak riders to pay for this project. The project will be funded primarily through federal funding, private financing, and equity raised by PTP.
Though a final cost has not been determined, cost control measures are already in place. The PDA phase costs are strictly capped before the final construction price is locked in. This is why bidders were asked to submit specific financial metrics during the procurement process to ensure the project will deliver the best use of taxpayer investments. This process is consistent with major construction projects worldwide and in the United States.
To date, USDOT has invested $243 million to support the early stages of the project. In addition, the U.S. Department of Transportation is investing nearly $5 billion into Amtrak's Northeast Rail Corridor to revitalize the nation's major rail hubs, including Penn Station.
Project Details
The new Penn Station will feature a single-level concourse of stone and bronze with soaring ceilings, and all public activity, including amenities, bars, restaurants, shops, and customer services, will be consolidated on one floor. Madison Square Garden will remain in place, and throughout construction, the arena and all railroads will continue to operate. The plan also includes new entry points and passenger pick-up and drop-off locations, the elimination of loading and unloading at 31st Street and 8th Avenue, and the beautification of the surrounding streets and sidewalks to improve the pedestrian experience.
Specifically, the project will:
* Construct a grand entrance on 8th Avenue to the new train hall by removing the Infosys Theater and building a classic New York art deco facade dedicated exclusively to the station
* Transform cramped, decrepit walkways with open, beautiful concourses
* Expand track capacity, including the introduction of at least limited through-running on the regional rail network
* Enable new retail, make it easier for visitors to move around, and deliver other passenger experience improvements, all while maintaining the iconic Madison Square Garden with new cladding for a classic look
* Upgrade the station's existing subterranean structure by removing scores of columns at the track and platform level and improving lighting, signage, and passenger circulation
Master Developer
Halmar and Skanska are 50-50 development partners and 45-55 construction partners on the project. The project will be 100 percent union-built.
For more information about the redevelopment of Amtrak's Penn Station, visit www.penntransformation.com.
***
Original text here: https://media.amtrak.com/2026/06/amtrak-and-penn-transformation-partners-sign-pre-development-agreement-for-new-york-penn-station-transformation-project/
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Amtrak and Penn Transformation Partners Sign Pre-Development Agreement for New York Penn Station Transformation Project
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Provides Framework for Public-Private Partnership to Determine Final Project Cost, Advance Design, and Incorporate Stakeholder Input
NEW YORK, NY - Amtrak and Penn Transformation Partners (PTP) today announced they have finalized a Pre-Development Agreement (PDA) for the historic overhaul of New York Penn Station. During the PDA phase, Amtrak, led by Special Advisor Andy ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, June 22 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news: * * * Amtrak and Penn Transformation Partners Sign Pre-Development Agreement for New York Penn Station Transformation Project * Provides Framework for Public-Private Partnership to Determine Final Project Cost, Advance Design, and Incorporate Stakeholder Input NEW YORK, NY - Amtrak and Penn Transformation Partners (PTP) today announced they have finalized a Pre-Development Agreement (PDA) for the historic overhaul of New York Penn Station. During the PDA phase, Amtrak, led by Special Advisor AndyByford, and PTP, a joint venture led by Halmar and Skanska, will finalize the project's design and gather stakeholder input, which will then inform and establish a firm, fixed price to deliver the work. The PDA marks a major milestone in transforming the busiest transit hub in the Western Hemisphere into a new world-class station. The project is moving ahead on schedule and will break ground by the end of 2027.
Amtrak and PTP are advancing a comprehensive transformation that will create a modern, spacious, and fully accessible Penn Station, dramatically improving the visitor and customer experience. Since 2024, the Penn Station Working Advisory Group (SWAG) - comprising more than 50 organizations representing local stakeholders, community groups, transit riders, elected officials, and partner commuter agencies - has provided ongoing guidance to ensure the new Penn Station reflects the needs and priorities of the 600,000 daily commuters and millions of visitors. The PDA phase will run from summer 2026 through 2027, which will include Amtrak and PTP conducting robust community engagement and provide ample opportunities for public comment.
"The momentum continues to transform New York Penn Station, and having a renowned partner in PTP officially onboard ensures the project will progress even further and faster while maintaining our record of meeting all deadlines on schedule," said Byford. "New Yorkers just experienced a Knicks championship right above the station and we are committed to giving them something to be equally proud of within the same building where a banner will be raised."
"This agreement is another major step toward reimagining Penn Station as the transit hub that travelers, visitors, and New Yorkers have long deserved," said Peter Cipriano, Chief Executive Officer of Penn Transformation Partners. "Now, we will move forward as quickly and efficiently as possible to advance the design, establish a clear path to construction, and ensure the station reflects the needs of riders and the community. Thanks to our strong partnership with the Trump Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, and Amtrak, we are moving this once-in-a-generation project from vision to reality. We look forward to delivering a new Penn Station that will become a civic landmark and transit hub that is safer, more spacious, and better equipped to serve the growing needs of this region for decades to come."
"Executing the Pre-Development Agreement marks an important milestone for the Penn Station Transformation Project and advances our partnership with Amtrak and the U.S. Department of Transportation," said Magnus Eriksson, Chief Commercial Officer of Penn Transformation Partners. "This agreement allows us to begin the collaborative planning and development work that will help lay the foundation for a modernized Penn Station, improving the experience for millions of passengers and supporting the long-term transportation needs of New York City and the Northeast Corridor. With extensive experience delivering complex transportation and infrastructure projects, we are honored to work alongside our partners to help transform one of the nation's most important transit gateways and look forward to the work ahead."
Funding
The transformation of Penn Station is estimated to cost between $7 billion and $8 billion, with the final costs determined during the PDA phase. Byford has stated there will be no fare hikes or surcharges passed on to NJ TRANSIT, MTA, or Amtrak riders to pay for this project. The project will be funded primarily through federal funding, private financing, and equity raised by PTP.
Though a final cost has not been determined, cost control measures are already in place. The PDA phase costs are strictly capped before the final construction price is locked in. This is why bidders were asked to submit specific financial metrics during the procurement process to ensure the project will deliver the best use of taxpayer investments. This process is consistent with major construction projects worldwide and in the United States.
To date, USDOT has invested $243 million to support the early stages of the project. In addition, the U.S. Department of Transportation is investing nearly $5 billion into Amtrak's Northeast Rail Corridor to revitalize the nation's major rail hubs, including Penn Station.
Project Details
The new Penn Station will feature a single-level concourse of stone and bronze with soaring ceilings, and all public activity, including amenities, bars, restaurants, shops, and customer services, will be consolidated on one floor. Madison Square Garden will remain in place, and throughout construction, the arena and all railroads will continue to operate. The plan also includes new entry points and passenger pick-up and drop-off locations, the elimination of loading and unloading at 31st Street and 8th Avenue, and the beautification of the surrounding streets and sidewalks to improve the pedestrian experience.
Specifically, the project will:
* Construct a grand entrance on 8th Avenue to the new train hall by removing the Infosys Theater and building a classic New York art deco facade dedicated exclusively to the station
* Transform cramped, decrepit walkways with open, beautiful concourses
* Expand track capacity, including the introduction of at least limited through-running on the regional rail network
* Enable new retail, make it easier for visitors to move around, and deliver other passenger experience improvements, all while maintaining the iconic Madison Square Garden with new cladding for a classic look
* Upgrade the station's existing subterranean structure by removing scores of columns at the track and platform level and improving lighting, signage, and passenger circulation
Master Developer
Halmar and Skanska are 50-50 development partners and 45-55 construction partners on the project. The project will be 100 percent union-built.
For more information about the redevelopment of Amtrak's Penn Station, visit www.penntransformation.com.
***
Original text here: https://media.amtrak.com/2026/06/amtrak-and-penn-transformation-partners-sign-pre-development-agreement-for-new-york-penn-station-transformation-project/