As expected, there were new developments in the tariff saga, plus President Trump gave his big Hill address and more firings took place at agencies.
Over 1 million New Yorkers depend on public water systems, with some becoming exposed to manmade “forever chemicals” called PFAS.
One Gold Star widow from Brooklyn has made it her mission to turn her husband’s legacy into an aid for other grievers who find themselves walking the same journey of sorrow.
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Peltier Released
Peltier’s release to home confinement comes as welcome news to his longtime supporters, who feel that he was wrongly accused in the 1975 shootout that resulted in the deaths of two FBI agents on Pine Ridge Reservation and which led him to being wrongfully imprisoned. Peltier maintains his innocence.
Supporters have argued that Biden’s continued imprisonment serves no practical purpose at this stage in his life and health, due to factors including kidney disease, diabetes and an aortic aneurysm. Biden announced the decision citing calls from tribal nations and organizations, Nobel Peace laureates and former law enforcement officials who raised doubts about his conviction and trial fairness as sources for support of this move.
However, Biden’s last-minute move as he prepared to leave office has drawn sharp criticism from those who believe Peltier to be guilty, including current FBI Director Christopher Wray who called Peltier an “remorseless killer” in a private letter addressed to former president.
Flight Crash
As a result of several plane accidents, people have understandably become fearful about flying. It is essential that we remember these tragic events are far less common than people think and that any potential tragedies would likely only impact one plane out of thousands that take off at any one time.
Last week, two people were killed when a medevac jet crash-landed into a Pennsylvania retirement community carpark and killed in two separate accidents at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport involving both regional jet and military helicopter crashes.
Investigators examined multiple factors, including the pilot’s operating habits. Their investigation determined that they did not use a flight checklist as required by industry practices – a major contributing factor for their accident. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating this incident as well as attempting to ascertain who were on board at the time of crash; moreover, FAA officials are also currently looking into this incident.
No Kings on Presidents Day
Last week’s string of firings and cuts to health research grants temporarily subsided when federal offices and courts closed for their holiday break, though chaos persisted elsewhere.
Boston protesters braved frigid temperatures to stage rallies marking Presidents Day on Monday, dubbed “No Kings on Presidents Day.” Organized by the 50501 Movement (50 protests, 50 states), these events denounced Donald Trump policies, recent executive orders and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency–an outside government group meant to cut federal spending.
Protests show an increasingly vocal opposition to President Donald Trump and his tech-bro minions’ growing power grab. Meanwhile, two cases pending before the Supreme Court will determine whether his presidency is accountable to law or, as Trump would like us to believe, above it.
Social Security Administration’s Acting Commissioner
Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits are received by over 55 million individuals every month, offering retirement, Medicare, disability payments as well as in-person services. Its commissioner is appointed by the president and approved by the Senate; their mission is to set strategic direction for SSA while operating efficiently and in compliance with federal laws.
Hollander issued a reprimand to Leland Dudek, acting commissioner of Social Security Administration (SSA). Dudek refused to allow Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an arm of DOGE that monitors government efficiency issues, access to their Enterprise Data Warehouse. A restraining order prevents any SSA employee from providing DOGE access to records that could identify beneficiaries or their families; Hollander indicated that Dudek’s punishment does not impact current or future Social Security payments.
Project:Camp
Pro-Palestinian activists at City College encampments of CUNY are defying school officials and the NYPD by refusing to dismantle their tent city. Students claim they’re connecting local struggles for civil rights with Palestinian ones – while also waving Israeli flags when confronted by security officers; school administrators say they plan on moving them somewhere else on campus.
St. Elizabeth School has embarked upon Project CAMPUS, a new initiative designed to improve access, increase parking spaces, and make their site safer. Construction work will include creating a bus turnaround which creates a safer route for buses to load and unload children from school buses.