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Top general fired by Trump administration criticizes use of military for political missions
The former top US general whom Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired last year offered a sharp criticism of the Trump administration in an op-ed published Friday, pointing to its political use of the military, such as deploying troops to clamp down on crime in major cities.
India investigating Tata data leak that exposed Apple iPhone secrets
India is investigating a data breach at Tata Electronics that exposed documents linked to Apple's unreleased iPhone 18 Pro, the country's IT secretary said on Thursday in the government's first public comments on the incident.
Nevada’s FY26 preliminary business sales revenue increases by 3.8%, Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar says
State's preliminary business sales revenue is $226.6 million, according to officials.
Vance and Rubio take different approaches as Iran tests their 2028 prospects
Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio appear to be staking out differing approaches to carrying out President Donald Trump’s national security agenda as the possible 2028 presidential rivals jostle for position in a divided Republican Party.
Commerce Awards to Help Renovate Buildings into Business Incubators
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the Kansas Department of Commerce has awarded $750,000 in Downtown Revive & Thrive grants to support nine building...
VA health secretary quits less than a year into tenure
John Bartrum, who led the Veterans Health Administration’s rollout of electronic health record modernization, said he is leaving public service.
VA’s top healthcare official is stepping down
As VA's undersecretary for health, John Bartrum played a leading role in the resumed rollout of its new Electronic Health Record…
People moves: Lucy Fato departs from Seaport Entertainment Group
Seaport Entertainment Group has confirmed that Lucy Fato, its EVP, general counsel and corporate secretary, h
Voters choose candidates in State Senate primary races
SD 3 Colorado voters appear to be electing Democrat Taylor Voss over primary challenger Aaron Gutierrez to represent State Senate District 3, based on early returns posted after polls closed Tuesday night. As of 7:30 p.m., Voss is leading with just over 55% of the vote, according to the Secretary of State’s website. Voss, a […]
Allen wins Republican primary for attorney general
Michael Allen has defeated David Willson in the Republican primary for attorney general, according to The Associated Press. Allen received just over 60% of the vote, according to the secretary of state’s website. Allen will face Democrat Jena Griswold in November. Allen, the district attorney for the 4th Judicial District, brings more than two decades […]
Amanda Gonzalez ahead in Democratic primary for Secretary of State
Amanda Gonzalez is leading Sen. Jessie Danielson in the Democratic primary for Secretary of State, according to the Secretary of State’s website. As of 8:15 p.m., Gonzalez had 62.72% of the vote, while Danielson had 37.28%. Gonzalez, an election attorney, currently serves as the Jefferson County clerk and as an adjunct professor of election law […]
Gonzales ahead in Democratic primary for Secretary of State
Amanda Gonzalez is leading Jessie Danielson in the Democratic primary for Secretary of State, based on early returns posted after polls closed Tuesday night. As of 7:20 p.m., Gonzalez had 63.61% of the vote, while Danielson had 36.39%. Gonzalez, an election attorney, currently serves as the Jefferson County clerk and as an adjunct professor of […]
Jena Griswold leads early returns in Colorado’s Democratic attorney general primary
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold led the field of Democratic attorney general candidates by a wide margin in early returns posted minutes after polls closed Tuesday night. Four Democrats are running for the office held by term-limited Democratic Attorney General Weiser, who is running for governor. In addition to Griswold, who is serving her […]
Wilmington Small Business Coalition: Building Momentum in 2026 by Heather McWhorter
This article was contributed by Lydia Thomas, UNCW CIE Program Manager. North Carolina continues to be one of the best states to start a business and in 2025, Wilmington, North Carolina earned a spot on the GoDaddy list of the top 10 most entrepreneurial cities in the U.S. While many know Wilmington as small beach town with exceptional food, lots of coffee shops, and fun, vibrant summer activities, a closer look reveals a thriving innovation economy. You’ll find startups emerging across industries including software, healthtech, bluetech, and fintech. At the core of this entrepreneurial ecosystem is the Wilmington Small Business Coalition, with small business advocates and entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) dedicated to helping founders grow, thrive, and succeed. “No Wrong Door” Established in 2016, the Coalition was designed to make it easier for individuals and small businesses to access resources most suited to their particular needs. The Coalition is designed to have a “no wrong door” entryway into the regional startup ecosystem. Whether you are exploring a new idea sketched on the back of a napkin or leading a more established, growth-stage company, Coalition members can help connect you with the programs, funding opportunities, mentors, and resources best suited to your needs. No matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey, any Coalition organization can help point you in the right direction. Coalition Members and Leadership Coalition members include the UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (UNCW CIE), AARP, Brunswick Community College Small Business Center, Cape Fear Community College Small Business Center, Cape Fear Region SCORE, Genesis Block Foundation, Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington (NEW), Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC), Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, YWCA Living the Dream Center for Entrepreneurship, Carolina Community Impact Fund (CCI Fund), Partner Community Capital, 717mkt Office Collaborative, NC Biotech, and Institute NC. In May 2026, the Coalition held its leadership elections, resulting in the selection of a new executive team. The following officers were elected to serve two-year terms: Chair: Lydia Thomas, UNCW CIE Vice Chair: Diane Lantz, CCI Fund Secretary: Aariene Hansley, Genesis Block Foundation Treasurer: Gloria Monroe, SBTDC Vision for the Wilmington Small Business Coalition In 2026, the Wilmington Small Business Coalition continues its work as a collaborative network of organizations. By connecting programs, expertise, and services across partner organizations, entrepreneurs can more easily find the right support at the right time. Rather than operating in silos, the Coalition aims to function as a unified, cohesive system of support for small businesses and entrepreneurs, ensuring that resources and expertise across partner organizations are visible and accessible. Through stronger collaboration and shared pathways, entrepreneurs can move more seamlessly from idea to startup to growth. Looking to dive into the Wilmington entrepreneurial ecosystem? Connect with any of the Coalition partners to get started! Connect with CIE To learn more about CIE and our services, programs, and events, join the CIE newsletter. You can also follow us on social media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, or YouTube. CIE’s website is uncw.edu/cie. Heather McWhorter is the director of the UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). CIE supports innovation-forward start-ups and helps to build a vibrant innovation economy for all in southeast NC.
Trump nominates acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling to permanent role
President Donald Trump nominated acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling to keep the role permanently. Trump made the announcement on Truth Social, touting his experience during his first and second terms in the Labor Department. “Throughout his career, Keith has proven his dedication to delivering strong results for the Hardworking People of our Country, and I […]
RFK Jr. wants to make it easier to get peptides. FDA scientists disagree.
The health secretary has advocated for deregulating certain peptides, but FDA scientists point to a lack of data about their safety and effectiveness. Some have not been studied in humans.
NC Gov. Stein tabs Treasurer Briner, Health Secretary Sangvai to lead probe of rising health costs
North Carolina has some of the fastest-rising healthcare costs in the country. Now, Treasurer Brad Briner, who oversees the State Health Plan, and DHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai will try to fix them.
Trump nominates acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling to be permanent chief
Lori Chavez-DeRemer stepped down in April amid abuse-of-power allegations
How Trump chose a former Oklahoma state trooper to lead ICE — and handed Markwayne Mullin a win
After an occasionally rocky start in his new post, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin won an internal debate when President Donald Trump announced he was nominating Lance Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper, to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement, five sources familiar with the dynamic told CNN.
Former Biden WH Press Secretary on SCOTUS ruling ending temporary protected status program: ‘It’s going to be disastrous’
Trump taps Keith Sonderling, a longtime ally of business, for Labor Secretary
President Trump nominated acting secretary Keith Sonderling to permanently lead the Labor Department after months of turmoil. Business leaders who backed his candidacy say he has already been steering policy and personnel decisions.
England to get powerful maternity commissioner after ‘shocking’ failings
Health secretary announces move after Amos review finds childbirth and neonatal care in need of ‘urgent reform’
Senator Cassidy, a past RFK supporter, warns of secretary's impact on public health
The Louisiana Republican, who helped confirm Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as health secretary, voiced concerns about his leadership in a Sunday CBS News interview.
A new political party could be coming to Nebraska; state Democratic Party officials call foul
The sponsor behind the push for the new party is Robin Richards, according to paperwork obtained through the Secretary of State's office.
Singham funding one of 'most subversive political networks' in America: former senior Treasury advisor
Sam Lyman, former Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speechwriter, called the Department of Justice grand jury probe into the Neville Roy Singham network an "enormous development."
GOP Sen. Cassidy seeks to explains RFK Jr. confirmation vote for Health and Human Services
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) in a Sunday inteview sought to explain his controversial vote to confirm Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as he said Kennedy is dug in on h…
The questions you'll see on the California ballot in November
California's Secretary of State has certified the questions Californians will see on the ballot in November.
Standing Committee recommends adoption of four new business items, discusses relationship of the Church of the Brethren and Eder Financial
The Standing Committee of district delegates to the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference held meetings from Thursday evening, June 25, through Saturday afternoon, June 27, in Fort Wayne, Ind. Annual Conference moderator Don Fitzkee presided, assisted by moderator-elect Dennis Beckner and Conference secretary David Shumate.
Dean Cain discusses stark contrast in patriotism among political parties
Actor Dean Cain joins 'Fox News Live' from the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., to share his take on patriotism and a tense border hearing with DHS Secretary Mullin.
Audio: RFK Jr. urges Libertarian candidate to drop out race to help GOP keep House
OutFront obtains audio of US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urging a Libertarian congressional candidate in Iowa to drop out of the race to improve Republicans’ chances of winning - and keep control of the House. Rick Stewart, who had no prior relationship with RFK Jr., tells Erin Burnett it’s “ludicrous” a Trump cabinet official would make such an offer.
Senators call for military healthcare program to cover autism therapy as a basic benefit
A letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth follows an NBC News investigation into the military healthcare program’s restrictions on applied behavioral therapy.
Pete Buttigieg was briefly separated from his children after police say he was target of false report
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was the target of an anonymous report that police determined was false and that he says forced him to spend a night away from his four-year-old twins.
As Pa. measles outbreak worsens, state health official issue strong call to action: 'We are not just sitting back and watching this virus spread'
LANCASTER, Pa. — State Health Secretary Debra Bogen on Friday issued a strong call to action in the wake of a measles outbreak not seen in Pennsylvania...
Pennsylvania’s Health Secretary unveils plan to combat measles outbreaks
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — Pennsylvania’s Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen was in Lancaster County on Friday, giving an update about the measles outbreak in the state, with most of …
Trump nominates Chris Klomp as HHS second-in-command
President Donald Trump on Thursday named Medicare director and former health care executive Chris Klomp to be deputy secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Rubio’s spin on the Iran MOU sounds different from Trump and Vance
For more than a week, America’s top diplomat was conspicuously quiet about something that would have seemed very much in his wheelhouse: a nascent agreement with Iran. But now Secretary of State Marco Rubio is speaking.
RFK Jr. urged Iowa candidate to make deal to help GOP win House seat, per audio recording
The health secretary urged Iowa Libertarian candidates to drop out of key races to help Republicans keep control of Congress, according to interviews and a recording obtained by The Post. The effort highlights mounting GOP anxiety over the battle for the House.
How should European scientists respond to the US AI kill switch?
Earlier in June, Europe’s worst fears of technological dependence were confirmed when the White House ordered the AI firm Anthropic to stop non-US citizens using its leading models. This kill-switch moment crystalised anxieties in Brussels that the continent, lagging the US on the creation of leading-edge AI models, is now a technological of vassal of Washington. The shock has specific implications for European scientists and universities. Some governments are now worried that with AI being integrated into labs, Donald Trump now has his finger hovering over an off switch for European science. “Having restrictions on this tool, it can have an impact on our own research,” said France’s research minister, Philippe Baptiste, at the VivaTech conference in Paris on June 18.Baptiste, himself a former academic, said that colleagues in mathematics had recently warned him they were now cut off from leading-edge US models, risking their work. “This model is not available anymore now because of the US restriction, and for the first time this had an impact on mathematics,” a field where large language models (LLMs) are making a significant contribution, said Baptiste. So, should European scientists avoid relying on US models in the future? Or would this be a self-harming overreaction? And how is AI being used in science, anyway? What happened?On June 12, it emerged that Washington, citing cybersecurity concerns, had ordered Anthropic to stop non-US citizens using two models: Claude Mythos 5, and Claude Fable 5, a version of Mythos but with guardrails to prevent abuse. Anthropic said Washington’s concerns were overblown. But forced to follow the order, yet with no way to check who was using the models, the company suddenly shut down access for everyone, US citizens included. There’s still no agreement on how to restore broad access. But last week, Bloomberg reported that select US companies, and the US government, still had access to Mythos despite the ban, but the EU’s cybersecurity agency Enisa had been shut out. Class division of researchersIn the longer term, access outside the US should be restored, said Marcel Salathé, co-director of the AI centre at the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne (EPFL), because a permanent restriction would be financially ruinous to US AI firms. “Even Trump will eventually budge to economic pressure,” he said.However, US AI firms might end up operating rather like banks, doing due diligence on users of their leading-edge AI models, he went on.European scientists are unlikely to fall foul of such checks, he said. But having a Chinese postgraduate in their lab, or doing a type of research the US disapproved of, could potentially result in access being denied. “It will create a sort of class division of researchers,” he said. More than frontier modelsHowever, successfully deploying AI in science is about far more than just having access to leading LLMs such as Mythos.Instead, many science-specific tools, most famously Alphafold, which predicts protein folding structures, require “far less” computing power to train than frontier models, well within the capabilities of European supercomputers, according to a recent analysis by the Arq Foundation, a Brussel-based AI think tank. Instead, tools such as Alphafold are possible because certain fields, like protein folding, weather prediction or astronomy, have large, clean, standardised datasets that can be used to train predictive models. Rather than compute, “data is the central constraint for AI for science,” the report says. For example, a less powerful physics model trained on CERN’s data “will be more valuable than the best model without certain data,” said Bengüsu Özcan, author of the report. European advantage?Europe could therefore steal a march by using its scientific data and infrastructure to create models US digital giants cannot. “They might actually match or go even beyond what these big [US] companies are doing,” said Özcan.Indeed, some European start-ups hope to create automated testing labs to create the kind of standardised data that could speed up the discovery of new materials. Materials scientists say there’s currently too little data to train models. AI scientistsHowever, even if the bottleneck for AI in science is often data, rather than compute, being at the mercy of the US for LLM access could still become a problem for European scientists. A new class of “AI scientists” based on leading LLMs is also emerging, Özcan’s report says.Unlike domain-specific tools like Alphafold, these try to automate day-to-day scientific work, by providing an overarching tool that coordinates specific models to synthesise existing literature, generate hypotheses or run analysis of data. The problem for Europe, however, is that these tools are sometimes based on US leading models. Google Deepmind’s AI Co-Scientist, for example, is built on Google’s Gemini LLM. Systematic failureThese scientific automation tools are still in their early stages, and still exhibit “systematic failures on scientific tasks,” Özcan’s report says. One of the problems is that the messy, day-to-day process of scientific discovery is largely not documented, meaning LLMs don’t have a good source of data to learn how scientists actually work. Meanwhile, some tasks, such as literature synthesis, don’t typically require access to leading edge models.However, the performance of AI scientific assistants could improve as companies such as Google pour resources into developing them. Rely on US“Unfortunately, for scientific assistants, there is not much we can do right now except rely on US frontier AI,” said Antoine Bosselut, a natural language processing expert based at EPFL. Chinese-built open models, which can run on local computers, lessening the risk of a shutdown, are touted as one alternative to US dependence. There’s also Mistral, once seen as Europe’s main AI hope, but the Paris-based company has seen its recent models fall behind in performance. But the Chinese alternatives are generally not as capable as US frontier AI models, said Bosselut, unless paired with fiddly, custom tools that allows them to act as independent agents. “Most scientists do not have the time,” he said. Don’t jump ship yetAlthough the kill switch moment is seen a warning shot for European scientists, it doesn’t mean labs should abandon US AI tools immediately. “I do not think the right response is simply to abandon US-based models and systems under the banner of sovereignty or independence,” said Mattias Björnmalm, secretary general of the Cesaer university association. “That would be an overreaction.”Related articlesEuropean sovereignty in AI requires ‘ugly trade-offs,’ say experts Robotic lab start-up makes case for €500M EU-funded materials testing facilityAI in science: is it useful? Instead, European researchers need to ask themselves whether they’re becoming dependent on technology that could be turned off in Washington, said Özcan. “They might not see this today, but they should really start asking this question,” she said. European researchers need a plan B, said Salathé. “I would recommend to every researcher, very proactively explore alternatives.”Own toolsIn addition, Björnmalm and others want European research institutions to develop their own scientific AI tools.Instead of signing AI deals with US digital giants, European universities should be using this money to create their own models, which may end up being superior for research, said Sabine Leonelli, an expert on the use of AI in science at the Technical University of Munich. “Universities in Europe seem to be happy to sign commercial contracts with US companies on the assumption [their AI tools] are better,” she said. But US frontier LLMs are typically opaque, and have been developed without independent scientific input, she said. “This is not good enough for science.”Last year, Swiss researchers released Apertus, an LLM designed to be completely transparent, from its development methods to its training data. The idea is that this makes scientific tools built on top of the model far more reproducible than with closed, commercial alternatives.“Europe needs more of this: serious capacity-building that gives researchers, universities and companies credible options,” said Björnmalm.
NATO’s Leader Makes His Case to Trump for Preserving the Alliance
Using charts, Secretary General Mark Rutte appeared to defuse the president’s anger by showing that European countries were “equalizing” defense spending with the U.S.
Politics: What Donald Trump’s Defense Policy Means For Black Service Members
Black Americans serving in the U.S. military have long lived with a great contradiction. The country they’re fighting to protect is the same one that’s failed to serve and protect them.Despite this, Black Americans continue to enlist. There are over 350,000 Black active duty and select reserve members and more than 2.4 million Black veterans. That’s according to the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University.This year, Defense secretary Pete Hegseth has blocked or delayed the promotions of more than a dozen Black and female senior officers. He’s also dismissed several high-ranking Black and female officers, according to The Atlantic. This comes amid the second Trump administration’s aggressive rollback of programs and policies connected to diversity, equity and inclusion.Black military members have always battled discrimination. But for some, this is a step too far in the wrong direction. So, what does their future hold? And what does it mean for the U.S. military?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.
Federal officials plan to offload some warehouses purchased for immigrant detention
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is retreating from a plan to use warehouses to hold up to 10,000 people on a single site, dropping a key piece of former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s $38-billion plan to rapidly expand detention capacity this year.
Road-funding initiative clears signature threshold, qualifies for November ballot
A measure that would dedicate all transportation-related revenue to Colorado’s roads and bridges has officially qualified for the November ballot after Initiative No. 175 cleared the state’s signature threshold, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. Backed by the coalition Restore Our Roads, Initiative 175 would require that all transportation-related revenue be used exclusively for […]
Priorities for Military Health System: ‘Our mission is readiness’
Keith Bass, assistant secretary of war for health affairs, outlines his strategic priorities for the Military Health System, with funding and staffing at the top of the list to optimize warfighter readiness.
WMO Executive Council seeks to balance growing demands for science and services
“The demand for what WMO delivers and what National Meteorological and Hydrological Services produce - weather forecasts and warnings, climate data and standards and for scientific cooperation - is growing. Every extreme event makes that clearer,” WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo told the opening session.
Kenya Court to Sentence Health Secretary for Defying Ebola Order
A Kenyan high court will sentence the nation’s health secretary for contempt after ruling that he ignored an order halting construction of an Ebola quarantine facility for US nationals in the East African nation.
Trump’s Iran agreement embraces sanctions relief, a policy he and his team once denounced
For years, President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance argued against deals that provided financial concessions to Iran, saying that giving the regime money fuels terror. But now the agreement they’ve reached to end the war with Tehran is poised to hand the regime billions.
Business Starts for June 22, 2026
In April, 1,513 new businesses filed incorporation paperwork with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, in order to do business in the state.
The business secretary knows about jobs, and seems pretty sure Keir is out of one
Doing the rounds of the Sunday studios, Peter Kyle sounded like someone who knew it would all be over come Monday
The business secretary knows about jobs, and seems pretty sure Keir is out of one
Doing the rounds of the Sunday studios, Peter Kyle sounded like someone who knew it would all be over come Monday
White House puts RFK Jr. on road ahead of crucial midterms
The White House has put Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the road ahead of November’s midterm elections. Kennedy has been showing up in key battleground Hous…
Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: Starmer faces pressure as business secretary to be quizzed
Labour MPs and cabinet ministers have been urging the PM to set out a timetable for his resignation following Andy Burnham's big win in Makerfield.
The power of delegates: How Indiana Republicans pick statewide nominees
Every two years, Indiana Republicans gather for their state convention to nominate candidates for statewide office. In midterm election years, delegates choose the party’s nominees for secretary of state, treasurer
Disability Groups Fear RFK Jr.’s New Special Education Role
Alienated by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s claims about autism, advocates for disabled students are sounding the alarm about the Trump administration's shifting special education programs to his department.
PM under pressure from Labour MPs and ministers to set timetable for exit
The BBC has been told that the transport secretary is among those advising Starmer to set out a timetable.
Hegseth appears out of step in criticisms of NATO allies
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has criticized NATO allies and announced a Pentagon review of their performance. But Hegseth is mostly telling them things they already know.
Senators seek to block Hegseth travel funds until Pentagon releases report on Iran school strike
Senators are seeking to block Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s travel funds until the Pentagon submits its investigation into a strike on an elementary school in Iran that killed more than 165 people | WWJ Newsradio 950
Hegseth announces 6-month review of American forces in Europe, blasts NATO allies for putting troops 'at risk'
War Secretary Pete Hegseth announces six-month review of U.S. force deployment in Europe, pressing NATO allies to take primary responsibility for defense.
Hegseth announces review of US forces in Europe and again criticizes NATO allies
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth doubled down on the Trump administration’s combative posture towards NATO on Thursday, announcing a six-month review of US forces in Europe and lambasting Washington’s allies for limiting their involvement in the war in Iran.
RFK Jr. announces $700M for mental health, addiction, homelessness
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the funds during a stop in Clinton Township in Macomb County.
Rep. Kevin Hern wins Oklahoma GOP nomination for U.S. Senate, governor's race heads to runoff
The primary had Republicans picking their preferred successor to outgoing Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt and a nominee for the Senate seat once held by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
US Health Department announces over $700 million to combat mental health, addiction, homelessness
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday announced more than $700 million in new funding opportunities aimed at tackling mental illness, addiction and homelessness.
Secretary Kennedy Announces Over $700 Million in New Funding to Address Mental Illness, Addiction, Homelessness
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced a funding opportunity for the STREETS program to support recovery and evidence-based treatment.
RFK Jr. pans processed food during visit to Charlotte's Country Mill
Secretary of Health and Human Services visited mid-Michigan on Tuesday, June 16, to tout Trump administration policies that require more fresh foods to be offered through food subsidy programs.
RFK Jr. overrules experts to keep hantavirus cruise ship passenger in quarantine
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has refused to release a cruise ship passenger exposed to hantavirus from a quarantine facility in Nebraska
RFK Jr. overrules experts to keep hantavirus cruise ship passenger in quarantine
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has refused to release a cruise ship passenger exposed to hantavirus from a quarantine facility in Nebraska.
RFK Jr. orders passenger from hantavirus-stricken cruise to remain in quarantine in Nebraska, despite CDC recommendation
A woman who was exposed to hantavirus on the MV Hondius cruise has been ordered by US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to stay in federal quarantine, despite being cleared to return home to Florida by a federal health expert.
Secretary Collins: Veterans are a business advantage
VA Secretary Doug Collins told employers at the Disney Veterans Institute Summit to put Veterans at the center of how they think, hire and operate.
United States Announces U.S. Government Members of the U.S.-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council
United States Announces U.S. Government Members of the U.S.-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council Press Release June 16, 2026 Today, at the fifth annual Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF 2026), the United States announced the following inaugural members of the U.S.-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council: U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) Vice President Bethany Aquilina Brez Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) Senior Vice President Sarah Witten Assistant Secretary of Commerce, David Fogel Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs, Caleb Orr U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Jonathan Henick Launched in Washington, D.C., in April 2026, the U.S.-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council serves as the premier bilateral platform to accelerate trade and catalyze private sector investment between the United States and Uzbekistan. The Council is Co-Chaired by Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, Ambassador Sergio Gor and Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The Council gives American businesses direct access to U.S. government financing, trade promotion, and market development tools to execute large-scale projects in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan holds significant reserves of critical minerals essential to U.S. technology, defense, and energy sectors. The Council provides a direct mechanism to advance U.S. access to these resources through transparent, mutually beneficial partnerships. Through their participation, the American members of the Council will deepen the institutional framework for American commercial engagement in Uzbekistan.
Comer faces pressure to call Trump aides for Epstein testimony
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Crescent Springs, led the passage of the bipsartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Oklahoma begins choosing a new US senator and governor in crowded primary
U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern of Oklahoma is hoping to win the Republican nomination for the Senate seat once held by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin
Promoter of election conspiracy theories wins GOP primary for Nevada secretary of state
Former state lawmaker Jim Marchant has won the Republican nomination for Nevada secretary of state
RFK Jr. demands journal explain removal of vaccine study used to support his childhood immunization changes
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is demanding answers from a science journal on why a study regarding vaccination and sudden infant death was removed from the publication. …
Kennedy Seeks to Expedite Appeal of Ruling That Blocked His Vaccine Policies
The health secretary is trying to restart the work of a panel that advises the government on vaccines, after a judge froze its decisions and prevented it from meeting.
Secretary Kennedy Joins Secretary Burgum to Launch GetActive.gov During Colorado ‘Take Back Your Health’ Tour
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. launched GetActive.gov, a new national resource to help Americans improve their health.
SBA moves to revise 8(a) rules while preserving tribal, ANC eligibility
Details By Brian Edwards Native Contracting June 13, 2026 The U.S. Small Business Administration has proposed changes to its 8(a) Business Development Program that would eliminate race-based presumptions of social disadvantage for individually owned businesses while leaving eligibility standards unchanged for tribally owned enterprises, Alaska Native corporations and other Native entity-owned participants. In both the title and summary of the proposed rule published in the Federal Register, SBA emphasized that the changes only apply to individually owned firms and “do not impact entity-owned firms,” including tribes, Alaska Native corporation, Native Hawaiian organizations and community development corporations. The proposed rule, announced June 11, would require all individual applicants seeking admission to the 8(a) program to submit evidence demonstrating social disadvantage. Membership in a racial or ethnic group alone would no longer establish eligibility, according to the SBA. For Indian Country, the agency said eligibility standards for businesses owned by federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native corporations, Native Hawaiian organizations and community development corporations would remain unchanged. The proposal comes after the Department of Defense reaffirmed that participation by tribes and Alaska Native corporations in the 8(a) program is based on their political status under federal law rather than diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. In a May 28 letter to Alaska's Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael P. Duffey wrote that participation by federally recognized tribes and Alaska Native corporations in federal programs is “grounded in their political status as Native Americans, not DEI initiatives.” The SBA proposal follows a 2023 federal court ruling that found unconstitutional the program's rebuttable presumption that members of certain racial and ethnic groups were socially disadvantaged. SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said the proposed rule would establish a single standard for individually owned applicants by requiring evidence of social disadvantage. The 8(a) Business Development Program provides participating firms with business development assistance and access to federal set-aside and sole-source contracting opportunities. The program remains a major source of federal contracting revenue for tribal enterprises and Alaska Native corporations. Native-owned firms received $16.1 billion of the program's approximately $26 billion in federal contract awards during fiscal 2024, according to data previously reported by Tribal Business News. The proposal also arrives amid ongoing concerns from Native contractors about SBA administration of the program. In May, the Native American Contractors Association and 53 Native-owned businesses urged SBA to address delays in processing 8(a) applications, saying some reviews had stretched beyond regulatory deadlines and appeared to have stalled since August 2025. The proposed rule is open for public comment through July 13. The Federal Register notice does not reference tribal consultation or indicate whether SBA determined consultation was unnecessary because tribal eligibility standards are unchanged. The SBA has not announced when the proposed rule would take effect. The agency is expected to accept public comments before issuing a final rule.About The AuthorAuthor: Brian EdwardsBrian Edwards is associate publisher and associate editor of Tribal Business News and Native News Online. He is a longtime publisher, editor, business reporter and serial entrepreneur. Subscribe Today!Other Articles by this authorDefense Department reaffirms tribal, ANC eligibility in SBA 8(a) programTribal heritage projects eligible for up to $100K in federal funding through NPS programIHS launches tribal long-term care construction initiative with three projectsIḷisaġvik College acquires site for long-planned Utqiaġvik campus This article is available to paid digital subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
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