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Helping to drown out the noise(The Center Square) – Of the many costly security missteps uncovered at the rally site in Butler, Pa. where a would-be assassin nearly killed Donald Trump, one deterrent may have been relatively affordable. Rep. Pat Fallon said the U.S. Secret Service could have fashioned a rudimentary fence made of caution tape, signs, posts and stakes around the AGR building on July 13 for roughly $410. The agency’s decision to unman the outside of the building and exclude it from an overall security perimeter around the Butler Farm Show Grounds that day has drawn much criticism from lawmakers on the task force assembled to investigate both attempts on Trump’s life, the second occurring at a Mar-a-Lago golf course in September. During a heated seven-minute exchange with Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr., the Republican congressman from Texas said the agency’s $2 billion funding increase seemed far in excess of what it would have cost to have functioning drones, more coordinated radio communications, agents on a nearby water tower and security deterrents available in Butler. “What sticks in our craw is when we report to our constituents, we have to say, ‘Hey, this federal agency failed epically, and then they wanted to almost double their budget,’” Fallon said. The conversation devolved into a shouting match after Fallon then accused Rowe of showing up at a 9/11 memorial ceremony in New York City for political purposes only. Rep. Pat Fallon, of Texas, questions Secret Service Acting Director Ronald Rowe Jr. during Congressional task force hearing on the attempted assassination of President-elect Donald Trump in Butler, Pa.More NASA Science, Tech will Fly to Moon Aboard Future Firefly Flight
Photo credit: WorldCC MELBOURNE, Australia, Dec. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new report from World Commerce & Contracting (WorldCC) and Randstad Australia sounds the alarm on the state of procurement and contract management in Australia. The report, ‘Workforce Dynamics in the Modern Era: Bridging Skills Gaps and Embracing Future Needs’ , uncovers a profession grappling with a widening skills gap, uncertainty surrounding AI, and a lack of clear career pathways – all of which could hinder Australia’s competitiveness in the global market. The report, based on a comprehensive survey of professionals across Australia, paints a worrying picture: Skills gaps: While 76% feel confident in their analytical abilities, a staggering 90% recognise a critical need for upskilling in risk management. Adding to this, 74% of respondents acknowledge the critical need for improved tools and training, with just 15% considering the current tools available within procurement fit for purpose. Career paths: A mere 6.5% of procurement professionals have a clear understanding of their career progression opportunities. This lack of direction, coupled with the fact that only 46% are satisfied with current career development opportunities, contributes to a sense of career ambiguity and potentially hinders motivation and retention. AI apprehension: Perhaps most surprisingly, the research uncovered a widespread lack of awareness surrounding the impact of AI. Almost 50% of respondents don’t believe AI will significantly impact their roles in the near future. This points to a critical need for education and open communication to dispel myths and anxieties surrounding AI adoption. Adding to the concerns around career progression, Rachel Homer, National Manager - Procurement, Contracts & Supply Chain at Randstad Australia, warns: “The lack of clear career pathways isn’t just a statistic—it’s a barrier to attracting and retaining top commercial and contracting talent in Australia. Ambitious professionals need to see a future within their organisation. People leaders must prioritise building transparent, accessible career trajectories, supported by robust mentorship and development. This isn’t just about retention; it’s about cultivating the next generation of leaders who will drive innovation and elevate Australia’s competitive edge.” This need for a skilled and future-ready workforce is echoed by Tim Cummins, President at WorldCC, who emphasises the importance of proactive measures: “The future of procurement and contract management depends on a workforce equipped with the skills and knowledge to navigate an increasingly complex landscape. We need to move beyond simply acknowledging the skills gap and actively invest in upskilling the workforce. This means providing targeted training in crucial areas like risk management and AI, but also creating clear career pathways that empower professionals to grow and thrive.” Finally, the report also highlights the importance of fostering inclusivity and driving innovation. It calls on organisations to create a culture of collaboration where diverse perspectives are valued and employees are empowered to contribute their unique talents. “Workforce Dynamics in the Modern Era” is an essential resource for anyone involved in procurement and contract management. Download the full report today and discover how you can build a future-ready workforce: https://info.worldcc.com/workforce-dynamics-report-2024 About WorldCC World Commerce & Contracting is a not-for-profit association dedicated to helping its global members achieve high-performing and trusted trading relationships. With 75,000 members from over 20,000 companies across 180 countries worldwide, the association welcomes everyone with an interest in better contracting: business leaders, practitioners, experts and newcomers. It is independent, provocative, and disciplined, existing for its members, the contracting community and society at large. About Randstad Australia Randstad is a global talent leader with the vision to be the world’s most equitable and specialised talent company. As a partner for talent, we provide clients with the high-quality, diverse and agile workforces they need to succeed in a talent-scarce world. We help people secure meaningful roles, develop relevant skills, and find purpose and belonging in their workplace. Through the value we create, we are committed to a better and more sustainable future for all. Our national team of procurement, contracts & supply chain recruiters is composed of experienced recruitment consultants and full-time candidate managers, responsible for daily candidate generation. Our innovative sourcing techniques and technologies, combined with our extensive local procurement, contract, and supply chain industry connections, ensure we continually build our talent pipeline and provide our partners with access to the best talent. With 31 offices in Australia servicing the local market, and headquarters in the Netherlands, Randstad operates in 39 markets and has approximately 40,000 employees. In 2023, we supported 2 million talents to find work and generated revenue of €25.4 billion. Randstad N.V. is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam. Contact Information: Kate Hodgins Head of Marketing & Communications World Commerce & Contracting +44 7793 026783 khodgins@worldcc.com www.worldcc.com Mikaela Johnson Head of Communications ANZ Randstad Australia +61 2 80951747 mikaela.johnson@randstad.com.au www.randstad.com.au A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5167deb2-118d-4f86-8d57-7ceffc2e2ffe
Helping to drown out the noise
Nebraska's Nate Boerkircher and Luke Lindenmeyer earn Dana Holgorsen's trust — and snaps
Fitch Ratings Upgrades GCC's Credit Rating to 'BBB'MELVILLE, N.Y. and DAVIDSON, N.C. , Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MSC Industrial Supply Co. MSM , a premier distributor of Metalworking and Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) products and services to industrial customers throughout North America , today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.85 per share. The $0.85 dividend is payable on January 29, 2025 to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 15, 2025 . Contact Information Investors: Media: Ryan Mills, CFA Zivanai Mutize Head of Investor Relations Head of Corporate Communications Rmills@mscdirect.com Zivanai.mutize@mscdirect.com About MSC Industrial Supply Co. MSC Industrial Supply Co. MSM is a leading North American distributor of a broad range of metalworking and maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products and services. We help our customers drive greater productivity, profitability and growth with approximately 2.4 million products, inventory management and other supply chain solutions, and deep expertise from more than 80 years of working with customers across industries. Our experienced team of more than 7,000 associates works with our customers to help drive results for their businesses - from keeping operations running efficiently today to continuously rethinking, retooling and optimizing for a more productive tomorrow. For more information on MSC Industrial, please visit mscdirect.com. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that MSC expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including statements about results of operations and financial condition, expected future results, expected benefits from our investment and strategic plans and other initiatives, and expected future growth, profitability and return on invested capital, are forward-looking statements. The words "will," "may," "believes," "anticipates," "thinks," "expects," "estimates," "plans," "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by these forward-looking statements. In addition, statements which refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, statements involving a discussion of strategy, plans or intentions, statements about management's assumptions, projections or predictions of future events or market outlook and any other statement other than a statement of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. The inclusion of any statement in this press release does not constitute an admission by MSC or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material. In addition, new risks may emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict such risks or to assess the impact of such risks on our business or financial results. Accordingly, future results may differ materially from historical results or from those discussed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, the reader should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: general economic conditions in the markets in which we operate; changing customer and product mixes; volatility in commodity, energy and labor prices, and the impact of prolonged periods of low, high or rapid inflation; competition, including the adoption by competitors of aggressive pricing strategies or sales methods; industry consolidation and other changes in the industrial distribution sector; the applicability of laws and regulations relating to our status as a supplier to the U.S. government and public sector; the credit risk of our customers; our ability to accurately forecast customer demands; customer cancellations or rescheduling of orders; interruptions in our ability to make deliveries to customers; supply chain disruptions; our ability to attract and retain sales and customer service personnel; the risk of loss of key suppliers or contractors or key brands; changes to trade policies or trade relationships; risks associated with opening or expanding our customer fulfillment centers; our ability to estimate the cost of healthcare claims incurred under our self-insurance plan; interruption of operations at our headquarters or customer fulfillment centers; products liability due to the nature of the products that we sell; impairments of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets; the impact of climate change; operating and financial restrictions imposed by the terms of our material debt instruments; our ability to access additional liquidity; our ability to realize the desired benefits from the reclassification of our Class B Common Stock to Class A Common Stock; the significant influence that our principal shareholders will continue to have over our decisions; our ability to execute on our E-commerce strategies and maintain our digital platforms; costs associated with maintaining our information technology ("IT") systems and complying with data privacy laws; our ability to remediate a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting and to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting and our disclosure controls and procedures in the future; disruptions or breaches of our IT systems or violations of data privacy laws, including such disruptions or breaches in connection with our E-commerce channels; risks related to online payment methods and other online transactions; the retention of key management personnel; litigation risk due to the nature of our business; failure to comply with environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations; and our ability to comply with, and the costs associated with, social and environmental responsibility policies. Additional information concerning these and other risks is described under "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual and Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, respectively, and in the other reports and documents that we file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/msc-industrial-supply-co-declares-regular-quarterly-dividend-302335377.html SOURCE MSC Industrial Supply Co. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
WOODSTOCK — Woodstock Presbyterian Church dedicated a new organ just in time for the holiday season after it determined that the cost of repairing its old one was too costly. “Imagine sitting at the organ, playing a piece and your timing is perfect, but the notes are playing after or not at all,” said the Rev. Brittany Lane. “Our organist was working with that. I mean truly think about how much mental capacity it takes to adjust pieces right and left, making changes so that we could use that organ every Sunday.” Due to high costs, the church’s organ had not been updated since the 1980s, Lane explained, noting that such instruments typically require updates every 20 years or so. “Organs are incredibly expensive to both purchase and keep up with,” she said, explaining that factors like the sanctuary’s temperature and humidity levels play an intricate role in its tuning and performance. “We can’t afford to heat and cool the space regularly, like every other space in this building that’s used daily – from renters or us using it.” Refurbishing the organ, Lane said, would have cost the church approximately $200,000. With each maintenance session, the price doubled. What originally started around $20,000 steadily increased over the years. Seeking a solution, Lane, who grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania, contacted some of her connections, explaining the church’s predicament. “One of the members from my home church suggested we go to Allen Organ company,” said Lane. After reaching out to the trusted name in the industry, the church was presented with two options: repair its current organ for $150,000 to $200,000 or purchase a new one for $55,000. Lane said an organ committee consisting of members Jim VanKirk, Jerry Germroth, Ruth Burnett, Malina Johnston, Liz Sollenberger, Becky Cooper and herself was formed. To fund its purchase, the committee appealed to the congregation for $60,000, covering both the cost of the organ and its installation. “We started with running a matching campaign, up to $20,000,” Lane said, explaining that members each took a Sunday to share with congregants a bit more about the organ, its problems and their proposed solutions. Due to a significant anonymous donor, funding was achieved in roughly four weeks. Extra funding was placed into the church’s music program for varying events, including bringing in local artists or high school students. “Everyone was sad that we were losing the pipe organ, but we were gaining all these pipe organs from around the world. And their sounds. Once we played it for the first time, the congregation was like, ‘We’re good!’” Known for producing realistic and affordable pipe sounds through technological innovation and advancement, Allen Organ Company installed the church’s new electric organ, a GX 215, on May 7. She praised salesman and teacher Ken Saliba for his expertise and knowledge. “The really cool part is that they actually took recordings from pipe organs from around the world,” Lane explained, noting that its A-5 might be from Notre Dame. It’s awesome.” Lane added that the organ also can record and playback later and has a significantly wider choice of reed stops or instruments, something they didn’t have before. “We have chimes, we have a trumpet stop. So, basically, what they mean is when you press the stop, it plays the notes, kind of like an electric piano.” With lots of opportunities and a lifetime of music, Lane said the beauty of the new organ is its longevity. “It doesn’t need to be tuned,” she said. “And if something goes wrong, you can replace the circuit board. It’s basically like replacing a hard drive on your computer, which is awesome.” Woodworker and congregant Keith Coffman constructed the new base as well as installed the speakers. Lane noted that the original pipes remain, in case at a future date the church wishes to return to the pipe organ. “But I think what blew me away most is that this was my first capital campaign as a pastor. And just the speed with which folks jumped on board for this was outstanding. That was really exciting to see,” she said. “But also that they trusted the committee to make the right decision. They were ready to say yes, and keep moving forward – which I think is a pretty fair statement about this church in general – they may have questions, but they’re ready to keep going whether its theology, mission or a new organ, they’re on board.” On Nov.r 17, the church hosted an organ dedication concert where congregants and the community gathered to hear a standard stop list including Classic Allen, English, Cavaille-Coll, Schlicker, Arp Achnitger, Aeolian-Skinner, Wurlitzer, Barton, and Morton. “We chose different pieces of music – both secular and religious – that would show off different aspects of the organ.” Following songs and hymns such as “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee,” “All Hail the Power” and “Over the Rainbow” a litany of dedication took place, led by Lane. “We present this instrument to be consecrated to the glory of almighty God and for service in this congregation.” Looking for ways to use the instrument to help the community, Lane said one of the church's goals in the coming year is to engage in more ways than just church. “Church is great. This building is such a gift, and that instrument is such a gift that we want it to be used for other things as well. We couldn’t do that before, because no one wants to play an organ that doesn’t play all the time.” Hoping to offer lessons, concerts, or other musical opportunities, Lane said music is the heart and soul of her congregation. “Music is such a big part of who God is for them,” she said. “And how they live out their faith because music can reach people like words cannot.” Join Woodstock Presbyterian Church, 142 E. Court St., at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve for a Christmas Eve Candle Light Service.Judge rejects request to sideline a San Jose State volleyball player on grounds she’s transgenderAfter reaching a new high in 2024, global demand for coal is set to level off in the coming years as a surge in renewable power helps to meet soaring demand for electricity around the world, according to an IEA report out today. Coal 2024 – the new edition of the IEA’s annual coal market report, which analyses the latest trends and updates medium-term forecasts – shows that global coal use has rebounded strongly after plummeting at the height of the pandemic. It is poised to rise to 8.77 billion tonnes in 2024, a record. According to the report, demand is set to stay close to this level through 2027 as renewable energy sources play a greater role in generating power and coal consumption levels off in China. The electricity sector in China is particularly important to global coal markets, with one out of every three tonnes of coal consumed worldwide burned at a power plant in the country. In 2024, China continued to diversify its power sector, advance the construction of nuclear plants and accelerate its huge expansion of solar PV and wind capacity. This should help limit increases in coal consumption through 2027, according to the report, though it also highlights a number of key uncertainties in its analysis. Electricity use in a number of countries, including China, is growing at a strong pace due to a combination of factors, including the electrification of services like transport and heating, rising demand for cooling, and increasing consumption from emerging sectors such as data centres. Additionally, weather patterns could drive fluctuations in coal consumption in the short term. According to the report, coal demand in China by 2027 could be up to 140 million tonnes higher or lower than forecast due to weather-related variability in renewable generation. The rapid deployment of clean energy technologies is reshaping the global electricity sector, which accounts for two-thirds of the world’s coal use. As a result, our models show global demand for coal plateauing through 2027 even as electricity consumption rises sharply,” said IEA Director of Energy Markets and Security Keisuke Sadamori. “However, weather factors – particularly in China, the world’s largest coal consumer – will have a major impact on short-term trends for coal demand. The speed at which electricity demand grows will also be very important over the medium term.” In most advanced economies, coal demand has already peaked and is expected to keep decreasing through 2027. The pace of decline will continue to depend on the enactment of strong policies, such as those implemented in the European Union, and the availability of alternative power sources, including cheap natural gas in the United States and Canada. Meanwhile, demand for coal is still increasing in some emerging economies where electricity demand is rising sharply along with economic and population growth, such as India, Indonesia and Viet Nam. In emerging economies, growth is mainly driven by coal demand from the power sector, although industrial use is also going up. Coal prices today remain 50% higher than the average seen between 2017 and 2019. Coal production reached an all-time high in 2024, though growth is expected to flatten through 2027 as structural changes take hold. International trade of coal by volume is also set to reach a record in 2024 of 1.55 billion tonnes. However, looking ahead, global trade volumes are set to shrink, with thermal coal seeing the biggest decline. According to the report, Asia remains the centre of international coal trade, with all of the largest importing countries in the region, including China, India, Japan, Korea and Viet Nam, while the largest exporters include Indonesia and Australia. Source: IEA
By Aldgra Fredly Contributing Writer Two astronauts who have been stranded in space for months won’t be able to return to earth until March, NASA said on Tuesday as it announced the latest in a string of delays sparked by problems with the Boeing-designed Starliner spacecraft. NASA said it needed more time to complete the processing of SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, which is scheduled to arrive at the space agency’s processing facility in Florida in early January. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were initially expected to return within a week after traveling to the International Space Station on NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test mission in June. Their mission was later extended after NASA decided to return the spacecraft empty in September after the pilots identified helium leaks and issues with the Starliner’s reaction control thrusters on June 6. NASA initially planned to launch the Crew-10 mission in February 2025, with Wilmore and Williams returning home by the end of that month alongside two other astronauts who arrived at the ISS on Sept. 29 aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule. The pair now face another delay, as NASA announced on Tuesday that Crew-10 will not launch until March 2025. By the time they return next year, they will have spent more than nine months in space. “Fabrication, assembly, testing, and final integration of a new spacecraft is a painstaking endeavor that requires great attention to detail,” Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, said in a statement. “We appreciate the hard work by the SpaceX team to expand the Dragon fleet in support of our missions and the flexibility of the station program and expedition crews as we work together to complete the new capsule’s readiness for flight.” NASA stated that it had considered using another SpaceX spacecraft but ultimately decided to wait until the Dragon spacecraft was ready and launch the Crew-10 mission in late March. On Sept. 30, NASA launched the SpaceX Crew-9 Dragon capsule carrying NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov to join the Expedition 72 crew at the ISS to do research, technology demonstrations, and maintenance activities. Another two seats on the capsule were saved for Wilmore and Williams. NASA stated Tuesday that Crew-9 will return to Earth only after Crew-10 arrives at the orbital laboratory for a handover period. According to the space agency, Crew-9 will “share any lessons learned with the newly arrived crew and support a better transition for ongoing science and maintenance at the complex” during the handover period. NASA did not specify the duration of the handover process. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
( MENAFN - GetNews) SEATTLE - Dec 18, 2024 - Spectral Capital Corporation (OTCQB: FCCN ), a pioneer in Quantum as a Service (QaaS) and decentralized cloud infrastructure, today announced the appointment of Dr. Moshik Cohen as its Chief Technology Officer (CTO) . A globally recognized expert in plasmonics , nanophotonics , and quantum systems , Dr. Cohen will lead Spectral's technology roadmap, driving innovations that accelerate the Company's Quantum Bridge approach to bridge the gap from classical computing to future quantum architectures through deep technology innovation. "Dr. Moshik Cohen is a visionary leader whose groundbreaking research in plasmonics and deep technology and semiconductor experience has reshaped what's possible in making practical strides in transfer and computation," said Sean Michael Brehm, Chairman of Spectral Capital. "With his expertise, Spectral is transforming itself from a Quantum as a Service Company (QaaS) to a Deep-tech holding company with the world's most practical IP in Quantum Computing. Leading Expertise in Plasmonics and Nanophotonics Plasmonics, the study of light-induced electron waves on nanoscale metal surfaces, enables data transmission at near-light speed while operating with minimal power consumption. Dr. Cohen's pioneering work has demonstrated plasmonic technologies that can significantly enhance classical computing systems: With more than two decades of experience spanning cutting-edge research and commercialization, Dr. Cohen has consistently delivered scalable, high-impact solutions across industries, including telecommunications, autonomous systems, and quantum technologies. About Dr. Moshik Cohen Dr. Cohen holds a PhD in Physical Electronics and has led groundbreaking research in plasmonics, nanophotonics, and quantum systems. His contributions have been featured in Nature, Science, and other top-tier scientific journals, advancing global understanding of how plasmonic technologies can unlock near-light-speed computing. Prior to joining Spectral, Dr. Cohen held leadership roles at globally recognized organizations: "Spectral's vision for a new era of computing aligns perfectly with the potential of plasmonics," said Dr. Moshik Cohen. "We are on the cusp of enabling classical systems to achieve near-quantum-level speeds. I look forward to leading Spectral's technical innovation and delivering solutions that will transform industries and pave the way for practical quantum computing." Positioned for Transformation Under Dr. Cohen's leadership, Spectral is enhancing its commitment to deep-tech innovation and scalable solutions that redefine classical computing. Leveraging expertise in plasmonics and advanced quantum systems, Spectral continues to explore strategic opportunities that align with its mission to deliver the next generation of speed and efficiency in data transmission and computation. "With decades of groundbreaking research, Dr. Cohen has proven his ability to turn visionary ideas into practical scalable solutions," said Jenifer Osterwalder, CEO of Spectral Capital. "His work will accelerate Spectral's current Quantum Bridge initiative and deliver next-generation technologies that redefine speed, efficiency, and scalability while connecting classical compute to emerging quantum systems." The Company will be providing further updates on Spectral's advancements, and a technological roadmap will be shared in the near term. About Spectral Capital Corporation Founded in 2000 and based in Seattle, Washington, Spectral Capital (OTCQB : FCCN ) is a technology startup accelerator and quantum incubator. Specializing in Quantum as a Service (QaaS) , Spectral leverages its proprietary Distributed Quantum Ledger Database (DQ-LDB) to deliver secure, advanced storage and computing solutions. For more information, visit . Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) concerning future events and FCCN's growth and business strategy. Words such as "expects," "will," "intends," "plans," "believes," "anticipates," "hopes," "estimates," and variations on such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although FCCN believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of FCCN. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, changes in FCCN's business; competitive factors in the market(s) in which FCCN operates; risks associated with operations outside the United States; and other factors listed from time to time in FCCN's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. FCCN expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in FCCN's expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based. 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WASHINGTON (AP) — In the two weeks since Donald Trump won the presidency, he's tried to demonstrate his dominance by naming loyalists for top administration positions, even though many lack expertise and some face sexual misconduct accusations. It often seems like he's daring Congress to oppose his decisions. But on Thursday, Trump's attempt to act with impunity showed a crack as Matt Gaetz , his choice for attorney general, withdrew from consideration. Trump had named Gaetz, a Florida congressman, to be the country's top law enforcement official even though he was widely disliked by his colleagues, has little legal experience and was accused of having sex with an underage girl, an allegation he denied. After being plagued by investigations during his first presidency, Trump wanted a devoted ally in charge of the Justice Department during his second. However, it was never obvious that Gaetz could win enough support from lawmakers to get confirmed as attorney general. Trump chose for a replacement Pam Bondi, a former Florida attorney general who defended him during his first impeachment trial and supported his false claims of voter fraud. Now the question is whether Gaetz was uniquely unpalatable, or if Trump's other picks might exceed his party's willingness to overlook concerns that would have sunk nominees in a prior political era. The next test will likely be Pete Hegseth, who Trump wants to lead the Pentagon despite an allegation of sexual assault that he's denied. So far, Republicans are rallying around Hegseth , an Army veteran and former Fox News host. Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican who serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the controversy over Gaetz would have little bearing on Trump’s other choices. He said they would be considered “one at a time.” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, suggested otherwise, claiming “the dominoes are falling.” “The drip drip of evidence and truth is going to eventually doom some others,” he said. Trump's election victory was a sign that there may not be many red lines left in American politics. He won the presidential race despite authoritarian, racist and misogynist rhetoric, not to mention years of lies about election fraud and his role in sparking the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. He was also criminally convicted of falsifying business records to pay hush money, and he was found liable for sexual abuse in a civil case. Empowered by voters who looked past his misconduct and saw him as a powerful agent of change, Trump has shown no deference to Washington norms while working to fill his second administration . The transition team hasn't pursued federal background checks for Trump's personnel choices. While some of his selections have extensive experience in the areas they've been chosen to lead, others are personal friends and Fox News personalities who have impressed and flattered Trump over the years. Several have faced allegations involving sexual misconduct . Hegseth is facing the most scrutiny after Gaetz. Once Trump announced Hegseth as his nominee for Pentagon chief, allegations emerged that he sexually assaulted a woman in California in 2017. The woman said he took her phone, blocked the door to the hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a police report made public this week. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing, the report said. However, he paid the woman a confidential settlement in 2023. Hegseth's lawyer said the payment was made to head off the threat of a baseless lawsuit. Trump’s choice for secretary of health and human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has faced allegations of misconduct too. A woman who babysat for him and his second wife told Vanity Fair magazine that Kennedy groped her in the late 1990s, when she was 23. Kennedy did not deny the allegation and texted an apology to the woman after the article was published. That isn't the only hurdle for Kennedy; he's spent years spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories about vaccines, raising fears about making him a top health official in the new administration. Linda McMahon, chosen by Trump to be education secretary, is fighting a lawsuit connected to her former company, World Wrestling Entertainment. She’s accused of knowingly enabling sexual exploitation of children by an employee as early as the 1980s, and she denies the allegations. Tulsi Gabbard is another person who could face a difficult confirmation battle, but for very different reasons. The former Democratic representative from Hawaii has been a vocal Trump ally, and he chose her to be national intelligence director. But there's grave concern by lawmakers and national security officials over Gabbard’s history of echoing Russian propaganda. Critics said she would endanger relationships with U.S. allies. Gaetz was investigated by federal law enforcement for sex trafficking, but the case was closed without charges and Republicans have blocked the release of a related report from the House Ethics Committee. However, some allegations leaked out, including that Gaetz paid women for sex. One of the women testified to the committee that she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old girl, according to a lawyer for the woman. As Gaetz met with senators this week, it became clear that he would face stubborn resistance from lawmakers who were concerned about his behavior and believed he was unqualified to run the Justice Department. “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction,” Gaetz wrote on social media when announcing his withdrawal. Sen. Mike Braun, an Indiana Republican, said he believed there were four to six members of the caucus who would have voted against Gaetz, likely dooming his nomination, and “the math got too hard.” He said some of the issues and allegations around Gaetz were “maybe beyond the pale." “I think there were just too many things, it was like a leaky dike, and you know, it broke," Braun said. Trump thanked Gaetz in a post on Truth Social, his social media website, without addressing the substance of the allegations against him. “He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect,” Trump wrote. Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick, Stephen Groves and Lisa Macaro contributed from Washington. Jill Colvin in New York and Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, also contributed. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Children of the wealthy and connected get special admissions consideration at some elite U.S. universities, according to new filings in a class-action lawsuit originally brought against 17 schools. Georgetown’s then-president, for example, listed a prospective student on his “president’s list” after meeting her and her wealthy father at an Idaho conference known as “summer camp for billionaires,” according to Tuesday court filings in the price-fixing lawsuit filed in Chicago federal court in 2022. Although it’s always been assumed that such favoritism exists, the filings offer a rare peek at the often secret deliberations of university heads and admissions officials. They show how schools admit otherwise unqualified wealthy children because their parents have connections and could possibly donate large sums down the line, raising questions about fairness. Stuart Schmill, the dean of admissions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, wrote in a 2018 email that the university admitted four out of six applicants recommended by then-board chairman Robert Millard, including two who “we would really not have otherwise admitted.” The two others were not admitted because they were “not in the ball park, or the push from him was not as strong.” In the email, Schmill said Millard was careful to play down his influence on admissions decisions, but he said the chair also sent notes on all six students and later met with Schmill to share insight “into who he thought was more of a priority.” The filings are the latest salvo in a lawsuit that claims that 17 of the nation’s most prestigious colleges colluded to reduce the competition for prospective students and drive down the amount of financial aid they would offer, all while giving special preference to the children of wealthy donors. “That illegal collusion resulted in the defendants providing far less aid to students than would have been provided in a free market,” said Robert Gilbert, an attorney for the plaintiffs. Since the lawsuit was filed, 10 of the schools have reached settlements to pay out a total of $284 million, including payments of up to $2,000 to current or former students whose financial aid might have been shortchanged over a period of more than two decades. They are Brown, the University of Chicago, Columbia, Dartmouth, Duke, Emory, Northwestern, Rice, Vanderbilt and Yale. Johns Hopkins is working on a settlement and the six schools still fighting the lawsuit are the California Institute of Technology, Cornell, Georgetown, MIT, Notre Dame and the University of Pennsylvania. MIT called the lawsuit and the claims about admissions favoritism baseless. “MIT has no history of wealth favoritism in its admissions; quite the opposite,” university spokesperson Kimberly Allen said. “After years of discovery in which millions of documents were produced that provide an overwhelming record of independence in our admissions process, plaintiffs could cite just a single instance in which the recommendation of a board member helped sway the decisions for two undergraduate applicants." In a statement, Penn also said the case is meritless that the evidence shows that it doesn't favor students whose families have donated or pledged money to the Ivy League school. “Plaintiffs’ whole case is an attempt to embarrass the University about its purported admission practices on issues totally unrelated to this case," the school said. Notre Dame officials also called the case baseless. “We are confident that every student admitted to Notre Dame is fully qualified and ready to succeed,” a university spokesperson said in a statement. The South Bend, Indiana, school, though, did apparently admit wealthy students with subpar academic backgrounds. According to the new court filings, Don Bishop, who was then associate vice president for enrollment at Notre Dame, bluntly wrote about the “special interest” admits in a 2012 email, saying that year's crop had poorer academic records than the previous year's. The 2012 group included 38 applicants who were given a “very low” academic rating, Bishop wrote. He said those students represented “massive allowances to the power of the family connections and funding history,” adding that “we allowed their high gifting or potential gifting to influence our choices more this year than last year.” The final line of his email: “Sure hope the wealthy next year raise a few more smart kids!” Some of the examples pointed to in this week's court filings showed that just being able to pay full tuition would give students an advantage. During a deposition, a former Vanderbilt admissions director said that in some cases, a student would get an edge on the waitlist if they didn’t need financial aid. The 17 schools were part of a decades-old group that got permission from Congress to come up with a shared approach to awarding financial aid. Such an arrangement might otherwise violate antitrust laws, but Congress allowed it as long as the colleges all had need-blind admissions policies, meaning they wouldn't consider a student’s financial situation when deciding who gets in. The lawsuit argues that many colleges claimed to be need-blind but routinely favored the children of alumni and donors. In doing so, the suit says, the colleges violated the Congressional exemption and tainted the entire organization. The group dissolved in recent years when the provision allowing the collaboration expired. The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org .
MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins played their game of the season for the second consecutive week. And this one was better than the previous one. The Dolphins easily dispatched New England, 34-15 , on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium, extending their winning streak to a season-best three games. The win sets up a monster matchup at Green Bay on Thursday for the Dolphins (5-6), who are clawing their way back into the AFC playoff picture. A win on Thursday and it’s a brand new season . Here are some more takeaways from Sunday’s game: Fans at Hard Rock Stadium partied like they hadn’t all season Sunday during the Patriots game. This was the Dolphins’ best all-around home performance since their 30-0 victory over the New York Jets on Dec. 17, and their best home win since defeating Dallas, 22-20, on Christmas Eve to secure a playoff berth. The Dolphins defeated Jacksonville to open the season, 20-17, but the game had fans on edge. The Dolphins won on a Jason Sanders field goal as time expired. The Dolphins’ other home win prior to Sunday was a 34-19 win over Las Vegas last week. The Dolphins have won back-to-back home games for the first time since the Jets-Cowboys wins late last season. — Chris Perkins The Dolphins scored 34 points, meaning they’ve scored more than 30 points in back-to-back games for the first time since winning at the New York Jets (34-13) and Washington (45-15) on Nov. 24 and Dec. 3, respectively, last season. The Dolphins defeated Las Vegas, 34-19, last week. The Dolphins are now averaging 29 points per game in the five games since quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (29 of 40, 317 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions, 128.9 passer rating) has returned from his concussion. The Dolphins are 3-2 in those games. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (eight receptions, 144 yards, one touchdown) had his most productive game of the year in the first half Sunday. Waddle totaled six receptions for 118 yards in the first half. Waddle entered the game with 33 receptions for 404 yards and one touchdown for the season. Waddle had eclipsed 1,000 yard receiving in each of his first three seasons. He’s unlikely to reach that total this year. But his involvement in the offense Sunday after being limited earlier this season by the two-high safety scheme and being pressed at the line of scrimmage is a promising sign. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill ended with five receptions for 48 yards. Tight end Jonnu Smith (nine receptions, 87 yards, one touchdown) had a 7-yard touchdown reception early in the second quarter and generally sparked the offense, which is what he’s been doing for the last seven games. Smith, who had a career bests of 50 receptions for 582 yards last season with Atlanta, has 46 receptions for 519 yards this season. It’s been a remarkable escalation for Smith, who totaled a mere nine receptions for 78 yards through four games this season. It’s as though once the Dolphins discovered what Smith could do, they decided to utilize his skills. Dolphins Deep Dive, Monday at noon: Perkins, Hyde break down Patriots game and look ahead to Packers game Tagovailoa and left tackle Terron Armstead exited the game in the fourth quarter after the Dolphins had a 31-7 lead because coach Mike McDaniel wisely took both out of the game. Both have had injury concerns so removing them from the game was the smart thing, especially with the Green Bay game in four days. Of course, Tagovailoa’s respite only lasted two plays. Rookie running back Jaylen Wright’s fumble with Skylar Thompson at quarterback was returned 62 yards for a touchdown. The ensuing two-point conversion cut the Dolphins’ lead to 31-15 and Tagovailoa re-entered the game after sitting out two plays. McDaniel was taking any chances with this victory. Rookie edge rusher Chop Robinson, who finished with 1.5 sacks, had a sack in the second quarter. And even better, there was a coordinated celebration effort as numerous defenders got in on the celebratory “chop.” Robinson, the first-round pick from Penn State, has been line up wider in recent games, giving him a better option to go inside or outside. On his sack, Robinson blew past right tackle Demontry Jacobs to take down quarterback Drake Maye. It was Robinson’s third sack in the last four games. He has 3.0 sacks for the season. Since Week 9, one rookie, Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Braden Fiske, has more sacks (4.0). On the celebratory chop, Robinson gathered his teammates and in unison, they each took an imaginary ax and struck a downward blow. Running back De’Von Achane, who sustained a concussion in the first game against New England, didn’t wear a Guardian cap for the second consecutive game. Achane (10 carries, 32 yards; three receptions, 24 yards, two touchdowns) said he wore the device, which is basically a cushion that fits over the helmet, on the advice of his mother. Players routinely wear Guardian caps during training camp and during the week in practice. Research says they only minimally reduce concussion risks. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa opted to not wear the Guardian cap upon his return from a four-game absence due to a concussion. New England had four penalties for 25 yards and a missed 45-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter. The Patriots had the ball for 10:04 of the 15-minute quarter and ran 14 plays for a total of 94 yards. The Dolphins had nine plays for 72 yards. The Patriots never recovered. They fell behind 14-0 in the second quarter and the game was over. By the way, New England (10 penalties, 75 yards) might be the worst team the Dolphins faced this season. It’s close, but they probably edge Las Vegas for worst opponent. Rookie cornerback Storm Duck played the first quarter as the boundary cornerback in the nickel package while cornerback Cam Smith played a couple of series in the second quarter. Veteran cornerback Kendall Fuller missed his second consecutive game due to a concussion, opening a spot in the nickel package. Kader Kohou, the usual slot/nickel cornerback, is starting on the boundary in Fuller place. Kohou stays at his normal slot position in the nickel and Duck or Smith plays the boundary opposite cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Both Duck and Smith continue to show promise. Running back Raheem Mostert (two carries, five yards; one receptions, minus-3 yards) and tight end Durham Smythe (one reception, eight yards) continued seeing their playing time get reduced. Mostert, a Pro Bowl selection last season after amassing a franchise-record 21 touchdowns, didn’t play from scrimmage until the second quarter. He’s had his playing time cut since he lost fumbles at Indianapolis and Buffalo. Smythe, who has had his playing time reduced due to the emergence of tight ends Smith, the receiver, and Julian Hill, the blocker, also got his first snap from scrimmage in the second quarter. Yes, his second-quarter 9-yard sack of Drake Maye is what everyone can see on his record, but just as impactful in the first half of the game (as the Dolphins ripped control of the game from the Patriots) with no statistical compartment were his drawn holding call on Demontrey Jacobs that created a first-quarter, drive hobbling second-and-16, then his blowing past Patriots tight end Austin Hooper, blowing up a Rhamondre Stevenson sweep, with Jordyn Brooks cleaning it up by logging the tackle, and finally the apparent sack and forced fumble that was reviewed into an incomplete pass. Additionally, Emmanual Ogbah got a sack late in the first half that Robinson was also on the scene of. In the second half, Chop crushed Maye on an incompletion, a contact from which a worn-out Maye was slow to rise and later batted a pass. I can’t recall a higher-impact performance by a rookie Dolphins draftee on defense in a long time. Maybe Olivier Vernon’s tour de force in 2012 against the Rams. — Steve Svekis In each of his four games he has played against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium, Jaylen Waddle has scored a touchdown. His numbers in that quartet of contests in Miami Gardens? He has 24 receptions for 361 yards and those four TDs. The game against New England made the Dolphins 11 for 11 in not allowing at least 400 yards to an opposing offense. The last time a Miami team went the full season without allowing at least 400 yards was in 2006, in the 16-game era. The Patriots, despite getting crushed by four penalties for 25 yards, still had fine work done, gaining 94 yards in the first quarter. However, Miami’s defense basically ended the suspense in the second quarter, propelled by three tackle-for-loss plays that went for at least minus-5-yards each on non-kneeldowns (Emmanuel Ogbah 5-yard sack, Jordyn Brooks minus-6-yard tackle of Rhamondre Stevenson and Chop Robinson’s 9-yard sack). In those second 15 minutes, the Pats lost 10 yards. Tyrel Dodson’s spectacular drama-ending interception (hello...what an in-season waiver pickup) was reminiscent of the best vertical work of DeVante Parker from 2015-21. While Tua Tagovailoa has had some sparkling recent highlights of him climbing up past a deep edge rush, leaking outside of the tackle box and finding a target for a big pass play, he barely had to move off the last step of his dropback against the Patriots as Aaron Brewer, Terron Armstead and company eradicated any semblance of a New England pass rush. The Dolphins will face temperatures possibly as low as the teens at Lambeau Field on Thanksgiving night. The last time the Dolphins played in a temperature that cold was the minus-4-degree debacle in Kansas City in January when Miami lost 26-7 in the wild-card playoff game. The most recent Dolphins regular-season game with a kickoff temperature below 22 degrees was in 2008 when Miami beat 2-14 Kansas City at Arrowhead 38-31 with a kickoff temperature of 10 degrees. The Dolphins have never beaten a team with a winning record in a game that had a kickoff temperature below 23 degrees.An environmental law non-profit has filed intent to sue Cooke Aquaculture over the Saint John company’s salmon farming operations in the Gulf of Maine. The Conservation Law Foundation filed notice to Cooke Nov. 14 that it intends to sue under the U.S. Clean Water Act, claiming that Cooke is failing to satisfy its operating permit by allegedly discharging effluent from its salmon pens in the Gulf of Maine and affecting other water uses, including fishing and lobstering. In a statement Nov. 14, Cooke said it “vehemently denies” the allegations, saying that it is satisfying its regulatory obligations and that its Atlantic salmon operations do not negatively affect lobstering. Heather Govern, vice-president for the foundation’s Clean Air and Water Program, said the group has been investigating Cooke’s operations for two and a half years. It operates out of six New England states engaging in environmental advocacy, Govern said. “We began this investigation due to a number of local communities up and down the Maine coastline who were worried about the impacts of salmon net pen farms,” Govern said. “What we found out is the solid waste coming from these net pens ... smothers plants and ocean life, there’s also potential for disease outbreaks.” She said the Clean Water Act allows the foundation to “step into the shoes of the regulators” by filing a lawsuit, she said. “We’re able to investigate and bring actions against companies that are not abiding by their permit conditions,” she said. The lawsuit targets 13 sites around Swans Island, Eastern Bay, Machias Bay, which is about 50 kilometres west of Grand Manan Island, and Cobscook Bay, which is about 20 km west of Campobello Island. Each site has between six and 30 pens, according to the lawsuit, each holding tens of thousands of fish. The suit alleges based on “information and belief” that the pens pollute the surrounding waters by discharges of fish feces, dead and uneaten food, disease, sea lice, escaped fish and trash. Cooke’s net pen permit expired in 2019 but has been “administratively continued” since it expired, the suit said. Govern said that the pollution settles on the ocean floor, where it affects food sources for haddock and lobster, impacting the livelihood of those in fishing and lobstering. She said that the company’s permit doesn’t allow it to “impair other water users,” including commercial use or recreation. Cooke denied the allegations, saying that they are “false, misleading and lack any substantiating evidence,” saying it’s “proud of its contributions to Maine’s iconic seafood industry,” and that it employs 230 people in the state. The release says that it is in “full compliance with the laws set forth” by Maine’s department of environmental protection (DEP) and department of marine resources (DMR), as well as its operating permits. “Finfish aquaculture has coexisted with heritage fisheries, such as lobstering, in Maine waters for more than 40 years,” Cooke said in the release. “Lobster landings are not negatively affected by Atlantic salmon farms. In fact, lobster gear is set alongside and within aquaculture lease boundaries.” The lawsuit points to regulatory reports where it says some information is missing or would be different if the terms of Cooke’s permit were being followed. Govern also says the foundation has made freedom of information requests dating up to 2023 and part of the litigation will be developing expert reports detailing the environmental impacts. The lawsuit also mentions a discharge of 50,000 salmon in Machias Bay in 2023 after an alleged seal attack, a 10,000-fish “die-off” in 2021 at Black Island, and another large die-off in Eastern Bay in 2024. Cooke USA spokesperson Steven Hedlund said that in June, the company removed mortalities near Jonesport and Beals that were “a result of naturally occurring marine algae” which dissolved oxygen in the water and then dispersed after a few days. “All livestock farmers encounter and manage mortalities,” he said, saying Cooke took reasonable steps in accordance with its own procedures and notified the DMR. Brunswick News asked how many fish were involved in the mortalities and did not receive a response. Glenda Beal is a selectman on the governance body on Beals Island, Maine, population 450, which was working on an aquaculture ordinance and passed a moratorium in late July after concerns related to the die-off. She said that there was no notification to the select board to give them a heads up about the die-off and they had to hear it “from the grapevine.” “We got no notification from Cooke. It seems to me that if they were being good neighbours ethically, it would be something they would want the fishermen to know about,” she said. “It could affect the whole bay, depending on what caused it.” Beal said that the lobster catch in Maine is down but she said there’s “no way to tell” if finfish farming is impacting that or not, in response to Cooke’s claim. “If I can’t say if they are, neither can they,” she said. “You’d have to track it for decades ... it’s nothing you can really pin down because lobsters can be caught in one area and not in another.” She said that lobstermen from her area had reported issues in Eastern Bay including aquaculture vessels severing their traps, as well as mooring for the vessels creating a navigation hazard and free-floating cords getting tied up in engines. There were also concerns about plastic tubing from the pens washing up on nearby beaches. Govern alleged that there isn’t much oversight over the operation, and that regulation has been light since Cooke’s entry into the state 20 years ago. Cooke entered the market in 2004 by purchasing Atlantic Salmon of Maine, a subsidiary of Norway-based Fjord Seafood, according to its website. “There’s no 24-hour camera footage that anyone can get a hold of, so it’s hard to know what exactly causes these releases, these escapes,” she said, saying that they could get more information from the litigation. “The public deserves to know that, as well, this should be all public information. When Cooke can hide what’s happening, that’s never good for the environment and the communities.” DEP deputy commissioner David R. Madore said that the department has a “variety of enforcement actions” available to it when licence conditions are broken, and that in 10 years, Cooke has received six letters of warning, 20 notices of violations and entered into one administrative consent agreement. Madore said Cooke’s permit remains in effect until it is formally renewed, which the department intends to do but has not yet completed due to delays around staffing limitations. Sebastian Belle, executive director of the Maine Aquaculture Association, said the lawsuit was “surprising” because he said that the state or federal governments could have moved in and threatened to pull their permits, “and as far as I know, that hasn’t happened.” Belle says an operator in Maine has to abide by federal and state regulations, but the federal government delegates its authority to the state. He said that the federal government could step in and revoke Maine’s ability to regulate on its behalf if it was unhappy with the outcome. “It’s a very powerful system with a lot of cross-checks,” Belle said, saying the system was “refined” following Cooke’s entry to the state to target the most important metrics. He said environmental groups like the CLF were involved in developing best practices for the industry in 2002. Belle previously worked for Maine DMR before joining the association, an industry group that represents large and small producers who work with different species and has representation from Cooke on its board of directors. In Cooke’s release, it says it is “routinely audited and certified by third party programs,” including the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch, which rates its Maine-farmed salmon as a “good alternative.” That rating, equivalent to yellow on a traffic light, is a recommendation to “buy if a green-rated option is not available.” Its report cited a lack of fish escapes since 2003 but was issued in 2021, prior to the 2023 fish escapes. Cooke also cited its participation in Global Seafood Alliance’s Best Aquaculture Practices program, which requires all of its facilities to be audited for “environmental responsibility, social accountability, animal health and welfare, and food safety.” In May, 76 environmental groups, including the Conservation Council of New Brunswick and Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage Foundation, signed an open letter accusing the program of “greenwashing” by having basic requirements that are “too weak” to protect wild salmon. Cooke was forced out of the state of Washington after 300,000 Atlantic salmon escaped into Puget Sound after a net collapse in 2017. In 2022, the state’s department of natural resources banned finfish net pen aquaculture in state-owned waters and did not renew Cooke’s remaining licences. In March this year, the state said the “fight” was over after Cooke withdrew its remaining appeals, which Cooke said it did because the state had delayed necessary documents and it would be “futile” to proceed without them. Govern said that situation was different because of the environmental impact of releasing Atlantic salmon into the Pacific Ocean and because of the scale of the release. But she said that on the East Coast, “millions of dollars” have been spent on measures to bring back endangered wild Atlantic salmon. “What doesn’t make much sense is you’re allowing a commercial or industrial operation to be here and potentially damage what little Atlantic salmon population we’re trying so hard to bring back,” she said. “It happened out west, if you have an enormous storm or weather conditions that knock these pens over, it’s millions of these farmed salmon (across all sites) that would then infect and affect negatively this wild salmon population.” In June, B.C. announced a ban on net-pen salmon farms effective in 2029. Govern said that Canada is dealing with some of the same pollution issues but has stronger regulations. She also mentioned enforcement campaigns in Iceland and Norway. “We’re developing better understanding now, the scientists, the regulators, around the impact of having what is essentially a sewage pipe ... that is just allowed to drop into the ocean,” Govern said. Belle said that in the early days of Maine’s salmon farming, companies were “exceeding the carrying capacity of those sites, they were doing it because they didn’t know any better.” He said that with better regulation and monitoring, “everybody has learned that they have to farm to the carrying capacity of those sites.” “When that happens, the impacts on the bottom around the farm are minimal,” he said. He noted that the Clean Water Act’s lawsuit stipulation allows companies to settle, creating a chance for the plaintiff to financially benefit. Unlike what happened out west, Govern said the lawsuit is not intended to shut down Cooke’s operations, but compel it to meet its obligations. Of the 230 employees Cooke says it employs in Maine, Govern said far fewer work directly with the pens. Hedlund told Brunswick News the number is about two-thirds, or about 150. “People think, oh are you trying to shut down Cooke and shut our business here? That is not the point. In fact, Cooke will have to hire more employees,” Govern said, including expert monitoring and operators. “We’re not getting rid of jobs, in fact CLF wants to add jobs, but Cooke’s gotta pay ‘em, and be willing to affect their bottom line a little bit by protecting the environment.” The Clean Water Act requires a 60-day notice period before CLF can files the papers in U.S. federal court. Govern said that Cooke could approach the CLF to discuss a settlement, but that they would have to accept terms that would benefit the environment. Richardson declined a request for comment on whether Cooke would be open to settlement talks.
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