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Tag: programs

  • President Trump urges Republicans to reopen government as shutdown marks longest in US history

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    The government shutdown has reached its 36th day, the longest in U.S. history, as President Donald Trump pressures Republicans to end the Senate filibuster in order to reopen the government.”It’s time for Republicans to do what they have to do, and that’s terminate the filibuster. It’s the only way you can do it,” Trump told senators Wednesday at the White House.The filibuster is a Senate rule that requires 60 votes to advance most legislation. Ending the filibuster would allow Republicans to pass a bill with a simple majority, but several Republicans warn that when Democrats are in power, they’d be able to do the same thing. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said after breakfast at the White House, “It’s just not happening.”The president also said the shutdown was a “big factor, negative” in Tuesday’s election results.”Countless public servants are now not being paid and the air traffic control system is under increasing strain. We must get the government back open soon and really immediately,” Trump said.The shutdown is hitting home for many Americans, with lines stretching at food banks across the country as SNAP benefits are delayed and reduced for more than 40 million Americans. After-school programs that depend on federal dollars are closing. The Transportation Secretary said, starting Friday, there will be a 10% reduction in flights at 40 airports across the country.Republicans have pushed to reopen the government with a short-term spending bill. Democrats have rejected those bills, arguing that Republicans are leaving out a key provision: restoring expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies that help millions of Americans lower their health-insurance costs. Democrats say passing a short-term bill without those subsidies would leave families facing sudden premium spikes.”The election results ought to send a much needed bolt of lightning to Donald Trump that he should meet with us to end this crisis,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York. “The American people have spoken last night. End the shutdown, end the healthcare crisis, sit down and talk with us.”Republicans have said they’re willing to negotiate ACA subsidies, but only after the shutdown is over.See more government shutdown coverage from the Washington News Bureau:

    WASHINGTON —

    The government shutdown has reached its 36th day, the longest in U.S. history, as President Donald Trump pressures Republicans to end the Senate filibuster in order to reopen the government.

    “It’s time for Republicans to do what they have to do, and that’s terminate the filibuster. It’s the only way you can do it,” Trump told senators Wednesday at the White House.

    The filibuster is a Senate rule that requires 60 votes to advance most legislation. Ending the filibuster would allow Republicans to pass a bill with a simple majority, but several Republicans warn that when Democrats are in power, they’d be able to do the same thing.

    Senate Majority Leader John Thune said after breakfast at the White House, “It’s just not happening.”

    The president also said the shutdown was a “big factor, negative” in Tuesday’s election results.

    “Countless public servants are now not being paid and the air traffic control system is under increasing strain. We must get the government back open soon and really immediately,” Trump said.

    The shutdown is hitting home for many Americans, with lines stretching at food banks across the country as SNAP benefits are delayed and reduced for more than 40 million Americans. After-school programs that depend on federal dollars are closing.

    The Transportation Secretary said, starting Friday, there will be a 10% reduction in flights at 40 airports across the country.

    Republicans have pushed to reopen the government with a short-term spending bill. Democrats have rejected those bills, arguing that Republicans are leaving out a key provision: restoring expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies that help millions of Americans lower their health-insurance costs. Democrats say passing a short-term bill without those subsidies would leave families facing sudden premium spikes.

    “The election results ought to send a much needed bolt of lightning to Donald Trump that he should meet with us to end this crisis,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York. “The American people have spoken last night. End the shutdown, end the healthcare crisis, sit down and talk with us.”

    Republicans have said they’re willing to negotiate ACA subsidies, but only after the shutdown is over.

    See more government shutdown coverage from the Washington News Bureau:

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  • Austin Pets Alive! | It’s Time We Demand More Effective Lifesaving in…

    Austin Pets Alive! | It’s Time We Demand More Effective Lifesaving in…

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    Today, the Austin Animal Services Office launched a community survey to gather feedback on what we, as Austinites, prioritize for our animals.

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  • Austin Pets Alive! | Hays County Commissioners Court Awards Contract…

    Austin Pets Alive! | Hays County Commissioners Court Awards Contract…

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    To Continue Development of the Hays County Pet Resource Center

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  • Duke Energy Florida to Reduce Rates for Second Time This Year

    Duke Energy Florida to Reduce Rates for Second Time This Year

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    For the second time this year, a typical Duke Energy Florida customer will see lower electric bills, this time because of a rate reduction the company is proposing to begin in June to reflect anticipated lower fuel prices.

    The company filed a fuel midcourse rate request with the Florida Public Service Commission to account for lower projections for natural gas costs.

    Under the proposal, a typical Florida residential customer with a monthly usage of 1,000 kWh would see their bill decline by $5.90, or almost 4%. The savings would be on top of a $11.29 decrease, or about 6%, a decrease that typical residential bills began showing in January.

    Similarly, typical commercial and industrial customers will see a bill decrease between 3.5% and 7.0%, varying based on factors, such as industry type and differences in customer use patterns.

    “With fuel prices expected to decline, we have an opportunity to lower rates for a second time this year for our customers, just as we prepare for the higher energy usage that come with summer months,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “We remain committed to providing the best possible price for Florida’s growing population, while delivering the reliable power and customer service our customers deserve today, tomorrow and for many years to come.”

    Duke Energy Florida ensures customers receive the best service to their homes, businesses and communities through expertly managing its fuel resources, and its complex systems of power generation, transformers, wires and poles across 13,000 square miles – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, under the most challenging conditions.

    The company also offers several easy-to-use energy efficiency programs and tools to help Florida customers have more control over their energy use and bills.

    Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,300 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

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  • Prince William Co. gets $350K grant to help recruit, retain aspiring teachers – WTOP News

    Prince William Co. gets $350K grant to help recruit, retain aspiring teachers – WTOP News

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    Virginia’s Department of Education announced over $1.5 million in “Grow Your Own” grants, created to fund apprenticeship programs that help school divisions recruit and retain teachers.

    Prince William County Public Schools Superintendent LaTanya McDade said the new funding will allow the county to pay for up to 25 apprentices. (WTOP/Scott Gelman)

    After nine years of working as a teaching assistant in a special education classroom, Imani Gray decided it was time to work toward becoming a teacher herself.

    It’s something she always knew she wanted to pursue, but the cost of getting a degree and licensing proved to be a barrier. But then she learned more about a Prince William County partnership with the Virginia Commonwealth University that covers tuition and pays educators to work in a classroom while they finish their coursework. It also pairs aspiring teachers with mentors to help them with day-to-day tasks.

    Anticipating that many aspiring teachers face similar barriers to becoming educators, Virginia’s Department of Education announced over $1.5 million in “Grow Your Own” grants, created to fund apprenticeship programs that help school divisions recruit and retain teachers.

    Prince William County, the state’s second-largest school division, received $350,000 from the state to help pay for its partnership with VCU. The funding, Superintendent LaTanya McDade said, will allow the county to pay for up to 25 apprentices.

    “We’re losing a whole generation of future teachers by not thinking differently,” State Superintendent Lisa Coons said Wednesday, after announcing the grant funding at Leesylvania Elementary School in Woodbridge. “This program and the grant funding allow a low-cost [or] no-cost way to become a teacher, and be honored while doing that.”

    In Prince William County, the partnership with VCU offers undergraduates who already have an associate degree the chance to get their bachelor’s degree paid for while they work in a county school. They get paid to work in the school division during the week, according to Shelby Elliott, admin coordinator for human resources with the school district.

    The students train with a teacher-mentor during the two years of the program, and once they’re finished, they get jobs in county schools that are hard to staff, Elliott said. As part of the program, the teachers stay with Prince William County schools for three years after they’re finished.

    The grant, Elliott said, is helping fund the program for the 18 apprentices that started the program in January. The school division is also recruiting a new cohort of aspiring teachers to start the program in May.

    “This is how every teacher should be trained,” Elliott said. “It serves as a recruitment and a retention [tool]. But, for me, the most important thing is that we’re putting quality educators in front of our students.”

    Since starting the program, Gray, who works at Leesylvania, has been involved in team meetings and crafting lesson plans, among other things. It’s a helpful partnership in the midst of a national teacher shortage.

    “It’s very important that the students see that there is someone who is caring about them enough to come to work every day to teach them,” Gray said.

    Alondra Sorto, another teaching resident at Leesylvania, used to be a substitute. She’s at the school four days each week, working with students one-on-one and supporting them in small group settings.

    “It’s a great opportunity for me,” Sorto said.

    Her mentor, third grade teacher Monica Clabeaux, said she was inspired to work with future educators because of the influence her mentors had on her.

    “This is really beneficial, especially for our need of teachers right now, and strong teachers in the classroom,” Clabeaux said. “This program would build stronger teachers, because they will have two years of experience under their belt before they accept a position.”

    Coons, the state superintendent, said initiatives such as the one in Prince William modernize the approach to recruiting teachers.

    “We’re seeing a national teacher shortage, but there are ways that we are really impacting that and doing things differently that will sustain us for the future,” Coons said.

    Babur Lateef, chairman of Prince William County’s school board, said Coons’ visit “represents a significant step in advancing our mission to provide high-quality education for all students.”

    Other school districts, including Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Essex, Henrico, Petersburg City, Prince George County, Surry County, and Waynesboro Public Schools, are also receiving some of the grant funding.

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    Scott Gelman

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  • Austin Pets Alive! | Help the Pets of Hays County – Brief Survey

    Austin Pets Alive! | Help the Pets of Hays County – Brief Survey

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    Sep 01, 2023

    Your participation is important to us! Please complete this brief survey to better inform how we serve people and pets in Hays County.

    Fill Out The Survey Here

    This survey will take approximately 5 minutes to complete. All information received will be strictly confidential.

    _____________________________________

    Ayude a las mascotas del condado de Hays: breve encuesta

    ¡Su participación es importante para nosotros! Complete esta breve encuesta para informar mejor cómo servimos a las personas y las mascotas en Hays County.

    Complete esta breve encuesta

    Completar esta encuesta le tomará aproximadamente 5 minutos. Toda la información recibida será tratada de forma estrictamente confidencial.

    _____________________________________

    Learn more about the partnership:

    Hays County has partnered with non-profit organization Austin Pets Alive! to lead the development of a new animal shelter that will provide programs focused on public safety, animal safety and lifesaving, increased public access to important resources for pet owners, and community education to provide safe and humane care for pets.

    We are conducting a community survey to help guide the Hays County Pet Resource Center program development, and we need your help! Your participation will help guide the future of people and pets in the area.

    You can read more about the project and stay up to date by signing up for our newsletter by visiting https://linktr.ee/hayspetresource

    Conozca más sobre la asociación:

    ¡Hays County está trabajando con Austin Pets Alive! para desarrollar un nuevo modelo de bienestar animal propuesto que proporcionará programas centrados en la seguridad pública, la seguridad animal y el salvamento de vidas, un mayor acceso público a recursos importantes para los dueños de mascotas y educación comunitaria para proporcionar un cuidado seguro y humano a las mascotas. Para ayudar a guiar el desarrollo de Hays County Pet Resource Center, estamos realizando una evaluación de las necesidades de la comunidad.

    Estamos realizando una encuesta comunitaria para ayudar a guiar el desarrollo del programa del Hays County Pet Resource Center, ¡y necesitamos su ayuda! Su participación ayudará a guiar el futuro de las personas y las mascotas en el área.

    Puede leer más sobre el proyecto y las ultimas noticias suscribiéndote a nuestro boletín visitando https://linktr.ee/hayspetresource

    Read our Press Release from August 30, 2023 Below:

    Help the People and Pets of Hays County by Sharing Your Feedback

    Hays County Pet Resource Center and Austin Pets Alive! Launch Community Survey

    HAYS COUNTY – Calling all Hays County community members and animal lovers to participate in an important survey! Your participation will help guide the future of animal welfare in the area.

    Hays County has partnered with non-profit organization Austin Pets Alive! to lead the development of a new animal shelter that will provide programs focused on public safety, animal safety and lifesaving, increased public access to important resources for pet owners, and community education to provide safe and humane care for pets. The survey launches September 1, and community participation will help determine programs for the Hays County Pet Resource Center.

    “We want to know what the community’s needs are for people and pets,” said Lee Ann Shenefiel, Austin Pets Alive! Executive Advisor and Project Coordinator. “All survey responses will be looked at and considered, so this is an important opportunity for the community to share their input with us and drive the conversation from the beginning on what people and pets need in Hays County. ”

    The project aims to implement recommendations from a 2022 feasibility study that proposed an animal welfare model for Hays County. This includes the construction of a new shelter designed to support 2000 dogs and cats annually, investment in robust community programs designed to reduce the number of animals coming into the shelter and help keep people and pets together, and a high-volume public veterinary clinic. Initial construction estimates are around $24 million.

    The survey is open to participants through September 30 and is available in online and print formats in English and Spanish. Austin Pets Alive! is also looking for volunteers to attend local events promoting the Pet Resource Center. Volunteers will visit with local community partners to share information about the project, gather survey input, and input survey results. Training and community service hours are provided, and application fees are waived for Hays County volunteers. For more information or to sign up to volunteer, visit austinpetsalive.org/volunteer or email [email protected].

    Please contact us at [email protected] to schedule any interviews or for more information.

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  • Austin Pets Alive! | Letter from Dr. Jefferson: Properties Update

    Austin Pets Alive! | Letter from Dr. Jefferson: Properties Update

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    Jan 20, 2022

    Hi everyone! And a happy new year! I hope this finds you and yours well. I wanted to reach out today to provide an update on where we stand with our plans for APA!’s campuses, land, and facilities.

    As a reminder, your voices were heard in November as you helped us get the APA! Resolution passed with Austin City Council. In that resolution, the city council directed us to work with the City of Austin staff to determine an intake percentage number based on those animals at risk of euthanasia. We continue those discussions with the city and will have an update to share with you in February.

    While we remain hopeful that we will finally reach a new agreement with city animal services and sign a long term lease to keep a small portion of our operations on our Town Lake Animal Center (TLAC) campus as soon as possible, we are excited to be exploring our expansion regardless of the TLAC outcome.

    The APA! Board of Directors and some other amazing volunteers have been utilizing their connections to help us find Austin properties to purchase and expand our footprint. Right now there are a couple of potential properties we are looking at and because the property is, of course, at a premium in Austin, we are looking at properties with existing buildings we could adjust to fit our programs and services – and also properties with mostly open land. Based on what we find and can afford, the APA! leadership team is working on different solutions with a group of architects to puzzle together which programs and services would fit where and how best to maximize each scenario of property combinations for lifesaving.

    What this means for APA! team members and supporters is that change – but exciting change – is on the horizon very soon. By this time next year, we could potentially have 4 locations, including TLAC and Tarrytown! With this expanding footprint we are making sure that each potential place provides a drastic improvement to what we have now. We know that a shelter needs to serve the purposes it should – not mass housing in uncomfortable kennels but getting each animal who needs us most the care, support and rehabilitation they need to get them ready for a home (whether it be foster or adoptive home) and out of kennel as quickly as possible!

    We will continue to keep you informed of our property progress and your support we’ll need during this exciting time. Thank you as always for being part of this amazing lifesaving community for people and pets.

    Ellen

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