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Senators Murkowski and Kim Introduce Bipartisan NEST Act to Provide Essential Maternity Kits to New Parents

Senators Murkowski and Kim Introduce Bipartisan NEST Act to Provide Essential Maternity Kits to New Parents

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Andy Kim (D-N.J.) have introduced the Newborn Essentials Supply Toolkit (NEST) Act, a bipartisan bill designed to provide starter maternity kits to new mothers in communities experiencing high rates of infant or maternal mortality. The kits are intended to supply essential items for both mother and baby, including diapers, wipes, hygiene products, blankets, thermometers, postpartum recovery items, and educational materials on maternal health resources. The NEST Act aims to codify a successful pilot program at the Department of Health and Human Services, which partners with local community organizations and federally qualified health centers to distribute these toolkits to expectant mothers in areas of greatest need. Senator Murkowski emphasized that the period immediately following childbirth is particularly vulnerable for mothers and newborns, and providing critical supplies can alleviate anxiety and financial stress, improving families' experiences.

Republican Senator Blocks Bipartisan Effort to Protect Kennedy Center from Demolition

Republican Senator Blocks Bipartisan Effort to Protect Kennedy Center from Demolition

A bipartisan effort in the U.S. Senate to prevent the demolition of the Kennedy Center was blocked by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT). The bill, known as the "Protecting Presidential Memorials Act," was introduced by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and co-sponsored by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), along with Democratic Senators Jack Reed, Sheldon Whitehouse, and Chris Van Hollen. It aimed to require congressional approval before any federally designated presidential memorial, including the Kennedy Center, could be demolished. The bill was brought to the Senate floor for a unanimous-consent vote, a fast-track procedure that allows a bill to pass if no senator objects. Senator Lee, however, objected to the measure, preventing its passage. This action follows a controversial period where President Trump was photographed reviewing a poster that appeared to read "Kennedy Center DEMOLISHED," and his administration subsequently informed a judge that the institution needed to close due to "structural deterioration." Senator ...

Savannah Morning News

Sunrise and sunset times in Georgia under permanent Daylight Saving Time

Sunrise and sunset times in Georgia under permanent Daylight Saving Time

Permanent daylight saving time could mean darker winter mornings in GA. See sunrise and sunset times across the state.

US Senate blocks bill to address data center costs

US Senate blocks bill to address data center costs

By Richard Cowan and Nichola Groom WASHINGTON, Sept 30 (Reuters) - The US Senate on Wednesday blocked legislation requiring state utility regulators to consider whether large electricity users, including data centers, should bear the incremental costs of power infrastructure built to serve them and

Congressman Langworthy Introduces Bipartisan Surge to Save Newborns Act

Congressman Langworthy Introduces Bipartisan Surge to Save Newborns Act

Congressman Nick Langworthy has introduced the bipartisan Surge to Save Newborns Act, co-led by Democrat Congresswoman Kim Schrier. This legislation aims to provide states with dedicated federal resources to implement newborn screenings for serious health conditions listed on the federal Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP). The bill proposes an annual allocation of $35 million from Fiscal Year 2027 through Fiscal Year 2031 to strengthen state newborn screening infrastructure and ensure recommended screenings are put into practice. The initiative follows advocacy efforts by Congressman Langworthy and the Hunter’s Hope Foundation, which led to the federal recommendation for universal screening of Krabbe disease in July 2024. The legislation is supported by a broad coalition of rare-disease patient advocacy organizations, family foundations, and children’s health organizations.

Senate Fails to Advance Data Center Bill Amidst Election-Year Disagreement on Energy Costs

Senate Fails to Advance Data Center Bill Amidst Election-Year Disagreement on Energy Costs

A bill aimed at addressing the impact of data centers on energy costs failed to advance in the U.S. Senate, falling short of the 60 votes needed. The measure, which had previously passed the House with a significant majority (417-3), garnered only 57-43 in the Senate. The bill, sponsored by Republican Senator Jon Husted of Ohio, proposed requiring utility regulators to consider adopting a federal standard that would charge large power customers, such as data centers, rates covering the cost of necessary grid upgrades. Democrats, including Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, criticized the bill as insufficient, labeling it a 'fraud' and arguing it merely suggested rather than mandated action. They advocate for stronger legislation that would direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue mandatory rules for large electricity consumers to pay for grid improvements. The failure to pass the bill occurred as senators prepared to leave Washington for campaign activities ahead of the midterms, highl...

Congress Passes Bill to Formally End Penny Production, Awaiting President Trump's Signature

Congress Passes Bill to Formally End Penny Production, Awaiting President Trump's Signature

The U.S. Senate has passed a bipartisan bill, known as The Common Cents Act, which formally ends the production of the penny after 234 years. The bill, co-sponsored by Reps. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., and Robert Garcia, D-Calif., is now headed to President Trump's desk, who is expected to sign it. The U.S. Mint had already ceased making pennies in 2025, and this legislation provides a legal endorsement of that decision. The penny, one of the first coins produced by the Mint in 1792, has become increasingly costly to manufacture, with each penny costing nearly four cents. Its usage has also declined significantly due to the rise of digital transactions. The bill aims to address the financial inefficiency of penny production and the practical challenges faced by retailers due to its dwindling circulation.

US Senate blocks bill to limit stock trading by lawmakers

US Senate blocks bill to limit stock trading by lawmakers

By Richard Cowan WASHINGTON, Sept 30 - The US Senate on Wednesday blocked legislation placing new restrictions on stock trading by members of Congress, as Democrats refused to provide enough votes to advance the measure toward passage, arguing that it falls short of a full ban.

GOP senator blocks effort to bar Trump from demolishing Kennedy Center

GOP senator blocks effort to bar Trump from demolishing Kennedy Center

Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee blocked a bipartisan effort to prevent President Donald Trump from demolishing the Kennedy Center.

Palm Beach Post

Sun rise, sunset times in Palm Beach County after daylight saving ends

Sun rise, sunset times in Palm Beach County after daylight saving ends

Sunrise and sunset times in Palm Beach County and in Florida before, after clocks fall back in November. What to know on effort to lock the clocks.

Congresswoman Wilson Introduces Glaucoma Vision Act to Expand Screening Access and Research Funding

Congresswoman Wilson Introduces Glaucoma Vision Act to Expand Screening Access and Research Funding

Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) has introduced the Glaucoma Vision Act of 2026, a legislative initiative aimed at broadening access to annual glaucoma screenings, delivering detection and treatment services to underserved communities, and investing in research to preserve and restore vision. According to a press release from Wilson's office, the bill seeks to mandate glaucoma screening coverage for eligible individuals with private insurance, Medicaid, and Federal Employees Health Benefits. It also proposes eliminating Medicare Part B cost-sharing for screenings for eligible people, with these coverage provisions generally set to take effect in 2027. The legislation targets high-risk populations, including adults aged 40 or older of African, Hispanic/Latino, or Asian ancestry, or those with clinical risk factors such as diabetes, a family history of glaucoma, elevated eye pressure, myopia, certain blood pressure conditions, or chronic corticosteroid use. Adults aged 60 or older would also qualify...

Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to End Taxpayer-Funded Dog and Cat Lab Experiments and Ban Breeding for Research

Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to End Taxpayer-Funded Dog and Cat Lab Experiments and Ban Breeding for Research

U.S. Representatives Nick Langworthy (R-N.Y.) and Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) have introduced the Companion Animal Protection Against Cruel Testing (COMPACT) Act, H.R. 10522. This bill aims to prohibit the use of Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) research funds for experiments on live dogs and cats, enhance oversight of animal testing, and facilitate the rehoming of animals currently in laboratories. Concurrently, Representative Nancy Mace has introduced the Prohibiting Unethical Procedures on Pets in Science (PUPPS) Act, which seeks to make it a federal offense to breed, sell, transfer, or knowingly acquire dogs specifically for research purposes. The PUPPS Act also mandates that dogs already designated for research be offered for adoption rather than euthanized. These legislative efforts align with a broader push by HHS to reduce the reliance on animals in biomedical evaluations. The introduction of the COMPACT Act was accompanied by rescued beagles from Ridglan Farms, a facility previously involved ...