Latest news with #DepartmentOfTransportation
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
WisDOT shares the importance of burn management
(WFRV) – According to experts with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, prescribed burns and burn management play an essential role in the well-being of native plants in the state. In a release shared by WisDOT on social media, burn management is said to be a cost-effective and efficient way to manage plants while also preventing the spread of invasive species. Packers to participate in separate joint training camp practice sessions with Colts and Seahawks Just this past spring, officials say crews completed a controlled burn in Dane County at the World Dairy Wetland Site near I-39/90. Two months following the controlled burn, native plants were seen growing in abundance. The following are said to be benefits of controlled burns: Stimulates the growth of native plants Improves habitat Helps prevent invasive species Releases nutrients into the soil For more information about prescribed burns and their benefits, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Fox News
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Federal judge halts Trump's plan to cut funding for sanctuary states that refuse to cooperate
A federal judge in Rhode Island issued a preliminary injunction on Thursday, blocking the Trump administration from denying federal transportation funds to states that do not cooperate with immigration enforcement authorities. Twenty Democratic-led states brought a lawsuit against President Donald Trump's administration, challenging a new Department of Transportation (DOT) policy of withholding or terminating federal funding to any state or local government that does not comply with immigration-enforcement policies. During Trump's first day in office, he issued a sweeping executive order that would deny federal funds to "so-called sanctuary jurisdictions." U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell Jr. issued the preliminary injunction against the Trump administration's efforts on Thursday, saying it is "unconstitutional and/or unlawful" because it violates the Administrative Procedure Act. McConnell also said the Trump administration's action is ultra vires – or done beyond one's legal authority – and exceeds Congress's powers under the Spending Clause. Under the preliminary injunction, the Trump administration is "prohibited from implementing or enforcing the Immigration Enforcement Condition as set forth in the Duffy Directive," McConnell wrote. He also said the defendants are "prohibited from withholding or terminating federal funding based on the Immigration Enforcement Condition as set forth in the Duffy Directive absent specific statutory authorization." "Defendants are prohibited from taking adverse action against any state entity or local jurisdiction, including barring it from receiving or making it ineligible for federal funding, based on the Immigration Enforcement Condition, absent specific statutory authorization," the ruling continued. "The Court forbids and enjoins any attempt to implement the Immigration Enforcement Condition, and any actions by the Defendants to implement or enforce the Immigration Enforcement Condition." Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment on the matter. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, even this week, has warned "rogue state actors" who do not cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and federal immigration enforcement that they may be on the hook to clean up their own mess. Most recently, Duffy directed his comments toward California officials who have distanced themselves from immigration enforcement while riots and protests continue to break out in places like Los Angeles. Duffy has suggested political leaders work better with the Trump administration. "The USDOT will not fund rogue state actors who refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement," Duffy said Monday. "And to cities that stand by while rioters destroy transportation infrastructure — don't expect a red cent from DOT, either." Duffy said in April that federal grants come with the obligation to adhere to federal law. "It shouldn't be controversial – enforce our immigration rules, end anti-American DEI policies, and protect free speech. These values reflect the priorities of the American people, and I will take action to ensure compliance," he said.
The Guardian
18 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Judge blocks Trump plan to tie states' transportation funds to immigration enforcement
A federal judge on Thursday blocked Donald Trump's administration from forcing 20 Democratic-led states to cooperate with immigration enforcement in order to receive billions of dollars in transportation grant funding. Chief US District Judge John McConnell in Providence, Rhode Island, granted the states' request for an injunction barring the Department of Transportation's policy, saying the states were likely to succeed on the merits of some or all of their claims. The Trump administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by a group of Democratic state attorneys general who argued the administration was seeking to unlawfully hold federal funds hostage to coerce them into adhering to Trump's hardline immigration agenda. The states argued the US transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, lacked the authority to impose immigration-enforcement conditions on funding that Congress appropriated to help states sustain roads, highways, bridges and other transportation projects. Since returning to office on 20 January, Trump has signed several executive orders that have called for cutting off federal funding to so-called sanctuary jurisdictions that do not cooperate with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) as his administration has moved to conduct mass deportations. Sanctuary jurisdictions generally have laws and policies that limit or prevent local law enforcement from assisting federal officers with civil immigration arrests. The justice department has filed a series of lawsuits against such jurisdictions, including Illinois, New York and Colorado, challenging laws in those Democratic-led states that it says hinder federal immigration enforcement. The lawsuit before McConnell, who was appointed by Barack Obama, was filed after Duffy on 24 April notified states they could lose transportation funding if they do not cooperate with the enforcement of federal law, including with Ice in its efforts to enforce immigration law. The states argue that policy is improper and amounts to an unconstitutionally ambiguous condition on the states' ability to receive funding authorized by Congress as it leaves unclear what exactly would constitute adequate cooperation. The administration has argued the policy was within Duffy's discretion and that conditions should be upheld as there is nothing improper about requiring states to comply with federal law. The 20 states are separately pursuing a similar case also in Rhode Island challenging new immigration enforcement conditions that the homeland security department imposed on grant programs.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Busy Pierce County road will be single-lane this summer during construction
Part of state Route 161 between Graham and Eatonville will experience temporary changes this summer, according to a news release from the Washington State Department of Transportation. Starting on June 23, WSDOT will replace two culverts north of 280th Street East to make it easier for fish to travel through tributaries to South Creek, according to the news release. Construction is expected to be completed this fall. The replacement will be an 18-foot-long bridge. Crews will make improvements to the creek as well. Crews will remove vegetation to construct a single-lane road for the time being, to take drivers around the construction. A temporary traffic signal will direct alternating traffic, according to the department's website. Drivers should expect minor delays. The speed limit will go from 55 mph to 25 mph during construction, according to the news release.
CBS News
a day ago
- Automotive
- CBS News
Waymo, Google's self-driving car service, applies for NYC permit
Waymo, Google's self-driving car division, wants to return to New York City. "New York, we're coming back to the Big Apple next month! We want to serve New Yorkers in the future, and we're working towards that goal," the company posted on social media Wednesday. Waymo said it applied for a permit from the city's Department of Transportation to test its vehicles with a trained specialist behind the wheel. The company added it is "also advocating for changes to state law to allow us to bring our fully autonomous ride-hailing service to the city one day." New York state law currently allows for autonomous vehicle testing, but requires an operator be present and able to take control. "Applicants may apply to test AVs anywhere in New York City, understanding that the city presents some of the most challenging urban street environments for an AV to navigate," the city's DOT website reads. The DOT says it works with companies to ensure public safety and make sure testing does not impact traffic, including cyclists, pedestrians, mass transit and emergency responders. Waymo operates fully autonomous vehicles and ride-hailing services in other cities, including San Francisco and Los Angeles. The company recently expanded its coverage zone in both areas. This isn't Waymo's first bite at the Big Apple. The company previously tested out its vehicles in 2021 to map the city streets and learn more about weather data. Earlier this year, Waymo recalled more than 1,000 vehicles over faulty software that caused them to crash into chains, gates and other barriers. The company also suspended service in downtown LA earlier this month after five of its vehicles were set on fire during anti-ICE protests.
