Latest news with #RonAllen
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pride and Protest: Pair of events unites those opposed to president's actions
Jun. 15—MORGANTOWN — On Saturday, Morgantown found itself at the crossing of protest and pride. In the morning, protesters gathered in support of the movement "No Kings Day." By afternoon, the Morgantown rail-trail was alive with music, rainbows and community as Morgantown Pride hosted its annual block party. Though different, both events were united in a message to protect rights. First, a rally lined the sidewalks of Evansdale with people holding handmade signs and peacefully chanting "No kings !" and "This is what democracy looks like !" The demonstration was part of a movement organized in opposition that participants called "the erosion of democratic norms and rising government overreach." "This country doesn't have kings, " said Ron Allen, a member of the Mountaineer Indivisible Citizens Action Group. "We're against authoritarianism, which is the direction this administration is heading." Allen called the day's march not just a protest, but a stand to "preserve our democratic rights and fend for democracy." "If he really wanted to honor the military, he could have done it on July 4, " Allen said. "This is a counterpoint to that. People across the country are mobilizing, and we're proud to be part of it." The nationwide protests were scheduled to coincide with the massive military parade taking place in Washington, D.C., to mark the U.S. Army's 250th birthday. Saturday was also President Trump's 79th birthday. By early afternoon, the day shifted to a celebration over the rail-trail for the Morgantown Pride Block Party. Jeffrey Shears, the new president of Morgantown Pride, greeted attendees as they came to celebrate. The day was full of events like drag shows, music, local vendors and family-friendly activities. "It's a great day for Morgantown, " Shears said. "It's a great day any time our town rallies around a cause. Whether it's protest or pride, our community shows up." Planning this year's events came with challenges, Shears said, as they faced reduced support following the rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion measures. "We're so used to having corporate sponsors, " he said. "With DEI going away, we've really seen who supports our community and who doesn't." Shears, a military veteran and former Mr. Rainbow Pride of West Virginia, said his mission now is to serve and defend his community. "I spent 20 years defending our country, " he said. "Now I'm spending the rest of my life defending our community." For performer Bella la Vall, who took the stage during the block party, the connection between the morning protest and the Pride celebration was more than clear. "Sometimes, the most rebellious thing you can do is be gay, be proud, be an artist, " she said. "Even this Pride event is a 'No Kings' protest, without calling itself that." Originally from New York, Bella stayed in Morgantown after college because of the strong support system she found here. "There's something powerful about being visible in a world that often wants you to shrink, " she said. "When you have your community, you can get through anything."
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Man, 95, returns to TT to scatter wife's ashes
A 95-year-old has returned to the Isle of Man TT for the first time in 44 years to scatter his wife's ashes at their favourite vantage point. Ron Allen, from London, last visited the island for the event in 1981, having returned annually with his late wife Cherry Allen since 1956. Advertisement Following the death of his wife in February, Ron booked a flight to the island for the TT and scattered Cherry's ashes at Cronk Urleigh, just past the 13th milestone on the course. He said: "I decided I would bring back some of her ashes to her favourite place on the TT course where we use to watch the races and I thought she would be there forever then". Ron met his wife at the age of 24 at work and he says the pair would "chat" at the end of the day when she picked up her bicycle and he collected his motorbike. The couple both enjoyed motorbikes over 45 years, with Cherry once attempting to be a passenger on a sidecar in Silverstone and pulling out the moves that she saw at the Isle of Man TT, Ron said. Advertisement He said: "She really loved the Isle of Man TT and was always very enthusiastic about it". Ron said while he always wanted to return to the island for the TT, the couple started going to Greece instead and got into Greek dancing. During his trip this year, Ron also had the opportunity to ride around the course on the back of a bike ridden by a former Manx Grand Prix winner. Organised by his neighbour and friend, Sebastian Edge, Ron experienced speeds of up to 100 mph (161km/h). He said: "It wasn't very comfortable, because those bikes aren't made for passengers", adding "I had my knees up to my neck, but I am glad I did it because I can see something of how the riders feel when they go plunging down Bray Hill". Advertisement The roads had been smoothened, and were less rough than in the 50s, he said, meaning that riders could go much quicker. But the speeds riders now go were "unbelievable", Ron said, and the TT was a "unique" event as riders take on the 37.7 mile (60.7km) course. The TT is "really modern now", he said, and in the past, there was just a black score board, and the paddock was not cut off, "so you used to be able to mingle with riders and share stories". Fondly remembering his visits, Ron said "early in the morning it was so invigorating to get on the bike and ride around" adding that it is a "beautiful island with beautiful spots". Advertisement His neighbour, Sebastian Edge, said that Ron was an "avid fan and supporter of the races", and to come to the TT for the first time with someone who had visited since 1956 had "made it very special for me". Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. More like this story Related internet links
BBC News
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Man, 95, returns to Isle of Man TT to scatter wife's ashes
A 95-year-old has returned to the Isle of Man TT for the first time in 44 years to scatter his wife's ashes at their favourite vantage Allen, from London, last visited the island for the event in 1981, having returned annually with his late wife Cherry Allen since 1956. Following the death of his wife in February, Ron booked a flight to the island for the TT and scattered Cherry's ashes at Cronk Urleigh, just past the 13th milestone on the said: "I decided I would bring back some of her ashes to her favourite place on the TT course where we use to watch the races and I thought she would be there forever then". Ron met his wife at the age of 24 at work and he says the pair would "chat" at the end of the day when she picked up her bicycle and he collected his motorbike. The couple both enjoyed motorbikes over 45 years, with Cherry once attempting to be a passenger on a sidecar in Silverstone and pulling out the moves that she saw at the Isle of Man TT, Ron said: "She really loved the Isle of Man TT and was always very enthusiastic about it".Ron said while he always wanted to return to the island for the TT, the couple started going to Greece instead and got into Greek dancing. During his trip this year, Ron also had the opportunity to ride around the course on the back of a bike ridden by a former Manx Grand Prix winner. Organised by his neighbour and friend, Sebastian Edge, Ron experienced speeds of up to 100 mph (161km/h). He said: "It wasn't very comfortable, because those bikes aren't made for passengers", adding "I had my knees up to my neck, but I am glad I did it because I can see something of how the riders feel when they go plunging down Bray Hill".The roads had been smoothened, and were less rough than in the 50s, he said, meaning that riders could go much the speeds riders now go were "unbelievable", Ron said, and the TT was a "unique" event as riders take on the 37.7 mile (60.7km) course. The TT is "really modern now", he said, and in the past, there was just a black score board, and the paddock was not cut off, "so you used to be able to mingle with riders and share stories".Fondly remembering his visits, Ron said "early in the morning it was so invigorating to get on the bike and ride around" adding that it is a "beautiful island with beautiful spots".His neighbour, Sebastian Edge, said that Ron was an "avid fan and supporter of the races", and to come to the TT for the first time with someone who had visited since 1956 had "made it very special for me". Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
For Indian Country, federal cuts decimate core tribal programs
A clinical pharmacist with the Seattle Indian Health Board administers a shot of a COVID-19 vaccine in 2020. Tribal organizations, including health care clinics, have been disrupted by recent cuts to federal funding and staffing. () President Donald Trump's sweeping cuts to the federal workforce and government spending have reverberated across Indian Country, leaving tribes with deep uncertainty about their health clinics, schools, police agencies and wildfire crews. Native officials say the cuts could hit a vast array of core public services in tribal communities — even though the federal government is legally required to provide those services. 'These are real jobs that our society depends on. These are cops, nurses in clinics, people who manage our forests and fisheries,' said W. Ron Allen, chairman of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe in Washington state and a longtime leader on Native sovereignty issues. 'You can't just come in with a chainsaw and slash everything and think you can get away with undermining this [responsibility].' Allen, like many tribal leaders, flew to Washington, D.C., last week to lobby federal officials to change course. Tribal experts note that the cuts will be felt far beyond reservation boundaries. 'This is going to destroy whole regional economies in rural areas around the country,' said Matthew Fletcher, an Indian law professor at the University of Michigan and a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. The federal government's unique role in supporting tribal services is not an act of generosity. It's a legal mandate based on treaty rights guaranteed to tribal nations in exchange for conceding land. Tribes across the country signed nearly 400 treaties in the 18th and 19th centuries, and modern legal efforts have reaffirmed the feds' obligation to uphold those promises. In addition to the specific rights outlined in those treaties, the federal government also must uphold its trust responsibility to tribes — a legal obligation under which the United States must protect tribal sovereignty and provide basic social services for tribal nations. These are real jobs that our society depends on. These are cops, nurses in clinics, people who manage our forests and fisheries. – W. Ron Allen, chairman of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Many legal experts say the Trump administration's efforts to gut federal agencies and cut off funds to Native communities likely violate the government's obligations. Tribal leaders have called on Trump to reverse the cuts — and earned at least one reprieve last month when Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. verbally rescinded layoffs at the Indian Health Service. 'There's certainly a lot of trepidation in Indian Country because so many tribal programs rely on federal funding,' said Gussie Lord, managing attorney of the Tribal Partnerships Program with Earthjustice, an environmental law group. 'These are absolutely legal obligations based on the federal trust responsibility.' Some tribal observers also fear that Trump's administration could roll back regulations that allow tribes to protect their water quality. That's imperative for tribal members whose diet features high amounts of traditional foods such as salmon and wild rice. Meanwhile, Trump has pledged to block funding for DEI programs — efforts to boost diversity, equity and inclusion. Tribes told Stateline they have been warned by federal agency insiders that many of their grants could be at risk. Native leaders are pushing Trump officials to acknowledge that the feds' relationship with tribes is based on their status as sovereign nations, not racial preference. Tribes are still working to understand how their communities will be affected, and many tribal nations and organizations did not respond to interview requests. Some observers have noted that Trump's penchant for targeting his political enemies may make some officials wary of putting their tribe in the crosshairs by speaking out publicly. Officials at the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Indian Health Service and the Bureau of Indian Education did not respond to interview requests. When Trump announced a freeze on all government grant funding in late January, the Seattle Indian Health Board found it had been locked out of its payment management system. The community health center serves thousands of patients and offers a variety of services; more than half of its expenses are reimbursed from federal money. Judges have since blocked Trump's move to freeze the funding. The health center is now able to access the payment system during brief windows, officials there said. The organization is managing so far, leaders said, but they fear the worst is yet to come. 'The looming threat that our resources will get cut off again is terrifying,' said Esther Lucero, the board's president and CEO, who is of Diné (Navajo) descent. 'We're operating with very little confidence.' Trump's cuts to federal wildfire crews could have 'scary' consequences Lucero said the health center is concerned it will lose federal funding to construct a planned 92-bed residential treatment facility. The group has halted its work on multiple construction projects — including a clinic and housing project — based on fears that federal money will disappear. The Seattle Indian Health Board has enough reserves to maintain services for about four months if its federal support were to be cut altogether, she said. But Lucero noted that many tribal clinics and organizations are run directly by the Indian Health Service, making them even more vulnerable to cuts. In mid-February, 950 staffers at the Indian Health Service were told they were being laid off. A coalition of Native organizations raised the alarm, sending a letter to the feds that the cuts would have 'life and death' consequences, according to ICT, a news service formerly known as Indian Country Today that covers Indigenous issues. The letter noted that 214 tribal nations receive direct care from the agency. Hours later, Kennedy said that the layoffs had been rescinded, telling the news outlet in a written statement that IHS, long the 'redheaded stepchild' of the federal health bureaucracy, would be a 'priority' during Trump's second term. While tribal groups were relieved at the sudden reversal, experts say the prospect of cuts at the agency remains a major threat. 'IHS is already underfunded,' said Dean Seneca, an epidemiologist and member of the Seneca Nation who spent years working for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support. Seneca now runs his own private firm. 'Any kind of cut to the IHS would literally cripple the agency. There will be tribes that won't be able to provide services.' Trump's cuts also have targeted schools serving tribal members. Education, like health care, is part of the federal government's legal trust responsibility to Native people. The federal Bureau of Indian Education operates 55 elementary and secondary schools, while funding another 128 schools that are managed by tribes. The agency also operates a university and community college, which were hit hardest by the layoffs. Haskell Indian Nations University in Kansas, which had roughly 160 employees, saw more than a quarter of its staff get cut. Dalton Henry, the interim president of the school's Board of Regents, shared with Stateline a letter he sent to federal leaders. The cuts, he argued, would 'have disastrous consequences for fulfilling its educational mission,' noting that Haskell exists to uphold the government's legal trust responsibility to Native people. 'We desperately need to get this fixed,' said Ahniwake Rose, president and CEO of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, which advocates for tribal colleges. 'We already have students that are questioning staying out the rest of the semester.' In long-sought change, states must consider tribal rights when crafting water rules Rose said the cuts have thrown Haskell, as well as the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in New Mexico, into chaos. Overnight, the schools lost numerous instructors, safety personnel, cafeteria workers and coaches when the layoffs came down last month. Meanwhile, staffers at K-12 schools run by the federal agency have had a $1 purchase limit placed on their work credit cards, she said, making it impossible for them to buy supplies. Federal funding cuts have also crippled a science and health program at Northern Arizona University that was largely made up of Indigenous students, Cronkite News reported. The program, which is now in danger of shutting down, was targeted due to Trump's ban on DEI funds, although it did not exclusively serve Native students. During President Joe Biden's term in the White House, federal agencies adopted new regulations to ensure that environmental standards protected tribes' rights to hunt, fish and harvest. The feds also moved in recent years to bolster tribes' ability to set their own water quality standards and weigh in on federal permitting decisions. Ken Norton, a top environmental official with the Hoopa Valley Tribe in California, said the tribe had a strong relationship with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's local project officer when Biden was in the White House. Following the cuts to federal staff, they've had no communication from the EPA. 'Where is your contingency plan, and who are our contacts?' Norton said in an interview. 'You left us in the dark. This is a breach of your trust responsibility to tribes.' Norton also chairs the National Tribal Water Council, a tribal advocacy group. He said some EPA officials have quietly warned tribal leaders that Trump loyalists are using artificial intelligence to single out Clean Water Act grant proposals that include terms such as 'climate change' or 'environmental injustice.' Trump is also attempting to dismantle the National Environmental Policy Act, a keystone law that requires environmental reviews of major projects that need federal permits. Norton said the act is crucial for protecting natural resources in Indian Country. 'They're dismantling these regulatory agencies — reducing the staffing, reducing the funding, chipping away at the regulatory authorities — until they become nonfunctional,' Norton said. Trump said last week that he intends to cut 65% of EPA staff. Lord, the Earthjustice attorney, said the cuts could particularly hurt tribal water treatment facilities. 'Any cuts there, even 10 or 15%, could potentially be devastating and have long term effects on water quality,' she said. The federal Bureau of Indian Affairs has lost 118 employees as a result of Trump's cuts, ICT reported. The agency supports a vast array of tribal programs including energy development, natural resources, law enforcement and irrigation. Overdose deaths are rising among Black and Indigenous Americans Meanwhile, U.S. House Democrats on the Natural Resources Committee said that Trump's administration is planning to close more than a quarter of the agency's offices, covering 25 locations. The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation in Washington state depend on the BIA to provide support during wildfire season, and for funding to hire the tribe's own firefighters. Trump's freeze on federal hiring has halted the onboarding process for those staffers. 'A lot of the funding we do get comes from federal appropriations,' said Chairman Jarred-Michael Erickson. 'It's a big concern. We're not only worried about it from a fire standpoint, but health care, law enforcement, education.' The funding freeze also affected a federal grant to install 112 electric vehicle chargers in Cherokee Nation communities in Oklahoma. Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., in a statement to Stateline, said the cut would be a major setback for the regional economy if the funds are not restored. He said the tribe is still evaluating the full effects of the federal cuts, and is concerned about their impact on schools, housing funds and BIA programs. Meanwhile, tribal leaders warn that Trump's efforts to cut national programs, such as Medicaid and the Department of Veterans Affairs, will have a disproportionate effect in tribal communities. Nearly a fifth of Native Americans and Alaska Natives were covered by Medicaid as of 2020, according to the National Council of Urban Indian Health. Last week, the Department of Veterans Affairs paused cuts to billions of dollars in contracts after significant public backlash. The cuts would have affected programs including cancer care and toxic exposure assessments, The Associated Press reported. Prior to the contracts dispute, the VA also cut more than 1,000 employees due to Trump's staffing reductions. Native Americans serve in the military at higher rates than any other group, leaving them particularly vulnerable to cuts to veterans care. Tribal leaders are also concerned that Trump's ongoing efforts to slash DEI programs could mistakenly target funding for Native communities. 'A lot of people who object to Indian affairs just straight-up think it's racial preferences,' said Fletcher, the Indian law professor. 'It's not DEI at all, but that doesn't mean the Trump administration won't go after it that way.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State bans controversial industry with landmark ruling: 'I don't believe that cost is worth it'
In a win for marine conservation, Washington state has permanently banned commercial fish farming in its waters. The Washington State Board of Natural Resources announced it voted to prohibit commercial net pen aquaculture on state-owned waters, marking the end of a 40-year industry in Puget Sound. The decision means Washington is the first place worldwide to remove and permanently ban commercial net pens. This move will help safeguard wild salmon populations and the endangered orcas that depend on them. The ban follows a 2018 incident where a net pen collapsed off Cypress Island, releasing over 250,000 Atlantic salmon into Puget Sound. Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz emphasized the environmental stakes: "No one can say these facilities don't have an impact. They do. There's a cost to our agency, there's a cost to our waters and our bedlands, there's a cost to our salmon and our orcas. I don't believe that cost is worth it." While many celebrated this as a victory for ocean health, some tribal leaders and industry experts raised concerns. Ron Allen, chairman of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, pointed to the potential economic impacts. "The board has chosen to prioritize politics and misinformation over scientific evidence and collaborative stewardship," he told the Global Seafood Alliance. "Even more troubling is the disregard shown for our Tribe's sovereign rights to utilize our marine resources in our own fishery for the economic betterment of the Tribe." To address these concerns, the rule includes exceptions for hatcheries that restore or boost native fish stocks. This provision helps maintain tribal fishing rights while supporting wild salmon recovery efforts. Other tribal nations strongly support the ban. Lisa Wilson, Lummi Indian Business Council member, stated, "Banning net pens is not only a step toward environmental stewardship, but also a critical measure to uphold and respect the Treaty rights of all Tribes. The Lummi nation stands firm in our commitment to safeguarding our shared resources and cultural heritage." Should we be harnessing the ocean to power our homes? Absolutely Leave it be It depends I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The DNR reports 80% of public comments backed the ban. Emma Helverson, executive director of the Wild Fish Conservancy, praised the decision, saying, "Their leadership reflects an understanding that the pollution and detrimental effects of this industry directly undermine public, tribal and government efforts to protect and restore wild salmon and starving orcas." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
