Latest news with #U.S.DepartmentofTransportation
NBC News
11 hours ago
- Politics
- NBC News
Judge blocks Trump plan to tie states' transportation funds to immigration enforcement
A federal judge on Thursday blocked President 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 U.S. District Judge John McConnell in Providence, Rhode Island ruled that the U.S. Department of Transportation lacked authority to require the states to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to obtain transportation funding and that the condition violated the U.S. Constitution. McConnell said the administration provided no plausible connection between cooperating with immigration enforcement and the purposes Congress intended for the funding, which is to support highways, bridges and other transportation projects. 'Congress did not authorize or grant authority to the Secretary of Transportation to impose immigration enforcement conditions on federal dollars specifically appropriated for transportation purposes,' McConnell wrote. The judge, an appointee of Democratic President Barack Obama, issued a preliminary injunction preventing such a condition from being enforced against the 20 states that sued along with their government subdivisions, like cities. The Trump administration did not respond to a request for comment. It has argued the policy was within the department's discretion. 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 the Republican president's hardline immigration agenda. They sued after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on April 24 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. Since returning to office on January 20, Trump has signed several executive orders that have called for cutting off federal funding to so-called sanctuary jurisdictions that do not cooperate with 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. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, in a statement, hailed McConnell's ruling, saying Trump had been 'treating these funds — funds that go toward improving our roads and keeping our planes in the air — as a bargaining chip.' The 20 states are separately pursuing a similar case also in Rhode Island, challenging new immigration enforcement conditions the Homeland Security Department imposed on grant programs.
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Miami Herald
New Seat Belt Law To Impact 7 Million Americans
Millions of people in Virginia will be mandated to wear seat belts no matter where they are sat in a vehicle from next month. The legislation, signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin in March, requires everyone to wear a seat belts even if they are sat in the back seats of a motor vehicle from July 1. Virginia previously only required passengers in the front two seats and children to buckle up. Newsweek contacted Youngkin's office for comment by email outside of regular working hours. Virginia ranked last for seat belt usage among U.S. states in a 2024 report by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Only 73.2 percent of people in Virginia used seat belts in 2023, which was the state's lowest recorded percentage since 2016. The new legislation states that any driver or passenger at least 18 years of age will have to wear the "appropriate safety belt system at all times while the motor vehicle is in motion on any public highway." The law affects around 6.9 million people in the state. A few exemptions exist, including when a licensed physician determines that the use of a seat belt for a patient would be "impractical by reason of such person's physical condition or other medical reason." Law-enforcement officers who are transporting people in custody or "traveling in circumstances which render the wearing of such safety belt system impractical" will also be exempt. Rural mail carriers for the U.S. Postal Service will also be exempt when carrying out deliveries, as will taxi passengers. Any person who violates the law will have to pay a fine of 25 dollars. The new legislation, also known as the "Christopher King Seat Belt Law," was championed by Christy King, whose son was killed in a car crash shortly after graduating high school. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles said on its website: "Effective July 1, 2025, Virginia law requires all occupants of motor vehicles to be restrained by a seat belt, regardless of where they are seated in the vehicle. Children under age 8 must be secured in a property child safety seat, and rear-facing child seats must still be placed in the back seat of a vehicle." Christy King wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter: "We are proud of our hard work in fighting for change and to see this law become a reality! The Christopher King Seat Belt Law will take effect on July 1, 2025. We love you, Christopher. Your memory & impact will live on through this important law. Buckle Up." The law comes into force on July 1, and all adults over the age of 18 bar of few exceptions will be required to wear seat belts or risk facing penalty charges. Related Articles America's Second Largest Homebuilder Sees House Prices PlungeFlorida Tax Changes Explained As $115-Billion Budget PassedTexas Man Gets First US Robotic Heart Transplant 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
'We want safety for all users' as finish nears for Greater Grand Forks' streets plan
Jun. 14—GRAND FORKS — The Grand Forks-East Grand Forks Metropolitan Planning Organization will be opening public comment on the final draft of its Safe Streets for All Plan on June 16. The plan has been in the works for more than a year to identify community needs, actionable steps and projects that Grand Forks and East Grand Forks can take to address traffic safety. The Safe Streets For All, or SS4A, plan isn't just one by the MPO, but a plan for which both cities applied and received a $400,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to conduct. "A lot of work has gone into this, everything from lots of conversations from various entities and organizations across the region, but also just a lot of engagement," Blue Weber of Bolton and Menk, one of the consultants helping with the plan, told the East Grand Forks City Council on June 10. "It's been a blast." The public will be able to leave comments on the plan's website: . Once adopted by both cities, the plan will open funding opportunities for safe street improvements, along with potentially making grant and other traffic funding applications stronger. The SS4A program was established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021, which set aside $5 billion in funds between 2022 and 2026 to reduce roadway deaths across the country. "An important part with the safety action plan with the SS4A funding is to try to bundle some of these projects," Weber told the Grand Forks City Council on June 9. "You never want to just go after one, because this is an awesome, huge pot of money that you really want to try to sell this story of implementing safety within your community." Since starting the plan in May 2024, seven public engagement events have been held to allow residents to comment on their priorities for traffic safety and to learn more about the plan. Those ranged from traditional open houses where people could take in information and ask questions to staff and consultants, to more interactive events, like a walking audit of 17th Avenue South in Grand Forks. Final adoption of the plan is proposed for sometime in July or August after public comment and both city councils have met in a joint meeting to provide their input. Another in-person engagement event is planned for later in June to allow for more comments. The plan is split into eight chapters and follows a format similar to other traffic plans that the MPO has created, like the 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan. It includes an overview of demographics, peer community reviews, how it was created, data and implementation strategies. Roads like 32nd Avenue South and Washington Street in Grand Forks and Bygland Road in East Grand Forks received some of the most comments from the public about potential improvements. Additionally, creating better pedestrian and bike connections across Greater Grand Forks was desired. "This is a community plan. This is not just something that MPO filed for themselves. Both the communities of East Grand Forks and Grand Forks really had to partake in this," Weber said in East Grand Forks. "One of the biggest things that came out of all our engagement with the community is we want safety for all users."
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'Three-year journey': Train station back on track as BUILD projects advance
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Heritage Johnstown has finally outlined a plan for using the more than $11 million it was awarded in U.S. Department of Transportation Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant money to refurbish the Johnstown Train Station. The goal is to restore the structure, located at 47 Walnut St. downtown, to its original 1916 appearance while adhering to modern Americans with Disabilities Act and environmental standards. Dan Solomon, chairman of Heritage Johnstown, said the final idea was developed after meeting with Jennie Louwerse, the transportation business line leader for WSP, an engineering firm brought on by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to help with the project. Together, the organizations 'simplified the scope,' according to Solomon. Environmental engineering still needs to be done. But afterward, Phase One will consist of fully restoring the grand concourse and ticket office section, completing exterior restoration and ensuring structural stability for the second floor and baggage area. That part of the work is expected to cost approximately $7.2 million and be completed between November 2026 and April 2027, depending on when Amtrak builds a new platform as part of a separate project. The second phase will involve installing an elevator, restoring the second floor and improving the baggage area. Solomon expects Phase Two to last into late 2028. 'It's really a three-year journey,' Solomon said. Johnstown Train Station Johnstown Train Station on Walnut Street in downtown Johnstown on Thursday, June 12, 2025. 'Reinvigorate the core' Three local entities were awarded nearly $24.5 million combined in grants through the then-RAISE, now known as Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD), program in 2021. The City of Johnstown received $8 million for a Main Street corridor redevelopment project. Cambria County Transit Authority got almost $880,000 for repairs to the Johnstown Inclined Plane and $3.6 million for upgrades to the Transit Center on Main Street. All of the money must be used for the specified transportation initiatives and cannot be directed elsewhere. The projects also 'have to be in lockstep,' regarding environmental studies and other plans, according to Johnstown City Manager Art Martynuska. Johnstown City Council has not picked a final Main Street design yet, but the idea is to add modern lighting, arts spaces, new sidewalks and safety features. Work on the rest of the corridor is expected to start after renovations are done to Central Park using a separate pool of American Rescue Plan Act federal dollars. It will be the first major redesign of Main Street since the years after the 1977 Flood. 'I think the last time we looked at anything was in the late '70s, early '80s,' Martynuska said. 'That's obviously when there was federal revenue sharing and some other things that happened, Main Street East (Parking Garage), so on and so forth. It's to reinvigorate the core of the city and hopefully move forward from there.' The Inclined Plane money will be used to 'replace three wayfinding signs and to improve the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramp used to access the pedestrian overpass/crosswalk over the Johnstown Expressway (PA‐56),' according to the project description from 2023. Meanwhile, 'the CamTran Downtown Transit Center will be upgraded with a dedicated bus lane in front of the center, along with passenger facility upgrades including an enhanced passenger waiting area, advanced passenger information systems, pedestrian/cyclist accessibility improvements to and around the station,' per information provided by the transit authority. All BUILD, formerly RAISE, funds must be expended by Sept. 30, 2029.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Please do not go to the airport': Sliver Airways leaves travelers stranded after airline abruptly shuts down
There's missing a flight, and then there's missing every flight because your airline just went bankrupt. That's what happened to hundreds of travelers this week when Silver Airways, a Florida-based regional carrier, abruptly announced it was ceasing operations effective immediately. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Passengers flying between Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean were left at airports with no warning, no alternative flight plans and no customer service reps in sight. 'We regret to inform you that we are ceasing operations as of today, June 11, 2025,' the airline posted on Instagram. "Please do not go to the airport." The bankruptcy came with zero notice and even fewer answers, raising questions for customers who already paid for tickets. Here's what led to the airline's sudden nosedive — and what to do if your summer vacation just hit major turbulence. Silver Airways has officially flown its last mile. Roughly five months after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the Florida-based airline grounded all flights — and not because of stormy weather. In a recent statement, the company revealed it had sold its assets to another airline holding company as part of a restructuring effort. But instead of reviving the brand, the new owner decided to ground all operations. 'In an attempt to restructure in bankruptcy, Silver entered into a transaction to sell its assets to another airline holding company, who unfortunately has determined to not continue Silver's flight operations,' the airline wrote in a statement. Silver had hoped the bankruptcy would help secure new capital and offer a path toward financial recovery. Instead, the collapse has left travelers stranded and staff without jobs — a costly detour for everyone involved. Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says — and that 'anyone' can do it If you're one of the many people left grounded by Silver's sudden shutdown, don't expect a refund from the airline itself. In its final Instagram post, the company made it clear that customers won't be reimbursed directly. But all hope isn't lost. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, you might be able to recover your money depending on how you paid. If you bought your ticket with a credit card, you can file a dispute with your card issuer under the Fair Credit Billing Act. Be sure to include a copy of your ticket and receipt, and clearly explain that the airline has ceased operations and failed to deliver the service you paid for. Just don't wait too long. You typically have 60 days from the date your statement was issued — the one that includes the airfare charge — to file the dispute. If you booked through a travel agent or third-party site, it's worth reaching out to see if they can help secure a refund or offer any alternatives. Some agencies have extra protections or recourse built into their services. Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now This tiny hot Costco item has skyrocketed 74% in price in under 2 years — but now the retail giant is restricting purchases. Here's how to buy the coveted asset in bulk Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
