Drought

Missoulian:Obama turns attention to California drought

FACT SHEET: President Obama Leading Administration-wide Drought Response

As communities across California struggle with the impacts of one of the state’s worst droughts in over 100 years, President Obama is committed to ensuring that his Administration is doing everything it can help the farmers, ranchers, small businesses, and communities being impacted.
U.S. Drought Portal

Wolf Baiting/ Global Health/ NSA. Snowden

Missoulian: Idaho proposes wolf baiting to protect elk herds

Rules governing the use of bait and trapping for taking of big game animals

“Gray wolves may be trapped near a big game animal that has died naturally and the carcass has not been repositioned for trapping purposes. Natural causes shall not include any man-caused mortality. (4-4-13)ii. Gray wolves may be trapped using a carcass of a legally taken gray wolf with the hide removed.

(4-4-13)

iii. Gray wolves may be trapped using the parts of accidentally killed wildlife salvaged in accordance

with IDAPA 13.01.10, “Rules Governing the Importation, Possession, Release, Sale or Salvage of Wildlife,”

Subsections 300.02.c. and 300.02.d. in Game Management Units as identified by the Commission’s Big Game

Season Proclamation. The Proclamation is published in a brochure available at department offices and license

vendors.

 

Missoulian: US, 26 countries launch effort to fight outbreaks
Global Health Security

Missoulian: NSA to Congress: Snowden copied co-worker password
“The Report of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board on Reforms to the Section 215 Telephone Records Program and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court”

Debt Limit/ Military Pensions/ Affordable Care Act/ Wildlife Trafficking

Missoulian: Senate looks to clear debt limit bill for Obama
S.540: Temporary Debt Limit Extension Act

Missoulian: Senate to clear bill ending military pension cuts
S 1963: Military, repeal cut in pension COLA for veterans under 62

Missoulian: Obama to raise minimum wage for contract workers
FACT SHEET - Opportunity For All: Rewarding Hard Work
“The Executive Order the President will sign today will benefit hundreds of thousands of people working under contracts with the federal government who are making less than $10.10 an hour. ”

Missoulian: Wiggle room for big firms under new coverage rule
Final Regulations Implementing Employer Shared Responsibility Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for 2015
“To avoid a payment for failing to offer health coverage, employers need to offer coverage to 70 percent of their full-time employees in 2015 and 95 percent in 2016 and beyond, helping employers that, for example, may offer coverage to employees with 35 or more hours, but not yet to that fraction of their employees who work 30 to 34 hours.”

Credit: Yathin S Krishnappa.

Missoulian: US to crack down on ivory to protect elephants

White House Unveils National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking
“The United States today announced a National Strategy that will strengthen U.S. leadership on addressing the serious and urgent conservation and global security threat posed by the illegal trade in wildlife.”

WV Chemical Spill/ LGBTQI Rights

Missoulian: House panel holds W.Va. hearing on chemical spill

The Charleston, West Virginia Chemical Spill

“As Americans we all should feel safe to drink the water that comes out of our faucets.  We should be able to take a shower without worrying what’s in the water.  We should have confidence that our governmental leaders are doing everything in their power to ensure the safety of our water supply.  That is why we are here today. ”

Missoulian: Holder applies same-sex marriage ruling to Justice

Attorney General Eric Holder Delivers Remarks at the Human Rights Campaign Greater New York Gala

“You’ve stepped to the forefront of our national discourse, helping to mobilize millions to raise awareness about issues of concern to the LGBT community.  You’ve spoken out for the rights and opportunities that have too often been denied to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.  You’re calling for policies that stabilize families and expand individual liberty.  And you’re doing it all in a manner that is enduring; that is predicated on an understanding of our common humanity; and that is founded on the singular ideal that has defined this country since its earliest days: the notion that all are created equal – and that all are entitled to opportunity and equal justice under law.”