Sen. Lee Introduces Native Species Protection Act
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Native Species Protection Act Thursday, a bill that would allow states to manage species that exist entirely within their border.
“There are real benefits to protecting endangered species from extinction, but the federal law intended to establish such protections – the Endangered Species Act – is in serious need of reform,” Sen. Lee said. “The Native Species Protection Act is a commonsense reform that would limit the damage caused by federal mismanagement of protected species and their habitats, while empowering state and local officials to pursue sensible conservation plans with their communities.”
The Native Species Protection Act clarifies that noncommercial species found entirely within the borders of a single State are not subject to regulation under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 or any other provision of law enacted as an exercise of the power of Congress to regulate interstate commerce.
Sens. Ted Cruz (R-UT) James Inhofe (R-OK), and Ron Paul (R-KY) cosponsored the bill.
An online version of this release can be found here.
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Press Release
Secretary Perdue Announces New Dairy Margin Coverage Signup Begins June 17
WASHINGTON, June 13, 2019 — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announces that signup begins June 17 for the new Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program, the cornerstone program of the dairy safety net that helps dairy producers manage the volatility of milk and feed prices, operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA).
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VIOLET CRIME
EXCLUSIVELY STREAM PAPER QUEEN EP
VIA THE DELI CHICAGO
LISTEN HERE
EP DUE OUT TOMORROW
VIA SOCIAL IMPACT LABEL 'PLAY TOGETHER'
RELEASE SHOW AT THE BOTTOM LOUNGE ON 6/29
"...[a] genre-bending sound" -The Deli Chicago
"Affection [and] honesty overflow from soul-pop band Violet Crime's upcoming EP" -Daily Herald
"Violet Crime are a band with seamless crossover appeal between pop and rock audiences."
-Atwood Magazine
"There's no shortage of local, up and coming acts in the Midwest - specifically Chicago - but there's not a lot that are like Violet Crime." -Substream Magazine
June 13, 2019 - Chicago, IL - Retro-pop band Violet Crime are streaming their Paper Queen EP exclusively today via The Deli Chicago. Listen HERE. Prior to the release, the band unveiled the singles "Young", "Heard You Like The Rolling Stones" and "Paper Queen", which collectively garnered praise from publications such as The Daily Herald, Atwood Magazine and Substream Magazine, who noted, "There's no shortage of local, up and coming acts in the Midwest - specifically Chicago - but there's not a lot that are like Violet Crime." The Paper Queen EP will be released officially tomorrow, 6/14, via Play Together--a Chicago-based social impact label. In celebration, Violet Crime will be playing an official EP release show at the Bottom Lounge in Chicago on Saturday, 6/29. For more information on Violet Crime, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/violetcrimeband/.
The music of Violet Crime can best be described as a modern take on vintage sounds. The group, comprising Jeff Mills (vocals), Selina Doran (vocals/guitar), Tom Goier (lead guitar), Kasey Gandham (bass) and Kevin Nagel (drums), have been praised for their powerful dual vocal performances, as well as their blend of indie, pop, soul, blues and jazz into one unique retro-pop genre.
For the Paper Queen EP, Violet Crime deliberately signed on with pop-punk heavyweights Sam Guainana (Like Pacific, Story Untold, Silverstein, Young Culture), and Derek DiScanio (vocalist of State Champs), with the intention of creating a modern wrapper for their vintage sound. The group traveled to Toronto to record with Guaiana for 10 days and worked remotely with DiScanio via video to achieve this unique blend.
"This is the first record where both Jeff and Selina sing together, so we really wanted the production to highlight their vocal performances", says the band. "Between Sam's experience with vocal-driven pop-punk music, and Derek's own work with State Champs, we knew they could help us achieve the sound we imagined for this project."
With the EP now complete, the band has signed with Play Together Records for its official release tomorrow, 6/14. Co-founded by Violet Crime bassist Kasey Gandham, along with education entrepreneurs Jessica Tenuta and Aneesh Kudaravalli, Play Together is a new record label that invests profits back into elementary art and music programs. Through Play Together, a portion of Violet Crime's merchandise sales will go to Intonation Music--a youth after school music program in Chicago. For more information on
Play Together, visit: https://playtogether.co/.
Paper Queen
1. Paper Queen
2. Heard You Like The Rolling Stones
3. Curious
4. Sadie
5. Young
Tour Dates
6/29 - The Bottom Lounge - Chicago, IL (EP release show)
For more on Violet Crime:
https://instagram.com/violetcrime_il/
https://facebook.com/violetcrimeband/
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KordUSA to locate facilities in Ogden, Utah
OGDEN, UT – KordUSA (Kord), a subsidiary of the Australia-based KordTech, has chosen Ogden as the location of their newest office and lab facilities. The ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house will take place at 10:30 a.m. on June 17 at Kord’s new facility – Building 1069 Ste 1, 1069 Stewart Drive, Business Depot Ogden.
Kord develops and produces technology that enables users to quickly and safely control multiple electronic devices while on the move and without having to take their eyes or hands off task. Kord’s technology has applications in the defense and law enforcement sectors. It is also used in underwater computing technology, with applications for research, maritime archaeology, and commercial projects. Kord’s decision to establish its facility in Ogden has been the result of years of research and coordination with Ogden City. Enthusiastic support from the city, the proximity to aerospace and defense companies, and the availability of a skilled workforce all contributed to Kord’s decision to root their business in Ogden. Additional manufacturing operations will occur in Logan and Salt Lake City. The project was made possible with the support of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, EDCUtah, and World Trade Center Utah. “We’re delighted with the response and support we have received from the city and Mayor Caldwell on locating our office and production capability in Ogden,” said Dr. Peter Moran, President of Kord. “We are greatly looking forward to building a long and lasting partnership with the city which will benefit both the company and the local region.” Kord’s new location in Ogden will include office and production test facilities, with engineering staff responsible for production planning, quality control, assembly, and testing. Kord is also partnering with a range of local suppliers across the Wasatch Front, and expects to be production ready by the end of 2019. Kord is looking forward to establishing a strong and lasting partnership with Ogden City, local industry, and the community. Over time, Kord’s planned production facility will employ local engineers, technicians, and a range of support staff, enabling the company to grow its business and generate substantial revenues. Kord’s new facility and planned growth will contribute to the growth of Ogden’s advanced manufacturing industry and workforce and support the US warfighter. “Ogden is an innovative and forward-thinking city,” said Mayor Mike Caldwell. “Ogden is recognized as a hub for advanced technology and manufacturing, and we’re excited to welcome Kord to our city as a company that will create high-quality jobs in a fast-growing industry.”
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PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release: May 16, 2019 KordUSA to locate facilities in Ogden, Utah
About Kord:
Kord is a world leader in the provision of innovative mobile interface control solutions for operators in the defense, homeland security and law enforcement markets. It designs and develops push-button, programmable, control systems that enable users to keep “Head up, Eyes on Target and Hands on Weapon”. It also provides a range of associated custom training software and hardware products and has extensive experience in the integration of soldier accessories and systems.
About Ogden:
Ogden, home of Weber State University, is the regional center for northern Utah in technology, business, education, government, healthcare, and recreation. The labor force within 35 miles of Ogden is more than 450,000, and the city's contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) is nearly double that of any other city in northern Utah. The surrounding community offers major metropolitan advantages while maintaining an affordable cost of business and living, high quality of life, and unparalleled access to outdoor recreation.
Contact: Terrence Bride, Business Development Division Manager 801-629-8984 • tbride@ogdencity.com
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The 2018 Farm Bill allowed USDA to construct the new DMC, which replaces the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy). This new program offers protection to dairy producers when the difference between the all-milk price and the average feed cost (the margin) falls below a certain dollar amount selected by the producer.
“In February I committed to opening signup of the new Dairy Margin Coverage program by June 17, I am proud to say that our FSA staff worked hard to meet that challenge as one of the Department’s top Farm Bill implementation priorities since President Trump signed it last December.” said Secretary Perdue. “With an environment of low milk prices, high economic stress, and a new safety net program with higher coverage levels and lower premiums, it is the right time for dairy producers to seriously consider enrolling when signup opens. For many smaller dairies, the choice is probably a no-brainer as the retroactive coverage through January has already assured them that the 2019 payments will exceed the required premiums.”
The program provides coverage retroactive to January 1, 2019, with applicable payments following soon after enrollment. At the time of signup, dairy producers can choose between the $4.00 to $9.50 coverage levels.
The Farm Bill also allows producers who participated in MPP-Dairy from 2014-2017 to receive a repayment or credit for part of the premiums paid into the program. FSA has been providing premium reimbursements to producers since last month and those that elect the 75 percent credit option will now have that credit applied toward 2019 DMC premiums.
The Department has built in a 50 percent blend of premium and supreme alfalfa hay prices with the alfalfa hay price used under the prior dairy program to provide a total feed cost that more closely aligns with hay rations used by many producers. At a milk margin minus feed cost of $9.50 or less, payments are possible. With the 50 percent hay blend, FSA’s revised April 2019 income over feed cost margin is $8.82 per hundredweight (cwt). The revised margins for January, February and March are, respectively, $7.71, $7.91 and $8.66 – triggering DMC payments for each month.
DMC payments will be reduced by 6.2 percent in 2019 because of a sequester order required by Congress and issued in accordance with the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
DMC offers catastrophic coverage at no cost to the producer, other than an annual $100 administrative fee. Producers can opt for greater coverage levels for a premium in addition to the administrative fee. Operations owned by limited resource, beginning, socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers and ranchers may be eligible for a waiver on administrative fees. Producers have the choice to lock in coverage levels until 2023 and receive a 25-percent discount on their DMC premiums.
To assist producers in making coverage elections, USDA partnered with the University of Wisconsin to develop a DMC decision support tool, which can be used to evaluate various scenarios using different coverage levels through DMC.
More Information
All dairy operations in the United States are eligible for the DMC program. An operation can be run either by a single producer or multiple producers who commercially produce and market cows’ milk.
Eligible dairy operations must have a production history determined by FSA. For most operations, production history is based on the highest milk production in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Newer dairy operations have other options for determining production history. Producers may contact their local FSA office to get their verified production history.
Dairy producers also are reminded that 2018 Farm Bill provisions allow for dairy operation to participate in both FSA’s DMC program and the Risk Management Agency’s Livestock Gross Margin (LGM-Dairy) program. There are also no restrictions from participating in DMC in conjunction with any other RMA insurance products.
On December 20, 2018, President Trump signed into law the 2018 Farm Bill, which provides support, certainty and stability to our nation’s farmers, ranchers and land stewards by enhancing farm support programs, improving crop insurance, maintaining disaster programs and promoting and supporting voluntary conservation. FSA is committed to implementing these changes as quickly and effectively as possible, and today’s updates are part of meeting that goal.
For more information, visit farmers.gov DMC webpage or contact your local USDA service center. To locate your local FSA office, visit farmers.gov/service-locator.
WOLVES AT THE GATE
PREMIERE NEW SINGLE "DRIFTER"
VIA REVOLVER
STREAM HERE
NEW ALBUM ECLIPSE DUE OUT 7/26
PRE-ORDER HERE:
"'Drifter' exemplifies the band's ability to write a lush and catchy track while holding onto the heaviness that separates them from the radio-rock crowd." -Revolver
June 13, 2019 - Columbus, OH - Wolves At The Gate are premiering their new single "Drifter" exclusively today via Revolver. Listen HERE. "'Drifter' exemplifies the band's ability to write a lush and catchy track while holding onto the heaviness that separates them from the radio-rock crowd," Revolver describes. "Drifter" is taken from the band's upcoming, self-produced fourth album Eclipse, due out 7/26 via Solid State Records. Pre-order is available here: http://watg.lnk.to/pre. For more information on Wolves At The Gate, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/wolvesatthegate/.
Wolves At The Gate is a post hardcore band out of Columbus, Ohio. Since 2008, the band's reputation has been built on a foundation of lyrical authenticity and sonic evolution-both easily identifiable in their fourth studio release, Eclipse.
Inspired by the natural phenomenon and its ability to mask light, cast shadows and cause chaos, Eclipse is a multifaceted record telling one major story in a myriad of ways: don't let what's real be hidden by darkness. Where one song feels fast and youthful, the next feels melancholic and foreboding; an apt illustration of the sporadic nature of the human mind. The record is also the band's most lyrically-diverse collection of songs yet, as they express their thoughts on the United States' relationship with racism, radicalism and prejudice in the song "History", the political and religious landscape in "Evil Are The Kings" and "Counterfeit", and more.
Vocalist/guitarist Stephen Cobucci says of the album: "We named the record 'Eclipse' because of how well it encapsulated the relationship the light and the dark can have. An eclipse tells you that it's dark, but it takes truth and faith to know that the sun is still shining. All of this revolves around my walk of faith in believing the truths of the gospel message, seeking to help others find hope and peace in the love of God, as well as how to come to grips with various social/political/personal issues."
Alongside Cobucci is Ben Summers (bass), Abishai Collingsworth (drums), Nick Detty (vocals), and the band's newest member Joey Alarcon (who co-produced alongside Cobucci).
For more information on Wolves At The Gate, please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/wolvesatthegate/
https://twitter.com/wolvesatthegate?lang=en/
https://www.instagram.com/wolvesatthegate/
Eclipse
1. The Cure
2. Face to Face
3. A Voice in the Violence
4. Drifter
5. Enemy
6. Evil Are the Kings
7. Eclipse
8. Response
9. History
10. The Sea in Between
11. Alone
12. Counterfeit
13. Blessings & Curses
Tour Dates:
July 5 - Urbana, IL - Audiofeed Festival
July 6 - Iowa City, IA - Gabe's
July 7 - Lincoln, NE - Royal Grove
July 8 - Kansas City, MO - The Rino
July 9 - Des Moines, IA - Vaudeville Mews
July 10 - Minneapolis, MN - Amsterdam Bar & Hall
July 11 - Chicago, IL - Beat Kitchen
July 12 - Columbus, OH - Athenaeum Theatre (Album Release Show)
July 13 - Rochester, NY - Montage Music Hall
July 14 - Albany, NY - Jupiter Hall
July 15 - Brooklyn, NY - Kingsland
July 16 - Long Branch, NJ - Brighton Bar
July 17 - Hartford, CT - Webster Undergroud
July 18 - Philadelphia, PA - Voltage Lounge
July 19 - Richmond, VA - Canal Club
July 20 - Greenville, SC - Radio Room
