Science for the Public Good: An Open Letter to the 119th Congress I am asking you to defend the science and scientists that keep Americans safe. The Trump administration's current agenda promises to eviscerate the protections that Americans count on and support: clean air and water; safe food and medicine; products that won't harm us; and protection from extreme weather and other damaging effects of climate change. Without strong federal science, people will suffer, and historically marginalized communities will continue to bear the burden of these harms. Independent science can inform strong public policy that puts the health, safety and welfare of Americans first. Protecting rigorous and independent science is a common-sense, nonpartisan goal. The reason behind the Trump administration's radical proposals to sideline science and scientists is crystal clear: science stands in the way of polluters and special interests unleashing unprecedented amounts of pollution that would put short-term profits over people, no matter the cost to current and future generations of Americans. The first 100 days of the Trump administration will be absolutely essential for taking action that can save science that saves lives. Science supporters in your district and state are mobilizing to fight back and prevent the politicization of science and firing of scientists who help protect our families and communities. As a constituent and supporter of the Union of Concerned Scientists, I am asking for you to take the First 100 Days Pledge for Science: • First, advocate for efforts at any federal agency to follow and/or implement a scientific integrity policy in their agency.  • Second, oppose the elimination of federal agencies or their staff directly or indirectly including through draconian budget cuts, reclassifying staff, or abruptly moving agency headquarters, all of which are a transparent and explicit effort to decimate scientific expertise and decision-making. • Third, defend the safeguards that protect the health and safety of people across the United States, especially those overburdened by pollution. This includes the nation's bedrock public health and environmental laws—such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act—that are and must continue to be based on the best available independent science. This is a critical time to show the administration that members of Congress of both parties are united in championing the science that helps protect the communities they represent. I am asking for your support.

We joined Polaris Pharmacy Services with the understanding that the previous PTO policy was a standout benefit that reflected the company's commitment to employee well-being. These changes contradict that expectation and have created frustration among employees. We respectfully request that Polaris Pharmacy Services revert to the previous PTO policy, with 23 days of flexible PTO, to better support employee satisfaction and uphold the company’s commitment to fostering a positive work-life balance. Thank you for taking the time to listen to the voices of your employees. We hope to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve this matter. Sincerely, The Employees of Polaris Pharmacy Services

Mr. Aliou Bah was arrested on December 26, 2024. He is a father of young children, a husband, and a hope for millions of Guineans around the world to bring freedom and democracy to the West African Nation. He was arrested because he speaks openly for the return of democratic systems in Guinea, freedom and the rule of law. Help save this man's life.

Since COVID, our community has increasingly relied on online learning platforms, particularly in our middle and high schools. While online learning offers valuable flexibility, the current lack of organization within our district is creating chaos and hindering student success, especially for neurodivergent students and those with ADHD. Like many students in the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD), my son struggles with ADHD and executive functioning. Despite being a good student with a strong desire to succeed, he feels let down by the system as he constantly grapples with finding, tracking, and submitting his assignments. The use of multiple online LMS platforms like Schoology, Google Classroom, and others, across various subjects, simply adds to the chaos and confusion. There is no consistency at a school level that mandates a single system for this purpose. We believe doing so will increase student success and build their desire to learn and actively participate. Our children deserve an education system that is streamlined, standardized, and conducive to learning for all types of learners. Currently, the BVSD lacks a unified online system, leading to unnecessary complexity and stress for students, especially those with learning differences. Consider this: In a school environment where each teacher uses a different online platform for the syllabus, resources, and assignment tracking/submission, students with ADHD or those who struggle with executive functioning bear the brunt of this lack of uniformity. It ultimately hampers their academic performance and emotional well-being. To solve this problem, we propose that the BVSD mandate all schools within the district to adopt a single online platform, per school,  that teachers are required to use as a hub for the class syllabus, resources, assignment tracking, and submission. This will enable students to manage their schoolwork more effectively and alleviate the pressures they currently face, thereby promoting their academic success and overall mental health. Let's push for this needed change in our local education system. Your signature will make a difference in the lives of our students. Please, sign this petition. Sincerely, Sarah Colomina mother to 2 BVSD students

• It Promotes Accountability: Public access ensures judges, lawyers, and all participants are held to the highest standards. • It Builds Trust: Transparency fosters confidence in the legal system and demonstrates that justice is being served fairly. • It Educates the Public: Cameras provide an opportunity for citizens to better understand the judicial process, making justice accessible to all. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. By permitting cameras in courtrooms, you can bring New York’s legal system into the 21st century and ensure fairness and accountability for all. We urge you to act now.

Imagine you were fleeing violence, or seeking to reunify with your relatives in the United States. You are crossing the border when the US government arrests you. Despite your age, you are treated like a criminal, locked in detention, and separated from your family. Not only must you endure conditions that the federal government itself has found inhumane, but you must also defend yourself in immigration court alone-because the United States does not recognize your right to a lawyer even if you cannot find one. This is the reality that hundreds of thousands of adults and children face each day. It is the result of an immigration system designed to dehumanize and criminalize people, not welcome them with dignity. The US immigration system is an arrest-to-deportation pipeline rooted in racism. Our nation’s immigration laws were created and founded explicitly in racism and xenophobia. The past three decades have been marked by an ever-expanding immigration detention system, and an immigration enforcement regime that criminalizes people of color and funnels people from the criminal legal systems into detention and deportation. As a result, our immigration system serves as a form of “double punishment” for people who pass from one legal system to another, compounding the racial disparities and injustices in both. Just as Black people are more likely than white people to be targeted by police, Black immigrants are also disproportionately vulnerable to immigration enforcement. One-in-Ten Black people living in the United States are also immigrants. 

The Atlantic City Housing Authority Stanley Holmes Village is a humanitarian health and economic development crisis, because it endangers the health and wellness of several hundred children, seniors, and families during blistering cold weather. For example December 23, 2024, it was 12° degrees outside, and these America  families had no heat or hot water on the inside. 

DACA participants were brought to our country as children by their families. They have grown up here. In many cases, this is the only country they have ever known. They have been law abiding residents in this country for years. Granting them legal residency status is all they need to safely continue their life here.

A group of bipartisan lawmakers have called on CMS to increase its scrutiny and regulation of AI tools used by Medicare Advantage plans. These legislators have expressed deep concerns over the use of AI algorithms to deny care in decisions that often compromise patient health. There are many instances of AI-driven tools allegedly leading to denials of care, often contradicting the recommendations of medical professionals. CMS has a responsibility to protect access to care for Medicare beneficiaries—and that means enhanced oversight over the use of AI technology, which lawmakers have called “antithetical to the mission of the Medicare program.” CMS can take tangible steps to prevent the use of AI to make life-and-death decisions, and they have a legal and moral obligation to do so, including: • Conducting a comprehensive review on how AI tools are being used to ensure they’re not discriminating against low-income, elderly, or extremely sick Americans  • Auditing existing practices around AI and developing a national standard for how insurers should ethically use these tools  • Halting the use of AI and algorithmic technology to deny, shorten, or limit access to health care while these assessments are ongoing  Sign the petition urging CMS to increase oversight of AI and algorithmic tools that discriminate against elderly, low-income, and extremely sick patients.

Wrongful conviction upon misrepresentation is an issue in our judicial system. Lamar’s public defender didn’t call any of his witnesses to the stand. Not 1 from twelve who were willing to speak in his defense. Lamar was told none of the witnesses were notified by the public defender to testify. Hopefully Lamar’s plight can bring awareness to  other misrepresented cases and give a voice to others who do not have a voice. 

A dangerous attempt to undermine one of our democracy's fundamental safeguards is playing out before our very eyes: Trump is demanding that the Senate forgo its constitutional duty to vet and confirm his nominees for crucial government positions — including Secretary of State, Defense, Education, and more. He’d reportedly implement an unprecedented and brazen use of presidential authority to make it happen: Under a bad-faith reading of Article II of the Constitution, the president could potentially force Congress to adjourn and use his presidential authority to recess-appoint his Cabinet while they’re out. Without Senate scrutiny, there would be no public hearings, no tough questions, and no way to stop dangerous, ill-fitted nominees from leading our federal agencies. The resulting harm could take decades to undo, and we’re not about to let it happen without a fight that starts today. Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and too many of his Republican colleagues seem willing to abdicate their constitutional responsibility, but that’s where constituents like you come in, and remind them to do their job.

Dear Friends, Family, and Community, We need your help to support someone who has always been there for us: Ex'Zabre Boldridge-Smith. Right now, Ex'Zabre is being held in custody, and we believe it’s only fair that he be released on bond while awaiting trial. Ex'Zabre is a valued member of our community—a person who has shown love, support, and responsibility time and time again. Keeping him detained not only disrupts his life but also impacts everyone who depends on him. We are starting a petition to advocate for Ex'Zabre’s release on bond, and your voice is essential. By signing, you’re showing that: • Ex'Zabre has strong ties to this community and is not a flight risk. • He has our full support to meet all court conditions and face the legal process responsibly. • We believe in fairness and justice, including the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. This is our chance to make a difference. Let’s show the court that Ex'Zabre is more than just a case file—he’s a son, a friend, and a vital part of our community who deserves a chance to prepare for his case outside of custody. Please take a moment to sign the petition and share it with others who care about justice and fairness. Every signature matters, and together, we can make our voices heard.