Update3: Senate passes debt bill

UPDATE3: June 2

The Senate voted Thursday night to raise the limit of how much money the federal government can borrow to pay its bills. The measure, which passed in a 63-36 vote after receiving bipartisan support from the House Wednesday, will be sent to President Biden to sign into law. (Washington Post 06/01/23)

Who voted for or against it? Senate passes debt ceiling deal. Here's who voted for and against. - Washington Post

There were 99 total votes. Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) did not vote.

All six regional-states' (3) Senators voted against the measure. Mississippi: Wicker and Hyde-Smith; Alabama: Britt and Tuberville; Louisiana: Cassiday and Kennedy.

UPDATE2: June 1

The Senate began voting Thursday evening on the debt ceiling bill that passed the House a day earlier, with the US creeping closer to the June 5 deadline to avert a potential federal default. Senators plan to hold a series of votes on amendments to the debt ceiling bill, all of which are expected to fail. Once that vote series is complete, the Senate will then move on to the final passage of the bill. (The Guardian 06/01/23) Senate begins voting on debt ceiling bill to avert disastrous default (msn.com)

WASHINGTON - The House approved a debt ceiling and budget cuts package late Wednesday on a 314-117 vote. Few lawmakers liked the package but was better than the alternative of devastating economic upheaval. With passage, the bill heads to the Senate where passage is expected by week’s end. (The AP 06/01/23) House OKs debt ceiling bill to avoid default, sends Biden-McCarthy deal to Senate | AP News

Earlier: The "Fiscal Responsibility Act" cleared its first major hurdle Tuesday when the House Rules Committee advanced the bill on a 7-6 vote. A subsequent vote to begin debate on the bill Wednesday afternoon was approved on a 241-187 vote. 

A full floor vote is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. Central time tonight. 

The legislation is expected to pass, but frustration among both parties has seen leaders working the clock to shore up enough votes. 

The Treasury Department estimates the government will run out of cash to pay all of its bills by June 5. (ABC News 05/31/23) House moves closer to vote on debt ceiling deal as lawmakers race to prevent default (msn.com)

DoD regional contracts May 31

* Weeks Marine Inc., Covington, Louisiana, was awarded a $10,330,500 firm-fixed-price contract for Brazos Island Harbor entrance and jetty channel maintenance and dredging. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in South Padre Island, Texas, with an estimated completion date of July 21, 2023. Fiscal 2023 operation and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $10,330,500 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston, Texas, is the contracting activity. 

* Aero Simulation Inc., Tampa, Florida (FA8621-23-D-B003); Aerospace Training Systems Partners JV LLP, Norman, Oklahoma (FA8621-23-D-B004); Aviation Training Consulting LLC, Altus, Oklahoma (FA8621-23-D-B005); Craig Technical Consulting Inc., Cape Canaveral, Florida (FA8621-23-D-B006); CTE II JV LLC, Orlando, Florida (FA8621-23-D-B007); CymSTAR LLC, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma (FA8621-23-D-B008); Delaware Resource Group of Oklahoma LLC (DRG), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (FA8621-23-D-B009); Falconry Training Solutions JV, Lakewood, Colorado (FA8621-23-D-B010); Fidelity Technologies Corp, Reading, Pennsylvania (FA8621-23-D-B011); Innovative Training Solutions LLC, Oviedo, Florida (FA8621-23-D-B012); J.F. Taylor Inc., Great Mills, Maryland (FA8621-23-D-B013); Logistic Services International Inc., Jacksonville, Florida (FA8621-23-D-B014); Nova Technologies, Tallahassee, Florida (FA8621-23-D-B015); Phoenix Defense Ventures LLC, Gilbert, Arizona (FA8621-23-D-B016); Pinnacle Solutions Inc., Huntsville, Alabama (FA8621-23-D-B017); PTC Solutions JV LLC, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (FA8621-23-D-B018); Radiance Technologies Inc., Huntsville, Alabama (FA8621-23-D-B019); Spirit Simulation Inc., Niceville, Florida (FA8621-23-D-B020); Trusted Readiness Solutions LLC, Camas, Washington (FA8621-23-D-B021); Alion Science and Technology Corp., McLean, Virginia (FA8621-23-D-B023); American Systems Corp., Chantilly, Virginia (FA8621-23-D-B024); Aero XR Solutions LLC, Orlando, Florida (FA8621-23-D-B025); Azure Training Systems JV LLC, Ann Arbor, Michigan (FA8621-23-D-B026); The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri (FA8621-23-D-B027); Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., McLean, Virginia (FA8621-23-D-B028); CACI Inc., Chantilly, Virginia (FA8621-23-D-B029); CAE USA Inc., Arlington, Texas (FA8621-23-D-B030); Collins Aerospace, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (FA8621-23-D-B031); FlightSafety Services Corp., Centennial, Colorado (FA8621-23-D-B032); General Dynamics Information Technology Inc., Falls Church, Virginia (FA8621-23-D-B033); HII Defense and Federal Solutions Inc., Huntsville, Alabama (FA8621-23-D-B034); Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Florida (FA8621-23-D-B035); Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Herndon, Virginia (FA8621-23-D-B036); Science Applications International Corp., Reston, Virginia (FA8621-23-D-B037); TRU Simulation + Training Inc., Goose Creek, South Carolina (FA8621-23-D-B038); Veraxx Engineering Corp., Chantilly, Virginia (FA8621-23-D-B022); and Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Mississippi - now part of V2X (NYSE: VVX - (FA8621-23-D-B039), have been awarded a $32,500,000,000 ceiling, multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Training Systems Acquisition IV to provide for the analysis, design, development, production, installation, integration, test, and sustainment for Air Force training systems encompassing complex aircrew, maintenance, and system-specific training systems in support of warfighter training at operating locations worldwide.  Work will be performed in the contiguous U.S. and worldwide and is expected to be completed by May 31, 2033.  These awards are the result of a competitive acquisition, and 37 offers were received.  Fiscal 2023 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $1,000 per awardee for the initial task order are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, Simulators Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. (DoD 05/31/23)

Hurricane Hunters storm-ready

BILOXI, Miss. -The flight line at Keesler Air Force Base has been quiet since the winter, but that’s changing. 

The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (aka Hurricane Hunters) are scheduled to fly those C-130s into the Gulf of Mexico on June 1 to investigate a tropical disturbance. 

“Right now there’s that little ‘X’ in the Gulf that the Hurricane Center’s forecasting for a 20% chance of development,” said Lt. Col. Mark Withee. 

“We’re storm ready and ready to go." 

During the winter, most of the team was in California flying atmospheric river missions. Those missions wrapped up in March and "we brought our equipment back" home. (WLOX 05/31/23) 

Hurricane season starts June 1.

Care Beyond Duty to recovery road

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - Air Force Technical Sgt. Jessica Derhammer, 14th Force Support Squadron Customer Support section chief, was selected to represent Team Air Force at the 2023 Warrior Games Challenge at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., in June. 
Derhammer was selected for tryouts in February and notified she had been selected for powerlifting, swimming, field, wheelchair track, and as an alternate for shooting and rowing. Derhammer has had a long road to recovery after being diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer in January 2021. “I knew she was the "strongest" person in my unit so I wasn't surprised that she would be competing," said Master Sgt. Jerry Hicks, 14th Military Personnel flight chief. A Wounded Warrior is any seriously wounded, ill or injured Airman or Guardian. “I believe Wounded Warrior is important because the Airmen that compete are America's Heroes,” said Hicks. “(D)espite their illness, (they) perform their jobs to the highest extent and don't miss a beat. It's truly amazing and inspiring.” (CAFB 05/19/23) Care Beyond Duty; A road to recovery > Columbus Air Force Base > Article Display (af.mil)

CAFB joins SEARCH for students

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. – Columbus Air Force Base, Lowndes County School District and the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS) worked with a group called Project SEARCH to give students with disabilities an opportunity to gain work experience. 

Project SEARCH is a unique 9-month employment preparation program that gives students with disabilities experience in a hands-on training environment. The students received a certification of completion of the program at a base ceremony. 

“Being a part of your growth and development has been a pleasure,” said Lt. Col. Tiffany Sellers, 14th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander told graduates. 

Project SEARCH is a continual program that has laid down roots at several locations, mostly local hospitals. 

On-site training at Columbus AFB has been a unique opportunity that base leaders are excited to nurture and continue to assist their community. (CAFB 05/25/23)

CAFB med group trains w/ MNG

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - The 14th Medical Group (MDG) partnered with soldiers from the 223rd Engineer Battalion of Mississippi Army National Guard (MNG) in a joint readiness exercise May 18. 

The exercise focused on refining casualty evacuation abilities and familiarizing Airmen with medical contingency operations in a joint environment.

The capstone event of the exercise showcased the interoperability of both teams utilizing their newly sharpened skills to efficiently recover, evaluate and load patients into ambulatory Humvees to simulate operations in a deployed environment. 

“In previous deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, the 14th MDG trained "our Air Force needs very well," but when the unit landed "it was all about operating in the joint environment,” said Col. James Weinstein, medical commander. 

“We asked our medics to do things that we never trained for, like getting on and off a helicopter and loading patients into helicopters and Army ambulances. 

Weinstein focused on developing those joint skills for the 14th MDG to ensure they were prepared for future deployments. 

The exercise likely won't be the last for the two groups, since both are planning to continue their partnership with ambitions for more training opportunities later in the summer. (CAFB 05/30/23)

Obama AG joins HB 1020 team

Former Obama-era U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder is joining the legal team challenging Mississippi's controversial House Bill (HB) 1020, which creates an unelected state-appointed court system and unelected state-appointed judges to the current Hinds County court system. 

Holder was the first Black person to serve as the nation's chief law enforcement officer, holding that role from 2009-15. 

Holder was admitted to the case pro hac vice Tuesday by federal Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer Isaac. 

[Pro hac vice is a practice in common law jurisdictions whereby a lawyer, who has not been admitted to practice in a certain jurisdiction, is allowed to participate in a particular case in that jurisdiction.] 

Mississippi-based Civil Rights attorney Carroll Rhodes filed the motion to admit Holder. Rhodes was the primary counsel to argue before U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi Henry Wingate last week that HB 1020 violates the Constitution. 

The plaintiffs secured an extended restraining order from Wingate, who is also Black.

Wingate is expected to decide on whether Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Randolph should continue to be named directly in the lawsuit or he can exercise judicial immunity in this case. (Clarion Ledger 05/31/23) Former Attorney General Eric Holder joins federal MS HB 1020 challenge (clarionledger.com)

Unemployment falls in Louisiana

Louisiana added 12,800 jobs from March to April with increases in every metropolitan area - save one, Lake Charles, which was unchanged from March.

There were 1.96M total non-farm jobs in April, according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, compared to 1.95M in March. The numbers are not seasonally adjusted. 

The additional jobs caused the unemployment rate to fall by a tenth of a percent to 3.2% in April. 

*New Orleans added 3,500 jobs bringing the total to 568,200.

*Baton Rouge added 2,200 jobs in April, rising to 423,900.

*Lafayette added 2,000 jobs going up to 204,100.

*Shreveport-Bossier City added 1,100 jobs.

*Houma-Thibodaux added 800; Alexandria increased by 600; Hammond up 500 and Monroe a 300 gain. 

Louisiana’s civilian labor force was 2.04M in April, down from nearly 2.05M in March. (NOLA.com 05/30/23) Louisiana adds 12,800 jobs from March to April | Business News | nola.com

SpaceX capsule's loud splashdown

Four astronauts on a private Ax-2 mission returned to Earth in their SpaceX Dragon capsule around 10 p.m. on May 30, splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Panama City, Fla. 

The Dragon, named Freedom, undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) earlier in the day and returned to Earth 12 hours later with a booming-but-flawless splashdown ending the Ax-2 mission by SpaceX for the Houston-based company Axiom Space. 

(WTSB 05/31/23) Sonic boom linked to SpaceX splashdown off Gulf of Mexico | wtsp.com

Master Your Marketing for small biz

STARKVILLE, Miss. - June 2 is the deadline for small businesses to register for the 'Master Your Marketing' online course that has been developed by Mississippi State Extension. 

Associate Extension Professor of Agricultural Economics James Barnes leads the course aimed at entrepreneurs seeking to streamline small business marketing strategies, sharpening their marketing focus and engaging customers more effectively. 

'Master Your Marketing' is offered online through interactive Zoom sessions and open to small business owners in Mississippi and beyond. Register at www.brickstoclicks.extension.msstate.edu/master-your-marketing. 

Comprising four two-hour sessions conducted June 6, 13, 20 and 27. (MSU 05/30/23) Small businesses encouraged to register by June 2 for MSU’s Master Your Marketing course | Mississippi State University (msstate.edu)

NASA opens competition for LTV

NASA has launched an open competition for vendors to design and build the next-generation lunar terrain vehicle (LTV) capable of supporting both crewed and uncrewed activities on the moon’s South Pole. 

The LTV Services contracting program covers development, delivery and operations of the lunar surface rover for crewed missions beginning with Artemis V in 2029, NASA said May 27. 

NASA is seeking a platform that would carry two suited astronauts, use a robotic arm for science exploration support tasks and function in south polar region conditions. 

Interested vendors can submit proposals until July 10. The agency is looking to award the contract in November. (GovConWire 05/30/23) NASA Opens Competition for Lunar Terrain Vehicle Service Contracting Effort - GovCon Wire

DoD software modernization forum

Software has become foundational for weapons systems, warfighter capabilities, global defense power and the nation’s ability to deliver a more lethal force. 

The Pentagon released its first ever software modernization strategy in February 2022 and officials are now exploring options and finalizing plans for implementing the strategy. 

The new software strategy aims to transform software delivery time from “years to minutes” as the DoD works to outpace our adversaries in the future of warfare. 

The ExecutiveBiz 2023 Defense Software Modernization Forum takes a look at the progress the federal government has made in the past year, the challenges ahead and the opportunities we can harness as software modernization remains at the forefront of defense missions. 

The 2023 Defense Software Modernization Forum - June 7 from 8-11 a.m. CDT - Virtual Ebiz: 2023 Defense Software Modernization Forum - ExecutiveBiz Events

EPA failed oversight of lake grant

U.S. EPA regulators have failed to oversee a grant program that has dispensed $31M over the last 20 years to improve the health of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin, even as the program prepares to steeply increase its spending, the U.S. Government Accountability Office found in a new report. 

The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program since 2000 has been dispensing small federal grants that aim to reduce pollution and saltwater intrusion in the basin’s waterways and slow land loss from subsidence and erosion.

The grants are dispensed by the University of New Orleans Research and Technology Program and overseen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

GAO found numerous lapses in the EPA’s oversight: Never properly identifying the basin’s boundaries; not determining whether grants met program goals or establishing performance measures to ensure they did; and failing to ensure the public understood how to apply for grants. 

GAO also noted the grants selected for funding were based on an outdated 1996 conservation and restoration plan. That plan predated dramatic improvements in Lake Pontchartrain’s water quality when a 1989 ban on dredging of the lake bottom and other measures to reduce pollution from runoff and sewage was enacted. 

The report also pointed out that the program was supposed to be overseen by a large and diverse board. As of February, there were only six members of the executive committee, all representing New Orleans-area organizations.

The federal findings come as the program is receiving a major increase in funding. (NOLA.com 05/30/23) EPA failed to oversee Lake Pontchartrain grant program: GAO | Environment | nola.com

DoD regional contract May 30

PRIDE Industries, Roseville, California, was awarded a $128,293,763 firm-fixed-price contract for repair and maintenance support to real property assets of the Joint Training Readiness Center and Fort Polk, Louisiana. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2028. U.S. Army 418th Contracting Support Brigade, Fort Cavazos, Texas, is the contracting activity. (DoD 05/30/23)

CG seeks small biz info for C5I pact

The Coast Guard is seeking information on small businesses that could provide business and logistics management services to the Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Cyber and Intelligence Service Center and Coast Guard Cyber Command. 

A notice posted May 29 on SAM.gov states the CG plans to select at least five vendors to help develop policies, standards and best practices for C5I systems and services through a planned a blanket purchase agreement worth potentially $1.4 billion over 10 years. 

The BPA would include configuration management, data integration, facilities planning, life cycle cost estimation, marketing and communications planning, cybersecurity service provider program maturation and recertification, enterprise life cycle logistics and engineering support and process development and integration. 

A selected vendor may also support the integration of new systems and services into appropriate enterprise information processing systems.

The multiple-award, small business set-aside contract will have a five-year base period along with five option years. Interested parties can respond to the request for information through June 16. (GovWire 05/30/23)

Active-duty military in each state

The largest army in the world, as of 2022, belongs to China with about 2M active members, according to the CIA's World Factbook.

India holds the #2 spot with 1.5M followed by the United States with about 1.3M - yet the nation's military spending totals more than twice as much as China and India combined.

U.S. active-duty service members are based around the world, but the vast majority of them - nearly 1.2M - are stationed in the U.S. 

Stacker compiled a list of the states with the most active-duty military members using data from the Department of Defense 2021 Demographics Report: Profile of the Military Community. There are active military members in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

But almost 50% of them - belonging to five of the six branches of the U.S. military - are stationed in five states: California, Virginia, Texas, North Carolina and Georgia.

#6 Florida - Number of active-duty military members: 64,318 - Percent of total active-duty force: 5.5% - Active-duty military members per 100,000: 289.

#20. Louisiana - Number of active-duty military members: 14,378- Percent of total active-duty force: 1.2% - Active-duty military members per 100,000: 313.

#23. Mississippi - Number of active-duty military members: 11,446 - Percent of total active-duty force: 1.0% - Active-duty military members per 100,000: 389.

#25. Alabama - Number of active-duty military members: 7,786 - Percent of total active-duty force: 0.7% - Active-duty military members per 100,000: 153. ((Stacker 05/28/23) The state with the most active-duty military members in America—plus, see where yours ranks (msn.com)

La. plant may escape EPA rules

Two steam turbines at the Ninemile Point power plant - located on a peninsula directly across the Mississippi River from densely populated residential neighborhoods in New Orleans - emit more carbon dioxide than any gas-fired units in the U.S., according to an E&E News review of federal emissions data.

But neither would need to reduce emissions under EPA’s draft rule to limit pollution from power plants. 

The discrepancy illustrates the novel approach EPA took in crafting the standard, tailoring requirements to a plant’s fuel type, size and usage. 

As the agency seeks to green-up the nation’s electric grid, it is balancing the need to slash emissions - meeting climate targets - while ensuring it doesn’t shut down gas facilities that some industry groups say are needed to ensure grid reliability. 

“It is a balancing act ... how much to cover (and) how fast,” said Julie McNamara, deputy policy director of the climate and energy program at the Union of Concerned Scientists. 

EPA's challenge: How does it ensure unintended outcomes from setting different cut points for different sources in different places? she asked.

The Biden administration has grappled with that one. 

When EPA sent its draft rule to the White House, it contained standards for coal plants and future gas plants, but no rules for existing gas facilities. Those were added later at the WH's urging, E&E News reported last week. 

Few facilities illustrate those challenges like Entergy's Ninemile Point. The 2,439-megawatt gas plant in Bridge City. 

The plant has five electric generating units. Those five emitted 23M tons of carbon dioxide between 2018-22, according to EPA data, making Ninemile Point the sixth largest CO2 emitter among gas-burning power plants. 

It also ranked as America’s top gas-fired emitter of nitrogen oxide, an ozone-forming pollutant. 

Yet not all of Ninemile Point’s units would be regulated the same under EPA’s proposal. The plant’s two dirtiest units - from the 1970s - would effectively be given a free pass to continue polluting. 

That’s because EPA’s rule carves out a specific provision for gas-fired steam turbines. 

In 2022, Ninemile Point’s older steam turbines ran less than a third of the year. In its review, EPA concluded that installing carbon capture at such units would be costly and fail to produce significant reductions. 

Instead, EPA proposed capping emissions for gas-fired steam turbines based on how frequently they run. The cap would be set at a rate that most plants could achieve, but prevent increases in emission rates, according to EPA. Some environmentalists worry the move could backfire. (Climate Wire 05/25/23) Major polluter escapes EPA power plant rule - E&E News (eenews.net)

Tentative spending/debt package

WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached an "agreement in principle" late March 27 as they raced to strike a deal to limit federal spending and resolve a potential debt crisis ahead of a June 5 deadline, the House speaker said.

A deal would avert a catastrophic U.S. default, but risks angering both Democratic and Republican sides with the concessions made to reach it. 

With outlines of a deal, the legislative package could be drafted and shared with lawmakers early this week in the House and later in the Senate. However, the drama is by no means over. 

Central to the package is a 2-year budget deal that would hold spending flat for FY 2024 and impose limits for FY-25 in exchange for raising the debt limit for two years, pushing the volatile political issue past the next presidential election in 2024. 

Negotiators agreed to some GOP demands for enhanced work requirements on recipients of food stamps that sparked an uproar from House Democrats as a non-starter. (The AP 05/27/23) Biden and GOP agree to 2-year budget-debt ceiling deal (wapt.com)

Accountant job @ Stark Aerospace

Staff Accountant @ Stark Aerospace in Columbus, Miss. (23) Staff Accountant STAFF001155 | Stark Aerospace | LinkedIn. 

Drug distributor's license revoked

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has stripped one of the nation’s largest drug distributors - Shreveport, La.-based Morris & Dickson Co. - of its license to sell highly addictive painkillers on May 26 after determining it failed to flag thousands of suspicious orders at the height of the opioid crisis. 

The action against Morris & Dickson, which may threaten to put it out of business. came two days after an Associated Press investigation found the DEA allowed the company to keep shipping drugs for nearly four years after a judge recommended the harshest penalty for its “cavalier disregard” of rules aimed at preventing opioid abuse. 

DEA acknowledged that the time it took to issue a final decision was “longer than typical" but blamed the company in part for holding up the process by seeking delays due to the pandemic and a lengthy pursuit of a settlement. 

The order becomes effective in 90 days, allowing more time to negotiate a settlement. 

DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said in the 68-page order that M&D failed to accept full responsibility for its actions, including shipping 12,000 large orders of opioids to pharmacies and hospitals between 2014-18. 

During that time, the company filed just three suspicious order reports with the DEA. 

Morris & Dickson traces its roots to 1840, when its namesake founder arrived from Wales and placed an ad in a local newspaper selling medicines. 

It has since become the nation’s fourth-largest wholesale drug distributor with $4B a year in revenue and about 600 employees serving pharmacies and hospitals in 29 states. (The AP 05/26/23) After yearslong delay, DEA revokes license of drug distributor over opioid crisis failures | AP News

MS aquarium releases 100th turtle

BILOXI, Miss. - The Mississippi Aquarium hosted its own form of graduation while reaching a milestone of releasing its 100th sea turtle back into its habitat. Thirteen endangered Kemp Ridley sea turtles are now heading out into the Mississippi Sound. Sean Perry, associate veterinarian with the Mississippi Aquarium, said the sea turtles arrived from their nesting grounds in New England after surviving the cold. Perry said it happens to between 300 and 1,000 turtles annually. (WLOX 05/25/23) 

'One Gulf, One Goal'

BILOXI, Miss. - One Gulf Coast organization is joining forces with rehabilitation groups to bring marine life back into Mississippi Sound and the Gulf of Mexico. 

Their mission is called One Gulf, One Goal and spearheaded by local artist Marty Wilson. 

The team is deploying 6.6M pounds of artificial reef materials into the waters. Wilson’s group is helping to create permanent reefs with concrete and other materials to help feed the Gulf Coast and nation. 

The group’s next mission is to work with the Department of Marine Resources and research labs to restock the depleted cobia fish population. Learn more about their work by visiting https://www.facebook.com/onegulfonegoal

Turning cane bagasse into fuel

JEANERETTE, La. - New construction is set to begin in June on a $70M renewable fuel plant here that will convert sugar cane bagasse into fuel pellets. 

The facility was set to begin operations in late 2022 or early 2023, but supply chain issues and interest rate spikes disrupted those plans, Delta Biofuel CEO Philip Keating said. 

The 16-acre Jeanerette plant site is located off U.S. 90 near the Enterprise Sugar Mill and would create 340,000 metric tons of fuel pellets per year. 

The project, expected to create 126 jobs, should start up about a year after construction begins, Keating said. 

Bagasse is the waste product left after sugarcane is crushed. 

Delta Biofuel will harvest bagasse from sugar mills in Iberia, St. Mary and St. Martin parishes. The pellets will be used by European power plants that are transitioning away from fossil fuels. (The Advocate 05/25/23)

Default would be grim for Miss.

With the federal government days away from facing a possible default of its debts, some grim realities seem to indicate that Mississippi would be one of the worst impacted states. 

Moody's Analytics' recent report shows Mississippi would be one of the Top 3 worst impacted states by a federal default, where the government is unable to meet existing debt obligations because Congress did not raise its borrowing limit. 

Moody's found that Mississippi's unemployment rate would rise significantly (as high as 9.2%) under a breach lasting through the summer. In March, it was 3.5%. 

One reason Mississippi would be so severely hit by a default is that it has historically been one of the most reliant states when it comes to federal funds. 

According to analysis from MoneyGeek, Mississippi ranks third in the nation in its Federal Dependency metric, behind only New Mexico and West Virginia. Alabama ranks #10 and Louisiana #11. 

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen set a June 1 date as a possible deadline to avoid default. (Clarion Ledger 05/26/23) How MS would be impacted by not raising the U.S. federal debt ceiling (clarionledger.com)

The spillover from those missed payments would likely impact people's spending habits, leading to a wide impact in the larger economy.

One reason Mississippi would be so severely hit by a default is that it has historically been one of the most reliant, if not the most reliant, states when it comes to federal funds. According to analysis from MoneyGeek, Mississippi ranks third in the nation in its Federal Dependency metric, behind only New Mexico and West Virginia.

Developers' plan needs a do-over

In April developers working on the former Six Flags Park in New Orleans East turned over a 700-page master plan aimed at convincing public officials they were ready to sign a lease and get it started. 

But, Brenda Breaux, head of the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority that controls the site and heads up smaller projects across the city, panned the document, telling the Bayou Phoenix development group in a May 11 letter that a do-over was needed.

In that letter, she cited the master plan, which consists mostly of market and environmental studies that Bayou Phoenix commissioned, omits financing details and plans for infrastructure and demolition. (NOLA.com 05/26/23) Six Flags plan has huge holes, New Orleans officials say | Business News | nola.com

Regional duo named to FDIC cmte

WASHINGTON – The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) announced eight new members of the agency’s Advisory Committee on Community Banking on May 26.

Among the new members are Troy Richards, President, Guaranty Bank & Trust Company, Delhi, La., and Lillous Ann Shoemaker, President, Magnolia State Bank, Bay Springs, Miss.

Composed of a cross-section of community bankers from around the country, the advisory committee shares input on a broad range of community bank policy and regulatory matters. 

On June 1, the committee will meet to discuss banking conditions. (FDIC 05/26/23) Read the full agenda.

FDIC actions for NOLA bank

WASHINGTON - The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) released a list of orders of administrative enforcement actions on May 26 that were taken against banks and individuals in April. 

There are no administrative hearings scheduled for June. 

The FDIC issued 10 orders in April 2023. Nine were for First NBC Bank of New Orleans. 

The administrative enforcement actions in those orders consisted of six orders of prohibition, two orders to pay civil money penalties (CMPs), and two orders that combined an order of prohibition and order to pay CMPs. FDIC: Enforcement Decisions and Orders - Press Release Orders 

NOLA.com sidebar: Lawyer Henry Klein's license suspended in First NBC fight | Business News | nola.com

LA wildlife commission meet June 1

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission will meet at 9:30 a.m. on June 1 at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries HQ at 2000 Quail Drive in Baton Rouge. 

Among topics include an Enforcement Report from May by Major Edward Skena, Enforcement Division; receive a report on the 2023 Regular Legislative Session by Cole Garrett, General Counsel; receive and consider a Resolution to Add Property through Acquisition to Sandy Hollow Wildlife Management Area by Alvin Landry, Attorney.; receive and consider a Modification to the Chronic Wasting Disease Control Area by Dr. Rusty Berry, Assistant Wildlife Veterinarian. 

A live audio/video broadcast of this meeting will be available via Zoom. To view via webinar, register at: https://wlf-la.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5J0kb5iyQe6Mnfad9CmCzw

 

NETC report: SEAL training flaws

WASHINGTON - The training program for Navy SEALs is plagued by widespread failures in medical care, poor oversight and the use of performance-enhancing drugs that have increased the risk of injury and death to those seeking to become elite commandos, according to an investigation triggered by the death of a sailor last year. 

Medical oversight and care were “poorly organized, poorly integrated and poorly led and put candidates at significant risk,” the nearly 200-page report compiled by the Naval Education and Training Command concluded. 

The report said there were flaws in the medical program that “likely had the most direct impact on the health and well-being” of the SEAL candidates and “specifically” on Kyle Mullen, the sailor who died. The report concluded the if those shortcomings had been addressed, his death may have been preventable. 

The investigation also dug into the long-standing problem of sailors using steroids and similar banned drugs while trying to pass the SEAL qualification course. 

The report recommends far more robust testing for the drugs and better education for service members in order to prevent their use. (The AP 05/26/23) Navy SEALs training plagued by pervasive problems, according to investigation after death of sailor | AP News 

Regional Note: The Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) flag headquarters is located at NAS Pensacola, Fla.

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Mullen collapsed and died of acute pneumonia just hours after completing the grueling Hell Week test last year. A