Daily Archives: September 1, 2023

Good morning. At last year's Jackson Hole symposium, I delivered a brief, direct message. My remarks this year will be a bit longer, but the message is the same: It is the Fed's job to bring inflation down to our 2 percent goal, and we will do so. We have tightened policy significantly over the past year. Although inflation has moved down from its peaka welcome developmentit remains too high. We are prepared to raise rates further if appropriate, and intend to hold policy at a restrictive level until we are confident that inflation is moving sustainably down toward our objective.

Today I will review our progress so far and discuss the outlook and the uncertainties we face as we pursue our dual mandate goals. I will conclude with a summary of what this means for policy. Given how far we have come, at upcoming meetings we are in a position to proceed carefully as we assess the incoming data and the evolving outlook and risks.

The Decline in Inflation So Far The ongoing episode of high inflation initially emerged from a collision between very strong demand and pandemic-constrained supply. By the time the Federal Open Market Committee raised the policy rate in March 2022, it was clear that bringing down inflation would depend on both the unwinding of the unprecedented pandemic-related demand and supply distortions and on our tightening of monetary policy, which would slow the growth of aggregate demand, allowing supply time to catch up. While these two forces are now working together to bring down inflation, the process still has a long way to go, even with the more favorable recent readings.

On a 12-month basis, U.S. total, or "headline," PCE (personal consumption expenditures) inflation peaked at 7 percent in June 2022 and declined to 3.3 percent as of July, following a trajectory roughly in line with global trends (figure 1, panel A).1 The effects of Russia's war against Ukraine have been a primary driver of the changes in headline inflation around the world since early 2022. Headline inflation is what households and businesses experience most directly, so this decline is very good news. But food and energy prices are influenced by global factors that remain volatile, and can provide a misleading signal of where inflation is headed. In my remaining comments, I will focus on core PCE inflation, which omits the food and energy components.

On a 12-month basis, core PCE inflation peaked at 5.4 percent in February 2022 and declined gradually to 4.3 percent in July (figure 1, panel B). The lower monthly readings for core inflation in June and July were welcome, but two months of good data are only the beginning of what it will take to build confidence that inflation is moving down sustainably toward our goal. We can't yet know the extent to which these lower readings will continue or where underlying inflation will settle over coming quarters. Twelve-month core inflation is still elevated, and there is substantial further ground to cover to get back to price stability.

To understand the factors that will likely drive further progress, it is useful to separately examine the three broad components of core PCE inflationinflation for goods, for housing services, and for all other services, sometimes referred to as nonhousing services (figure 2).

Core goods inflation has fallen sharply, particularly for durable goods, as both tighter monetary policy and the slow unwinding of supply and demand dislocations are bringing it down. The motor vehicle sector provides a good illustration. Earlier in the pandemic, demand for vehicles rose sharply, supported by low interest rates, fiscal transfers, curtailed spending on in-person services, and shifts in preference away from using public transportation and from living in cities. But because of a shortage of semiconductors, vehicle supply actually fell. Vehicle prices spiked, and a large pool of pent-up demand emerged. As the pandemic and its effects have waned, production and inventories have grown, and supply has improved. At the same time, higher interest rates have weighed on demand. Interest rates on auto loans have nearly doubled since early last year, and customers report feeling the effect of higher rates on affordability.2 On net, motor vehicle inflation has declined sharply because of the combined effects of these supply and demand factors.

Similar dynamics are playing out for core goods inflation overall. As they do, the effects of monetary restraint should show through more fully over time. Core goods prices fell the past two months, but on a 12-month basis, core goods inflation remains well above its pre-pandemic level. Sustained progress is needed, and restrictive monetary policy is called for to achieve that progress.

In the highly interest-sensitive housing sector, the effects of monetary policy became apparent soon after liftoff. Mortgage rates doubled over the course of 2022, causing housing starts and sales to fall and house price growth to plummet. Growth in market rents soon peaked and then steadily declined (figure 3).3

Measured housing services inflation lagged these changes, as is typical, but has recently begun to fall. This inflation metric reflects rents paid by all tenants, as well as estimates of the equivalent rents that could be earned from homes that are owner occupied.4 Because leases turn over slowly, it takes time for a decline in market rent growth to work its way into the overall inflation measure. The market rent slowdown has only recently begun to show through to that measure. The slowing growth in rents for new leases over roughly the past year can be thought of as "in the pipeline" and will affect measured housing services inflation over the coming year. Going forward, if market rent growth settles near pre-pandemic levels, housing services inflation should decline toward its pre-pandemic level as well. We will continue to watch the market rent data closely for a signal of the upside and downside risks to housing services inflation.

The final category, nonhousing services, accounts for over half of the core PCE index and includes a broad range of services, such as health care, food services, transportation, and accommodations. Twelve-month inflation in this sector has moved sideways since liftoff. Inflation measured over the past three and six months has declined, however, which is encouraging. Part of the reason for the modest decline of nonhousing services inflation so far is that many of these services were less affected by global supply chain bottlenecks and are generally thought to be less interest sensitive than other sectors such as housing or durable goods. Production of these services is also relatively labor intensive, and the labor market remains tight. Given the size of this sector, some further progress here will be essential to restoring price stability. Over time, restrictive monetary policy will help bring aggregate supply and demand back into better balance, reducing inflationary pressures in this key sector.

The Outlook Turning to the outlook, although further unwinding of pandemic-related distortions should continue to put some downward pressure on inflation, restrictive monetary policy will likely play an increasingly important role. Getting inflation sustainably back down to 2 percent is expected to require a period of below-trend economic growth as well as some softening in labor market conditions.

Economic growth Restrictive monetary policy has tightened financial conditions, supporting the expectation of below-trend growth.5 Since last year's symposium, the two-year real yield is up about 250 basis points, and longer-term real yields are higher as wellby nearly 150 basis points.6 Beyond changes in interest rates, bank lending standards have tightened, and loan growth has slowed sharply.7 Such a tightening of broad financial conditions typically contributes to a slowing in the growth of economic activity, and there is evidence of that in this cycle as well. For example, growth in industrial production has slowed, and the amount spent on residential investment has declined in each of the past five quarters (figure 4).

But we are attentive to signs that the economy may not be cooling as expected. So far this year, GDP (gross domestic product) growth has come in above expectations and above its longer-run trend, and recent readings on consumer spending have been especially robust. In addition, after decelerating sharply over the past 18 months, the housing sector is showing signs of picking back up. Additional evidence of persistently above-trend growth could put further progress on inflation at risk and could warrant further tightening of monetary policy.

The labor market The rebalancing of the labor market has continued over the past year but remains incomplete. Labor supply has improved, driven by stronger participation among workers aged 25 to 54 and by an increase in immigration back toward pre-pandemic levels. Indeed, the labor force participation rate of women in their prime working years reached an all-time high in June. Demand for labor has moderated as well. Job openings remain high but are trending lower. Payroll job growth has slowed significantly. Total hours worked has been flat over the past six months, and the average workweek has declined to the lower end of its pre-pandemic range, reflecting a gradual normalization in labor market conditions (figure 5).

This rebalancing has eased wage pressures. Wage growth across a range of measures continues to slow, albeit gradually (figure 6). While nominal wage growth must ultimately slow to a rate that is consistent with 2 percent inflation, what matters for households is real wage growth. Even as nominal wage growth has slowed, real wage growth has been increasing as inflation has fallen.

We expect this labor market rebalancing to continue. Evidence that the tightness in the labor market is no longer easing could also call for a monetary policy response.

Uncertainty and Risk Management along the Path Forward Two percent is and will remain our inflation target. We are committed to achieving and sustaining a stance of monetary policy that is sufficiently restrictive to bring inflation down to that level over time. It is challenging, of course, to know in real time when such a stance has been achieved. There are some challenges that are common to all tightening cycles. For example, real interest rates are now positive and well above mainstream estimates of the neutral policy rate. We see the current stance of policy as restrictive, putting downward pressure on economic activity, hiring, and inflation. But we cannot identify with certainty the neutral rate of interest, and thus there is always uncertainty about the precise level of monetary policy restraint.

That assessment is further complicated by uncertainty about the duration of the lags with which monetary tightening affects economic activity and especially inflation. Since the symposium a year ago, the Committee has raised the policy rate by 300 basis points, including 100 basis points over the past seven months. And we have substantially reduced the size of our securities holdings. The wide range of estimates of these lags suggests that there may be significant further drag in the pipeline.

Beyond these traditional sources of policy uncertainty, the supply and demand dislocations unique to this cycle raise further complications through their effects on inflation and labor market dynamics. For example, so far, job openings have declined substantially without increasing unemploymenta highly welcome but historically unusual result that appears to reflect large excess demand for labor. In addition, there is evidence that inflation has become more responsive to labor market tightness than was the case in recent decades.8 These changing dynamics may or may not persist, and this uncertainty underscores the need for agile policymaking.

These uncertainties, both old and new, complicate our task of balancing the risk of tightening monetary policy too much against the risk of tightening too little. Doing too little could allow above-target inflation to become entrenched and ultimately require monetary policy to wring more persistent inflation from the economy at a high cost to employment. Doing too much could also do unnecessary harm to the economy.

Conclusion As is often the case, we are navigating by the stars under cloudy skies. In such circumstances, risk-management considerations are critical. At upcoming meetings, we will assess our progress based on the totality of the data and the evolving outlook and risks. Based on this assessment, we will proceed carefully as we decide whether to tighten further or, instead, to hold the policy rate constant and await further data. Restoring price stability is essential to achieving both sides of our dual mandate. We will need price stability to achieve a sustained period of strong labor market conditions that benefit all.

We will keep at it until the job is done.

1. Descriptions of PCE inflation include Board staff estimates of the July 2023 values based on available information, including the July 2023 consumer price index and producer price index data. The July 2023 PCE inflation data will be published by the Bureau of Economic Analysis on August 31, 2023. Return to text

2. For example, 25 percent of respondents to the most recent University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers reported that it is currently a bad time to buy a new vehicle because of higher interest rates and tighter credit conditions, up from only 4 percent of respondents in 2021. For more information, see the preliminary results of the August 2023 survey, available on the University of Michigan's website at http://www.sca.isr.umich.edu. Return to text

3. This slowing in rent growth has likely occurred for a combination of reasons. Some of it likely reflects higher interest rates and the softening in real household income growth over the past couple of years. But the normalization of dislocations due to the pandemic is likely playing a role here as well. For example, the shifts in housing preferences related to working from home likely contributed to the increase in housing demand reflected in the sizable earlier increases in rents. As the price effects of that demand shift played out, the growth rate of rents would naturally decline toward its earlier trend. Finally, multifamily construction is quite high by historical standards, and that supply coming on line has likely also taken some pressure off market rents. Return to text

4. PCE prices for housing services include both the rents paid by tenants and an imputed rental value for owner-occupied dwellings (measured as the income the homeowner could have received if the house had been rented to a tenant). For additional details, see Bureau of Economic Analysis (2022), "Rental Income of Persons (PDF)," in NIPA Handbook: Concepts and Methods of the U.S. National Income and Product Accounts (Washington: BEA, December), pp. 12-112-15. Return to text

5. For an example of how tighter financial conditions affect economic activity, see the Federal Reserve Board staff's new index measuring U.S. financial conditions through their effect on the outlook for growth; the index is discussed in Andrea Ajello, Michele Cavallo, Giovanni Favara, William B. Peterman, John W. Schindler IV, and Nitish R. Sinha (2023), "A New Index to Measure U.S. Financial Conditions," FEDS Notes (Washington: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, June 30). Return to text

6. Changes in real yields cited in this sentence refer to changes in yields on 2- and 10-year Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities. Return to text

7. In addition, as the policy rate increased, nonbanking lending conditions changed as well. For example, beginning in 2022 and continuing into the first half of this year, net issuance of riskier debtsuch as leveraged loans and speculative-grade and unrated corporate bondsin public credit markets declined. Return to text

8. The relationship between labor market slack and inflation, often called the Phillips curve relationship, is likely nonlinear, steepening in a tight labor market. If the Phillips curve has steepened in this way, a small change in labor market tightness could result in a more substantial change in inflation. It is difficult to know with precision how steep that relationship is in real time or how it might evolve as labor market tightness changes. For more information on nonlinearities in this relationship, see Christoph E. Boehm and Nitya Pandalai-Nayar (2022), "Convex Supply Curves," American Economic Review, vol. 112 (December), pp. 394169; Pierpaolo Benigno and Gauti B. Eggertsson (2023), "It's Baaack: The Surge in Inflation in the 2020s and the Return of the Non-Linear Phillips Curve (PDF)," NBER Working Paper Series 31197 (Cambridge, Mass.: National Bureau of Economic Research, April); and Nicolas Petrosky-Nadeau, Lu Zhang, and Lars-Alexander Kuehn (2018), "Endogenous Disasters," American Economic Review, vol. 108 (August), pp. 221245. Return to text

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Speech by Chair Powell on the economic outlook - Federal Reserve

Kindergartener Luci Burke was recognized as her classrooms Student of the Month this spring. The award brought tears to her grandmothers eyes.

I was really emotional about that, describes Keni Jefferson, who has raised Luci since she was seven months old. After a very difficult start to the school year, with days where Luci was sent home because of her inappropriate behavior, it meant so much to see her grow and progress into this accomplishment.

Luci is a silly, spirited child with a unique personality who loves to sing and have special occasion sleepovers in her grandmothers bed. She was diagnosed with an adjustment disorder and developmental delays due to the trauma of infant neglect before she was placed in Kenis care. Aggressive behaviors first presented during pre-kindergarten and escalated the following year. She receives behavioral health and speech language therapy services weekly at The Childrens Institute of Pittsburgh.

When Luci came to live with me, she was malnourished and unloved, and her feet had never touched the floor, says Keni. She was behind developmentally in every area. We have been working together since then with help from The Childrens Institute on meeting milestones. I really admire Lucis spirit and determination, and especially her resilience.

Through evidence-based and trauma-informed talk therapy, Luci is learning new coping skills and emotion regulation strategies to strengthen her self-esteem and social skills. Speech language therapy gives Luci the tools to better understand language and how to communicate with the world around her. At home, Keni reinforces lessons learned and organizes their life together with familiar routines.

Keni and Luci are closely bonded, and Luci is learning how to express her wants and needs in healthy ways. When she is frustrated, she can regulate her emotions and remember to use her words: Can you help me? The colored behavior chart at school, which showed mostly red dots (difficult days) in the early months of the school year, now displays long lines of green dots (good days).

The Childrens Institute has been there for us during our best and worst times, Keni explains. Lucis therapists are patient, gentle, and compassionate, and they are so skilled at bringing out the best in her. I see the steady growth and progress in Luci, and I trust The Childrens Institute will continue to help her thrive.

Behavioral health services at The Childrens Institute help children and families develop skills to manage mood, thinking, and behaviors. By moving toward resiliency and healing, children become happier and healthier at home, school, and in the community. Read more success stories about our amazing kids, and support this and other programs with a donation today.

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An Amazing Journey of Progress For This Little Girl - Pittsburgh Magazine

The Des Allemands Boat Launch project appears to be edging forward for St. Charles Parish residents this month, as the Lafourche Basin Levee District (LBLD) will soon solicit new construction bids to include construction of an access road for the long-anticipated boat launch.

Following the July 31 unanimous parish council approval of a cooperative agreement between the LBLD and St. Charles Parish government, the LBLDs Sunset Levee lift project has been revised to include construction of the access road for the upcoming Des Allemands boat launch as a cost-saving measure for both the LBLD and St. Charles Parish.

The first Sunset Levee Lift that was put out to bid by the Lafourche Basin Levee District came back more than double the estimated cost because of the high dirt cost and because we were spreading a lot of dirt over a long, long distance, St. Charles Parish President Matt Jewell explained at a recent Parish Council meeting. What they decided to do [was] come back, work with the parish; weve moved this levee lift into two phases by working with the Levee District, and theyre going to bolster that levee up more on that outward coastal facing side.

The revised bid package will now also include the boat launch access road, a road the LBLD also will temporarily need for the levee lift project, given a nearby privately maintained access road was no longer available for the project.

So, were able now to partner with them to build that access road, well be putting in the dirt for our boat launch as wellwell be getting some economies by adding that dirt to this overall project, Jewell said. I think its a win-win for the parish.

Donald Ray Henry, Executive Director of the LBLD, explained that the Sunset Levee lift project is being taken on to reduce the risk of storm surge for the Bayou Gauche area. By partnering up with St. Charles Parish government on the project, both entities gain financial benefits. We believe that the surcharge volume will entice contractors, creating more competitive bidding that will improve the overall unit cost of the entire project, Henry said.

The bid process calls for a contractor to be selected roughly 34 calendar days after the initial bid advertisement is placed, allowing an additional one or two days for input and low bidder recommendations from various government agencies. If the bid process produces the desired improved cost result and a contractor is formally selected, Henry said the project is expected to last around ten months once work commences.

We are still going to maintain our portions where the boat launch is and where the parking lot, but the levee board will be paying for that access road and surcharging it, probably saving the parish in the neighborhood of about $650,000 as well as one to possibly two months [of lead time] because of the excess of trucks that will be running on itwere going to get a good [road] compaction, real quick, St. Charles Parish Chief Administrative Officer Mike Palamone said.

After a few inquiries from council members, the parish council voted eight yeas, zero nays in their decision to approve the cooperative agreement with the LBLD.

I think its a great use of the ad valorum tax that they get from the taxpayers in this parish, and I commend you all for your efforts to put this together, Council Member At-Large, Division B Holly Fonseca said to parish officials regarding the new cooperative agreement.

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Cooperative agreement marks progress for Des Allemands boat ... - St. Charles Herald Guide

Four years into her still young career, Coco Gauff can already recognize her own growth as a player.

The tennis star, 19, told reporters she felt the impact of her own maturity in her match Wednesday night, defeating Mirra Andreeva from Russia to advance to the third round of the US Open.

Im really happy with how I played, Gauff said during a press conference after the game.

Obviously, maturity plays a part into it, she added. The more matches you have, the more experience you have.

Gauff is chasing down her first Grand Slam title and is perhaps riding the biggest wave of momentum she's ever had coming into the US Open. The Florida native has won 13 of her last 14 matches, winning two tournaments in that span including a win over world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.

Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty

Earlier this month, Gauff told PEOPLE the goal is to win at this months tournament at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City.

To reach that ultimate goal of winning her first Grand Slam title, Gauff said as of late shes been trying to approach games with the same carefree attitude she has during practice, hoping to calm any potential nerves.

For me, the most important thing is to try to minimize the moment because the moment can seem so big, Gauff told PEOPLE.

On Wednesday, Gauff appeared as cool as can be. She defeated Andreeva, 16, in straight sets: 6-2 and 6-3.

Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty

Gauff said after the match that playing someone who was years younger than her a rarity thus far in her career helped put her own career in perspective, showing her progression from an underdog upstart at 15 years old to an expected Grand Slam finalist four years later.

One definable change, Gauff said, has been her ability to change her mentality heading into a big match, pointing to her dramatic turnaround in play since losing in the opening round of Wimbledon earlier this summer.

Never miss a story sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

That adjustment just happened a lot with age, Gauff told reporters on Wednesday.

I think for me that adjustment just happened a lot with age and also with you know, the new team and just hearing new things, she continued. I think today just reminded me I don't know if playing a younger person just reminded me how far I've come and I should be proud of myself. And that process is necessary. Those losses are necessary for growth."

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Coco Gauff Reflects on Her Progress After Advancing in US Open: 'I ... - PEOPLE

The vision for the Americans in Wartime Experience was hatched by a group of local Vietnam veterans nearly 30 years ago. Over the years, progress has been slow. Now, organizers say they have enough momentum to open the museums first building in about 24 to 30 months.

Thats according to Dennis Brant, who has served as chief executive officer of the nonprofit since 2019. During an event preceding last weekends Tank Farm Open House, the annual fundraiser for the Americans in Wartime Experience, Brant ticked off a list of recent accomplishments.

The museums 70-acre site, donated by the Cecil and Irene Hylton Foundation in 2010, has received more than 500,000 cubic yards of fill dirt over the past few years from area construction sites to help level off its sloping landscape. The site work is creating an upper level for the future museum building and a lower level for its planned, outdoor Landscapes of War exhibits.

An Americans in Wartime Experience volunteer talks to young visitors during the recent Tank Farm Open House held Aug. 26-27 in Nokesville.

Work is set to begin soon on a 4,000-linear-foot-long retaining wall and eventually a bridge that will carry visitors from the museums main building, once it is built, to the outdoor exhibit area.

The main building is planned to have a leadership center, a theater and exhibit space for some of the many artifacts and military vehicles that Allan Cors, the museum founder, has accumulated over the years and keeps at his Nokesville home, which he calls the Tank Farm. The farm is the site of the Tank Farm Open House, which usually raises more than $100,000 for the museum each year, Brant said.

Two re-enactors for the Americans in Wartime Experience sit atop a vintage M4 Sherman tank during the recent Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville.

A restoration and maintenance facility for those historic vehicles will be the first building to be constructed on the site, Brant said.

Were making progress, Brant said. Weve been working diligently over the last three to four years.

The museum, when complete, aims to honor and tell the stories of all Americans who served and took part in U.S. armed conflicts since the beginning of the 20th century, from World War I to the present.

It will do so through outdoor exhibits dedicated to each major conflict: World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and current conflicts. Each will feature the unique aspects of the conflicts, such as WWIs trench warfare.

A volunteer speaks with a young visitor about a Russian T-55 tank during the recent Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville.

In 2021, the museum was rebranded as The Americans in Wartime Experience to encompass more than just the warfighters but also Americans who supported the war efforts from home. Toward that end, the museums oral history project has recorded 729 interviews with Americans since 2010 about their wartime experiences, according to Dennis Gill, a volunteer leading up that effort.

Gill takes the Americans in Wartime Experience trailer on the road to air shows and other veterans events to collect the oral histories.

Two reenactors atop a vintage tank during the Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville on Aug. 26-27.

The people we interview are not just veterans, although that is our focus, Gill said. But its any American who served during wartime. Thats the Rosie the Riveters in World War II, the Donut Dollies from Vietnam. Weve interviewed first responders since Sept. 11. So, anybody who got a wartime story or a wartime connection, we interview.

The restoration and maintenance building is phase I of the project, Brant said. Phase II is the indoor museum. The structure is being designed by Patrick Gallagher, the designer of the Spy Museum in Washington, D.C., The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, and many other museums, Brant said.

But bringing that building to fruition will require more money. The Americans in Wartime Experiences Board of Directors has goal to raise about $70 million, Brant said.

Help could come in the way of state and federal funding. Brant said the board recently asked the state General Assembly for $10.2 million to help pay for the museums infrastructure. Another $4 million was requested in federal earmark money from Sen. Mark Warners office, Brant said.

As of Tuesday, Aug. 29, it was not clear if the request from the Va. General Assembly made it into the recent state budget deal that lawmakers will vote on early next month. The fate of the federal money is also unknown.

We dont know. Ive been told it could be a lot less, Brant said of the state and federal requests. Ive been told that we might have to wait a year. Im praying and hoping.

Two re-enactors in period garb sit atop a M50 Sherman tank during the Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville.

The U.S. Army flew in a Chinook helicopter from Ft. Eustis for visitors to get a firsthand look during the Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville.

Lt. Amato, a pilot of a U.S. Army helicopter, Chinook, of B Co. 5-159, based in Ft. Eustis, flew into this weekends open house at the Tank Farm in Nokesville. Amato is from Richmond.

The Tank Farm Open House had a mix of military vehicles, weapons and military re-enactors dressed in period uniforms.

Flame thrower Thomas Frezza

Cooper Greene, 7, of Woodbridge holds a Soviet Union Ak74 from the 1970s.

Jason Clark, a re-enactor of the 2nd Armored division, 41st Armored Infantry regiment, I & R Platoon, sits atop of a 1940s M18 Hellcat Destroyer tank. The vehicle was used in Operation Cobra, which took place from July 25, 1944, to July 31, 1944, seven weeks after the D-Day landing in Normandy.

Rob Bell, a re-enactor from the 685th regiment, 193rd Rifle Division of the Workers and Peasants Red Army, sits in front of his tank taking a smoke break.

A young boy sits in the cockpit of the U.S. Army Chinook flown in from Ft. Eustis for the Tank Farm open house.

Dennis Brandt and Walt Wood

Re-enactors sit atop a World War II-era Russian T-34 tank as visitors look on during the Americans in Wartime Experience Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville.

Rob Bell, a re-enactor from the 685th regiment, 193rd Rifle Division of the Workers and Peasants Red Army, sits in front of his tank taking a smoke break.

A period military bike rests against a tank's tracks.

Visitors to the Tank Farm open house examine a military machine gun.

A re-enactor atop a M50 Sherman tank during the Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville.

A a steel I-beam from the World Trade Center on display at the Tank Farm.

A steel beam from the World Trade Center debris on display at the Tank Farm.

The remains of a New York Fire Department vehicle that was destroyed in the 9-11 attack on the World Trade Center on display at the Tank Farm in Nokesville.

Chance Brown, 8, of Chantilly, receives instruction on bayonet training by Rob Bell of the 685th regiment, 193rd Rifle Division of the Workers and Peasants Red Army, during the Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville.

Jason Clark and Tim Murphy, of the 2nd Armored division, 41st Armored Infantry regiment, I&R Platoon, sit a top of a 1940s M18 Hellcat Destroyer tank used in Operation Cobra from July 25 to July 31, 1944, seven weeks after the D-Day landing in Normandy.

A vintage tank on display at the Americans in Wartime Experience Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville.

Military re-enactor Brian Alexander wearing a British Army uniform used from 1970 to 1990.

A tank kicks up dust during a demonstration at the Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville.

The Tank Farm Open House had a mix of military vehicles, weapons and military re-enactors dressed in period uniforms.

The Tank Farm Open House had a mix of military vehicles, weapons and military re-enactors dressed in period uniforms.

A T-55 Main Battle Tank.

The Tank Farm Open House had a mix of military vehicles, weapons and military re-enactors dressed in period uniforms.

Military re-enactors demonstrate weapons training during the Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville.

The U.S. Marine Corps provided a live demonstration for visitors during the Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville.

Young visitors to the Tank Farm Open House look at an artillery round with the help of an Americans in Wartime Experience volunteer.

The Tank Farm Open House had a mix of military vehicles, weapons and military re-enactors dressed in period uniforms.

The Tank Farm Open House had a mix of military vehicles, weapons and military re-enactors dressed in period uniforms.

The Tank Farm Open House had a mix of military vehicles, weapons and military re-enactors dressed in period uniforms.

The Tank Farm Open House had a mix of military vehicles, weapons and military re-enactors dressed in period uniforms.

Live tank rides were provided to visitors during the Americans in Wartime Experience Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville.

David Page sits on his 1941 Indian motorcycle, used in WWII by the New Zealand Military. The vehicle was restored 25 years ago by its owner, David Page, of Arlington. Page rides his bike regularly.

Lt. Amato, a U.S. Army helicopter pilot, with a Chinook of Unit B. Co 5-159, based in Ft. Eustis. Amato flew into this weekends Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville. Amato is from Richmond.

Flame Thrower Thomas Frezza demonstrates during the Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville.

The Nokesville Fire Department was called in to put out the brush fire kicked off by the flame thrower demonstration.

U.S. Marine Corps re-enactors

The U.S. Marine Corps re-enactors during the Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville.

Two re-enactors in period garb sit atop a M50 Sherman tank during the Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville.

The U.S. Army flew in a Chinook helicopter from Ft. Eustis for visitors to get a firsthand look during the Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville.

Lt. Amato, a pilot of a U.S. Army helicopter, Chinook, of B Co. 5-159, based in Ft. Eustis, flew into this weekends open house at the Tank Farm in Nokesville. Amato is from Richmond.

The Tank Farm Open House had a mix of military vehicles, weapons and military re-enactors dressed in period uniforms.

Flame thrower Thomas Frezza

Cooper Greene, 7, of Woodbridge holds a Soviet Union Ak74 from the 1970s.

Jason Clark, a re-enactor of the 2nd Armored division, 41st Armored Infantry regiment, I & R Platoon, sits atop of a 1940s M18 Hellcat Destroyer tank. The vehicle was used in Operation Cobra, which took place from July 25, 1944, to July 31, 1944, seven weeks after the D-Day landing in Normandy.

Rob Bell, a re-enactor from the 685th regiment, 193rd Rifle Division of the Workers and Peasants Red Army, sits in front of his tank taking a smoke break.

A young boy sits in the cockpit of the U.S. Army Chinook flown in from Ft. Eustis for the Tank Farm open house.

Dennis Brandt and Walt Wood

Re-enactors sit atop a World War II-era Russian T-34 tank as visitors look on during the Americans in Wartime Experience Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville.

Rob Bell, a re-enactor from the 685th regiment, 193rd Rifle Division of the Workers and Peasants Red Army, sits in front of his tank taking a smoke break.

A period military bike rests against a tank's tracks.

Visitors to the Tank Farm open house examine a military machine gun.

A re-enactor atop a M50 Sherman tank during the Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville.

A a steel I-beam from the World Trade Center on display at the Tank Farm.

A steel beam from the World Trade Center debris on display at the Tank Farm.

The remains of a New York Fire Department vehicle that was destroyed in the 9-11 attack on the World Trade Center on display at the Tank Farm in Nokesville.

Chance Brown, 8, of Chantilly, receives instruction on bayonet training by Rob Bell of the 685th regiment, 193rd Rifle Division of the Workers and Peasants Red Army, during the Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville.

Jason Clark and Tim Murphy, of the 2nd Armored division, 41st Armored Infantry regiment, I&R Platoon, sit a top of a 1940s M18 Hellcat Destroyer tank used in Operation Cobra from July 25 to July 31, 1944, seven weeks after the D-Day landing in Normandy.

A vintage tank on display at the Americans in Wartime Experience Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville.

Military re-enactor Brian Alexander wearing a British Army uniform used from 1970 to 1990.

A tank kicks up dust during a demonstration at the Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville.

The Tank Farm Open House had a mix of military vehicles, weapons and military re-enactors dressed in period uniforms.

The Tank Farm Open House had a mix of military vehicles, weapons and military re-enactors dressed in period uniforms.

A T-55 Main Battle Tank.

The Tank Farm Open House had a mix of military vehicles, weapons and military re-enactors dressed in period uniforms.

Military re-enactors demonstrate weapons training during the Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville.

The U.S. Marine Corps provided a live demonstration for visitors during the Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville.

Young visitors to the Tank Farm Open House look at an artillery round with the help of an Americans in Wartime Experience volunteer.

The Tank Farm Open House had a mix of military vehicles, weapons and military re-enactors dressed in period uniforms.

The Tank Farm Open House had a mix of military vehicles, weapons and military re-enactors dressed in period uniforms.

The Tank Farm Open House had a mix of military vehicles, weapons and military re-enactors dressed in period uniforms.

The Tank Farm Open House had a mix of military vehicles, weapons and military re-enactors dressed in period uniforms.

Live tank rides were provided to visitors during the Americans in Wartime Experience Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville.

David Page sits on his 1941 Indian motorcycle, used in WWII by the New Zealand Military. The vehicle was restored 25 years ago by its owner, David Page, of Arlington. Page rides his bike regularly.

Lt. Amato, a U.S. Army helicopter pilot, with a Chinook of Unit B. Co 5-159, based in Ft. Eustis. Amato flew into this weekends Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville. Amato is from Richmond.

Flame Thrower Thomas Frezza demonstrates during the Tank Farm Open House in Nokesville.

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'We're making progress': Americans in Wartime Experience museum ... - Prince William Times

The progress of twoMinera Alamos projects in Mexico Cerro de Oro and Santana depends on how quickly the environment ministry responds to the company's permit requests amid industry concern about delays due to retroactive application of the mining reform.

The procedures unduly subject to the new legislation which went into force in May mainly entail obtaining approval for environmental impact statements (EIS) from the environment ministry (Semarnat) and gaining authorization for changes in land use from the national forestry commission, which is also part of the ministry, BNamericas reportedthis week.

In mid-August, Mexicos mining chamber Camimex called on authorities to resolve the general delays in responses to requests for environmental permits, adding that it was "crucial that the environment and natural resources ministry act in an agile and efficient manner in the evaluation processes and in the issuance of resolutions, especially when companies strictly comply with the requirements established by law."

In an operations update for 2Q23, the Toronto-based gold miner said that permit applications were completed at the Cerro de Oro project in Zacatecas state and handed to the companys permitting consultants to guide the proposed gold mine through the permitting process.

Minera Alamos president Doug Ramshawsaidlast month in a webinar that the company hopes to have the permits in place for Cerro de Oro by the first quarter of 2024, before the presidential elections in June.

He added that the biggest concern about Mexico's mining reform concerns water. I think water management and permits are probably the biggest two challenges facing the industry at large, not just in Mexico, so we are already looking to secure local water rights at Cerro de Oro, even independent of the water concessions that we've drilled down there as part of our hydrological work."

In September last year, Ramshaw said construction of Cerro de Oro would begin in 2H23. Now, the miner expects the works to begin in the first half of next year if Mexican authorities allow it.

Last April, the miner completed the necessary documentation to formally proceed with the permitting process for the project, six months later than expected and after meeting its initial commercial production threshold at the Santana project in Sonora state at the end of 2022.

Cerro de Oro represents the future growth of Minera Alamos gold mining activities in Mexico, supporting its model of building low-capex projects, which can quickly establish meaningful production, according to the miner.

The mine, for which the company has put pre-production capital costs at US$28.1mn, will have estimated average gold production of 60,000oz-70,000oz/y in the first four years, with a mine life of 8.2 years.

During the third quarter of this year, Minera Alamos expects to close the US$25mn loan and royalty funding package for Cerro de Oro that was announcedin 2Q23, which would cover the anticipated construction costs of the planned mine, it said in its latest report.

SANTANA

At the Santana gold mine in Sonora state, Minera Alamos said the company continued constructive communications with Semarnat regarding the planned permit amendments, which will allow it to triple its overall pad capacity and provide the necessary efficiency for full development of the Nicho main zone.

Requested follow-up information has been submitted by the company as part of the ongoing dialogue, the miner added, without providing details of any response.

In the MD&A section of its report, the Mexico-focused firm said it continues to utilize existing leach pad space while waiting for the pending permit amendments that would allow the construction of the pad expansion.

Plans are being finalized to initiate construction activities in Q4, allowing for a return to much improved and consistent 2024 production guidance closer to levels reached in the second half of 2022. Any construction activities would be planned to follow the end of the current rainy season, the firm added.

Precipitation levels in 2023 have been returning to more typical patterns, allowing the company conduct more normal mining and production plans, according to its Q2 report. However, the expansion plans ultimately depend on Semarnat.

In 4Q19, the company received the EIS approval from Semarnat for the development of Santana. The Santana applications were structured to provide the company with significant flexibility to further optimize the development approach for the project and the ability to expand the project operations organically once resources are increased, it stated in its 2Q23 report.

During April-June, a total of 1,071oz of gold was sold from Santana. Some 5,446oz of recoverable inventory was on the pad as of June 30, which has begun to increase with the expansion of mining rates in July and August, the miner said.

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Progress of two Minera Alamos projects relies on the Mexican ... - BNamericas English

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. The North Kingstown Town Council has unanimously approved a plan for the Department of Public Works to enter a $148,000 contract with GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc., of Norwood, Mass., for the design and construction of a cover for the closure of the Hamilton-Allenton Landfill.

Director of Public Works Adam White said the efforts to close the landfill have been going on for over 20 years, as trash hasnt been delivered there for some time.

We have been putting other materials up there that are organic in nature, so, nothing other than that, White said, adding that this is limited to substance such as woodchips and soils.

White said there is no current timetable as to when this closure project will be completed.

Theres still some permitting pieces that will have to be part of all of this.

GZA is a multi-disciplinary firm out of Providence, which provides geotechnical, environmental, ecological, construction management, and site/civil engineering services. It is expected to develop a Remedial Action Work Plan (RAWP) and design for the disposal site on Hamilton-Allenton Road.

They have to do the engineering work for the actual cover and then theyre going to create the construction documents so we can actually build the cover itself, White said, adding the design process is separate from the bid for the covers construction. They take us from design and engineering of the plans all the way to bid assistance, but the award doesnt cover the construction oversight.

White said the town has two basic ways to get its waste out of town the first being a transfer station for residents only or the use of private haulers, who residents hire to pick their trash up.

The transfer station is strictly for residents though, its not based on commercial operations, White said.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) has conducted investigative work, soil testing, groundwater and soil gas monitoring, wetland, and habitat assessments, as well as hydraulic and hydrologic engineering associated with the re-routing and capping of the existing pipe underneath the landfill, officials said.

A feasibility study was completed in June, to assess impacts of reuse implementation plans including solar.

Officials said the town is interested in considering such an avenue.

White said town officials are going to be using best practices on the landfill cover to eventually accept solar.

There will be some type of energy preparedness for the future, White said. When we cap it, were hoping the design of the cap will allow solar to be placed on the hill. We have things to do on our end, to make sure that the land is approved for such, but that is the goal. So, there is (aspirations for) an energy component.

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Plans to finally close Hamilton-Allenton landfill see progress - The Independent

When Giants Life: The Process was released after the draft, it was revealed that the Giants were considering using their second-round pick on Hyatt before selecting Schmitz at No. 57. Of course, Hyatt ended up lasting into the third round, where the Giants traded up to No. 71 in order to ensure they landed the speedy receiver out of Tennessee. It's safe to say the Giants are happy with their early returns on Hyatt.

Throughout the first few weeks of training camp practices, Hyatt would seemingly make a deep, highlight reel catch just about every day. He would use his speed to blaze past defenders and get open down the field, where he would bring in deep passes from Daniel Jones or Tyrod Taylor. We then saw him do the same thing in the second preseason game, as he brought in a 33-yard pass from Taylor for a touchdown. Despite some preconceived notions about Hyatt from other people around the league, assistant general manager Brandon Brown said the team was confident in the rookie wideout's all-around skill set after doing extensive research on him.

"I think with Jalin, it's doing your due diligence," Brown told the media last week. "It's knowing what he was asked to do at Tennessee. It's us having those extra conversations with his position coach at Tennessee, talking to the coaching staff at Tennessee, knowing what their system called for because what he's doing for us, he has more talent in his body than the role he was asked to play at Tennessee. So, you look at the skill set, did he have bend, balance and burst? Can he get out of breaks? Was he asked to run a limited route tree at Tennessee versus what he can do for us? I think us going that, call it, full circle of doing all our due diligence and finding the evidence, it was a great process.

"I say it again, the synergy. You talk about the full process with Jalin, hats off to our college department. They identified Jalin early - that allowed Joe (Schoen), Tim (McDonnell) and Dennis (Hickey) to go see him against Alabama. It allowed me to go see him later against Missouri, then (wide receivers coach) Mike Groh spends time with him. Dabs spends time with him. We have him in the facility for a 30 visit. We get him on the board. All those things add to who he is and the upside. You see him making extra effort in terms of blocking down the field in practice. That adds to who he is. He's a great young man, and we're excited for him."

With their first pick on Day 3 of the draft, the Giants selected the running back out of Oklahoma with the No. 172 overall selection. Gray has gotten some rushing attempts in each of the three preseason games, but has struggled to find much running room on those runs. However, the 5-foot-10, 210-pound back has found more success on special teams, where he's been serving as a returner on both kickoff and punts.

Against the Lions, Gray returned three kickoffs for a total of 62 yards while adding two punt returns for eight yards. He recorded a 9-yard punt return against the Panthers, and wrapped up the preseason with an 18-yard kickoff return against the Jets. More importantly, Gray has made some smart decisions on special teams, including allowing a kickoff to bounce and eventually land out of bounds, which gave the Giants the ball on the 40. Special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey has been impressed with the rookie's football IQ.

"Just making good decisions, and he's done that so far," McGaughey said about Gray's performance as a returner. "He's done some really good things as far as decision making. We always tell our guys, 'Let the plays come to you; don't chase them.' The plays will come to you. As a rookie, they all haveall rookies have a tendency to try and go chase plays. You've just got to let the play come to you."

Hawkins has undoubtedly been one of the biggest surprises of training camp. The sixth-round pick out of Old Dominion has played well since camp opened, slowly earning his way up to seeing significant time with the starting defense. Hawkins' performance has been so strong that veteran Adoree' Jackson has gotten a lot of practice reps in the slot in order to allow Hawkins to start on the outside with Banks.

The 6-foot-3 rookie cornerback has garnered praise from just about everybody inside the Quest Diagnostics Training Center, from veteran players to the coaching staff all the way up to the front office.

"He's got length that fits our system," Brown said last week. "Getting the description from Wink, Wink is very particular of what plays in the system and what's at a premium. We know you've got to be able to run, got to be strong, guys that have length and you've got to be willing to be physical in the run game also in press coverage

"You look at where he is in training camp. Nothing has been too big for him. Every time there's been a platform, he's answered the bell. So, I think more guys like him that fit our profile, and then they have the mental toughness, play with short-term memory. They're getting coached the same way. It doesn't matter how we acquire them. Once they're here, it's an even playing field. Dabs says, again, you earn your playing time based on merit, and Tre's nothing more than an example of that."

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Rookie Progress Report: First taste of the NFL - Giants.com

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CherryRoad Media acquires Paulding Progress and 7 other ... - The Paulding County Progress

PRIMGHARSummit Carbon Solutions first made his presence felt in OBrien County on Sept. 22, 2021, during an informational meeting in Sheldon where it announced plans to install 33.45 miles of carbon dioxide pipeline through the county.

Summit has since sent representatives to county board of supervisors meetings on regular basis to update the progress of the easements obtained from landowners along the proposed pipeline route.

The July 25 meeting was the latest visit from Summit reps Kaylee Langrell and Isaac Risseeuw and most likely the last one before the Iowa Utilities Board begins its hearing on the pipeline on Tuesday, Aug. 22, in Fort Dodge.

Langrell said Summit has acquired more than 27 miles of easements needed for the two pipelines one will run east to west in between Primghar and Paullina close to 410th Street and the other will be about five miles west of Paullina and run north until attaching to the other pipeline.

The 27 miles represents a little more than 80 percent of the pipelines coverage in the county. Langrell said Summit has acquired about 70 percent of the miles it needs for the pipeline in the state.

Those who continue to hold out on signing an easement with Summit could be subject to eminent domain if the project is eventually approved by the IUB. Langrell said the hope is the IUB will make its decision before the end of the year.

OBrien County auditor Barb Rohwer said she received 50 documents on Monday pertaining to eminent domain. Langrell said those are the easements Summit has not signed with landowners yet.

Negotiations are still ongoing, Langrell said. Its not saying eminent domain is going to happen. We havent been granted that right yet, and were still actively working through negotiation.

Supervisor Dan Friedrichsen asked if the documents still were notice of eminent domain proceedings.

Langrell said those are just notices.

But if we do not sign them and eminent domain is granted down the line, thats a possibility, she said. So, Im not saying its off the table, but those are the ones that we have not signed at this point. It doesnt mean theyre not talking to us, it just means we havent come to an agreement yet.

Langrell said Summit has acquired 104 of 135 tracts of land it needs in OBrien County.

One of the misconceptions Langrell wanted to try to put to rest during the meeting was regarding drain tile damages due to the potential pipeline construction.

People know were saying that we will repair those drain tile damages, they dont necessarily believe it, she said. One thing that we have been doing is trying to work really hard with landowners and counties on having agreements with how we crossed the tile.

Summit is partnering with Ellingson Drainage, a Minnesota company, to oversee drainage tile repair for the pipeline.

They will follow our construction crews and make temporary repairs and then come back and do permanent repairs, Langrell said. The landowner also has the option to choose their own drain tile repair company and that would be paid for by Summit.

Supervisor Dennis Vanden Hull said some of the tile is part of system and a lot of damage can be done to the system as a whole. He asked if the whole system would get repaired, not just the portion the pipeline would cross.

There are some farmers that have spent $60,000 to $100,000 to pattern tile a field and now thats a system, Vanden Hull said.

Risseeuw said if the system is damaged, Summit is going to fix it.

Langrell later touched on a few more misconceptions. She said landowners still will be able to get liability insurance, but the landowner does not need liability insurance for the pipeline since it is owned by Summit and liability falls on the company.

That is listed in the signed easements along with that if the pipeline is ever sold by Summit, the easement language remains the same.

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Summit updates O'Brien board of progress | News - nwestiowa.com