Category Archives: Progress

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Parents, educators and community leaders can now share stories about the challenges they face in North Carolinas cash-strapped public schools on a new website launched this week by Progress NC, a nonprofit that advances progressive causes.

The True Reporting of Underfunding Education (T.R.U.E.) portal will shine a light on the impact of chronic neglect and the underfunding of the states schools, the organization said in a news release.

T.R.U.E., is intended to counter a website Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson created to give students, teachers and parents a tool to report perceived cases of bias or indoctrination in public schools.

Robinson, a Republican from Greensboro and the states first Black lieutenant governor, launched Fairness and Accountability in the Classroom for Teachers and Students (F.A.C.T.S.) in February after the State Board of Education adopted new social studies standards he opposed.

The lieutenant governor released his 250-page report this summer, but it did not show widespread indoctrination of North Carolinas school children.

Two-thirds of the things found in there [Robinsons report] had nothing to do with K-12 curriculum at all, said Durrell Johnson, the Progress NC communications director.

Nevertheless, student indoctrination, Critical Race Theory (CRT) and mask-mandates have dominated K-12 education headlines throughout a raucous summer for school boards. Boards that adopted masking requirements and those falsely accused of endorsing CRT have been berated and threatened during monthly meetings.

Educators say CRT, an obscureacademic discipline from the world of higher education that examines how American racism has shaped law and public policy, is not taught in K-12 classrooms.

Democrats in the General Assembly have sought to eliminate a state law that requires school boards to vote monthly on masking mandates to eliminate the rancor it has spawned. But on Wednesday, the Republican-controlled state House rejected a proposal to end the requirement on a 51-41 vote largely along party lines. One Republican voted in favor of ending the requirement, along with all Democrats present.

Progress NC believes its new website will help to redirect attention to more substantive education matters such as the adequate funding of the states schools.

The conversation has shifted away from the real issues around education in North Carolina, Johnson said. We want to bring that conversation back to supporting our educators, supporting the future of our kids.

The organization noted that neither House nor Senate budgets in the GOP-led Generally Assembly fully fund the Leandro Comprehensive Remedial Plan as ordered by the judge overseeing the states landmark school funding case.

Superior Court Judge David Lee has given lawmakers until Oct. 15 to develop a plan that fully funds the $5.4 billion remedial plan through 2028. Lee set an Oct. 18 hearing to consider the next steps if lawmakers fail to deliver a plan.

Mecklenburg County teacher Justin Parmenter endorsed Progress NCs new website. Parmenter has been outspoken in his opposition to Robinsons F.A.C.T.S. project.

North Carolina is one of the fastest-growing states in the country and we have an opportunity to address real, critical issues such as teacher and bus driver shortages along with outdated and crumbling infrastructure that many of our schools in North Carolina face, Parmenter said. Our children deserve a quality education.

Meanwhile, Johnson said a report to share information gathered on the T.R.U.E., website could come by the end of next month.

Johnson shared a few of the early funding complaints Wednesday:

Veteran Teacher

I have to have a summer job and a secondary job during the school year just to make ends meet. I am a single parent to a daycare-age child, and the expenses of a mortgage, daycare, utilities, etc means that I am having to work double my job and endure double the stress on my body. I have an autoimmune disease that is triggered by stress, and this year alone I have had to go on extra medication for weeks just to be able to stay in the classroom for my normal working hours. I am seriously considering leaving the profession because my stress and works levels far outweigh the amount I am getting paid, irregardless of the infinite joy it brings me to connect with my students.

Public School Parent Supporting Teachers

My childrens teachers and administrators have consistently gone above and beyond to keep families informed and students safe while delivering consistent, high quality education. They have shown tremendous grace and patience under challenging and uncertain circumstances and worked hard to convey positivity and provide as normal a school experience as possible under the circumstances.

Public School Parent

The lack of bus drivers impacts everyone, not just the kids on the bus; students being late to school disrue teachers trying to prepare students to be critical thinkers, agile workers pts everyones learning; students being late to get picked up to go home mean longer days for school staff; unpredictable schedules mean added stress for families; and long, long car lines full of parents tired of waiting for buses that never come mean all of us driving to school are regularly missing work time, late to pick up kids at other schools, or missing our childrens after school commitments. Its a huge problem, and whatever is needed to make driving a bus a more appealing job needs to happen ASAP.

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NC Progress launches new website to find the truth about underfunded schools | The Pulse - The Progressive Pulse

Thousands marched across Portland and gathered at the fenced off Justice Center for a sixth night of protests over the killing of George Floyd, a Black man from Minneapolis who was killed after an officer pushed his knee into his neck for nearly nine minutes on June 3, 2020. The night came to an undramatic end with a much smaller group of protesters staying past midnight chanting outside the Justice Center.

Jonathan Levinson / OPB

A coalition of Black community leaders known as Reimagine Oregon say theyre unsatisfied with the incremental progress elected officials have made in responding to a list of demands the group issued a year ago.

The group held a press conference Tuesday to update Oregon media as well as several lawmakers who joined the virtual meeting on where things stand since they challenged Oregon leaders to do better by the states Black community in a series of requests.

Those requests include major changes to policies on a number of topics including housing reform, policing and community safety, education, public health, transportation, economic development and the states legislative process.

In total, the group listed more than 40 specific actions they hoped to see taken by the Oregon Legislature, Metro regional government, the three metro-area counties and the city of Portland.

Reimagine Oregon was established last summer in response to mounting social discourse on equity and racial justice following the murder of George Floyd and the disparities in opportunity and services in America further exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The group is comprised of community organizers and leaders such as Nkenge Harmon Johnson, president and CEO of the Urban League of Portland; Katrina Holland, executive director of housing advocacy group JOIN PDX; Lamar Wise, political coordinator of public employees union AFSCME Local 75 and ACLU of Oregon board member; Kali Thorne Ladd, executive director of KairosPDX; Marcus Mundy; executive director of Portland-based Coalition of Communities of Color; Elona J. Wilson, executive director of Next Up, a nonprofit incubator of leaders of color; and Justice Rajee, executive director of Reimagine Oregon.

Thats just to name a few who spoke at Tuesdays press conference and provided grades on how Oregons elected officials have responded to the key issues over the last year.

And those grades werent particularly favorable.

Holland kicked things off, giving the state an incomplete, grade forthcoming for what she described as incremental progress and promises for the future on key housing requests. Those include things such as rent cancelation for people affected by the pandemic, removing barriers to housing assistance and more stringent tests to assure fair housing standards are met.

In our second year of this project we got a lot of work to do to get to that hopeful A, Holland said. Its time for catalytic change.

Holland did acknowledge that theres been some good progress in terms of helping Oregonians who have struggled through the pandemic to pay their rent with the passage of House Bill 2100.

But according to Holland, theres still room for vast improvement in the process with which the state uses to push out rent assistance dollars.

Wise took a moment to provide grades for local jurisdictions on their response to policy demands in the realm of police accountability, which were somewhat more flattering.

According to Wise, Reimagine Oregon has been working with Metro, the Portland areas regionally elected government, and the Washington, Multnomah and Clackamas county governments to look at ways to reform how the region approaches public safety.

Both Washington and Multnomah County received a B grade for work theyve engaged in and investments made in that area.

Clackamas County on the other hand was given an F following what the group characterizes as a complete drop-off in communication between Reimagine leaders and the county following County Chair Tootie Smith taking office.

We would love to continue some type of partnership (with Clackamas County), but there hasnt been much communication, Wise said.

The city of Portland was given a C grade as Reimagine awaits results of the citys fall budget monitoring process. Wise said that despite a high turnover rate within the city government that hasnt allowed much progress, there are some staff within city hall who remain committed to working with the organization on pushing for further accountability within the Portland Police Bureau and an overhaul of policies and practices.

The state of Oregon also received a C grade, a mark that had some lawmakers on the virtual call a bit taken aback considering the states major push in this years legislative session to pass a flurry of police reform bills aimed at many of the specific values shared by Reimagine.

Wise pointed to the bodys failure to pass House Bill 2002 in its entirety as the reason for the C grade. Some provisions of the bill were carved out into other proposals, but the bulk of that bill which wasnt acted upon this year wouldve reformed the states mandatory sentencing laws something lawmakers have had their eye on for years.

Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Happy Valley, who was on Tuesdays call, and Sen. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene, committed to leading that charge in the 2022 short session with support from the legislatures Black, Indigenous and People of Color caucus.

A few other notable grades included Mundy doling out a D to efforts within the legislature to require all bills to include racial impact statements, as well as requiring the same for state agencies during rulemaking processes. Mundy commended lawmakers for bringing those bills forth this legislative session, but noted that they remained stuck in committee when the legislature adjourned in June.

Wilson graded efforts by both Metro and Multnomah County to implement a requirement that community advisory boards be consulted in rulemaking processes as tentative A dependent on how those requirements are or arent centered around voices of their respective Black communities.

Rajee said that Reimagine Oregon remains focused on holding the state and local governments accountable to the voices of Black Oregonians who have called for widespread reform and more opportunity in the state.

According to Rajee, the group will continue to work with its partners in organizations throughout the state to put pressure on elected leaders to take action in responding to their requests for change.

We have seen movement, but we have yet to see movement from our elected leaders, Rajee said. The movement is in the streets. Its in our lives. But in the halls of power, were still largely resisted, and were here to make sure the spotlight doesnt fade on that fact.

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Oregons Black leaders are unsatisfied with incremental progress the state has seen a year after calling for monumental change - OPB News

After a few dozen hours in New World I still feel like a stranded traveller, newly washed up on the beaches of Aeternum. Ive managed to skirt the mammoth queue times for long enough now to get a feel for Amazon Games foray into the massively multiplayer genre, and that feeling can pretty much be summed up with a shrug and a yeah, its alright. Will New World scratch that itch youve got in the back of your brain for a new MMO in a pretty world filled with life and stuff to do? Definitely. Will you be gasping in awe wondering how Amazon managed to reinvigorate the genre? Probably not.

Friends have asked me about New Worlds mechanics during my playtime and Ive found myself giving a disclaimer every time. The combat feels good for an MMO. The crafting is rewarding for an MMO. The world is gorgeous for an MMO. Sure, the more grounded combat is definitely a nice addition, but on the whole there doesnt seem to be much setting New World apart from its contemporaries other than its admittedly very pretty setting and aesthetic.

I havent had much opportunity to experience PvP combat so far other than a couple of duels not many players are flagged for open-world combat on my server so PvE is the only real chance Ive had to try out New Worlds action-combat system. Other than the odd bit of server lag, it feels pretty tight, and the experience varies dramatically depending on which weapon youre using. The greataxes swing is meaty and impactful, but somehow the greathammers size belies its range it feels like youve got to get close enough to touch your opponents eyelashes. The bow feels meek and lacklustre, but the rifle fires with a satisfying pop and little plume of gunsmoke that other players can see around you. My current favourite weapon is a high-level hatchet I found in a crate, which has a hefty strength bonus. I felt swift and nimble darting around flailing with my swings as my friend aimed headshots with his rifle. Each of New Worlds weapon types are leveled separately to your main level, so youre encouraged with your introductory loot drops to try out a few.

Unfortunately, the fighting is oftendented by wonky spawn rates. Ive stood in a forest surrounded by players desperately trying to tag a deer or wolf before it dies to progress their quest, ten minutes before being ganked by dozens of rapidly respawning skeletons that appear in a flash of blue beside or behind me as I try to slash my way to a box of loot. Amplifying these frustrations is the fact that other players can ninja in and harvest the body of skinnable mobs like bison, boar, or lynx before you get there, leading to a frustrating clickfest as you hope to be the first to press E on a slain animal. General loot drops are instanced, so its a little baffling that skins arent.

Those animal carcasses are vital for crafting, which seems to be a pretty big pull among New Worlds playerbase. The most generous way I can describe this part of the game is that it feels like a modern take on Runescape. I laughed out loud when a player in my town was derided in global chat for their attempt to max smelting as fast as possible, with youll all see when they get their 99 Skillcape. Skills are separated into three categories gathering, refining, and crafting and theyre the fundamental forces behind New Worlds player-driven economy.

fighting is often dented by wonky spawn rates

Resource nodes can be found all over Aeternum, some rarer than others, and theres something tantalising about seeing a sparkly higher-level resource that you cant gather from yet. The sound design is fantastic for woodcutting and mining, producing a satisfying thunk or clink that echoes around the immediate area. Its even more impressive when you hear it walking around the wilderness, followed by the fall of a tree in the distance. Being surrounded by players is what makes the best MMOs so special, and the noise of industry filling the forest is a nice reminder of that.

Like many others, my introductory experience has been marred by queues and bugs. Ive become intimately familiar with New Worlds early game in my first fifteen hours or so of play, though not for the right reasons. On launch night I managed to log a couple of hours before encountering a seemingly uncommon but not all that rare (thats a loot gag folks) bug, which had me stuck in the floorboards of a building. Even with New Worlds unstick tool, I was only able to limply jiggle my character in place. I was forced to start from scratch. For my next character I managed to make it several hours in, way beyond the introductory quests, and Id begun to enjoy exploring the world. But that character is now lost on a server with waiting times that seemingly never drop below three hours.

Third times the charm, then, and luckily Ive managed to wrangle a couple of intrigued friends to test out a few more multiplayer features. Again, bizarre design choices hamper the experience. When I awake on the beaches of First Light, Im confused to see my friend a whole territory away in Windsward. See, in New World you spawn in one of four different starting regions, entirely at random. If your friend is elsewhere, one of you has no choice but to run for twenty minutes, praying not to get one-shotted by high-level monsters on the way.

This is complicated further if you accept more than the first couple of quests in the zone, youre locked into that region until around level 13 which the third in our group had accidentally done. I cant see a good reason for any of these choices, so Im hopeful theyll be patched out in the near future.

When finally reunited, I discovered that New World is far more fun with friends. I had an absolute blast leveling up alongside them, showing off our pirate chic and conquistador-looking loot drops, but it certainly feels daft hanging about waiting for a friend to complete unshareable quests in another region while you try not to outlevel them. Guess Ill go chop a few more logs in the meantime.

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New World review in progress a flawed, but promising MMO - PCGamesN

Connor Colby was blocking high school defensive linemen at this time last year.

Now hes starting for a college team ranked No. 5 in the national polls.

Yeah, its a different world for Colby, who made his first start for Iowa in last Saturdays game against Colorado State.

It is, Colby said on Tuesday, a work in progress.

It was definitely a big adjustment, said Colby, who started at right guard last week. Im still not all of the way there, not even close.

Colby, who played at Cedar Rapids Kennedy and was a first-team all-state selection as a junior and senior, joined the Hawkeyes early for spring practice, and worked himself on to the two-deep heading into fall camp.

It was a big step forward in the spring, and Ive just got to keep going on that, Colby said.

Obviously being a true freshman and coming in here and starting for us, its pretty impressive what he can do, center Tyler Linderbaum said. Obviously he hasnt had the game experience as others, but he plays his heart out.

He's definitely in the mix, mainly because when he was starting in the spring, he didn't look like he was overwhelmed, coach Kirk Ferentz said. Not because he looked like he knew what he was doing 100 percent and still doesn't, but he looked like he belongs in the pack, if you will, and he's done a lot of good things.

The size of the players he is facing is something Colby has learned about.

I know I cant overpower people now, he said.

Colby has been eased into his role with Iowa playing a rotation of players on the offensive line. Getting game work, while also getting a chance to watch, has helped in his education.

I would say its pretty helpful. Its helpful for me to come off and sort things out, Colby said. Ive just been kind of living in the moment, focusing on now.

Iowas offensive line is young, but there are enough veterans to help Colby. Linderbaum, a preseason All-American, has provided plenty of advice. And Colbys roommate on game weekends is senior guard Kyler Schott.

Me and Shooter talk a lot. He helps me out, Colby said. If I dont understand whats going on, I can go to him and get a straight answer. Work around it and shoot me straight.

Colby is No. 2 on the depth chart at right tackle for Saturdays game. But he has proven to be a key piece in Iowas offensive line, even with his inexperience.

Ferentz said on Tuesday he would like a more consistent line group as the season progresses. Colby, he said, is in the mix.

He's also struggled some out there, which is totally predictable in practice, and also on the game field, Ferentz said. He had a couple plays the other day that I thought he was capable of making, but it just happened a little faster than maybe he thought. That's part of inexperience and youth. We'll just kind of see how it all plays out.

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Connor Colby A Work in Progress - CalBearsMaven

Despite only winning seven games last season, the Washington Football Team was expected to take a step forward in 2021.

The defense that was elite to close the 2021 campaign was poised to improve with the addition of Williams Jackson III and first-round linebacker Jamin Davis, while the offense looked ready to take a step forward with better quarterback depth and more weapons at wide receiver like Curtis Samuel and rookie Dyami Brown.

But three games in, and Washington hasn't lived up to any of those aforementioned expectations. Injuries and a tough schedule have had something to do with it, but even at 1-2, the team's record has been better than its performance.

"This team is a work in progress, OK?" Ron Rivera told the Sports Junkies Tuesday."By no means did we arrive after last seasonand that's the thing we all have to understand. We're not going to show up and be who we were last year. We have to continue to work. We have to continue to grow. We got to understand that we have to play disciplined football."

Perhaps the silver lining for Washington entering Week 4 is that its struggles don't appear to be a talent issue. They have plenty of capable playmakers on both sides of the ball, but the execution hasn't been there. Chase Young still doesn't have a sack this season, the defense can't get off the field on third down, and the offense can't convert any third downs either (32nd in NFL).

The key for Rivera is taking what happened last week, learning from the mistakes and moving on to the next game. And if he can't get his players to do that, he's ready to accept responsibility.

"If after watching tape yesterday as a team, and our players haven't gotten it, we've got a lot of work to do," Rivera said. "I would like to believe that yesterday's tape, a big opportunity to review, how bad we played as a team and coaches as a group, then there's something wrong. That'll disappoint me even more. I believe this was a good message for us, it's a good opportunity to learn and grow from it. And if we don't, that's on my ass. That's on me. I'm the head coach and I'll be responsible to that."

The good news is it's still early in the season and the NFC East is a forgiving division when it comes to early season slumps. Just last season, Washington started 2-7 and won the division. They probably won't be able to get away with that again, but it goes to show how different the conversation could be in a month or two.

"After this week, there's still 13 games," Rivera said. "And then as far as I'm concerned, it's just one at a time. It's one at a time.When you start focusing and worrying about what you have to do, what you got to do, what you must do, you have a lot of stress on yourself. It's about what you want to do. You got to go out there and you got to want to play hard. You've got to go out and you've got to want to win. That's the way we have to approach things."

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Ron Rivera says struggling Washington Football Team is a 'work in progress' - NBC Sports

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Title IX and women's sports at K-State: 50 years of progress - Manhattan Mercury

What GAO Found

Congress and executive branch agencies have made significant progress in addressing many of the 1,200 actions that GAO identified from 2011 to 2021 to reduce costs, increase revenues, and improve agencies operating effectiveness, although work remains to fully address them. As shown in the figure below, these efforts have resulted in approximately $515 billion in financial benefits, an increase of $85 billion from GAOs 2020 annual report. These are rough estimates based on a variety of sources that considered different time periods and used different data sources, assumptions, and methodologies.

Total Reported Financial Benefits of $515 Billion, as of 2021

To achieve these benefits, as of August 2021, Congress and executive branch agencies have fully addressed 666 (56 percent) of the 1,200 actions GAO identified from 2011 to 2021 and partially addressed 207 (17 percent). Examples of actions taken that led to significant financial benefits include:

Further steps are needed to fully address the actions GAO identified from 2011 to 2021. While GAO is no longer tracking 93 actions due to changing circumstances, GAO estimates that fully addressing the remaining 441 open actions could result in savings of tens of billions of dollars and improved government services, among other benefits. For example:

The federal government continues to respond to and recover from significant public health and economic challenges battling the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the size and scope of these efforts demand strong accountability and continued agility, opportunities also exist for achieving billions of dollars in financial savings and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of a wide range of federal programs in other areas.

GAO has responded with annual reports to a statutory provision directing it to identify and report on federal programs, agencies, offices, and initiativeseither within departments or government-wide. These entities and initiatives have duplicative, overlapping, or fragmented goals or activities, as well as additional opportunities to achieve cost savings or enhance revenue collection.

This report discusses the progress Congress and executive branch agencies have made in addressing actions GAO identified in its 2011 to 2021 reports. Additionally, the report provides examples of open actions where further steps by Congress and executive branch agencies could yield significant financial and non-financial benefits.

For more information, contact Jessica Lucas-Judy at (202)512-6806 or lucasjudyj@gao.gov, or Michelle Sager at (202)512-6806 or sagerm@gao.gov..

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Addressing Fragmentation, Overlap, and Duplication: Progress in Enhancing Government Effectiveness and Achieving Hundreds of Billions of Dollars in...

WASHINGTON Pressure mounting but with signs of progress, President Joe Biden will hunker down at the White House to try to strike a deal and win over two holdout Democratic senators whose support is needed for his potentially historic $3.5 trillion government overhaul.

With Republicans solidly opposed and no Democratic votes to spare, Biden canceled a Wednesday trip to Chicago that was to focus on COVID-19 vaccinations so he could dig in for another day of intense negotiations with lawmakers ahead of crucial votes.

The stakes are as high as ever as Biden and his party try to accomplish a giant legislative lift, promising a vast rewrite of the nations balance sheet with an oh-so-slim majority in Congress. His idea is to essentially raise taxes on corporations and the wealthy and use that money to expand government health care, education and other programs an impact that would be felt across countless American lives.

As if that wasnt enough, Bidens focus is gaining traction at the same time Congress courts a crisis. Republicans refuse to approve routine legislation to keep the government funded past Thursdays fiscal yearend and raise the nations debt limit to avoid a dangerous default on borrowing. More votes are expected Wednesday and are likely to at least temporarily head off a catastrophe.

With Biden and his party reaching for what would be a signature policy accomplishment, there is a strong sense that progress is being made, said an administration official who requested anonymity to discuss the private talks.

All eyes are on Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, who say the price tag for Bidens plan is too big but are publicly quiet about a number they can live with.

The president met separately with the two centrist senators at the White House on Tuesday and Democrats are poised to trim the huge measures tax proposals and spending goals to meet the overall size they are demanding.

Really good, honest, straightforward negotiations, Manchin told reporters back at the Capitol after his White House meeting with Biden. He said he did not give the president a new topline figure.

Bidens problems with fellow Democrats arent just in the Senate. A small number of centrist House Democrats are bristling at the far-reaching scope of his domestic agenda and demanding changes. But progressive lawmakers warn against cutting too much, saying they have already compromised enough.

Applying pressure, progressives are threatening to withhold support for a companion bill, a $1 trillion public works measure heading to a vote Thursday, that they say is too meager without Bidens bigger package assured.

Were obviously at a very sensitive time, said White House press secretary Jen Psaki. The president, she said, is not going to tell anyone what to do. Hes going to have a discussion, have an engagement.

Taken together, its all putting the entire Biden agenda perilously closer to collapse, with consequences certain to shape his presidency and the lawmakers political futures.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Congress in a letter Tuesday that Oct. 18 is a critical date the day the Treasury Department will likely exhaust all of its extraordinary measures being taken to avoid a default on the governments obligations.

Yellen urged Congress to protect the full faith and credit of the United States by acting as soon as possible to either raise the debt limit or suspend it.

Faced with Republican opposition to linking the routine government funding with the debt limit vote, Democrats are separating the two, stripping out the more-heated debate over the debt limit for another day, closer to a separate October deadline.

The Senate is poised to vote swiftly to provide government funding to avoid a federal shutdown after the Sept. 30 fiscal year end, keeping operations flowing temporarily to Dec. 3. The House could quickly follow.

The House is also preparing a possible vote to extend the debt limit through through Dec. 16, something Democrats are likely to support. But even if it is approved by the House, its unclear if it could pass the Senate in the face of GOP obstruction.

Tensions are flaring at the Capitol as the contours of Bidens big agenda come into focus amid standoff over normally routine votes over government operations.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell grew testy with reporters when asked about Yellens warning that Congress must swiftly resolve the issue.

Of course the debt ceiling has to be raised, McConnell said. But he insisted Democrats shoulder the unpopular vote on their own.

Meanwhile, the behind-the-scenes action over the $3.5 trillion measure is testing Bidens grip on his party, as he seeks a once-in-a-generation reworking of the nations tax priorities and spending goals.

With all Republicans opposed to the big bill, Democratic leaders cant spare a single vote in the 50-50 Senate, relying on Vice President Kamala Harris to break a tie to pass the eventual package.

Physically holding up the bill of 2,000-plus pages, Republican Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming warned it was nothing but big government socialism.

Biden insists the price tag actually will be zero because the expansion of government programs would be largely paid for with higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy businesses earning more than $5 million a year, and individuals earning more than $400,000 a year, or $450,000 for couples.

To lower the price tag and win over centrist Democrats, its not necessary that any specific programs be get axed, those familiar with the process have said. Rather, lawmakers are eyeing ways to adjust the scope and duration of some of Bidens proposals.

Still, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said they have the votes to derail the other bill unless it comes with Bidens broader one tacit pressure on the holdouts to arrive at a deal. Backing that position, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., also urged a no vote.

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Sign of progress, Biden digs in to strike deal on $3.5T plan - WGN TV Chicago

Illinois State Police say they have dramatically reduced backlogs of applications and renewals for Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) cards in the state, with new processes and increased hiring credited for expediting that effort.

According to a press release, the ISPs efforts to rebuild the Firearms Services Bureau have resulted in a backlog reduction of 89% for FOID card renewals, and a 75% reduction in backlogs of new applications for the cards, which gun owners in the state are legally required to have.

ISP says that it has implemented three specific strategies to erase those backlogs. First, the FSB has implemented improvements in both the technology and the processes involved in moving through the applications and renewals that they have received.

The bureau is currently processing applications and renewals within the legally-mandated 72-hour waiting period, according to state police.

State police say that they have hired more employees to help address those concerns, with applications for FOID cards spiking dramatically during the COVID pandemic.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, NBC 5 Investigates discovered that the FSB was staffed with just five individuals, who were tasked with helping thousands of residents with questions about FOID cards and concealed carry applications.

Since early 2020, the bureau has hired 35 analysts to bolster its efforts to clear FOID card backlogs, and says it will continue hiring additional analysts.

Finally, the state police received help from the Illinois Legislature, which combined FOID and CCL cards into a single card, and allowed for electronic cards instead of paper cards to help streamline the process of renewals and applications.

Link:

Progress Made in Clearing Backlogs in FOID Card Applications, Renewals, ISP Says - NBC Chicago

Arsenal struggled to build on their impressive derby win over Tottenham after being held to a goalless draw at Brighton & Hove Albion in a game the hosts were arguably unfortunate not to win.

After a start to the season that saw the Gunners lose three in succession, Mikel Arteta's side looked to have turned a corner with three straight wins, culminating in last weekend's impressive 3-1 victory over rivals Spurs.

However, Arsenal failed to get going against an in-form Brighton side, who had the better of the chances in front of their home fans and could have secured all three points were it not for a fine late save by Aaron Ramsdale.

The point moves Arsenal up to ninth in the Premier League table but they can drop into the bottom half if Brentford and Tottenham collect results against West Ham and Aston Villa respectively on Sunday.

Brighton climb one place to fifth to continue their encouraging start to the campaign.

Elsewhere in the Premier League on Saturday, Leeds United collected their first win of the season after edging Watford at Elland Road, courtesy of an 18th-minute goal by Diego Llorente, who had returned to the side after two weeks sidelined with injury.

Wolves secured their second successive league win as Hwang Hee-Chan scored twice either side of Jeff Hendrick's equaliser to lead his side to a 2-1 victory over struggling Newcastle.

While Wolves climb up to 11th in the standings, defeat leaves Newcastle mired in the relegation zone and the pressure on manager Steve Bruce is sure to only increase as the search for an elusive first win continues.

"Whoever you are, whether you are the manager of Newcastle or not if you haven't won in seven games then ultimately we all know the drill, we all know what comes," Bruce said.

"The quicker we get a result the better, but that is the story so far. It could have been our day, but it wasn't."

Also in the relegation zone, bottom side Norwich and 18th-placed Burnley played out a goalless draw at Turf Moor.

Updated: October 2nd 2021, 7:06 PM

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Arsenal progress halted after goalless draw at Brighton; pressure builds on Steve Bruce - The National