Today's News From People, Groups and Organizations for April 13, 2019
The Ponder is in the process of adding about 50 new sources to the press release list. This will serve to bring more and better information as to what is going on in Washington and around the country. We hope you enjoy our news! (And, don't forget to show your support by visiting our advertisers!)
Also, The Ponder is owned and operated by a Christian Conservative woman. However, the Ponder believes that you have to know what's on the other side in order to form a more educated opinion. So, here you are going to find Conservative AND Liberal viewpoints. If the subject you are interested in doesn't seem to have the support of your group, perhaps you should encourage them to post a press release. We can't post it if it is not available.
The posts here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the owner: Shonda Ponder. If The Ponder comments on any post and forms an opinion or thought on the subject, which isn't very often (as we want our readers to form their own opinions and thoughts) you will find it in red.
Finally, remember that this is a one-person operation. With over 1500 press contacts currently at our disposal, there is only so many one person can post in a day. We cannot afford to hire help right now.
Our job is to get the information out. It's up to YOU who you support. We only ask that you support our effort to inform you by visiting our advertisers for your shopping needs!
Below is the latest news from a lot of our sources!
NASA Invites You to “Picture Earth” for Earth Day
by: NASA
April 12, 2019
Our magnificent planet is always ready for its close-up. On Earth Day, April 22, NASA wants to see your take.
NASA invites you to celebrate the planet we call home with our #PictureEarth social media event. Post a close-up photo on social media of your favorite natural features, such as crashing waves, ancient trees, blooming flowers, or stunning sunsets. Use the hashtag #PictureEarth and upload the photo on April 22. Be sure to include the location where the photo was taken in the text of your social media post.
National League for Nursing to Offer Extra Support to English Learners Sitting for NLN Pre-Admission Exam (PAX)
by: National League for Nursing
April 12, 2019
The National League for Nursing has taken a key step in making its Pre-Admission Exam (PAX) more accessible to students for whom English is not their native language. Students living in the United States and learning English while preparing to apply to nursing education programs may now qualify for special support through the testing services offering the NLN-PAX.
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Washington Leaders Must Heed the Signs—Infrastructure Investment is Overdue
by: National Governor’s Association
April 11, 2019
In recent weeks, Americans have watched in horror and sympathy as communities across the upper Midwest were inundated by flooding, which destroyed homes, businesses and neighborhoods. A snowy winter, saturated soil and intense rains from a “bomb cyclone” combined to create true natural disaster. But the failures of dikes, dams and sluices point to a slow-motion political disaster as well.
NCLC Attorney Margot Saunders to Testify at U.S. Senate Hearing on Stopping Illegal Robocalls on April 11
by: National Consumer Law Center
April 11, 2019
On Thursday, April 11 at 10:00 am ET, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will convene a hearing on Illegal Robocalls: Calling All to Stop the Scourge. “Robocalls have increased 370% percent in less than four years, with over five billion robocalls made just in March 2019,” said National Consumer Law Center Senior Counsel Margot Saunders, who will testify at the hearing. “The surge in consumer complaints reinforces the need for the Federal Communications Commission to strengthen the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act’s application to autodialed calls and the right of consumers to withhold their consent to receive these and other robocalls.”
I don't know about you, but I am getting tired of calls about extended warranties, knee braces and health insurance. Especially Obamacare. You would think that after being told 10 times, pushing the button 10 times and hung up on more times than I count, they would quit calling. It's annoying. I don't buy anything from anyone who annoys me. And, I don't give my information over the phone unless I know beyond a shadow of a doubt who I am talking to and what the information is being used for.
Senator Murray introduces Digital Equity Act of 2019
by: National Digital Inclusion Alliance
April 11, 2019
In a major development for community digital inclusion advocates, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) today introduced the “Digital Equity Act”, which would authorize more than $1 billion in Federal grant funding over the next five years to support digital inclusion programs throughout U.S. states and territories.
NFIB Statement on Introduction of Senate Bill to Make Small Business Tax Relief Permanent
by: National Federation of Independent Business
April 11, 2019
“Small and independent businesses were clear about what they would do if given tax relief and they have put their words into action by creating jobs, increasing compensation, and expanding. Yet, unlike those for large corporations, the tax relief provisions for small businesses, primarily the Small Business Deduction, are set to expire. We applaud Senator Daines’ introduction of the Main Street Tax Certainty Act, legislation that would help provide certainty for America’s small businesses. This legislation is crucial for small businesses, and we urge the Senate to bring it to the floor for a vote.”
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NAIC Prioritizes Long-Term Care Insurance
by: National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
April 10, 2019
The membership of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) voted unanimously to create a task force focused on long-term care insurance market stability. The group will report to the NAIC Executive (EX) Committee. The vote took place during a joint meeting of the Executive Committee and Plenary on Tuesday during the Spring 2019 National Meeting in Orlando.
No Ban Act Introduced in Congress to Repeal the Discriminatory Muslim Ban
by: National Immigration Law Center
April 10, 2019
Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) and Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) announced today the National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants Act, or the “No Ban Act,” challenging the Trump administration’s Muslim ban. The ban, which has been in effect in one form or another since January 2017, has separated too many families and continues to have a devastating impact on American Muslim communities.
Congress Should Protect Muslims and Others, Support Anti-Ban Legislation
by: National Council of Jewish Women, Inc.
April 10, 2019
“One of President Trump’s first acts when he became president was to fulfill a discriminatory campaign pledge and ban entry into the US by foreign nationals from several Muslim majority countries. After Trump’s ban was rewritten twice, the US Supreme Court upheld the final language as within the prerogative of the president to set policy regarding entry into the US. This egregious decision can be reversed by Congress. The National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants Act (NO BAN Act) introduced by Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) and Representative Judy Chu (D-CA) would end the harmful Muslim Ban and put in place vital protections against future discrimination.
Largest U.S. Nurses’ Union Praises Sen. Sanders’ for His Medicare for All Bill
by: National Nurses United
April 10, 2019
“Senator Sanders realizes what’s at stake with America’s health care system and we are proud to support his Medicare for All legislation. In particular, we are pleased by the inclusion of long term care options in this version of the bill,” said NNU President Deborah Burger, RN. “As the largest union of registered nurses in the country, we stand with Senator Sanders and his co-sponsors as they promote legislation that will change and save our patients’ lives. Medicare for All is a real, concrete solution to the problems of our current broken system, not just a Band-Aid.”
Rhode Island Bus Driver Asks NLRB to Overturn Policy Blocking Vote to Remove Teamsters Union
by: National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation
April 10, 2019
With free legal aid from National Right to Work Foundation staff attorneys, a Rhode Island bus driver has petitioned the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to allow a vote to decertify his local union. The filing argues the Labor Board’s “merger doctrine” being applied to block the vote is contrary to the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
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NASW will continue to monitor efforts to sabotage Affordable Care Act
by: National Association of Social Workers
April 8, 2019
The Trump administration recently announced that it had ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to file with the Fifth Circuit Court Federal Appeals Court that it affirms a December 2018 ruling by a federal judge in Texas in Texas v. United States that invalidated the remaining portions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Because 16 states have challenged the decision, the judge’s ruling will not have any immediate effect. However, this latest action is an ominous sign the administration is determined to dismantle ACA, thereby eliminating essential health services to millions of low-income and indigent people.
Presidential Candidates Who "Can't Keep Their Hands Off" Your Guns
by: National Association for Gun Rights
April 8, 2019
As the 2020 Presidential election draws near, the pool of aspiring anti-gun Democratic Candidates continues to grow.
While the election of any of the current crop of Democrat hopefuls would pose a clear and present danger to the Second Amendment, two potential candidates have an exceptionally troubling history of attacking our right to keep and bear arms.
