Former president Joe Biden to attend Juneteenth celebration at historic AME church in Galveston
WASHINGTON — Former president Joe Biden will be attending a Juneteenth celebration at a historic African Methodist Episcopal church in Galveston, Texas.
The ex-president's plans were confirmed by a person with knowledge of them but not authorized to discuss logistics publicly.
In 2021, Biden, a democrat, signed legislation that established Juneteenth as a federal holiday. The day marks the end of slavery by commemorating June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to enslaved Black people in Galveston.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
34 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Photos of downtown Los Angeles after mayor lifts curfew imposed during protests
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Downtown Los Angeles businesses are hoping customers will return after Mayor Karen Bass lifted a curfew she had imposed last week to prevent vandalism and break-ins during nighttime protests against President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. The curfew set in place June 10 provided 'successful crime prevention and suppression efforts' and protected stores, restaurants, businesses and residents, the Democratic mayor said Tuesday. It covered a relatively tiny slice of the sprawling city. ___ This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Houston Ship Channel Expansion – Project 11 Funded to Completion
Allocation in President's FY26 Budget HOUSTON, June 18, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Port Houston is pleased the President's fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget has allocated $161 million for the Houston Ship Channel Expansion – Project 11. In addition, the President's FY26 Operation & Maintenance (O&M) budget allocated $53.6 million to the Houston Ship Channel, the nation's No. 1 ranked waterway. These funds are in addition to the $33 million for Project 11 construction and $98 million for O&M in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Workplan for FY25 that was released a few weeks ago. Port Houston Chairman Ric Campo extended congratulations and appreciation to all industry partners, stakeholders, Congressman Wesley Hunt, and the bipartisan delegation involved in this tremendous effort undertaken over the past several years. "This is a momentous achievement," said Chairman Campo. "We appreciate the Trump Administration for recognizing the criticality of this expansion and applaud Congressman Wesley Hunt and Congressman Brian Babin for their tremendous advocacy and unwavering leadership to bring home the millions of federal dollars needed to complete Project 11. This project will keep our economy moving forward and enable our port to continue delivering for not just Houstonians but the entire nation." "Since my swearing-in nearly three years ago, one of my biggest priorities has been to ensure that Project 11 in the Houston Ship Channel is fully funded and its construction completed. As the largest energy port in the entire world, Project 11's success is essential to maintaining Texas's and the United States' energy dominance," said Congressman Hunt. "I would also like to express my sincerest gratitude to President Trump for recognizing the importance of this project and his goal of ensuring America is once again a net exporter of energy." Project 11 Construction Progress Several portions of the channel expansion project are complete and already providing benefits. Daylight restrictions have been reduced by up to two hours in each direction, increasing time for two-way vessel traffic along the waterway and improving efficiency. Later this summer Port Houston will complete the remaining Port-led portion of Project 11 dredging, between Bayport Ship Channel and Barbours Cut Ship Channel, with USACE leading the remaining portions of Project 11 in Barbours Cut and the upper Turning Basin. Project 11 is scheduled to be complete by 2029. Project 11 is a testament to Port Houston's advocacy for the Houston Ship Channel and the region. It will provide a safer waterway for larger ships and vessels, further supporting economic development and jobs for the region and the state of Texas. See more details and updates about Houston Ship Channel Expansion – Project 11 here: About Port Houston For more than 100 years, Port Houston has owned and operated the public wharves and terminals along the Houston Ship Channel, including the area's largest breakbulk facility and two of the most efficient container terminals in the country. Port Houston is the advocate and a strategic leader for the Channel. The Houston Ship Channel complex and its more than 200 private and eight public terminals is the nation's largest port for waterborne tonnage and an essential economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas and the U.S. The Port of Houston supports the creation of nearly 1.5 million jobs in Texas and 3.37 million jobs nationwide, and economic activity totaling $439 billion in Texas and $906 billion in economic impact across the nation. For more information, visit the website at View source version on Contacts CONTACT: Lisa Ashley-Daniels, Director, Public Relations, Office: 713-670-2644; Mobile: 832-247-8179; E-mail: lashley@ Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Politico
38 minutes ago
- Politico
Pharma's silver lining: A tax break
Presented by WASHINGTON WATCH Threats to drugmakers have come fast and furious during President Donald Trump's first five months in office, from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s broadsides about drug safety to Trump's call for lower prices and tariffs. But at least pharmaceutical companies can look forward to a big tax break. How so? That's if Republicans in Congress can coalesce around language in the megabill that would allow drugmakers and other companies that invest heavily in research and development to deduct R&D costs immediately. The Senate Finance Committee's version of the megabill — which aims to extend Trump's 2017 tax cuts — would reverse language in the 2017 law and allow firms to permanently take a deduction in the first year they spend on R&D. The 2017 law required them to amortize domestic expenses over five years and foreign expenses over 15. Drugmakers have lobbied ever since to revert that change. The version of the megabill the House passed last month would also allow immediate expensing but only for five years. The Biotechnology Innovation Organization, a lobby for pharmaceutical companies, has long argued that the 2017 tax change has curtailed investment in drugs. What's next? The Senate has to pass its version of the bill and then the House and Senate must agree to the text. But the inclusion of immediate expensing in both versions bodes well for drugmakers. WELCOME TO FUTURE PULSE This is where we explore the ideas and innovators shaping health care. Sweden and Belgium are lobbying other EU countries to limit the amount of sperm any one man can donate — to prevent future generations from unwitting incest and psychological harms, our colleagues across the pond report. Share any thoughts, news, tips and feedback with Danny Nguyen at dnguyen@ Carmen Paun at cpaun@ Ruth Reader at rreader@ or Erin Schumaker at eschumaker@ Want to share a tip securely? Message us on Signal: Dannyn516.70, CarmenP.82, RuthReader.02 or ErinSchumaker.01. AROUND THE NATION Dr. Mark Ghaly, who helped steer California through the pandemic as head of the state's Health and Human Services Agency, is joining a startup that's using artificial intelligence to cut health care costs for the Golden State's Medi-Cal program for low-income people, our Rachel Bluth reports from Sacramento. Why it matters: Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, is looking for ways to reduce Medi-Cal's multibillion-dollar deficit. Ghaly will join Pair Team as a strategic adviser. Pair Team provides enhanced care management under CalAIM — a Medi-Cal reform initiative that Ghaly helped shape to include nonmedical benefits for patients with complex medical needs. Pair Team also acts as an intermediary, connecting health care plans with nonprofits and patients. The company employs community health care workers who serve as case managers and nurse practitioners, nurses and social workers who provide an array of services, including primary care, mental health care and chronic care management. The company is also a hub for nonprofits that provide nonmedical support such as food, housing and transportation. Since many of the groups aren't set up to bill Medi-Cal plans directly, they're paid through Pair Team. What's next? The company is eager to expand beyond California.
