Latest news with #FederalGrants
New York Times
06-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Trump's Wishes Aside, Censoring Racial History May Prove Difficult
Late last month, when two federal grants to the Whitney Plantation in Louisiana were rescinded, the Trump administration seemed to be following through on its promise to root out what President Trump called 'improper ideology' in cultural institutions focused on Black history. After all, the plantation's mission was to show visitors what life was truly like for the enslaved, contrary to the watered-down Black history that the president seemed to back. Then just as quickly, the grants were restored a few weeks later, the Whitney Plantation's executive director said in an interview. Because the money had already been approved, 'maybe it was an exposure for lawsuits,' the executive director, Ashley Rogers, said, 'but who knows?'
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Proposed freeze on federal grants, loans provokes uncertainty for North Alabama governments, schools, agencies
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — The Trump Administration proposal to freeze federal grants and loans has prompted uncertainty about what happens next, local governments, schools and nonprofits told News 19 Tuesday. The effort was temporarily blocked by a federal judge Tuesday afternoon. (News 19 reviewed two related budget office documents regarding the freeze Tuesday, which can be found at the bottom of the article.) Huntsville Police asking for help identifying 4 in Walgreens thefts We reached out to government officials in Huntsville, Madison County, Madison and Decatur and the Huntsville, Madison and Madison County School systems. The general response was they were awaiting more information and it was not clear how programs and projects might be affected. To put in it perspective, Madison County alone saw 410 grants and 553 federal loans in just fiscal year 2024. The grants range from continuing a 10-year partnership between NASA and the University of Alabama in Huntsville on a $77 million contract. A sampling of other awards, according to federal records, included $11 million to improve the runway, taxiway and lighting at Huntsville International Airport, resurfacing U.S. 72 near Gurley and Woodville at a cost of $10.9 million and $31 million for restriping and resurfacing on I-565 from the Limestone County line to Indian Creek. Nonprofits also depend heavily on grant money and it is not clear how the proposed freeze will affect operations or programs. Madison man sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexual exploitation of minor The Food Bank of North Alabama told News 19, they were still gathering information. 'We are unsure at this time of the immediate and potential long-term impact. We are seeking clarity on exactly what this involves and the time frame,' said CEO Shirley Schofield. Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling told News 19 today that Decatur is taking a cautious approach. 'Community Development is currently communicating with Federal Departments on the impact this may have on any or all of our project that is funding with Federal Grants. We have spoken with our Representatives for guidance was we navigate the President's order. 'The Freeze is until the 10th of February at that time we have been told we would receive more information. Out of an abundance of caution Community Development has reached out to all of our sub-recipients and requested that they refrain from spending any funds until we get a better understand as to the impact this may have on future funds. We also have paused spending on all federal programs until at least the 10th.' U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, who represents Alabama's 5th District, said the move by the Trump Administration was aimed at addressing a flawed grant award process. Strong did not address News 19's questions about how the freeze would impact North Alabama. 'Biden threw money at transgenderism, DEI, and green new deal social engineering policies as he walked out the door,' Strong said. 'It's a waste of taxpayer dollars and does not improve the lives of Americans who have given President Trump a mandate to put America First. Just like you freeze your debit card when there are unauthorized transactions to evaluate what's coming out of your checking account— President Trump is simply examining federal spending.' U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt was also critical of the grants awards process. 'By all accounts, this is a temporary pause to give the new administration time to do a review of programs and it does not impact individual assistance programs like S.N.A.P., Head Start or farmers,' Aderholt said. 'For those programs that will be paused, I think this is necessary to ensure sure that tax dollars are being spent in alignment with the law and the Administration's priorities. 'The pipeline of federal funds needs to be thoroughly reviewed for examples of waste, fraud, and abuse as allowed by the previous Administration. This is why the American people elected President Trump. They were tired of the status quo and tired of the never-ending spigot of tax dollars going to programs with no accountability.' Budget Document 1Download Budget Document 2Download You can find more information about the freeze here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
