Latest news with #StatePartnershipProgram
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
New York Naval Militia to conduct exercises on Niagara River, Lake Ontario
Thirty-five New York Naval Militia and New York Guard members will be conducting an emergency response exercise Thursday and Friday on the lower Niagara River and Lake Ontario, alongside the Coast Guard and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The exercise named 'Empire Challenge,' will be centered on Coast Guard Station Niagara and Fort Niagara State Park. The joint training exercise scenario is built around supporting law enforcement authorities working to stop drug smuggling by boat from Canada to the U.S. The exercise participants will test their ability to communicate and respond to emergencies including a person in the water and a boat fire. The drill will involve testing a wide range of communication platforms. The New York Naval Militia will also be conducting drone operations during the training. Unmanned aerial systems, or drones, will be launched on reconnaissance missions. 'Exercise Empire Challenge, is primarily an emergency communications event,' said Capt. Don McKnight, the commander of the Naval Militia's Military Emergency Boat Service. 'The exercise allows us to test new capabilities and functions alongside our many law enforcement and first responder partners,' he added. The New York Naval Militia is a 3,200- member force of Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard reservists who also volunteer to serve in the state force. The Naval Milita operates a fleet of 11 patrol boats in the Military Emergency Boat Service. The New York Guard is a small totally volunteer state defense force whose members augment the New York National Guard during emergencies. Both the New York Naval Milita and the New York Guard are components of the New York Military Forces alongside the New York Army and Air National Guard. The training scenario allows the New York Naval Militia and the New York Guard to improve their ability to operate with the US Coast Guard, and state and local law enforcement agencies. The New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services is also involved in the joint training. 'Each year, we have improved our ability to respond to various contingencies, to work out the kinks in our systems, and plan for future opportunities,' McKnight said. In addition, a delegation from the Swedish Navy will be observing the exercise. The New York National Guard has a State Partnership Program training and exchange relationship with the Swedish military. 'We are especially delighted this year with our budding relationship with the Swedish Navy through the State Partnership Program,' McKnight said, adding, 'The Swedish Navy's participation in this exercise on the Niagara Frontier will further solidify that relationship.' 'Exercise Empire Challenge demonstrates the benefit of New York being the only state in the nation with the ability to activate U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Reservists to State Active Duty in support of the New York National Guard,' said Rear Admiral Michael Perry, the commander of the New York Naval Militia.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Democratic Party chair visits Utah, says his party needs to reach religious voters
Sitting at a Salt Lake City restaurant on Tuesday, Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said he came to the state because he believes it will one day be blue — despite his party's struggle to win any statewide elections in Utah in recent years. But Martin told the Deseret News he believes the national party can move the needle by investing in red states like Utah. A Minnesota native, Martin put it in hockey terms with a famous line from NHL Hall-of-Famer Wayne Gretzky: 'You have to skate to where the puck will be, not where the puck is.' 'That's what we're trying to do with this new DNC, is to both win the moment right now but also win the future,' Martin said. Martin, who was elected chairman of the DNC in February, faces an uphill battle convincing voters to join the Democratic Party's cause. The party is experiencing historically low approval ratings nationally as it picks up the pieces of its 2024 election losses. Success for the party in Utah has been largely at a standstill. Martin, however, believes that can change. Under the DNC's new State Partnership Program, the Utah Democratic Party, along with state parties in other red states, will receive $22,500 a month from the DNC. 'We know that with the investment of time, energy and money, a red state can become a purple state and then eventually a blue state,' he said, later adding, 'It's not for charity's sake, just to give money to the state party, it's actually to help build the infrastructure we need to actually win elections and meet the moment.' Martin highlighted Utah's fast-growing population as a key reason for the DNC's investment. It's likely that under the 2030 Census count, the state will receive another congressional district. According to population estimates and a prediction from the Brennan Center for Justice, Utah would be one of just a handful of states to gain a new House seat. News organizations like The Associated Press have pointed out that shifting demographics could mean trouble for the Democrats, as population in blue states like California and Illinois shrink, while red states like Texas and Utah are growing. While Utah's delegation in Washington is currently entirely Republican, Martin believes that can change, with effort. 'It doesn't happen organically. You have to make some investments, you have to actually see a little bit of the future and be willing to take some risks,' Martin said. Martin admitted that his party has struggled with how to reach voters on issues of religion and faith. While Democrats tend to 'shy away' from those topics, they should instead embrace them, he said. 'I think that our party has always stood up for those who are the least amongst us, who have the least … I think that a lot of churches also believe that, right?' Martin said. 'We need to create social safety nets so people and communities aren't falling through the cracks.' Martin, who is Catholic, said his faith is important to him and a 'big reason' why he has dedicated his life to public service. Martin previously served as the chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and later as the president of the Association of State Democratic Committees and was a vice chair at the DNC. He said his faith informs how he aims to protect people who may be left behind by societal systems. 'I feel like the Democratic Party, we try to be inclusive of so many people, sometimes we shy away from conversations about faith and religion because we don't want to alienate people and push them out of the conversation,' he said. 'But I think, in a way, when we do that, we're actually just doing that. We're pushing people out who want to hear us talk about our faith and our religion and why we believe in the things we do.' Religious messaging isn't the only communication struggle facing the DNC. As the party attempts to rebuild, Martin acknowledged that the party needs to focus on how to reach voters. In the recent election cycle Republicans found voters through new platforms like podcasts, videos and sports, while Democrats were focused on news, information and political spaces, Martin said, mentioning the popularity of conservatives like Charlie Kirk. Democrats lost among younger, Gen Z men in the last cycle and it's become a case study for the DNC to examine 'not just generationally, but within generations, where people are getting their information,' he said. 'I reject this idea that young people are apathetic or they don't care at all, that's just completely false. They care deeply, but they don't find a lot of hope in government or politics. They don't think it's going to make the type of change and it moves too slow, but they care deeply about the issues,' Martin said. The Democratic Party should emphasize issues rather than candidates, he said, and meet voters where they are, whether it be on TikTok, through traditional media or elsewhere. 'Really thinking this through the right way and then making sure that we are using those various platforms and mediums to get our information out the right way, in a very nuanced way, understanding the cultural differences, understanding the demographic differences, understanding the platforms and the mediums and how you communicate those differences,' Martin said. 'So, it's complicated, for sure,' he later added. 'We have a lot to learn still, and we're going to do that.' While Martin expresses confidence in his plan to invest in states like Utah, division remains within party leadership about how best to move forward. DNC Vice Chair David Hogg sparked an uproar recently after announcing a $20 million plan to primary older Democratic incumbents running for reelection. He argued that making the party younger and more progressive would help Democrats win elections. In response, Martin issued a lengthy message earlier this month calling for neutrality in primaries and disagreeing with Hogg's position. It's 'not democracy' and 'not our party,' Martin said. In his thread online and in his interview with the Deseret News on Tuesday, Martin emphasized his view that the party will win 'through addition, not through subtraction.' He called for everyone to receive a 'fair and equal voice' within the party, no matter a candidate's age, incumbent status, congressional district location or views. Still, Martin acknowledged that under the Democratic Party's attempts to be inclusive and a 'big tent party,' it will come with varying opinions — like Hogg's — on how best to meet the current moment. That tent is composed of conservative Democrats, centrist Democrats, progressives and leftist Democrats, who, Martin said, have 'healthy tension' about where the party should head. 'We want everyone inside of this party, and while sometimes it leads to debate and friction, democracy is messy, right?' he said. 'We have a lot of different ideas. We have a lot of dissent. We have a lot of debates in our party and that's a healthy thing because it helps us move forward,' Martin added.
The Hill
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Pentagon touts major defense partnership with United Arab Emirates
The Trump administration plans to establish a 'Major Defense Partnership' with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), bilateral cooperation that could mean joint weapons development and closer military collaboration between the United States and the wealthy Gulf nation. The letter of intent, signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and UAE Defense Minister Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei on Friday in Abu Dhabi, sets in motion a 'roadmap that will guide enhanced military-to-military cooperation, joint capability development, and long-term defense alignment between the two nations,' the Pentagon said in a statement on Monday. The designation is significant as the U.S. has only ever signed a similar pact with India. That partnership, inked in 2016, led to expanded military exercises, security agreements and gave New Delhi certain defense trade privileges. As part of that, Hegeth also announced a 'new strategic initiative' between the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit and the UAE's Tawazun Economic Council — the country's defense and security acquisitions authority — for joint research and development as well as expanded industrial and investment partnerships in both countries. The Tawazun Economic Council notably signed a term sheet with Raytheon last month to produce its Coyote counter-drone interceptors in the Emirates. Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here In addition, the UAE will enter the U.S. National Guard State Partnership Program, where it will be paired with the Texas National Guard to 'bolster military modernization efforts and enhance cooperation in integrated air and missile defense, cybersecurity, disaster response, and operational planning,' according to the Pentagon statement. The newly inked deal follows President Trump's visit to the Middle East last week, where he stopped in the UAE and pledged to strengthen U.S. ties to the country. While Trump was in the region, the U.S. announced deals with the Gulf state totaling more than $200 billion, but that only included a relatively modest number of defense agreements. 'I have absolutely no doubt that the relationship will only get bigger and better,' Trump said while meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The UAE had sought to join the international F-35 program, but a potential F-35 fighter jet deal to Abu Dhabi was not brought up during the visit. A procurement deal for the UAE to buy the fifth-generation fighters was on track but fell apart in 2021 over U.S. concerns about the Gulf state's use of Chinese wireless technology. The Trump administration also last week signed off on $1.4 billion in helicopters and F-16 fighter jet parts to the nation. But Democratic lawmakers have opposed such arms sales to the UAE over its providing of weapons to the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan, a group the U.S. has charged with war crimes and ethnic cleansing.
Epoch Times
25-04-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
DNC to Contribute $1 Million to State Parties Every Month
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) will provide $1 million every month over the next four years to state parties across the country as part of its 'organize everywhere, win anywhere' strategy. DNC Chair Ken Martin said on Thursday this is 'the DNC's largest investment in our state parties in our history,' in a video Martin said it's part of the Democrats' new four-year 'All of this means more investments in staff, better data and tech, stronger organizing programs, and more so we can compete and win in Virginia, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania this fall and races across the country in the months and years to come,' the DNC chair said. The monthly one-million dollars will be transferred from the DNC to state parties under the new State Partnership Program (SPP) agreement. Each state party will receive a baseline of $17,500 a month. That marks a $5,000 per month increase from the last agreement for blue and purple states. Related Stories 4/22/2025 4/21/2025 Martin said that the DNC will invest more in red states. Republican-controlled states will receive an additional investment of $5,000 a month through the DNC's Red State Fund, putting their total at $22,500 every month. The strategy is a 'game changer,' according to former DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. 'We are about to witness the true magic and progress that can be made by an unencumbered DNC,' Harrison The DNC said it will also make significant investments in the technology used by the Democratic Party, which includes improving the national voter file and giving state parties best-in-class tools to leverage the data. The latest effort is a Jane Kleeb, ASDC president, said that the additional funds will build up party infrastructure and boost Democrat candidates in competitive races. 'State parties are the backbone of the Democratic Party, and through this investment, our state parties will receive the support they need to show voters that, no matter where they live, there is a strong Democratic Party in their corner, protecting their rights and economic opportunity,' Kleeb said in a statement. The DNC's new agreement also includes hosting six regional training 'bootcamps' for state parties per two-year cycle and the hiring of more ASDC staff. Meanwhile, Michael Whatley, chair of the Republican National Committee, said that Democrats' big investment in races doesn't necessarily translate into winning those contests. Whatley noted that Democrats poured more money into the April 1 special election for Florida's 6th congressional seat, but they failed to flip the district blue. According to the Federal Election Commission, the winner, Republican Randy Fine, This 'shows yet again that voters support President Trump and want members of Congress who will back his agenda,' California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat,
Bahrain News Gazette
15-04-2025
- Business
- Bahrain News Gazette
Duck Creek Technologies Appoints General Daniel Hokanson, USA, Ret. to Board of Directors
Decorated general brings extensive leadership and policy development expertise to board role BOSTON, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Duck Creek Technologies , the global intelligent solutions provider defining the future of property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance, has announced the appointment of General Daniel Hokanson, USA, Ret. to the company's board of directors. He brings deep expertise and experience in leading organizations through the development and implementation of detailed strategic policy to Duck Creek's board. Hokanson is a retired 4-Star General who served as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the 29 th Chief of the National Guard Bureau. In this role, he was a military advisor to the President, Secretary of Defense, and National Security Council. He also served as the Department of Defense's channel of communications to the Governors and State Adjutants General. 'Dan is an accomplished and decorated leader, and we are excited to have him join the Duck Creek Board of Directors,' said Michael Jackowski, Chief Executive Officer, Duck Creek Technologies. 'As we continue to expand globally and help insurance companies tackle tough challenges resulting from climate change and increasingly complex regulatory environments, his unique skill set will be instrumental in guiding Duck Creek.' As Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Hokanson oversaw the Guard's historic response to the COVID-19 pandemic, civil disturbances, and numerous natural disasters, while simultaneously meeting every global military operations requirement. He also led the National Guard and Department of Defense's State Partnership Program, which includes over 100 member countries, regularly conducting senior government and military leader engagements worldwide. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point with a degree in aerospace engineering, Hokanson also earned master's degrees in international security and civil-military relations from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He also completed the Department of Defense year-long National Security Fellowship at Harvard University. 'I am honored to join Duck Creek Technologies' board of directors. The company's dedication to innovation and excellence in the insurance industry strongly aligns with my values and experience,' said Hokanson. 'I look forward to supporting Duck Creek's mission to shape the future of property and casualty insurance while helping the industry navigate its evolving challenges.' Hokanson's role was sourced through the external board program operated by Vista Equity Partners , a global technology investor that specializes in enterprise software and a majority investor in Duck Creek . Launched in 2017, the board program leverages Vista's ecosystem and additional resources to identify, train, and appoint qualified board candidates for its portfolio companies. The program works to create a pipeline of highly talented board candidates through programs and partnerships that will drive results for the corporate world at large. About Duck Creek Technologies Duck Creek Technologies is the global intelligent solutions provider defining the future of the property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance industry. We are the platform upon which modern insurance systems are built, enabling the industry to capitalize on the power of the cloud to run agile, intelligent, and evergreen operations. Authenticity, purpose, and transparency are core to Duck Creek, and we believe insurance should be there for individuals and businesses when, where, and how they need it most. Our market-leading solutions are available on a standalone basis or as a full suite , and all are available via Duck Creek OnDemand . Visit to learn more. Follow Duck Creek on our social channels for the latest information – LinkedIn and X . Media Contacts: Marianne Dempsey/Tara Stred [email protected] GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9421383
