Potential conflicts over celebrating America’s 250th anniversary spill out in congressional hearing
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PEER | February 10, 2026
A source familiar with the funding for America250, who was not authorized to speak publicly about it, said that the anticipated amount dropped to $50 million and that so far the organization has received just $25 million. Federal funding cuts last year already had led some communities to ...
Ranger fired for hanging transgender flag in Yosemite and park visitors may face prosecution
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PEER | August 20, 2025
Joslin said a group of seven climbers including two other park rangers hung the flag. The other rangers are on administrative leave pending an investigation, Joslin said. Flags have long been flown from El Capitan without consequences, said Joanna Citron Day, a former federal attorney who ...
EPA announces broad reorganization that includes shuffle of scientific research
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PEER | May 3, 2025
“The problem is that some areas of the country have much worse air pollution, and it cannot be treated as a one-size-fits-all,” said Kyla Bennett, director of science policy at the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, a nonprofit that supports public employees who raise ...
EPA plans to cut scientific research program, could fire more than 1,000 employees
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PEER | March 18, 2025
Kyla Bennett, director of science policy at Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, said the research office’s work is supposed to be uniquely protected from politics. It provides essential science, such as risk assessments for chemicals that pose health threats. The office, ...
National Park Service restores some jobs of fired employees, pledges to hire 7,700 seasonal workers
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PEER | February 21, 2025
“There’s no real staffing plan. It’s chaotic, and there’s no leadership from the secretary of the Interior,’’ said Tim Whitehouse, executive director of the group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. Burgum “needs to step up and make sure these parks are ...