WASHINGTON — Satellite communications firm Viasat announced Sept. 5 it has been awarded a $153 million contract to modernize the U.S. Army’s Blue Force Tracker (BFT) network, a system used for real-time positioning of friendly forces. The “blue” in the name refers to the color typically used to...

Viasat secures $153 million U.S. Army contract to modernize ‘Blue Force Tracker’ network

WASHINGTON — The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is set to make a substantial investment in artificial intelligence capabilities, with plans to spend up to $700 million on data labeling services over the next five years. NGA’s director Vice Adm. Frank Whitworth said the initiative represents the agency’s largest ever contract...

NGA to launch $700 million program to help AI make sense of satellite images

WASHINGTON — The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the U.S. Space Force are trying to figure out how they can work side-by-side to collect and distribute space-based intelligence to military users around the world. Military leaders are asking for speedier access to images from commercial satellites, which they say is vital in fast-changing situations.

Space Force and intelligence agencies seek to streamline satellite imagery delivery

After the plenary of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) in June, the global space community typically looks to the 75th International Astronautical Congress in the fall for the next opportunity to come together to discuss the major issues facing the sector. But this overlooks another major UN-convened forum that took place in early August and that happens to be very relevant to the success of global space efforts: the 14th Session of the UN Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM). Beyond the alphabet soup, there is a disconnect between those who follow UN-COPUOS and those who follow UN-GGIM, resulting in an artificial gap between the space and geospatial communities that especially hurts emerging space ecosystems.

The artificial divide between the space and geospatial sectors

Salem, OH

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Northern Kentucky Tribune

Every day, 8-year-old Emma sits in a small garden outside her grandmother’s home in Salem, Ohio, writing letters to her mom and sometimes singing songs her mother used to sing to her.

Thousands of parents die of overdoses; advocates say their kids need more help

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Emily Standley Allard

Are people getting more high maintenance or is it just me? One thing that you can't deny is that CERTAIN people require a lot more TLC and attention, on the daily and especially during trying times. This applies to both platonic relationships and romantic. We usually call these people high maintenance because, well, they usually require (or demand!) all of your efforts and then some to be satisfied. These characteristics are closely linked to their zodiac sign temperament, so read on to see who is on the list!

5 Zodiac Signs that are the Highest Maintenance and Most Demanding

J. Souza

A recent cruise passenger has issued a warning about the importance of wearing shoes while onboard. The story has since been picked up by cruise outlets, mentioning what cruisers need to be careful of when walking around the ship.

Cruise Passenger Warns Against Being Barefoot on a Cruise: "Just About Stepped Into a Pile..."

Kentucky State

Jefferson County, KY

Louisville, KY

Federal, state and local public health officials have confirmed the first case of the Oropouche virus in Kentucky and Jefferson County in a person who had returned to Louisville after traveling to the Caribbean.

Health officials report first case of Oropouche virus, aka ‘Sloth Fever,’ confirmed in Kentucky

Florida State

Gainesville, FL

Akeena

Big changes are coming to Florida’s home improvement scene as LL Flooring, the company once known as Lumber Liquidators, is shutting down five of its stores across the state. This isn’t just a Florida issue—LL Flooring is going through a massive restructuring nationwide after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, which will affect 94 stores in 31 states.

A home improvement store chain to shut down 5 locations in Florida due to bankruptcy issues

Passengers traveling on Carnival Magic were abruptly cut short of their shore excursion in Grand Turk on Monday as the cruise line issued an urgent alert due to deteriorating weather conditions linked to Hurricane Ernesto.

Carnival Cruise Line Rushes Passengers Back to Ship as Weather Worsens

Colorado State

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Uncovering Florida

Today, Attorney General Ashley Moody filed a lawsuit against the Biden-Harris administration for failing to provide public documents requested through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) filing. The March 2024 FOIA request sought records related to policies allowing the release of dangerous criminal illegal aliens from U.S. prisons into the general population rather than deporting them.

FL Attorney General Sues Biden-Harris Administration Over Release of Criminal Illegal Aliens

Arizona State

Arizona Luminaria

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is implementing a new policy meant to safeguard the personal belongings of people seeking asylum in the U.S. in response to ongoing reports of Border Patrol agents tossing religious items, essential medicine and legal documents.

After years of pressure, new Border Patrol policy protects essential items like medicine, IDs, legal documents

Wyoming State

Cheyenne, WY

WyoFile

WHITE MOUNTAIN—“That’s a lot of horses,” lamented Cheyenne resident Robyn Smith from a high-desert ridgeline. It wasn’t her first exasperated exclamation. “Argh, oh crap,” was her immediate reaction to learning a federal judge had given the Bureau of Land Management the OK to proceed with plans to fully remove two wild horse herds from the landscape in southwest Wyoming.

BLM wins two lawsuits, clearing way for elimination of two Wyoming wild horse herds

Lake Panasoffkee, FL

Catfish Johnny’s, a beloved seafood restaurant known for its fresh catches and lively atmosphere, faced a temporary shutdown following a state inspection. This popular dining destination, which has delighted locals and tourists alike for 33 years, was briefly closed after the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) flagged multiple violations.

Florida’s Favorite Seafood Spot Closed After State Inspection

Denver, CO

David Heitz

They're shaped like a potato and tend to bake in hot weather, biologists say. That's why you will find cheeky little pikas in Colorado's mountains. But climate change could cause these critters' numbers to dwindle, according to wildlife experts. Like polar bears, Pikas may predict warmer temperatures, scientists say.

Potato-shaped critter visible now may predict climate change in Colorado

More passengers who sailed on the P&O Cruises ship Ventura earlier this year are seeking compensation after getting sick with gastrointestinal symptoms. So far, more than 80 people have instructed law firms to pursue legal action against the cruise line, according to news reports.

Over 80 Cruise Passengers Seeking Compensation from Cruise Line After Getting Sick

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West Texas Livestock Growers

It’s hard to believe that we are almost to September, which means that summer is almost over. The temperatures will be getting cooler (somewhat), and the days are getting shorter. Fall is undoubtedly a time of year when a lot of transitioning will be going on. Now is also the time to consider what supplements to provide for your cattle.

Announcing the best reasons to supplement cattle this fall

Maine State

The Maine Monitor

As Maine works to address its housing crisis, much of the attention is focused on the need for new development. But there’s another issue at hand: the state’s aging housing stock.

A look at Maine’s aging housing stock

Buffalo, WY

The House Draw Fire burning in northern Wyoming grew to more than 163,000 acres on Thursday — nearly the combined size of Denver and Salt Lake City — threatening structures, prompting evacuation orders and forcing the closure of Interstate 90.

Wildfire burns 163,000 acres in northern Wyoming, forcing evacuations and I-90 closure

Wyoming’s U.S. Sen. John Barrasso and Rep. Harriet Hageman handily staved off Republican challengers in Tuesday’s primary election. The Associated Press called the race at 8 p.m.

Barrasso, Hageman handily defeat Republican challengers

NewsBreak

KBR’s latest acquisition boosts its classified space workforce amid growing military demand

WASHINGTON — Following its acquisition of LinQuest, KBR’s specialized national security workforce will now grow to 3,000 personnel, with a substantial portion possessing high-level clearances and...

KBR’s latest acquisition boosts its classified space workforce amid growing military demand

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