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Sean Duffy

-title NASA Reopens SpaceX Artemis III Contract, Eyes Blue Origin Competition

by Priya Shah – Business Editor October 20, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

NASA Considers ⁣Alternatives to ‌SpaceX for Artemis Moon Landing Amid Delays

WASHINGTON D.C. -⁤ NASA may replace SpaceX as the primary contractor for landing astronauts on the moon as the Artemis program‌ faces notable delays, according to recent statements by NASA Inspector General Paul Duffy. Duffy indicated the⁣ agency is exploring options due to SpaceX falling “way⁤ behind schedule” in developing the necessary lunar⁣ lander.

The potential shift comes as NASA has already‌ pushed back the ‍launch to send astronauts around the moon to April 2026 adn⁤ the anticipated moon landing to 2027. Thes delays add ‍to concerns about the program’s timeline and budget, prompting NASA to ‌re-evaluate its reliance on a single‍ provider for ⁤this critical component of the mission. SpaceX has ‌secured billions‌ in goverment contracts over the past decade across multiple agencies, and the possibility of altering ‌that arrangement‍ is drawing increased scrutiny.

SpaceX recently achieved a successful Starship test ⁣rocket launch after overcoming previous complications. However,‌ Duffy’s comments suggest that ⁣even this progress ‍may not be enough to keep the Artemis program on track. A government shutdown could further complicate matters,though CNBC reported NASA employees and contractors working on Artemis missions⁢ would continue ‍their ⁤work during‍ the shutdown.

Earlier this year,spacex ⁤CEO Elon Musk briefly served as ‍a “special government employee” leading the Department of ⁤Government Efficiency⁤ in the Trump administration,overseeing mass layoffs and participating⁤ in meetings with global leaders.A public disagreement between Musk and former President Trump led to threats⁤ of contract cancellations and Musk’s consideration⁤ of forming ⁤a new political party.

The Artemis program aims to return humans to the moon⁣ for the first ⁢time since 1972, establishing‍ a sustainable presence and paving the way for future missions ⁤to Mars. The program’s‍ success is considered vital for maintaining U.S. leadership in space exploration ⁢and ⁤fostering innovation in related ⁢technologies.

October 20, 2025 0 comments

News

Social Security Commissioner Named IRS CEO Amidst Leadership Changes

by Emma Walker – News Editor October 6, 2025

written by Emma Walker – News Editor

Social Security Administrator Frank ‍Bisignano Concurrently Named IRS Commissioner

WASHINGTON – Frank Bisignano, currently teh Social Security‌ Administrator, has been⁣ appointed as the new Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, ⁢the ⁤Treasury Department announced today. This unprecedented move makes Bisignano ‍one of the few Trump governance officials to hold two⁢ major⁢ government positions concurrently, joining a group that includes ⁣former officials like Bessent, Marco‍ Rubio,⁣ Sean Duffy, Jamieson ⁣Greer and‌ Russell Vought.

The appointment‍ raises concerns among Social Security advocates,‌ who‍ fear divided attention‌ will hinder the agency’s ability to address challenges, especially as it⁤ implements a complex new⁤ tax ⁢law. ⁤Bisignano’s confirmation ⁢to lead the Social Security Administration followed a period of acting commissioners, including one who‍ resigned following controversy over data sharing between the ‍IRS ‍and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Bisignano has simultaneously served as chair of ‍Fiserv, a payments and financial services tech firm, ‍since 2020. His appointment to the IRS does not require Senate confirmation,⁤ a point of contention raised by⁤ Kathleen Romig, director of Social Security and Disability ⁣Policy at the Center on Budget⁤ and Policy Priorities, who questioned why the administration wouldn’t seek Senate approval⁣ for someone ‍leading both the nation’s ⁤largest program and overseeing tax law implementation. “If the Trump Admin asked⁢ for the Senate’s advice & ‌consent, would they really want the same person running the government’s biggest program AND overseeing the implementation of ⁣the exceptionally⁢ complex new tax law?” ⁢she posted on the Bluesky social media app.

nancy Altman, President of Social Security Works, echoed ⁤these concerns, stating ‍Bisignano’s dual⁢ role will “create a bottleneck” and leave a⁣ “leadership vacuum” at the Social Security Administration, especially with a deputy commissioner yet to be confirmed by the Senate. Bisignano has a history of defending corporate policies protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination.

October 6, 2025 0 comments

Technology

Title: Nasa: Possible Ancient Life Evidence Found on Mars

by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor September 14, 2025

written by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor

NASA Scientists Discover Compelling Evidence of Potential Past Life on mars

JEZERO CRATER, MARS – NASA’s ⁣Perseverance⁢ rover has uncovered the strongest evidence yet suggesting Mars may have once harbored⁤ microbial life, according to a new study focused on a⁣ rock nicknamed “cheyava falls” found in the Shining Angel region of Jezero Crater.The discovery centers on⁢ unique geochemical patterns‍ within the rock that cannot be explained by non-biological ⁤processes, leading scientists to believe ancient bacteria may have once thrived in the now-dry ⁢lakebed.

The findings, published recently, represent a pivotal moment in the search for extraterrestrial life. While definitive proof requires bringing Martian samples back to earth for in-depth analysis, the evidence from “Cheyava Falls” dramatically increases ⁤the possibility that life once existed beyond our planet. The implications are profound, possibly reshaping our understanding of life’s origins and its prevalence in the universe.The current mission focuses on collecting and caching samples for a future return to Earth, a plan currently ⁣facing budgetary challenges.

“The textures and patterns we’re seeing in this rock are incredibly intriguing,” explained Dr. Sunanda Sharma, a geochemist involved in the study. “Stone has never experienced enough warming to produce this pattern geochemically,” stated Dr. Tice,reinforcing the biological possibility. “So, we must consider seriously that creatures like bacteria have lived⁢ in Lake Mars mud.”

The Bright‍ angel location is believed to represent an ancient Martian surroundings that was once habitable. Katie Stack Morgan, a⁤ Perseverance‌ project scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), described⁢ the ⁤stones as a “rare window to the time when life also ‌began to appear on‍ earth.” These ancient rocks, she added, “store data about‍ a time that is‍ challenging to find⁣ on earth, but it may be vital in understanding the origin of life in ⁢the solar system.”

Currently, the collected samples are stored in airtight ⁤tubes on the Martian surface, awaiting a retrieval mission. Joel Hurowitz, lead author of the Stony⁢ Brook University study, emphasized the next critical step: “What we need to do from hear is bringing this sample back to earth.” However, NASA’s sample ⁤return plan is not yet finalized due to proposed budget cuts from the US government. Duffy,‌ a mission specialist, stated, “We are studying how to bring the sample back efficiently and quickly.”

The discovery underscores the importance of continued Mars exploration and ⁤the urgent need to secure ‍funding for the‌ sample return mission, which scientists believe is essential to ⁤definitively confirm whether life‍ once existed on the Red Planet.

September 14, 2025 0 comments

World

Trump Administration Cancels $175 Million from California High-Speed Rail

by Priya Shah – Business Editor August 26, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

California High-Speed Rail Project ⁣faces Federal Funding Halt, Legal challenge

Teh ‌California High-Speed Rail project is embroiled in controversy following a ⁣decision by the trump management to cancel federal funding and initiate a review ⁢of existing grants. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced ‍the move, labeling the project a “boondoggle” and ⁢stating the federal government would ⁣no longer invest in what he called ‌California’s⁤ “failed experiment.”

“In twenty years, California has not been able‌ to lay⁣ a single track ‍of high-speed ‍rail,” Duffy said in a statement released ⁤on February 12, 2025. “The waste ⁢ends here. As of today, the American people are done investing in California’s failed experiment.Instead, my Department⁢ will focus on making travel great again by investing in well-managed projects that can make projects like high-speed rail a reality.”

Construction is currently underway on portions of the project,‌ including ‍the ⁣Hanford Viaduct over Highway 198 in Hanford, California.

The California⁤ High-Speed Rail Authority responded to the funding cancellation, asserting they recently purchased track components⁢ with the intention of progressing towards⁤ completion within the next year. A spokesperson characterized the administration’s actions⁣ as “a continuation of the Trump Administration’s illegal, politically motivated, and ⁣baseless attack on California High-Speed Rail and Central Valley communities.” They maintained, “The facts are clear: California is‍ delivering the‍ only true high-speed‍ system under construction in North America.”

Duffy also directed‌ the Federal ‌railroad administration (FRA) to review all grants already allocated⁣ to the project.⁤ This action follows a July 2025 FRA report⁢ outlining “serious concerns” regarding the project’s viability, ⁤including questions about its ability to meet deadlines ‌and allegations ‌of contract breaches. The administration afterward canceled all federal funding for the railroad group in July.

California filed a lawsuit against the Department of Transportation in July,⁤ contesting the funding⁢ withdrawal as “illegal.” Duffy responded with an opinion piece published in The Sacramento bee, criticizing California Governor gavin Newsom’s understanding ‍of “functional government.”

The high-speed rail project ‍originated from a 2008 state ballot⁤ measure aiming ‌to ‌connect San Francisco and Los Angeles in under three hours. The scope ⁤of the project was‌ later reduced to a 170-mile segment between ⁣Merced and Bakersfield.The FRA currently estimates‍ the ‌revised project⁤ will cost approximately $22 billion, with an anticipated completion date of 2033. The California high-Speed Rail Authority has stated that the ‌majority of its ‍funding comes ⁤from the ⁤state, rather than the federal government.

August 26, 2025 0 comments

World

Trump Administration Restricts Mexico Flights, Impacts Airline Deal

by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor July 20, 2025

written by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor

The U.S. Department of Transportation has imposed new restrictions on all mexican airlines, requiring them to submit flight schedules for government approval. This move comes as a response to perceived unfair treatment of U.S. airlines by Mexico, with the U.S. seeking to ensure equitable practices.

The decision by the Transportation Department,led by administrator Billy Nolen (acting),is aimed at addressing ongoing disputes concerning the partnership between Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico. The U.S. has been seeking to end the airlines’ alliance, which began in 2016, arguing that Mexico’s actions have created an uneven playing field.

Delta and Aeromexico have contested the U.S. government’s efforts to dissolve their partnership, asserting that they should not be penalized for the Mexican government’s policies.The airlines have warned that terminating their agreement could disrupt approximately two dozen routes and result in an estimated $800 million loss in economic benefits for both countries, impacting tourism and employment.

In a statement, Delta expressed concern that the proposed termination of its partnership with Aeromexico would negatively affect consumers traveling between the U.S. and mexico, as well as U.S. jobs, communities, and transborder competition.

aeromexico’s press office indicated that it was reviewing the order and planned to issue a joint response with Delta. The order to terminate approval of the airlines’ agreement is not set to take effect until October, and both carriers are expected to continue challenging the decision.

Previously, the airlines had argued in filings that the cessation of direct flights could deter over 140,000 American tourists and nearly 90,000 Mexican tourists from visiting the respective countries, thereby harming the economies of both nations through reduced spending.

The implications of these actions on the broader trade relationship between the U.S. and Mexico, including ongoing negotiations over tariffs, remain unclear. A spokesperson for Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and the President did not address the new restrictions during her public appearances on Saturday.

Associated Press writer Amaranta Marentes in Mexico City contributed to this report.

July 20, 2025 0 comments

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