2017. News Media Alliance launches Futures of News Video Contest

“Futures Of News” Video Contest Opens

Media Contact:Lindsey Loving
Manager, Communications
lindsey@newsmediaalliance.com
571.366.1009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

News Media Alliance launches Futures of News Video Contest

January 10, 2017

Arlington, VA-The News Media Alliance today launched the 2017 Futures of News Video Contest. The competition-to be held in conjunction with its annual mediaXchange conference, taking place April 30-May 3, 2017 in New Orleans -seeks video entries from college students enrolled in journalism programs. The videos will focus on why the future of media is bright, and what inspired these students to pursue journalism. Prizes will be awarded to the first and second place entries.

The contest, open to undergraduate journalism students attending colleges and universities in the United States, will accept submissions from January 9 to March 31, 2017. The top 10 finalists will be selected by a panel of judges. Selections will be based on originality, technical excellence and artistic merit. First place will receive $1,000 and second place will receive $500.

'University and college students are part of the millennial base that's responsible for driving how news is delivered and consumed in today's digital environment, and as such are well placed to help determine the futures of news,' said Michelle Harris, News Media Alliance Vice President of Membership. 'We believe that journalism students have an important role to play in our industry and I look forward to hearing their insights into where we are now and what we can expect in the future.'

Public voting, conducted through Facebook, will take place April 10-April 26, 2017. Winners will be announced at the mediaXchange conference.

Full contest details can be found at www.newsmediaalliance.org/events/mediaxchange/futures-of-news.

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About mediaXchange 2017:

The annual News Media Alliance mediaXchange 2017 will take place April 30 - May 3, 2017, at the New Orleans Marriott in the French Quarter. The conference is designed to inspire and provide valuable ideas to help news media professionals grow audience and revenue for their print and digital products. The theme of the conference is 'The Futures of News' - the many ways news media are positioned to excel through technology and innovation, as well as providing high-quality journalism and engaging with local communities. For more information visit www.newsmediaalliance.org/events/mediaXchange

About News Media Alliance:

The News Media Alliance is a nonprofit organization representing nearly 2,000 news organizations and their multiplatform businesses in the United States and Canada. Alliance members include print, digital and mobile publishers of original news content. Headquartered near Washington, D.C., in Arlington, Va., the association focuses on ensuring the future of news media through communication, research, advocacy and innovation. Information about the News Media Alliance (formerly NAA) can be found at www.newsmediaalliance.org/.

U.S. EPA Announces $95 Million for Wastewater Projects in California

NOTE:   The EPA estimates that $271 billion is needed to address the nation’s aging and failing wastewater infrastructure, of which $26 billion is needed in California.

BEMA International



For Immediate Release:  January 18, 2017
U.S. EPA: Nahal Mogharabi, 213-244-1815, Mogharabi.nahal@epa.gov

U.S. EPA Announces $95 Million for Wastewater Projects in California

Agency highlights upgrade to wastewater treatment plant in Holtville, protection of Salton Sea

HOLTVILLE–The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $95 million in new funding to California for improvements in local wastewater infrastructure. Today’s announcement was made by the EPA Pacific Southwest’s Water Division Director, Tomás Torres, in the City of Holtville where he joined Holtville Mayor Mike Goodsell and representatives of the State Water Board. The state will use the funds through its Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund to reduce water pollution.

The event in Holtville highlighted upgrades to the city’s wastewater treatment plant to comply with water quality standards and protect the Salton Sea into which it discharges. The city is paying for the $14.4 million project with approximately $7.5 million from the State Revolving Loan program plus $6.9 million from the EPA’s Border Environment Infrastructure Fund.

“EPA is committed to helping communities across Imperial Valley protect the state’s vital water resources” said Mr. Torres. “Our investments renew aging infrastructure, which can be costly for smaller communities like Holtville.”

Holtville’s 850,000 gallon per day wastewater treatment plant serves 6,594 residents, but does not comply with discharge standards for ammonia, bacteria such as E. coli and other pollutants. In addition to the current project, EPA and U.S. Department of Agriculture recently provided $6 million to the city for a 3-mile sewage pipeline replacement and connections to 20 homes on failing septic systems.

California may allocate some of this year’s loan funds for the water recycling facility at the Padre Dam Municipal Water District in Santee. The district is on track to receive a $101.2 million loan to expand their water recycling facility from two to six million gallons a day, decreasing the demand on potable water supplies.

An example of a recently-funded project is the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District’s $565 million Tertiary Treatment Facility Project. This is part of the massive EchoWater project which will enable Sacramento’s regional wastewater treatment plant to meet new water quality requirements by removing more ammonia and nitrates through filtration and enhanced disinfection. The project will serve over 1.4 million residents and help protect the sensitive Delta ecosystem.

Since its inception in 1988, the state’s Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund has been awarded more than $3 billion in federal funding. As loans are repaid and new state and federal dollars are added, the fund grows and continues to provide low interest loans and subsidies for projects. Without the loan program, many communities would incur greater debt or delay needed water quality projects. The EPA estimates that $271 billion is needed to address the nation’s aging and failing wastewater infrastructure, of which $26 billion is needed in California.

The EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region administers and enforces federal environmental laws in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, the Pacific Islands and 148 tribal nations -- home to more than 48 million people.

For more information on EPA Region 9’s State Revolving Fund program, visit: https://www.epa.gov/cwsrf

This Black American Woman Moved To Africa At Age 50 and Her Story Is Absolutely Amazing

https://www.facebook.com/1millionafricans/videos/1654263878177723/

2017. OCHA HAITI: Hurricane Matthew Situation Report No. 32

17 January 2017 OCHA Haiti Hurricane Matthew - Situation Report No. 32 Dear partners, Kindly click here to view OCHA: Hurricane Matthew Situation Report No. 32 as of 17 January 2017. Situation Report Main Points Since 06 January, humanitarian operations in Grand’Anse and Sud were either temporally suspended or limited in relation with the arrest of senator-elect Guy Philippe and the demonstrations and road blocks that followed. This week, activities have fully resumed in Sud and slowly in Grand’Anse.  As part of a Technical Assistance Project for Agricultural Assistance and in preparation for the Spring Campaign, FAO signed with the Ministry of Agriculture a seed donation agreement of 500,000 US dollars. IOM, JPHRO and IDETTE are addressing the need of 112 families that were evicted on Tuesday 10 January from the CUC School in Jeremie. The World Bank started to distribute hot meals in Grand’Anse, Sud and Nippes for a total of 20,000 pupils in support to the resumption of schools. Best regards, OCHA

2017. U.S. Department of State Student Internship Program (unpaid)

Now Accepting Applications for the

U.S. Department of State Student Internship Program (unpaid)

We are now accepting applications for the U.S. Department of State Fall 2017 Student Internship Program (unpaid). Please visit http://careers.state.gov/intern/student-internships for more information about the U.S. Department of State Fall 2017 Student Internship Program (unpaid), and to start the online application process via USAJOBS. Please note that the deadline to submit completed applications is March 1, 2017. Visit USAJOBS.gov to view the announcement: U.S. Department of State Fall 2017 Student Internship Program (unpaid). We suggest that you submit your application as early as possible to insure that all documents have been uploaded properly and to account for any technical glitches that may occur. U.S. citizenship is required. If you have any questions or would like to search for topics of interest, please visit our forums or FAQs at careers.state.gov. We appreciate your interest in a career with the U.S. Department of State.