Washington, D.C

Native News Weekly (April 20, 2025): D.C. Briefs

Published

1 year ago

April 20, 2025

Details: By Native News Online Staff; April 20, 2025

WASHINGTON — In addition to articles already covered by Native News Online, here is a roundup of other news released from Washington, D.C. that impacts Indian Country recently.

New Resource Highlights Medicaid’s Crucial Role for Native Americans

The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) has released a comprehensive overview highlighting the crucial role Medicaid plays in providing health care to American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. This report emphasizes the importance of preserving Medicaid resources and exempting AI/AN beneficiaries from work requirements to fulfill the federal government’s trust responsibility.

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This resrouce is valuable now considering both the Senate and House of Represenatives will in all probablity have to make cuts to Medicaid because both chambers have passed budget resolutions that require them to cut trillions of dollars from federal spending. Analysts maintain, these reductions cannot be done without cutting Medicaid funding.

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Facts about American Indians and Alaska Natives on Medicaid

Approximately 2.7 million AI/AN people are enrolled in Medicaid, with 24% of AI/AN adults aged 18-64 and 23% of those over 64 benefiting from the program.
Almost 49% of AI/AN children are enrolled in Medicaid.
Urban Indian Organizations serve as vital health care providers.
- 59% of AI/AN people receiving care at UIOs are Medicaid beneficiaries.
- Eight out of the top ten states with the largest number of AI/AN Medicaid beneficiaries have UIOs providing essential services.

Legislation Introduced to Protect Scenic Gila River

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) reintroduced their M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act, legislation to designate portions of the Gila River, its watershed, and other rivers in the Gila National Forest as Wild and Scenic Rivers. The bill will be a boon to New Mexico’s outdoor economy, while protecting an irreplaceable natural resource for future generations of New Mexicans. U.S. Sen, Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM.) and Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), Member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, are original cosponsors.

The Greater Gila watershed comprises the largest remaining network of naturally free-flowing river segments in the Southwestern United States.

The M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act protects portions of the Gila River, some of its tributaries, and other nearby rivers under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The Gila is treasured by New Mexicans because it supports exceptional experiences for families to cherish, spectacular scenery and wildlife habitat, abundant cultural resources, the integrity of an important water source, and many traditional uses. Designating portions of the Gila River and its watershed as Wild and Scenic Rivers will protect one of the nation’s most iconic and treasured rivers, as well as the immense recreational and agricultural economies that rely on it.

“The Gila and San Francisco Rivers are among the last wild, free-flowing rivers in the Southwest— vital to the region’s wildlife, communities, and culture. To truly safeguard the Gila’s wild character, we must also protect its rivers,” Heinrich, Ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee said. “Our M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act will ensure that the Gila and San Francisco watersheds receive the lasting protections they deserve. These protections enhance water quality, support local economies, bolster outdoor recreation, and preserve healthy ecosystems. In New Mexico, the Rio Chama, the Jemez, the Rio Grande, and the Pecos all benefit from this important designation. The Gila and San Francisco watershed deserve no less.”

Heinrich originally introduced the M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act with former-U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) in 2020. The legislation passed out the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in 2023. The bill is named after Maynard Hubbard “Dutch” Salmon from Silver City, New Mexico. Salmon was a nature writer, longtime advocate for the Gila River, and co-founder of the Gila Conservation Coalition.

The M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act has received support from local community leaders, Tribes, sportsmen and women, and business leaders.

Washington, D.C

Nonprofit sues the federal government over plans to paint Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool blue

Published

7 hours ago

May 11, 2026

Press Room

Nonprofit sues the federal government over plans to paint Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool blue

With a blue sky above the Lincoln Memorial, people walk along the reflection pool in Washington, D.C., on June 9, 2023.

Jose Luis Magana/AP

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Jose Luis Magana/AP

A nonprofit is suing the National Park Service, the Department of the Interior and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum over the decision to resurface the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool at Washington D.C.’s National Mall, and to paint the pool’s basin blue.

The suit was filed Monday in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF), an education and advocacy organization. In the suit, TCLF is asking a federal judge to halt the project, saying that the Trump administration failed to have the project reviewed federally, as is dictated by the National Historic Preservation Act.

The White House ballroom, reflecting pool resurfacing, Kennedy Center renovations and a triumphal arch are among the many changes Trump wants to make in D.C.

President Trump revealed his plans for the pool do-over last month in “American flag blue,” saying that the project would take one week and $2 million, and that it would be completed in time for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4. A few days later on Truth Social, the president posted a fake image of himself and several of his administration officials in swimsuits, along with an unidentified woman in a gingham bikini, lounging in the water with the Washington National Monument at the rear. (Swimming in the reflecting pool is prohibited by federal law.)

Workers paint a corner of the reflecting pool blue on Monday morning.

In a YouTube video posted by the White House on April 23, Trump called the pool “filthy dirty” and said it “leaked like a sieve.” In that video, Trump said he was going to call three companies that he has worked with in the past – “all they do is swimming pools” – and say, “Give me a good price.”

The New York Times reported last Friday that the contract for the reflecting pool’s resurfacing was awarded in a $6.9 million no-bid contract to a company called Atlantic Industrial Coatings, which previously has never held any federal contracts.

An employee at the Atlantic Industrial Coatings confirmed in a telephone call on Monday that it has been contracted for this project, but referred all other questions to the Department of the Interior.

The Times reported on Monday that the final cost of the project could be upward of $13 million, per documents it says it has obtained. The Department of the Interior did not confirm the cost of the project, but wrote: “The contract price reflects the effort necessary to expedite the timeline of completing the leak prevention coating project—more people, more materials, more equipment and longer hours ahead of our 250th.”

In an unsigned statement emailed to NPR Monday afternoon, the Interior Department wrote: “The National Park Service chose the best company to expedite the repair of the iconic Reflecting Pool ahead of our 250 celebrations. The choice of American Flag Blue will enhance the visitor experience by making the pool reflect the grand Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. NPS is also investing in a state-of-the-art ozone nanobubbler filtration system and will now have a dedicated crew who will maintain the grounds’ from wildlife. The Department is proud of the work being carried out by our Park Service to ensure this magical spot can be enjoyed for not only our 250th, but for many generations to come.”

Critics of the project, including TCLF, don’t share that vision – and are taking particular umbrage at the color.

“The reflecting pool should not be viewed in isolation; it is part of the larger ensemble of designed landscapes that comprise the National Mall,” Charles A. Birnbaum, the president and CEO of TCLF, said in a statement emailed to NPR Monday. “The design intent, to create a reflective surface that is subordinate, is fundamental to the solemn and hallowed visual and spatial connection between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. A blue-tinted basin is more appropriate to a resort or theme park.”

The National Park Service regularly cleans out algae, goose droppings and other detritus from the reflecting pool. The last major renovation of the reflecting pool, which included the installation of a new circulation and filtration system, took place during the Obama administration at a reported cost of $34 million.

Before founding TCLF in 2008, Birnbaum served for 15 years as the coordinator of the Historic Landscape Initiative for the National Park Service.

A view of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in February. On Monday, a group of eight architecture and culture groups filed a federal lawsuit against President Trump and the arts complex's board to halt a planned renovation.

TCLF has another open lawsuit against the federal administration: it is one of eight cultural and architecture groups currently suing President Trump and the Kennedy Center board over the planned renovations of the complex, which are planned to start in July.

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Washington, D.C

K-9 Knox to be honored at ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Monday

Published

19 hours ago

May 11, 2026

Press Room

K-9 Knox to be honored at ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Monday

The memorial service will be held at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial at 1 p.m.

WASHINGTON D.C. – A brave K-9 hero from the region will be honored at the Annual National Police K9 Memorial Service on Monday afternoon.

K-9 Knox died in the line of duty last year after he was accidentally hit by a police vehicle while pursuing a suspect involved in a stolen vehicle incident. He was a 3-year-old German shepherd and had served as a narcotics detection and patrol apprehension K-9 for the Roanoke Police Department since May 2023.

The memorial service will include a wreath-laying ceremony and will be held at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., at 1 p.m. The event will open with a musical performance by Frank Ray, and the guest speaker will be Deputy Jared Hahn of the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit.

The San Antonio Police Department Blue Line Choir will sing the national anthem, and the Emerald Society Pipes & Drums band will also perform.

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Washington, D.C

Storm Team4 Forecast: Showers, cool temps to start off the workweek

Published

1 day ago

May 10, 2026

Press Room

Storm Team4 Forecast: Showers, cool temps to start off the workweek

4 things to know about the weather:

Shower chance Monday morning
Cooler Monday
Midweek rain chance
Warmer end to the week

Showers continue to move west with a cold front tonight. There will be a break in the rain overnight, but showers return for the start of the day on Monday. Monday afternoon will be dry, but noticeably cooler.

Sunshine returns Tuesday, but the break in the rain will be short-lived with rain chances on Wednesday

Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.