Month: July 2026

– New federal report on 1985-1994 Fort Ord drinking water

Comments due on ATSDR report: August 22

Update: Response from veteran Julie Akey
https://www.montereyherald.com/2026/07/13/guest-commentary-fort-ords-unanswered-health-questions/
Fort Ord’s unanswered health questions, July 13, 2026

ATSDR will be present at the July 25 Fort Ord Workshop and Open House to provide an update on their report — see related post and calendar.

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From the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

ATSDR draft Health Consultation report released for public comment
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/pha/FormerFordOrd/FortOrd-HC-508.pdf

On July 9, 2026, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) released a draft report for public comment titled Health evaluation of drinking water at the Former Fort Ord Army Base from 1985 to 1994.

The report, and accompanying summary factsheet are available on the ATSDR website at: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/PHA/PHAListing.aspx?StateIndicator=CA

 Virtual public meeting

ATSDR scientists will discuss the overall findings of the report with the community at a virtual public meeting on July 29, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET [3:30 – 4:30 PT) on Microsoft Teams. Questions about the report may be emailed ahead of the meeting to ATSDRCDCINFO@cdc.gov. Please use “Fort Ord” in the subject line. Questions received by 8 PM ET on July 28, 2026, will be addressed during the public meeting.

Join: At the date and time of the meeting, you can join by clicking on this link https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/23715512923099?p=FQybobIDRmvTGb0DPE

 Public comments due August 22.

ATSDR will accept public comments on the report through August 22, 2026. Comments may be submitted by email (received by August 22) or by postal mail (postmarked by August 22) using the contact information below.

Email: OCHHAPublicComment@cdc.gov

Postal mail:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Attn: Records Center
4770 Buford Highway NE, MS S106-5
Atlanta, Georgia 30341

– US DOJ seeks to eliminate “separation of church and state” doctrine; public comments due July 13

On May 1, 2025, President Trump established the Religious Liberty Commission within the U.S. Department of Justice to “identify emerging threats to religious liberty, uphold Federal laws that protect all citizens’ full participation in a pluralistic democracy, and protect the free exercise of religion.” [1] The Commission’s membership consists of Christians and one orthodox Jew.

The Commission released a draft report entitled “America’s First Freedom” on June 26, 2026. It is seeking to eliminate the separation of church and state doctrine. This would affect schools, city, county, and state governments and agencies, and every part of each community.

UPDATE: Reps. Huffman and Raskin introduced a resolution July 1 reaffirming church-state separation.

Public comment on the report is due July 13 (see below)

The Washington Post reported

“At an Oval Office news conference announcing the report, commission Chairman Dan Patrick, the Republican lieutenant governor of Texas, said the commission recommends that any official — in government, a school, the military, a hospital, etc. — who alleges a violation of church-state separation must in writing point out exactly where you have violated the Constitution, because you have not, and from this day forward, that phrase should have no power over people of all faiths ever again in America.‘”

First in its “12 Key Recommendations to Strengthen Religious Liberty for All Americans”:
“1. Instruct the Department of Justice to issue guidance clarifying the proper understanding of the Establishment Clause and separation of church and state.”

The deadline for public comment is Tuesday, July 13.
Email comments to RLC@usdoj.gov
Commission instructions: format the email subject line using:
PUBLIC COMMENT – [TOPIC OR CHAPTER NUMBER] – [NAME].
(Note: there is no docket number or online docket)

Information about the Commission documents, hearings, and records of public comments is at this DOJ page.

Chapter 1 is titled: “Religion as an Indispensable Support” and includes sections titled “Religion: An Essential Aspect of What It Means to be Human” and “Religion: The Benefits for Society”.

There are many different religions and belief systems held by Americans, as well as many Americans do not have religious beliefs. The intent of the separation doctrine has been to protect everyone from having the religious beliefs of one religion or another legislated on them. Governing structures and areas of public life have previously attempted to be neutral spaces.

– What could “free exercise” look like? For instance, should government and agency staff be allowed to promote their beliefs verbally and nonverbally during their taxpayer-subsidized work hours?

– In light of the composition and religious beliefs of the Commission, will groups and members of certain religions get preferential treatment in jobs, government agency appointments, educational institutions, and the ability to freely exercise their religion over other groups and religions?

– What happens when religious practices conflict with local, state, or federal laws, including civil rights laws or criminal laws? Will laws be re-interpreted or new ones enacted that accommodate, promote, or favor some religious practices but not others?

This is an extensive report covering many different topics, including freedom of conscience. It deserves a full and detailed analysis and discussion by the public and Constitutional, legal, and historical experts.

Notes:

Presidential Religious Liberty Commission Press Release and Summary Report, U.S. Department of Justice, June 26, 2026, p. 1

[1] Presidential Religious Liberty Commission Draft Report, U.S. Department of Justice, June 26, 2026, p. 25

– Landline telephone update: deadlines and uncertainty

The Monterey Herald 7/5/26 article stated that AT&T had won approval to end landline service to Californians. https://www.montereyherald.com/2026/07/04/att-win-stop-landline-service-bay-area-california/

The article may be incorrect. The FCC policy states that if customers oppose the discontinuance ((the deadline for those dockets 26-120 and 26-121 was June 15), the FCC will do a review. Many people did oppose discontinuance. The FCC also has not posted this information. The newspaper and reporter have been questioned about this information, and an update will be posted when they respond. The grandfathering information below from Save Landlines is based on the newspaper’s article, and everyone who wants a landline should order one now.

AT&T is grandfathering landline service for the affected customers on July 19th – we encourage you to order one NOW. Call AT&T at 1-800-288-2020. If they refuse, escalate to the AT&T Presidents Office at 1-800-355-9542 and file a complaint with the CPUC Consumer Affairs Branch at 1-800-649-7570.

The remaining FCC dockets 26-123 and 26-125 with deadlines are AT&T petitions to preempt California rules, CPUC regulation, and Carrier of Last Resort status, and to discontinue ETC services including Lifeline service.

From Save Landlines

LANDLINES THREATENED NATIONWIDE!

CRITICAL AND URGENT: COMMENTS DUE TO FCC BY THIS TUESDAY, JULY 7!

AT&T has filed petitions with the FCC to bypass the CPUC and disconnect customers in California, grandfathering service on July 19 and discontinuing on/after June 1, 2027. They have also sued the CPUC and CA Attorney General and are pushing a constitutional amendment to deregulate telecom.

AT&T claims “alternatives” are available to everyone; however, this is not true, and even when “alternatives” exist, they are not functionally equivalent. VoIP and wireless require backup batteries, which are insufficient in extended power outages or during disasters and rely on broadband or cellular, which are less reliable, poorer quality, and more prone to disruptions. Wireless is not accessible to many with disabilities and actual reception does not always match coverage maps. Traditional landlines are the only reliable way to reach 911 for many people. This is a national public safety issue – we need to raise our voices loud and clear: landlines are lifelines!

Submit opposition comments to the FCC opposing FCC preemption and AT&T withdrawing from Lifeline: submit a text comment (or upload a PDF of your comments). Include proceedings 26-123 and 26-125 on your comments, the dockets for AT&T’s California petitions.

COMMENTS DUE July 7 for 26-123 (ETC and Lifeline)/26-125 (FCC preemption of COLR).

REPLY COMMENTS DUE July 22 (see https://phreaknet.org/action for information)

Explain why “alternatives” are not as reliable for you. “The FCC will authorize discontinuance of service… …unless it is shown that customers would be unable to receive service or a reasonable substitute from another carrier or that public convenience and needs are otherwise adversely affected… Comments should include specific information about the impact of this proposed discontinuance (or reduction or impairment) upon you, or your business, including any inability to acquire reasonable substitute service.”

Sign TURN’s petition OPPOSING these changes.

For additional information:
https://savelandlines.org/
https://phreaknet.org/action