Short Takes – 3-26-24

NY Republican says House could ‘end up having a Speaker Hakeem Jeffries’ as GOP majority narrows. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: “Former Rep. Brian Higgins’ (D-N.Y.) seat is also vacant and will be filled by a special election on April 30. With that seat likely going to a Democrat, the GOP could be left with just a two-seat margin during the month of May.”

Bird flu detected in milk from dairy cows in Texas and Kansas. WashingtonPost.com article. Pull quote: “The infections among cattle pose minimal risk to human food safety or milk supply and prices, officials said. Milk from sick cattle is being diverted or destroyed. Pasteurization — a heating treatment that kills pathogens — is required for milk involved in interstate commerce, greatly reducing the possibility that infected milk enters the food supply, they added.”

National Maritime Security Advisory Committee; Vacancies. Federal Register CG NMSAC notice. Summary: “The U.S. Coast Guard is accepting applications to fill seven vacancies on the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee (Committee). This Committee advises the Secretary of Homeland Security, via the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard on matters relating to national maritime security, including on enhancing the sharing of information related to cybersecurity risks that may cause a transportation security incident, between relevant Federal agencies and State, local, and tribal governments; relevant public safety and emergency response agencies; relevant law enforcement and security organizations; maritime industry; port owners and operators; and terminal owners and operators.” Applications to be submitted by May 28^th, 2024.

2024 hurricane season conditions 'concerning,' hurricane expert says. WRAL.com article. Pull quote: “Brennan said while NOAA can’t release an official hurricane season forecast yet, the National Hurricane Center is integrating new tools to measure hurricane strength, including a new, unmanned aircraft.”

Starliner’s first commander: Don’t expect perfection on crew test flight. ArsTechnica.com article. Pull quote: “"The expectation from the media should not be perfection," Wilmore said. "This is a test flight. Flying and operating in space is hard. It’s really hard, and we’re going to find some stuff. That’s expected. It’s the first flight where we are integrating the full capabilities of this spacecraft."”