Latest news with #HillaryScholten
The Hill
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Hill
Team Congress gets rain-shortened win in Congressional Women's Softball Game
Team Congress didn't let a 4th-inning rain cancellation dampen their excitement about a 5-3 lead over the Bad News Babes in Wednesday night's Congressional Women's Softball Game. 'We are so excited and, you know, we obviously would have loved to continue playing and beat the press by even more,' Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.). 'I think it's pretty clear we would have continued the pounding this year.' Mica Soellner, congressional reporter for Punchbowl News, lamented a missed opportunity for the media team. 'You know it's disappointing with the weather, but overall, it was a pretty good game,' she said. 'We definitely could have made a comeback.' The 17th annual Congressional Women's Softball Game pits members of Congress against D.C. journalists to raise funds for the Young Survival Coalition (YSC). The YSC is dedicated to helping young women affected by breast cancer by providing resources and support. Diedra Burns, a breast cancer survivor who is now in remission, was represented on the field by Rep. Julie Johnson (D-Texas). 'Wow, it means a lot because I went through my journey last year, diagnosis, chemo, radiation,' she said. 'This has been a great week.' The game raised over $650,000 for the coalition. Since 2009, the event has raised over $4.3 million for the YSC. 'It really is an opportunity for us to highlight the Young Survival Coalition,' said Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.), 'I have a friend who experienced the very thing, and so, for me, it's a bit personal. It's a fun night.' At the beginning of the game, the organizers paid tribute to late Rep. Mia Love (R-Utah), the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress, who passed away from brain cancer in March. Her son and daughter received the Hall of Fame award on her behalf as a former member of Team Congress. The lawmakers faced off against their media foes for the first time at Audi Field, a significant upgrade from elementary schools where it was hosted years prior. 'It's so exciting that we're at Audi Field this year,' said Bridget Bowman, political reporter at NBC. 'I've seen the game grow a lot since I first started playing almost ten years ago.' The enthusiastic crowd was clearly skewed towards Congress, who had not claimed victory since 2022. At first, it was a tight game. In the second inning, the score was 2-1 for Team Congress. Then, Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kan.) drove in two runs to bring the score 4-1. By the end of the third inning, Team Congress had widened their lead to 5-1. The Bad News Babes struck back with two runs in the fourth inning. But Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) put a stop to their surge with spectacular defense and the game was cancelled before the media members could do any more damage. This year, the game featured 24 congresswomen from both sides of the aisle and 14 different media outlets represented on the field. 'Playing against the members is a great experience because we're often talking to them about serious, heavy, complicated things,' said Jen Bendery, senior politics reporter for HuffPost. 'This is a nice way to hit pause for a moment and come out here and actually talk to each other like normal people.' 'This is the best day of the year for Capitol Hill,' said the Bad News Babes coach, Abby Livingston, reporter for Puck News. 'I always bet on the Bad News Babes.' Speaking before the game, Rep. Maxime Dexter (D-Ore.) correctly predicted the outcome. 'I think we're going to win and we're going to win with style,' she said. Team Congress had seven rookies this year and a new pitcher, Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), who won the team's MVP award for its 2025 outing. The media babes gave its award to Katie Lobosco, reporter for Tax Notes. The Rookie of the Year award was presented to Rep. Julie Fedorchak (R-N.D.), while the most improved player went to Cicely Wedgeworth, editor at the New York Times. Finally, the most spirit award was given to CNN's Briana Keilar, pitcher for the Bad News Babes and Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.). Other members of Congress were there to support their colleagues, including Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and minority leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.). The Congressional Women's Softball Game began in 2009, when Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) announced her fight against breast cancer. Starting the second year, the lawmakers asked members of the D.C. press corps to take them on, starting a tradition 17 years and counting. 'I feel like we all had really good energy out there. This is a time in history where I'll take all the good vibes I can get and getting good vibes while we're raising money for a good cause and winning, can't beat it!' said Davis, the Kansas Democrat.
Business Wire
18-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Vicinity Energy Kicks off Electrification Plans in Grand Rapids
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Vicinity Energy, a decarbonization leader with the nation's largest portfolio of district energy systems, has officially kicked off its Grand Rapids electrification plans by commencing the installation of its newest electric boiler. Vicinity will install the 9MW electric boiler at its Grand Rapids facility, marking a key milestone in the company's Clean Energy Future commitment to reaching net zero carbon emissions across all of its operations by 2050. When the electric boiler enters service in 2026, over 100 of Vicinity's customers in Grand Rapids will have access to carbon-free thermal energy instantly Share U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten (MI-3) commemorated the milestone at Vicinity's Grand Rapids facility, along with local business leaders and energy advocates. 'We are proud to see Vicinity, a long-standing energy partner in Grand Rapids, launch its innovative eSteam TM right here in the city,' said Grand Rapids Mayor David LaGrand. 'This project will bring locally generated, carbon-free steam to our downtown businesses, supporting Grand Rapids' commitment to sustainability, clean energy, and a resilient future.' Vicinity Energy received a grant exceeding $2 million from the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) as part of the Renewable Energy and Electrification Infrastructure Enhancement and Development (EIED) program. This funding supports the installation of the 9MW electric boiler at Vicinity's downtown Grand Rapids facility, marking the first new boiler addition in 60 years at the facility. The project aims to produce carbon-free eSteam TM to support the decarbonization of Grand Rapids, aligning with the MI Healthy Climate Plan's goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition toward carbon neutrality. 'Our work towards carbon-free, clean energy is critically important to not only our own goals, but the goals of our state and local partners across the country. Here in Grand Rapids with the installation of this electric boiler, we will enable a seamless conversion to carbon-free eSteam TM for our customers,' said Vicinity Energy CEO Kevin Hagerty. When the electric boiler enters service in 2026, over 100 of Vicinity's customers in Grand Rapids will have access to carbon-free thermal energy instantly. Click here to read more about Vicinity's district energy systems and its commitment to innovation and the environment. About Vicinity Energy Vicinity Energy is the largest owner and operator of district energy systems dedicated to decarbonizing its operations and investing in innovative renewable thermal energy technologies to offer carbon-free eSteam™ to its customers. Operating 19 district energy systems in 12 cities, Vicinity delivers reliable and sustainable steam, hot water, and chilled water to 250 million square feet of building space nationwide. As Vicinity advances its electrification efforts across its locations, the goal to achieve net zero by 2050 is more than a commitment—it's a mission. Learn more about Vicinity's vision for a clean energy future at
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Michigan lawmaker postpones town hall after Minnesota shootings
Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.) has postponed her town hall event on Monday following the weekend shootings of Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota. 'West Michigan, I want nothing more than to hear from you in person during town halls and other events,' Scholten wrote in a post on the social platform X. 'However, after the events of this weekend, Team Scholten has decided to postpone our event tonight in Muskegon for the safety of everyone involved,' the post added. The town hall was scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Monday. The congresswoman said to 'stay tuned' for a new date for the event, adding, 'Keep yourselves safe and well, West Michigan.' The decision was made after the lawmaker was made aware that her name was on a document tied to the suspect in the fatal Minnesota shooting, she said in a statement. Scholten said in the statement that she was canceling her town hall in Michigan 'out of an abundance of caution' and to avoid diverting law enforcement away from broader public safety efforts. Dozens of names were reportedly on the list recovered from a vehicle left at the crime scene over the weekend. The list included prominent state and federal lawmakers and community leaders, along with abortion rights advocates and information about health care facilities, officials told The Associated Press. The Hill has reached out to Scholten's office for additional information. Two Minnesota state lawmakers and their spouses were shot early Saturday morning in what public officials have described as acts of politically motivated violence. Former state Speaker Melissa Hortman (D) and her husband were shot and killed at their home in Brooklyn Park, Minn., while state Sen. John Hoffman (D) and his wife were injured after being shot multiple times at their home in Champlin, Minn., located 8 miles away. The suspect in the shooting, Vance Boelter, was taken into custody Sunday night following the largest manhunt in Minnesota's history. Authorities tracked him down in a field near his home after spotting his abandoned car and cowboy hat. He is facing numerous federal charges, including stalking, murder and shooting, prosecutors announced at a news conference Monday. Some authorities have responded to the shootings by tightening security. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) — who was friends with Hortman and said they dined together Friday night — said earlier Sunday she didn't know if her name was included on the list of targets but that her security was increased without her request. Updated: 3:48 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmaker says she was on alleged target list of suspected Minnesota shooter
A Sunday evening at home with her children took a dark turn for Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Hillary Scholten when she says state police delivered the horrifying news that she was on a suspected killer's alleged target list. "It was truly chilling," Scholten told ABC News on Tuesday, describing the moment she says authorities told her she was among 45 people targeted by the suspect accused of killing Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband at their home on Saturday. The 57-year-old suspected gunman, Vance Boelter, allegedly maintained detailed surveillance notes on his intended victims, including Democratic politicians, abortion-rights advocates and healthcare officials, according to law enforcement sources. MORE: Witness recalls moment she spotted Minnesota shooting suspect Boelter is also accused of wounding Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. Before the fatal shooting at Hortman's home, authorities say he had already attempted to reach two other lawmakers who weren't at their residences. For Scholten, a mother of two boys, her first instinct was to be protective. "As a mom, my first instinct, of course, was to protect my two boys who were at home with me," she said. Scholten told ABC News that local law enforcement responded immediately and stationed troopers outside her home around the clock while the suspect remained at large in a nearby state. She also wants answers to why she was on Boelter's alleged list. "You know, I think that's one of the things we're still trying to figure out, and that we are really pushing the FBI and the Capitol Police to get us answers to," Scholten said. MORE: Children of slain Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman: 'We are devastated' "We will not be intimidated or silenced by an individual like this," Scholten said. "As the first woman in history to do this job, I feel that it is so important to, yes, always be smart and safe, but to continue to push back against this type of violence." While most lawmakers have condemned the shooting. Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee posted images about the suspect with the caption, "Nightmare on Waltz Street" -- an apparent reference to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. "Shame, shame on you. Senator, you know better than that," Scholten told ABC News. "We are talking about a fellow public servant who was killed because of the job that she chose to do; he should immediately take down these horrific and offensive posts and apologize for them. I also hope that my Republican colleagues in the House and the Senate will condemn these actions." Lee ignored questions from reporters about the posts at the Capitol Monday night, and deleted the posts on Tuesday. Scholten told ABC News she has faced threats before and emphasized the need for bipartisan condemnation of political violence. "We need to come together, regardless of party, when this type of violence raises its head and condemn it in the strongest possible terms," she said, noting that Democratic lawmakers united in condemning violence when Louisiana Republican Rep. Steve Scalise was shot in 2017. Despite postponing a town hall meeting due to safety concerns, Scholten said she is determined to continue her work. "I'm making it very clear we're not going to stop this work," she said, characterizing such threats as "true domestic terrorism" aimed at silencing lawmakers from serving their constituents.
CNN
17-06-2025
- Politics
- CNN
‘Truly chilling': Lawmaker on Minnesota shooting suspect's list speaks out
Officials say the suspect accused of shooting Democratic state lawmakers in Minnesota left behind an apparent hit list with dozens of names in his car after exchanging fire with police outside the home of one victim and fleeing the scene. CNN's John Berman speaks with Rep. Hillary Scholten (D) who was on the list.
