Latest news with #TomCole
Perth Now
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
McQualter says Eagles are fighting for their careers
West Coast coach Andrew McQualter says several Eagles have five weeks to fight for their careers in the wake of their disappointing 49-point loss to fellow battlers Richmond. The Eagles have a dozen players out of contract at the end of this season including veterans in Tom Cole, Jamie Cripps and Jayden Hunt as well as top draftee Campbell Chesser and speedster Jack Petruccelle. Co-captain Oscar Allen is also without a new deal at the Eagles beyond 2025 and is widely believed to be headed to Brisbane as a free agent on a six-year deal. West Coast have all but secured a third wooden spoon and could finish with only one win for the season for the first time in their history after the 16.9 (105) to 8.8 (56) defeat to Richmond at Optus Stadium on Saturday night. The Eagles made a whopping 11 list changes last year and are likely to make plenty this off-season through trades, delistings and retirements. Cripps has been open about his desire to play on next year, while Cole was dropped back to the WAFL earlier this year, but his leadership could be needed in defence in the wake of the retirement of five-time All-Australian Jeremy McGovern. Hunt has found himself back in the reserves after he was axed in the wake of their round 16 defeat to Collingwood, while Chesser is yet to make an AFL appearance this year as he's struggled for consistent form since returning from ankle surgery. West Coast defender Tom Cole is out of contract. Credit: Jackson Flindell / The West Australian Petruccelle played his second AFL game for the season against Richmond, playing as the sub once again having not featured since round two against Brisbane. McQualter said there were players who needed to stand up in the last part of the season to hold their spot on the list for next year. 'Every year, that's absolutely what happens. There's list changes every year, there's guys that'll be out of contract and there'll be list changes every year like there are at every club,' he said. 'That's just how the AFL industry works, and the reality is there's five more games for people to fight for their spots.' McQualter conceded there was a void in confidence among the players that is 'hurting deep in the souls of our players' when they would be on top in the game but not get the reward on the scoreboard. The first-year coach said it was a 'simple' fix though. 'You just have to do the work, that's as simple as it is,' McQualter said. 'We just have to keep creating a culture that people want to do the work. They're invested, they care about each other, they care about the team and no one else can do it for you. 'We'll just keep doing the work, we'll keep finding the right people that want to the do the work and build.' Part of that is to find support for young star Harley Reid who starred in the first half against Richmond with 20 disposals and six clearances before he was heavily tagged by Jack Ross. Harley Reid looks to break from a tackle. Credit: Paul Kane / Getty Images Reid went into attack in the final quarter and kicked two of the Eagles' three goals to ensure he continued to have an influence. McQualter said the Eagles had to find players to support Reid into the future. 'It's a difficult position at the moment but as a team we have to find more people and players and ways to not rely on one person,' he said. 'There's no AFL team ever that relies on one player to be good so we're going to keep working hard to find and create players that can keep influencing the game.'
Forbes
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
National Parks May Be Spared Deeper Cuts In 2026 Amid Grassroot Protests
Congress appears to have backed off of deeper slashes to next year's National Park Service budget, as advocacy groups mobilize public support through grassroots campaigns. A billboard in Colorado protests DOGE staffing cuts to the National Park Service. More Perfect Union On Tuesday, a House appropriations subcommittee marked up a budget bill for the Department of the Interior, providing $3.1 billion to the National Park Service (NPS) in 2026—essentially keeping the funding level even with this year's budget, with committee chair Tom Cole, R-Okla., saying 'We are aggressively saving taxpayer dollars while funding our nation's most important needs.' In a letter to the Senate appropriations committee in May, President Trump had recommended cutting $900 million from the NPS budget next year. Since the beginning of President Trump's second term, the NPS has lost 24% of its permanent staff and had filled only 56% of its seasonal summer positions as of early this month, according to the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), a nonprofit advocacy group. On Monday, Rethink the Deal, a nonprofit organization focused on inequities in how federal taxes are distributed, launched a grassroots national storytelling campaign calling on national park visitors to submit personal reflections of how cuts negatively impacted their experience. Last month, advocacy groups called for the public to hijack the government's 'snitch signs' that encourage visitors in federal parks to report information 'negative about either past or living Americans.' In March, a group calling itself the Resistance Rangers—made up of roughly 700 off-duty rangers—mobilized thousands at national parks from California to Maine to protest the Trump administration's firing of at least 1,000 NPS employees. President Trump's agenda has largely followed the playbook laid out in Project 2025, a 920-page policy wish list from the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation, which recommends granting extractive industries—oil, gas, mining, and logging—broad access to federal lands, citing Alaska's 'untapped mineral potential.' The document calls for reducing the size of national monuments, rescinding recent monument designations and making hundreds of millions of acres of public lands eligible for sale. It also recommends killing President Biden's 'America the Beautiful' initiative, which aimed to protect 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030 and address the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and inequitable access to nature. In addition, Project 2025 proposes weakened protections for endangered species, including delisting the gray wolf and grizzly bear. Republicans in Congress have been supportive of this agenda. 'Our nation is stronger because of the work done by [the Department of the Interior] to unleash American energy, strengthen domestic mineral supply chains and promote access to our natural resources. Committee Republicans stand ready to support President Trump and Secretary Burgum in their work,' Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) , the House Committee on Natural Resources chairman said in a statement last month. $55.6 billion. That's how much U.S. national parks visitors injected into local economies in 2023, including $26.4 billion in direct spending, according to an NPS report noting that national park visitation supported 415,000 jobs at local hotels, restaurants, attractions and shops. Comparatively, the parks received $3.6 billion from U.S. taxpayers that year. Congress has cut the NPS budget every year since. In fiscal year 2024 and 2025, Congress appropriated $3.3 billion and $3.1 billion, respectively. Advocacy groups argue the NPS is not a drag on the federal taxpayer but is instead a benefactor. 'The National Park Service is only a tiny slice of our federal budget—less than one-fifteenth of one percent—yet delivers significant economic benefits, with more than $15 in economic activity generated for every dollar invested,' according to a NPCA statement. The bill advances to the full House Appropriations Committee and, if approved, will proceed to the House floor for debate and a vote. If it passes the House, it moves to the Senate for a similar process, all of which may take weeks or months. National park advocacy groups say it's too early for protests to ease. 'Today's subcommittee markup is a positive step, but there's still a long road ahead,' a spokesperson for Rethink the Deal told Forbes. 'Between the Administration's proposed cuts and the staffing crisis created by DOGE, it's clear our national parks are being treated as a burden rather than economic engines that contribute $55.6 billion to local economies.' Crucial Quote The proposed budget cuts were 'nothing less than an all-out assault on America's national parks,' Theresa Pierno, president and CEO of the NPCA, said in a statement in May. 'This is the most extreme, unrealistic and destructive National Park Service budget a President has ever proposed in the agency's 109-year history.' Tangent Last year, a Pew Research survey found 76% of Americans have a favorable opinion about the National Park Service—the most popular of 16 agencies, beating the U.S. Post Office (72%), NASA (67%) and the CDC (55%). At the bottom of the favorability barrel were the IRS (38%) and the Justice Department (43%). Further Reading National Park Service To Be Hit With 1,500 Additional Layoffs And Deep Budget Cuts, Reports Say (Forbes) FULL HEARING: Interior Secretary Doug Burgum Testifies Before The House Natural Resources Committee (Forbes Video)
The Independent
30-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
What are sash windows? UK costs, how they work, and pros and cons
If you are looking to get your windows replaced and you are researching prices from the best window installers, you will probably have noticed that sash windows are costlier than other styles. And if you are wondering what sash windows are, rest assured you're not alone. These traditional windows have a unique design that affects how they work, how much they cost, and how you clean or paint them. Sash windows, which slide up and down rather than opening outwards, are commonly found on Georgian or Victorian houses and date back to at least the 1670s. They are often found in conservation areas, which means that they can only be replaced with another sash window in order to maintain the look of the house and comply with local rules. In this expert guide, we look at why sash windows cost more than regular windows and whether they are worth it, taking in analysis from an expert sash window fitter. But first, let's explain how sash windows work. What is a sash in a window? A sash in a window is the frame that holds the glass panes in place. In sash windows, there are usually two sashes that slide vertically past each other within the frame. Each sash can move independently to allow for ventilation. How do sash windows work? Sash windows work by using a system of cords and counterweights hidden within the frame. These weights balance the sashes, making them easy to lift and hold in position. Some modern versions use springs instead of weights. Why do sash windows cost more? Tom Coles, managing director of Mitchell & Dickinson, a company which makes period homes warmer and restores sash windows, said: 'A sliding sash window has many more components than a casement window. The sashes themselves are carefully positioned so that they run past each other. There's more manufacturing work to do, there's more components, and they need to be set really carefully so that they function perfectly.' Sash windows usually have two sliding panels, called sashes. Each sash holds a sheet of glass divided by glazing bars to create the look of multiple small panes. To keep the sashes from moving on their own, they are counterbalanced by weights fitted inside the window frames, connected by ropes. This slightly more mechanically complex arrangement makes them more expensive to make and to fit. To work well, they need to fit closely in their frames to prevent draughts while still moving freely — engineering that adds further to the cost. Traditionally, they are made of wood, which creates further challenges, since it is a comparatively expensive building material and it can also expand or contract with temperature changes and damp. Newer models can be made of uPVC plastic, which is cheaper and does not rot or expand. Aluminium sash windows are also an option but with fewer suppliers and models available. Aluminium, wood, and uPVC windows can be single, double or triple-glazed. Another reason for expense is a lack of standardisation. Many Victorian properties will have fairly uniform 4-foot-wide windows. But they were not factory-made and can often vary slightly in size, meaning that each window will require a degree of customisation to make sure it fits, adding to the cost. Are sash windows draughty? Older sash windows can become draughty over time if the seals wear out or the timber shrinks. However, many modern sash windows include draught-proofing strips and double glazing to keep homes warm and energy efficient. How to open sash windows safely To open a sash window, unlock it first. Then, hold the bottom sash on each side and gently lift it upwards. For ventilation, you can also lower the top sash slightly while raising the bottom sash, which creates airflow around the room. How to clean and paint sash windows To clean sash windows, tilt or lift the sashes to access both sides of the glass. Use a gentle cleaner and a soft cloth to avoid damaging the frames. If you need to paint them, remove any old flaking paint, sand the surface lightly, and use a specialist wood paint for a lasting finish. Are sash windows worth it? In short, sash windows are considered by many to be prettier. However, they are more expensive to make and maintain because they are more complicated and nonstandard compared to a hinged casement window. Mr Coles said: 'Sash windows are a real piece of Britain's architectural heritage. They were designed so that you could drop the top sash down and pull the bottom sash up slightly, and it creates air flow around the window. It was a clever bit of Victorian and Georgian engineering.' 'They've definitely got their place, and of course they're kind of beautiful to look at and beautiful to operate.' How much do sash windows cost? The average cost of replacement of a sash window is £1,300, according to our survey of suppliers, with wood frames costing more and uPVC being cheaper. In London, you will pay more, with prices ranging from £2,500 to £5,000 per window for wooden frames and double glazing. If you are having multiple windows replaced at once, you can often negotiate a lower price per window because travel and setup costs are reduced. Repairs can range from £80 to just under £500 to restore the look of the frame, repair the cord, or draught-proof the window, depending on how much work needs to be done. If you have a row of sash windows and don't insist on opening all of them, then you can save on repairs by sealing some shut.
Bloomberg
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
US Congressional Iran Briefings Postponed After Ceasefire Agreement
Bipartisan congressional briefings on the weekend US strike on Iranian nuclear facilities have been postponed as Iran and Israel appeared Tuesday to honor a ceasefire agreement. 'I don't know if this is good news or bad news but the briefing on Iran has been postponed so we'll all be able to stay here and work,' House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole said at a committee meeting.
E&E News
24-06-2025
- Business
- E&E News
House appropriators to advance more fiscal 2026 bills
House appropriators will pick up where they left off before last week's recess with a vote on their Agriculture proposal and a flurry of markups for other bills. The full House will also vote on its first fiscal 2026 spending bill: Republicans' Military Construction-Veterans Affairs plan. The Appropriations Committee has postponed its release of the Interior-Environment bill while the panel catches up on previously scheduled markups that were derailed by a former lawmaker's funeral and other events earlier this month. Democrats are also introducing numerous amendments, forcing markups to go long. Advertisement Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) is pursuing an aggressive markup schedule with the hope of getting all 12 fiscal 2026 spending bills across the House floor later this summer.
