National Guard in D.C., USDA's Fly Program, and Reviving High-Tech Manufacturing

In Episode 153 of the U.S. News Daily Brief, Bob begins with a welcome and introduction before discussing the deployment of the National Guard and visa issues in Washington, D.C., highlighting the challenges faced in managing security and immigration. The episode then moves to the USDA's efforts in sterile fly production in response to the resurgence of screwworm, underscoring the importance of pest control in agriculture. Bob also examines the decline in high-tech manufacturing and the ongoing efforts to revitalize this crucial sector, exploring potential impacts on the economy and innovation. The episode concludes with a wrap-up and an invitation to stay informed with future updates.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Welcome back to U.S.

(00:02):
News Daily, your go-to update on the latesthappenings across the United States.
I’m your host, Bob, and this is a MagicPod,produced by PodcastAI.
Want to create your own MagicPod?
Click the link in the show notes.
Alright, let’s dive in.
First up...

(00:24):
In a significant development, the Trumpadministration's crackdown in Washington, D.C.
is expanding as the national guard is set to bedeployed by three more states.
West Virginia, South Carolina, and Ohio haveall announced plans to send hundreds of
national guard troops to the nation's capital.
This move is part of the administration'sbroader effort to overhaul policing in the city

(00:47):
through a federal crackdown.
West Virginia is deploying between threehundred to four hundred guard troops, South
Carolina is sending two hundred, and Ohio plansto dispatch one hundred fifty in the coming
days.
This decision follows the initial deployment ofnational guard troops to the streets of D.C.,
marking a new phase in the Trumpadministration's approach.

(01:10):
However, crime prevention workers haveexpressed skepticism about the effectiveness of
this strategy, arguing that it does little toaddress systemic cycles of violence and
property crime.
As this controversial policy unfolds,Democratic cities across the country are
bracing for its impacts, with mayors fromSeattle to Baltimore vowing to protect their

(01:30):
cities both legally and otherwise.
The United States State Department hasannounced a temporary suspension on the
issuance of visitor visas for individuals fromthe Gaza Strip, citing a need for a thorough
review of their current processes.
This suspension includes children who are inneed of urgent medical care.
The State Department stated, "All visitor visasfor individuals from Gaza are being stopped

(01:55):
while we conduct a full and thorough review ofthe process and procedures used to issue a
small number of temporary medical-humanitarianvisas in recent days." This move has raised
concerns among humanitarian organizations andmedical professionals who are worried about the
impact on those seeking urgent medicaltreatment.
Statistics from the State Department revealthat from January to the end of May 2025, a

(02:20):
total of three thousand eight hundred and fourclass B1 and B2 visas were issued to
individuals with Palestinian Authority traveldocuments.
While the data does not specify the purpose ofthese trips or how many visas were B1 for
business or B2 for tourism and medicaltreatment, the suspension could affect those
planning to enter the United States for suchpurposes.

(02:43):
In a recent case, HEAL Palestine, an Americannonprofit organization, facilitated the
transfer of eleven severely injured Palestinianchildren along with twenty-six accompanying
family members from Gaza to the United Statesfor medical treatment.
These children, suffering from criticalinjuries such as amputations, severe burns, and

(03:05):
trauma-related complications, were able tocross into Jordan with the help of the World
Health Organization before planning to enterthe United States in August.
The suspension of visas raises questions aboutfuture medical transfers and the humanitarian
impact on the region.
The United States Department of Agriculture isset to invest seven hundred fifty million

(03:28):
dollars to build a new sterile fly productionfacility in Edinburg, Texas, in response to the
growing threat of the New World screwworm.
This flesh-eating parasite has been movingnorthward from Central America, posing a
significant risk to cattle and other livestockin the United States.
The new plant will produce about three hundredmillion sterile flies per week, which will be

(03:50):
released in areas infested by the screwworm tohelp control its spread.
U.S.
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollinshighlighted the importance of this initiative
during a meeting with Governor Greg Abbott inAustin.
Rollins emphasized that the construction ofthis facility is crucial for maintaining the
safety and resilience of the Americanagricultural industry.

(04:12):
In addition to the new plant, the United StatesDepartment of Agriculture has allocated up to
one hundred million dollars for developingtechnologies that can speed up the production
of sterile flies.
The effort to combat the screwworm is not justlimited to the new facility.
An existing building at Moore Air Base inEdinburg is also being modified to serve as a

(04:34):
sterile fly dispersal center.
This eight and a half million dollar facilitycould be operational by the end of the year,
ready to deploy sterile flies if needed in theUnited States and northern Mexico.
The New World screwworm, which was eradicatedfrom the United States decades ago, has
re-emerged as a threat.
It was once a major problem for ranchers,costing about two hundred million dollars per

(04:58):
year in livestock losses during themid-twentieth century.
The current resurgence has raised alarm,prompting swift action from federal and state
officials to prevent a repeat of history.
Now, let's shift our focus to the decline ofhigh-tech manufacturing in the United States, a
topic that's been gaining attention.
As automation becomes more prevalent inmanufacturing, the number of jobs in this

(05:22):
sector has significantly decreased.
While manufacturing output has remainedrelatively flat since 2000, employment in this
sector has plummeted by over fifty percent.
This decline is raising concerns about thefuture of American manufacturing and the
economic implications it may have.
The discourse around this issue often centerson two main points.

(05:46):
First, there's the argument that bringingmanufacturing back to the United States could
provide middle-class wages for those currentlyin low-wage service jobs, especially as
artificial intelligence threatens to displacemore workers.
However, this view is met with skepticism, asmodern manufacturing is highly automated and
does not require as many human workers as itonce did.

(06:09):
The second point is more about nationalsecurity.
There's a belief that the United States shouldbring back manufacturing to ensure
self-sufficiency in the event of geopoliticaltensions, particularly with countries like
China.
This would mean having the capability toproduce essential goods domestically, reducing
dependency on foreign suppliers.

(06:30):
While this may be achievable, it requiressignificant investment in time and capital.
Critics argue that the decline in high-techmanufacturing could lead to a loss of critical
skills and knowledge, impacting the country'sability to innovate and maintain its
competitive edge globally.
As traditional manufacturing skills atrophy,the United States may find itself at a

(06:52):
disadvantage, particularly in industriesreliant on specialized craftsmanship and
industrial expertise.
The conversation about revitalizing Americanmanufacturing is complex, involving economic,
political, and social dimensions.
While automation offers efficiency and costsavings, it also challenges the traditional

(07:12):
employment model.
As the nation grapples with these changes, thefuture of manufacturing remains a critical
issue that will require careful considerationand strategic planning.
Alright, that's a wrap for this episode.
If you enjoyed this brief, and would like tostay updated on latest episodes, don’t forget
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(07:35):
Thanks again for listening, and hope to catchyou next time.