Trump's face on new national park passes outrages conservationists

The Department of the Interior announced a series of changes Tuesday for America the Beautiful passes, which cover entry and amenity fees at over 2,000 federally managed areas, including the country’s national parks. Among the differences visitors can expect beginning in 2026 are new digital passes, original artwork featuring President Donald Trump and “America-first” prices that will see international visitors paying steeper fares.

In a DOI new release, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said that the new policies will “ensure that U.S. taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations.”

Beginning in the new year, the cost of the pass — which covers entry for a year — will hold steady at $80 for U.S. residents but jump to $250 for international visitors, while nonresidents without an annual pass will pay an additional fee of $100 per person at 11 of the most visited parks alongside the regular entrance fee. These parks are Acadia National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Everglades National Park, Glacier National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Parks, and Zion National Park. There will also be at least eight new fee-free days for U.S. residents, such as Constitution Day, Independence Day weekend and Trump’s birthday (%@#&¡).

*snip*

In addition to the price hike, the administration is introducing a digital version of the pass that can be linked to a visitor’s mobile device. Both the physical and digital passes will include artwork “featuring bold, patriotic designs that honor America’s landscapes, heritage and outdoor legacy.” A mockup of the new design does away with the traditional images of scenic vistas or species like bighorn sheep and instead shows Trump beside a painted rendering of George Washington — a bold choice that has caused at least one spit take.

In addition to the price hike, the administration is introducing a digital version of the pass that can be linked to a visitor’s mobile device. Both the physical and digital passes will include artwork “featuring bold, patriotic designs that honor America’s landscapes, heritage and outdoor legacy.” A mockup of the new design does away with the traditional images of scenic vistas or species like bighorn sheep and instead shows Trump beside a painted rendering of George Washington — a bold choice that has caused at least one spit take.

*snip*

More at link: https://www.sfgate.com/national-parks/article/trump-face-new-national-park-passes-outrage-21208431.php

President Donald Trump, who has assailed Illinois’ governor and its largest city, denied disaster aid to thousands of Chicago residents even though his administration documented extraordinary damage from two major storms this summer, records obtained by POLITICO’s E&E News show.

Trump’s denials are the first time any president since at least 2007 — including Trump to this point — has refused to help residents recover from such extensive damage to their homes, federal records show.

Trump denied both aid requests from Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Oct. 22, two weeks after saying Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson — both Democrats — “should be in jail” for “failing to protect” federal immigration enforcement officers.

Trump has traded barbs with Illinois officials for months. The president has called Chicago a “hellhole,” drawn protests over immigration raids in the city and tried to dispatch National Guard troops to the state. Pritzker has sued to block the dispatch by Trump — dubbing him a “wannabe dictator.” Johnson has called Trump “a monster.”

Meet Goldie (the golden retriever with too many opinions) and Frenchie (the sassiest French Bulldog on the internet).

This is the first-ever DogPack Pawdcast — and honestly, nothing could’ve prepared us for how it turned out. 😂🐶

As President Donald Trump's sweeping immigration crackdown across the Chicago area continues, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed an Executive Order Thursday morning to "pursue accountability for the people of Illinois amid the federal deployments."

According to a release, the executive order establishes the "Illinois Accountability Commission (IAC)." The commission will act as an independent board, "tasked with capturing and creating a public record of the conduct of federal law enforcement agents and recommending actions to hold the federal government accountable as they continue conducting military-style operations in Chicago, collar counties, and other areas throughout the state," the release said.

*snip*

"The Commission will determine how to safely and prudently collect testimony, hold hearings, and gather information from individuals, community members, subject matter experts, local officials, journalists, faith leaders, and organizations," the release said. "These accounts will be used to shed more light on the misconduct of the Trump Administration's federal agents and document a formal, public record that can be used to pursue justice and accountability."

The order comes in response to the "lack of any federal accountability for escalating federal enforcement actions," the release said, citing masked agents using unmarked vehicles, the use of chemical irritants and more.