The iconic ‘Walking Man’ Hawkes sign in Westbrook, Maine, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019.
Ben McCanna/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty ImagesMichael R. Allen, West Virginia University
President Donald Trump’s proposed fiscal year 2026 discretionary budget is called a “skinny budget” because it’s short on line-by-line details.
But historic preservation efforts in the U.S. did get a mention – and they might as well be skinned to the bone.
Trump has proposed to slash funding for the federal Historic Preservation Fund to only $11 million, which is $158 million less than the fund’s previous reauthorization in 2024. The presidential discretionary budget, however, always heads to Congress for appropriation. And Congress always makes changes.
That said, the Trump administration hasn’t even released the $188 million that Congress appropriated for the fund for the 2025 fiscal year, essentially impounding the funding stream that Congress created in 1976 for historic preservation activities across the nation.
I’m a scholar of historic preservation who’s worked to secure historic designations for buildings and entire neighborhoods. I’ve worked on projects that range from making distressed neighborhoods in St. Louis eligible for historic tax credits to surveying Cold War-era hangars and buildings on seven U.S. Air Force bases.
I’ve seen the ways in which the Historic Preservation Fund helps local communities maintain and rehabilitate their rich architectural history, sparing it from deterioration, the wrecking ball or the pressures of the private market.
A rare, deficit-neutral funding model
Most Americans probably don’t realize that the task of historic preservation largely falls to individual states and Native American tribes.
The National Historic Preservation Act that President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law in 1966 requires states and tribes to handle everything from identifying potential historic sites to reviewing the impact of interstate highway projects on archaeological sites and historic buildings. States and tribes are also responsible for reviewing nominations of sites in the National Register of Historic Places, the nation’s official list of properties deemed worthy of preservation.
However, many states and tribes didn’t have the capacity to adequately tackle the mandates of the 1966 act. So the Historic Preservation Fund was formed a decade later to alleviate these costs by funneling federal resources into these efforts.
The fund is actually the product of a conservative, limited-government approach.
Created during Gerald Ford’s administration, it has a revenue-neutral model, meaning that no tax dollars pay for the program. Instead, it’s funded by private lease royalties from the Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas reserves.
Most of these reserves are located in federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico and off the coast of Alaska. Private companies that receive a permit to extract from them must agree to a lease with the federal government. Royalties from their oil and gas sales accrue in federally controlled accounts under the terms of these leases. The Office of Natural Resources Revenue then directs 1.5% of the total royalties to the Historic Preservation Fund.
Congress must continually reauthorize the amount of funding reserved for the Historic Preservation Fund, or it goes unfunded.
Boston’s Fenway Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012, making it eligible for preservation grants and federal tax incentives.Winslow Townson/Getty Images
Despite bipartisan support, the fund has been threatened in the past. President Ronald Reagan attempted to do exactly what Trump is doing now by making no request for funding at all in his 1983 budget. Yet the fund has nonetheless been reauthorized six times since its inception, with terms ranging from five to 10 years.
The program is a crucial source of funding, particularly in small towns and rural America, where privately raised cultural heritage funds are harder to come by. It provides grants for the preservation of buildings and geographical areas that hold historical, cultural or spiritual significance in underrepresented communities. And it’s even involved in projects tied to the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026, such as the rehabilitation of the home in New Jersey where George Washington was stationed during the winter of 1778-79 and the restoration of Rhode Island’s Old State House.
Filling financial gaps
I’ve witnessed the fund’s impact firsthand in small communities across the nation.
Edwardsville, Illinois, a suburb of St. Louis, is home to the Leclaire Historic District. In the 1970s, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The national designation recognized the historic significance of the district, protecting it against any adverse impacts from federal infrastructure funding. It also made tax credits available to the town. Edwardsville then designated LeClaire a local historic district so that it could legally protect the indelible architectural features of its homes, from original decorative details to the layouts of front porches.
Despite the designation, however, there was no clear inventory of the hundreds of houses in the district. A few paid staffers and a volunteer citizen commission not only had to review proposed renovations and demolitions, but they also had to figure out which buildings even contributed to LeClaire’s significance and which ones did not – and thus did not need to be tied up in red tape.
The Allen House is one of approximately 415 single-family homes in the Leclaire neighborhood in Edwardsville, Ill.Friends of Leclaire
Edwardsville was able to secure a grant through the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office thanks to a funding match enabled by money disbursed to Illinois via the Historic Preservation Fund.
In 2013, my team created an updated inventory of the historic district, making it easier for the local commission to determine which houses should be reviewed carefully and which ones don’t need to be reviewed at all.
Oil money better than no money
The historic preservation field, not surprisingly, has come out strongly against Trump’s proposal to defund the Historic Preservation Fund.
Nonetheless, there have been debates within the field over the fund’s dependence on the fossil fuel industry, which was the trade-off that preservationists made decades ago when they crafted the funding model.
In the 1970s, amid the national energy crisis, conservation of existing buildings was seen as a worthy ecological goal, since demolition and new construction required fossil fuels. To preservationists, diverting federal carbon royalties seemed like a power play.
But with the effects of climate change becoming impossible to ignore, some preservationists are starting to more openly critique both the ethics and the wisdom of tapping into a pool of money created through the profits of the oil and gas industry. I’ve recently wondered myself if continued depletion of fossil fuels means that preservationists won’t be able to count on the Historic Preservation Fund as a long-term source of funding.
That said, you’d be hard-pressed to find a preservationist who thinks that destroying the Historic Preservation Fund would be a good first step in shaping a more visionary policy.
For now, Trump’s administration has only sown chaos in the field of historic preservation. Already, Ohio has laid off one-third of the staffers in its State Historic Preservation Office due to the impoundment of federal funds. More state preservation offices may follow suit. The National Council of State Historic Preservation Officers predicts that states soon could be unable to perform their federally mandated duties.
Unfortunately, many people advocating for places important to their towns and neighborhoods may end up learning the hard way just what the Historic Preservation Fund does.
Michael R. Allen, Visiting Assistant Professor of History, West Virginia University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
MALMÖ, Sweden /PRNewswire/ — Guided by the vision of creating a better everyday life for the many people, Ingka Group, the largest IKEA retailer, is stepping up efforts to support customers with low price while ensuring long-term growth. In many IKEA markets around the world*, the price of restaurant meals will be halved Monday through Friday, and children will eat for free.
IKEA reduces food prices (photo credit IKEA)
With hundreds of millions of guests visiting IKEA restaurants every year, the company aims to inspire a better everyday life through food that is healthier, more sustainable, and affordable. As part of ongoing investments in the in-store experience, Ingka Group is introducing this price drop to help people stretch their budgets, nourish their families, and find a little more joy.
For example, in France, the price of lunch for a family of four, which includes two hot-meals with meatballs for adults and two meals for kids, will cost EUR 6.96 instead of EUR 19.9. In addition, all restaurant guests will receive a EUR 5 voucher to use in-store.
“Food has always been very important for IKEA, and we wanted to enable even more people to enjoy our restaurant offer while exploring our home furnishing range,” says Tolga Öncü, Ingka Retail Manager (COO) at IKEA Retail (Ingka Group). “Securing the lowest possible price for our products is always our utmost goal, and this is even more important in today’s times of economic uncertainties and cost-of-living pressures.”
At the same time, IKEA is refreshing its food offer with new dishes inspired by Asian flavours, expanding affordable, healthy options for customers.
“We always look for ways to bring more variety to our food offer, especially with new plant-based options,” says Lorena Lourido Gomez, Global Food Manager, IKEA Retail (Ingka Group). “We will soon launch our very first falafel, adding this popular food to our restaurants and, later, to our Swedish Food Markets. Good quality, low price, and making a positive difference for the planet – those ingredients remain a guiding star for our food business.”
Heading toward the end of FY25, IKEA remains focused on helping customers make the most of their finances while delivering value through both food and home furnishing.
*Austria, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, UK.
Slate Auto made waves in early 2025 by announcing an electric pickup truck with a revolutionary promise: a starting price under $20,000. With a minimalist, modular design and direct-to-consumer sales model, the company hoped to disrupt the industry by delivering a rugged, no-frills EV that everyday drivers could actually afford.
But that promise may now be broken.
In July 2025, the newly passed “Big Beautiful Bill” from President Donald Trump eliminated the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, a cornerstone of Slate’s pricing model. And as of now, Slate has quietly removed its sub-$20K price claims, signaling a dramatic shift in its market positioning.
What Was the Original Plan?
Slate Auto’s vision was simple:
Base price of the pickup: ~$25,000 Subtract $7,500 tax credit → final cost: $17,500 Optional bolt-on accessories and upgrades for customization
This formula positioned the Slate truck as a compelling solution for tradespeople, students, rural drivers, and eco-conscious buyers seeking low-cost alternatives to gas trucks.
What Changed?
The Trump administration’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” passed in July 2025, includes a provision that eliminates all federal EV tax credits starting September 30, 2025. That means:
No more $7,500 off at the point of sale Budget EVs like Slate’s are left to float—or sink—on their true retail pricing EV industry analysts warn of broader slowdowns in adoption
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For Slate, it means their truck is no longer “America’s first under-$20K EV pickup.” Instead, the expected price now ranges from $25,000 to $27,500, and could rise to $35K with add-ons—putting it closer to competitors like the Ford Maverick Hybrid and Chevy Equinox EV.
The Fallout
This change hits hard for Slate, which built its brand on simplicity and accessibility. Without the tax credit:
Entry-level customers are priced out Preorder holders may cancel based on unexpected price hikes Market differentiation is weakened, as affordability was Slate’s primary value proposition
Meanwhile, critics argue the rollback of tax credits slows EV adoption at a critical time in the climate fight. Environmental groups and consumer advocates are already pushing back, saying the bill disproportionately hurts low- and middle-income Americans who were just beginning to consider electric vehicles.
What’s Next for Slate?
Slate says it still plans to begin production in late 2026, but without the EV credit, it must rework its pricing strategy and value offering. Possibilities include:
Offering fewer standard features Creating stripped-down fleet or worksite models Lobbying for state-level incentives to offset federal losses
Whether these changes will be enough to keep Slate competitive remains to be seen.
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Final Thoughts
The electric vehicle space is undergoing seismic shifts, and the demise of the federal EV tax credit is likely to create ripple effects across the industry. For Slate Auto, the dream of a sub-$20K EV pickup may be over—but if they can pivot wisely, the company could still carve out a niche in the fast-evolving electric truck market.
Dive into “The Knowledge,” where curiosity meets clarity. This playlist, in collaboration with STMDailyNews.com, is designed for viewers who value historical accuracy and insightful learning. Our short videos, ranging from 30 seconds to a minute and a half, make complex subjects easy to grasp in no time. Covering everything from historical events to contemporary processes and entertainment, “The Knowledge” bridges the past with the present. In a world where information is abundant yet often misused, our series aims to guide you through the noise, preserving vital knowledge and truths that shape our lives today. Perfect for curious minds eager to discover the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of everything around us. Subscribe and join in as we explore the facts that matter. https://stmdailynews.com/the-knowledge/
In an exciting development for astronomers and space enthusiasts alike, scientists have confirmed the discovery of a new interstellar object—officially named 3I/ATLAS—currently passing through our solar system. This marks only the third known object from another star system to visit us, following the mysterious ‘Oumuamua in 2017 and the icy 2I/Borisov in 2019.
The object was first detected on July 1, 2025, by the ATLAS telescope in Chile. Initially cataloged as A11pl3Z, further analysis confirmed that its speed and orbital trajectory are hyperbolic—meaning it’s not bound by the Sun’s gravity and is merely passing through, just like its rare predecessors.
What Do We Know About 3I/ATLAS?
Origin: The object’s interstellar origin is confirmed by its high velocity—traveling at around 60 km/s (37 miles per second)—and its hyperbolic orbit. Composition: Unlike ‘Oumuamua, which sparked debate due to its lack of a visible tail, 3I/ATLAS appears to be a comet, exhibiting a faint coma and short dust tail. Size: The comet’s nucleus could be as large as 10 kilometers (6 miles) across, though dust and debris around it may be inflating those estimates. Distance from Earth: It will come no closer than 150 to 240 million miles, posing no threat to our planet. Visibility: It’s currently about 420 million miles from the Sun and will reach its closest approach (perihelion) around October 29–30, 2025. After briefly disappearing behind the Sun, it may reappear for additional observation in December.
🚨 A comet from another star system is flying through our solar system right now! 🌠 Meet 3I/ATLAS — only the 3rd interstellar object ever seen! 👽✨ SpaceTok 3IATLAS Oumuamua Interstellar ScienceTok AstronomyFacts DidYouKnow CosmicVisitor #STMDailyNews https://stmdailynews.com/a-new-interstell…our-solar-system/ ♬ original sound – STMDailyNews – STMDailyNews
Why Interstellar Objects Matter
Interstellar objects are not just celestial curiosities—they are time capsules carrying information about the environments where they formed, likely in entirely different star systems. Their compositions, movements, and structures give scientists rare glimpses into the diversity of planetary building blocks in our galaxy.
‘Oumuamua puzzled scientists with its unusual shape and lack of comet-like activity, while 2I/Borisov looked more like a traditional comet. Now, 3I/ATLAS gives us another chance to compare and contrast these space travelers and deepen our understanding of how solar systems form and evolve.
Eyes on the Sky
Though faint and fast-moving, 3I/ATLAS is already being tracked by observatories around the world. With modern telescopes and tools that weren’t available even a decade ago, astronomers are optimistic about gathering unprecedented data on this rare visitor.
Whether you’re a seasoned stargazer or a casual cosmic tourist, it’s thrilling to know that something from another solar system is soaring through our cosmic backyard—reminding us of the vastness and wonder of the universe.
Dive into “The Knowledge,” where curiosity meets clarity. This playlist, in collaboration with STMDailyNews.com, is designed for viewers who value historical accuracy and insightful learning. Our short videos, ranging from 30 seconds to a minute and a half, make complex subjects easy to grasp in no time. Covering everything from historical events to contemporary processes and entertainment, “The Knowledge” bridges the past with the present. In a world where information is abundant yet often misused, our series aims to guide you through the noise, preserving vital knowledge and truths that shape our lives today. Perfect for curious minds eager to discover the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of everything around us. Subscribe and join in as we explore the facts that matter. https://stmdailynews.com/the-knowledge/
🧠 Forgotten Genius Fridays
A Short-Form Series from The Knowledge by STM Daily News
Every Friday, STM Daily News shines a light on brilliant minds history overlooked.
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Forgotten Genius Fridays is a weekly collection of short videos and articles dedicated to inventors, innovators, scientists, and creators whose impact changed the world—but whose names were often left out of the textbooks.
From life-saving inventions and cultural breakthroughs to game-changing ideas buried by bias, our series digs up the truth behind the minds that mattered.
Each episode of The Knowledge runs 30–90 seconds, designed for curious minds on the go—perfect for YouTube Shorts, TikTok, Reels, and quick reads.
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Because remembering these stories isn’t just about the past—it’s about restoring credit where it’s long overdue.
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