WASHINGTON (FNN) – From the heartland to the coasts, members of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet have fanned out across the country in recent weeks, visiting factories, farms, airports, universities, veterans facilities and community health centers to promote the administration’s policy priorities.

The visits have focused on a broad range of issues, including domestic manufacturing, energy production, infrastructure, small-business growth, veterans’ care, agriculture, border security and workforce development.

The appearances also have given Cabinet officials an opportunity to point to specific projects and investments they say demonstrate the impact of the administration’s America First agenda.

Manufacturing and Economic Growth

Economic policy has been a recurring theme.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent visited Vermeer Corp. in Pella, Iowa, where he promoted federal tax cuts as a catalyst for new manufacturing investment. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick likewise highlighted domestic manufacturing during a visit to Apple’s advanced manufacturing center in Houston.

In Indiana, Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler toured a manufacturer and met with farmers and other small-business owners. In Virginia, she visited another small manufacturer to discuss federal lending programs and tax provisions affecting small businesses.

Loeffler and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer also toured Titan Tire in Des Moines, Iowa, where they discussed trade policy and the administration’s economic agenda with workers and company officials.

Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling made manufacturing and workforce development another focus, visiting facilities in Texas, Iowa and Ohio to discuss labor shortages, advanced manufacturing and workforce preparation.

Infrastructure and Transportation

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has used several stops to highlight federal infrastructure investments.

During a visit to Michigan, Duffy toured Gerald R. Ford International Airport and discussed modernization of air traffic control systems. In Tampa, he announced federal funding for transportation and maritime projects, including a $16.5 million Federal Transit Administration award for a passenger ferry connecting Tampa and St. Petersburg.

Duffy also highlighted infrastructure improvements planned at Tampa International Airport and a federal shipyard grant intended to support infrastructure upgrades and welder training.

In Cincinnati, Duffy announced a multibillion-dollar investment in the nation’s rail system, describing the effort as part of what he called a new era of American rail development.

Energy and Natural Resources

Energy Secretary Chris Wright traveled to Texas’ Permian Basin to promote increased domestic oil and gas production.

Wright’s visit included a stop at an ExxonMobil oil rig and was part of the Energy Department’s Great American Energy Comeback Tour, underscoring the administration’s emphasis on expanding domestic energy production.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum also traveled to Wisconsin, where he announced 111 new hunting and fishing opportunities across the national wildlife refuge system.

The announcement reflected another administration priority: expanding public access to federal lands while promoting outdoor recreation.

Health Care and Veterans

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made several stops focused on health care and public health.

In California, Kennedy visited Castle Family Health Centers in Atwater to announce a $102 million investment in rural health care centers. In Iowa, he promoted a new presidential fitness test during a visit to a YMCA, where he watched children participate in exercises including push-ups and planks.

Kennedy also appeared in California alongside Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner to promote the administration’s approach to homelessness and addiction, including a greater emphasis on treatment and faith-based organizations.

Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins has similarly traveled to local communities to discuss veterans’ services. During a visit to the Omaha VA, Collins highlighted women’s health and the expansion of care for younger veterans. He later participated in the Iowa State Fair’s annual Veterans Day Parade.

Agriculture and Border Security

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has focused on issues affecting farmers, food assistance and agricultural security.

In Texas, Rollins joined federal officials to discuss efforts to combat the New World screwworm, including plans to use drones to help identify infected animals and prevent their movement across the U.S.-Mexico border.

In Colorado, Rollins met with farmers and agricultural producers to discuss federal support for the industry and defended changes to federal food assistance programs, including new work requirements.

Commerce Secretary Lutnick also met with farmers in California to discuss challenges facing agriculture and the administration’s push to expand U.S. agricultural exports.

Homeland Security and National Security

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin traveled to Alaska for stops in Anchorage and Kodiak.

In Anchorage, Mullin toured a U.S. Customs and Border Protection cargo screening facility and met with Transportation Security Administration workers at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. He later traveled to Kodiak, where he toured the Coast Guard base and received briefings on homeland security and federal investments in the service.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also made a public appearance at the Iowa State Fair, where he spoke about U.S. troops and national security.

Education and Workforce Development

Education Secretary Linda McMahon has continued a national tour of colleges and universities, with a stop at Kansas State University marking her 40th campus visit.

Her visit included a focus on the university’s veterinary programs, research and extension work.

Labor Department officials have similarly emphasized the connection between education and employment. Sonderling’s visit to Ohio State University’s Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence highlighted advanced manufacturing research and efforts to prepare students for the modern workforce.

A Nationwide Message

Taken together, the visits illustrate a deliberate effort by the Trump administration to bring Cabinet officials directly into communities and connect federal policy with local businesses, workers, farmers, veterans and public institutions.

The events have varied widely in subject matter — from oil production in Texas and manufacturing in Iowa to transportation projects in Florida and health care investments in California — but administration officials have presented them as parts of a broader economic and national policy agenda.

The strategy also puts local lawmakers and community leaders alongside Cabinet officials, giving federal initiatives a visible connection to individual states and congressional districts.

For the administration, the message is straightforward: America First policies are intended not simply to be announced in Washington, but demonstrated through investments, projects and policy changes taking place in communities across the country.

Family calls for release of official autopsy findings, transparency and answers surrounding death of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells

BILOXI, Miss. (FNN NEWS) — National civil rights attorney Ben Crump joined the family of Nolan Xavier Wells and prominent faith leader Dr. Jamal Bryant on Wednesday for a prayer rally marking what would have been Wells’ 19th birthday.

The gathering at Greater St. John AME Church in Biloxi honored Wells’ life while amplifying his family’s continuing demands for answers, transparency and accountability surrounding his death.

FAMILY CONTINUES FIGHT FOR ANSWERS

Rather than celebrating Nolan’s 19th birthday with him, his family gathered with community members, faith leaders and advocates to remember his life and continue their pursuit of the truth about what happened to him.

The Wells family is calling for the release of the official autopsy findings and greater transparency from state investigators.

The rally provided the family with a public platform to keep attention focused on unanswered questions surrounding Nolan’s death while seeking support from the broader community.

BEN CRUMP JOINS FAMILY’S CALL FOR TRANSPARENCY

Crump’s participation brings national attention to the family’s search for answers.

The civil rights and personal injury attorney has represented families in numerous high-profile cases involving deaths, civil rights and allegations of government or institutional misconduct.

His appearance alongside the Wells family underscored their demand that authorities provide information needed to establish a clearer account of the circumstances surrounding Nolan’s death.

The family’s requests for transparency remain allegations and demands for information; authorities’ findings should be distinguished from claims that have not yet been independently established.

DR. JAMAL BRYANT LEADS FAITH COMMUNITY IN SUPPORT

Bryant joined Crump, the Wells family and community members as the gathering combined remembrance with prayer and calls for accountability.

The prominent pastor and civil rights advocate has frequently used his national platform to address social justice issues affecting Black communities.

The Biloxi gathering brought the legal, faith and local communities together around the Wells family’s effort to obtain answers.

A 19TH BIRTHDAY MARKED BY PRAYER

The timing of the rally carried particular significance for Nolan’s family.

Wednesday would have marked his 19th birthday.

Instead, family members and supporters gathered at the church to celebrate his memory and reinforce their commitment to finding out what happened.

The rally began at 7 p.m. CDT at Greater St. John AME Church, 551 Division St. in Biloxi.

CALL FOR AUTOPSY FINDINGS AND INVESTIGATIVE TRANSPARENCY

Central to the family’s demands is the release of Nolan’s official autopsy findings.

The family also wants state investigators to provide greater transparency regarding the investigation and the circumstances surrounding his death.

Until official findings are released, significant questions surrounding the case remain unresolved.

For Nolan’s family, Wednesday night’s gathering was both a memorial and a public declaration that their search for answers will continue.

What would have been a milestone birthday instead became a call for truth, transparency and accountability.

MEXICO CITY (FNN SPORTS) — The U.S. Under-19 Men’s National Team advanced to its fifth consecutive Concacaf U-20 Championship final with a 2-0 semifinal victory over Costa Rica on Friday at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City.

Ruben Ramos scored in the 36th minute and captain Christopher Applewhite added the insurance goal in the 76th as the United States continued its run of championship-game appearances dating to 2017.

The Americans finished with a 17-8 advantage in total shots and put seven attempts on goal while limiting Costa Rica to two shots on target.

Ramos Breaks Through in First Half

The United States controlled much of the early action and created several opportunities during the opening 20 minutes.

Forward Jaidyn Contreras repeatedly challenged the Costa Rican defense and delivered dangerous service into the penalty area, helping the Americans generate multiple set-piece opportunities.

The breakthrough finally came in the 36th minute.

Costa Rica defender Emmanuel Brenes attempted to play the ball out of his own half, but U.S. midfielder Alexander Shaw intercepted the pass and directed the ball forward to Ramos.

Ramos advanced into space before firing a right-footed shot from distance. The attempt took a slight deflection off a Costa Rican defender, changing its path and beating goalkeeper Ian O’Rourke to give the United States a 1-0 lead.

The goal was Ramos’ fourth in five tournament matches.

U.S. Defense Protects Lead

The United States continued pressing after halftime.

Ramos nearly scored again in the 59th minute, unleashing a powerful left-footed shot that forced O’Rourke into a two-handed save.

Costa Rica attempted to find an equalizer as the second half progressed, but the American defense held firm.

Colin Guske helped clear a dangerous opportunity before Braden Dunham made a sliding defensive play to eliminate another Costa Rican attack.

Applewhite Adds Insurance Goal

The United States doubled its advantage in the 76th minute following a free kick.

Tristan Brown sent the service into the six-yard box, where Applewhite slid into position and redirected the ball into the net for a 2-0 lead.

The Americans protected the advantage through the final whistle to secure another appearance in the Concacaf championship match.

U.S. Dominates Statistical Battle

The United States finished with seven shots on goal compared with Costa Rica’s two and held a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks.

U.S. goalkeeper William Lodmell made two saves to complete the clean sheet.

Costa Rica goalkeeper O’Rourke finished with five saves.

Both teams were called for nine fouls.

Match Summary

2026 Concacaf U-20 Men’s Championship Semifinal
United States 2, Costa Rica 0

Scoring

• USA — Ruben Ramos (Alexander Shaw), 36th minute
• USA — Christopher Applewhite (Tristan Brown), 76th minute

Shots: USA 17, Costa Rica 8
Shots on goal: USA 7, Costa Rica 2
Corner kicks: USA 7, Costa Rica 2
Saves: USA 2, Costa Rica 5
Fouls: USA 9, Costa Rica 9

U.S. Reaches Fifth Consecutive Final

The victory sent the Americans to their fifth consecutive Concacaf U-20 Championship final and put them in position to compete for another regional title.

The United States entered the championship match seeking its fourth Concacaf U-20 title during its recent run of tournament success.