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The Minidoka War Relocation Center, in Jerome County, Idaho, is where 13,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II. Today, the site stands as a powerful reminder of this chapter in American history.

In August 2025, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum revoked the federal permit for the Lava Ridge Wind Project, which had been issued by the Bureau of Land Management in December 2024. The proposed Lava Ridge Wind Project would have caused adverse effects to the Minidoka National Historic Site, which spurred Minidoka’s inclusion on the National Trust’s 2022 list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.

For years, the National Trust’s Legal Advocacy and Government Relations teams worked along with advocates from the Japanese American and Minidoka survivor groups to oppose the project.

Further action followed in January 2026 when Congress enacted the FY 2026 Interior Appropriations bill. The legislation prohibits the use of federal funds for construction of the Lava Ridge Wind Project in Idaho unless the Secretary of the Interior completes a review of the Department of Interior’s Record of Decision and the Presidential Memorandum, and as appropriate, an analysis in accordance with the Presidential Memorandum titled ‘‘Temporary Withdrawal of All Areas on the Outer Continental Shelf from Offshore Wind Leasing and Review of the Federal Government’s Leasing and Permitting Practices for Wind Projects.’’

Opened in 1874, the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse used to be one of several “middle-of-the-river” lighthouses on the Hudson River. Now it’s one of only two left standing. The lighthouse was built to guide vessels around a shallow area in the river near Athens and Hudson, New York, and continues to serve as a navigation aid today, helping commercial and leisure mariners safely navigate this portion of the Hudson River. It is also open to the public as a museum, welcoming visitors and schoolchildren to learn about the lightkeepers and their families who lived in the building up until the 1940s.

In 2024 the National Trust for Historic Preservation named the lighthouse to its annual list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places due to erosion and damage to pilings that support the lighthouse, as well as other preservation challenges. The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society (HALPS) had begun a campaign to raise $7.5 million to restore the lighthouse and install an underwater steel curtain to protect the pilings and foundation. In December 2024, Sen. Chuck Schumer announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had selected the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse for their protection program and identified the Lighthouse as a priority for the Corps, opening up urgently needed federal funding to help restore the site. Engineering planning to guide the repairs was underway.

However, on April 30, 2025, a barge hit the lighthouse, destroying its dock and stairway. While the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society continues to evaluate all damage done, in the wake of the accident, the community rallied in support. A temporary replacement dock was constructed and donated by Keith Flinton of KTF Dock Worx, whose father built the previous dock, and it was towed to the lighthouse by Carver Marine Towing, the operator of the barge that caused the damage. The temporary dock will allow HALPS to resume preservation work on this significant community landmark.

On August 1st the General Services Administration (GSA) announced that it has selected rehabilitation and adaptive reuse as the preferred alternative for the historic Century and Consumers Buildings located at 202 and 220 State Street in Chicago, IL. This decision by GSA is a tremendous victory for preservation.

The Century and Consumers Buildings were included on the National Trust’s list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places in 2023 as the GSA was considering demolishing both buildings to address security concerns with the adjacent Dirksen Federal Courthouse.

Since the 11 Most Endangered designation, the National Trust has been working with a coalition of local preservation advocates including Landmarks Illinois, Preservation Chicago, the Chicago Architecture Center, and many others to advocate to GSA for the preservation of these important historic buildings. Chair Sara Bronin of the President’s Advisory Council on Historic Preservation also recently offered her support via an editorial in the Chicago Tribune.

The National Trust is grateful that the GSA heard the many voices of advocates urging that the Century and Consumers Buildings should not be demolished and commends the GSA for their decision.

However, preservation is not yet assured, and a viable adaptive reuse must still be identified. The GSA will soon issue a request for proposals to lease the buildings, and the National Trust plans to continue to work with our local partners, GSA, and the Chicago development community to ensure the long-term preservation of these significant early skyscrapers.