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Department announces over $67 million for school diversity initiatives

The U.S. Department of Education has announced the allocation of over $67 million in new grants aimed at promoting school diversity and educational equity. This includes $65.4 million for 12 new Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) awards and $1.7 million for two new Fostering Diverse Schools Demonstration Grant Program (FDS) awards.


VA awards nearly $16 million for veterans' adaptive sports programs

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced the allocation of $15.9 million in grants to support adaptive sports, recreational activities, and equine therapy for Veterans and service members with disabilities. The VA’s Adaptive Sports Grant Program will distribute these funds to 91 national, regional, and community-based programs across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico for fiscal year 2024. These initiatives aim to benefit over 15,000 Veterans and Armed Forces members.


Blinken meets with Moroccan foreign minister to discuss regional peace

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita on October 1, 2024. The meeting focused on advancing regional and global peace and strengthening the U.S.-Morocco partnership.


Hidalgo CBP arrests two men wanted on felony sex crime warrants

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry arrested two men over the weekend on outstanding felony warrants for sex-related offenses involving a child.


EPA awards $7.2 million for monitoring toxic chemicals in Great Lakes

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $7.2 million in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding to Indiana University. This funding will support long-term monitoring of persistent toxic chemicals, including per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), in the air and precipitation across the Great Lakes.


U.S., French defense leaders discuss Middle East tensions

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with France's Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu earlier today to discuss the evolving situation in the Middle East. Secretary Austin underscored U.S. concerns about escalation in the conflict and commitment to pushing for a diplomatic solution. The Secretary affirmed the United States' determination to defend Israel from Iranian aggression. The two leaders shared the need for continuing coordination between the United States and France to protect both U.S. and French personnel in the region, and they committed to...


US sanctions additional members of Russia-based cybercriminal group Evil Corp

The United States has taken further action against the Russia-based cybercriminal group Evil Corp, identifying and sanctioning additional members and affiliates. The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has designated seven individuals and two entities associated with Evil Corp in coordination with the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).


EPA announces new funding opportunities targeting farmworker safety

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced three new funding opportunities aimed at supporting pesticide safety education for farmworkers, training health care providers to better address pesticide-related illnesses, and providing technical assistance for managing these grants. The agency plans to award nearly $10 million to at least four grantees over the next five years.


Department of Labor restructures OSHA regional offices

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has restructured its regional operations, creating a new region based in Birmingham to improve services in several southeastern states. This change aims to better protect workers and educate employers as businesses expand and workforces grow.


Department of Labor completes OSHA regional restructuring with new Birmingham office

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has completed a restructuring of its regional operations. This initiative includes the creation of a new region based in Birmingham, which will serve Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and the Florida Panhandle.


DoD awards $30 million to expand PCB production

The Department of Defense has announced a $30 million award to TTM Technologies Inc. (TTM) based in Santa Ana, California. This funding, facilitated through the Defense Production Act Purchases (DPAP) office, will allow TTM to acquire and install advanced manufacturing equipment and develop prototype designs for printed circuit boards. The project will begin at TTM's Centers of Excellence across the United States and will eventually integrate into its new facility in Syracuse, New York. This initiative aims to enhance TTM's capabilities and ensure timely delivery of advanced...


EPA removes Lipari Landfill from Superfund list after extensive cleanup

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the removal of the Lipari Landfill site from the Superfund National Priorities List. The announcement was made at an event in Betty Park, Pitman, N.J., where EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia and U.S. Representative Donald Norcross were joined by state and local leaders to celebrate the site's cleanup and redevelopment.


EPA reaches agreement with Honeywell on SoCal groundwater cleanup

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced an agreement with Honeywell International Inc. to fund the construction of groundwater treatment facilities at the San Fernando Valley (Area 1) Superfund site in Los Angeles, California. The facilities will be located in the North Hollywood Operable Unit and are intended to address industrial groundwater contamination. This initiative will enable the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to incorporate treated water into its drinking water supply.


Russian national indicted over alleged use of BitPaymer ransomware

The Justice Department has unsealed an indictment against Russian national Aleksandr Viktorovich Ryzhenkov, charging him with using the BitPaymer ransomware variant to attack multiple victims in Texas and across the United States. The indictment alleges that since at least June 2017, Ryzhenkov gained unauthorized access to victims' computer networks, deployed BitPaymer ransomware to encrypt files, and demanded ransom for decryption keys and to prevent public exposure of sensitive information.


Netflix releases top viewed shows for September's last week

This past weekend saw a new romantic comedy, "Nobody Wants This," debut at number two on the English TV List with 10.3 million views. The film stars Kristen Bell and Adam Brody, marking Brody's return to the rom-com genre. Erin Foster directed the movie.


Department of Defense allocates $43 million to universities for defense-related research

The Department of Defense has announced $43 million in awards to 112 university researchers through the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP). These grants will enable the purchase of major equipment at 64 institutions across 28 states for Fiscal Year 2025, enhancing their capabilities in defense-related research.


U.S. imposes sanctions on individuals and group linked to West Bank violence

The Department of State has announced sanctions on two Israeli individuals, including a violent settler and the CEO and director of U.S.-designated Hashomer Yosh. According to the Department, these individuals have contributed to an environment of violence and instability in the West Bank. Their actions are seen as undermining peace, security, and stability in the region.


Richard Verma addresses global effort against ransomware at international summit

Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma addressed the Fourth International Counter Ransomware Initiative Summit at the Foreign Service Institute on October 1, 2024. He emphasized the need for global cooperation to tackle ransomware threats.


FTC issues refunds for falsely advertised Pyrex products

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is distributing over $88,000 in refunds to consumers who purchased measuring cups marketed as "Made in USA" by Instant Brands, the manufacturer of Pyrex products. The FTC's action stems from a 2023 case where Instant Brands was charged with falsely advertising that all its glass measuring cups were made domestically, while some were actually imported from China.


EPA settles with City of Tolleson over chemical safety law violations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a settlement with the City of Tolleson, Arizona, addressing alleged violations of the Clean Air Act and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act at the Tolleson Wastewater Treatment Plant. These laws are designed to ensure safe handling of hazardous chemicals. The plant uses chlorine, a regulated toxic chemical that can cause serious health effects.