Stories by Tamara Browning on Federal Newswire


3 Argonne National Lab scientists named Advancement of Science fellows

Three scientists with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory were named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.


Buttigieg: 'We are proud to fund these nine infrastructure megaprojects across the country'

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded nine projects nearly $1.2 billion from the new National Infrastructure Project Assistance discretionary grant program.


Buttigieg: Rural underpass project in Minnesota, ‘will increase safety, reduce emissions’

Underpass construction in Moorhead, Minn., is among several projects that will receive a part of $273.9 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation for improvement and expansion of transportation infrastructure.


Mississippi Congressman: Confucius Institutes 'give our enemies the opportunity to spread propaganda to our young people'

The National Association of Scholars (NAS) has found that many once-defunct, controversial Confucius Institutes have reopened under new names.


Transportation Department providing $1.7 billion to modernize bus fleets

Funding of nearly $1.7 billion is available through two programs of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration that will modernize transit fleets with low-and no-emission buses and renovate and construct bus facilities.


Peace: Brooklyn business owner ‘preyed on immigrants burdened by mortgage debt in the Russian community’

The owner of a Brooklyn-based credit counseling business has been indicted for defrauding clients.


Handberg: Middle District of Florida is ‘committed to protecting the integrity of government programs’

A Florida man was sentenced to eight years and six months in federal prison is an example of efforts to combat COVID-19-related fraud.


Pork, cattle producers sue EPA, Army over definition of 'waters'

Pork and cattle producers have joined a lawsuit against a final rule announced Jan. 18 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of the Army establishing a durable definition of “waters of the United States” that is designed to reduce harm to communities and waters.


Tuskan: Center’s new board members ‘bring a wealth of expertise’

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Center for Bioenergy Innovation at Oak Ridge National Laboratory added three new members to its board of directors.


Ledbetter: BLM Utah works on applications, leases ‘for generating renewable energy on public lands’

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management leased two parcels in Millard County, Utah, through a geothermal lease sale for renewable energy development.


FGI spokesman: Vilsack's supply chain task force 'was little more than a cynical attempt to signal engagement' while doing 'little or nothing'

A new organization that has a goal of exposing governmental activities has criticized Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack for what it calls his lack of involvement in a task force on supply chain disruptions.


National parks group criticizes EPA's proposed soot pollution standards

A nonpartisan association that seeks to safeguard national parks in the U.S. is criticizing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal of new soot pollution standards, saying they don’t address ecosystems and overall welfare.


Fugitive accused of abducting 43 college students turned over to Mexican authorities

A Mexican fugitive wanted in connection with the 2014 abduction of 43 Mexican college students has been turned over to Mexican authorities.


Buttigieg: Transportation has jumpstarted ‘repairs and construction on 3,700 bridges across America’

The U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg marked an announcement made by President Joe Biden of an investment of more than $2 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to upgrade significant bridges by visiting the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Calif.


Trevino: Sentencing of the La Quarenta gang members ‘another step in the right direction’

Two Texas men who are members of the La Quarenta gang have been sentenced to prison for running a large-scale drug trafficking operation in Southeast Texas.


Interior secretary praises high-voltage transmission line linking Southern California, central Arizona

Ground has been broken on a new 500-kilovolt high-voltage transmission line connecting Southern California and central Arizona.


Nance: Demolition of Texas Superfund site ‘is a victory for all’

Demolition has begun of a former electroplating facility in Dallas, Texas.


Walsh: Trip to Europe ‘an excellent opportunity’ to understand how countries, companies train workforce

U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh’s visit to Europe in January will set forth President Joe Biden’s labor priorities.


Romer: ‘We’re eager to engage with stakeholders and experts’ for input on greenhouse gas emissions programs

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold three public webinars and will accept written feedback on new programs to lower greenhouse gas emissions in construction materials and products.


Johnson: ‘A worker’s life was cut short’ due to Underground Utilities’ faulty equipment

An Ohio excavation contractor reportedly allowed employees to work with damaged safety equipment, resulting in the death of a worker in Columbus, Ohio.