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The U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development have released new residential sales statistics for August 2024. The report indicates that sales of new single-family houses were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 716,000. This figure is 4.7 percent below the revised July rate of 751,000 but shows an increase of 9.8 percent from the August 2023 estimate of 652,000.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is observing #SeeSayDay, the annual national awareness day for the “If You See Something, Say Something®” campaign. This year's theme, "Spot the Signs. Report the Activity," emphasizes public vigilance in national security and counter-terrorism efforts within the current threat environment. The initiative encourages individuals to report suspicious activity to help prevent terrorism-related crime not only on September 25 but throughout the year.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has begun routing cell phone calls based on the caller's approximate location rather than area code. This process, known as georouting, was initiated last week with two major U.S. wireless carriers that together account for about half of all wireless calls to 988. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Vibrant Emotional Health have collaborated with major U.S. cell phone carriers for over a year to improve call routing.

The Biden-Harris Administration has launched the National Semiconductor Technology Center’s (NSTC) Workforce Center of Excellence (WCoE) with a planned $250 million investment over ten years. This initiative aims to address workforce development challenges in the U.S. semiconductor industry, as global demand for advanced semiconductors increases.

The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) has released a report titled "Improving Governance Outcomes Through AI Documentation: Bridging Theory and Practice." The report emphasizes the importance of AI documentation as a tool for governing AI systems, providing stakeholders both within and outside AI organizations with insights into the development, functionality, and risks associated with these systems.

The G7 Cyber Expert Group (CEG), chaired by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Bank of England, has issued a statement addressing cybersecurity risks posed by quantum computing. The group highlighted the need for financial authorities and institutions to take proactive steps to mitigate these risks.

John Davisson, senior counsel and director of litigation at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, advises consumers to thoroughly review their insurer’s website before enrolling in a telematics program. This includes understanding which data points are collected and how that data is used. Given the complexity of legal texts in data privacy agreements, Davisson suggests calling the insurer for specific clarifications.

The Republic of Korea (ROK) Ministry of National Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense held the 25th Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue from September 23-24, 2024, in Seoul.

Senator Ed Markey has introduced the Artificial Intelligence Civil Rights Act of 2024. The legislation aims to address biases and ensure transparency in AI systems used in decision-making processes that affect individuals' rights, civil liberties, and livelihoods.

The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) has highlighted the increasing use of data and algorithms in personalized pricing, also known as "bespoke pricing." This practice involves tailoring prices based on a consumer's identity, preferences, and situation. While some view this as a form of dynamic pricing with potential benefits, others criticize it as invasive and potentially exploitative.

The Department of Defense has announced a $16.2 million award to Nathan Trotter & Co., Inc. through the Defense Production Act Investment (DPAI) program. The funding will support the establishment of a domestic facility in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, dedicated to the smelting, refining, and recycling of tin.

On September 24, the United States and the European Union co-hosted an event during the 79th UN General Assembly to discuss the future of humanitarian aid in light of climate change and environmental degradation. During this meeting, the United States formally joined the Humanitarian Aid Donors’ Declaration on Climate and Environment (“Donor Declaration”), becoming the 29th signatory along with the EU and other countries.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against Visa, alleging anticompetitive behavior in two debit network services markets. The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), a prominent think tank for science and technology policy, responded with a statement from Joseph V. Coniglio, director of antitrust and innovation at ITIF.

The Federal Insurance Office (FIO) at the U.S. Department of the Treasury hosted a roundtable discussion today with representatives from the insurance industry, consumer groups, state insurance regulators, academics, and other stakeholders to discuss artificial intelligence (AI) in the insurance sector.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized national discharge standards to control pollutants and invasive species from approximately 85,000 vessels operating in U.S. waters. The standards, issued through the EPA’s Vessel Incidental Discharge National Standards of Performance final rule, address discharges that occur during the normal operation of large vessels.

Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas, in consultation with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, announced the designation of Qatar into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This collaboration aims to enhance U.S. security interests while promoting legitimate travel and commerce between the two nations.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that low-income residents in eight Louisiana parishes affected by Hurricane Francine may be eligible for assistance through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). The hurricane began impacting the area on September 11, 2024.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the winners of the 2024 Safer Choice Partner of the Year awards, recognizing organizations in Oregon and Washington for their contributions to promoting safer chemical products. The awards honor efforts in designing, manufacturing, promoting, selecting, and using products that are safer for human health and the environment.

On September 17, the Department of Commerce Office of Faith-Based & Neighborhood Partnerships (OFBNP), in collaboration with the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), organized the department’s inaugural National Disability Leadership Summit.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a $466.5 million investment aimed at enhancing global food security through its international development programs. The announcement was made by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack at the Clinton Global Initiative 2024 annual meeting.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the Department of Energy (DOE) have announced significant progress in the 2024 Program Year of the Inflation Reduction Act’s Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program. The program has received over 50,000 applications requesting more than 6 gigawatts of capacity for clean energy projects across the nation.

The Center for American Progress (CAP), along with 140 organizations, has urged the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate Appropriations Committees to increase funding for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Current Population Survey (CPS). The letter requests an additional $20.6 million above fiscal year 2024 levels for fiscal year 2025 appropriations to maintain the CPS's role as a key national economic indicator.

The U.S. Department of Labor has initiated legal action against Coway USA Inc., a Los Angeles-based company, for allegedly failing to pay overtime wages to more than 180 employees. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and claims violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has announced nearly $75 million in funding to support health care services in rural America. This investment aims to launch new opioid treatment and recovery services, strengthen maternal health care in the South, and help rural hospitals remain operational.

The Department of Defense has awarded $19 million to Nathan Trotter & Co., Inc. (Nathan Trotter) to establish a domestic facility for the smelting, refining, and recycling of tin in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. This funding comes through the Defense Production Act Investment (DPAI) program.