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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the launch of an Outdoor Use Safer Choice label on September 18, 2024. This new label aims to identify outdoor cleaning products, such as pet care items, fire defense products, and cleaners for cars, boats, or grills, that meet stringent EPA criteria for environmental protection.

Representative Chris Smith and Senator Jeff Merkley will lead a hearing to address the issue of Americans unjustly detained in China.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is distributing payments exceeding $370,000 to consumers affected by data security lapses at the online merchandise platform CafePress.

The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) has recently expressed support for the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) initiative to protect the public from misleading AI-generated political content. However, EPIC has raised concerns that without additional measures, the current disclosure and transparency rules may not effectively mitigate the negative impacts of AI-generated content in political advertisements.

Eligible Maine Households Can Use the Federal Home Energy Rebate Programs to Save Energy, Save Money on Energy-Efficient Upgrades, and Lower Housing Costs

At a Senate hearing on domestic extremism held Tuesday, Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) directed a series of questions towards Arab American Institute Executive Director Maya Berry, repeatedly inquiring whether she supported the terrorist organizations Hamas and Hezbollah. This line of questioning has been described as insulting and abusive.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has extended the public comment period for the proposed modification of the cleanup plan for the Welsbach & General Gas Mantle Superfund Site at Gloucester Marine Terminal in New Jersey. Initially set to conclude on September 17, the new deadline is now October 17. The EPA conducted a public meeting on August 19 to outline the proposed changes.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the approval of a Conciliation Agreement with OceanFirst Bank, headquartered in Toms River, New Jersey. This agreement resolves a Secretary-initiated complaint against OceanFirst alleging that the bank engaged in redlining by restricting access to credit and mortgage lending services in majority-Black, Hispanic, and Asian neighborhoods in the New Brunswick, New Jersey area.

The Department of Defense (DoD) Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) hosted the Advana Industry Day today. During the event, industry and government representatives participated in sessions to learn about DoD's plans to mature Advana, the Department's enterprise data and analytics environment. Advana provides DoD users with data from over 400 business systems, along with tools, services, and analytics for data-driven decision-making.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded 35 grants totaling $18 million under the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2024. The program aims to develop sustainable, multidisciplinary prevention capabilities in local communities, pilot innovative approaches, and identify best practices that can be replicated nationwide.

A new analysis from the Center for American Progress examines two innovative bills that have positioned Illinois at the forefront of pretrial justice by removing money from the pretrial process and improving access to community-based services aimed at increasing pretrial safety and fairness.

Washington, D.C. — The composition of a school board significantly influences the quality of public education in regional communities, yet voter turnout in these local elections remains low nationwide. A new analysis from the Center for American Progress (CAP) underscores the importance of school board elections and offers policy recommendations to enhance voter participation.

At the request of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a federal court has approved settlements requiring the forfeiture of assets valued at approximately $40 million from defendants accused of defrauding consumers nationwide. The defendants allegedly enrolled consumers, without their knowledge, into continuity plans for CBD and keto-related products they did not agree to purchase.

The Department of Defense has announced a substantial investment of $269 million in 33 new technical projects under the Microelectronics Commons (ME Commons) initiative. This funding, part of the CHIPS and Science Act, aims to bolster America's microelectronics manufacturing capabilities and workforce development. The Biden-Harris Administration's Investing in America Agenda seeks to reduce dependency on foreign microelectronics sources and enhance national security.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced new initiatives to expand housing counseling services and strengthen pathways to homeownership for Americans. This includes a partnership with Zillow and the use of virtual methods to broaden access.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the members of its inaugural Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions (HBCU-MSI) Federal Advisory Council. This council represents a significant step in the EPA's efforts to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion within environmental policymaking and workforce development.

On September 16, the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) convened virtually at the Deputy level. Under Secretary of State Jose Fernandez, Under Secretary of Commerce Marisa Lago, and U.S. Trade Representative Senior Advisor Cara Morrow were joined by EU TTC Deputies European Commission Directors-General Sabine Weyand and Roberto Viola.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) and Paris-based event organizer Comexposium have announced that the Paris Retail Week annual conference and exhibition will be rebranded beginning in 2025. The inaugural NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show Europe is scheduled for September 16-18, 2025, at the Paris Porte de Versailles Pavilions 4 & 6. This event is expected to attract thousands of retailers and business partners from across Europe.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the Borough of Woodbine, announced a $1 million grant for the cleanup of contaminated sites in Woodbine, New Jersey. The announcement was made at an event held at a Municipal Water Plant on Adams Avenue and Longfellow Street.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy and Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ASTP), announced two awards totaling $2 million under the Leading Edge Acceleration Projects in Health Information Technology (LEAP in Health IT) funding opportunity. The LEAP in Health IT awardees aim to create methods and tools to improve care delivery, advance research capabilities, and address emerging challenges related to interoperable health IT.

Eligible Rhode Island Households Can Use the Federal Home Energy Rebate Programs to Save Energy, Save Money on Energy-Efficient Electrical Upgrades, and Lower Housing Costs

WASHINGTON D.C. — Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, alongside Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-KY) and Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD), introduced the Federal Acquisition Security Council (FASC) Improvement Act of 2024. This bill aims to enhance the Council’s ability to protect the federal supply chain from entities owned or controlled by foreign adversaries by excluding such...

An important area for school safety planning that is often overlooked is school accessibility for students with disabilities. Accessibility barriers in public schools remain pervasive even decades after the passage of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which bars disability discrimination by recipients of federal financial assistance, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Some of these barriers pose significant problems for ensuring school safety for students with disabilities. For example, students who use wheelchairs or mobility scooters must...

The House of Representatives has passed the Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act, allocating $3 billion in mandatory funding to address a shortfall in veteran benefits. The measure was approved by voice vote.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the winners of the 2024 Green Power Leadership Awards on September 17, honoring four organizations for their contributions to green power: Microsoft Corporation, MilliporeSigma, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, and Signature Aviation. These organizations have been recognized for their efforts in advancing green power procurement and demonstrating replicable projects that contribute to a pollution-free electricity sector.