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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced the completion of two transactions totaling $1.5 million to finance energy-efficient and climate-resilient improvements for affordable homes in Illinois under the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP). The rehabilitations will update existing common spaces, including replacing roofing, windows, doors, and lighting for very low-income seniors. Renovations will also include upgrades to mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems, electrification, insulation, renewable energy integration, and...

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the next step in providing student debt relief to tens of millions of borrowers this fall. Beginning tomorrow, the U.S. Department of Education will email all borrowers with at least one outstanding federally held student loan to provide updates on potential student debt relief. Borrowers have until August 30 to call their servicer and opt out if they do not want this relief.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), has announced over $68 million in Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program funding to provide family-centered medical care and essential support services for women with low incomes, infants, children, and youth with HIV. This initiative aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration’s National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

The United States has designated five individuals and seven entities based in Iran and the People’s Republic of China (PRC), including Hong Kong, for facilitating procurements of critical components for Iran’s ballistic missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs.

Steve Balich has voiced deep concerns about rising cartel activity and its impact on local crime.

The Rocky Mountain Field Division (RMFD) of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has seized nearly 800,000 fentanyl pills in Utah, surpassing the entire seizure total for 2023 within a six-month period. This information was disclosed in a July 25 news release from the DEA.

There were two noteworthy issues related to the treatment of political content on our platforms in the past week – one involved a picture of former President Trump after the attempted assassination, which our systems incorrectly applied a fact check label to, and the other involved Meta AI responses about the shooting. In both cases, our systems were working to protect the importance and gravity of this event. And while neither was the result of bias, it was unfortunate and we understand why it could leave people with that impression. That is why we are constantly working to...

The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) has released a brief titled "Election Integrity Recommendations for Generative AI Developers." The document comes at a critical time as over 80 countries, representing more than half of the world’s population, are set to hold elections in 2024. This year has been dubbed the 'First AI Election' due to the proliferation of generative AI tools that pose significant cybersecurity and information integrity challenges.

The U.S. Department of State is hosting the 2024 EducationUSA Forum from July 30 to August 1, 2024, in Washington, D.C., supporting the U.S. government’s commitment to international education. The Forum marks the third anniversary of the issuance of the Joint State of Principles in Support of International Education, which affirmed the U.S. government’s dedication to the exchange of students, researchers, scholars, and educators.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has announced new bilingual counter-trafficking materials in observance of the UN World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. The announcement is part of ongoing efforts to ensure that public awareness and outreach materials for the transportation sector are trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and culturally responsive.

Summer romance and comedy dominated the Top 10 Lists for the week of July 22. Romantic comedies secured three spots on the English Films List, with "Find Me Falling," starring Harry Connick Jr., leading with 16.1 million views. "A Family Affair," featuring Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, and Joey King, placed seventh with 3.3 million views, while "Anyone But You," starring Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney, re-entered the list at tenth place with 3 million views.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has designated five individuals and seven entities based in Iran, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and Hong Kong for facilitating procurements on behalf of subordinates of Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL). These designations involve components such as accelerometers and gyroscopes essential to Iran’s ballistic missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs.

Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Ambassador Bonnie D. Jenkins, will travel to Fort Liberty, North Carolina from July 30-31, 2024.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released the results of the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). This survey highlights how residents in the United States have reported their experiences with mental health conditions, substance use, and treatment pursuits. The report includes estimates by race, ethnicity, and age group, accompanied by two infographics that present data visually.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently finalized a settlement with Fann Contracting, Inc., emphasizing the importance of compliance with the Clean Air Act. The company was found to be operating a portable hot mix asphalt plant on the Navajo Nation near Kayenta, Arizona, without a Tribal Minor New Source Review (NSR) permit to control air pollutants. As part of the settlement, the company will pay a civil penalty of $72,128.

Following the Senate’s vote to pass the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0), the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), a prominent think tank for science and technology policy, issued a statement from Senior Policy Manager Ash Johnson.

A Canadian man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Las Vegas to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a scheme to steal millions of dollars from thousands of victims in the United States.

The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has filed a complaint and intends to file a motion for a preliminary injunction in Texas federal court challenging HB18, which seeks to impose age restrictions on internet usage. The law, scheduled to take effect on September 1, mandates online age verification and parental consent, which CCIA argues violates the First Amendment.

The United States filed a civil complaint today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia alleging that the Norfolk Southern Corporation and Norfolk Southern Railway Company (collectively, Norfolk Southern) delay passenger trains on Amtrak’s Crescent Route in violation of federal law.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting public input on a proposed update to the 2008 cleanup plan for the Emmell’s Septic Landfill Superfund Site in Galloway Township, Atlantic County, New Jersey. The updated plan aims to address soil contamination that continues to affect groundwater quality.

The U.S. Department of State has announced the selection of Sister Cities International to recruit, train, and deploy young Americans as Youth Ambassadors at the USA Pavilion for Expo 2025 Osaka. International Expos, also known as World’s Fairs, offer opportunities to showcase American values, enterprise, culture, and global leadership while promoting collaboration with international partners on shared global challenges.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that it has ordered Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve, located in Solon, Ohio, to cease the sale, use, or removal of eight unregistered pesticide products. The EPA cited violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) has expressed approval of a report released by the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The report evaluates the risks, benefits, and potential policy approaches to openness in artificial intelligence (AI).

A growing number of Americans are struggling to find affordable housing. Many homeowners are spending at least 30 percent of their household income on housing costs, while the number of renters facing cost burdens has reached an all-time high. This affordability crisis is primarily due to insufficient production of new housing units.

Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr., Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III convened the fourth Philippines-United States 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Manila on July 30, 2024 — the first to be held in Manila.