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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that it has charged Consejo de Titulares del Condominio Italia 2027, the homeowners association for a condominium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with violating the Fair Housing Act. The charge alleges that the association revoked its approval and refused to allow an owner with a disability to power her self-installed elevator with an external generator.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has issued a request for information (RFI) on the uses, opportunities, and risks of artificial intelligence (AI) in the financial services sector. This initiative builds on Treasury's recent work concerning cybersecurity and fraud in AI, as well as initiatives by other federal agencies. The department is seeking public input on how AI is being utilized within the financial services industry and the potential benefits and risks associated with its development and application.

Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez will travel to Santa Fe, New Mexico, on May 31 to participate in the United States-Spain Forum XXVII. He will join a panel for Session III titled "The Clean Energy Technology Transition: Mitigating the Impact of Climate Change and Drought on Trade, the Economy, and People."

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that the Puerto Rico Department of Education will receive over $7.6 million in rebate funding to purchase 25 clean school buses. This funding is part of the 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate competition and aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration's Investing in America agenda.

ERIE (May 30, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz joined Erie County Redevelopment Authority President Tina Mengine, Erie Mayor Joe Schember, and Erie County Executive Brenton Davis to celebrate the allocation of $5.5 million in grants designated for the area.

A Texas man pleaded guilty on Friday to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, while a Texas woman pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. These pleas are part of a broader scheme to defraud the IRS, which has seen seven defendants plead guilty in total, with fraudulent tax refund claims amounting to over $111 million.

Slovakia became the 42nd signatory to the Artemis Accords today at a ceremony held at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The Artemis Accords, established in 2020 by the United States and seven other countries, set out a practical set of principles to guide civil space exploration and use.

The Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) announced a new initiative to enhance data, analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. The initiative, named Open DAGIR—Open Data and Applications Government-owned Interoperable Repositories—will establish a multi-vendor ecosystem that integrates data platforms, development tools, services, and applications while preserving government data ownership and industry intellectual property.

As Washington delays on AI legislation, states take the lead on regulating evolving technology

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned two companies linked to the Wagner Group in the Central African Republic (CAR). Mining Industries SARLU and Logistique Economique Etrangere SARLU have been designated under Executive Order 14024 for their involvement in supporting Wagner Group security operations and illicit mining activities.

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced $31,510,000 in funding for Texas schools to purchase clean school buses as part of the Investing in America agenda. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate competition selected various school districts across Texas to receive these funds.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona has announced a series of steps aimed at modernizing the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA). The initiatives, detailed in a letter to staff and posted on the Education Department's Homeroom blog, focus on improving management and operational efficiency to better serve students, families, borrowers, and schools.

Earlier this month, the Department of Commerce Office of Faith-Based & Neighborhood Partnerships, in collaboration with Hispanic Access, hosted the National Latino Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C. The event aimed to empower the Latino community and enhance their advocacy capabilities.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it is accepting public comments on two tentative permits under the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act for a climate change mitigation study proposed off the coast of Cape Cod. The study, initiated by a researcher at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, will investigate ocean alkalinity enhancement as a potential method for removing and storing carbon dioxide from ocean waters.

Today, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the launch of two new ENERGY STAR resources aimed at helping American households leverage Inflation Reduction Act incentives for energy-efficient home upgrades. The initiatives include a new home improvement savings web tool and the ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade Service Provider Partnership.

A former investment banker, who was formerly a registered broker with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, was sentenced today to three years and five months in prison for a fraud scheme that resulted in approximately $1.5 million in investor losses and for a separate access device fraud scheme.

Gregory Edward McLean, 40, of Jacksonville, Florida, was sentenced today to 160 months for distributing child sexual abuse material and 120 months for unlawfully retaining classified national defense information. The sentences will be served concurrently.

Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has urged Vermont Governor Phil Scott to veto H.121, a bill proposing the Vermont Data Privacy Act and an age-appropriate design code standard in the state. While the CCIA supports Vermont's aim to enhance data privacy protections and online safety for minors, it raises concerns about several components of H.121 that present constitutional and compliance issues.

Washington, D.C. — A jury has convicted former President Donald Trump of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. In response, Patrick Gaspard, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, issued a statement emphasizing the broader implications of the prosecution.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today the development of a comprehensive list of drinking-water, wastewater, and flood-prevention infrastructure funding and projects for the Cahokia Heights/Metro East, Illinois area. This initiative was undertaken at the request of Rep. Nikki Budzinski, with EPA collaborating with over 35 stakeholders to compile information on funding needs, accessed funds, and completed projects.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached an agreement with Everett's Auto Parts, Inc., a Brockton, Massachusetts-based auto dealer, warehouser, and scrap metal seller, over alleged violations of the Clean Water Act. The company has agreed to comply with regulations and pay a penalty of $74,551.

Peru became the 41st signatory to the Artemis Accords today at a ceremony held at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The Artemis Accords were established in 2020 by the United States and seven other countries to outline principles guiding civil space exploration and use.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today the signing of a formal agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to renew their Federal Interagency Collaboration to Reduce Food Loss and Waste (FIFLAW). The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) also joined the collaboration to help reduce food loss and waste internationally.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a Unilateral Administrative Order to the Havasu Water Company, mandating several actions to prevent further violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. The EPA cited the company's failure to comply with drinking water regulations, including exceeding the maximum allowable level for total trihalomethanes. These byproducts can form during disinfection and pose health risks through long-term exposure above federal limits.

The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) conducted a live web-based pre-application information session for its Fiscal Year 2024 Training and Services to End Abuse in Later Life Program solicitation on May 30, 2024. During the presentation, OVW staff reviewed the program’s requirements, discussed the solicitation, and allowed for a brief question-and-answer period.