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In 2023, the United States saw a surge in investment and funding opportunities that brought significant success to its businesses and workers. These investments played a crucial role in creating well-paid jobs and maintaining the competitiveness of American jobs.

Ammon Blair, a former agent of Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), highlighted the challenges faced by CBP agents in verifying the authenticity of documents provided by migrants. From his experience, Blair emphasized that the current system is not functional.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Headwaters Forest Reserve is now home to a newly designated historic site. A townsite and lumber mill, with origins dating back to 1884, have been nominated for the National Register of Historic Places by California’s historic preservation officer last October.

Seth Hertlein, the Global Head of Policy at Ledger, a provider of digital asset wallets, stated that the 'Keep Your Coins Act' should not be necessary. He argued that the Constitution already safeguards Americans' right to private property. The act was introduced by U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) with the aim of preserving crypto users' ability to transact without involving a third-party intermediary.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a funding opportunity of up to $70 million, aimed at supporting research into technologies that will strengthen resilience and minimize risks to energy delivery infrastructure. The DOE's Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) will oversee the All-Hazards Energy Resilience program, which is designed to address potential future challenges and safeguard energy distribution.

The Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has called for the blacklisting of Quectel Wireless Solutions, a global supplier of Chinese cellular modules, Wi-Fi modules, and other technologies. The request arises from suspicions of Quectel's links to the Chinese military.

The closure of 1,091.97 acres of public land on State Route 88, near the City of Apache, is expected to last up to two years and has been implemented as a safety precaution.

Representative Mark Green (R-Tenn.) underscored the importance of countering China's assertiveness, especially in light of President Xi Jinping's recent declaration of his intention to reclaim Taiwan. This announcement was made during Xi's New Year's address earlier this week.

Karol Markowicz is coauthor of “Stolen Youth” and host of “The Karol Markowicz Show.” She is a Jewish immigrant born in the Soviet Union and raised in Brooklyn.

Jerry Brito, the Executive Director of Coin Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to research, education, and advocacy in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, has expressed concerns over the difficulties crypto users may face in complying with a new IRS rule pertaining to reporting crypto transactions. In a post on Coin Center's website, Brito revealed that his organization had filed a lawsuit against this rule in 2022; however, the case remains unresolved.

Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), and Jon Tester (D-MT) have sent a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging them to revise a proposed rule that could have negative consequences for West Virginians. The rule, if implemented, could jeopardize grid reliability, harm energy workers, and raise energy costs for residents of West Virginia.

The U.S. federal government has expressed concern over the low vaccination rates among nursing home residents. In response to this, Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), recently conducted an online meeting with leaders from nursing homes. He emphasized their critical role in ensuring that both staff and residents receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has declared its decision to abstain from pursuing a second trial against Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder and former CEO of cryptocurrency exchange FTX. Last year, Bankman-Fried was convicted on seven criminal charges related to the collapse of FTX and its associated hedge fund, Alameda Research, in 2022.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued an official announcement, indicating the reopening of comments on the proposed rule for Natural Asset Companies (NAC). The extended deadline for submitting comments is now set for January 18.

The Crypto Council for Innovation (CCI), a global organization that advocates for digital assets through research and education, recently disclosed the results of a national survey conducted among crypto voters. The survey revealed that a significant majority of respondents would favor a candidate who seeks to establish clear regulations for the digital asset industry. These findings were released on January 3.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has lauded the full implementation of California’s Proposition 12. This ballot measure, approved in 2018, enforces stringent restrictions on food products derived from animals kept in cruel confinement.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a division of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), has accused Illinois-based roofing contractor, Miller Building Systems LLC, of breaching workplace safety regulations. The company, owned by Elmer Miller, has previously been fined over 20 times by the department. This time, the DOL alleges that the company exposed its employees to potential falls while they were engaged in a residential construction project in Savoy, Illinois.

The US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) defines a noxious weed as any plant designated by a Federal, State or county government as injurious to public health, agriculture, recreation, wildlife, or property. Such plants are also characterized by their ability to grow out of place and their resistance to common pest control methods.

GreenMet, a U.S. company, has announced that it supports the development of cleaner methods for refining and processing minerals domestically. This comes as an alternative to relying on China, especially in light of China's recent ban on technologies related to rare earth refining.

Tech giants Apple and Google, who have been embroiled in numerous antitrust battles in the United States, are now facing mounting pressure in Japan. As per a report by Nikkei Asia, Japan is gearing up to implement new regulations that could compel these two technology behemoths to permit third-party app stores on their mobile operating systems.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced the establishment of an advisory committee to facilitate road innovation. The Transforming Transportation Advisory Committee (TTAC) will comprise experts and advocates from various sectors including municipalities, industry, labor unions, and academia.

This week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) executed migrant removal flights to Venezuela and Central America. This initiative was supported by a joint effort between the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The Committee on Ethics has announced the establishment of an Investigative Subcommittee to determine whether Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick violated any laws or standards of conduct in the performance of her duties. The Subcommittee will focus on allegations related to campaign finance, failure to disclose required information, and acceptance of voluntary services from an individual not employed in her congressional office.

The international partnership initiative aims to empower government partners to manage land, surface water, and resource use sustainably. The initiative will leverage Landsat’s data records and provide a new capability to comprehend and manage the impacts of climate change on landscapes at state, regional, and international levels.

Backcountry camping permits will be available for half off the usual price on January 15. This offer is part of six special days where fees are waived or discounted in national parks, with the next one scheduled for December 19.