News published on Federal Newswire in April 2021

News Release: Researchers have spent more than three decades developing and studying miniature biosensors that can identify single molecules. In five to 10 years, when such devices may become a staple in doctors’ offices, they could detect molecular markers for cancer and other diseases and assess the effectiveness of drug treatment to fight those illnesses.

New York Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Exotic African Cats

News Release: WASHINGTON - A New York man pleaded guilty today to violating the Lacey Act and the U.S. Animal Welfare Act based on his trafficking of African wild cats in interstate commerce.

Earth Month Spotlight: Hanford Recycling Demonstrates Collaboration

By DOE Newswire | Apr 27, 2021

News Release: RICHLAND, Wash. - It’s Earth Month every month on the Hanford Site, where workers routinely ship tens of thousands of pounds of universal waste and recycling to the site’s Centralized Consolidation/Recycling Center (CCRC) for processing.

Crapo, Risch Introduce Back to Work Bonus Legislation

News Release: Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) today introduced the “Back to Work Bonus Act." The bill counteracts enhanced federal unemployment benefits that discourage workers from returning to jobs by providing a back-to-work...

Park Announces Synchronous Firefly Viewing Dates

By Interior Newswire | Apr 27, 2021

News Release: Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host the annual synchronous firefly viewing opportunity at Elkmont beginning Tuesday, June 1 through Tuesday, June 8. The public may apply for the limited viewing opportunity by entering a lottery for a vehicle pass through www.recreation.gov. The lottery opens for vehicle pass applications on Friday, April 30 at 10:00 a.m. through Monday, May 3 at 11:59 p.m.

NIST Joins NSF-Led Partnership to Support Next-Generation Communications Technology

News Release: GAITHERSBURG, Md. - The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has joined the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Defense Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and industry partners to spur innovation in next-generation communications systems.

Cincinnati political consultant charged with embezzling $1.4M from Congressional campaign

News Release: CINCINNATI - A political and media consultant has been charged federally with wire fraud and falsification of records related to the embezzlement of more than $1.4 million from a United States Congressional campaign.

Chair Grijalva Hails Secretarial Order & Legal Decisions Streamlining Federal Ability to Take Land Into Trust, Empower Tribal Economic Development

News Release: Washington, D.C. - Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today hailed a new secretarial order from Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and a series of legal decisions by the Solicitor’s office that, taken together, simplify the process by which the federal government takes land into trust on behalf of Tribal governments, eliminate needless Trump-era bureaucracy and empower tribes to pursue economic development.

Park facilities begin opening for the 2021 summer season

By Interior Newswire | Apr 27, 2021

News Release: MOOSE, WY-Seasonally operated facilities begin opening for summer operations in Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. Visitors to the park are encouraged to plan ahead and recreate responsibly.

Secretary Antony J. Blinken at the Virtual U.S.-Nigeria Health Partnership Event

Release: AMBASSADOR LEONARD: Secretary Blinken, colleagues, friends, Dr. Shuaib, Professor Ahmed, welcome. I’m Mary Beth Leonard, the U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, and it’s my honor to welcome the U.S. Secretary of State, albeit virtually, to Nigeria, and a big thank you to everyone joining us for this virtual event.

Secretary Antony J. Blinken Remarks at the Virtual Kenya-U.S. Interagency Clean Energy Event

Release: MR MEASSICK: Secretary Blinken, the embassy is delighted to have this unique opportunity to engage with you on clean energy. Kenya is not only a leader in the region, but also poised to become a global leader for clean energy and climate action. Currently, 90 percent of Kenya’s power is generated from renewable sources with 40 percent generated from geothermal, 45 percent from hydropower, and the remainder from wind and solar.

Final defendant pleads guilty in case involving 58 firearms stolen from sporting goods store

News Release: DAYTON - Three Dayton men have admitted in federal court that they conspired to steal 58 firearms from Target World in Sharonville in June 2018.

Man Sentenced to 57 Months for Laundering Funds from Lottery Fraud Scheme Targeting the Elderly

News Release: TUCSON, Ariz. - Omar Stephenson, 32, a Jamaican-born man living in Snellville, Georgia, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge James A. Soto to 57 months in prison. Stephenson is one of four co-defendants who have been charged in connection with a lottery fraud scheme. Stephenson previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering.

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon Testifies Before the Senate on Federal Oil & Gas Leasing

By DOE Newswire | Apr 27, 2021

News Release: WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR), welcomed the Honorable Mark Gordon, governor of Wyoming, to the committee. Gordon was testifying before the committee at a hearing to examine energy development on federal lands.

Connecting With the Young African Leaders Initiative

Release: The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. This week, Secretary Blinken is joining YALI alumni and members of the YALI Network on his virtual trip to Kenya and Nigeria.

Secretary Antony J. Blinken at a Virtual Town Hall with U.S. Mission Nigeria and U.S. Embassy Nairobi Employees and Family Members

Release: MS FITZSIMMONS: Mr. Secretary, it is my pleasure, my sincere pleasure, to welcome you to the Africa Bureau family, and virtually to U.S. Missions Nigeria and Kenya. My name is Elizabeth Fitzsimmons, and I’m the acting principal deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of African Affairs. I have the pleasure...

Gang members sentenced for assaulting federal officers

News Release: HOUSTON - The final Houston area man charged with the assault and robbery of undercover agents during a drug operation in early 2019 has been ordered to federal prison, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Secretary Antony J. Blinken Remarks at the Virtual Kenya-U.S. Interagency Clean Energy Event

Release: MR MEASSICK: Secretary Blinken, the embassy is delighted to have this unique opportunity to engage with you on clean energy. Kenya is not only a leader in the region, but also poised to become a global leader for clean energy and climate action. Currently, 90 percent of Kenya’s power is generated from renewable sources with 40 percent generated from geothermal, 45 percent from hydropower, and the remainder from wind and solar.

Uniform Global National Interest Exceptions to COVID-19 Travel Restrictions

Release: In keeping with the Department of State’s commitment to facilitate legitimate travel to the United States, Secretary Blinken decided yesterday to apply several National Interest Exceptions to all regional travel restrictions currently in effect as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Man Sentenced for Attempted Robbery of ATM