News published on Federal Newswire in February 2021

News from February 2021


Save the Date for the Solar Decathlon Competition Event; Virtual Format Opens Participation to Broader Audience

News Release: Mark your calendars! The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon® will host its rescheduled 2020 Build Challenge and 2021 Design Challenge competition events virtually, from Thursday, April 15 to Sunday, April 18, 2021. This virtual event will feature dynamic team presentations, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities for all collegiate teams in the United States and around the world.


Former Westminster Police Officer Sentenced To Six Years In Federal Prison On Sexual Assault Charge

News Release: DENVER - United States Attorney Jason Dunn announced that Curtis Arganbright, 43, a former Westminster Police Department (WPD) officer, was sentenced today in federal court in Denver, Colorado, to six years (72 months) in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. In addition...


BLM to conduct wild horse gather in eastern Nevada

News Release: ELY, Nev. - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ely District, Caliente Field Office on or about February 5, 2021 will begin gathering excess wild horses from in and around the Silver King Herd Management Area (HMA) located near Pioche, Nev. The BLM will gather up to 283 excess wild horses and remove up to 258 excess horses. The BLM will treat up to 25 mares with the fertility control vaccine GonaCon-Equine and release them back into the HMA.


Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Andrea Mitchell of MSNBC Andrea Mitchell Reports

Release: QUESTION: We see the Russian people are out and protesting against Vladimir Putin. There have been many arrests, thousands braving these sub-freezing temperatures. Alexei Navalny’s wife was detained protesting against his arrest and, of course, previously his poisoning by Russian authorities.


Wyden Statement on Framework Proposed by 10 Republican Senators

News Release: Incoming Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today released the following statement on the framework proposed by 10 Republican senators...


TSA has installed new acrylic shields at Pittsburgh International Airport to help protect passengers and workforce from coronavirus

Release: PITTSBURGH - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has installed new acrylic shields at the main security checkpoint and the alternative checkpoint at Pittsburgh International Airport as part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to implement initiatives to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.


Chairman Risch Statement on Military Coup in Myanmar

News Release: WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement on the Myanmar military’s seizure of power from its civilian-run government in a coup:


Bureau of Land Management announces efforts to protect birds of prey

News Release: Central Ore. -- The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Prineville District has started implementing a series of annual wildlife closures to protect several birds of prey species during sensitive nesting periods. Harassment by humans - unintentional or deliberate - is a leading cause of nest failure or abandonment.


Attacks on Civilians in Syria

Release: The United States condemns the terrorist attacks this past weekend in Azaz, al-Bab, and Afrin that resulted in the deaths of at least 20 civilians, including children. We extend our sincere condolences to the families of civilians killed and wish a quick recovery to those wounded in these despicable and senseless acts of violence.


Graves Announces Subcommittee Ranking Members for the 117th Congress

News Release: Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO) today announced the Ranking Members of the panel’s six subcommittees for the 117th Congress.


DeFazio, Reed, Maloney, Fitzpatrick, Allred, Daines, Schatz Reintroduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Help Sustain US Postal Service

News Release: WASHINGTON-Reps. Peter DeFazio (OR-04), Tom Reed (NY-23), Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Colin Allred (TX-32) and Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) today announced reintroduction of the USPS Fairness Act, bipartisan legislation to provide the United States Postal Service (USPS) much-needed financial relief by ending the agency’s burdensome prefunding mandate on future retiree health benefits.


Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Andrea Mitchell of MSNBC Andrea Mitchell Reports

Release: QUESTION: We see the Russian people are out and protesting against Vladimir Putin. There have been many arrests, thousands braving these sub-freezing temperatures. Alexei Navalny’s wife was detained protesting against his arrest and, of course, previously his poisoning by Russian authorities.


Marion County man admits to firearms charge

News Release: CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - James Joshua Hardesty, of Rivesville, West Virginia, has admitted to a firearms charge, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.


TSA intercepts two guns at Indianapolis International Airport

Release: INDIANAPOLIS -Transportation Security Administration officers at Indianapolis International Airport (IND) stopped two loaded handguns in separate and unrelated incidents on Wednesday, Jan. 27.


ICYMI: Barrasso Op-Ed: Biden's Climate Change Orders Take a Sledgehammer to Western State Economies

News Release: By: U.S. Senator John Barrasso Feb. 1, 2021 Read the Full Op-Ed Here: USA Today Excerpts from the op-ed: Last Congress, Senate Democrats and Republicans proved we can work together on several issues - including protecting our environment. As chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, ...


Dracut Construction Business Owner Charged with $1 Million Tax Fraud

News Release: BOSTON - The owner of a commercial and residential construction business in Dracut was charged on Friday, Jan. 29, 2021 with an income diversion and payroll tax scheme resulting in a tax loss that exceeded $1 million.


Hospital researcher sentenced to prison for conspiring to steal trade secrets, sell them in China

News Release: COLUMBUS, Ohio - A former Dublin, Ohio woman was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 30 months in prison for conspiring to steal exosome-related trade secrets concerning the research, identification and treatment of a range of pediatric medical conditions.


Lakeland Man Indicted On Theft Of Public Money And Aggravated Identity Theft Charges

News Release: Tampa, Florida - United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Julio Gonzalez (45, Lakeland) with four counts of theft of public money and two counts of aggravated identity theft. If convicted, Gonzalez faces a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment for...


Former Franklin County Middle School Teacher Of The Year Sentenced For Child Exploitation Crimes Involving Former Student

News Release: LOUISVILLE, KY. - Robert Alan Thompson, 34, of Hodgenville, Kentucky, was sentenced by United States District Judge David J. Hale on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2021, to 15 years in prison followed by a 15-year term of Supervised Release for online enticement of a minor and production of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Michael A. Bennett.


State Lawmaker Indicted for Stem Cell Fraud Scheme, Illegally Distributing Prescription Drugs

News Release: SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - An elected Missouri state representative has been indicted by a federal grand jury for a fraud scheme in which she made false claims about a supposed stem cell treatment marketed through her clinics in southern Missouri, and for illegally providing prescription drugs to clients of those clinics.