News published on Federal Newswire in October 2021

Release: The government of South Africa has asked USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to authorize the importation of corn seed (Zea mays) for planting into the United States and Territories. APHIS has drafted a pest risk assessment that describes potential pests associated with the commodity.APHIS ...

USDA Announces Approval of D-SNAP for California Disaster Areas

Release: Washington - Low-income California residents in six counties (Lassen, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Tehama and Trinity) recovering from the wildfires that began on July 20 could be eligible for a helping hand from the USDA’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP), announced today by the U.S Department of Agriculture.

Temporary Closure of All Park Trails Due to Bear Activity

By Interior Newswire | Oct 12, 2021

News Release: For the safety of park visitors and bears, all park trails and the Kaasdaa Héen (Indian River) area within the park boundaries are temporarily closed effective as of 6:00 pm, Oct. 12, 2021. See attached map. The closure is due to increased observation of bears. Park management will continue to evaluate bear activity. Check the alerts and conditions section of the park website for trail status updates.

Cincinnati man sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for robbing restaurant

News Release: CINCINNATI - The lead of four defendants convicted of robbing an area chicken wings restaurant at gunpoint was sentenced in federal court to 126 months in prison.

Springfield Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography

News Release: SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Springfield, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to receiving and distributing hundreds of images and videos of child pornography.

DHS Releases Worksite Enforcement Strategy to Protect the American Labor Market, Workers, and Worksite Conditions

By Homeland Newswire | Oct 12, 2021

News Release: WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas directed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to take actions to promote a fair labor market by supporting more effective enforcement of wage protections, workplace safety, labor rights, and other employment laws and standards.

Secretary Mayorkas to Allow Fully Vaccinated Travelers from Canada and Mexico to Enter U.S. at Land Borders and Ferry Crossings

By Homeland Newswire | Oct 12, 2021

News Release: WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced that, following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other public health experts, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will amend Title 19 regulations to allow non-essential travelers who have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and have appropriate documentation to enter the United States via land and ferry ports of entry (POEs) across the U.S. border.

USDA Celebrates National School Lunch Week, School Meal Program Resiliency throughout the Pandemic

News Release: WASHINGTON, Oct. 12, 2021 – During a visit to Riverdale Elementary in Riverdale, Maryland today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is joining with students, parents, schools, communities, and partners across the nation in recognition of National ...

USDA Announces First Installment of Farm Service Agency and Rural Development State Directors

News Release: WASHINGTON, Oct. 12, 2021 – Following a press release from President Joe Biden announcing the appointment of several regional appointments, the U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the appointments of five Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Directors and seven Rural Development (RD) State Directors.

Statement by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on the Confirmation of Representative Xochitl Torres Small to Serve as Under Secretary for Rural Development

News Release: WASHINGTON, Oct. 12, 2021 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the following statement after the successful confirmation of Xochitl Torres Small to serve as Under Secretary for Rural Development at the United States Department of Agriculture.

Detroit Tax Preparer Indicted for Preparing False Tax Returns

News Release: A federal grand jury in Detroit, Michigan, charged a Detroit tax preparer on Oct. 7 with 15 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns. According to the indictment, Daneilla Allen, who at times resided in Detroit, was one of the owners and operators of a tax preparation business ...

Former Chief Executive Officer of Petrochemical Company Sentenced to 20 Months in Prison for Foreign Bribery Scheme

News Release: A Brazilian man who previously served as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Braskem S.A. (Braskem), a publicly-traded Brazilian petrochemical company, was sentenced today in the Eastern District of New York to 20 months in prison for a scheme to divert hundreds of millions of dollars from Braskem into a secret slush fund and to pay bribes to government officials, political parties, and others in Brazil.

Texas Man Indicted for Sending Violent Threats to Prominent Maryland Doctor Who Had Been a Vocal Advocate of the COVID-19 Vaccine

News Release: A federal grand jury in Baltimore, Maryland, has indicted a Texas man for sending a threatening communication to a Maryland doctor.

Management of the Department of State’s Continuing Afghanistan Relocation and Resettlement Efforts

News Release: Today, Ambassador John Bass is transitioning from his temporary position as the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts, and Ambassador A. Elizabeth Jones is succeeding him. Ambassador Bass is a dedicated public servant, who stepped in at the Secretary’s request on a temporary basis to lead State Department ...

High-Level Meetings on Ethiopia

News Release: The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Today, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with African Union High Representative Olusegun Obasanjo to discuss the crisis in Ethiopia. Following their discussion, the Secretary, accompanied by U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey ...

Deputy Secretary McKeon’s Meeting with Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Linde

News Release: The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Brian P. McKeon met today with Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde during their participation in the Malmö International Forum on Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Anti-Semitism in Malmö, Sweden. ...

Key Outcomes at the 48th Session of the UN Human Rights Council