News published on Federal Newswire in April 2022

News from April 2022



Homestead National Historical Park to host Annual Fiddle Festival

News Release: Beatrice, Nebraska - Homestead National Historical Park hopes you will join us on May 28, 2022, to share your talent and compete in our annual Tallgrass Prairie Fiddling Festival. We look forward to hosting this yearly event that honors the musical traditions of the Homestead Era. There will be over $3,000 in prize money provided by the Coffin Foundation.



EPA Recognizes Flowers Baking Company of Norfolk, Virginia, Among Nation’s Most Energy–Efficient Manufacturing Facilities

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized Flowers Baking Co. of Norfolk, LLC, a commercial bread and roll baking plant, as one of 93 U.S. manufacturing plants that earned the agency’s ENERGY STAR certification in 2021.


Reducing Wildfire Risk and Improving Wildlife Habitat

With mild spring conditions filling the forecast, the Daniel Boone National Forest initiated a series of prescribed burns in late-February.


U.S. Fires Quadrupled in Size, Tripled in Frequency in 20 Years

U.S. Fires Quadrupled in Size, Tripled in Frequency in 20 Years


On-the-Record Briefing: Secretary Blinken’s Upcoming Travel to Panama

Release: MR BARTLETT: Thanks very much and thanks, everyone, for joining us today. We’re happy to have you for this call previewing Secretary Blinken’s upcoming travel to Panama. The trip was announced earlier today, and the Secretary departs for Panama on Tuesday, April 19th. Just a reminder again, this call is on the record but.


The US Agriculture Department published a four page rule on April 14, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.


The US Commerce Department published a one page notice on April 14, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.



The US Interior Department published a one page notice on April 14, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.


APHIS Establishes a New Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens) Quarantine in Zapata, Zapata County, Texas and Expands the Quarantine Areas in Cameron and Hidalgo Counties

APHIS and TDA established the Zapata quarantine following the confirmed detection of a mature mated female Mexfly from a trap in a grapefruit tree in a residential area.


News Release: Acting U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler announced that a federal jury returned guilty verdicts on Thursday, April 14, 2022, against Defendant Andre Badley, 49, of Cleveland, Ohio, following a four-day trial before U.S. District Judge John R. Adams in Akron. Badley was convicted of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, cocaine, fentanyl and heroin, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.


APHIS Releases Annual Impact Report for 2021

Each year, I have the honor of sharing with you APHIS’ achievements as highlighted in our annual Impact Report.


DOE Releases New Equity Action Plan, Unveils Investments to Strengthen HBCU Opportunities in Clean Energy

Release: New Initiatives Aim to Remove Barriers to Federal Funding, Increase STEM Inclusion, Generate More Diverse Solutions to Tackle the Climate Crisis and Realize Justice40


News Release: LOUISVILLE, KY - Joseph Samir Zakhari, 34, was sentenced this week to 15 years in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for multiple child exploitation offenses. There is no parole in the federal system.


News Release: Wind Cave National Park, S.D. - Planning is underway to burn 1,037 acres of land adjacent to the Elk Mountain Campground this spring. The fire could occur as early as the week of April 17.


Four Baltimore Area Men Facing Federal Indictment for Three Kidnappings and Related Charges

News Release: Defendants Allegedly Posed as Police Officers to stop the Victims and their Vehicles and then Carjacked and Assaulted Victims as Part of a Conspiracy to Rob the Victims or their Employers.


Release: The United States welcomes the arrival today of a truck convoy carrying over 1,700 metric tons of life-saving humanitarian assistance in Tigray. We appreciate the efforts of the government of Ethiopia, Tigrayan regional authorities, and Afar regional authorities in facilitating that delivery. We also...


Committee Leaders Call on Secretary Granholm to Fulfill DOE’s Duty to Lead Energy Cybersecurity

Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), along with Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Ranking Member John Barrasso (R-WY), sent a letter to Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm calling on her to ensure the Department of Energy (DOE) remains the lead cybersecurity agency for the energy sector, as well as to ensure the Federal government does not impose duplicative cyber incident reporting requirements on the energy sector.In the letter, the committee leaders stress the importance of energy sector and Federal government coordination in responding to increased cyber threats to energy infrastructure.