News from December 2023
By Federal Newswire | Dec 7, 2023
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has invited the public to comment on a proposed gen-tie electric project in Carbon County, Wyoming. The BLM is weighing two options for the transmission line, one of which would involve it crossing 4.7 miles of BLM lands.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 7, 2023
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has voiced its concerns over a series of decisions approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), claiming that they are detrimental to the state's rooftop solar industry. Abigail Ross Hopper, SEIA’s president and CEO, has urged the commission to reconsider before these changes cause further damage.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 7, 2023
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has released a report detailing how pandemic response funds have stabilized housing markets in Indian Country, resulting in an increased percentage of native families retaining their homes. The report highlights the effectiveness of three pandemic recovery programs that have helped homeowners in Tribal communities avoid foreclosure and eviction, thereby strengthening both local and national economies.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 7, 2023
Blue Star Families, the largest national non-profit dedicated to supporting military families, has joined forces with the Hiring Our Heroes Program to combat high unemployment rates among military spouses. The Hiring Our Heroes Program is a renowned initiative that assists transitioning service members in finding meaningful careers.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 7, 2023
Workers in the landscaping and horticultural industries across four western states and three Pacific territories are now required to comply with a labor program designed to enhance workplace safety.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 7, 2023
Border Patrol agents in the El Centro sector successfully confiscated a total of 218 pounds of liquid methamphetamine from a vehicle last week, estimated to be worth $328,000.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 7, 2023
The El Paso region continues to be a hotspot for smugglers intent on distributing drugs or migrants across the United States. Chief Border Patrol Agent Jason Owens recently reported via Twitter that agents in the area apprehended a significant group of individuals, including a sex offender and a murderer.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 7, 2023
Recently, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines have voiced strong opposition to the Credit Card Competition Act of 2023 (S. 1838). The two industry leaders have raised concerns that the proposed legislation could significantly limit cardmembers' ability to earn travel rewards, thereby potentially disrupting key aspects of airline business models.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 7, 2023
Jason Owens, Chief of U.S. Border Patrol (USBP), announced the commencement of removal flights on December 7th. Removal flights are conducted to remove unlawful residents from the country and return them to their home countries.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 7, 2023
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced plans to strengthen food sovereignty and expand indigenous roles in forest management, in response to tribal requests. The department will allocate more than $68 million in investments across 120 new agreements to facilitate this effort.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 7, 2023
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a partnership with American Forests, aimed at scaling up climate-adapted reforestation efforts over the next five years. This collaboration is set to restore millions of acres of burned and degraded forest across the United States.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 7, 2023
Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, president of the American Nurses Association (ANA), has been recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare in 2023. This ranking celebrates individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made a significant impact on healthcare.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 7, 2023
Drew Horn, the CEO of GreenMet, an organization that addresses vulnerabilities in critical mineral supply chains, told Federal Newswire that the Treasury Department's guidance for electric vehicles (EV) could enable foreign entities of concern (FEOC) to benefit from American taxpayer funds. Horn urged the Department of Energy to work with partners to enhance critical mineral traceability in order to prevent adversarial nations such as China from exploiting American consumers and taxpayers.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 7, 2023
The U.S. Administration announced a draft to reduce national food waste on Dec 2nd. The initiative will see the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) collaborating towards this goal.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 7, 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has voiced his strong support for the nomination of J. Todd Inman to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) during an executive session held today. Senator Cruz highlighted Inman's leadership experience and qualifications for the critical safety role.The NTSB plays a crucial role in thoroughly investigating transportation accidents to identify their causes and make recommendations to prevent future incidents. Senator Cruz emphasized Inman's qualifications, stating, "As he demonstrated at his hearing last...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 7, 2023
U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash) have expressed concern over the seemingly inconsistent enforcement of community guidelines by Eventbrite, a popular event management and ticketing platform. In a letter addressed to Eventbrite President and CEO Julia Hartz, the lawmakers requested details regarding the removal of events featuring comments from Riley Gaines, while allowing events promoting pro-Hamas groups to remain on the platform.The letter highlights...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 7, 2023
The Senate Budget Committee, led by Chairman Sheldon Whitehouse and Ranking Member Chuck Grassley, has launched a bipartisan investigation into the effects of private equity ownership on hospitals in the United States. The committee is particularly concerned about the questionable financial transactions and potential impact on patient care in hospitals under private equity ownership.In letters sent to the CEOs of Leonard Green & Partners, Prospect Medical Holdings, Medical Properties Trust, Apollo Global Management, Lifepoint Health, and Ottumwa Regional Health Center,...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 7, 2023
U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Roger Wicker (R-MS), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, along with U.S. Representatives Mike Rogers (R-AL) and Adam Smith (D-WA), Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, have issued a joint statement regarding the completion of the Conference Report for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24 NDAA).In their statement, the lawmakers emphasized the importance of providing for national defense and fulfilling Congress' constitutional duty. They highlighted...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 6, 2023
The U.S. National Park Service (NPS) has announced the appointment of David Szymanski as the new regional director for the Pacific West region. His jurisdiction will include parks in California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, parts of Arizona and Montana. In addition to these states, he will also oversee parks in Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 6, 2023
The Governance Studies program of the Brookings Institution has announced the initiation of the Anti-Corruption, Democracy, and Security Project (ACDS). This new initiative aims to tackle the most pressing and complex anti-corruption issues that pose a challenge to global democracy.
