News published on Federal Newswire in December 2023

News from December 2023


US enhances law blocking fish-related products from Russia to enter the country

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has declared that seafood consumed by Americans will no longer have any connections to Russia. The agency announced that all fish-related products imported into the United States must demonstrate that they did not originate from the Russian Federation. This directive also applies to seafood items processed in a third country before being imported into the United States.


King of the Hammers Race comes to Johnson valley Off-Highway Recreational Area

The US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced a temporary closure of the off-highway vehicle recreation area in preparation for the upcoming King of the Hammers race. The event operates under a special permit from the BLM, which allows usage for 10 days each year.


The Department of Veteran Affairs is providing hundreds of millions in funding to help homeless Veterans

The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has committed to allocating hundreds of millions in grant funding to aid homeless Veterans, following recent data that indicates a rise in Veteran homelessness in 2023.


Over five million Veterans have been screened by the Department of Veteran Affairs

The Department of Veteran Affairs has made significant strides in early detection and treatment for Veterans, with over 5 million veterans screened for toxic exposures this year.


AI is helping make public health more accessible for everyone

Google and YouTube are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the accessibility and quality of health content for users worldwide. The technology is transforming public health services, making them more readily available to consumers.


AFL-CIO and Microsoft are partnering to develop AI and the future of the workforce

Microsoft and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) have announced a partnership aimed at developing artificial intelligence (AI) that caters to the needs of workers. The alliance intends to ensure that workers' voices are heard during AI development and will work towards shaping an AI policy that supports them.


IBM is purchasing StreamSets and webMethods platforms from Software AG

IBM has announced the acquisition of StreamSets and webMethods platforms from Software AG for a sum of 2.13 billion euros. This move is part of IBM's strategic focus on mergers and acquisitions aimed at strengthening their Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Hybrid Cloud offerings.


Wisconsin sawmill fined $1.4 million by DOL for failing to properly train employees on maintenance operations

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has imposed a $1.4 million fine on a Wisconsin sawmill, Florence Hardwoods LLC, for violating federal law by permitting minors to operate hazardous machinery. The department also found that the employees involved were not given sufficient training to adhere to safety guidelines for machine maintenance.


Border Patrol Chief:  'Irregular, unlawful maritime migration is always dangerous and often deadly'

Samuel Briggs II, the Acting Chief Patrol Agent of the Miami Sector for U.S. Border Patrol, recently drew attention to the dangers of maritime migration. In a retweet from the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), Briggs underscored the risks faced by migrants attempting to reach America via sea routes.


Ultragenyx, a pharmaceutical company, agrees to pay $6 million for paying kickbacks to induce claims for its drug

Ultragenyx, a pharmaceutical company, has agreed to pay $6 million for allegations of paying kickbacks that contributed to increased claims for its drug, Crysvita. The company is accused of submitting false claims to Medicare and Medicaid by offering free genetic tests to encourage prescriptions of its drug.


Border Patrol Chief:  'Our USBP agents and CBP officers need the right technology and equipment to be successful'

The Chief of the United States Border Patrol, Jason Owens, recently shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) that a smuggling attempt involving heroin was successfully thwarted by agents in Indio, California. He emphasized the need for advanced technology to aid agents and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officials in continuing their efforts against drug trafficking.


Foundation for the Restoration of America named by Awake Americans as a top three charity in 2024

The Foundation for the Restoration of America (FFROA) has been selected as one of the top three charities for 2024 by Awake Americans. Each year, Awake Americans identifies three leading charities that embody the tenets of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness from the Declaration of Independence. For its 2024 philanthropy campaign, it chose FFROA's Constitutional Study and Scholarship program to represent the pursuit of happiness.


Hezbollah member who helped plan 1994 bombing in Buenos Aires, Argentina is charged by the Department of Justice

The U.S. Department of Justice has announced that Samuel Salman El Reda, a high-ranking member of Hezbollah, is facing charges related to acts of terrorism for his alleged involvement in the 1994 bombing in Buenos Aires, Argentina. El Reda has reportedly participated in terrorist operations across South America, Asia, and Lebanon.


US Attorney Dena J. King: ‘Deadly drugs like fentanyl and the gun violence tied to the drug trade are responsible for shattering families and devastating our communities’

Fourteen individuals linked to a North Carolina drug organization, which was supplied by both the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), have been sentenced to prison. The sentencing follows a two-year investigation that revealed the organization's involvement in trafficking substantial quantities of fentanyl and cocaine, as well as illegal firearm possession. This information was disclosed by Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.


New bill defends US mining against threat of China

U.S. Rep. Blake Moore (R-Utah) recently introduced a bill aimed at safeguarding crucial mining and mineral refining activities in the United States from potential adverse impacts of the Biden administration's policies. According to a press release from Moore, without this legislative intervention, the U.S. risks falling further behind China's current dominance in the critical mineral market.


Center for Immigration Studies' fellow Todd Bensman: 'Migrants flying directly into America go uncounted'

Todd Bensman, a fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies, has asserted that hundreds of thousands of migrants are arriving in American cities by air, largely unnoticed and unreported. In an article penned on September 21, Bensman shed light on the obscured data concerning the influx of foreign immigrants entering the country via air travel.


HUD announces $173.9 million grant to make 19 apartment complexes more energy efficient

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced a $173.9 million grant aimed at improving home energy efficiency. The funding will be sourced from the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP), an initiative designed to enhance recent technological advancements in utility efficiency, energy generation, comprehensive, and elements categories.


Chief Patrol Agent: 'Rocky and remote terrain doesn’t inhibit determined Yuma station agents'

Yuma Chief Patrol Agent, Sean L. McGoffin, recently used the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to express his admiration for agents who consistently strive to maintain safety in the region. McGoffin highlighted that the challenging landscape surrounding Yuma does not discourage these agents.


Allegheny Forest Alliance Director Julia McCray: 'Our own government is betraying us'

Julia McCray, the executive director of Allegheny Forest Alliance (AFA), recently expressed her concerns regarding the proposed Natural Asset Company (NAC) rule, which is currently under consideration by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). She called upon Americans to oppose this rule, describing it as a "boot on the throat" of small communities.


CBP applauds regulations to help operations and communications related to trade

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) federal advisory committee has greenlit a series of recommendations aimed at streamlining the transit of goods within America. The move, designed to expedite North American trade, was announced during a recent meeting of the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC).