News published on Federal Newswire in October 2023

The Department of Defense and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence have released their Annual Report on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) for fiscal year 2023. This report is a result of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022, as amended by the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2023.

Federal Transit Administration allocates million for modernization of U.S. rail transit system

A branch of the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), has announced the allocation of nearly $197 million for the modernization of the country's rail transit system. The funding will be used to replace aging railcars, improving reliability, safety, and accessibility for millions of Americans who depend on these rail systems for their daily commute.

FTX insiders gave $230 million to friends, family, politicians, and special interests

During the criminal trial of crypto exchange FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, a list of donations he and his associates made prior to the exchange's collapse became public. The list detailed $230 million worth of donations FTX insiders made to their friends and family, as well as to politicians, political action groups, and special interests.

Arkansas governor forcing Chinese company to sell U.S. farmland, done with 'dangerous governments infiltrating our country'

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced on October 17 that Arkansas is taking a stand against Chinese-affiliated companies owning US farmland. Arkansas will be the first state in the country to force these companies to sell their land holdings. Governor Sanders stated that the state will not tolerate dangerous governments infiltrating the country any longer.

Coria: 'The Wage and Hour Division is committed to combating the alarming increase in child labor violations in the U.S.'

According to a U.S. Department of Labor press release, a federal court in Kentucky has ordered Win.IT America Inc., a distribution center operator in Hebron, to stop illegally employing children and adhere to federal child labor laws. The action was taken to combat the alarming increase in child labor violations in the U.S., as stated by Juan Coria, the Wage and Hour Division representative.

Sinaloa Cartel reportedly bans fentanyl production

The Sinaloa Cartel, one of the two most powerful drug cartels operating in Mexico, have reportedly been leaving signs that they are banning the production of fentanyl at their labs, and killing those who do not comply. It is unclear whether this is a stance that will stick, or if it is just a temporary ban to take law enforcement pressure off the cartel.

Green: 'The Department's continued lack of transparency is unacceptable'

The House Committee on Homeland Security has threatened to issue a subpoena to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) if it fails to provide requested documents regarding the CBP One app by October 20, 2023. The app is used to release inadmissible aliens into the United States, according to a press release from the Committee.

Cartels operate extensive weapons smuggling networks from the US to Mexico

A CBS News documentary titled, "Arming Cartels: Inside the Mexican-American Gunrunning Networks," revealed the extensive weapons smuggling networks operated by Mexican drug cartels from the US to Mexico. The documentary, released on September 14, featured interviews with intelligence officials and special agents who witnessed and reported on the smuggling.

Tech association president highlights lack of consumer harm in Google antitrust trial

Matt Shruers, president of the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), has criticized the government's antitrust lawsuit against Google, suggesting that the government is trying to push consumers towards a less preferred product simply because they believe Google is too big. In an interview with Federal Newswire, Shruers expressed concern over the government's attempt to drive consumers away from Google Search, which is a product that consumers generally prefer.

Frost: 'Nicaragua is facing a devastating political and humanitarian crisis'

A bipartisan group of U.S. Representatives, led by Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL), is calling for the redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nicaraguans. In a letter issued on October 11, 2023, the coalition urged President Biden, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and Director of Citizenship and Immigration Services Ur Jaddou to take immediate action due to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Nicaragua.

Executive Director of Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans: 'Our county government has an opportunity to be an example to the world in upholding human rights'

San Diego County has allocated $3 million in funding to provide humanitarian relief to asylum seekers, but advocates say more support is needed.

Stevens: 'These rules are a critical step to make sure American products made with American know-how don’t advance the CCP’s agenda'

Michigan Rep. Haley Stevens has expressed support for the Biden Administration's efforts to protect American semiconductors from falling into the hands of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Stevens commended the administration's "commonsense framework" aimed at safeguarding American interests while promoting the domestic production of advanced semiconductors.

SEC proposes rules to enable elite investors and governments to profit from protecting natural resources under climate crisis policies

On October 4, the SEC proposed a new investment vehicle called the "Natural Asset Company (NAC)," created by the Intrinsic Exchange Group (IEG) in partnership with the NYSE and supported by organizations like the Rockefeller Foundation and the World Wildlife Fund. The NAC is designed to allow elite investors and governments to profit from protecting natural resources linked to climate crisis policies, including the 30x30 agenda, net-zero, and decarbonization, but some argue that its objective is more about political and financial control of global natural resources, especially in the United States, prompting calls for immediate congressional oversight.

Bennet: 'We have to reform our immigration system to honor our traditions as a nation of immigrants and our commitment to the rule of law'

According to a press release, Senator Michael Bennet recently visited Mexico City to gather information for his work on the Americas Act and to address the urgent issues surrounding the U.S. immigration system. During his visit, Bennet met with key stakeholders, including U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar, former Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, Senator Xóchitl Gálvez, and Mexican civil society and business leaders.

Individuals classified as 'special interest aliens' apprehended at border

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has confirmed the apprehension of four Iranians since the beginning of October.

Kerry White warns of "top-down overreach by the USFWS" in proposed 5.8 million-acre Montana conservation area plan

In a recent interview, Kerry White of Citizens for Balanced Use urged landowners to be wary of a proposed plan to create a vast conservation area in Montana, which he claims would increase federal government control over the land and would prioritize wildlife over local residents' access to the land.

Mayor Eric Adams advocates for humane approach to migrant crisis following Colombia visit

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has called for a more humane approach to the ongoing migrant crisis following his visit to Colombia. Adams spoke about the issue during a gaggle with the local Colombian press on October 7th, according to a press transcript released by his office.

San Diego faces crisis as U.S. Border Patrol releases thousands of migrants

Approximately 13,000 migrants have been released at transit stations in San Diego since September 13, with 500 more arriving daily, according to AP News. This has created an "unprecedented humanitarian crisis" in the city, as U.S. Border Patrol releases migrants onto the streets due to overcrowded shelters. The situation is putting a strain on local charities and aid organizations, who are struggling to cope with the influx of migrants and the lack of government funding.

Biden administration allegedly reopening an "influx care facility" in Carrizo Springs, Texas, to house unaccompanied migrant children

The Biden administration is reportedly reopening an "influx care facility" in Carrizo Springs, Texas, to house unaccompanied migrant children. This decision comes in response to a surge in border crossings and increased strain on federal, state, and local resources, including in major urban centers like New York and Chicago, according to CBS News.

DOJ's antitrust advocacy called into question by Chamber of Commerce leader