News from April 2024
By Federal Newswire | Apr 5, 2024
Captain Valerie Littlejohn, Public Information Officer for the Oklahoma City Police Department, this week told Federal Newswire that cartels are transporting narcotics in and through Oklahoma City. They also facilitate human trafficking activities and use individuals as workers to pay off debts to the cartels, she said. Littlejohn shared the information with Federal Newswire on April 2.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 5, 2024
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer, and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith have jointly demanded accountability for the alleged retaliation against Hunter Biden whistleblowers. The three chairmen have sent letters to top officials, including Attorney General Merrick Garland, IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel, and Special Counsel David Weiss, seeking all documents and communications related to the investigation of IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joe Ziegler.In their letter to Commissioner...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 5, 2024
Shoals Technologies Group, a provider of Electrical Balance of Systems (EBOS) solutions, has been inducted into the board of directors of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). The company's CEO, Brandon Moss, will represent Shoals on the board.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 5, 2024
Commissioner Caroline D. Pham has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Belva Lockwood Award by The George Washington University Law School and Law Association for Women. The prestigious award will be presented to Commissioner Pham at The George Washington University’s Belva Lockwood Society Award Luncheon.The event is scheduled to take place on Friday, April 5, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. (EDT) at The George Washington University Law School FCC (5th Floor) located at 716 20th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20052. Additional information about the event can be found on The Belva...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 5, 2024
Brussels, BELGIUM – EU and U.S. officials recently convened in Brussels and Leuven as part of the EU-U.S. Trade and Technology Council to discuss joint actions on AI, 6G standards, semiconductors, and quantum technologies.According to Alexandre Roure, Head of Policy and Deputy Head of Office at CCIA Europe, the discussions marked a positive development in transatlantic relations. Roure stated, "We are encouraged to see that the European Union and the United States are making positive strides in boosting trade, economic security, and digital collaboration." He also...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 5, 2024
Civil liberties groups are making strong demands as they push for changes to an anti-terror surveillance law. A coalition of 32 groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, FreedomWorks, and the Electronic Privacy Information Center, has issued a warning to House leaders regarding the upcoming debate on the renewal of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and its Section 702.The coalition, as reported by HuffPost, has emphasized the importance of allowing votes on warrantless database searches and the government's utilization of private data brokers...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 5, 2024
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has confirmed the Justice Department's authority to investigate potentially anticompetitive conduct by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The decision, announced on April 5, 2024, overturns restrictions that had previously hindered the Department's ability to probe into NAR's practices.Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division expressed the importance of this ruling, stating, “Real-estate commissions in the United States greatly exceed those in any other...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 5, 2024
WASHINGTON – The American Apparel & Footwear Association, the National Retail Federation, the Retail Industry Leaders Association, and the United States Fashion Industry Association have collectively responded to the Department of Homeland Security's recent announcement regarding new enforcement actions aimed at combating illicit textile trade.In their joint statement, the associations expressed appreciation for DHS's efforts, stating, "We appreciate the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)’s announcement today outlining enhanced enforcement activities to prevent illicit...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 5, 2024
Washington, D.C. (April 5, 2024) – The Blockchain Association (BA) has taken a stand in the legal battle between the United States Department of Justice and Tornado Cash developers Roman Storm and Roman Semenov by filing an amicus brief in United States v. Storm.The amicus brief filed by the Blockchain Association highlights concerns about the indictment filed against the Tornado Cash developers. The brief asserts that the prosecution has failed to sufficiently plead facts supporting its unlicensed money transmitter charge. According to the Blockchain Association, the...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 5, 2024
Washington – Meta has filed a motion for summary judgment filed today in the FTC’s lawsuit against the social media company. The FTC’s lawsuit, filed back in 2021, is accusing Meta of abusing an alleged monopoly power with the acquisitions of Instagram and Whatsapp in 2012 and 2014 respectively. The FTC previously approved these acquisitions.The Computer & Communications Industry Association, which has advocated for competition in the tech industry for more than 50 years, has weighed in on the issue. CCIA President & CEO Matt Schruers expressed his concerns regarding the...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 5, 2024
In a recent development, an amicus curiae has stepped forward in support of Roman Storm's Motion to Dismiss. The document, titled "Amicus Curiae In Support of Roman Storm’s Motion to Dismiss," was released on April 5, 2024.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 5, 2024
CFTC Commissioner Kristin N. Johnson has revealed the agenda for the upcoming Market Risk Advisory Committee (MRAC) public meeting scheduled for April 9 in Washington, D.C. The meeting aims to consider recommendations designed to enhance market resilience and improve central counterparty wind-down procedures. Commissioner Johnson emphasized that these recommendations align with critical reforms implemented post the financial crisis to enhance market integrity and stability.During the meeting, the MRAC will delve into a formal report on the state of intermediated clearing...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 5, 2024
BRUSSELS – Today, global tech trade association ITI welcomed outcomes advancing transatlantic tech policy collaboration announced at the sixth U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) ministerial in Leuven, Belgium. The ITI President and CEO, Jason Oxman, expressed optimism, stating, “We’re encouraged that leaders on both sides of the Atlantic have heeded industry’s call to strengthen the process and functionality of the TTC to deliver impactful results in the years to come.”Oxman also emphasized the importance of continued efforts, noting, “The commitments announced...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 5, 2024
Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has voiced its opposition to a proposed bill in Vermont that could impact online privacy and data security.The bill in question, S.289, aims to implement age verification methods online, which CCIA argues could compromise residents' data and personal information. CCIA provided written comments and testimony to Vermont lawmakers expressing their concerns about the bill.According to CCIA, the additional personal information required by the bill could undermine efforts to pass and implement a...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 5, 2024
Coin Center, a leading nonprofit focused on the policy issues facing cryptocurrencies and decentralized technologies, has filed an amicus brief in defense of the Tornado Cash developer, Roman Storm. The brief, submitted in the Southern District of New York, aims to provide clarity on the nature of Tornado Cash and the legal implications surrounding its use.According to Coin Center, the prosecution's description of Tornado Cash has been vague and prejudicial. In their brief, Coin Center states, "We help the court cut through the vague and prejudicial description of Tornado...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 5, 2024
Washington, D.C. — Chairman Rostin Behnam, sponsor of the Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC), today provided further insight on planned discussion topics for the upcoming AAC meeting. The public meeting will be held on April 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (CDT) at the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel in Overland Park, KS. Members of the public will also have the option to attend virtually.“Ongoing climate and geo-political issues affecting our nation’s farmers and ranchers underscore the importance of access to capital as well as tools for hedging, financing, and managing...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 4, 2024
In an effort to encourage more individuals to pursue careers in teaching, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the U.S. Department of Education (ED) have launched a joint initiative aimed at simplifying the process for teachers entering the workforce.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 4, 2024
A manufacturer of Christmas wreaths and seasonal greens has agreed to pay $1.85 million in back wages to approximately 700 employees, as stated by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The company, whose products are sold at Target, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Wegmans, Costco and Publix, was found guilty of denying overtime pay to its seasonal workers and migrants.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 4, 2024
Microsoft could have thwarted Chinese hackers from gaining access to U.S. government emails via its Microsoft Exchange Online software last year, according to the Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB). This assertion was disclosed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which also outlined measures necessary to protect government emails from future hacking attempts.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 4, 2024
The Council on Foundations and the Center for Public Interest Communications have unveiled a report, titled "Philanthropy’s New Voice," that underscores the findings of an extensive study on narratives in philanthropy. This study is considered to be the largest of its kind.
