News from August 2024
By Federal Newswire | Aug 15, 2024
On August 1, the Department of Defense (DoD) and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) inaugurated a new supercomputing system dedicated to biological defense at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL).
By Federal Newswire | Aug 15, 2024
Washington, D.C. — The Medicare program provides critical health care coverage for more than 67 million older Americans. However, the plan known as Project 2025 puts this coverage at risk. Project 2025 includes plans to make Medicare Advantage (MA)—privatized Medicare—the default option for all Medicare enrollees, pushing the United States toward a future of fully privatized Medicare. A new Center for American Progress article examines the threat Project 2025 poses to Medicare enrollees and the solvency of the Medicare trust fund.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 15, 2024
Arlington, Va. – Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) President and CEO Eric Fanning today commended the State Department on the finding of comparability for the AUKUS nations, Australia and the United Kingdom, and for continued work to implement the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) exemption.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 15, 2024
Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unveiled new resources aimed at educators, school administrators, and others working with children to better understand and prevent online child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA). The initiative is part of Know2Protect, DHS's national public awareness campaign. For the first time, Know2Protect offers classroom materials targeted specifically at educators to promote internet safety during the back-to-school season.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 15, 2024
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the prices of the first 10 prescription drugs subject to the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) Medicare drug price negotiation program. In response, Andrea Ducas, vice president of Health Policy at the Center for American Progress, issued a statement.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 15, 2024
The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $10 million in funding for Climate Resilience Centers (CRCs) across 10 states to support communities vulnerable to extreme climate effects. University-led research teams will utilize DOE national laboratories' modeling, data, and research capabilities tailored to their regions, focusing on predicting weather hazard risks to better prepare communities. This initiative is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, aimed at ensuring all Americans benefit from scientific research.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 15, 2024
Retail sales data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that consumer spending increased in July, despite signs of moderating economic growth, according to National Retail Federation (NRF) Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 15, 2024
BOSTON (Aug. 15, 2024) – New England state air quality forecasters are predicting elevated concentrations of fine particle air pollution due to wildfires in Quebec and Western Canada. The primary concern is high concentrations of fine particle air pollution that is unhealthy, especially for sensitive groups such as people with respiratory disease, the elderly, or people with compromised health. Areas forecasted to exceed the Federal air quality standard for 24-hour particle pollution level concentrations include:
By Federal Newswire | Aug 15, 2024
Today, new web features for Threads were announced, aimed at helping users understand their content's performance and streamline the planning process. These updates are expected to be particularly beneficial for creators and businesses utilizing Threads to connect with audiences.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 15, 2024
The Heritage Foundation has joined Attorney General Ken Paxton and the state of Texas in a lawsuit filed Thursday, challenging the Biden administration's recent guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC’s guidance, issued last spring, requires employers to allow men into women-only spaces, including restrooms and locker rooms, and mandates employees to use pronouns that contradict a person’s biological sex.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 15, 2024
La Comisión Federal de Comercio (FTC) y el Estado de Arizona están tomando medidas contra Coulter Motor Company, con sede en Arizona, por participar en prácticas que perjudican a los consumidores. Estas incluyen la publicación de precios engañosos de vehículos y el cobro adicional a los latinos interesados en comprar carros. Coulter, junto con su ex director general Gregory Depaola, pagarán $2.6 millones para resolver la demanda, la mayor parte destinada a reembolsar a los consumidores afectados.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 15, 2024
The United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom have intensified their efforts to strengthen the AUKUS partnership by advancing defense trade integration. On August 15, 2024, the Department of State submitted to Congress a determination that the export control systems of Australia and the UK are comparable to those of the United States. Consequently, a reciprocal export exemption for U.S. entities has been implemented.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 15, 2024
On August 15, Netflix and Google announced a partnership to coincide with the premiere of "Emily in Paris" Season 4. This collaboration was celebrated with an event at Los Angeles' Egyptian Theatre, featuring a screening of the first three episodes, a demo of the new "Netflix Stories: Emily in Paris" video game, exclusive photo opportunities, giveaways, and other surprises.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 15, 2024
A Michigan company was sentenced today to pay a criminal fine of $6.5 million for its role in conspiracies to rig bids for asphalt paving services contracts in the State of Michigan.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 15, 2024
On August 15, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) hosted an awards ceremony at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Headquarters in Glynco, Georgia, where 190 employees received a Secretary’s Award in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the Department’s mission.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 15, 2024
The Justice Department announced today that it issued a letter to state and local police departments and governments about programs that may violate federal housing protections. The letter describes common features of these widespread programs, sometimes known as “crime-free” or “nuisance” programs, and cautions that they may be unlawful when they unfairly penalize communities of color, individuals with disabilities, or survivors of domestic violence.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 15, 2024
Some of the provisions in the proposed FTC rule mirror the language in COPPA 2.0, while others are only in the legislation.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 15, 2024
The Federal Trade Commission and the State of Arizona have initiated legal action against Coulter Motor Company, an Arizona-based dealership, for engaging in practices that allegedly deceive consumers and discriminate against Latino buyers. Coulter, along with its former general manager Gregory Depaola, will pay $2.6 million to settle the lawsuit, with most of the funds allocated for consumer refunds.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 15, 2024
A Maryland man was sentenced today to 30 years in prison in Baltimore federal court for conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 15, 2024
The Virginia law received an F grade in a 2024 report by the Electronic Privacy Information Center and US PIRG Education Fund due to its lack of substantial consumer protections.
