News from August 2024
By Federal Newswire | Aug 1, 2024
Three real estate investors have pleaded guilty to engaging in an extensive, multi-year conspiracy to fraudulently obtain a $74 million loan and a $45 million loan and fraudulently acquire multifamily properties.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 1, 2024
The Biden-Harris Administration has proposed a new rule aimed at banning airlines from charging fees for seating families together on flights. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has put forward this rule, which would mandate airlines to seat parents next to their young children for free when adjacent seating is available at booking. This initiative could save a family of four up to $200 per roundtrip if seat fees are typically $25.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 1, 2024
Human rights advocates, including the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT), have long argued that the design of internet and web technologies significantly impacts their ability to defend the rights and well-being of all people, particularly marginalized groups. A recent report from the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) supports this view and provides recommendations on how technical standard-setting can address challenges to broad participation and effective respect for human rights.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 1, 2024
The U.S. Department of State, in collaboration with the National Geographic Society, announced the recipients of the 2024 Fulbright-National Geographic Award on August 1, 2024. Five individuals have been recognized for their efforts to support conservation and cultural heritage globally. These awardees will conduct research in Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Iceland, Papua New Guinea, and Sri Lanka.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 1, 2024
The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today that New Mexico will join IRS Direct File for Filing Season 2025. This initiative, made possible by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, aims to enhance customer service and ensure taxpayers claim eligible benefits and deductions.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 1, 2024
The Justice Department (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) virtually co-hosted the first public meeting of the Strike Force on Unfair and Illegal Pricing (Strike Force) to discuss enforcement actions aimed at reducing prices for Americans.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 1, 2024
In 2022, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) defied a lawful subpoena issued by the bipartisan U.S. House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol (January 6th Committee). Over the subsequent two years, Jordan has issued at least 91 subpoenas in his role as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and its Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government (Weaponization Subcommittee).
By Federal Newswire | Aug 1, 2024
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Blue Campaign and Lyft, Inc. announced today that over one million Lyft drivers in the United States and Canada can now access a tutorial program designed to help them detect and prevent human trafficking. This initiative builds on efforts from earlier this year during Super Bowl 2024, when Lyft provided resources to drivers in Las Vegas to help recognize signs of this crime. Human trafficking tends to increase during large-scale events due to the high volume of people and the anonymity such gatherings provide.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 1, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in partnership with the White House Council on Environmental Quality, celebrated the 2024 President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA) and the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators (PIAEE) Awards Ceremony today, August 1. This annual event recognizes outstanding youth dedicated to environmental stewardship and teachers who have significantly contributed to environmental education.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 1, 2024
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced the appointment or reappointment of 55 members to serve on seven agricultural trade advisory committees.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 1, 2024
Andrew Miller, former deputy assistant secretary of state for Israeli-Palestinian Affairs in the Biden administration, is joining the Center for American Progress (CAP) as a senior fellow for Middle East policy in the National Security and International Policy department.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 1, 2024
The report, titled “From Facilities to Outcomes: A Neighborhood-Level Examination of Maternal and Infant Care Access in Chicago,” highlights the potential impacts of maternity care deserts and measures maternal health care access at a zip code level within the City of Chicago based on three categories: low access, medium access, and full access.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 1, 2024
On August 1, 2024, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco announced the launch of a new corporate whistleblower awards program. This initiative aims to enhance the Justice Department's efforts to hold corporate wrongdoers accountable.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 1, 2024
Policymakers in Europe are diligently working on artificial intelligence (AI) regulations, and this bulletin aims to provide updates on related laws and policies, as well as their implications for Europe, fundamental rights, and democracy.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 1, 2024
The Justice Department announced today its findings that the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) is violating the U.S. Constitution, as well as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
By Federal Newswire | Aug 1, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached a settlement with All American Asphalt over allegations that the company failed to provide complete and accurate reports of its releases of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) from its asphalt manufacturing plant in Irvine, California, during 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. These releases have been deemed permitted but must still be reported accurately under federal environmental law. The company will pay a $53,115 penalty.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 1, 2024
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule today updating Medicare payments and policies for inpatient hospitals and long-term care hospitals. The rule, part of the fiscal year (FY) 2025 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System (LTCH PPS), aims to improve health outcomes by addressing social determinants of health and enhancing emergency preparedness.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 1, 2024
The National Retail Federation (NRF) has expressed its support for the House-passed Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act (H.R. 7024), urging the Senate to find a path forward ahead of Thursday’s expected vote.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 1, 2024
The following statement was released by the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, along with the High Representative of the European Union.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 1, 2024
The United States has expressed its commendation for the Venezuelan populace's participation in the July 28 presidential election, despite facing significant challenges. At least 12 million Venezuelans cast their votes peacefully, exercising a fundamental democratic right. However, the vote processing and result announcement by the Maduro-controlled National Electoral Council (CNE) have been criticized as flawed and unrepresentative of the people's will.
