News from August 2024
By Federal Newswire | Aug 27, 2024
Nate Lavoy, a summer associate at the RAND Corporation, stated that publicly posted videos on TikTok pose a threat to U.S. national security. He explained that entities with access to these videos could use them to train artificial intelligence (AI) models to create "deepfakes," or digitally altered videos that can be used to spread misinformation. Lavoy shared his statement in an August 14 commentary.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 27, 2024
Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party have written to the CEO of Anzu Robotics, seeking clarification about the company's relationship with DJI, a People’s Republic of China (PRC) military drone company. In separate correspondence to Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, they presented evidence suggesting Anzu's concerning ties with DJI and requested that the Commerce Department consider measures to address potential...
By Federal Newswire | Aug 27, 2024
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has called for additional safeguards in Maryland's policy governing police use of facial recognition technology. Jeramie Scott, the director of the project on surveillance oversight at the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), commented on the ACLU’s recommendations.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 27, 2024
A California man was sentenced today to 37 months in prison for his role in a $2.8 million fraud scheme in which Medicare was billed for hospice services that the patients did not need.
By E. F. Cullerton | Aug 27, 2024
Bob Passmore, the vice president of auto and claims policy for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), stated in an August 9 statement to Federal Newswire that third-party litigation funding (TPLF) creates a larger volume of lawsuits and leads to outsized verdicts.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 27, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $26 million in funding, including $210,000 for New Hampshire, to protect children from lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities. This initiative aims to reduce lead exposure where children learn and play, aligning with the Biden-Harris Administration's Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 27, 2024
The U.S. Department of Education today released the framework for the testing period it will use starting October 1, 2024, ahead of making the 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available to all students and contributors on or before December 1. The Department’s top priority remains ensuring the FAFSA form is stable and delivers a smooth and secure experience for families, schools, states, and other partners.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 27, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a settlement with Cleveland Cliffs Burns Harbor LLC, located in Burns Harbor, Indiana, for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act. These violations reportedly occurred while the facility was operating under its former name, ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor LLC. As part of the settlement, the company will implement additional pollution controls and pay $248,396 in penalties.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 27, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced nearly $70 million in grant funding for Dillard University and the City of New Orleans. The funding includes $19,944,576 for Dillard University and its partner, United Way of Southeast Louisiana, as well as $49,975,589 from the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program (CPRG) for New Orleans to implement community-driven solutions addressing climate change.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 27, 2024
Austal USA LLC, a Mobile, Alabama-based company, has agreed to pay $811,259 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by knowingly supplying valves that did not meet military specifications.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 27, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $26 million in funding, including $1,285,000 allocated for Massachusetts, to protect children from lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities. This grant funding aims to reduce lead exposure where children learn and play while advancing the goals of the Biden-Harris Administration's Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 27, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $26 million in funding, including $298,000 allocated for Maine, to protect children from lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities. This grant aims to reduce lead exposure where children learn and play while advancing the goals of the Biden-Harris Administration's Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 27, 2024
The Biden-Harris Administration announced today the allocation of $521 million in grants to expand electric vehicle (EV) charging and alternative-fueling infrastructure across 29 states, two Federally Recognized Tribes, and the District of Columbia. This initiative includes the deployment of over 9,200 EV charging ports.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 27, 2024
On August 27, 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration announced that over $240 million will be allocated to nineteen state and local governments for the adoption and implementation of advanced energy-efficient or innovative building codes. This initiative is part of the administration's Investing in America agenda, aimed at reducing utility costs for residents and commercial building operators while combating climate change.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 27, 2024
On August 27, 2024, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken issued a press statement congratulating the Republic of Moldova on its 33rd Independence Day.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 27, 2024
On August 27, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced over $558 million in funding aimed at improving maternal health. This initiative is part of the Biden-Harris Administration's ongoing commitment to reducing the nation's high maternal mortality rate through the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 27, 2024
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced the implementation of federal disaster assistance for New Mexico, following severe storms and flooding from June 20 to June 21, 2024. President Biden issued a major disaster declaration in Santa Clara Pueblo.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 27, 2024
The Department of the Interior’s National Park Service released a report today revealing that visitor spending in communities near national parks in 2023 contributed a record $55.6 billion to the U.S. economy and supported 415,400 jobs.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 27, 2024
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced today an update to the fees telemarketers must pay to access phone numbers on the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry for fiscal year 2025, which begins on October 1, 2024.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 27, 2024
The U.S. Department of Labor is attempting to locate 28 former employees of a Cordele-based home healthcare company to distribute their share of $65,944 in back wages and liquidated damages. An investigation revealed that the employer, Adventist Homecare and Medical Services LLC, had failed to pay these workers overtime wages as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
