News published on Federal Newswire in December 2024

News from December 2024


State Department releases 2023 digest on US international law practice

The Department of State has announced the release of the 2023 Digest of United States Practice in International Law.


US-China science agreement extended with new protocols

On December 13, 2024, the United States and the People's Republic of China (PRC) signed a protocol to amend and extend the U.S.-PRC Science and Technology Agreement (STA) for five years.


FTC addresses digital security risks through targeted actions

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is addressing digital security risks by focusing on data management, software development, and product design.


New York State announces minimum wage hike and paid prenatal leave starting January

On January 1, 2025, the minimum wage in New York State will see an increase of $0.50.


Former bank executive sentenced to federal prison for fraud

John Padilla, a former senior vice president and commercial loan officer at a federally insured bank in Lawton, Oklahoma, has been sentenced to 16 months in federal prison for bank fraud.


Biden administration awards $315K grant for job training in Detroit

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that Southwest Economic Solutions will receive a $315,000 grant to support workforce development in Detroit.


Maryland man sentenced for assaulting police during January 6 Capitol breach

A Maryland resident has been sentenced to prison for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.


North Platte woman receives over three-year sentence for meth distribution

Jessica Binegar, also known as "Jessica Keo," has been sentenced to 43 months in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine.


Madison man receives prison sentence for using counterfeit currency

Timothy M. O’Shea, the United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Alex J. Stubbs from Madison has been sentenced to 14 months in federal prison for passing counterfeit U.S. currency.


Smithsonian hosts Brazilian museum professionals under Afro-Connections program

This week, a group of 10 museum professionals from Brazil visited Washington, D.C., as part of the Department of State’s Afro-Connections program.


Akron man sentenced to prison for series of armed robberies

Timothy Hyatt, a 36-year-old resident of Akron, Ohio, has received an 18-year prison sentence from U.S. District Judge Charles Fleming.


Justice Department resolves investigations into McKinsey's role with Purdue Pharma

McKinsey & Company Inc., a management consulting firm based in New York, has agreed to pay $650 million to settle criminal and civil investigations related to its consulting work with Purdue Pharma L.P. The settlement addresses McKinsey's advice...


Hugo man pleads guilty to child exploitation charges

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma has announced that Steven Mark McAnally, a 65-year-old resident of Hugo, Oklahoma, has pleaded guilty to possessing material related to the sexual exploitation of minors.



EPA adds Upper Columbia River site to Superfund list

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has added the Upper Columbia River Site in northeast Washington to the Superfund National Priorities List.


Council Bluffs man receives sentence for child pornography offenses

Cameron S. Hurd, a 34-year-old resident of Council Bluffs, Iowa, has been sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for the distribution and receipt of child pornography.


Transplant surgeon sentenced for illegal money transmitting linked to drug operation

A Chinese kidney transplant surgeon, Zhendi Wang, was sentenced in a Boston federal court for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business linked to his family member's drug trafficking operation.


Sequoyah County man sentenced for drug and firearm offenses

Beau Don Morton, a 42-year-old resident of Muldrow, Oklahoma, has been sentenced to two concurrent 30-month prison terms for illegal possession of a firearm and maintaining a drug-involved premises.


Hope Family Drug Summit invites WV families impacted by substance use disorder

West Virginia will host the HOPE Family Drug Summit on January 15, 2025, at the University of Charleston.


Maryland man convicted for sexual crimes on Baltimore cruise ship

A federal jury has convicted Jalen Thomas Kelley, a 22-year-old from Abingdon, Maryland, of aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse, and assault within the territorial jurisdiction.