News published on Federal Newswire in July 2024

News from July 2024


EPA announces $5 million grant for Montague's Strathmore Mill cleanup

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced nearly $5 million in Brownfields grant funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the cleanup of the Strathmore Mill complex in Montague, Massachusetts. The announcement was made during an event attended by representatives from federal, state, and local governments, including Senator Markey and Nolumbeka Project Chairman David Brule.


Foreign nationals plead guilty for roles in global lockbit ransomware attacks

Two foreign nationals pleaded guilty today to participating in the LockBit ransomware group, which has been one of the most prolific ransomware variants globally. They admitted to deploying LockBit attacks against victims in the United States and worldwide.


Alleged transnational human smuggler indicted; arrested in Mexico

An indictment was unsealed yesterday containing criminal charges against the alleged leader of a human smuggling organization responsible for unlawfully bringing thousands of migrants into the United States. Along with the organization, the defendant, who was arrested in Mexico at the request of the United States, has also been designated for financial sanctions by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. These developments were made possible through extensive bilateral coordination and cooperation efforts between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement authorities.


Biden-Harris Administration announces $90 million investment in innovative conservation projects

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a $90 million investment in 53 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) projects aimed at developing new tools, approaches, practices, and technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands. This year's funding increase is attributed to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which specifically supports projects addressing climate change with a focus on reducing livestock emissions of enteric methane.


DOE anuncia financiamiento para sistemas solares y baterías en Puerto Rico

El Departamento de Energía de EE. UU. (DOE) anunció hoy su intención de emitir una oportunidad de financiamiento de $325 millones para el nuevo Programa de Comunidades Resilientes, financiado por el Fondo de Resiliencia Energética de Puerto Rico (PR-ERF). Este programa busca mejorar la resiliencia energética en comunidades vulnerables en Puerto Rico mediante la instalación de sistemas solares fotovoltaicos y almacenamiento en baterías en facilidades de salud comunitarias y áreas comunes dentro de propiedades multifamiliares subsidiadas.


AT&T informs customers of data breach amid ongoing privacy concerns

AT&T has informed its customers of a recent data breach, highlighting ongoing challenges in protecting personal information. Data privacy laws currently exist in 19 states, covering at least 150 million Americans, though these laws vary significantly in scale and scope. Federal regulations address specific areas of privacy, such as medical data or information about children, and agencies like the FCC regulate telecommunications. However, there is no comprehensive federal data privacy law.


Labor Department announces $99M funding for youth education and job training programs

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the availability of $99 million in funding to support pre-apprenticeships in high-demand industries, including construction, clean energy, healthcare, infrastructure, information technology, and hospitality.


Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence: ‘Cartel fraudsters run sophisticated teams of professionals’

Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson stated that the cartels operate "sophisticated teams of professionals" to scam and take advantage of U.S. citizens. Nelson made the statement in a U.S. Department of the Treasury press release on July 16.


U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission: 'Lack of reciprocity in the U.S.-China relationship'

In an Issue Brief titled "China's Foreign Missions in the United States," Lauren (Greenwood) Menon and Jonathan Roberts stated that the 17 Chinese entities labeled as foreign missions have enjoyed more freedom in the U.S. compared to U.S. diplomats in China, raising questions about the lack of reciprocity. The Issue Brief was published by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission on July 17.


Expert Criminologist: 'Cartels target migrant children for the purpose of exploiting them...through unaccompanied children program'

Dr. Jarrod Sadulski stated that "cartels target migrant children" for exploitation using the U.S. unaccompanied children program. Dr. Sadulski made this statement in a testimony before the GOP Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee during a hearing regarding the treatment of unaccompanied migrant children on July 9.


Seven indicted for meth conspiracy in southwest Missouri

Seven individuals residing in southwest Missouri have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their involvement in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Several of these individuals are Mexican nationals, according to a news release from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) published on July 11.


Law professor: Other jurisdictions' regulation of crypto is 'more rational, more thoughtful' than the U.S.

J.W. Verret, a law professor at George Mason University, stated that jurisdictions including the European Union (EU) and Singapore have implemented regulations for the digital asset industry that are more "rational" and "thoughtful" than the U.S. approach to regulating the industry. Verret shared his statement with Federal Newswire during a July 2 interview.


Mont. State Rep. Schillinger: ‘Our Indian reservations seem to be areas that drug cartels especially exploit’

Montana State Representative Jerry Schillinger (R-Circle) is expressing grave concerns over the escalating impact of drug trafficking and crime in rural and urban Montana, particularly affecting Native American reservations.


The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation announces NLRB-scheduled vote to remove union officials

The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation announced that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in Philadelphia has scheduled a vote for July 17 to decide if employees at Philadelphia International Airport can remove Unite Here Local 274 union officials. This decision follows nearly five months of litigation initiated by employee Kale Mulugeta with assistance from the foundation's attorneys.


Defense Innovation Board discusses tech adoption incentives at summer meeting

The Defense Innovation Board (DIB) held its summer board meeting at the Pentagon on July 17, 2024.


Former Las Vegas official charged with defrauding charity funds

A federal grand jury has indicted a former Las Vegas city councilwoman and current Nye County, Nevada, justice of the peace for allegedly defrauding donors to a charity intended to memorialize police officers who died in the line of duty.


Reclamation announces additional negotiations with Placer County Water Agency

The Bureau of Reclamation has announced four additional contract negotiation sessions with the Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) to discuss terms and conditions for a long-term Warren Act contract. This agreement involves the conveyance and temporary storage of up to 47,000 acre-feet of non-Central Valley Project water annually, utilizing excess capacity in Folsom Reservoir and the Folsom South Canal. The contract aims to support PCWA commitments under the American River Basin Water Forum Agreement and facilitate water transfers through the Lower American River to the East...


Georgia receives over $1 million grant funding for clean manufacturing initiatives

Grants from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act will support the renewal of American manufacturing by helping businesses produce low-carbon materials.


University of Kentucky receives $2M grant from EPA under Inflation Reduction Act

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the University of Kentucky Research Foundation as the recipient of approximately $2,097,521 in grant funding. This initiative aims to support efforts to report and reduce climate pollution from the manufacturing of construction materials. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), construction materials used in buildings and infrastructure contribute more than 15% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions.


ITI welcomes UK's focus on tech in King's Speech

The global tech trade association ITI has responded to the King’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament, which outlined a UK legislative agenda focused on economic growth through technology and innovation.