News from May 2024
By Federal Newswire | May 13, 2024
Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy, Liz Allen, is set to embark on a journey to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, and North Macedonia from May 12-20. The aim of this trip is to strengthen partnerships with Western Balkan countries and promote our mutual objectives of regional cooperation and European integration. During her visit, Under Secretary Allen will stress the shared democratic values between the United States and the people of the Western Balkans. She will also emphasize the importance of working collaboratively to safeguard free and open societies...
By Federal Newswire | May 13, 2024
The White House Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable (LAIR), overseen by the Office for Access to Justice (ATJ), has been actively working this year to enhance collaboration among 28 federal agencies with the aim of advancing access to justice. LAIR's mission is to "improve coordination among Federal programs, so that programs are more efficient and produce better outcomes," including broadening access to legal services.
By Federal Newswire | May 13, 2024
The Department of the Interior has announced the allocation of $54.2 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to clean up legacy pollution in North Dakota and West Virginia. The funds will be used to address orphaned oil and gas wells, reclaim well sites, and remediate contaminated locations.
By Federal Newswire | May 13, 2024
U.S. Senior Official for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ambassador Matt Murray is set to travel to Arequipa, Peru from May 13 to 18 for the Second Senior Officials’ Meeting and Related Meetings (SOM2) of the APEC Peru 2024 host year. While in Arequipa, Ambassador Murray will participate in a series of working group meetings, workshops, and stakeholder engagements. He will collaborate with senior government officials, business leaders, and other stakeholders from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss U.S. priorities for APEC and explore alignment with Peru’s...
By Federal Newswire | May 13, 2024
The State Department has reported significant progress in visa processing during the first half of fiscal year (FY) 2024, which spans from October 2023 to March 2024. This period saw the issuance of nearly 5.2 million nonimmigrant visas worldwide, surpassing any previous year's records for the same timeframe. Furthermore, within this six-month span, 30 percent of U.S. embassies and consulates overseas set all-time records for nonimmigrant visas issued.
By Federal Newswire | May 13, 2024
CLE ELUM, Wash., May 13, 2024 — Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small announced today that the USDA Forest Service is partnering with states to conserve nearly 168,000 acres of economically and ecologically significant forestlands across the nation. This initiative is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.
By Federal Newswire | May 13, 2024
On May 13, 2024, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken issued a statement on behalf of the people and government of the United States of America to congratulate the Israeli people and their government as the State of Israel marked its 76th anniversary.
By Federal Newswire | May 13, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz recently presented the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission with a $3.9 million Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grant. The ceremony took place in Winchester, Virginia, and marked a significant step towards new and expanded recycling infrastructure.
By Federal Newswire | May 13, 2024
The U.S. Department of Labor has found that a Watertown roofing contractor repeatedly violated federal regulations for fall protections. This determination followed a workplace safety investigation into an incident where an employee suffered fatal injuries after falling approximately 27 feet while carrying materials and climbing a ladder jack scaffold at a Brighton work site in September 2023.
By Federal Newswire | May 13, 2024
The Justice Department has declared its intention to monitor the upcoming elections in Prince George’s County, Maryland on May 14. The monitoring aims to ensure compliance with federal voting rights laws.
By Federal Newswire | May 13, 2024
Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, together with U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), and Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY), have written to Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, urging her administration to establish sister city ties with Taipei, Taiwan.
By Federal Newswire | May 13, 2024
Congress has committed over $42 billion to address the "digital divide." However, a new report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) suggests that this endeavor may not reach its full potential due to the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program's tendency to push states towards high-cost fiberoptic infrastructure, thereby neglecting other digital inclusion initiatives.
By Federal Newswire | May 13, 2024
On May 13, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of New York commenced a significant drinking water infrastructure project in Hicksville, N.Y. The initiative involves the installation of a system to protect the community's drinking water from PFAS chemicals, also known as 'forever chemicals.' The project is funded by water infrastructure investments under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the New York State Water Infrastructure Improvement grant program.
By Federal Newswire | May 13, 2024
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), has issued a Special Emphasis Notice (SEN) under the Leading Edge Acceleration Projects (LEAP) in Health Information Technology (Health IT) funding opportunity for fiscal year 2024. The ONC is inviting applications for projects focusing on two specific areas.
By Federal Newswire | May 13, 2024
On May 13, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of New York initiated a significant drinking water infrastructure project in Hicksville, N.Y. The project involves the installation of a system to protect the community's drinking water from PFAS chemicals, also known as 'forever chemicals.' Funding for this project has been secured through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the New York State Water Infrastructure Improvement grant program.
By Federal Newswire | May 13, 2024
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) with Polar Semiconductor, in which the U.S. Department of Commerce may provide up to $120 million in federal incentives under the CHIPS and Science Act. This proposed funding is expected to spur investment from private and state sources to expand Polar's manufacturing facility and introduce new technology capabilities in Bloomington, Minnesota.
By Federal Newswire | May 13, 2024
The Vermont Legislature has passed a data privacy bill that is being lauded by national consumer protection groups. Organizations such as Consumer Reports and the Electronic Privacy Information Center believe this legislation could signify a "turning point" in state privacy laws.
By Federal Newswire | May 13, 2024
An Ohio man has been sentenced to prison for violating the Clean Air Act through an aftermarket scheme that disabled the emissions control systems of diesel trucks. Davis Owens, 34, from Cleves, Hamilton County, was handed a sentence of 30 days in prison, seven months of home confinement and one year of supervised release. He had previously pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting the tampering of a monitoring device required under the Clean Air Act.
By Federal Newswire | May 13, 2024
Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves addressed the National Association of District Export Councils’ Annual Export Conference on May 13, 2024. He expressed his gratitude to Jonathan, Vice-Chair Anne Burkett, and their team for organizing the event. He also acknowledged the significant role played by the District Export Councils (DECs) in promoting understanding of exporting value and providing essential support to local trade ecosystems.
By Federal Newswire | May 13, 2024
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco recently addressed the Election Threats Task Force, emphasizing the critical role it plays in safeguarding democratic processes and those who facilitate them.
