News from May 2024
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
Chairman Rostin Behnam is set to take part in a Fireside Chat at the 27th Annual Milken Institute Global Conference. The event is scheduled for Monday, May 6, 2024, from 11:30 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. (PT) and 2:30 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. (ET) at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA.Expressing his anticipation for the event, Chairman Behnam stated, "I am honored to participate in this Fireside Chat at the 27th Annual Milken Institute Global Conference."The conference, under the theme "Milken Institute Global Conference 2024: Shaping a Shared Future," is expected to bring...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
(Guiyang, Guizhou Province – May 6, 2024) Elder Zhang Chunlei of Guiyang Renai Reformed Church has been facing a prolonged legal battle after being tried on charges of "inciting subversion of state power" and "fraud" in a closed-door session at the Guiyang Intermediate People’s Court on November 29, 2022. Despite the passage of one and a half years since the trial, Elder Zhang Chunlei still awaits a verdict, with concerns rising over the extended period of his detention.The defense lawyers representing Elder Zhang Chunlei have encountered obstacles in accessing the case...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced $28,650,000 in funding from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. This funding is designated to help Oregon identify and replace lead service lines, aiming to prevent exposure to lead in drinking water. The initiative is part of the commitment to replace every lead pipe in the country, thus safeguarding public health and ensuring the delivery of safe drinking water. This effort is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and made available through the EPA’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
Reflections from Pastor John Cao, a recently released Chinese Christian prisoner of conscience, shed light on the bureaucratic challenges faced by Chinese citizens in obtaining essential documents. Pastor John Cao's firsthand account, published by ChinaAid, reveals the Kafkaesque hurdles encountered in basic administrative processes in China.Cao recounts an incident where he was asked to prove his identity despite being a native of Changsha, China, stating, "I was asked to prove that I was from Changsha." This requirement, seemingly unnecessary for a lifelong resident,...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
The World Food Prize Laureate for 2024 will be unveiled at the upcoming World Food Prize Announcement Ceremony on May 9, as announced by the Office of the Spokesperson on May 6, 2024. The event, which will take place at 9:30 a.m. in the Department of State Benjamin Franklin Room, will see Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken delivering remarks alongside Ambassador Terry Branstad, the President of the World Food Prize Foundation, who will announce this year's Laureates.In a statement, the Office of the Spokesperson highlighted that this year marks the 20th anniversary of...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
SIOUX CITY, IA – The Department of Labor has reached an agreement with Fayette Janitorial Service LLC, a Tennessee cleaning contractor, to address violations related to child labor employment in sanitation contracts. The company has agreed to pay $649,304 in civil money penalties and take proactive steps to prevent the employment of children in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.The investigation by the department's Wage and Hour Division revealed that at least 24 children, some as young as 13 years old, were employed by Fayette Janitorial Service at two separate...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
Five federal departments have come together to reaffirm their shared commitment to uphold civil rights laws and advance environmental justice in communities across the United States. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, along with officials from the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Housing and Urban Development, jointly expressed their dedication to this important cause.Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
WASHINGTON – Global tech trade association ITI has welcomed the release of the U.S. International Cyberspace and Digital Policy Strategy. In a statement issued today, ITI's Senior Vice President of Policy and General Counsel, John Miller, emphasized the importance of maintaining a secure and trusted internet for global economic growth and innovation."Maintaining a secure, open, interoperable, resilient, and trusted internet is foundational to enabling global economic growth and continued innovation," stated Miller. He commended the Biden Administration for its proactive...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri has issued a permanent injunction against Aric Elliot Schreiner and his company, Columbia CPA Group LLC, prohibiting them from engaging in any activities related to promoting tax schemes involving charitable remainder annuity trusts (CRATs). Additionally, Schreiner has been ordered to forfeit $400,000 in ill-gotten gains from the scheme. The court's decision comes after the United States sued Schreiner, Columbia CPA Group, and five other defendants to halt the promotion of the CRAT scheme.According to the United...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
The U.S. Department of the Treasury, along with other key departments, has released the annual Social Security and Medicare Trustees Reports following a meeting of the respective boards. The reports provide valuable insights into the financial health and future outlook of these crucial programs.Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen emphasized the importance of Social Security and Medicare, stating, “Seniors spent a lifetime working to earn the benefits they receive, and the Biden-Harris Administration will continue to oppose cuts to either program.”Acting Secretary...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a final rule to bolster methane emissions reporting requirements for petroleum and natural gas systems, in line with President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act. EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan emphasized the significance of this rule, stating, “As we implement the historic climate programs under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, EPA is applying the latest tools, cutting edge technology, and expertise to track and measure methane emissions from the oil and gas industry.”The finalized revisions aim to...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
On April 15 and 16, 2024, the Kansas and Missouri Departments of Agriculture, in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ordered 17 grocery stores in the Kansas City area to stop the sale and distribution of certain Fabuloso household disinfectants, as well as other disinfection products.
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
Dmitri Alperovitch is co-founder and chairman of Silverado Policy Accelerator, and co-founder and former CTO of CrowdStrike Incorporated, a cybersecurity company.
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
The Department of Defense has extended an invitation to the media to cover the upcoming pre-trial proceedings in the case of United States v. Khalid Shaikh Mohammad and three others. The defendants are facing charges related to their alleged involvement in the September 11, 2001 attacks against the United States.According to the announcement, the proceedings are scheduled to take place from July 15 to August 9 at the Expeditionary Legal Complex in Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (NSGB) Cuba, with a closed-circuit television site at Ft. Meade, Md. The Department of Defense...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) today announced additional steps to support students and their families with the Better FAFSA. The Department is launching a multi-million-dollar program as part of the FAFSA Student Support Strategy to help school districts, state, nonprofits and other public and private organizations with efforts to boost FAFSA completion. Since the new 2024–25 FAFSA form became available on Dec. 30, more than 8.95 million forms have been successfully submitted.
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
The U.S. Department of Labor has cited the Pan-O-Gold Baking Company, operating as Village Hearth, following an investigation into a disabling injury suffered by an employee at their Sun Prairie commercial baking facility. According to OSHA Area Director Chad Greenwood, the employee could have been spared from life-altering injuries if proper safety procedures had been in place.Greenwood stated, “Pan-O-Gold Baking Company could have prevented this employee from suffering life-altering injuries by implementing required safety procedures to stop the machine from...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), has announced an extension of the foreclosure moratorium for borrowers with FHA-insured mortgages in Maui County, HI, through January 1, 2025. The decision comes in response to the wildfires' devastation, limited access to resources, and unique challenges faced by Maui residents.HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman expressed, "This past September, I visited Maui and saw the damage that wildfires inflicted on homes, communities, and families. I...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
DURANGO, Colo. — The Department of the Interior has unveiled a significant investment of $147.6 million from President Biden's Investing in America agenda to aid communities in tackling water reliability challenges stemming from drought and water scarcity concerns. This funding will support 42 projects across ten states.Secretary Deb Haaland emphasized the administration's commitment to addressing the impacts of drought, stating, "As communities across the West continue to face the impacts of ongoing drought, the Biden-Harris administration is making record investments to...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the success of its COVID-19 Vaccination Public Education Campaign, "We Can Do This," which has been credited with saving thousands of lives and billions of dollars. According to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, the campaign resulted in an estimated $731.9 billion in societal benefits, with a return of nearly $90 for every $1 spent.HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra expressed pride in the campaign's impact, stating, "We now have research to confirm the COVID-19 Public Education...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland delivered heartfelt remarks at the memorial service of Deputy U.S. Marshal Tommy Weeks Jr., paying tribute to his life and legacy. Garland expressed his admiration for Mrs. Weeks' strength and resilience, highlighting her unwavering support for the U.S. Marshals Service and the Justice Department in the face of tragedy.Garland acknowledged the profound impact of Weeks' dedication to his family and his colleagues, describing him as a dependable, passionate, and humorous individual. He shared anecdotes that showcased Weeks' commitment to...
