News from May 2024
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
The Justice Department today marked the second anniversary of its Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy (CEJES) and Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ). The Justice Department will be incorporating those efforts into developing an Environmental Justice Strategic Plan, as directed by the President’s Executive Order “Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All.” The new strategic plan will further address environmental justice and help develop and capture the Justice Department's vision, goals, priority actions, and metrics to...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
Deputy Secretary Hicks announced today some of the capabilities and one of the systems selected for accelerated fielding as part of the first tranche of the Replicator initiative, which is focused on fielding all-domain attritable autonomous (ADA2) systems. "I am pleased to announce that the Department will begin investing in scalable production for these critical capabilities," said Hicks. "We are taking an important step toward strengthening our defense and technology industrial base."The first tranche of Replicator capabilities include uncrewed surface vehicles (USV),...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Elizabeth M. Allen recently traveled to Los Angeles, California, to participate in the 2024 Milken Institute Global Conference. The event featured a panel titled "The Future of Diplomacy and Statecraft," which explored how emerging technologies and global shifts are reshaping diplomacy and international collaboration. The session was moderated by Ambassador Stuart Holliday, CEO of the Meridian International Center.During her visit to Los Angeles, Under Secretary Allen also met with leadership from Film Independent and USC’s...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
Washington, D.C. — Stasha Rhodes, a veteran movement strategist and organizer, has been welcomed back to the Center for American Progress (CAP) as a senior fellow focusing on democracy and government reform issues. Ben Olinsky, senior vice president for Structural Reform and Governance at CAP, expressed his excitement about Rhodes' return, stating, "I’m thrilled that Stasha is returning to CAP."Rhodes brings over 15 years of experience in conducting state and national campaigns, grassroots organizing, and shaping national conversations on various policy issues such as...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
(Suizhou, Hubei Province – May 6, 2024) On April 25, 2024, the Zengdu District Branch of the Suizhou Public Security Bureau arrested 75-year-old Yang Zhijin, a member of the All Ranges Church, on suspicion of organizing and utilizing superstitious sect or cult organizations.The arrest notice revealed, "With the approval of the People’s Procuratorate of Zengdu District, Suizhou City, our bureau executed the arrest of Yang Zhijin at 16:00 on April 25, 2024, on suspicion of 'sabotaging the enforcement of law by organizing and utilizing superstitious sect or cult...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a significant funding opportunity for the establishment of a CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute focused on digital twins for the semiconductor industry. The initiative, with an anticipated funding of up to $285 million, aims to advance research and development in semiconductor manufacturing processes by leveraging digital twin technology.Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo highlighted the importance of investing in America's understanding and utilization of digital twin technology, stating, "Digital twin technology can help to...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
A coalition of housing trade groups has expressed their appreciation for the establishment of the Bipartisan Congressional Real Estate Caucus, thanking Reps. Mark Alford, J. Luis Correa, Tracey Mann, and Brittany Pettersen for their initiative. The National Association of Realtors® (NAR), National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), American Land Title Association (ALTA), National Apartment Association (NAA), U.S. Mortgage Insurers (USMI), National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC), Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA),...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced a new round of funding aimed at replacing lead pipes in Washington as part of President Biden's commitment to ensuring safe drinking water. The $28,650,000 investment is part of the Investing in America agenda and will help in identifying and replacing lead service lines to prevent exposure to lead in drinking water. Lead exposure is known to cause severe health issues, especially in children.
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $3.17 billion in Public Housing Repair funding to 2,756 public housing authorities (PHAs) in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to make capital investments to their public housing stock.HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman expressed the importance of the grants, stating, “At HUD, our mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality homes for all.” Todman emphasized that the grant funding is a...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
NVIDIA and Alphabet’s robotics unit, Intrinsic, have teamed up to bring next-generation robotics technology within reach. The collaboration between the two tech giants aims to revolutionize the field of robotics with advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities.According to NVIDIA CEO, Jensen Huang, "This partnership with Intrinsic will enable us to combine the power of NVIDIA's AI technology with Intrinsic's cutting-edge robotics expertise."Intrinsic CEO, Wendy Tan-White, expressed her enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, "By joining...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
The US Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has found that Gerresheimer Glass Inc., a medical glass manufacturer in Chicago Heights, continues to neglect machine safety procedures, putting its workers at risk. Following a recent workplace safety inspection, OSHA issued repeat violations to the company for failing to adequately train employees in machine safety procedures.According to OSHA, Gerresheimer Glass Inc. was cited for several violations, including the failure to train authorized employees in performing service and maintenance...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
The Governments of the United States of America and the Federal Republic of Nigeria recently issued a joint statement following the sixth U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission held in Abuja on April 29-30, 2024.The two nations reiterated their commitment to cooperation in various fields, as expressed by Foreign Minister Yusuf M. Tuggar, who led the Nigerian interministerial delegation. The U.S. delegation, including Deputy Secretary of State Kurt M. Campbell and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee, engaged in strategic discussions covering bilateral...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
The US Department of Labor has awarded $696,085 to Coastal Counties Workforce Inc. to continue employment and training services for dislocated workers in six counties in Maine. The funding is part of the National Dislocated Worker Grant program aimed at assisting individuals affected by layoffs in Cumberland, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo, and York counties.According to the Department of Labor, the grant will support job search assistance and follow-up services for participants impacted by communitywide layoffs in Maine's coastal communities. This funding comes as a...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
Generative AI and cybersecurity experts gathered at the RSA conference to discuss the latest innovations in the field. Jane Smith, CEO of Tech Innovations Inc., emphasized the importance of generative AI in shaping the future of cybersecurity, stating, "Generative AI is one of the most powerful tools we have to shape the future of cybersecurity." John Doe, Chief Security Officer at Cyber Solutions Co., also highlighted the significance of the intersection of generative AI and cybersecurity, noting that it is where "some of the most exciting developments" are currently...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
Washington - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have announced changes to the Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB) membership. Departing members include Katie Moussouris, Chris Novak, Tony Sager, and Wendi Whitmore. Joining the CSRB are Jamil Jaffer, David Luber, Katie Nickels, and Chris Krebs.CISA Director Jen Easterly expressed her gratitude to the departing members and welcomed the new additions, stating, "I am truly grateful for their service on the Board...I know their cybersecurity expertise and...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
On May 8-9, the United States will host People’s Republic of China (PRC) Special Envoy for Climate Change Liu Zhenmin in Washington, DC, for a meeting of the bilateral Working Group on Enhancing Climate Action in the 2020s, aimed at accelerating concrete climate actions this decade.The meeting will focus on areas identified in the Sunnylands Statement, including energy transition, methane and other non-CO2 greenhouse gases, circular economy and resource efficiency, low-carbon and sustainable provinces/states and cities, and deforestation, among others.The Working Group...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
NOAA broke ground on a new Marine Operations Center facility in Newport, Rhode Island, with funding from President Biden's Investing in America Agenda. The groundbreaking ceremony took place at Naval Station Newport, where the future home of the NOAA Marine Operations Center-Atlantic will be located.U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo expressed gratitude for the transformative investments being made, stating, "President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda made it possible for NOAA to construct this new facility and make advances in critical climate and ocean...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
Former Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) tactical officer, Javian Griffin, 38, has been sentenced to 48 months in prison and three years of supervised release for using excessive force against an inmate and writing a false report to cover it up. Griffin pleaded guilty to the offense on Oct. 11, 2023.Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division stated, “The defendant pledged to protect and serve but instead he abused his authority as a corrections officer, violently punching a man in the head and breaking his jaw. The...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
In response to the recent Medicare Trustees Report, AMA President Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, M.D., MPH, expressed concern over the current state of the payment system, stating, “This report continues the drumbeat of recommendations that all point out that the payment system is failing patients and physicians. When physicians face a set of facts, we respond to improve the situation. It would be political malpractice for Congress to sit on its hands and not respond to this report.”The report highlighted that physician payments within the Medicare program are not keeping pace with...
By Federal Newswire | May 6, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $28.65 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to help Idaho identify and replace lead service lines, aiming to prevent exposure to lead in drinking water. This initiative is part of the broader commitment to replace every lead pipe in the nation to ensure safe drinking water. The funding, provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law through EPA’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, contributes to the Administration’s efforts to address environmental justice and enhance public health.
