News from May 2024
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
The Department of Labor will celebrate the benefits of Registered Apprenticeships during the first Youth Apprenticeship Week from May 5-11, with a series of events and proclamations scheduled across the U.S."Youth Apprenticeship Week recognizes the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to create employment opportunities for young adults and the critical role they play in our nation’s workforce infrastructure," said Acting Secretary Julie Su. "Youth apprenticeships are not just pathways to careers, they are bridges to futures filled with promise, opportunity and endless...
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
The Justice Department has taken legal action against the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) for religious discrimination. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, accuses TDCJ of violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by denying an employee's religious accommodation request.Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division emphasized, "Employers cannot require employees to forfeit their religious beliefs or improperly question the sincerity of those beliefs." She...
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
A federal jury in Beckley, West Virginia, convicted Christopher Jason Smyth for failing to pay taxes withheld from employees' wages at his ambulance service and for obstructing the IRS.According to evidence presented at trial, Smyth operated Stat EMS LLC in Pineville, West Virginia, from 2012 through part of 2017. Smyth caused Stat EMS to be founded in the name of a nominee owner but continued to operate the business in the same manner as before.Smyth was responsible for withholding Social Security, Medicare, and income taxes from employees' wages and paying them to the...
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has acknowledged Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day by emphasizing the importance of addressing the crisis affecting American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Garland announced intensified efforts aimed at tackling the issues of missing or murdered Indigenous persons (MMIP), human trafficking, and other significant public safety challenges.Garland highlighted the disproportionate impact of the fentanyl crisis on Native Americans, exacerbating levels of violence and addiction within already vulnerable communities....
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released new data showing that over 10 million people with Medicare Part D received a free vaccine in 2023, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. This marked a significant increase from just 3.4 million people receiving covered vaccines in 2021.HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the positive impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, stating, “Free vaccines are life changing and lifesaving for millions of Americans’ health and their wallets. While the ongoing first-ever negotiations are making history, we will also...
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
CDT filed comments on a “Know Your Customer” rule proposed by the Department of Commerce (DOC) earlier this week. The rule aims to help the federal government track, prevent, and prosecute malicious use of internet infrastructure in the United States. While supporting this goal, CDT emphasized the importance of privacy protections in the rule, particularly concerning the compelled disclosure provisions and record-keeping requirements.The proposed rule targets providers of "infrastructure as a service" (IaaS), which offer essential computing resources to consumers....
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the importance of addressing the crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) by stating, “There is still so much more to do in the face of persistently high levels of violence that Tribal communities have endured for generations, and that women and girls, particularly, have endured.”FBI Director Christopher Wray affirmed the FBI's commitment to addressing the violence affecting Tribal communities, stating, “We will continue to prioritize our support of victims and will steadfastly pursue investigations into the...
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
Each year on World Press Freedom Day, the world celebrates the importance of journalism and recognizes the integral role a vibrant, independent media plays in democratic societies. In their pursuit of truth, journalists face unprecedented danger just for doing their jobs. More journalists were killed in 2023 than in any year in recent memory. Authoritarian governments and non-state actors continue to use disinformation and propaganda to undermine social discourse and impede journalists’ efforts to inform the public, hold governments accountable, and bring the truth to...
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced disaster assistance for Oklahoma survivors following severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding that began on April 25, 2024. President Biden issued a major disaster declaration for the counties of Hughes, Love, and Murray.HUD's efforts include providing a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and offering mortgage insurance through programs like Section 203(h) for disaster victims. Homeowners affected by the disaster are...
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
The National Park Service has announced a solicitation for electronic comments on the significance of properties nominated before April 27, 2024, for listing or related actions in the National Register of Historic Places. Comments should be submitted electronically by May 20, 2024.
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
On behalf of the United States of America, the government extended congratulations to Poland on its Constitution Day. The message highlighted the longstanding friendship between the two nations, rooted in shared values and family ties.President Biden's acknowledgment of Poland's 25th anniversary of joining NATO was also emphasized. During a meeting with Polish leaders in March, the commitment to the NATO Alliance was reaffirmed, recognizing Poland's growth from a NATO aspirant to a stalwart leader on NATO's eastern flank.Furthermore, the United States praised Poland for...
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) has led a letter to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Director Martha Williams and National Park Service (NPS) Director Charles Sams, seeking additional information regarding the translocation of grizzly bears in the state of Washington. The letter expressed concerns about the impact of reintroducing grizzly bears to the North Cascades ecosystem despite opposition from local communities and stakeholders.The Committee raised issues with the Grizzly Bear Rule and related Final Environmental Impact...
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
Commissioner Caroline D. Pham is set to deliver a keynote address at the upcoming Fintech and Blockchain Symposium hosted by Rutgers Law School’s Blockchain and Fintech Program and Sidley Austin LLP. The event is scheduled for Friday, May 3, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. (EDT) at the Sidley Austin LLP office located at 787 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019.The symposium aims to bring together experts and professionals in the fintech and blockchain industries to discuss the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the field. Commissioner Pham's participation as a keynote speaker...
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
Chinese Christian Pastor John Cao, who was recently released from prison, has candidly admitted to committing various crimes since his release. In a series of writings exclusively published by ChinaAid, Pastor John Cao reflects on his actions, stating, "I have committed the crime of fraud."Cao recounts receiving pre-release education from police officers, who advised him to avoid committing crimes again. He acknowledges that his understanding of the law was shaped by the experiences of those around him, leading him to realize the validity of the warnings he received.The...
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
Navy officials have announced a series of new assignments for flag officers. Rear Adm. Heidi K. Berg will be appointed as the deputy commander of Navy Space Command and Fleet Cyber Command in Fort Meade, Maryland. Rear Adm. Nicholas M. Homan will take on the role of deputy director of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Operations, as well as director of the Joint Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Operations Center. Rear Adm. Kevin P. Lenox will serve as the director of J5 at U.S. Cyber Command in Fort Meade, Maryland.Rear Adm. Darryl L. Walker...
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
On April 26, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized a landmark rule updating Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, ensuring nondiscrimination in federally funded health programs and services. The rule extends protections to marginalized communities, including LGBTQI+ individuals, women, disabled people, and those with limited English proficiency.The rule, proposed in 2022 and finalized after extensive public review, solidifies protections for LGBTQI+ individuals accessing federally funded health programs. It reflects the importance of...
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
The United States and Iceland engaged in the annual U.S.-Iceland Strategic Dialogue in Reykjavik and Keflavik on May 2-3. The dialogue was led by various officials from both countries, including Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary Douglas Jones and Icelandic Permanent Secretary of State Martin Eyjólfsson, among others.During the dialogue, it was noted that both countries have seen significant progress in their security cooperation since the previous meeting in Washington, D.C. The discussions ranged from expanding defense cooperation to...
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
"Communications Daily: Telecom Groups: FTC Should Focus AI Rules on Scammers, Not Industry"
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
Pentagon Spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder announced today that Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has wrapped up his visit to Honolulu, Hawaii. During his time in Hawaii, Secretary Austin engaged in various diplomatic and military activities.On Thursday, May 2, Secretary Austin held meetings with key officials from Australia, Japan, and the Philippines. He discussed important matters with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, as well as with Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru, focusing on deepening defense cooperation between...
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
The U.S. Department of the Treasury, in collaboration with various government agencies, has recently unveiled the annual Social Security and Medicare Trustees Reports. These reports shed light on the current state and future outlook of the crucial social welfare programs.Treasury Secretary 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 of Labor Julie Su highlighted...
