News from May 2024

By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas unsealed a grand jury indictment today, charging a Texas man with federal dogfighting violations.

By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
The Biden administration’s recent decision to raise tariffs on strategic goods imported from China has elicited both praise and criticism. Critics argue that the tariffs contradict free-trade principles, potentially leading to higher inflation or prices. Others suggest that these measures could slow the deployment of green technologies essential for addressing climate change.

By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
Matty Ice, host of The Runway Podcast, stated that the health of Tigran Gambaryan, a former U.S. federal agent and current employee of the cryptocurrency exchange Binance, has significantly deteriorated during detention in Nigeria. Ice said Gambaryan is not receiving adequate medical treatment. Ice shared his statement in a May 27 post.

By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
The third High-Level Meeting of the U.S.-France Bilateral Clean Energy Partnership took place on May 22, 2024, in Paris, France. The event was co-chaired by representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of State, French Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, and French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. The Partnership aims to address energy policy, technology, and innovation to advance zero-emissions energy sources and systems while enhancing diplomatic efforts to accelerate energy transitions and achieve climate...

By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
The following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Colombia on the occasion of the XI High-Level Dialogue.

By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today that Veterans will no longer need to pay copays for their first three outpatient mental health care and substance use disorder visits each calendar year through 2027. This initiative aims to expand access to mental health services and reduce out-of-pocket costs for Veterans.

By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
The Chinese Communist Party continues to advance the "Sinicization of hymns," a significant aspect of its broader initiative to integrate Christianity with traditional Chinese culture. Rev. Hou Yujie, chairman and president of the Liaoning Provincial Christian Council and the Three-Self Patriotic Movement Committee in Yingkou, Liaoning Province, has authored a collection of poems themed around the "Sinicization of Christianity." These poems incorporate lyrics that reflect CCP political views, diverging from traditional biblical and theological themes by shifting praise from...

By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced today that the Rapid City Area Schools district in South Dakota has entered into a resolution agreement to ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 regarding school discipline and advanced learning programs.

By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
At the Mackinac Policy Conference today, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez met with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, and local leaders to emphasize the U.S. Department of State’s support for the newly announced “Michigan City and State Diplomacy Initiative,” hosted by the Michigan Municipal League and Foundation.

By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
WASHINGTON—Today, The Heritage Foundation unveiled a new report titled “The Myth of Mass Incarceration.” The report challenges the mainstream narrative that mass incarceration is a significant issue within the U.S. justice system, arguing that such beliefs have led to policies that fail to incarcerate violent criminals adequately.

By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
WASHINGTON, May 29, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the appointment of several individuals to senior staff positions in Washington, D.C.

By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
BOISE (May 29, 2024) – The Biden-Harris Administration announced the recipients of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate competition today. In Idaho, Boise Independent School District will receive $2,760,000 in rebate funding to purchase eight electric school buses, while Horseshoe Bend School District will receive $400,000 to purchase two electric school buses. This funding aims to facilitate Idaho's transition to zero-emission vehicles and replace older diesel school buses linked to asthma and other health conditions.

By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the recipients of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate competition. In Oregon, ten school districts will receive over $22.6 million to replace 96 older school buses with new electric or propane buses. This initiative aims to accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles and replace older diesel school buses linked to asthma and other health conditions.

By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
On May 29, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the recipients of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate competition. Funded by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, approximately 530 school districts across nearly every state, Washington, D.C., and several Tribes and U.S. territories will receive nearly $900 million to replace older diesel-fueled school buses. These buses have been linked to asthma and other health conditions affecting students and surrounding communities.

By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
Indianapolis, IN – From May 23 to 26, Assistant Secretary Mary Ellen Callahan of the DHS Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD) visited Indianapolis Motor Speedway to review safety and security measures for the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500. The Indy 500 is the largest single-day sporting event globally, with an estimated daily attendance of up to 350,000 people. Indianapolis has been a critical and longstanding CWMD operational partner. The preparations and operations for the Indy 500 exemplify collaboration across federal, state, and local agencies to...

By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the availability of $150 million in funding for affordable housing projects aimed at benefiting low-income families in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. This funding will be distributed through the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Competitive program.

By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:

By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland this week led the United States delegation to the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda. Throughout the conference and in meetings with counterparts and partners, Secretary Haaland and the delegation – which included senior officials and experts from across the Biden-Harris administration – underscored the United States government’s commitment to SIDS and advancing their sustainable development for a resilient future.

By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the recipients of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate competition, part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The rebates will assist five school districts across Maryland in purchasing over 53 clean school buses. This initiative aims to transition to zero-emission vehicles and replace older diesel-fueled buses, which have been linked to health issues such as asthma.

By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) conducted a live web-based pre-application information session for its Fiscal Year 2024 Strengthening Culturally Specific Campus’ Approaches to Address Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Initiative solicitation. During the presentation, OVW staff reviewed the initiative’s requirements, discussed the solicitation, and allowed for a brief question-and-answer period.