News from October 2024
By Federal Newswire | Oct 16, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public feedback on its proposed actions concerning air quality and sulfur dioxide levels in Puerto Rico. Comments will be accepted until December 2, 2024. The EPA has set standards for various air pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The agency proposes to determine that two areas in Puerto Rico—San Juan and Guayama-Salinas—have not met the required standard for sulfur dioxide.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 16, 2024
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the opening of applications for up to $900 million in funding to support the deployment of Generation III+ small modular reactor (SMR) technologies. This initiative is part of the administration's Investing in America agenda and aims to advance nuclear technology across the United States.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 16, 2024
President Joseph R. Biden marked the 50th anniversary of the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) with a statement highlighting its impact on low-income families, people with disabilities, and older adults. The program, overseen by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is recognized as a major component of federal housing assistance.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 16, 2024
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is enhancing its efforts to provide affordable housing options, focusing on families of color and those from disadvantaged communities. The department sponsors agencies across the country to offer free or low-cost advice on home buying, renting, and foreclosure prevention. Recently, HUD has increased funding and flexibility to expand these services.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 16, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the allocation of $2.5 million in brownfields assessment selection grants to the Centralina Regional Council and the City of Kannapolis, North Carolina. This funding is part of the Biden-Harris Administration's Investing in America Agenda.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 16, 2024
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Hidalgo Port of Entry have seized narcotics valued at over $4 million in a recent enforcement operation. The seizure involved more than 300 pounds of cocaine discovered during a secondary inspection of a tractor-trailer at the Pharr cargo lot in Texas on October 11.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 16, 2024
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Department of Justice have reached an agreement with the Municipality of Ponce to address violations of the Federal Clean Water Law related to storm sewer systems.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 16, 2024
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Department of Justice have reached a proposed settlement with the Municipality of Ponce, Puerto Rico. This agreement addresses Clean Water Act violations related to Ponce's storm sewer systems and stormwater management program. The settlement was filed as a proposed Consent Decree in the U.S. District Court for Puerto Rico.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 16, 2024
Ambassador Nathaniel C. Fick, the Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy, is visiting Singapore from October 16 to 18, 2024. His visit coincides with the Singapore International Cyber Week (SICW), where he will participate in various events.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 16, 2024
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has designated three individuals and four companies linked to a Lebanon-based network that supports Hizballah financially. This network is accused of generating substantial revenue for Hizballah through sanctions evasion tactics, including commercial projects in Lebanon facilitated by Iran.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 16, 2024
Warrantless surveillance under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) captures the private communications of many Americans, but the total number affected remains unrecorded. For more than ten years, members of Congress and civil society organizations have urged the Intelligence Community to release an estimate of how many Americans are impacted by this surveillance system. With FISA Section 702 set to expire in 2026, obtaining more information on its effects is crucial. This has led CDT and over 20 other civil society groups to send a letter to the...
By Federal Newswire | Oct 16, 2024
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona has announced the recipients of the 2024 Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership. Nine school leaders from the National Blue Ribbon Schools will be recognized at an awards ceremony on November 7, 2024.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 16, 2024
Two accountants have been sentenced to 20 months in prison each for their involvement in a billion-dollar tax scheme involving syndicated conservation easement tax shelters. Victor Smith, a CPA and founding partner of an Atlanta-based accounting firm, promoted and sold these tax deductions from at least 2014 through 2019. His actions resulted in approximately $14 million in false deductions, causing a $4.8 million loss to the IRS. He received $491,400 in commissions for his role.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 16, 2024
The United States has imposed sanctions on three individuals and four companies involved in a network that evades sanctions to generate revenue for Hizballah. This action aims to disrupt the terrorist group's operations, as it continues to launch rockets into Israel, contributing to instability in Lebanon and the broader region.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 16, 2024
The Department of Defense has announced a new package of security assistance for Ukraine, marking the sixty-seventh tranche of equipment provided by the Biden Administration since August 2021. This latest Presidential Drawdown Authority package is valued at approximately $425 million and aims to address Ukraine's critical security and defense needs.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 16, 2024
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated action against Qargo Coffee and its founders for not disclosing essential information required by the Franchise Rule. This includes a founder's connection to the burger franchise BurgerIM, which left potential franchisees uninformed about crucial investment details.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 16, 2024
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Champlain Port of Entry have intercepted a stolen vehicle driven by a U.S. citizen. The incident occurred when officers encountered a 2002 Chevrolet Astro van attempting to enter the United States. The driver, a 36-year-old male, had no intention of traveling to Canada and performed a U-turn before crossing.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 16, 2024
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Legal Center has been actively involved in filing amicus briefs in various courts across the United States.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 16, 2024
On October 16, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced settlement agreements with two companies due to violations of the Clean Air Act. The Shyft Group, Inc. faced penalties for not complying with greenhouse gas certification requirements concerning carbon dioxide emission standards in vehicles. Double R Diesel was penalized for manufacturing and selling aftermarket products that violate emissions standards.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 16, 2024
From October 13 to October 15, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo visited London to engage with both government and private sector representatives. The meetings included discussions with Chancellor Rachel Reeves, National Security Advisor Tim Barrow, Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey, Minister of State Stephen Doughty, and Director General Lindsey Whyte.
