News from October 2024
By Federal Newswire | Oct 4, 2024
A federal court in the Western District of Wisconsin has issued a preliminary injunction requiring the Town of Thornapple to provide an accessible voting system at its polling places for the upcoming November 5 federal general election. This decision follows a complaint filed by the United States on September 20, alleging that Thornapple had not complied with Section 301 of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) during previous elections.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 4, 2024
On October 15, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with assistance from the Gadsden/Etowah County Emergency Management (EMA), will hold a public meeting to discuss the cleanup activities at the Techtrix, Inc. site in Gadsden, Alabama. Representatives from both organizations will provide details on the cleanup process and respond to questions from attendees.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 4, 2024
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco attended the G7 Interior Ministers Meeting in Mirabella Eclano, Italy, on October 3-4. During the meeting, she emphasized the significance of international cooperation in maintaining the rule of law and addressing global threats.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 4, 2024
The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission recently took part in the G7 Competition Authorities and Policymakers Summit held in Rome. The summit aimed to address how competition can be maintained within AI-related technologies, products, and applications.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 4, 2024
The United States has announced a new humanitarian assistance package of nearly $157 million to aid populations affected by conflict in Lebanon and the surrounding region. This funding is intended to address both new and existing needs of internally displaced persons and refugee populations within Lebanon, as well as those fleeing to neighboring Syria.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 4, 2024
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a significant investment of $19.2 million in undergraduate scholarships for students at 1890 Land-grant Universities. This initiative aims to foster interest in food and agricultural careers among young individuals.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 4, 2024
In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene across parts of the Southeast, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has mobilized resources and staff to assist with recovery efforts. The USDA is implementing contingency plans and program flexibilities to support farmers, foresters, and communities affected by the storm.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 4, 2024
After eight rounds of consultations, the United States and the Republic of Korea have reached a consensus on the proposed text of a new five-year Special Measures Agreement (SMA). This will be the 12th SMA once it is signed, concluded, and enters into force. The agreement is expected to be a significant accomplishment for both nations and aims to strengthen their alliance and shared defense.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 4, 2024
A Michigan attorney has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Detroit on charges related to filing false tax returns and willfully failing to file tax returns. The indictment accuses Shawn Smith, known as "Shawn the Law," of not reporting substantial income from his law practice on his individual income tax returns for the years 2017 through 2020. Additionally, it is alleged that Smith did not file tax returns for 2021 and 2022.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 4, 2024
This week, two prominent House Republicans addressed a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough. The correspondence, from Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Chairman John Carter (R-TX) and House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-IL), concerns a reported $12 billion healthcare budget shortfall within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
By Federal Newswire | Oct 4, 2024
United States Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen met for the second United States-Australia Ministerial Dialogue on Clean Energy. The meeting took place alongside the G20 Energy Transitions Ministerial in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, on October 4, 2024.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 4, 2024
An aircrew from the Yuma Air Branch collaborated with U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Yuma Sector earlier this week to assist a group of migrants in distress in the Sonoran Desert. The incident began when U.S. Border Patrol agents in Ajo, Arizona, were alerted to activity within the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge on Monday evening. Wellton Station agents were informed about five individuals in distress south of Sentinel, Arizona.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 4, 2024
The Department of Defense has expressed approval for the recent agreement between the Republic of Mauritius and the United Kingdom regarding the status of the Chagos Archipelago. The department is confident that the negotiations have led to an agreement ensuring the secure and effective operation of the joint U.S.-UK military base on Diego Garcia.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 4, 2024
Pentagon Spokesman Eric Pahon reported that Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks visited the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Dahlgren Division in Virginia and NSWC Indian Head Division in Maryland. The purpose of the visit was to observe Navy research, development, testing, and evaluation projects, particularly focusing on counter-Uncrewed Systems technologies (c-UXS) and energetics.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 4, 2024
This week, Hurricane Helene struck the Southeastern United States, resulting in the deaths of at least 200 people and displacing millions. In response, experts from The Heritage Foundation have criticized the Biden-Harris administration for what they describe as mismanagement of federal emergency resources both before and after the disaster.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 4, 2024
Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo addressed attendees at the Wisconsin Building Trades Conference in Milwaukee, reflecting on the impact of recent legislative measures and the administration's commitment to economic recovery and growth. Adeyemo highlighted the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that unemployment rates soared to nearly 15 percent nationwide, with even higher figures in Milwaukee.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 4, 2024
Haitham Al-Dulaimi, Haider Lazem, Hasan Wasak, and Abdullah Alsajee have been arrested in Louisville, Kentucky. The arrests followed an unsealed indictment charging them with conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, smuggling goods from the United States, engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license, making false statements in firearm purchases, and defrauding the U.S. government. Additionally, Alsajee, Lazem, and Wasak face charges for making false statements when purchasing firearms.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 4, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the availability of up to $30.7 million in grant funding aimed at providing technical assistance and training for small drinking water and wastewater systems, particularly those serving rural communities. The funding is also intended to help private well owners improve water quality.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 4, 2024
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced an investment of $11.04 million to bolster the dairy industry through its Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (DBI) grant program. The funding aims to assist small and mid-sized dairy businesses in enhancing their development, production, marketing, and distribution processes.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 4, 2024
A former Las Vegas city councilwoman has been convicted by a federal jury in Nevada on charges related to a charity fraud scheme. Michele Fiore, 54, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and six counts of wire fraud. The charges stem from her actions while serving as a city councilwoman, during which she misled donors into believing their contributions would fund memorials for police officers killed in the line of duty.
