News from September 2024
By Federal Newswire | Sep 18, 2024
Senator Marsha Blackburn said that passing the Kids Online Safety Act would help prevent fentanyl-related deaths by stopping social media platforms from allowing drug sales. Blackburn shared her statement in a Sept. 16 post on X.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 18, 2024
Rep. Rob Wittman, head of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) Critical Minerals Working Group, said that the U.S. faces challenges in its critical mineral production capabilities, such as workforce shortages. Wittman shared his statement during a roundtable on September 11.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 18, 2024
The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $31,102 in back wages for 23 farmworkers following an investigation into Humberto Castaneda Produce, a grower based in Sonoma County, California. The investigation by the Department's Wage and Hour Division revealed multiple violations of the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program requirements.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 18, 2024
Oak Street Health, headquartered in Chicago and a wholly-owned subsidiary of CVS Health since 2023, has agreed to pay $60 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by paying kickbacks to third-party insurance agents in exchange for recruiting seniors to Oak Street Health’s primary care clinics.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 18, 2024
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that OceanFirst Bank, N.A. has agreed to pay over $15 million to resolve allegations of redlining in predominantly Black, Hispanic, and Asian neighborhoods in Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean Counties in New Jersey. Redlining is an illegal practice where lenders avoid providing credit services based on the race, color, or national origin of residents.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 18, 2024
TechNet Names April Mellody as its First SVP of Communications
By Federal Newswire | Sep 18, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced the Water Quality Indicators (WQI) tool, an interface that allows users to compare data from water monitoring stations across the country. Released on September 18, 2024, the WQI is designed to facilitate the exploration of nutrient and pathogen data and identify potential sources contributing to water quality issues.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 18, 2024
A family medicine practitioner from Three Rivers, Massachusetts, has agreed to pay $220,000 in civil penalties following allegations of improper prescribing practices involving controlled substances. Dr. Stephen R. Holuk, 75, admitted to regularly...
By Federal Newswire | Sep 18, 2024
Phoenix, Arizona-based WillScot Holdings Corporation (WillScot) announced today that it is abandoning its proposed acquisition of McGrath RentCorp (McGrath). Under the merger agreement disclosed on January 29, 2024, WillScot had agreed to acquire McGrath, a business-to-business rental company based in Livermore, California, for $3.8 billion. Both companies are major players in the modular and portable storage rental industry across the United States.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 18, 2024
WASHINGTON D.C. -- This morning, Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party delivered remarks as the featured speaker at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation's event "Can China Innovate in Advanced Industries?"
By Federal Newswire | Sep 18, 2024
DALLAS, TEXAS (September 18, 2024)—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the Green Power Leadership Award winners for 2024, honoring Signature Aviation of Irving, Texas as one of four leading organizations in EPA’s Green Power Partnership. The company meets 100% of its electricity needs through green power. The 2024 winners also include Microsoft Corporation, MilliporeSigma, and Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. These organizations are recognized for pushing boundaries in the green power market and demonstrating projects that can be replicated by a...
By Federal Newswire | Sep 18, 2024
The United States has designated 12 individuals in connection with Iran's violent and coercive tactics, both within and outside the country. This move is coordinated with Australia and Canada, which are also implementing new sanctions against those responsible for human rights abuses in Iran this week.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 18, 2024
The U.S. Department of the Treasury released the Treasury International Capital (TIC) data for July 2024. The next release, covering August 2024, is scheduled for October 17, 2024.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 18, 2024
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi today in Cairo during the U.S.-Egypt Strategic Dialogue. According to Spokesperson Matthew Miller, Secretary Blinken emphasized that the strategic dialogue aims to expand the multi-faceted relationship between the two countries. The discussions included Egypt’s growing water needs and the critical importance of the Nile River to its people.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 18, 2024
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, presented the prestigious Guardian of Small Business Award to Members of the United States House of Representatives.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 18, 2024
On September 17, 2024, Acting Secretary Julie Su and the U.S. Department of Labor honored nine labor unions by inducting them into the department’s Century of Service Honor Roll of American Labor Organizations. These unions collectively represent nearly three million members, retirees, and their families who have championed workers' rights for over a century.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 18, 2024
The Department of State has launched a new online passport renewal system, now fully available to the public. This initiative aims to simplify the process for Americans seeking to renew their passports by allowing them to complete the procedure online instead of using paper applications and mailing checks.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 18, 2024
The Justice Department announced a court-authorized law enforcement operation that disrupted a botnet comprising over 200,000 consumer devices in the United States and globally. According to court documents unsealed in the Western District of Pennsylvania, the botnet was infected by People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-sponsored hackers associated with Integrity Technology Group, a Beijing-based company known as “Flax Typhoon” in the private sector.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 18, 2024
The Justice Department has filed a civil claim in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland against Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited, the Singaporean corporations that owned and operated the container ship responsible for destroying the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 18, 2024
Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced the Homes Act, a bill aimed at increasing the availability of affordable housing for working families. Patrick Gaspard, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, issued a statement in response.
