News published on Federal Newswire in January 2025

News from January 2025


Blockchain Association CEO: 'American crypto companies have endured lawfare for too long'

Blockchain Association CEO Kristin Smith said that Coinbase's recent legal victory against the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) underscores the agency's "regulation by enforcement" approach to the cryptocurrency industry.


FDIC vice chairman: 'Efforts to debank law-abiding customers are unacceptable'

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Vice Chairman Travis Hill has called for the agency to address "debanking," a practice where individuals and companies are denied banking services due to their association with digital assets.


HUD settles with PHH Mortgage over alleged unlawful fee charges

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced a significant settlement with PHH Mortgage Corporation regarding allegations of improper fees charged to borrowers.


Biden names aircraft carriers after former presidents Clinton and Bush

President Joe Biden has announced that the next two Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers will be named after former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.


FTC proposes new rules targeting deceptive earning claims in MLM industry

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced its intention to gather public feedback on proposed changes to the Business Opportunity Rule and a new Earnings Claim Rule.


Vanessa R. Waldref concludes tenure as U.S. attorney for Eastern District of Washington

United States Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref will conclude her service as the chief federal law enforcement officer for Eastern Washington later this month.


EPA Region 7 invites public to virtual environmental justice stakeholder meeting

EPA Region 7 is organizing a virtual Community Stakeholder Meeting on January 16, inviting public participation from the states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and nine tribal nations.


UK's new AI action plan aims to boost economic growth

In London, the Center for Data Innovation has responded to the release of the UK AI Opportunities Action Plan.


Wisconsin man pleads guilty to failing to pay over $1M in employment taxes

United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad announced that on January 8, 2025, Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach accepted the guilty plea of Douglas Larson.


Laredo CBP officers detain two men wanted for sex offenses

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Laredo Port of Entry recently apprehended two men wanted on felony warrants for sex-related offenses in Oregon.


Firearms trafficker sentenced for supplying weapons to Sinaloa Cartel

Keith Octavio Rodriguez Padilla, a firearms trafficker, has been sentenced to 19.5 years in federal prison for supplying weapons and ammunition to the Sinaloa Cartel.


Lehigh University agrees to resolve civil rights compliance issues

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has announced a resolution agreement with Lehigh University in Pennsylvania to ensure the institution complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.


Corpus Christi man found guilty on weapons charge

A federal jury in Corpus Christi has found a local man guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.


Okmulgee resident pleads guilty to federal firearm charge

Gabriel Lee Williams II, also known as Chi-Chi, from Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, has pleaded guilty to a federal firearm charge.


North Dakota U.S. Attorney's Office releases community report highlighting achievements

United States Attorney Mac Schneider has announced the release of the 2024 Community Report for the United States Attorney’s Office in North Dakota (USAO-ND).


Charleston man pleads guilty to fentanyl distribution charge

Jaron Andrew O'Neal, a 38-year-old resident of Charleston, has pleaded guilty to charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.


HUD allocates $72 million for national youth homelessness prevention

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced the availability of $72 million in funding through its Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP).


Leonel Castillo, a 34-year-old resident of Denver, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a federal license.


Companies use open source AI model llama for innovation

Artificial intelligence is expected to drive significant changes in various industries by enhancing productivity and economic growth.


Bronx man admits guilt in USPS mail theft involving trading cards

A former United States Postal Service employee from the Bronx has admitted to stealing valuable trading cards and sports memorabilia from the mail.