Latest News
U.S. Custom and Border Protection agents seize 67+ pounds of cocaine in San Luis
By Federal Newswire | Sep 20, 2024
Agents with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized 67.64 pounds of cocaine from a female traveler enrolled in the SENTRI program according to a Sept. 17 news release.
Weekend interview: Holistic wellness meets convenience, how Leslie Danford's entrepreneurial spirit built Vitaminis
By Federal Newswire reports | Sep 20, 2024
Leslie Danford is the founder of Vitaminis.
Sen. Ricketts raises concerns over SUSTAINS Act
By Federal Newswire | Sep 20, 2024
In a Sep. 19 letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) expressed concerns about implementation of the SUSTAINS Act, a bill signed into law as part of the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The law allows private entities to choose and then fund USDA conservation programs, with negative implications for landowners.
Utah state treasurer warns against USDA plan to monetize nature
By Federal Newswire | Sep 20, 2024
Utah’s State Treasurer, Marlo Oaks, issued a warning against a plan by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to monetize "ecological services." The Sep. 16 letter to Terry Cosby, Chief of the Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, was a response to the USDA’s Request for Public Input on the implementation of sustainability targets under the SUSTAINS Act.
Weekend interview: Balancing innovation and accountability, Kent Lassman’s insights on reforming regulations and CEI's policy debates
By Federal Newswire reports | Sep 20, 2024
Kent Lassman is the president of the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI)
Thomas N. Flagg appointed chief information officer at U.S. Department of Education
By Federal Newswire | Sep 20, 2024
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten today announced the appointment of Thomas N. Flagg as chief information officer at the U.S. Department of Education, effective October 6. Flagg succeeds Luis R. Lopez, who served as the Department’s CIO from December 2022 until this year.
EPA settles with Gulfstream Aerospace for Clean Air Act violations in Illinois
By Federal Newswire | Sep 20, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with Gulfstream Aerospace Services Corp., an aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility located at 6400 Curtis Steinberg Dr, Cahokia, Illinois, for alleged Clean Air Act violations. Under the terms of the settlement, Gulfstream will pay a civil penalty exceeding $156,000 and will replace three diesel ground power units with electric ground power units as a supplemental environmental project. This replacement is estimated to cost at least $540,060.
EPA partners with Three Rivers on initiative against lead contamination
By Federal Newswire | Sep 20, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a collaboration with the city of Three Rivers, Michigan, to identify and replace drinking water lead pipes as part of the Get the Lead Out Initiative. This initiative is funded by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aiming for 100% lead service line replacement nationwide. The program will provide technical assistance to approximately 200 communities across the country.
Chair Khan to attend fireside chat at Council of Foreign Relations
By Federal Newswire | Sep 20, 2024
Chair Khan will appear for a fireside chat in New York City before the Council of Foreign Relations on September 20, 2024.
Mohammad Bazzi pleads guilty to sanctions evasion involving Hizballah financing
By Federal Newswire | Sep 20, 2024
Lebanese national Mohammad Ibrahim Bazzi, 60, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to conduct and cause U.S. persons to conduct unlawful transactions with a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.
EPA begins cleanup at Trowbridge Dam site in Allegan
By Federal Newswire | Sep 20, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has commenced the cleanup of contaminated sediment and riverbank soil along a 2.4-mile section of the Kalamazoo River upstream of the Trowbridge Dam in Allegan, Michigan. This area is part of the Allied Paper Inc./Portage Creek/Kalamazoo River Superfund site.
EPA partners with six Massachusetts cities on initiative to replace lead water pipes
By Federal Newswire | Sep 20, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced partnerships with six Massachusetts cities—Chelsea, Fall River, Malden, Melrose, Revere, and Taunton—to identify and replace lead pipes used for delivering drinking water. This initiative is part of the EPA's Get the Lead Out (GLO) Initiative, funded by the Biden-Harris Administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
US Department of Labor awards grants to aid low-income older adults' employment
By Federal Newswire | Sep 20, 2024
The U.S. Department of Labor announced the allocation of $203 million in grants through the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) to support training and career services for low-income older adults seeking employment.
Justice Department holds quarterly meeting with Jewish community stakeholders
By Federal Newswire | Sep 20, 2024
The Justice Department convened its quarterly interagency meeting with Jewish community stakeholders yesterday. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland provided remarks, underscoring the department’s commitment to addressing hate crimes. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division outlined relevant enforcement efforts and highlighted actions to prevent and combat discrimination and hate crimes. Assistant Secretary of Education Catherine Lhamon of the Office for Civil Rights also addressed attendees, emphasizing efforts to ensure safe learning...
EPA finalizes cleanup plan for Eighteen Mile Creek Superfund site
By Federal Newswire | Sep 20, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized its cleanup plan for a portion of the Eighteen Mile Creek Superfund site in Niagara County, New York. This decision follows a 30-day public comment period and a public meeting where the community reviewed the plan and provided feedback.
EPA funds college teams nearly $500K for environmental tech development
By Federal Newswire | Sep 20, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today, September 20, 2024, the allocation of $498,801 in research funding to five college teams to advance their innovative technologies aimed at addressing urgent environmental and public health challenges. The awarded projects focus on high-priority issues such as developing PFAS-free alternatives and ensuring cleaner water by reducing lead, microplastics, and nutrient runoff.
Chicago car care centers ordered to pay $799K for unpaid overtime
By Federal Newswire | Sep 20, 2024
A federal judge has ordered Mariusz Lekarczyk, the owner and operator of four Chicago-area We Wash Hand Wash and Car Detail Centers, and We Wash Car Care Center Inc. to pay $799,566 in back wages and damages to 110 employees and $110,990 in penalties to the U.S. Department of Labor. This order is part of a consent judgment obtained by the department.
EPA awards $15 million grant for GHG reduction measures
By Federal Newswire | Sep 20, 2024
MIAMI, Fla. (September 20, 2024) — Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials, including Region 4 Chief of Staff John Nicholson, joined Miccosukee Chairman Talbert Cypress at a press event to recognize a $15 million grant to the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida for community-driven solutions to cut climate pollution.
EPA collaborates with Muskegon Heights on new initiative against lead pipes
By Federal Newswire | Sep 20, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a collaboration with the city of Muskegon Heights, Michigan, aimed at identifying and replacing drinking water lead pipes to protect public health. This initiative is part of EPA’s Get the Lead Out Initiative, funded by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which aims to achieve 100% lead service line replacement nationwide. The program will provide technical assistance to approximately 200 communities across the country.
Access-to-justice director visits Kansas discussing rural community challenges
By Federal Newswire | Sep 20, 2024
Director Rachel Rossi of the Office for Access to Justice (ATJ) traveled to Kansas this week to engage with stakeholders about the access to justice challenges rural communities face and to discuss innovative solutions. The visit built upon the ongoing work of ATJ to address the rural access to justice gap in the United States.
