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Acadia Healthcare settles $19.85M allegations over unnecessary behavioral health services

Acadia Healthcare Company Inc., a Delaware corporation based in Franklin, Tennessee, has agreed to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act and related state statutes. The company is accused of billing for medically unnecessary inpatient behavioral health services or services that did not meet federal and state regulations.


HHS announces funding for AI-driven antibiotic development initiative

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), has announced funding for the Transforming Antibiotic R&D with Generative AI to stop Emerging Threats (TARGET) project. This initiative aims to use artificial intelligence to accelerate the discovery and development of new classes of antibiotics, addressing the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).


Court issues arrest warrant over unpaid employee benefits

A court has issued an arrest warrant for Bryan Hill, the owner of the now-defunct Baltimore company Bicallis LLC, after repeated failures to restore $153,000 to the company's employee 401(k) plan. This decision follows multiple court orders and deadlines that Hill failed to comply with.


EPA announces $348M funding for Cedar Rapids water infrastructure

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a significant funding initiative to upgrade water infrastructure in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The city will receive a state revolving fund loan of $348 million, with an additional $42 million available if needed. This announcement was made by EPA Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott, Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell, and City Manager Jeff Pomeranz at an event in Cedar Rapids.


EPA and DOJ seek community input on Jackson's drinking water system

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) will hold public meetings to gather community input on improving Jackson's drinking water system. These meetings are part of an effort to enhance oversight and develop mid- and long-term solutions for the city's water issues.


Patrick Gaspard comments on charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams

After New York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted on federal bribery and other charges, Patrick Gaspard, president of the Center for American Progress, issued a statement.


Biden-Harris Administration allocates $965 million for clean school buses

La Agencia de Protección Ambiental de Estados Unidos (EPA) ha anunciado una nueva ronda de financiamiento para el Programa de Reembolso del Autobús Escolar Limpio, con hasta $965 millones disponibles para los distritos escolares. Esta iniciativa forma parte de la agenda Invertir en Estados Unidos de la Administración Biden-Harris, que busca acelerar la transición a tecnologías más limpias en los casi 500,000 autobuses escolares del país.


U.S. Treasurer visits Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe to discuss tribal welfare

U.S. Treasurer Chief Lynn Malerba visited the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe reservation in Minnesota to meet with Tribal leaders and community members. The visit focused on discussing Tribal general welfare, economic recovery efforts supported by the American Rescue Plan Act, and access to capital and banking.


Acting Secretary Julie Su promotes job principles during North Carolina visit

Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su visited North Carolina on September 24, 2024, to promote the U.S. Department of Labor’s Good Jobs Principles and to support public and private sector partnerships aimed at building equitable workforce pipelines. The visit also highlighted the Biden-Harris administration's efforts to create well-paying jobs while addressing climate change.


Justice Department announces measures to improve firearm background checks

The Justice Department has announced several measures aimed at improving firearm background checks and reducing gun violence. The Department is releasing model legislation and information to help states share juvenile criminal history and mental health records with the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) for firearm background checks. Additionally, over $200 million in new grant funding for gun violence prevention has been unveiled, along with new resources for law enforcement, including training and funding guidance.


HHS settles cybersecurity investigation with Cascade Eye & Skin Centers for $250K

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has announced a settlement with Cascade Eye and Skin Centers, P.C., a privately-owned health care provider in Washington, over potential violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Security Rule. This follows an investigation into a ransomware attack on the provider.


Lawmakers urged by NFIB members and Senator Daines to make tax cuts permanent

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) hosted a press conference on Capitol Hill during its 2024 Small Business Tax Deduction Summit. The event featured NFIB President Brad Close, Senator Steve Daines (R-MT), and several small business owners who advocated for the passage of the Main Street Tax Certainty Act. This legislation aims to make the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent for America's 33 million small businesses.


Biden-Harris Administration announces $965M funding for clean school bus initiative

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on September 26 the latest round of funding from the Clean School Bus Rebate Program, with up to $965 million available to school districts. This initiative is part of the Biden-Harris Administration's Investing in America agenda, which aims to transition nearly 500,000 school buses in the United States to cleaner technologies. The goal is to protect over 25 million children who ride school buses daily from harmful air pollution.


EPA announces winners of the 2024 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the winners of the 2024 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards today, recognizing innovative green chemistry technologies that reduce hazardous substances, use less energy, and promote sustainability.


Biden administration announces new $2.4 billion security assistance package for Ukraine

The Biden Administration has announced a new security assistance package for Ukraine, aiming to bolster the nation's defenses against ongoing Russian aggression. The Department of Defense (DoD) revealed this significant aid package as part of the support directed by President Biden ahead of his meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.


Jefferson County Public Schools resolves race discipline compliance review

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has concluded a compliance review of Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky. The review investigated whether the school district discriminated against African American students by disciplining them more frequently and harshly than similarly situated white students.


Netflix announces three new Nordic projects for 2025

Netflix has announced three new projects set to launch globally in 2025, continuing its investment in Nordic storytelling. The announcement was made during a press lunch at Netflix’s new Nordic office in Stockholm.


Farmers call for investment in sustainable food systems

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew joined leaders from G7 countries’ farmer organizations in Ortigia, Sicily, to emphasize the crucial role farmers play in shaping sustainable food systems.


Austin meets UK counterpart Healey at AUKUS Defense Ministers Meeting

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence John Healey during the AUKUS Defense Ministers Meeting in London. Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided a readout of the meeting, which covered topics such as the situation in the Middle East, support for Ukraine, and ongoing defense cooperation.


Biden-Harris Administration allocates funds for tribal home electrification

The Department of the Interior has announced a $71 million investment to electrify homes in 13 Tribal communities across Indian Country. This funding is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and aims to close the Tribal access-to-electricity gap. The investment, sourced from the Inflation Reduction Act, represents a significant step towards achieving a carbon pollution-free electricity sector by 2035.