Featured Stories
EPA to Waive Water Infrastructure Loan Program Fees, Remove Barriers for Small Communities
WASHINGTON, June 30 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release on June 29, 2026:
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EPA to Waive Water Infrastructure Loan Program Fees, Remove Barriers for Small Communities
Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will be waiving fees for small communities who apply for Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. By waiving the WIFIA Application and Credit Processing Fees, small communities can save almost $200,000 when applying for a WIFIA loan, clearing a notable barrier to accessing funding
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WASHINGTON, June 30 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release on June 29, 2026:
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EPA to Waive Water Infrastructure Loan Program Fees, Remove Barriers for Small Communities
Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will be waiving fees for small communities who apply for Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. By waiving the WIFIA Application and Credit Processing Fees, small communities can save almost $200,000 when applying for a WIFIA loan, clearing a notable barrier to accessing fundingto improve water infrastructure through this successful program.
"Small and rural communities are the backbone of America, and it is a top priority at the Trump EPA to support access to clean, safe drinking water and wastewater services. Water infrastructure in these communities is essential to their public health, environmental protection and economic prosperity," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Jess Kramer. "EPA's WIFIA program has $11 billion in flexible financing available to support water infrastructure projects. Our goal is to reduce barriers to access these resources, especially in our nation's small and rural communities."
The WIFIA program charges fees to loan applicants to reimburse the federal government for costs incurred with processing and underwriting WIFIA loans. These costs can be financed by the WIFIA loan as eligible project costs. The $25,000 WIFIA Application Fee for small communities and separate Credit Processing Fee - currently averaging approximately $156,000 per loan - can be significant barriers for small communities seeking to access WIFIA financing. EPA will be waiving the Application Fee for small communities with populations of 25,000 or fewer. The agency will also waive the Credit Processing Fee for communities in Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027, subject to WIFIA's program requirements and available administrative funds.
The WIFIA program currently has approximately $11 billion in flexible financing available to support water infrastructure projects across the country, including in small and rural communities where WIFIA can finance up to 80 percent of project costs. EPA is currently accepting letters of interest.
Learn more about EPA's WIFIA Program and water infrastructure investments, including how to submit a letter of interest.
Background
Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan program administered by EPA. The WIFIA program aims to accelerate investment in the nation's water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental credit assistance for regionally and nationally significant projects. The WIFIA program has an active pipeline of pending applications for projects that will result in billions of dollars in water infrastructure investment and thousands of jobs.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-waive-water-infrastructure-loan-program-fees-remove-barriers-small-communities
Brazil's Goias State to Enhance Fiscal Sustainability With IDB Support
WASHINGTON, June 30 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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Brazil's Goias State to Enhance Fiscal Sustainability with IDB Support
The Board of Executive Directors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a $90.4 million loan for the state of Goias in Brazil to strengthen fiscal revenue and public expenditure management.
This operation will finance measures to strengthen fiscal governance, upgrade technology, and operational processes, and build institutional capacity. The measures will modernize Goias's fiscal management, contributing to
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 30 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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Brazil's Goias State to Enhance Fiscal Sustainability with IDB Support
The Board of Executive Directors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a $90.4 million loan for the state of Goias in Brazil to strengthen fiscal revenue and public expenditure management.
This operation will finance measures to strengthen fiscal governance, upgrade technology, and operational processes, and build institutional capacity. The measures will modernize Goias's fiscal management, contributing toaligning systems and processes with the country's consumption tax reform as well as enhance the state's ability to deliver services and support sustainable economic and social development.
Goias will strengthen its public governance model, improve personnel management, modernize IT, and streamline procurement while boosting citizen engagement and accountability. The state will also overhaul tax, budget, and legal frameworks to improve revenue collection and expenditure and legal management of fiscal risks and liabilities.
This new operation is part of the third phase of the PROFISCO Program, a national IDB-supported initiative to strengthen fiscal sustainability at the subnational level in Brazil. These efforts will facilitate tax compliance in Goias and enable higher-quality public spending and support better public services for the population.
The loan has a 24-year maturity, a six-year grace period, and an interest rate based on SOFR. Counterpart financing totals $10.1 million.
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About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a member of the IDB Group, is devoted to improving lives across Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1959, the Bank works with the region's public sector to design and enable impactful, innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development. Leveraging financing, technical expertise, and knowledge, it promotes growth and well-being in 26 countries.
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Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/brazils-goias-state-enhance-fiscal-sustainability-idb-support
Advocacy Helps Small Fishing Businesses Secure a Win From Changes to Squid Rules
WASHINGTON, June 30 -- The Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy issued the following news release:
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Advocacy Helps Small Fishing Businesses Secure a Win from Changes to Squid Rules
The U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) applauds the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) final rule to amend the definition of "shellfish" to include cephalopods, providing small fishing businesses simplicity and clarity.
Previous FWS regulations defined shellfish as "an aquatic invertebrate having a shell." However, cephalopods, including squid, cuttlefish, and octopus,
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WASHINGTON, June 30 -- The Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy issued the following news release:
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Advocacy Helps Small Fishing Businesses Secure a Win from Changes to Squid Rules
The U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) applauds the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) final rule to amend the definition of "shellfish" to include cephalopods, providing small fishing businesses simplicity and clarity.
Previous FWS regulations defined shellfish as "an aquatic invertebrate having a shell." However, cephalopods, including squid, cuttlefish, and octopus,have internal shells, reduced shells, or no shells at all. This has caused confusion over whether cephalopods qualify as shellfish for purposes of federal import/export, declaration, inspection, and enforcement regulations. As a result, small fishing businesses have lost business opportunities and been subject to unnecessary reporting fees.
"I am encouraged to see that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took into account the concerns of our small fishing businesses by finalizing this rule," said Everett M. Woodel, Jr., Acting Chief Counsel for Advocacy. "I am hopeful that the updated definition will provide small fishing businesses with the much-needed clarity they need to succeed."
Advocacy worked with many fishing businesses to help bring attention to the real-world impacts of the confusion caused by the old definition of "shellfish." One of those businesses, Lund's Fisheries, explained how the updated FWS definition will help their business.
"On behalf of Lund's Fisheries, we would like to thank the Trump administration for a solution to a burdensome requirement that will save us time, money and administrative difficulties," said Wayne Reichle, President of Lund's Fisheries Inc. in Cape May, New Jersey. "This is a perfect example of numerous federal agencies working in cooperation with the U.S. commercial fishing industry to make our seafood competitive on a global scale and creating thriving business here at home."
Advocacy submitted a comment letter in support of the FWS's broadening of the definition of "shellfish" to include cephalopods on April 6, 2026. Advocacy estimates that fixing this regulatory issue could save impacted small businesses at least $2.8 million. The final rule will take effect on July 23, 2026.
The definition of squid is one of the many fishing-related regulations Advocacy has heard about from U.S. small businesses. In March, Advocacy added onboard observer requirements and the designation of marine sanctuaries and national monuments to its "Small Businesses' Most Wanted Reform" list. In a related development, SBA and Advocacy applauded President Donald J. Trump on June 12 for restoring nearly half a million square miles of U.S. commercial fishing access in three Pacific marine national monuments.
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Created by Congress in 1976, the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration is a voice for small business within the federal government. Appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, the Chief Counsel for Advocacy directs the office. The Chief Counsel advances the views, concerns, and interests of small business before Congress, the White House, federal agencies, federal courts, and state policymakers. Economic research, policy analyses, and small business outreach help identify issues of concern. Regional Advocates and an office in Washington, DC, support the Chief Counsel's efforts. For more information on the Office of Advocacy, visit advocacy.sba.gov or call (202) 205-6533.
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Original text here: https://advocacy.sba.gov/2026/06/29/advocacy-helps-small-fishing-businesses-secure-a-win-from-changes-to-squid-rules/
NSF IG: 'Semiannual Report to Congress, April 1-September 30, 2025'
WASHINGTON, June 29 (TNSrep) -- The National Science Foundation Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. NSF-OIG-SAR-73) on Jan. 22, 2026 entitled "Semiannual Report to Congress, April 1-September 30, 2025."
Here is the Message From the Acting Inspector General:
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I am pleased to present our semiannual report, which summarizes our work and accomplishments during the second half of fiscal year 2025. During this period, our work led to more than $3 million in potential savings to taxpayers, including $2,917,528 in investigative recoveries and $105,291 in questioned costs. We
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WASHINGTON, June 29 (TNSrep) -- The National Science Foundation Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. NSF-OIG-SAR-73) on Jan. 22, 2026 entitled "Semiannual Report to Congress, April 1-September 30, 2025."
Here is the Message From the Acting Inspector General:
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I am pleased to present our semiannual report, which summarizes our work and accomplishments during the second half of fiscal year 2025. During this period, our work led to more than $3 million in potential savings to taxpayers, including $2,917,528 in investigative recoveries and $105,291 in questioned costs. Wealso worked with NSF to resolve 156 recommendations on 11 previous audits of award recipients, and NSF sustained over $3 million in questioned costs from these audits.
Our audits, evaluations, and reviews continued to promote the effectiveness, efficiency, and integrity of NSF's programs and operations, as well as awardee stewardship of federal funds. During this period, we reported on NSF's use of non-federal employees in supervisory positions; safety and health concerns in the United States Antarctic Program (USAP); NSF's purchase card program; and NSF's compliance with the Payment Integrity Information Act. We also conducted desk reviews of 55 single audit reporting packages, which covered nearly $1.5 billion in total federal expenditures, including about $739 million in NSF direct expenditures. We identified deficiencies in 29 of the 55 audit reporting packages we reviewed.
We continued to address threats to the integrity of NSF-funded research by investigating wrongdoing involving organizations and individuals that receive awards from NSF. Notably, during this period, an NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program awardee agreed to pay $1.5 million to resolve allegations that it falsely certified compliance with program requirements. The company failed to disclose that it was majority-owned by one or more venture capital operating companies when it received the award, which made it ineligible for the SBIR program.
Investigating sexual assaults and other crimes in Antarctica under the Special Maritime and Territorial Jurisdiction of the United States remains a top priority. During this period, NSF took action on several cases based on our investigations and recommendations. For instance, NSF imposed a 3-year debarment on a firefighter who provided forged documentation to NSF; banned a researcher from USAP facilities for 3 years for violating the Polar Code of Conduct by harassing a graduate student on their team; and banned a subcontract employee from USAP facilities for 1 year for misconduct.
As always, we remain committed to protecting taxpayer funds and safeguarding the integrity of NSF's operations and investments in science. Our partnerships with NSF management and staff, the National Science Board, and Congress are critical to fulfilling this mission, and we appreciate their support for our work.
Megan E. Wallace
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The report is posted at: https://oig.nsf.gov/home/group/reports-publications/page/all-reports?selectedReport=617&viewReport=true
[Category: IGIGRep]
NSF IG: 'Performance Audit of Incurred Costs - Cornell University'
WASHINGTON, June 29 (TNSrep) -- The National Science Foundation Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 26-01-001) on March 9, 2026 entitled "Performance Audit of Incurred Costs - Cornell University."
Here is the summary:
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AUDIT OBJECTIVE
The National Science Foundation Office of Inspector General engaged Sikich CPA LLC (Sikich) to conduct a performance audit of costs that Cornell University (Cornell) incurred on 781 NSF awards during the period October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2024. The auditors tested approximately $4.8 million of the $349.9 million of costs claimed
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WASHINGTON, June 29 (TNSrep) -- The National Science Foundation Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 26-01-001) on March 9, 2026 entitled "Performance Audit of Incurred Costs - Cornell University."
Here is the summary:
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AUDIT OBJECTIVE
The National Science Foundation Office of Inspector General engaged Sikich CPA LLC (Sikich) to conduct a performance audit of costs that Cornell University (Cornell) incurred on 781 NSF awards during the period October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2024. The auditors tested approximately $4.8 million of the $349.9 million of costs claimedduring the period. The audit objective was to evaluate Cornell's award management environment and determine if costs claimed by Cornell were allowable, allocable, reasonable, and in compliance with NSF terms and conditions and federal financial assistance requirements. A description of the audit's objective, scope, and methodology is attached to the report as Appendix B.
AUDIT RESULTS
The report highlights concerns about Cornell's compliance with certain federal and NSF award requirements, NSF award terms and conditions, and Cornell's policies. The auditors questioned $121,981 of costs claimed by Cornell during the audit period. Specifically, the auditors found $64,644 in unallowable expenses, $32,128 in inadequately supported expenses, $22,321 of inappropriately allocated expenses, and $2,888 of indirect cost rates not appropriately applied to expenses. The auditors also identified two compliance related findings for which there were no questioned costs: non-compliance with subaward requirements and non-compliance with Cornell policies. Sikich is responsible for the attached report and the conclusions expressed in it. NSF OIG does not express any opinion on the conclusions presented in Sikich's report.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The auditors included six findings with associated recommendations for NSF to resolve the questioned costs and to ensure Cornell strengthens administrative and management controls.
AUDITEE RESPONSE
Cornell generally disagreed with the findings included in the audit report and only agreed to reimburse NSF for $54,438 of the $121,981 in questioned costs. Cornell's response is attached, in its entirety, to the report as Appendix A.
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The report is posted at: https://oig.nsf.gov/home/group/reports-publications/page/all-reports?selectedReport=625&viewReport=true
[Category: IGIGRep]
Fannie Mae Announces the Results of its Thirty-sixth Reperforming Loan Sale Transaction
WASHINGTON, June 29 -- Fannie Mae issued the following news release:
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Fannie Mae Announces the Results of its Thirty-sixth Reperforming Loan Sale Transaction
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WASHINGTON, DC - Fannie Mae (FNMA/OTCQB) today announced the results of its thirty-sixth reperforming loan sale transaction. The transaction, announced on May 28, 2026, included the sale of 2,330 loans totaling $564,628,219 in unpaid principal balance (UPB), offered in one pool. The winning bidder was Pacific Investment Management Company LLC (PIMCO). The transaction is expected to close by July 24, 2026. The pool was marketed with
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WASHINGTON, June 29 -- Fannie Mae issued the following news release:
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Fannie Mae Announces the Results of its Thirty-sixth Reperforming Loan Sale Transaction
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WASHINGTON, DC - Fannie Mae (FNMA/OTCQB) today announced the results of its thirty-sixth reperforming loan sale transaction. The transaction, announced on May 28, 2026, included the sale of 2,330 loans totaling $564,628,219 in unpaid principal balance (UPB), offered in one pool. The winning bidder was Pacific Investment Management Company LLC (PIMCO). The transaction is expected to close by July 24, 2026. The pool was marketed withCitigroup Global Markets Inc. as advisor.
* The pool awarded in this most recent transaction includes 2,330 loans with an aggregate UPB of $564,628,219; average loan size of $242,330; weighted average note rate of 3.67%; and weighted average broker's price opinion (BPO) loan-to-value ratio of 59%.
The cover bid, which is the second highest bid for the pool, was 83.76% of UPB (43.86% of BPO).
Reperforming loans are loans that have been seriously delinquent in the past, have reperformed for a period of time, and are current at the time offered for sale. The terms of Fannie Mae's reperforming loan sale require the buyer to offer loss mitigation options to any borrower who may re-default within five years following the closing of the reperforming loan sale. All purchasers are required to honor any approved or in-process loss mitigation efforts at the time of sale, including loan modifications. In addition, purchasers must offer delinquent borrowers a waterfall of loss mitigation options, including loan modifications, which may include principal forgiveness, prior to initiating foreclosure on any loan.
Interested bidders can register for ongoing announcements, training, and other information here. Fannie Mae will also post information about specific pools available for purchase on that page.
Media Contact
Kelly Antonacci
202-752-0524
TOPICS
* Single Family
* Capital Markets
* Whole Loan Sales
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Original text here: https://www.fanniemae.com/newsroom/fannie-mae-news/results-thirty-sixth-reperforming-loan-sale-transaction
EPA Approves Groundwater Cleanup Plan for BASF North Works Site in Wyandotte, Michigan
WASHINGTON, June 29 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Approves Groundwater Cleanup Plan for BASF North Works Site in Wyandotte, Michigan
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CHICAGO (June 29, 2026) - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the approval of a comprehensive plan to address groundwater contamination at the BASF North Works site in Wyandotte, Michigan, preventing heavy metals, PFAS, and other harmful chemicals from entering the Detroit River.
The facility occupies about 230 acres along the Detroit River and has been used for various industrial
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 29 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Approves Groundwater Cleanup Plan for BASF North Works Site in Wyandotte, Michigan
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CHICAGO (June 29, 2026) - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the approval of a comprehensive plan to address groundwater contamination at the BASF North Works site in Wyandotte, Michigan, preventing heavy metals, PFAS, and other harmful chemicals from entering the Detroit River.
The facility occupies about 230 acres along the Detroit River and has been used for various industrialoperations since the 1800s. It is currently used to manufacture chemicals and other products. Prior investigations by the EPA and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy identified contaminants in groundwater surrounding the site that includes heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile organic compounds, and PFAS.
This milestone finalizes the design for a multi-component system to prevent contaminated groundwater flow, authorizing construction to begin in early 2027. The remedy will include:
* Perimeter barriers to limit groundwater movement across the site boundary and into the Detroit River.
* A groundwater collection and extraction system to capture contaminated groundwater.
* An on-site water treatment facility to treat collected groundwater.
EPA, EGLE and BASF worked closely together on this final plan, referred to as the "100% basis of design." It was developed in a series of phased workplans and includes the detailed engineering drawings, specifications, and construction plans necessary to implement the cleanup.
For more information about the site and copies of the phased design plans for the groundwater remedy, visit EPA's website.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-approves-groundwater-cleanup-plan-basf-north-works-site-wyandotte-michigan
