Federal Executive Branch
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U.S. Attorney's Office Honors AUSA Mary V. "Jena" King and Legal Assistant Niurka "Nikki" Machin on Their Retirement
MIAMI, Florida, Nov. 27 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida posted the following news release:
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U.S. Attorney's Office Honors AUSA Mary V. "Jena" King and Legal Assistant Niurka "Nikki" Machin on Their Retirement
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida proudly celebrated the retirements of Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary V. "Jena" King and Legal Assistant Niurka "Nikki" Machin during a clap-out ceremony honoring their decades of dedicated federal service.
Jena King has been a steady and respected presence in this Office for more
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MIAMI, Florida, Nov. 27 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida posted the following news release:
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U.S. Attorney's Office Honors AUSA Mary V. "Jena" King and Legal Assistant Niurka "Nikki" Machin on Their Retirement
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida proudly celebrated the retirements of Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary V. "Jena" King and Legal Assistant Niurka "Nikki" Machin during a clap-out ceremony honoring their decades of dedicated federal service.
Jena King has been a steady and respected presence in this Office for morethan 36-years. Her career stands as a model of integrity, professionalism, and devotion to justice that has shaped generations of prosecutors and staff. She has served this community faithfully in defense of the rule of law with the grace, judgment, and compassion throughout her time in the Southern District of Florida.
"Jena's family's legacy of public service is woven into the very fabric of our community. Every day, we walk through the doors of the King Federal Justice Building--a powerful reminder of her father's enduring contributions to the bench and to this District. Jena has carried that same spirit forward in her own distinguished service, leaving behind a record of excellence that will continue to inspire those who follow." said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quinones for the Southern District of Florida.
Nikki Machin has served the Office for nearly 20 years, primarily supporting the Narcotics Section. She is known for her discipline, reliability, and her ability to manage complex and demanding casework with calm and care. Prosecutors relied on her judgment and steady presence. Her work strengthened this Office's mission and contributed to some of the most significant prosecutions in the District.
"Nikki was a constant source of support for our Narcotics Section. She kept demanding cases on track and brought order and professionalism to the most complex cases. She made our mission stronger, and we are deeply grateful for the service she gave this Office and the people of South Florida." - U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quinones
The clap-out ceremony brought together colleagues and leadership to recognize King and Machin as they concluded their federal careers and embarked on the next chapter of their lives. Their legacy of excellence, professionalism, and service will remain an enduring part of the Office's history. The Office extends its thanks to City of Miami Chief of Police Manny Morales for his continued support and for his officers joining the Office in recognizing the distinguished service of both honorees.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/us-attorneys-office-honors-ausa-mary-v-jena-king-and-legal-assistant-niurka-nikki
Placer County Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Nearly $1.5 Million in COVID-Relief Loans to Fund Lavish Lifestyle
SACRAMENTO, California, Nov. 27 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California posted the following news release on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Placer County Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Nearly $1.5 million in COVID-Relief Loans to Fund Lavish Lifestyle
Jedrek Upton, 45, of Lincoln, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, between January 2021 and May 2022, Upton repeatedly lied on applications for COVID-19 disaster relief funds that he submitted on behalf of his businesses.
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SACRAMENTO, California, Nov. 27 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California posted the following news release on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Placer County Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Nearly $1.5 million in COVID-Relief Loans to Fund Lavish Lifestyle
Jedrek Upton, 45, of Lincoln, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, between January 2021 and May 2022, Upton repeatedly lied on applications for COVID-19 disaster relief funds that he submitted on behalf of his businesses.The misrepresentations included false statements regarding the number of employees or payroll and that he would spend the money to alleviate economic injury caused by COVID-19. In support of these applications, Upton also submitted falsified IRS documents.
In reality, some of the businesses had no employees or payroll, and Upton spent much of the money received on personal expenses. Upton received nearly $1.5 million in ill-gotten loans from the United States, a large portion of which was ultimately forgiven after Upton falsely claimed that he had spent it on payroll. Instead of legitimate business expenses, the money that Upton received allowed him to fund a lavish lifestyle. He paid off personal credit cards, transferred money to other people, leased a Ferrari and a Lamborghini, and made a large down payment on a $2.7 million, 10-acre property.
In addition to pleading guilty, Upton agreed to forfeit his interest in the property he purchased and pay nearly $1.5 million in restitution to the United States.
This case is the product of an investigation by the IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dhruv M. Sharma is prosecuting the case.
Upton is scheduled to be sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez on March 24, 2026. Upton faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the wire fraud count, and 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the money laundering count. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/placer-county-man-pleads-guilty-stealing-nearly-15-million-covid-relief-loans-fund
National Park Service: Join A Virtual Information Session December 8 on Wetland Restoration in Rocky Mountain National Park
WASHINGTON, Nov. 27 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service issued the following news release on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Join A Virtual Information Session December 8 on Wetland Restoration in Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park staff are beginning a new planning effort to address the decline of wetlands and the growing impact of moose populations on these sensitive ecosystems. The National Park Service (NPS) invites you to participate in shaping effective management strategies for wetlands and moose populations in Rocky Mountain National Park.
The park
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 27 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service issued the following news release on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Join A Virtual Information Session December 8 on Wetland Restoration in Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park staff are beginning a new planning effort to address the decline of wetlands and the growing impact of moose populations on these sensitive ecosystems. The National Park Service (NPS) invites you to participate in shaping effective management strategies for wetlands and moose populations in Rocky Mountain National Park.
The parkis hosting a virtual information session on Monday, December 8, from 6 to 7:15 p.m. MT. The intent of the webinar is to provide opportunities for the public to learn more about the importance of wetlands and ask questions of NPS staff and get information on how to provide formal written comments through the Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website. The virtual meeting will begin with a presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session.
To participate in the virtual meeting, please register at the following link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the virtual meeting.
Monday, December 8, 2025 6 p.m. MT
Registration URL: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Lap1gjGOQM2fJogA90K5pw
Unable to attend the virtual meeting? A recording of the meeting will be posted on the park planning link below. The park will provide live captioning of the meeting. Park staff encourage public participation throughout the planning process. There will be additional opportunities to comment formally on the project during the future planning process. Public comments for this stage are invited for thirty days beginning December 8, 2025 through January 8, 2026. Comments can be submitted online beginning December 8, by visiting https://parkplanning.nps.gov/RMNPwetlandmoose click on 'Open for Comment' on the left side of page to submit a comment. This link will not be live until December 8.
Comments may also be sent to the following mailing address: Superintendent
Rocky Mountain National Park
1000 U.S. Highway 36
Estes Park, CO 80517
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment - including your personal identifying information - may be publicly available at any time. Although you can ask in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee we will be able to do so.
If you have questions about the project or would like more information about Rocky Mountain National Park, please visit www.nps.gov/romo or call the park Information Office at (970) 586-1206.
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Original text here: https://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/news/join-a-virtual-information-session-december-8-on-wetland-restoration-in-rocky-mountain-national-park.htm
Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division Highlights to D.C. Appeals Court the Illegality of 2024 EPA Rule
WASHINGTON, Nov. 27 -- The U.S. Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division issued the following news release on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division Highlights to D.C. Appeals Court the Illegality of 2024 EPA Rule
Earlier this week, the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) urged the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to void the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s 2024 air quality standard for particulate matter, because EPA recognizes that it took an unlawful regulatory shortcut
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 27 -- The U.S. Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division issued the following news release on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division Highlights to D.C. Appeals Court the Illegality of 2024 EPA Rule
Earlier this week, the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) urged the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to void the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s 2024 air quality standard for particulate matter, because EPA recognizes that it took an unlawful regulatory shortcutin imposing the rule.
The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to conduct a thorough review of the underlying science before revising an air quality standard. Under the previous administration, the EPA decided it could not be bothered to do the science, so it took an illegal regulatory shortcut to adopt a stifling and costly national air quality standard for particulate matter through a truncated reconsideration process.
Under President Donald J. Trump's Administration, the EPA has renewed its commitment to following the law. ENRD's filing this week concedes the illegality of the 2024 rule. During the Biden Administration, EPA violated the Clean Air Act by issuing its rule without a thorough review of the science and without considering the costs of its shortcut. Discarding the rule would bring EPA back into compliance with the Clean Air Act and protect Americans from burdensome environmental standards that may ultimately do more harm than good.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-departments-environment-and-natural-resources-division-highlights-dc-appeals-court
Jamestown Man Pleads Guilty for His Role in Jamestown Drug Conspiracy
BUFFALO, New York, Nov. 27 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York posted the following news release on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Jamestown man pleads guilty for his role in Jamestown drug conspiracy
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jaquez Thomas, 22, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 40 years.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys
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BUFFALO, New York, Nov. 27 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York posted the following news release on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Jamestown man pleads guilty for his role in Jamestown drug conspiracy
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jaquez Thomas, 22, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 40 years.
Assistant U.S. AttorneysJoshua A. Violanti, Stacey Jacovetti, and Louis A. Testani, who are handling the case, stated that between 2020 to 2022, Thomas distributed quantities of fentanyl and cocaine he received from Joseph Zaso. Thomas utilized Facebook and Cash App to conduct his drug trafficking activities. During the conspiracy, he supplied quantities of fentanyl to Justin Yuchnitz and Joseph Thayer.
Thomas also conspired with Jose Maisonet in 2022. In Spring of 2022, Jamestown Police officers conducted three controlled purchases from Jose Maisonet. In July 2022, a search warrant was executed at Thomas' Allen Street residence. During the search a loaded handgun, and drug paraphernalia were seized. A search warrant was also executed at Maisonet's Forest Avenue residence, during which quantities of suspected crack cocaine and methamphetamine, digital scales, cell phones, and $2,715.00 in cash was seized.
Joseph Zaso, Joseph Thayer, and Justin Yuchnitz were previously convicted and are awaiting sentencing. Jose Maisonet was previously convicted and sentenced in a separate case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division, and the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office, under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Sinatra.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/jamestown-man-pleads-guilty-his-role-jamestown-drug-conspiracy
IDB Supports Ecuador to Improve Electricity Supply
WASHINGTON, Nov. 27 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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IDB Supports Ecuador to Improve Electricity Supply
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Board of Executive Directors has approved a Conditional Credit Line for Investment Projects (CCLIP) of $1 billion aimed at improving electricity supply in Ecuador.
Within this new credit line, the Board also approved an initial individual operation for $270 million, along with a $30 million loan from the Clean Technology Fund. This financing seeks to support improvements in the reliability and capacity
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 27 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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IDB Supports Ecuador to Improve Electricity Supply
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Board of Executive Directors has approved a Conditional Credit Line for Investment Projects (CCLIP) of $1 billion aimed at improving electricity supply in Ecuador.
Within this new credit line, the Board also approved an initial individual operation for $270 million, along with a $30 million loan from the Clean Technology Fund. This financing seeks to support improvements in the reliability and capacityof Ecuador's electricity transmission system.
The program backed by the new CCLIP will contribute, among other benefits, to reducing 1.3 million tons of CO2 emissions by displacing fossil fuels traditionally used to maintain electricity service quality. It will also enable more than 5,600 new households in the Ecuadorian Amazon region to connect to the grid by 2031.
The program will fund the modernization and digitalization of control centers and connection points for strategic power generation plants, increase transmission system capacity to interconnect new generation -- especially renewable -- and upgrade more than 700 km of transmission lines with advanced conductors.
Additionally, in the electricity distribution sector, substations will be reinforced, control centers modernized to better integrate distributed generation (such as in San Cristobal in the Galapagos Islands), and projects financed to extend the grid and improve access in rural and underserved areas of the Ecuadorian Amazon.
This program is part of Amazonia Forever, an IDB Group initiative for sustainable development in the region, which aims to work together on forest and climate conservation and improve people's quality of life by offering economic alternatives.
The first operation for $270 million has a repayment term of 22.5 years, an 8-year grace period, an interest rate based on SOFR, and a local counterpart of $78.3 million.
The $30 million loan from the Clean Technology Fund has a repayment term of 20 years, an 8-year grace period, and an annual interest rate of 1.19%.
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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. Visit our website: www.iadb.org/en.
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Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/idb-supports-ecuador-improve-electricity-supply
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Issues Beige Book on on Nov. 26, 2025
WASHINGTON, Nov. 27 -- The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco issued the following Beige Book on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Summary of Economic Activity
Economic conditions in the Twelfth District were mixed during the October to mid-November reporting period. Employment levels largely held steady as most employers hired primarily to replace voluntary departures. Wages rose somewhat, and prices were up modestly. Activity in retail trade, agriculture, and residential real estate eased slightly while activity in services and commercial real estate remained largely unchanged on balance. Manufacturing
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 27 -- The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco issued the following Beige Book on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Summary of Economic Activity
Economic conditions in the Twelfth District were mixed during the October to mid-November reporting period. Employment levels largely held steady as most employers hired primarily to replace voluntary departures. Wages rose somewhat, and prices were up modestly. Activity in retail trade, agriculture, and residential real estate eased slightly while activity in services and commercial real estate remained largely unchanged on balance. Manufacturingactivity was mixed. Lending activity strengthened marginally. Conditions in community support organizations and small businesses worsened somewhat. Contacts' economic outlook was little changed over the reporting period.
Labor Markets
Employment levels largely held steady over the reporting period. Most contacts reported no major changes to their head counts and hired primarily to replace retiring workers and voluntary departures. Overall turnover was low. While layoffs occurred in some industries, including technology, banking, community services, and entertainment, hiring increased in some sectors including manufacturing and health care. Employers received more applications for open positions and generally found it easier to hire. Nonetheless, finding applicants with specific skills continued to be challenging for some positions in legal services, manufacturing, and skilled trades. Employers focused on finding efficiencies and increasing productivity, including by using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. One contact in agriculture highlighted increased difficulties in hiring workers due to immigration visa revocations.
Wages rose somewhat in recent weeks, similar to the previous reporting period. Wage growth was in line with historical average rates, as upward pressures weakened somewhat due to slower hiring and plentiful applications to open positions. Nonetheless, upward wage pressures persisted in child care, hospitality, and quick service restaurants, related in some cases to return-to-office mandates. Higher local minimum wage requirements or recent labor union contract negotiations contributed to wage pressures in some areas.
Prices
Prices were up modestly, at a similar pace to the prior reporting period. Contacts reported higher costs for supplies and inputs, including food, beverages, retail merchandise, chemical products, shipping, insurance, and technology services. In some cases, higher costs were directly attributed to import duties. Retailers and entertainment venues reported passing cost increases on to consumers. Some manufacturers, contractors, and hoteliers chose to absorb higher costs or even decrease prices in some cases. Rates for air travel were reportedly stable, while prices for wallboard, asphalt, and some other building materials fell. Contacts in agriculture mentioned that prices for hay and fertilizers also decreased.
Community Conditions
Conditions for community support and services organizations worsened this reporting period. Demand increased for food assistance in particular, which a number of contacts attributed to the government shutdown and reductions in SNAP benefits. Inventories at some food banks were strained by the increase in demand. Funding constraints continued to curtail organizations' abilities to meet demand. One contact noted that the funds nonprofits receive from their thrift stores declined. Closures by small businesses, particularly retail and restaurants, continued as owners faced higher costs for insurance, utilities, and labor. Conditions in higher education varied. One contact reported higher enrollment numbers across four- and two-year institutions, while another reported cuts to funding and programs.
Retail Trade and Services
Retail activity decreased further, at a similar pace to the previous reporting period. Inventory levels and capacity utilization were adequate to meet demand. Retailers and grocers observed lower discretionary spending, in part because consumers switched to lower-cost alternatives and were more conservative with holiday spending plans. Sales at home centers were stable. Spending at tourist destinations and shopping centers across the District was mixed. Retailers generally expected holiday sales to be comparable to or slightly lower than last year's holiday season sales. One contact mentioned that demand for athletic apparel was poor while footwear sales were more robust.
Conditions in the consumer and business services sector were largely unchanged on net. Consumers at the lower end of the income distribution continued to reduce their discretionary spending, including on full-service restaurant dining, elective health care, entertainment, and beauty and personal services. Demand at quick service restaurants grew on net amid an ongoing shift toward greater-value options. Demand from consumers at the higher end of the income distribution was resilient. Travel and hospitality conditions varied across the District depending on location: weaker in Southern California, stable or slightly improved in Alaska and Hawaii, and mixed in Nevada. Air traffic volumes were down due to a variety of factors, including usual seasonality, extreme weather events, and the government shutdown.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing activity was mixed over the reporting period. While demand picked up for furniture and automated packaging equipment, manufactured wood product demand remained weak due to a slow construction environment. Manufactured food product sales were generally stable. Reports highlighted increasing costs for raw materials. One Pacific Northwest manufacturer noted that suppliers' prices rose at a faster pace than what they felt comfortable with passing on to clients.
Agriculture and Resource-Related Industries
Conditions in agriculture and resource-related sectors weakened somewhat. Demand for crops from domestic markets was largely stable. Demand for logs fell as mills that process logs into lumber cut back production. Demand for wine grapes fell both domestically and internationally, and weaker dairy markets in Asia and a generally strong dollar lowered hay exports. Production of commodity crops, such as grains, soybeans, and potatoes, exceeded demand, holding down prices received by growers. Generally cooler weather in California improved the quality of produce harvested. Costs for growers and producers continued to increase, including for labor, materials, and financing. Cattle prices fell slightly but remained above prices that processors received for beef products, creating some financial strain. One contact reported that seasonal labor shortages in Hawaii led growers to leave some crops unpicked.
Real Estate and Construction
Activity in the residential real estate market eased slightly. In the single-family market, properties stayed on the market longer as demand softened. Multifamily rents were largely stable, and one contact observed fewer concessions from landlords. New residential construction and renovations remained subdued overall, resulting in lower demand for construction materials like lumber and roofing. One contractor in the Mountain West partly attributed the limited activity to funding constraints for building ancillary infrastructure, such as roads and sewers.
Conditions in commercial real estate were largely similar to those in the prior reporting period. Rent increases were reportedly in line with inflation for retail and industrial space, while rents in the office sector were stable. New commercial construction remained concentrated in new data centers and projects for education, health, and government, and more limited in other sectors. Several contacts noted some cost declines in construction projects due to competition among bidders.
Financial Institutions
Conditions in the financial sector strengthened marginally over the reporting period. Consumer demand for mortgages and auto loans slightly softened, while utilization of credit cards rose. Loan demand expanded from commercial borrowers, particularly those in some commercial real estate categories. Deposit flows were stable on net, and deposit rates became more competitive. Credit and asset quality remained high, and the prevalence of delinquencies remained generally low.
For more information about District economic conditions visit: https://www.frbsf.org/research-and-insights/publications/san-francisco-fed-twelfth-district-beige-book/.
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Original text here: https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/beigebook202511-san-francisco.htm
