Federal Executive Branch
Here's a look at documents from the U.S. Executive Branch
Featured Stories
Wiet Peeters Farm Products Limited RECALLS "Aunt Mid's Fresh Sliced Mushrooms, Peeters Mushroom Farm Cremini Sliced and Peeters Mushroom Farm Thick Slice Mushroom " Because of Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
WASHINGTON, July 12 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Food and Drug Administration issued the following recall notice:
* * *
Wiet Peeters Farm Products Limited RECALLS "Aunt Mid's Fresh Sliced Mushrooms, Peeters Mushroom Farm Cremini Sliced and Peeters Mushroom Farm Thick Slice Mushroom " Because of Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
*
Summary
Company Announcement Date: July 10, 2025
FDA Publish Date: July 11, 2025
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Foodborne Illness
Reason for Announcement: Potential Foodborne Illness - Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name: Wiet
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 12 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Food and Drug Administration issued the following recall notice:
* * *
Wiet Peeters Farm Products Limited RECALLS "Aunt Mid's Fresh Sliced Mushrooms, Peeters Mushroom Farm Cremini Sliced and Peeters Mushroom Farm Thick Slice Mushroom " Because of Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
*
Summary
Company Announcement Date: July 10, 2025
FDA Publish Date: July 11, 2025
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Foodborne Illness
Reason for Announcement: Potential Foodborne Illness - Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name: WietPeeters Farm Products Limited
Brand Name: Peeters and Aunt Mid's
Product Description: Fresh sliced and Cremini sliced mushrooms
Company Announcement
Wiet Peeters Farm Products Limited of Charing Cross Ontario, Canada is recalling its Aunt Mid's Fresh Sliced Mushrooms 227g , Peeters Mushroom Farm Cremini Sliced 227g and Peeters Mushroom Farm Thick Slice Mushroom 10lb cardboard because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
The recalled mushrooms were distributed in Michigan and Ohio.
Recalled products include:
* Aunt Mid's Fresh Sliced Mushrooms comes in a 227g flat blue plastic package marked with UPC 0 33383 676005 on the top and with and best before date of BEST BEFORE 25JL04 stamped on the side.
* Peeters Mushroom Farm Cremini Sliced comes in a 227g flat black plastic package marked with UPC 0 68414 96960 3 on the top and with and best before date of BEST BEFORE 25JL04 stamped on the side.
* Peeters Mushroom Farm Thick Slice Mushroom 10lb cardboard comes in a 10lb cardboard labeled with Peeters Mushroom Farm on the cardboard box.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.
The potential for contamination was noted after testing by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in 227g packages of Fresh Sliced Mushrooms. The other products affected in this recall have been manufactured on the same line as the 227g fresh sliced mushrooms.
Consumers who have purchased are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Wiet Peeters Farm Products Limited @ 1-519-351-1945 or Toll Free 1-800-364-1305 Office hours are 7:00am-3:30pm EST. Monday to Friday.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/wiet-peeters-farm-products-limited-recalls-aunt-mids-fresh-sliced-mushrooms-peeters-mushroom-farm
USPTO Announces Accelerated Patent Grant Programs With Belize, Guatemala, and the United Arab Emirates
WASHINGTON, July 12 -- The U.S. Department of Commerce's Patent and Trademark Office issued the following news release on July 11, 2025:
* * *
USPTO announces accelerated patent grant programs with Belize, Guatemala, and the United Arab Emirates
*
This week, in Geneva, Switzerland, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) entered into agreements with the governments of Belize, Guatemala, and the United Arab Emirates under which those countries will each grant patents, on an accelerated basis, to applicants that have previously received a U.S. patent and have filed a corresponding application
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 12 -- The U.S. Department of Commerce's Patent and Trademark Office issued the following news release on July 11, 2025:
* * *
USPTO announces accelerated patent grant programs with Belize, Guatemala, and the United Arab Emirates
*
This week, in Geneva, Switzerland, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) entered into agreements with the governments of Belize, Guatemala, and the United Arab Emirates under which those countries will each grant patents, on an accelerated basis, to applicants that have previously received a U.S. patent and have filed a corresponding applicationfor patent protection in those countries.
"Our accelerated patent grant programs are critical pieces in the USPTO's international engagement strategy," added Coke Morgan Stewart, Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Acting Director of the USPTO. "We are proud to contribute to President Trump's agenda and look forward to furthering our cooperation with these important trading partners."
Accelerated patent grant agreements allow U.S. innovators to obtain patents more quickly and with greater predictability in partner countries, facilitate cooperation between the USPTO and counterpart patent offices, and open up important new investment and business expansion opportunities in foreign markets. Under these programs, when a U.S. patent applicant receives a U.S. patent, the partner office will accelerate its grant of patent rights on a corresponding application based on the USPTO's grant.
For more information about the USPTO's international engagement programs and bilateral partnerships, visit the patent worksharing page of the USPTO website.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/news-updates/uspto-announces-accelerated-patent-grant-programs-belize-guatemala-and-united
Savannah River Site Contractor Completes Complex Operating System Upgrades
AIKEN, South Carolina, July 12 -- The U.S. Department of Energy Savannah River Site issued the following news release:
* * *
Savannah River Site Contractor Completes Complex Operating System Upgrades
*
AIKEN, S.C. (July 10, 2025) -- The contractor cleaning up radioactive tank waste for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) at the Savannah River Site (SRS) has successfully upgraded the complex control system used to monitor and operate nuclear facilities.
In a yearslong, multidiscipline effort, Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC) has completed the
... Show Full Article
AIKEN, South Carolina, July 12 -- The U.S. Department of Energy Savannah River Site issued the following news release:
* * *
Savannah River Site Contractor Completes Complex Operating System Upgrades
*
AIKEN, S.C. (July 10, 2025) -- The contractor cleaning up radioactive tank waste for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) at the Savannah River Site (SRS) has successfully upgraded the complex control system used to monitor and operate nuclear facilities.
In a yearslong, multidiscipline effort, Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC) has completed thephysical and digital modernization of the distributed control systems (DCS) in the Defense Waste Processing Facility, Salt Waste Processing Facility, Tank Farms, and End Stream Delivery control rooms. SRMC is EM's liquid waste contractor responsible for safely treating and disposing of the millions of gallons of waste remaining in the underground tanks at SRS, as well as closing the tanks.
The upgrade included a complete overhaul of the software and hardware used in the DCS. The DCS is the automated computer system and physical controls used to operate most of the facility processes, all connected by a communications network. SRMC operators use the DCS to monitor instrumentation and control equipment, such as pumps and valves, for transfers and other evolutions.
Across the four major operating facilities, 18 total control systems were upgraded, which included the replacement or upgrade of 125 servers, 195 workstations and 236 controllers.
Mirwaise Aurah, SRMC chief information and operational technology officer, said this project was critical to SRMC's mission to prevent the control rooms from becoming obsolete.
"The operating system that SRMC uses for the DCS will not be supported after October 2026, and inherent cybersecurity risks increase with older operating systems," Aurah said. "The physical workstations, servers and hardware technology that support the control system in the field were also becoming obsolete. By investing in this upgrade effort, SRMC is positioned to accelerate the mission, confident that our operating systems are safe, secure and efficient."
The final DCS upgrades were completed during a planned system-wide outage in May to minimize production or facility impacts.
Tony Robinson, DOE-Savannah River acting assistant manager for waste disposition, said ensuring operations remain safe and secure is a priority for EM.
"Completing such a significant and complex upgrade to a system-wide control system validates the Department's commitment to equipping the program with robust and reliable infrastructure for both nearterm and long-term success," Robinson said.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.srs.gov/general/news/releases/2025/nr25_SRS-SRMC-DCS-Upgrade-Complete.pdf
Republic of Korea-U.S.-Japan Trilateral Chiefs of Defense Joint Press Statement
SEOUL, Korea, July 12 -- The U.S. Forces Korea issued the following joint statement on July 11, 2025, by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine with South Korean Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Kim Myung-soo and Japanese Chief of Staff, Joint Staff Gen. Yoshida Yoshihide:
* * *
Republic of Korea-United States-Japan Trilateral Chiefs of Defense Joint Press Statement
Republic of Korea (ROK) Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Kim Myung-soo, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, and Japan Chief of Staff, Joint Staff Gen. Yoshida Yoshihide
... Show Full Article
SEOUL, Korea, July 12 -- The U.S. Forces Korea issued the following joint statement on July 11, 2025, by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine with South Korean Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Kim Myung-soo and Japanese Chief of Staff, Joint Staff Gen. Yoshida Yoshihide:
* * *
Republic of Korea-United States-Japan Trilateral Chiefs of Defense Joint Press Statement
Republic of Korea (ROK) Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Kim Myung-soo, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, and Japan Chief of Staff, Joint Staff Gen. Yoshida Yoshihideconvened the 22nd Trilateral Chiefs of Defense (Tri-CHOD) Meeting on July 11, 2025, in Seoul. The three chiefs of defense recognized the importance of close trilateral cooperation in addressing security challenges on the Korean Peninsula, in the Indo-pacific and beyond.
The defense chiefs condemned the DPRK's continued development of unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile programs and agreed to continue coordination toward the complete denuclearization of the DPRK in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs). They also discussed the deployment of the DPRK's troops to Russia; as well as the potential transfer of military technology from Russia to the DPRK. They urged the DPRK to immediately cease all unlawful activities to destabilize the Korean Peninsula, the Indo-Pacific, and beyond, and pledged to continue working together to respond to the DPRK's threats.
The three defense chiefs reaffirmed that trilateral security cooperation has played a key role in promoting peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific. They focused on various ways to deepen their cooperation in order to ensure peace and stability in the region.
In addition, the defense chiefs agreed to convene the 2026 Tri-CHOD meeting in the United States. Following the meeting, they jointly visited the ROK Navy 2nd Fleet Command to honor the 46 fallen sailors who were killed when the ROKS Cheonan sank in March 2010, as a result of the DPRK's surprise torpedo attack.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.usfk.mil/Media/Newsroom/News/Article/4241133/republic-of-korea-united-states-japan-trilateral-chiefs-of-defense-joint-press/
FCC Continues Deregulatory Efforts to Remove Unnecessary Rules
WASHINGTON, July 12 -- The Federal Communications Commission issued the following news release:
* * *
FCC Continues Deregulatory Efforts to Remove Unnecessary Rules
Commission's Regulatory Review Leads to Deletion of Rules Made Obsolete by Court Decisions
*
July 11, 2025--The Federal Communications Commission today announced its latest effort to remove outdated and unnecessary rules and regulations as part of its "Delete, Delete, Delete" initiative. Specifically, today's action will remove from its regulations approximately 2,991 words and 41 rules or requirements concerning utility-style
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 12 -- The Federal Communications Commission issued the following news release:
* * *
FCC Continues Deregulatory Efforts to Remove Unnecessary Rules
Commission's Regulatory Review Leads to Deletion of Rules Made Obsolete by Court Decisions
*
July 11, 2025--The Federal Communications Commission today announced its latest effort to remove outdated and unnecessary rules and regulations as part of its "Delete, Delete, Delete" initiative. Specifically, today's action will remove from its regulations approximately 2,991 words and 41 rules or requirements concerning utility-styleburdens on the Internet adopted under the Biden Administration and network interconnection.
Chairman Carr issued the following statement:
"We're continuing to clean house at the FCC, working to identify and eliminate rules that no longer serve a purpose, have been on our books for decades, and have no place in the current Code of Federal Regulations. Today's action is just the latest step the FCC is taking to follow the Trump Administration's effort to usher in prosperity through deregulation. And it's just one of many, with more on the horizon, so stay tuned."
Additional Background:
In March 2025, the FCC opened its "Delete, Delete, Delete" docket in which the agency is seeking comment on every rule, regulation, or guidance document the FCC should eliminate to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens. The Commission has also been conducting a thorough review of its regulations to identify unnecessary rules, including those made obsolete by Court decisions. Today's action makes the following deletions:
* Removing irrelevant and burdensome restrictions on broadband providers that were adopted under the Biden Administration in its "Restore Net Neutrality" proceeding, but never went into effect and were struck down by the Sixth Circuit in early 2025.
* Removing defunct and prescriptive interconnection rules that were vacated by the Eighth Circuit 25 years ago but never removed from the Code of Federal Regulations.
These deletions will clean up the Commission's regulations and reduce confusion for communications service providers.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-continues-deregulatory-efforts-remove-unnecessary-rules
FCC Completes Review of Wireless, Satellite, and Fiber Transactions
WASHINGTON, July 12 -- The Federal Communications Commission issued the following news release:
* * *
FCC Completes Review of Wireless, Satellite, and Fiber Transactions
The Three Combinations Approved This Week Will Strengthen Investment, Lower Costs, and Improve Service Quality
*
July 11, 2025--Today, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced that the agency approved three separate transactions this week that involve wireless, satellite, and fiber-based services.
FCC Chairman Carr issued the following statement:
"As part of the FCC's Build America Agenda, the agency is working to unleash new
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 12 -- The Federal Communications Commission issued the following news release:
* * *
FCC Completes Review of Wireless, Satellite, and Fiber Transactions
The Three Combinations Approved This Week Will Strengthen Investment, Lower Costs, and Improve Service Quality
*
July 11, 2025--Today, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced that the agency approved three separate transactions this week that involve wireless, satellite, and fiber-based services.
FCC Chairman Carr issued the following statement:
"As part of the FCC's Build America Agenda, the agency is working to unleash newbuilds, encourage greater investment, and expand network capacity. The FCC's decisions this week further all of these goals while cutting across multiple different sectors of the communications market. In looking at these transactions, the FCC has been guided by the Communications Act, agency precedent, and a forward-looking understanding of the market for connectivity. As consumers continue to choose from a range of technologies to meet their connectivity needs, the FCC will ensure that its decisions promote the public interest."
Additional Background:
On September 13, 2024, T-Mobile and UScellular filed applications seeking Commission approval for the assignment of spectrum licenses, customers, authorizations, and spectrum leases from UScellular to T-Mobile. Under the transaction, T-Mobile would acquire UScellular's wireless operations, customers, and approximately 30% of its licensed spectrum. Today's FCC approval of this transaction is expected to result in substantial network benefits for customers of both T-Mobile and UScellular, including additional capacity and coverage benefits, as well as improved fixed wireless access service with higher speeds and capacity.
On May 20, 2024, Intelsat and SES filed applications to transfer control of the FCC licenses held by Intelsat to SES. Both Intelsat and SES are providers of satellite communications. Today's approval of the SES Intelsat transaction builds on the Commission's efforts to promote the provision of robust and competitive satellite services to the public. It has the potential to lower costs, improve quality, and increase investment. It also will create a more vigorous multi-orbit competitor in the satellite communications marketplace.
On September 20, 2024, the FCC issued a Public Notice seeking comment on an application to transfer control of five subsidiaries of Metronet to T-Mobile USA, Inc. Through the FCC's approval this week of this transaction, the combined entity will be able to expand fiber-based services. The FCC also recognized the benefit of T-Mobile's commitments to America's tower crews and telecom workers, and the company's commitment to equal opportunity employment and nondiscrimination practices consistent with federal law.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-completes-review-wireless-satellite-and-fiber-transactions
FCA Board Receives Report on Food Hubs and Financing Under the Farm Credit System
MCLEAN, Virginia, July 12 (TNSrpt) -- The Farm Credit Administration issued the following news release:
* * *
FCA board receives report on food hubs and financing under the Farm Credit System
*
McLEAN, Va., July 10, 2025 -- At its monthly meeting today, the Farm Credit Administration board received a (report (PDF) on food hubs and aggregators, their impacts on producers, and potential financing opportunities by the Farm Credit System (FCS).
Report on food hubs and aggregators in the U.S. and financing by the Farm Credit System
Food hubs and aggregators play an important role in the food
... Show Full Article
MCLEAN, Virginia, July 12 (TNSrpt) -- The Farm Credit Administration issued the following news release:
* * *
FCA board receives report on food hubs and financing under the Farm Credit System
*
McLEAN, Va., July 10, 2025 -- At its monthly meeting today, the Farm Credit Administration board received a (report (PDF) on food hubs and aggregators, their impacts on producers, and potential financing opportunities by the Farm Credit System (FCS).
Report on food hubs and aggregators in the U.S. and financing by the Farm Credit System
Food hubs and aggregators play an important role in the foodsystem by providing several key services to farmers. These services include coordinating the aggregation, distribution, and marketing of locally and regionally produced foods from multiple producers to multiple markets, which can include wholesale, retail (direct to consumer), and institutions such as schools and hospitals.
Many food hubs' main focus is supporting small and medium-size farms and local food systems. Farmer viability is one of the top core organizational values for most food hubs. Food hubs often fill a niche in the market by serving farmers challenged by the lack of distribution, processing, and marketing infrastructure that would create greater market access to more customers.
Sources of financing for food hubs and aggregators
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift in food delivery from traditional channels to food hubs and other alternative food distribution systems. The shift away from institutions towards individual consumers increased overhead and other operational costs for many food hubs, resulting in higher credit needs. However, many food hubs have been unable to secure funding through traditional sources to support their growth and sustainability.
According to a 2021 National Food Hub Survey, the majority (84%) of food hubs rely on grants as their primary source of financing. When asked to list all accessed sources of funding in the last two years, only 26% indicated they utilized traditional loans, and many responded they did not apply for traditional funding as they believed their application would be rejected.
Current FCA regulations and guidance emphasize organizational structure and ownership as the guiding principles for eligibility. Although food hubs organized as cooperatives are currently eligible for FCS financing; only about 10% use that structure. Aggregators use multiple structures.
In summary, food hubs provide a vital service for agricultural producers. They market what farmers produce to both consumers and institutions, and often perform activities such as washing, sorting, and aggregating the product.
Through these activities, food hubs support local producers and increase viability, particularly for small to mid-sized farms. However, food hubs have primarily relied on grants for funding, which limits their growth and ability to expand.
Reviewing relevant FCA regulations
There are currently two FCA regulations under which food hubs could potentially receive financing from the FCS: farm-related services and processing or marketing. The current requirement is for the producer to maintain title, which would curtail any financing to those food hubs which are not organized as cooperatives and do not consign the farmers' products. The current processing or marketing regulation applies to an entity that is a direct outgrowth of a single eligible borrower's operation and has strict requirements on ownership, control, and throughput, i.e., the amount of product or service that can be produced and delivered within a specified timeframe.
FCA recognizes that there may potentially be some specific aggregator scenarios consistent with the current regulations, and there are some food hubs that sell farmers' products on a consignment basis where the title remains with the producer. FCA is reviewing requirements for food hub credit eligibility to determine if additional capabilities can be found in this space, as lending to food hubs and aggregators fit within the mission of the FCS to serve all of agriculture.
Closed Session
In a closed session, the FCA board received a report on findings from the Future of the Office of Examination Workgroup.
Notational votes
Since the June 12 FCA board meeting, one notational vote has occurred. Notational votes are actions the FCA board takes between board meetings.
On June 13, the board approved a personnel action.
The Farm Credit Administration is the regulator of the Farm Credit System. The System is the nation's oldest government-sponsored enterprise. It consists of a nationwide network of cooperative banks and associations, which was established in 1916, and a secondary market entity known as the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac), which was established in 1988. The System's borrower-owned banks and associations provide credit to farmers, ranchers, residents of rural communities, agricultural and rural utility cooperatives, and other eligible and creditworthy borrowers. Farmer Mac provides a secondary market for agricultural real estate loans, rural housing mortgage loans, and certain rural utility loans. FCA news releases are available on the web at www.fca.gov.
* * *
REPORT: https://www.fca.gov/template-fca/about/2025JulyAggregatorsFoodHubs.pdf
* * *
Original text here: https://ww3.fca.gov/news/Lists/News%20Releases/Attachments/727/NR-25-09-07-10-25.pdf
