Federal Executive Branch
Here's a look at documents from the U.S. Executive Branch
Featured Stories
SEC Obtains Final Judgment as to Defendants Charged in Forex Offering Fraud
WASHINGTON, April 25 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release (No. 4:22-cv-04365; S.D. Tex. filed Dec. 16, 2022):
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Securities and Exchange Commission v. John Fernandez, et al., No. 4:22-cv-04365 (S.D. Tex. filed Dec. 16, 2022)
On April 14, 2026, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas entered a final judgment as to John Fernandez and two companies he controlled, Avail Progression, LLC and Elite Generators, LLC, in connection with the SEC's civil enforcement action against them.
According to the SEC's complaint, filed
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WASHINGTON, April 25 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release (No. 4:22-cv-04365; S.D. Tex. filed Dec. 16, 2022):
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Securities and Exchange Commission v. John Fernandez, et al., No. 4:22-cv-04365 (S.D. Tex. filed Dec. 16, 2022)
On April 14, 2026, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas entered a final judgment as to John Fernandez and two companies he controlled, Avail Progression, LLC and Elite Generators, LLC, in connection with the SEC's civil enforcement action against them.
According to the SEC's complaint, filedon December 16, 2022, Fernandez promised to pay investors guaranteed returns by trading their funds in the forex markets. However, the complaint alleges that instead of trading investors' money as promised, Fernandez used the majority of the investor funds to make Ponzi payments and for his own personal expenses.
The final judgment, which follows the Court entering bifurcated judgments as to the defendants on April 19, 2023 and granting the SEC's motion for monetary relief on March 30, 2026, permanently enjoins Fernandez, Avail Progression, and Elite Generators from violating Sections 5(a), 5(c), and 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder; permanently enjoins Fernandez from participating in the issuance, offer, purchase or sale of any security except for purchases or sales for his own personal accounts; and prohibits Fernandez from acting as an officer or director of a public company. In addition, the final judgment orders the defendants to pay disgorgement in the amount of $5,002,383.00 and prejudgment interest in the amount of $1,626,707.93, on a joint and several basis, and orders Fernandez to pay a civil penalty in the amount of $472,902.00.
The SEC's investigation was conducted by Jillian Harris and Carol Hahn of the SEC's Fort Worth Regional Office. The SEC's litigation was led by Tyson M. Lies and Matthew J. Gulde and supervised by Keefe Bernstein.
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Resources
* SEC Complaint (https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/complaints/2026/comp26539.pdf)
* Final Judgment (https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/litreleases/2026/judg26539.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/litigation-releases/lr-26539
P-8A Poseidon Reaches IOC With Increment 3 Block 2 Modifications
PATUXENT RIVER, Maryland, April 25 -- The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command issued the following news release:
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P-8A Poseidon Reaches IOC with Increment 3 Block 2 Modifications
The U.S. Navy declared Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the P-8A Poseidon Increment 3 Block 2 (Inc 3 Blk 2) system. This significant milestone was achieved after the initial phase of Initial Operational Test performed by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VX-1) with support from the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft Program Office (PMA-290).
"The P-8A Inc 3 Blk 2 modifications enhance Naval Aviation's
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PATUXENT RIVER, Maryland, April 25 -- The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command issued the following news release:
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P-8A Poseidon Reaches IOC with Increment 3 Block 2 Modifications
The U.S. Navy declared Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the P-8A Poseidon Increment 3 Block 2 (Inc 3 Blk 2) system. This significant milestone was achieved after the initial phase of Initial Operational Test performed by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VX-1) with support from the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft Program Office (PMA-290).
"The P-8A Inc 3 Blk 2 modifications enhance Naval Aviation'sMaritime Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting (ISR&T) capabilities - the eyes of the Fleet," said Rear Adm. Michael Wosje, Director of Air Warfare (OPNAV N98). "This capability enhancement is in line with the CNO Fighting Instructions and the Golden Fleet Initiative, which shifts the paradigm from platform-centric thinking to a warfighting system. We are delivering the P-8A Inc 3 Blk 2 as a high-end, networked, and rapidly adaptable platform."
The P-8A is the Department of War's only long-range full-spectrum anti-submarine warfare (ASW), cue-to-kill platform, with substantial armed anti-surface warfare (ASuW) and networked intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. Inc 3 Blk 2 provides a significant upgrade to the P-8A airframe and avionics systems, and includes new airframe racks, radome, antennas, sensors, and wiring. The modification incorporates a new combat systems suite with improved computer processing, higher security architecture, a wideband satellite communication system, an ASW signals intelligence capability, a track management system, and additional communications and acoustics systems to enhance search, detection and targeting capabilities.
"The recent deployment of P-8A Increment 3 Block 2 marks the culmination of a spiral development strategy that delivers winning capability to the Fleet and ensures that the P-8A will remain agile, relevant, and lethal for decades to come," said Rear Adm. Craig Mattingly, Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Group (CPRG), responsible for the manning, training, and equipping of the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance fleet of aircraft for the U.S. Navy.
PMA-290 has advanced P-8A's capabilities through a phased, incremental acquisition strategy using Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs). This approach began with Increment 1, which reconstituted the capabilities of the legacy P-3C Orion, and continued with further upgrades in Increment 2.
"I am extremely proud of the dedicated and focused acquisition team that is delivering this capability to the fleet," said Capt. Erik Thomas, PMA-290 program manager. "The P-8A Increment 3 Block 2 modifications could not have come at a better time in our current state of evolving threats. The Poseidon is the cornerstone of sophisticated and lethal global maritime patrol and reconnaissance forces, and this enhanced capability ensures we sustain the core pillar of world-class maritime intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting (ISR&T) and remain ready for our current and future fights."
PMA-290 is responsible for the acquisition, sustainment, and continuous modernization of the P-8A Poseidon, ensuring it remains the world's premier multi-mission maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.
CPRG works with the Joint Force, Allies, and Partners to find things beneath or on the sea and destroy them. Everything else is in support.
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Original text here: https://www.navair.navy.mil/news/P-8A-Poseidon-Reaches-IOC-Increment-3-Block-2-Modifications/Fri-04242026-0905
Oak Ridge Resident Inspectors Activity Report for Week Ending April 3, 2026
WASHINGTON, April 25 -- The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board Resident Inspector at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory issued the following activity report for the week ending April 3, 2026:
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Oak Ridge Resident Inspectors Activity Report for Week Ending April 3, 2026
ORNL Building 2026: During initiation of the routine monthly diesel generator test, both safety significant confinement ventilation system (CVS) fans lost power and could not be immediately restarted. The loss of the fans resulted in actuation of the safety significant low differential pressure alarms, causing the facility
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WASHINGTON, April 25 -- The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board Resident Inspector at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory issued the following activity report for the week ending April 3, 2026:
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Oak Ridge Resident Inspectors Activity Report for Week Ending April 3, 2026
ORNL Building 2026: During initiation of the routine monthly diesel generator test, both safety significant confinement ventilation system (CVS) fans lost power and could not be immediately restarted. The loss of the fans resulted in actuation of the safety significant low differential pressure alarms, causing the facilityto enter an unplanned limiting condition for operation (LCO) and complete the required technical safety requirement (TSR) actions. Electricians identified that a breaker had unexpectedly tripped due to an electrical fault during the test and suspended the generator testing. Electricians restored normal power to the fans once they determined it was safe to do so. Upon restoration of power, the facility manager verified the TSR surveillance requirements were met, declared the system operable, and exited the LCO. Isotek initially filed an occurrence report for performance degradation of a safety significant system, as the loss of the electrical support system prevented satisfactory performance of the fans' design function when the system was required to be operable. Isotek staff, along with OREM staff, met to further discuss the cause of the abnormal condition, the effects on the equipment, and the occurrence reporting criteria in DOE Order 232.2A, Occurrence Reporting and Processing of Operations Information. Isotek concluded that loss of the safety significant fans was the result of a tripped electrical breaker that performed its intended function of removing power due to an electrical fault in the system. Although the area fell below the TSR-required differential pressure due to an unexpected condition, fan function was reestablished by restoring the normal power supply. The physical primary confinement boundaries remained intact, and support components in the safety significant boundary operated as expected and were not degraded. Based on meeting these conditions, Isotek determined that this abnormal condition does not meet the criteria of an occurrence report and canceled the initial notification. A resident inspector reviewed the circumstances around the occurrence report and its subsequent cancellation, the credited functions of the CVS, and the TSR. The resident inspector concluded that the loss of the electrical support system, which leads to the unplanned loss of a safety significant fan and entry into an unplanned LCO, meets the occurrence reporting criteria in DOE Order 232.2A.
Building 9215: A resident inspector attended an operational safety board meeting for the electrorefining process. During the meeting, the process engineer revealed that CNS has unknowingly been operating the system with approximately 1.6 kilograms more enriched uranium in the electrorefining cell than the mass tracking software or the personnel operating the equipment had accounted for since the startup in October 2025. Following the meeting, CNS entered this issue as an event in the contractor assurance system and started the formal investigation process. During the initial startup of the electrorefining process, there was a problem with data transfer between the software system the plant analytical laboratory uses and the mass tracking software. CNS personnel manually entered enriched uranium concentration values into the mass tracking software without understanding that the software would not run the subsequent calculation that would have accounted for the additional material. CNS placed the electrorefining operations on hold pending the completion of the investigation and corrective actions.
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Original text here: https://www.dnfsb.gov/sites/default/files/2026-04/Oak%20Ridge%20Week%20Ending%20April%203%202026.pdf
IRS: Taxpayer Advocacy Panel Issues 2025 Annual Report Highlighting Taxpayer-focused Recommendations to Improve Tax Administration
WASHINGTON, April 25 (TNSrpt) -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service issued the following news:
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Taxpayer Advocacy Panel issues 2025 Annual Report highlighting taxpayer-focused recommendations to improve tax administration
The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel today released its 2025 Annual Report PDF highlighting accomplishments and ongoing efforts to strengthen Internal Revenue Service delivery, improve communications with taxpayers, reduce taxpayer burden, and support continued modernization of tax administration.
"In 2025, TAP members dedicated hundreds of volunteer
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WASHINGTON, April 25 (TNSrpt) -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service issued the following news:
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Taxpayer Advocacy Panel issues 2025 Annual Report highlighting taxpayer-focused recommendations to improve tax administration
The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel today released its 2025 Annual Report PDF highlighting accomplishments and ongoing efforts to strengthen Internal Revenue Service delivery, improve communications with taxpayers, reduce taxpayer burden, and support continued modernization of tax administration.
"In 2025, TAP members dedicated hundreds of volunteerhours to grassroots outreach, listening directly to taxpayers across the country and abroad and elevating the real-world challenges they face," said National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins. "Their efforts resulted in nearly 200 recommendations to improve IRS service and tax administration. By partnering with the IRS to advance practical, taxpayer-focused solutions, TAP plays a critical role in strengthening taxpayer rights and making tax administration more transparent, accessible, and responsive. I extend my sincere appreciation to our TAP volunteers for their exceptional commitment and the meaningful impact reflected in this Annual Report."
In 2025, the TAP project committees submitted 20 project referrals to the IRS, including 188 recommendations aimed at improving IRS operations and enhancing the experience for taxpayers nationwide.
Key recommendations outlined in the report
The six principal project committees presented a series of recommendations to the IRS that include:
* Making taxpayer notices clear, accessible, and easier for taxpayers to understand and act on.
* Enhancing IRS online tools and digital services to expand secure self-service options for taxpayers and improve the user experience within the IRS Online Account and tax transcript applications.
* Streamlining IRS correspondence processes and strengthening Individual Taxpayer Identification Number online tools to reduce processing delays, minimize call volume, and improve response times.
* Improving the clarity of IRS tax forms and publications, including recommending updated guidance on Form 8821, Tax Information Authorization, regarding disclosure authority and revocation procedures.
* Reinforcing the importance of in-person assistance to ensure taxpayers continue to have access to essential support services.
* Reducing wait times on IRS toll-free telephone lines by expanding secure chatbot and live chat capabilities to provide timely, personalized, and accessible customer service.
The report also recognizes the outgoing and incoming National TAP Chairs for their dedicated service and leadership:
* Michelle Brookens - 2025 National TAP Chair
* Philip Hwang - 2026 National TAP Chair
Historically, TAP's recommendations have contributed to meaningful improvements in IRS processes, forms, notices, and procedures that directly affect taxpayers. The panel anticipates that the 2025 recommendations will similarly support enhancements to taxpayer service and tax administration.
The full 2025 TAP Annual Report is available to download on ImproveIRS.org.
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About TAP
TAP is a Federal Advisory Committee that provides citizens with a unique opportunity to take part in the federal tax administration system. TAP members comprise citizen volunteers from across the country, and an international member. These volunteers represent the broad geographic and varied demographic backgrounds of the U.S. taxpayer population they serve. As everyday taxpayers, TAP members provide an independent, grassroots perspective on IRS services and procedures, offering insights that complement, but are distinct from, those of tax professionals and industry organizations.
Oversight and program support for TAP is provided by the Taxpayer Advocate Service, an independent organization within the IRS led by the National Taxpayer Advocate. TAS helps taxpayers with tax problems they cannot resolve with the IRS and makes administrative and legislative recommendations to mitigate systemic problems in tax administration.
For additional information about TAP:
* Visit ImproveIRS.org or
* Email TAP staff at taxpayer.advocacy.panel@irs.gov.
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REPORT: https://www.improveirs.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/TAP25_Pub4444_AnnualReport.pdf
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Original text here: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/taxpayer-advocacy-panel-issues-2025-annual-report-highlighting-taxpayer-focused-recommendations-to-improve-tax-administration
Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City: Tenth District Services Growth Eased in April
KANSAS CITY, Missouri, April 25 (TNSrep) -- The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City issued the following news release on April 24, 2024:
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Tenth District Services Growth Eased in April
The Services Survey monitors services firms selected according to geographic distribution, employment mix and size.
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The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City released the April Services Survey today. According to Cortney Cowley, assistant vice president and Oklahoma City Branch executive, results from the survey showed that Tenth District services growth eased in April, and expectations for future services
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KANSAS CITY, Missouri, April 25 (TNSrep) -- The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City issued the following news release on April 24, 2024:
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Tenth District Services Growth Eased in April
The Services Survey monitors services firms selected according to geographic distribution, employment mix and size.
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The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City released the April Services Survey today. According to Cortney Cowley, assistant vice president and Oklahoma City Branch executive, results from the survey showed that Tenth District services growth eased in April, and expectations for future servicesactivity increased slightly.
"Regional services activity grew at a slower pace in April, following four consecutive months of accelerated growth," said Cowley. "Almost 75% of firms reported higher transportation costs in the last two months, but the majority are passing through only 0-20% of energy-related cost increases to customers."
A summary of the April survey is below. The April survey incorporates new seasonal adjustment factors using Census X-13 ARIMA-SEATS, so historical indexes differ slightly from previously released numbers. The new seasonal factors will be used throughout 2025. Historical data, results from past surveys and release dates for future surveys are available at External Linkwww.kansascityfed.org/surveys/services-survey/.
The Kansas City Fed's monthly Survey of Tenth District Services provides information on several indicators of activity including sales, revenue, employment and capital spending, while identifying changes in prices of input materials and selling prices. Survey participants represent a variety of industries, including retail and wholesale trade, automobile dealers, transportation, information, high-tech and professional services, real estate, education, restaurants, health services, tourism and other services firms.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City serves the Tenth Federal Reserve District, encompassing the western third of Missouri; all of Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Wyoming; and the northern half of New Mexico. As part of the nation's central bank, the Bank participates in setting national monetary policy, supervising and regulating numerous commercial banks and bank holding companies, and providing financial services to depository institutions. More information is available online at External Linkwww.kansascityfed.org.
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The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City or the Federal Reserve System.
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Original text here: https://www.kansascityfed.org/newsroom/2026-news-releases/tenth-district-services-growth-eased-in-april/
FEMA Approves More Than $285 Million to Support Recovery in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee
WASHINGTON, April 25 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release on April 24, 2026:
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FEMA Approves More Than $285 Million to Support Recovery in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee
ATLANTA -- Today, FEMA announced $285 Million in funding to support recovery for past disasters in five Region 4 states for Public Assistance projects. Through Public Assistance, FEMA empowers state and local communities to recover following a major disaster by funding projects for debris removal, emergency protective
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WASHINGTON, April 25 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release on April 24, 2026:
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FEMA Approves More Than $285 Million to Support Recovery in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee
ATLANTA -- Today, FEMA announced $285 Million in funding to support recovery for past disasters in five Region 4 states for Public Assistance projects. Through Public Assistance, FEMA empowers state and local communities to recover following a major disaster by funding projects for debris removal, emergency protectivemeasures and the repair or replacement of public infrastructure damaged by recent disasters.
This funding is part of the $1.2 billion that FEMA announced today for over 200 large Public Assistance projects nationwide. Under DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin's leadership, FEMA is working diligently to address the backlog of funding requests. Even 68 days into the current lapse in appropriations, the longest ever in U.S. history, DHS and FEMA are delivering resources to states across the country. The lapse in appropriations has drastically depleted the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), FEMA's primary source of funding for responding to and supporting recovery from Presidentially declared disasters.
Here are some FEMA projects recently approved across southeast:
* $76.5 million to healthcare providers in Alabama to cover costs of measures to reduce or eliminate the spread of COVID-19.
* $14.7 million to the Augusta-Richmond County in Geogia for debris removal related to Hurricane Helene.
* $6.6 million to healthcare providers in Mississippi to cover costs of measures to reduce or eliminate the spread of COVID-19.
* $2.4 million to Newberry Electric Cooperative in South Carolina to restore the electrical system back to its pre-disaster design, function, and capacity within the existing footprints.
* $2.5 million to the town of Jonesborough, TN for repairs to restore the town's water distribution system.
FEMA will continue to work closely with Region 4 states to support communities through the state-led recovery efforts.
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Original text here: https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20260424/fema-approves-more-285-million-support-recovery-alabama-georgia-mississippi
BLS: Union Membership Rate 10.0% in 2025
WASHINGTON, April 25 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics issued the following document on April 24, 2026, from Economics Daily:
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Union membership rate 10.0 percent in 2025
The union membership rate (the percentage of wage and salary workers who were members of unions) was 10.0 percent in 2025, little changed from the prior year.
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Chart: Percent of employed who were members of unions, wage and salary workers, private industry and government, 2000-2025
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The union membership rate of public-sector (government) workers, 32.9 percent in 2025, continued
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WASHINGTON, April 25 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics issued the following document on April 24, 2026, from Economics Daily:
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Union membership rate 10.0 percent in 2025
The union membership rate (the percentage of wage and salary workers who were members of unions) was 10.0 percent in 2025, little changed from the prior year.
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Chart: Percent of employed who were members of unions, wage and salary workers, private industry and government, 2000-2025
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The union membership rate of public-sector (government) workers, 32.9 percent in 2025, continuedto be more than five times higher than the rate of private-sector workers. The public-sector union membership rate increased by 0.7 percentage point over the year. The union membership rate continued to be highest in local government, which employs many workers in heavily unionized occupations.
The union membership rate in the private sector (5.9 percent across all industries) was unchanged over the year. Industries with some of the highest unionization rates in 2025 included transportation and utilities, 14.3 percent, and construction, 11.1 percent. Among the lowest unionization rates were financial activities, 1.5 percent, professional and business services, 2.1 percent, and leisure and hospitality (which includes food services and drinking places), 3.0 percent.
These data are from the Current Population Survey (https://www.bls.gov/cps/). To learn more, see "Union Members -- 2025 (https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/union2_02182026.htm)." The union membership rate is calculated by dividing the number of union members by the number of wage and salary workers. Union membership data do not include self-employed workers.
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SUGGESTED CITATION
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, The Economics Daily, Union membership rate 10.0 percent in 2025 at https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2026/union-membership-rate-10-0-percent-in-2025.htm (visited April 25, 2026).
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View original text plus charts and tables here: https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2026/union-membership-rate-10-0-percent-in-2025.htm
