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U.S. Wheat Crop Forecast Falls to Lowest Level Since 1970/71
WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service issued 'Wheat Outlook: August 2026,' Report No. WHS-26h, coordinated by Andrew Sowell and approved by USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board. Issued August 14, the report forecasts U.S. all-wheat production for the 2026/27 marketing year at 1.531 billion bushels, the lowest level since 1970/71.
USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service lowered the production estimate by 6 million bushels from July after its August 12 Crop Production report and certified-acreage adjustments. The reduction reflects
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service issued 'Wheat Outlook: August 2026,' Report No. WHS-26h, coordinated by Andrew Sowell and approved by USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board. Issued August 14, the report forecasts U.S. all-wheat production for the 2026/27 marketing year at 1.531 billion bushels, the lowest level since 1970/71.
USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service lowered the production estimate by 6 million bushels from July after its August 12 Crop Production report and certified-acreage adjustments. The reduction reflectssmaller expected Hard Red Winter and Durum crops, partly offset by higher White wheat output. The report attributes the small crop to a long-running decline in U.S. wheat acreage and drought effects on Hard Red Winter production across the Great Plains.
Hard Red Winter production is forecast at 463 million bushels, down 8 million bushels from July and the lowest level since 1957/58. Hard Red Spring output is projected at 434 million bushels, down 2 million bushels as lower yields outweigh a small increase in harvested area. White wheat is projected at 280 million bushels, up 9 million bushels on higher yields and harvested area, while Durum output is forecast at 66 million bushels, down 5 million bushels.
Total U.S. wheat supplies are forecast at 2.591 billion bushels, down 13 percent from the prior year. Higher beginning stocks cushion the production decline, but ending stocks are expected to fall to 717 million bushels, 22 percent below the prior year. The season-average farm price forecast rose 20 cents to $6.20 per bushel, reflecting tighter stocks as well as increases and volatility in futures and cash markets.
Food use for 2026/27 remains projected at 960 million bushels, while feed and residual use is forecast at 80 million bushels. The report notes offsetting shifts among wheat classes, including a 2-million-bushel increase in Soft Red Winter food use and a 1-million-bushel reduction for both Hard Red Spring and White wheat. Wheat milled for flour during April through June totaled 222 million bushels, nearly unchanged from the prior quarter and from the same period a year earlier.
U.S. wheat exports remain forecast at 775 million bushels, 15 percent below the preceding year. Commitments as of July 30 totaled about 265 million bushels, down 30 percent year over year and equal to 34 percent of the full-year export forecast. "With the U.S. HRW crop besieged by drought this year, U.S. exports have not been competitively priced to date vis-a-vis other major global suppliers," the report says.
Globally, 2026/27 wheat production is forecast at 819.3 million metric tons, down 0.7 million metric tons from July. Lower yield expectations in the European Union, driven by heat and drought in France, Poland and Hungary, account for much of the reduction. Global wheat exports are forecast at 214.1 million metric tons, while conflict-related shipping disruptions are expected to reduce exports from Russia and Ukraine.
-- Moira Sirois, Targeted News Service
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View full report at: https://www.ers.usda.gov/media/29450/whs-26h.pdf?v=25122
U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General Partners With U.S. Department of Justice to Launch National Fraud Detection Center
WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General issued the following news release on Aug. 25, 2026:
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U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General Partners with U.S. Department of Justice to Launch National Fraud Detection Center
Today, the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (DOL OIG) announced its partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in the launch of the National Fraud Detection Center (NFDC). As a signatory of the NFDC Charter, the DOL OIG has committed dedicated analysts and investigators to the prosecutor-led
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General issued the following news release on Aug. 25, 2026:
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U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General Partners with U.S. Department of Justice to Launch National Fraud Detection Center
Today, the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (DOL OIG) announced its partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in the launch of the National Fraud Detection Center (NFDC). As a signatory of the NFDC Charter, the DOL OIG has committed dedicated analysts and investigators to the prosecutor-ledeffort to strengthen interagency coordination to detect and dismantle complex fraud schemes.
"Effective fraud enforcement demands that we stay ahead of sophisticated schemes rather than simply reacting to them. By placing our investigative resources directly inside the NFDC, we are embedding proactive detection into the DNA of our fraud investigations," said Anthony P. D'Esposito, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor.
The NFDC serves as a centralized, collaborative space bringing together federal law enforcement, the Inspector General community, and state partners. By joining forces with the DOJ's Fraud Division, fellow OIGs, and federal law enforcement agencies, the DOL OIG reinforces its commitment to holding accountable those who seek to defraud federal programs and abuse public trust.
"The launch of the NFDC marks a major milestone in the war on fraud, turning the White House Fraud Task Force's whole-of-government approach into a working reality. This is what unified, proactive fraud enforcement looks like," Inspector General D'Esposito added.
Read the U.S. Department of Justice announcement here (https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-announces-launch-national-fraud-detection-center-combat-fraud-against).
For additional information on DOL OIG, please visit oig.dol.gov. If you suspect wrongdoing involving DOL programs or operations, contact the DOL-OIG Hotline at (800) 347-3756 or oig.dol.gov/hotlinecontact.htm.
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Original text here: https://www.oig.dol.gov/public/Press%20Releases/OIG-Press-Release-082526.htm
NOAA: Customized Models Support Planning for Airborne Incidents
SILVER SPRING, Maryland, Aug. 26 -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued the following news:
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Customized models support planning for airborne incidents
Before the world tuned in to the World Cup games this summer, NOAA had been working for months behind the scenes to support public safety in each U.S. host city. NOAA regularly supports emergency managers across the country, giving them tools for planning and response during an airborne incident.
The NOAA Air Resources Laboratory (ARL) collaborated with the National Weather Service (NWS) to develop customized and
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SILVER SPRING, Maryland, Aug. 26 -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued the following news:
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Customized models support planning for airborne incidents
Before the world tuned in to the World Cup games this summer, NOAA had been working for months behind the scenes to support public safety in each U.S. host city. NOAA regularly supports emergency managers across the country, giving them tools for planning and response during an airborne incident.
The NOAA Air Resources Laboratory (ARL) collaborated with the National Weather Service (NWS) to develop customized andautomated NOAA HYSPLIT model forecasts of hypothetical hazardous airborne materials in host cities around the county. Emergency managers use these forecasts to plan how they would position first responders, map evacuation routes, and issue shelter-in-place orders in the instance of a real hazardous materials emergency.
To support U.S. host cities during the World Cup, the National Weather Service's Weather Forecast Offices worked with ARL to respond to host city's requests to model hypothetical incidents at multiple locations around each city, customize the run time of each forecast, and automate certain features. By the final game, there were nearly 200 total HYSPLIT simulation sites across the 11 U.S. host cities. Each simulation used the latest weather and air quality data to ensure that emergency managers remained up-to-date as conditions changed.
Examples of some of the modifications made to HYSPLIT for this event include modeling a specific type of chemical rather than just the generic airborne material release typically used in these forecasts, adjusting how often the simulations run, and how far out the forecasts go. For instance, several cities requested forecasts to run to six to twelve hours from their game's starting time.
The biggest customization for the host cities was automated forecasts. To help with this, scientists developed an interactive web platform to make it easy for NOAA to navigate to specific forecast locations and initiate forecast runs. After each run using the new platform, a briefing was automatically generated with the results and key graphics, eliminating the need to generate results manually. It also streamlined information sharing, allowing Weather Forecast Offices to quickly distribute the results to state and local emergency managers.
ARL has developed, maintained, and improved the HYSPLIT model for more than four decades. Its success is a direct result of continuous research and the developers who make the modifications to support local emergency managers in preparing plans during real and hypothetical incidents to protect their communities.
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Original text here: https://research.noaa.gov/customized-models-support-planning-for-airborne-incidents/
Homeland Security IG: Evaluation of DHS' Information Security Program for Fiscal Year 2025
WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 (TNSLrpt) -- The Homeland Security Inspector General issued the following report (No. 26-20) on August 12, 2026, entitled "Evaluation of DHS' Information Security Program for Fiscal Year 2025."
Here are excerpts:
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Why We Did This
Evaluation
We reviewed DHS' information security program for compliance with FISMA requirements. We conducted our evaluation according to the FY 2025 reporting instructions.
Our objective was to determine whether DHS' information security program and practices were adequate and effective to protect the information and information systems
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 (TNSLrpt) -- The Homeland Security Inspector General issued the following report (No. 26-20) on August 12, 2026, entitled "Evaluation of DHS' Information Security Program for Fiscal Year 2025."
Here are excerpts:
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Why We Did This
Evaluation
We reviewed DHS' information security program for compliance with FISMA requirements. We conducted our evaluation according to the FY 2025 reporting instructions.
Our objective was to determine whether DHS' information security program and practices were adequate and effective to protect the information and information systemsthat support DHS'
operations and assets for FY 2025.
What We Recommend
We did not make any recommendations in this report because the DHS Chief Information Officer is still addressing similar findings we identified in our previous report.
OIG Access
During this evaluation, DHS provided timely responses to our requests for information and did not delay or deny access to information we requested.
What We Found
We rated the Department of Homeland Security's information security program for fiscal year 2025 as "effective," according to this year's reporting instructions. We based this rating on our evaluation of the Department's compliance with requirements of the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 (FISMA) for unclassified systems. Based on FY 2025 reporting guidance, DHS received a maturity rating of "Level 5 - Optimized" in the Identify and Recover functions and "Level 4 - Managed and Measurable" in the Govern, Protect, Detect, and Respond functions.
Although DHS received high ratings, it still has room for improvement within its information security program. For example, we identified the following deficiencies across DHS and its components: 1. Systems were being operated without an Authority to Operate and without tested contingency plans.
2. System Plans of Action and Milestones created for known information security weaknesses were not mitigated in a timely manner.
3. Security configuration settings were not implemented for all systems tested.
4. Selected components had identity and access weaknesses.
5. Some selected components did not apply security patches in a timely manner to mitigate critical and high-risk security vulnerabilities on selected systems tested.
6. One component was running an unsupported software application on its workstations.
Department Response
The Department declined to provide a management response as the report does not contain recommendations.
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The report is posted at: https://www.oig.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/assets/2026-08/OIG-26-20-Aug26.pdf
FDA Recall Notice: Baxter Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall for One Lot of 70% Dextrose Injection Due to Potential Presence of Particulate Matter
WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration issued the following recall notice:
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Baxter Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall for One Lot of 70% Dextrose Injection Due to Potential Presence of Particulate Matter
Summary
Company Announcement Date: August 25, 2026
FDA Publish Date: August 25, 2026
Product Type: Drugs
Reason for Announcement: Potential presence of particulate matter identified as stainless steel particles in the solution.
Company Name: Baxter International Inc.
Brand Name: Baxter
Product Description: 70% Dextrose
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration issued the following recall notice:
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Baxter Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall for One Lot of 70% Dextrose Injection Due to Potential Presence of Particulate Matter
Summary
Company Announcement Date: August 25, 2026
FDA Publish Date: August 25, 2026
Product Type: Drugs
Reason for Announcement: Potential presence of particulate matter identified as stainless steel particles in the solution.
Company Name: Baxter International Inc.
Brand Name: Baxter
Product Description: 70% DextroseInjection, USP in 2000 mL VIAFLEX Plastic Container
Company Announcement
DEERFIELD, Ill., Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) is voluntarily recalling one lot of 70% Dextrose Injection due to the potential presence of particulate matter identified as stainless steel particles in the solution.
Risk Statement: Intravenous administration of 70% Dextrose Injection containing stainless steel particulate matter may lead to serious adverse health consequences. Particulate matter can cause blockage and clotting in blood vessels which can cut off blood flow to vital organs, lead to a life-threatening blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) and cause permanent organ damage or death. Additionally, these particles may cause local vein irritation, inflammatory reaction, aggravation of preexisting infections, and allergic reactions. As of 8/25/2026, Baxter has not received any reports of adverse events related to this issue.
This product is used as a source of calories and fluid replenishment when mixed with amino acids or other compatible intravenous fluids for patients requiring parenteral nutrition when oral or enteral nutrition is not possible, insufficient or contraindicated. The product is packaged in 2000 mL VIAFLEX Plastic Container, with 6 units per case. Additional information can be found in the table below.
Affected Product:
Product Code ... Product Description ... Lot Number ... Expiration Date ... NDC Number
2B0296H ... 70% Dextrose Injection, USP in 2000 mL VIAFLEX Plastic Container. Pharmacy Bulk Package, Not for Direct Infusion ... Y495066 ... 31-Jul-2027 ... 0338-0719-06
The affected lot can be identified by locating the lot number and expiration date on the individual product and shipping carton, as shown in the images below.
The impacted product was distributed from 7/25/2026 to 7/28/2026 to healthcare providers and distributors to select states in the United States, including Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee.
Customers should immediately discontinue use of and return all affected units in accordance with their facility's process. Homecare facilities who used this lot to compound parenteral nutrition solutions should contact their patients to alert them to discontinue using the solutions and replace them with ones not compounded with the affected lot. Baxter is contacting customers by email with instructions on how to identify and return the impacted product.
Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Baxter Healthcare Center for Service at 888-229-0001 between the hours of 7:00 am and 6:00 pm Central Time, Monday through Friday. Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this drug product.
Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.
* Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
* Regular Mail or Fax: Download form www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm2 or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been notified of this action.
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Original text here: https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/baxter-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-one-lot-70-dextrose-injection-due-potential-presence
FDA Office of Inspections & Investigations Issues Warning Letter to Vargas Produce
WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration issued the following warning letter to Vargas Produce LLC from its Office of Inspections and Investigations:
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Recipient: Mr. Gustavo Vargas, Owner, Vargas Produce LLC, 4324 W Military Hwy, McAllen, TX 78503-8830, United States, vargasproduce@outlook.com
Issuing Office: Office of Inspections and Investigations, United States
WARNING LETTER
Re: CMS # 734510
Dear Mr. Vargas:
On June 17-18, 2026, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP)
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration issued the following warning letter to Vargas Produce LLC from its Office of Inspections and Investigations:
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Recipient: Mr. Gustavo Vargas, Owner, Vargas Produce LLC, 4324 W Military Hwy, McAllen, TX 78503-8830, United States, vargasproduce@outlook.com
Issuing Office: Office of Inspections and Investigations, United States
WARNING LETTER
Re: CMS # 734510
Dear Mr. Vargas:
On June 17-18, 2026, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP)inspection of Vargas Produce LLC located at 4324 W Military Hwy, McAllen, TX 78503- 8830. We also conducted an inspection on February 25, 2025. These inspections were conducted to determine compliance with the requirements of section 805 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) (21 U.S.C. 384a) and the implementing FSVP regulation in 21 CFR part 1, subpart L.
The FSVP regulation requires that importers perform certain risk-based activities to verify that human and/or animal food they import into the United States has been produced in a manner that meets applicable U.S. food safety standards. You may find information relating to the FSVP regulation and your responsibilities to comply with the regulation through links in FDA's FSVP web page at https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma/fsma-final-rule-foreign-supplier-verification-programs-fsvp-importers-food-humans-and-animals.
During the most recent inspection, we found that you are not in compliance with the requirements of 21 CFR part 1, subpart L for the foods you import. Because of these significant violations, you are not in compliance with section 805 of the FD&C Act.
At the conclusion of the inspection, our investigator provided you with a Form FDA 483a FSVP Observations.
We have not received your response to the Form FDA 483a issued on June 18, 2026.
Your significant violations of the FSVP regulation are as follows:
You did not develop, maintain, and follow an FSVP as required by section 805 of the FD&C Act and 21 CFR 1.502(a). Specifically, you did not develop an FSVP for any of the foods you import from the foreign suppliers indicated in the attached list, including each of the following foods:
* Cookies (b)(4) imported from (b)(4) located in (b)(4).
* (b)(4) Soft Drink imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4).
* Spicy Potato Chips imported from (b)(4).
(b)(3)(A)
This letter notifies you of our concerns and provides you an opportunity to address them. If you do not adequately address this matter, we may take further action. For instance, we may take action under section 801(a)(3) of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 381(a)(3)) to refuse admission of the food you import for which you appear to be in violation of section 805. We may place the foods you import into the United States on detention without physical examination (DWPE) when you import the foods. You can find DWPE information relating to FSVP in Import Alert # 99-41 at http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cms_ia/ialist.html. In addition, the importation or offering for importation into the United States of an article of food without the importer having an FSVP that meets the requirements of section 805 of the FD&C Act or the FSVP regulation is prohibited under section 301(zz) of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 331(zz)).
You should respond in writing within fifteen (15) working days from your receipt of this letter. Your response should address the specific things you are doing to correct any violations. You should include in your response documentation and information that would assist us in evaluating your corrections (e.g., documentation of changes you made, such as a copy of your FSVP, records to demonstrate implementation of your FSVP), and any additional information that you wish to supply relevant to your compliance with the FSVP regulation. If you believe that you are not in violation of the FD&C Act, include your reasoning and any supporting information for our consideration. If you cannot complete all corrections within 15 working days, you should explain the reason for your delay and state when you will correct any remaining violations.
Please send your reply to Food and Drug Administration, Attention: Lisa Puttonen, Compliance Officer, 1201 Main Street, Suite 7200, Dallas, TX 75202, Division of Southwest Imports. If you have any questions regarding this letter, or wish to send your response electronically, you may contact Lisa Puttonen via email at Lisa.puttonen@fda.hhs.gov. Please reference CMS # 734510 on any documents or records you provide to us and on the subject line of any email correspondence you send to us.
Sincerely,
/S/ Todd W. Cato, Program Division Director, 1201 Main Street, Suite 7200, Dallas, TX 75202
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Original text here: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/vargas-produce-llc-734510-07272026
DOE Office of Environmental Management: Oak Ridge's New Lab Speeds Cleanup and Cancer Research
WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 -- The Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management issued the following news release:
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Oak Ridge's New Lab Speeds Cleanup and Cancer Research
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. -- The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) and contractor Isotek Systems finished installing a new analytical laboratory supporting the highest-priority cleanup project at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and speeding the delivery of crucial material for cancer treatment research.
Isotek is tasked with eliminating the nation's inventory of uranium-233
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 -- The Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management issued the following news release:
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Oak Ridge's New Lab Speeds Cleanup and Cancer Research
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. -- The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) and contractor Isotek Systems finished installing a new analytical laboratory supporting the highest-priority cleanup project at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and speeding the delivery of crucial material for cancer treatment research.
Isotek is tasked with eliminating the nation's inventory of uranium-233stored at ORNL. Its removal eliminates a major risk, avoids significant taxpayer costs to keep the inventory safe and secure and enables demolition of the storage facility to transform ORNL's central campus and open space for important research missions.
Uranium-233 was created in the 1950s and 1960s for potential use in nuclear reactors but proved unviable as a fuel source.
Crews disposed of about half of the inventory, but the remainder required processing to convert it into a form safe for transportation and disposal out of state. While Isotek has surpassed the halfway mark of the processing campaign, challenging work remains to complete the project in coming years.
A newly installed lab, located in Building 2026 where processing operations are underway, will assist those efforts by providing in-house capabilities to analyze samples of processed material, leading to accelerated shipments.
"This addition brings an immediate return on investment," said OREM Manager Erik Olds. "It helps avoid delays by providing employees more data and faster results as they make decisions and process material for disposal. This new, unique capability also provides us opportunities to support other priority projects in the future."
Isotek is extracting a rare medical isotope, thorium-229, from the uranium-233 prior to processing and disposal. Through an innovative public-private partnership with nuclear innovation company TerraPower Isotopes, the isotopes help fuel next-generation cancer treatments.
TerraPower Isotopes provides sustained, commercial-scale access to the isotopes to the global pharmaceutical community, and they are now being used in clinical trials around the world.
At the lab, Isotek can analyze samples of extracted isotopes for faster results and delivery to TerraPower Isotopes, avoiding previous delays caused by sending samples to labs elsewhere for analysis. Employees will receive results in about two weeks instead of four months.
"The Building 2026 analytical lab will allow Isotek to not only transfer thorium-229 to TerraPower Isotopes much more quickly, but it will also allow the processing team to make adjustments to increase the recovery of thorium-229 much more quickly," said Sarah Schaefer, Isotek president and project manager.
Scott Claunch, president of TerraPower Isotopes, said the future of precision medicine relies on a dependable supply of actinium-225, which the company recovers from Isotek's thorium-229.
"Isotek's investment in a state-of-the-art laboratory to speed up the processing of actinium-225's parent isotope will help continue to expand production capacity, strengthen the global isotope supply chain and ultimately expand access to new cancer therapies to those who need it most."
The uranium-233 in storage at ORNL is the only major source of thorium-229 in the world. Through this project, Isotek has increased the global supply by over 2,000%. The first treatments using this material commercially are expected in 2028.
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Original text here: https://www.energy.gov/em/articles/oak-ridges-new-lab-speeds-cleanup-and-cancer-research
