Federal Regulatory Agencies
Here's a look at documents from federal regulatory agencies
Featured Stories
SEC Obtains Final Judgment Against Defendants in Fraudulent Securities Offering
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release (No. 1:23-cv-00434; M.D.N.C. filed May 30, 2023):
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Securities and Exchange Commission v. Melton, et al., No. 1:23-cv-00434 (M.D.N.C. filed May 30, 2023)
On October 2, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission obtained final judgment against Greensboro resident Marshall E. Melton and his limited-liability company, Integrated Consulting & Management, LLC, in connection with charges related to a fraudulent securities offering.
The SEC's complaint, filed on May 30, 2023 in the United States
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release (No. 1:23-cv-00434; M.D.N.C. filed May 30, 2023):
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Securities and Exchange Commission v. Melton, et al., No. 1:23-cv-00434 (M.D.N.C. filed May 30, 2023)
On October 2, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission obtained final judgment against Greensboro resident Marshall E. Melton and his limited-liability company, Integrated Consulting & Management, LLC, in connection with charges related to a fraudulent securities offering.
The SEC's complaint, filed on May 30, 2023 in the United StatesDistrict Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, Greensboro Division, alleged that the defendants raised between approximately $1.03 and $1.49 million from seven investors, six of whom had an average age of 75 when they first invested. The SEC alleged that Melton told investors that he would use their funds to buy and renovate properties in downtown Laurinburg, North Carolina, to generate rental income and resale proceeds and provide returns for investors. The complaint, however, alleged that Melton's representations were false, that he never paid the investors their promised returns or returned to their invested amounts, and that Melton misappropriated nearly two-thirds of investor funds for his own use.
On April 17, 2025, the Court awarded summary judgment in favor of the SEC on all three of its liability claims, finding that the defendants violated Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. See Litigation Release No. 26292 (Apr. 24, 2025).
The final judgment permanently enjoins the defendants from violating Section 17(a) of the Securities Act and Section 10(b) the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and permanently enjoins Melton from participating in the issuance, offer, purchase, or sale of any securities, including any security related to interests in real estate, unless the security is either listed on a national securities exchange or traded through an established over-the-counter market and the trade occurs in Melton's personal accounts. The final judgment also orders the defendants, jointly and severally, to pay disgorgement of $916,341 and pre-judgment interest of $312,460.84, and orders Melton to pay a civil penalty of $472,902.
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Original text here: https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/litigation-releases/lr-26438
SEC Obtains Final Consent Judgment as to Oppenheimer & Co. Regarding Alleged Failure to Comply With Municipal Bond Offering Disclosure Requirements
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release (No. 22-cv-07801; S.D.N.Y. filed Sept. 13, 2022) involving Oppenheimer and Co. Inc.:
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On December 10, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York entered a final consent judgment in the SEC's civil enforcement action against New York-based Oppenheimer & Co. Inc..
According to the SEC's complaint, from June 2017 to April 2022, Oppenheimer sold the relevant municipal bonds in purported reliance on the "limited offering exemption," which, upon satisfying specific requirements,
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release (No. 22-cv-07801; S.D.N.Y. filed Sept. 13, 2022) involving Oppenheimer and Co. Inc.:
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On December 10, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York entered a final consent judgment in the SEC's civil enforcement action against New York-based Oppenheimer & Co. Inc..
According to the SEC's complaint, from June 2017 to April 2022, Oppenheimer sold the relevant municipal bonds in purported reliance on the "limited offering exemption," which, upon satisfying specific requirements,exempts certain municipal securities offerings from the general requirement of providing disclosures to investors. The complaint alleged that Oppenheimer sold securities in hundreds of municipal offerings in purported reliance on the limited offering exemption when it had not satisfied the exemption requirements. The complaint also alleged that Oppenheimer made deceptive statements to issuers by representing that it would and did comply with the exemption requirements, and that Oppenheimer lacked policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that it complied with the limited offering exemption when acting as underwriter in these municipal bond offerings.
Without admitting or denying the SEC's allegations, Oppenheimer consented to the entry of a final judgment permanently enjoining it from violating Rule 15c2-12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) Rules G-17 and G-27, and Exchange Act Section 15B(c)1. The final consent judgment also orders Oppenheimer to pay a $1.2 million civil penalty.
The investigation was conducted by Laura Cunningham and supervised by Ivonia Slade and Rebecca Olsen. The litigation was led by Devon Staren and supervised by David Nasse. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the MSRB.
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Original text here: https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/litigation-releases/lr-26435
NRC Renews Browns Ferry Operating License
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the following news release:
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NRC Renews Browns Ferry Operating License
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has renewed for a second time the operating licenses of Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Units 1, 2 and 3 for an additional 20 years, bringing to 10 the number of reactor licenses renewed this year.
Browns Ferry's three boiling-water reactors are located in Athens, Alabama. Their renewed facility operating licenses will expire in December 2053 for Unit 1, June 2054 for Unit 2, and July 2056 for Unit 3.
"This is a strong example
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the following news release:
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NRC Renews Browns Ferry Operating License
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has renewed for a second time the operating licenses of Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Units 1, 2 and 3 for an additional 20 years, bringing to 10 the number of reactor licenses renewed this year.
Browns Ferry's three boiling-water reactors are located in Athens, Alabama. Their renewed facility operating licenses will expire in December 2053 for Unit 1, June 2054 for Unit 2, and July 2056 for Unit 3.
"This is a strong exampleof how independent oversight and effective collaboration can deliver results that support our energy future," said Jeremy Groom, Acting Director of the NRC's Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. "The NRC confirmed that Browns Ferry's reactors can safely operate for up to 80 years, and TVA's responsiveness helped us complete our rigorous review nearly 3 months ahead of schedule."
The NRC's review of the Tennessee Valley Authority subsequent license renewal application requesting authorization to operate from 60 to 80 years proceeded on two parallel tracks. The NRC issued a safety evaluation in July 2025, and a final supplemental environmental impact statement in August 2025. These documents, as well as other information regarding the Browns Ferry subsequent license renewal application, are available on the NRC website. Additional information about the license renewal process can also be found on the NRC's website.
Previously in 2025, the NRC renewed operating licenses for Oconee Units 1, 2 and 3; V.C. Summer Unit 1; Point Beach Units 1 and 2; and Perry Unit 1.
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The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission was created as an expert, technical agency to protect public health, safety, and security, and regulate the civilian use of nuclear materials, including enabling the deployment of nuclear power for the benefit of society. Among other responsibilities, the agency issues licenses, conducts inspections, initiates and enforces regulations, and plans for incident response. The global gold standard for nuclear regulation, the NRC is collaborating with interagency partners to implement reforms outlined in new Executive Orders and the ADVANCE Act to streamline agency activities and enhance efficiency.
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Original text here: https://www.nrc.gov/sites/default/files/cdn/doc-collection-news/2025/25-065.pdf
FEC Issues Digest for Week of Dec. 8-12, 2025
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 -- The Federal Election Commission issued the following weekly digest:
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Commission meetings and hearings
The Commission executive session scheduled for December 11 was not held.
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Litigation
Bernegger v. FEC (Case No. 25-0472) On November 20, Plaintiff filed a Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia alleging that the Commission failed to act on the Plaintiff's administrative complaint during the statutory timeframe.
National Republican Senatorial Committee, et al. v. FEC, et al. (Case No. 24-621)
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 -- The Federal Election Commission issued the following weekly digest:
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Commission meetings and hearings
The Commission executive session scheduled for December 11 was not held.
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Litigation
Bernegger v. FEC (Case No. 25-0472) On November 20, Plaintiff filed a Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia alleging that the Commission failed to act on the Plaintiff's administrative complaint during the statutory timeframe.
National Republican Senatorial Committee, et al. v. FEC, et al. (Case No. 24-621)On December 9, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument in the case.
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Election Dates
The Commission has posted a list of preliminary 2026 Congressional Primary Dates.
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Upcoming educational opportunities
January 14, 2026: The Commission is scheduled to host Year-End Reporting and FECFile webinars for PACs and party committees.
January 21, 2026: The Commission is scheduled to host Year-End Reporting and FECFile webinars for candidate committees.
For more information on upcoming training opportunities, see the Commission's Trainings page.
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Upcoming reporting due dates
December 20: December Monthly Reports are due. For more information, see the 2025 Monthly Reporting schedule.
The Commission has posted filing information regarding the Special Runoff Election in the 18th District of Texas, scheduled for January 31, 2026.
The Commission has posted filing information regarding the New Jersey 11th District Special Primary Election, scheduled for February 5, 2026, and the Special General Election, scheduled for April 16, 2026.
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Additional research materials
Contribution Limits: In addition to the current limits, the Commission has posted an archive of contribution limits that were in effect going back to the 1975-1976 election cycles.
Federal election results are available. The data was compiled from the official vote totals published by state election offices.
FEC Notify: Want to be notified by email when campaign finance reports are received by the agency? Sign up here.
The Combined Federal State Disclosure and Election Directory is available. This publication identifies the federal and state agencies responsible for the disclosure of campaign finances, lobbying, personal finances, public financing, candidates on the ballot, election results, spending on state initiatives, and other financial filings.
The Presidential Election Campaign Fund Tax Checkoff Chart provides information on balance of the Fund, monthly deposits into the Fund reported by the Department of the Treasury, payments from the Fund as certified by the FEC, and participation rates of taxpayers as reported by the Internal Revenue Service. For more information on the Presidential Public Funding Program, see the Public Funding of Presidential Elections page.
The FEC Record is available as a continuously updated online news source.
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Original text here: https://www.fec.gov/updates/weeks-of-december-8-12-2025/
FCC: Chairman Carr Applauds President Trump's Executive Order on AI
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 -- The Federal Communications Commission issued the following news release on Dec. 12, 2025:
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Chairman Carr Applauds President Trump's Executive Order on AI
FCC to Initiate Proceeding Examining Federal Reporting and Disclosure Standard
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Yesterday, President Donald J. Trump signed an historic Executive Order, titled Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence. The E.O. promotes America's leadership in AI and ensures our national and economic security. It does so through several actions, including directing the Chairman of the FCC to initiate a
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 -- The Federal Communications Commission issued the following news release on Dec. 12, 2025:
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Chairman Carr Applauds President Trump's Executive Order on AI
FCC to Initiate Proceeding Examining Federal Reporting and Disclosure Standard
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Yesterday, President Donald J. Trump signed an historic Executive Order, titled Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence. The E.O. promotes America's leadership in AI and ensures our national and economic security. It does so through several actions, including directing the Chairman of the FCC to initiate aproceeding to determine whether to adopt a Federal reporting and disclosure standard for AI models that preempts conflicting State laws.
Chairman Carr issued the following statement:
"President Trump's historic Executive Order on artificial intelligence promotes America's leadership in AI and advances our nation's economic and national security interests. It does so by targeting excessive state regulations that would not only hold America back but insert ideological bias into AI models. President Trump's decisive action also ensures a policy framework that protects children, prevents online censorship, respects copyrights, and safeguards communities.
"The FCC welcomes President's Trump's direction that the agency initiate a proceeding to determine whether to adopt a Federal reporting and disclosure standard for AI models that preempts conflicting State laws."
Additional Background:
In January 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14179, Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence, to advance U.S. national and economic security and strengthen America's position in emerging technologies. That Executive Order recognized that the nation is at the beginning of a transformative technological era and competing with global adversaries for leadership.
Since then, several states have enacted complex AI regulations that risk undermining innovation. For example, California's disclosure and reporting mandates were premised on speculative catastrophic risks, while Colorado's law requires AI models to embed DEI preferences into their outputs. These state level-approaches create a patchwork of conflicting rules that could allow the most restrictive jurisdictions to dictate national policy.
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Original text here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-416077A1.pdf
FCC Wireline Competition Bureau Issues Public Notice: Comments Invited on Section 214 Applications to Discontinue Domestic Non-Dominant Carrier Telecommunications And/Or Interconnected VOIP Services
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 -- The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau issued the following public notice (WC Docket Nos. 25-333, 25-334, 25-336) on Dec. 12, 2025:
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Unless otherwise specified, the following procedures and dates apply to the application(s) (the Section 214 Discontinuance Application(s)) listed in the Appendix.
The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau), upon initial review, has found the Section 214 Discontinuance Application(s) listed herein to be acceptable for filing and subject to the procedures set forth in Section 63.71 of the Commission's rules./1
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 -- The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau issued the following public notice (WC Docket Nos. 25-333, 25-334, 25-336) on Dec. 12, 2025:
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Unless otherwise specified, the following procedures and dates apply to the application(s) (the Section 214 Discontinuance Application(s)) listed in the Appendix.
The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau), upon initial review, has found the Section 214 Discontinuance Application(s) listed herein to be acceptable for filing and subject to the procedures set forth in Section 63.71 of the Commission's rules./1The application(s) request authority, under section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended,/2 and section 63.71 of the Commission's rules,/3 to discontinue, reduce, or impair certain domestic telecommunications service(s) (Affected Service(s)) in specified geographic areas (Service Area(s)) as applicable and as fully described in each application.
In accordance with section 63.71(f) of the Commission's rules, the Section 214 Discontinuance Application(s) listed in the Appendix will be deemed granted automatically on January 12, 2026, the 31st day after the release date of this public notice, unless the Commission notifies any applicant(s) that their grant will not be automatically effective./4 We note that the date on which an application for Commission authorization is deemed granted may be different from the date on which applicants are authorized to discontinue service ("Authorized Date"). Any applicant whose application has been deemed granted may discontinue their Affected Service(s) in their Service Area(s) on or after the authorized discontinuance date(s) specified in the Appendix, in accordance with their filed representations. Accordingly, pursuant to section 63.71(f), and the terms outlined in each application, absent further Commission action, each applicant may discontinue the Affected Service(s) in the Service Area(s) described in their application on or after the authorized discontinuance date(s) listed in the Appendix for that application. For purposes of computation of time when filing a petition for reconsideration, application for review, or petition for judicial review of the Commission's decision(s), the date of "public notice" shall be the later of the auto grant date stated above in this Public Notice, or the release date(s) of any further public notice(s) or order(s) announcing final Commission action, as applicable. Should no petitions for reconsideration, applications for review, or petitions for judicial review be timely filed, the proceeding(s) listed in this Public Notice shall be terminated, and the docket(s) will be closed.
Comments objecting to the application(s) listed in the Appendix must be filed with the Commission on or before December 29, 2025/5. Comments should refer to the specific WC Docket No. and Comp. Pol. File No. listed in the Appendix for the Section 214 Discontinuance Application. Comments should include specific information about the impact of the proposed discontinuance on the commenter, including any inability to acquire reasonable substitute service. Comments may be filed using the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs. Filers should follow the instructions provided on the Web site for submitting comments. Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. In completing the transmittal screen, filers should include their full name, U.S. Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket number.
Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and one copy of each filing. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial courier, or by the U.S. Postal Service. All filings must be addressed to the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. Hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission's Secretary are accepted between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. by the FCC's mailing contractor at 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes and boxes must be disposed of before entering the building. Commercial courier deliveries (any deliveries not by the U.S. Postal Service) must be sent to 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701. Filings sent by U.S. Postal Service First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, and Priority Mail Express must be sent to 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554.
This proceeding(s) shall be treated as a "permit-but-disclose" proceeding(s) in accordance with the Commission's ex parte rules./6 Persons making ex parte presentations must file a copy of any written presentation or a memorandum summarizing any oral presentation within two business days after the presentation (unless a different deadline applicable to the Sunshine period applies). Persons making oral ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentation must (1) list all persons attending or otherwise participating in the meeting at which the ex parte presentation was made, and (2) summarize all data presented and arguments made during the presentation. If the presentation consisted in whole or in part of the presentation of data or arguments already reflected in the presenter's written comments, memoranda or other filings in the proceeding, the presenter may provide citations to such data or arguments in his or her prior comments, memoranda, or other filings (specifying the relevant page and/or paragraph numbers where such data or arguments can be found) in lieu of summarizing them in the memorandum. Documents shown or given to Commission staff during ex parte meetings are deemed to be written ex parte presentations and must be filed consistent with rule 1.1206(b). In proceedings governed by rule 1.49(f) or for which the Commission has made available a method of electronic filing, written ex parte presentations and memoranda summarizing oral ex parte presentations, and all attachments thereto, must be filed through the electronic comment filing system available for that proceeding, and must be filed in their native format (e.g., .doc, .xml, .ppt, searchable .pdf). Participants in this proceeding(s) should familiarize themselves with the Commission's ex parte rules.
People with Disabilities: To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530.
For further information, please see the contact(s) for the specific discontinuance proceeding you are interested in as listed in the Appendix. For further information on procedures regarding section 214 please visit https://www.fcc.gov/general/domestic-section-214-discontinuance-service.
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Footnotes:
1/ 47 CFR Sec. 63.71.
2/ 47 U.S.C. Sec. 214.
3/ 47 CFR Sec. 63.71.
4/ See 47 CFR Sec. 63.71(f)(1) (stating, in relevant part, that an application filed by a non-dominant carrier "shall be automatically granted on the 31st day... unless the Commission has notified the applicant that the grant will not be automatically effective.").
5/ Comments are normally due 15 days after the Commission releases public notice of the proposed discontinuance. 47 CFR Sec. 63.71(a). For purposes of computation of time, if the comment deadline falls on a weekend or officially recognized Federal legal holiday, however, comments will be due on the next business day. See 47 CFR Sec. 1.4(e) and (j).
6/ 47 CFR Sec. 1.1200 et seq.
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Original text here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-25-1042A1.pdf
FCC Enforcement Bureau Announces 2025 Multichannel Video Programming Distributor Equal Employment Opportunity Audits
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 -- The Federal Communications Commission Enforcement Bureau issued the following public notice (Docket No. DA 25-1036) on Dec. 12, 2025:
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On December 12, 2025, the Enforcement Bureau issued the final Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) audit letters for 2025, which were sent to randomly selected multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs)./1 In accordance with sections 73.2080(f)(4) and 76.77(d) of the Commission's rules,/2 the Commission annually audits the EEO programs of randomly selected broadcast licensees and MVPDs. Each year, approximately five percent of
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 -- The Federal Communications Commission Enforcement Bureau issued the following public notice (Docket No. DA 25-1036) on Dec. 12, 2025:
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On December 12, 2025, the Enforcement Bureau issued the final Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) audit letters for 2025, which were sent to randomly selected multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs)./1 In accordance with sections 73.2080(f)(4) and 76.77(d) of the Commission's rules,/2 the Commission annually audits the EEO programs of randomly selected broadcast licensees and MVPDs. Each year, approximately five percent ofall broadcast stations and MVPDs are selected.
A list of the MVPD employment units included in this audit and the text of the December 12, 2025 letter appear on the following pages, which are also located at the Enforcement Bureau's EEO headline page at: https://www.fcc.gov/enforcement/eb-eeo/equal-employment-opportunity-headlines. Responses to the audit letter are due no later than January 26, 2026, and must be submitted via the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) in Docket Number 25-344, which can be found at: http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs.
Further, in order to protect privacy and confidential business information from public disclosure, responses to certain audit questions 2(b)(vi)(a-b), (vii-viii) (the Inquiries) should not be filed via ECFS but rather submitted under separate cover via email to the Enforcement Bureau at EB-EEO@fcc.gov as directed in paragraph 3 of the audit letter. The email should also include a statement indicating that the remaining audit data was submitted via ECFS. Finally, as indicated in paragraph 2(a) of the audit letter, MVPD employment units with fewer than six full-time employees are exempt from responding to the Inquiries.
For further information, please contact the Enforcement Bureau at: EB-EEO@fcc.gov or 202-418-1450
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Footnotes:
1/ The Enforcement Bureau sent EEO audit letters to broadcasters earlier this year. See Enforcement Bureau Announces 2025 EEO Audits, Public Notice, DA 25-673, 2025 WL 2319319 (EB Aug. 8, 2025).
2/ 47 CFR Sec.Sec. 73.2080(f)(4), 76.77(d).
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Original text here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-25-1036A1.pdf
