Federal Executive Branch
Here's a look at documents from the U.S. Executive Branch
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State Dept.: Sanctioning the Murillo-Ortega Dictatorship's Agents Enforcing Its Repression of the Nicaraguan People
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 -- The U.S. State Department issued the following statement on Feb. 26, 2026, by Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott:
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Sanctioning the Murillo-Ortega Dictatorship's Agents Enforcing Its Repression of the Nicaraguan People
The Trump Administration is acting once again to hold Nicaraguan dictators Rosario Maria Murillo Zambrana and Daniel Ortega Saavedra and their enablers to account. The United States is imposing sanctions on five senior Nicaraguan officials who incited regional instability through the dictatorship's consolidation of power and ongoing abuses against
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 -- The U.S. State Department issued the following statement on Feb. 26, 2026, by Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott:
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Sanctioning the Murillo-Ortega Dictatorship's Agents Enforcing Its Repression of the Nicaraguan People
The Trump Administration is acting once again to hold Nicaraguan dictators Rosario Maria Murillo Zambrana and Daniel Ortega Saavedra and their enablers to account. The United States is imposing sanctions on five senior Nicaraguan officials who incited regional instability through the dictatorship's consolidation of power and ongoing abuses againstthe Nicaraguan people.
Since 2018, the Murillo-Ortega dictatorship has violently repressed peaceful protests, unjustly detained, tortured, and killed political opponents. This illegitimate family dynasty has also persecuted Catholic clergy and has opted to silence and banish independent media and civil society organizations. The dictatorship rewrote Nicaragua's constitution to ensure government institutions punish political opponents and allow the arbitrary monitoring and control of telecommunications systems. The dictatorship has committed systemic labor abuses and uses security structures to monitor and silence anyone perceived to threaten their grip on power. The individuals sanctioned today lead government agencies responsible for these acts of repression.
This administration will continue to use all available diplomatic and economic tools to address those who threaten U.S. national security in our hemisphere. We reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Nicaragua.
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Today's action is being taken pursuant to the authorities under Executive Order (E.O.) 13851, as amended by E.O 14088. For more information on today's action, please see the Department of the Treasury's press release (https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0409).
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Original text here: https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/02/sanctioning-the-murillo-ortega-dictatorships-agents-enforcing-its-repression-of-the-nicaraguan-people/
STB Issues Final Environmental Assessment for Proposed New Rail Line in Mesa, Arizona
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation's Surface Transportation Board issued the following news release on Feb. 26, 2026:
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STB Issues Final Environmental Assessment for Proposed New Rail Line in Mesa, Arizona
The Surface Transportation Board's Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) today issued a Final Environmental Assessment (Final EA) for the proposed construction of approximately six miles of new rail line in Mesa, Arizona by Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP). The proposed line would connect UP's Phoenix Subdivision main line to industrial properties southeast
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation's Surface Transportation Board issued the following news release on Feb. 26, 2026:
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STB Issues Final Environmental Assessment for Proposed New Rail Line in Mesa, Arizona
The Surface Transportation Board's Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) today issued a Final Environmental Assessment (Final EA) for the proposed construction of approximately six miles of new rail line in Mesa, Arizona by Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP). The proposed line would connect UP's Phoenix Subdivision main line to industrial properties southeastof the Mesa Gateway Airport.
The Final EA responds to comments received on the Draft EA and sets forth OEA's final recommendations, including final recommended mitigation measures, to the Board. Issuance of the Final EA completes the Board's environmental review for this project. The Board will now consider the transportation merits and the entire environmental and historic record, including the Draft EA, Final EA, and all comments received as part of its final decision.
The Final EA in Union Pacific Railroad Company--Construction and Operation Exemption--in Maricopa County, Ariz., Docket No. FD 36501, may be viewed and downloaded from the following links: Final EA, Appendices.
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Original text here: https://www.stb.gov/news-communications/latest-news/pr-26-05/
National Park Service: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Working With Partners to Sustain Lake Access Through 2026
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service issued the following news release:
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Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Working With Partners to Sustain Lake Access Through 2026
Page, Ariz. -- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is preparing for projected low water levels at Lake Powell in 2026. In collaboration with concessioners and state partners, park staff are committed to sustaining visitor access and high-quality services throughout the upcoming season. While lower lake levels are expected, the park and its partners are actively implementing strategies
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service issued the following news release:
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Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Working With Partners to Sustain Lake Access Through 2026
Page, Ariz. -- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is preparing for projected low water levels at Lake Powell in 2026. In collaboration with concessioners and state partners, park staff are committed to sustaining visitor access and high-quality services throughout the upcoming season. While lower lake levels are expected, the park and its partners are actively implementing strategiesto maintain access, and lake access is not anticipated to be lost this summer.
The National Park Service has secured funding and is in final planning stages for long-term ramp projects at Antelope Point Public, Stanton Creek at Bullfrog, and Hite North. These ramps are designed to function at lower lake elevations but will not be completed before summer 2026 due to their size and complexity. In the interim, the park is coordinating with Aramark to extend the Stateline Auxiliary Ramp.
In the Hite area, the state of Utah is collaborating with the park to construct a temporary ramp at North Wash to support river rafters.
Boaters planning to launch or retrieve vessels later this season should anticipate increased congestion at Stateline Auxiliary Ramp, particularly if water levels continue to decline. Visitors are encouraged to plan additional time for launching and retrieval and to monitor changing conditions.
Concessioners Aramark and Antelope Point Holdings are developing contingency plans to maintain essential services, including potential marina and infrastructure adjustments. Slip renters and houseboat customers will receive direct communication as plans are finalized.
Lake Powell remains open for water-based recreation opportunities. Visitors should check current water levels, ramp status, and operational updates before traveling. Updates will also be posted on the park's social media accounts.
Up-to-date information on lake levels is available www.nps.gov/glca/learn/changing-lake-levels.htm, and the status of current park projects, including ramp extensions, can be found at https://www.nps.gov/glca/learn/news/project-updates.htm.
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Original text here: https://www.nps.gov/glca/learn/news/20260227.htm
NOAA: Recreational Anglers Help Boost Bluefin Tuna Research
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 -- The U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued the following news:
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Recreational Anglers Help Boost Bluefin Tuna Research
Recreational anglers and charter captains like the Bacon brothers are crucial for collecting data on bluefin tuna migration, behavior, and growth to ensure sustainable fisheries for the future.
Imagine standing at the stern of a 50-foot fishing vessel. Your legs are pressed up against the gunwale for balance as you rock in the waves and face the churning waters of the boat's wake. All of a sudden, the reel
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 -- The U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued the following news:
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Recreational Anglers Help Boost Bluefin Tuna Research
Recreational anglers and charter captains like the Bacon brothers are crucial for collecting data on bluefin tuna migration, behavior, and growth to ensure sustainable fisheries for the future.
Imagine standing at the stern of a 50-foot fishing vessel. Your legs are pressed up against the gunwale for balance as you rock in the waves and face the churning waters of the boat's wake. All of a sudden, the reelnext to you starts screaming as the mate yells, "Fish on!" Heart racing, you grab the rod and start cranking. It could be a quick 20-minute fight or an intense 5-hour battle to reveal a sleek fish built with more than 80 pounds of muscle. This is what it's like to be on a trip with the Bacon brothers.
"Once you go bluefin fishing, you'll never want to fish for anything else again," explains Captain Brian Bacon. "These fish are totally unique and unpredictable. Even the small fish are powerful."
His brother, Captain Peter Bacon, adds, "They put up a great fight, they're aggressive. And it takes a lot of maneuvering the boat to try to land them."
For Brian and Peter Bacon, brothers and seasoned charter captains, the thrill of reeling in bluefin tuna off the Atlantic coast isn't just about the catch. It's also about contributing to vital scientific research. Through NOAA's Cooperative Tagging Center, recreational anglers like the Bacons are providing important data that helps scientists understand the health and movements of bluefin tuna populations. Even when seasons are closed, tagging provides a rewarding mechanism for charter businesses to continue providing a positive experience for paying customers.
What Tuna Tagging Reveals
NOAA's Cooperative Tagging Center collects crucial information about highly migratory species including bluefin tuna. We work with recreational anglers, charter captains, and commercial fishers along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts--and across the Atlantic Ocean. We tag various species of fish that are difficult to study with other methods. We also provide free tagging kits for anglers to tag fish on their own. When anglers tag a fish, we collect information on fish size, location of capture, and release condition. When a tagged fish is recaptured--days, months, or years later--scientists gain insights into migration patterns, growth rates, and how long these fish live. For instance, some tagged bluefin have been recaptured over a decade after their initial tagging. One of legendary angler Al Anderson's fish was caught an astounding 16 years later! These long-term data are critical for assessing geographic range shifts and migratory trends of these important species.
The Bacon Brothers' Journey into Tagging
The Bacons operate fishing charters Big Game Sport Fishing out of Snug Harbor, Rhode Island. They have been fishing from Southern New England waters to the Florida Keys and the Bahamas for more than 30 years. The brothers joined NOAA's tagging program in the middle of the 2023 season--a decision that blended business with passion. Peter, in particular, was keen to find a way to further engage clients, turning a day on the water into a direct contribution to science and conservation. They quickly embraced the process--Peter tags as many as 10 fish in a single day, and the brothers snagged several top tagger titles in 2024. In fact, they tagged a whopping 273 bluefin tuna between the two of them!
Their experience highlights the rewarding aspect of tagging.
This personal investment in the fish's journey makes the experience more meaningful for both the captains and their customers. It also reinforces a core belief among many anglers: a desire for the fishery to thrive for future generations.
The Power of Partnerships: Anglers as Citizen Scientists
The participation of charter captains, commercial fishermen, and other recreational anglers is a game-changer for fisheries science. It fosters a deeper investment in conservation and provides a wealth of data that would be difficult to collect through traditional research methods alone. Anglers are often on the water daily, observing trends and interacting directly with the fish. Their local knowledge and hands-on efforts significantly expand the reach of scientific studies.
The Bacons, for example, have observed shifts in fish sizes and bait availability over the years. In their eyes, bluefin tuna fishing has consistently improved, with each year being different in terms of fish sizes. In recent years, they've seen a greater presence of "giants" (73 inches and above) mixed in with huge schools of smaller fish, something they hadn't seen since the 80s or 90s. They've also seen a shift in size classes, with mostly 34- to 36-inch fish dominating the schools 2 years ago, and 50- to 55-inch fish being caught more last year. Additionally, they've noticed that bluefin tuna seem to be getting closer to shore each year, making it easier for smaller boats to access them. This kind of anecdotal evidence, combined with scientific data from tagging and other research, creates a more complete picture of the marine ecosystem.
The experience of tagging often sparks curiosity and a sense of stewardship among participants--including charter customers. It allows anglers to see the direct impact of their actions on scientific understanding, transforming a recreational pursuit into a meaningful contribution.
Getting Involved: How You Can Help
The Cooperative Tagging Center welcomes the involvement of anglers who want to contribute to the future of bluefin tuna and other species. By participating, you can help gather essential data, learn more about the fish you pursue, and play a direct role in conservation efforts.
For the Bacon brothers, it's become a friendly sibling rivalry, and their customers also enjoy it. As Brian Bacon puts it, "Most people who fish want the fishery to do well and be good for future years and the next generation of people. It feels good to help contribute the data to do that. We want to help contribute to the fishery whether we're keeping the fish or not."
The story of the Bacon brothers and the many other dedicated anglers involved in tagging programs is a testament to the powerful synergy between recreation and scientific discovery. Their efforts are not only expanding our understanding of bluefin tuna but also inspiring a new generation of citizen scientists dedicated to healthy oceans.
Don't forget--If you fish for tunas and other highly migratory species, familiarize yourself with the permitting requirements and fishing regulations. Be on the lookout for tags in any fish you catch!
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Original text here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/recreational-anglers-help-boost-bluefin-tuna-research
Louisiana Man Pleads Guilty to Committing COVID Relief Fraud While in Prison
JACKSON, Mississippi, Feb. 28 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi posted the following news release on Feb. 27, 2026:
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Louisiana Man Pleads Guilty to Committing COVID Relief Fraud While in Prison
Gulfport, MS - A Louisiana man pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to conspiring with another individual to fraudulently obtain unemployment insurance benefits related to the COVID-19 pandemic while he was in prison.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Travis Thorn, 45, of Monroe, Louisiana, conspired with another individual
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JACKSON, Mississippi, Feb. 28 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi posted the following news release on Feb. 27, 2026:
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Louisiana Man Pleads Guilty to Committing COVID Relief Fraud While in Prison
Gulfport, MS - A Louisiana man pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to conspiring with another individual to fraudulently obtain unemployment insurance benefits related to the COVID-19 pandemic while he was in prison.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Travis Thorn, 45, of Monroe, Louisiana, conspired with another individualto fraudulently apply for unemployment benefits with the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. As an inmate in the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC), Thorn was not entitled to receive unemployment insurance benefits. Some of the funds were applied to Thorn's commissary account.
The unemployment insurance benefits were federally subsidized through the CARES Act in response to the pandemic.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Thorn on March 19, 2025. Thorn pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 17, 2026. The maximum statutory term of imprisonment is 20 years. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Baxter Kruger, Mississippi State Auditor Shad White, and Special Agent in Charge Mathew Broadhurst of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Southeast Region made the announcement.
The U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General and the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly T. Purdie is prosecuting the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice's National Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force (NUIFTF). In response to the unprecedented scope of Unemployment Insurance (UI) fraud, the Department of Justice established the NUIFTF. The NUIFTF is a prosecutor-led multi-agency task force with representatives from FBI, DOL-OIG, IRS-CI, HSI, DHS-OIG, USPIS, USSS, SSA-OIG, FDIC-OIG, and other agencies. Members of the NUIFTF are working with state workforce agencies, financial institutions, and other law enforcement partners across the country to fight UI fraud, and consumers should be vigilant in light of these threats and take the appropriate steps to safeguard themselves.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act is the authorization that expands states' ability to provide unemployment insurance for many workers impacted by COVID-19, including for workers who are not ordinarily eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.
Anyone with information about attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice's National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866 720 5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdms/pr/louisiana-man-pleads-guilty-committing-covid-relief-fraud-while-prison
Joint Statement on U.S.-Tonga Cooperation to Advance Marine Scientific Research
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 -- The U.S. State Department issued the following joint statement on Feb. 26, 2026, with Tonga:
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Joint Statement on U.S.-Tonga Cooperation to Advance Marine Scientific Research
The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and Tonga on announcing our cooperation to advance marine scientific research.
The Governments of the United States of America and the Kingdom of Tonga are pleased to announce our cooperation to advance marine scientific research for the responsible exploration of seabed mineral resources.
The
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 -- The U.S. State Department issued the following joint statement on Feb. 26, 2026, with Tonga:
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Joint Statement on U.S.-Tonga Cooperation to Advance Marine Scientific Research
The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and Tonga on announcing our cooperation to advance marine scientific research.
The Governments of the United States of America and the Kingdom of Tonga are pleased to announce our cooperation to advance marine scientific research for the responsible exploration of seabed mineral resources.
TheUnited States has begun discussions with Tonga to support the marine scientific research necessary to inform seabed exploration, and the development of the appropriate global regulatory frameworks and standards, while incorporating the Tonga's longstanding experience of ocean stewardship and obligations under international law.
This collaboration marks a new chapter in the partnership between our countries since we established diplomatic relations in 1971. Today, we affirm our commitment to marine scientific and technological advancement, mutual prosperity, economic self-reliance, and environmental stewardship as we partner to ensure a bountiful Blue Pacific Continent.
Tonga, with its longstanding history of ocean stewardship, and the United States, with its expertise in oceanic research and technology, are uniquely positioned to work together to ensure that the exploration of seabed mineral resources are in line with international law and guided by rigorous science and deep historical knowledge of regional fisheries. Both nations also remain committed to respecting cultural traditions - noting the deep connection the community holds with the ocean.
Together, we commit to responsible exploration of seabed minerals and enhancing global scientific understanding of the deep ocean, and to setting an exemplary standard for transparent seabed exploration.
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Original text here: https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/02/joint-statement-on-u-s-tonga-cooperation-to-advance-marine-scientific-research/
BLS Mid-Atlantic Region Issues Report on Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization in Pennsylvania 2025
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, Feb. 28 (TNSLrpt) -- Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization in Pennsylvania 2025 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Mid-Atlantic Region - Feb. 27, 2026
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In 2025, the broadest measure of labor underutilization, designated U-6 (which includes the unemployed, workers employed part-time for economic reasons, and those marginally attached to the labor force), was 7.4 percent in Pennsylvania, compared to the 8.0-percent rate for the nation, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Alexandra Hall
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PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, Feb. 28 (TNSLrpt) -- Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization in Pennsylvania 2025 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Mid-Atlantic Region - Feb. 27, 2026
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In 2025, the broadest measure of labor underutilization, designated U-6 (which includes the unemployed, workers employed part-time for economic reasons, and those marginally attached to the labor force), was 7.4 percent in Pennsylvania, compared to the 8.0-percent rate for the nation, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Alexandra HallBovee noted that the measure corresponding to the official concept of unemployment, U-3 (all jobless persons who are available to take a job and have actively sought work in the past 4 weeks), was 4.3 percent for both Pennsylvania and the nation. (See chart 1 and table A.) The Technical Note at the end of this release provides additional information on the differences between unemployment measures and the reliability of Current Population Survey (CPS) estimates.
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Chart 1. The six alternative measures of labor underutilization, Pennsylvania and the United States, 2025 11-month averages
Table A. Alternative measures of labor underutilization for Pennsylvania and the United States, 2025 11-month averages
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Pennsylvania had 285,200 unemployed residents, according to the CPS. (See chart 2.) In addition, there were 141,900 workers who were employed part time for economic reasons (also known as involuntary part time). These individuals were working part time because of slack work or business conditions or because they were unable to find a full-time job.
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Chart 2. Numbers of selected underutilized workers in Pennsylvania, 2025 11-month averages
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In Pennsylvania, 63,500 individuals were considered marginally attached to the labor force, indicating they want to work and have looked in the past year, but have not actively looked in the last four weeks for reasons such as school attendance, family responsibilities, or because they believe no jobs are available. The U-5 measure, which incorporates marginally attached workers, was 5.3 percent in Pennsylvania. In the United States, the U-5 measure was 5.2 percent.
Within Pennsylvania's marginally attached population, 18,400 (29 percent) were discouraged workers who have stopped searching mainly because they believe no jobs are available to them. The U-4 measure, which includes discouraged workers and the unemployed, was 4.6 percent in Pennsylvania, matching the 4.6-percent rate for the nation.
See table 1 for national and state estimates.
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2025 Federal Government Shutdown
This news release presents 11-month averages from the CPS for 2025 that exclude the October reference month. Data for October 2025 were not collected due to the federal government shutdown. As a result, these estimates are not strictly comparable with annual averages for other years.
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Technical Note
The estimates in this release are based upon the six measures of labor underutilization produced by the Current Population Survey (CPS). For the United States, BLS publishes these six measures monthly in the Employment Situation news release. The state-level alternative measures of labor underutilization are provided each quarter as 4-quarter moving averages.
Measures of unemployment
The U-3 rates for states presented in this release are derived directly from the CPS and are not the official unemployment rates. The official unemployment rates for states are the model-based estimates available through the Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program and may differ from the CPS estimates. The LAUS estimates are developed from statistical models that incorporate CPS estimates in addition to data from other sources. The LAUS models greatly improve the reliability of the monthly top-side labor force and unemployment estimates. CPS estimates are used in this release because this is the only source of data for the various components of the other five measures.
The other CPS measures are provided to data users and analysts who want more narrowly (U-1 and U-2) or broadly (U-4 through U-6) defined measures.
Additional information on the differences between the CPS and LAUS estimates can be found in Notes on Using Current Population Survey (CPS) Subnational Data.
Reliability of estimates
The alternative measures for states are analyzed on a 4-quarter average basis in order to increase the reliability of the CPS estimates, which are based on relatively small sample sizes at the state level, and to eliminate seasonality. Due to the small state sample sizes, neither monthly nor quarterly statewide data from the CPS satisfy BLS publication standards.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
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Table 1. Over-the-year change and measure of statistical significance in alternative measures of labor underutilization for the United States and Pennsylvania, 2023-24 annual averages
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View original text plus charts and tables here: https://www.bls.gov/regions/mid-atlantic/news-release/2026/laborunderutilization_pennsylvania_20260227.htm
