Federal Executive Branch
Here's a look at documents from the U.S. Executive Branch
Featured Stories
They Come From All Walks of Life, the Seasoned Members of Civil Air Patrol's Board of Governors
MAXWELL AFB, Alabama, April 25 -- The U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol issued the following news:
* * *
They Come from All Walks of Life, the Seasoned Members of Civil Air Patrol's Board of Governors
A mix of Air Force leaders, CAP members, and outside professionals helps align the organization's volunteer service with the future needs of the communities it serves.
*
What is the Board of Governors?
The people who serve on Civil Air Patrol's Board of Governors, like its 70,000 members, come from every walk of American life.
* * *
"The board's composition of aviation-minded professionals
... Show Full Article
MAXWELL AFB, Alabama, April 25 -- The U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol issued the following news:
* * *
They Come from All Walks of Life, the Seasoned Members of Civil Air Patrol's Board of Governors
A mix of Air Force leaders, CAP members, and outside professionals helps align the organization's volunteer service with the future needs of the communities it serves.
*
What is the Board of Governors?
The people who serve on Civil Air Patrol's Board of Governors, like its 70,000 members, come from every walk of American life.
* * *
"The board's composition of aviation-minded professionalswho mirror our exceptional CAP volunteers is a true strength. The experience of our members across the wide range of today's aviation and STEM careers enables robust discussions that inform our governance decisions."
- Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Kirk Pierce, who chairs the Board of Governors
* * *
While CAP's missions are carried out by volunteers in communities nationwide and in some communities overseas, the board's 11 members provide strategic oversight that helps ensure the organization remains ready to support the nation.
With its mix of Air Force leaders, CAP members, and outside professionals from industry, government, and education, the board helps align the organization's volunteer service with future needs of the communities it serves.
Leading Through Life Experiences
Before Pierce retired in 2023 following a decorated 35-year Air Force career that took him from the battlefields of Iraq as a command fighter pilot to the Pentagon as one of its military leaders, he served in a multi-command role with First Air Force and the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region.
In that combined force air component command assignment, Pierce led U.S. Air Forces Northern, U.S. Air Forces Space, and First Air Force. Part of his many responsibilities with AFNORTH was ensuring CAP was organized, trained, and equipped to fulfill its Total Force missions.
He also was the first AFNORTH commander to fly the C-206H and C-182T -- two aircraft used by CAP to perform its Air Force-assigned missions. His 170 flying hours with CAP added to an impressive record as a command fighter pilot who logged more than 4,900 hours in Air Force aircraft
The hands-on flight experience with CAP also gave him a wealth of knowledge of the organization's large and agile fleet of single-engine aircraft, which serves him well today as the board's leader.
Meet the Members of the Board
Consider the equally impressive life experiences of other current members of CAP's highest governing body:
* CAP Col. Rajesh Kothari, the board's vice chair, is an entrepreneur who has founded and led several investment banking and private investment firms. His 40-year CAP career, which began as a cadet, includes service as commander of the Michigan Wing and a primary role as one of the founding members of the CAP Foundation board of trustees, which sets the direction of the foundation, supporting its success, and establishing it as a long-term solution to support the financial needs of CAP.
* Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Bernie Skoch served as board chair for the Air & Space Forces Association from 2022-2025, after serving as the first national commissioner of CyberPatriot -- the AFA's National Youth Cyber Education Program. And that doesn't include a noteworthy 29-year Air Force career with leadership positions developing, managing, and implementing communications and information systems for the Air Force as well as the Defense Information Systems Agency.
* Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Christopher S. Walker last served as the assistant adjutant general and commander of the West Virginia Air National Guard after active Air Force duty service as a master navigator in Air Force aircraft, including over 400 combat and combat support hours.
* Sharon DeVivo, Ph.D., the president and CEO of Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, is well- known and -connected in the nation's aviation/academic university community for her executive-level experience in strategic planning. DeVivo's school is located adjacent to LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York, and, at her insistence, the college now hosts one of CAP's 40 national cadet special activities -- the Aviation and Aeronautics Business Academy.
* Capt. Mary Ann Schaffer is a veteran commercial pilot who serves as United Airlines' managing director of aviation safety. An experienced aviator with more than 18,000 hours of flight time in more than four decades as a commercial pilot, she is also a licensed attorney in Virginia and the District of Columbia.
* CAP Col. Ross E. Veta is a former California Wing commander and current senior partner in a San Diego law firm that carries his name. His professional wealth of experience with aerospace engineering and program management and global strategic procurement experience as well as expertise in complex organizational management and growth through innovation. While wing commander, the former CAP cadet served as a member of the National Strategic Planning Team, which created the Corporate Strategic Plan and Vision Statement now in effect.
* CAP Lt. Col. Andrew Oppmann, also a cadet, has served in various marketing and communications roles in the organization at wing, region, and national levels. He was part of the launch team for CAP.News, the organization's digital news platform, and served as CAP's interim national marketing chief. Professionally, he is vice president for marketing and communications at Middle Tennessee State University, where he has forged a partnership with CAP that includes MTSU hosting the Cadet Engineering Technology Academy -- another national cadet special activity.
* CAP Chief Master Sgt. Robert Dandridge is a retired Air Force command sergeant with 30 years of service. He is the former command chief for CAP, where he advised on mission effectiveness, development, training, and the effective use of the organization's NCO Corps. A certified professional innovator, he also helped the National Innovation Team simulate and sustain a culture of innovative behavior and thinking.
As members of the board, these nine individuals, along with two new members, establish strategy to guide CAP's volunteer force as it conducts missions in emergency services, youth development, and aerospace education.
Two New Board Members
The board's latest additions -- retired Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, former commander of U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command, and Brig. Gen. Matthew French, chief of staff of the Florida Air National Guard -- bring senior operational leadership experience.
A former CAP cadet, Van Ovost has a diverse operational and training background that includes command of an air refueling squadron, a flying training wing, and the Presidential Airlift Wing.
She is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and a command pilot with more than 4,200 hours in more than 30 Air Force transport and refueling aircraft.
"Gen. Van Ovost is an exceptional addition to the Board of Governors -- a remarkable, proven leader. She is also an inspirational role model for our cadets and adult members who aspire to make a difference."
Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Kirk Pierce, on the addition of Van Ovost
Her decorations and awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, and the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster.
In his role with Joint Force Headquarters Florida National Guard, French serves as the principal advisor to the Florida Air National Guard commander and is responsible for strategic planning and guidance for the state's wide range of air and space missions. He directs the force development programs and initiatives impacting over 2,000 Airmen in diverse units across Florida.
French also serves as a deputy combined forces air component commander for First Air Force.
* * *
"Brig. Gen. French is an outstanding leader with a broad operational background within the Total Force. In his current Air Force and Florida ANG roles, he provides the board with his candid insights into the responsibilities and oversight provided by First Air Force via CAP-USAF on behalf of the secretary of the Air Force. He has quickly proven to be a remarkable addition to the board."
- Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Kirk Pierce, on the addition of French
* * *
French previously served in a variety of operational fighter assignments in U.S. Air Forces Europe and Pacific Air Command. He instructed at the U.S. Air Force Weapons School before transitioning in 2010 from the active-duty Air Force to the Florida Air National Guard.
French is a command pilot with over 2,600 hours in Air Force trainer and fighter aircraft. He has deployed in support of NATO Alert in Iceland, Operation Atlantic Resolve in Europe, and flown numerous missions in support of Operation Noble Eagle in the U.S.
A full list of Civil Air Patrol Board of Governors members and their bios are available here.
A Second Term for Gen. Skoch
Members of the board recommended to the assistant secretary of the Air Force to grant Skoch a second four-year term, which extends his service through 2029.
* * *
"That I've been asked to again serve came as a pleasant surprise. I've seen with my own eyes how hard the entire Board of Governors and senior staff work every day to shape CAP's strategic focus and to be good stewards of the organization. To be part of that has truly been one of the greatest honors of my entire life."
- Retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Bernie Skoch, appointed to a second term on the board
* * *
Pierce said extending Skoch's service another term made sense, and there was the option to do it in the board's current governance model.
"As we looked ahead to projected vacancies on the board, we wanted to ensure continuity and a depth of CAP youth development knowledge," he said. "With this in mind, Gen. Skoch was offered a second term."
Skoch added, "I am eager to continue the work before us and to play whatever small part I can in positioning us for an even brighter future."
Giving Back to Civil Air Patrol
Skoch said serving on the board is his way of giving back to CAP.
"As I've shared with many people in CAP and outside it, Civil Air Patrol shaped not only my professional life, but my personal life as well," he said, explaining he and his wife Debbie met as 15-year-old cadets in the Arkansas Wing's Jacksonville Composite Squadron.
* * *
"The cadet experience not only brought us together as young people interested in aviation and technology, but in many ways further steeped us in the Air Force culture that both of us grew up in and have now lived in our entire adult lives. We love CAP."
- Retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Bernie Skoch, a lifelong advocate of CAP's cadet program
* * *
Want to Be a Part of Something Bigger?
Those interested in exploring leadership opportunities with the U.S. Air Force auxiliary can join now. Open to youth ages 12-20, and adult volunteers of all backgrounds, CAP offers firsthand training, mentorship, and service opportunities nationwide.
To learn more about membership and find a local unit, visit gocivilairpatrol.com.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.cap.news/p/they-come-from-all-walks-of-life-the-seasoned-members-of-civil-air-patrol-s-board-of-governors
SBA Sends 562,000 Suspected Fraudulent Loans to Treasury for Collections Totaling $22 Billion
WASHINGTON, April 25 -- The Small Business Administration issued the following news release on April 24, 2026:
* * *
SBA Sends 562,000 Suspected Fraudulent Loans to Treasury for Collections Totaling $22 Billion
White House Task Force to end Biden Administration amnesty for fraudulent pandemic-era loans, pursue historic collection
*
Today, in coordination with the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that it has referred 562,000 suspected fraudulent loans to the U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury) for collection, marking the SBA's
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 25 -- The Small Business Administration issued the following news release on April 24, 2026:
* * *
SBA Sends 562,000 Suspected Fraudulent Loans to Treasury for Collections Totaling $22 Billion
White House Task Force to end Biden Administration amnesty for fraudulent pandemic-era loans, pursue historic collection
*
Today, in coordination with the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that it has referred 562,000 suspected fraudulent loans to the U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury) for collection, marking the SBA'slargest referral package on record. The borrowers are tied to $22.2 billion in delinquent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and COVID Economic Injury Disaster (EIDL) loans that were previously flagged for suspected fraud during the Biden Administration but never sent to Treasury for collection nor referred to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for investigation.
The SBA has transmitted the borrowers to the DOJ. And with today's referral, Treasury will begin collecting on the outstanding debt as part of the Trump Administration's commitment to recouping stolen pandemic-era funds on behalf of American taxpayers and small business owners.
"From Day One, the Trump SBA has worked tirelessly to crack down on billions in pandemic-era fraud that the Biden Administration forgave or ignored. After extensive review, and with the strong support of the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, we are taking our most decisive action yet to end a Biden-era scheme that protected over 560,000 borrowers tied to more than $22 billion in suspected pandemic-era fraud," said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. "For years, the Biden Administration shielded these borrowers from debt collectors as part of a de facto amnesty scheme - but today, they will finally face accountability. The SBA is deeply grateful to the U.S. Department of the Treasury for its partnership in this historic action, and we look forward to continued collaboration as we work to claw back stolen taxpayer dollars and hold fraudsters accountable."
By law, SBA must refer delinquent debts to Treasury's Bureau of the Fiscal Service once they become sufficiently past due. Likewise, when SBA's internal fraud controls flag loans for potential fraud, the agency is expected to refer those cases to the appropriate investigative and law enforcement authorities.
But the Biden Administration deliberately protected more than 560,000 borrowers tied to $22.2 billion in potential pandemic-era fraud. During the last Administration, the SBA refused to send the loans to Treasury for collection and failed to refer them to the DOJ. In doing so, the Biden Administration deliberately shielded borrowers in an act of de facto amnesty and loan forgiveness.
Until today, none of the 560,000 borrowers had been compelled to repay the $22.2 billion they owed American taxpayers. Fewer than 1,000 of these borrowers had been subject to investigations by the SBA Office of Inspector General. Thanks to the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, the SBA and Treasury are now launching an aggressive effort to claw back the outstanding debt.
The debt referral is the latest victory for the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. Led by Vice President JD Vance and Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson, the Task Force seeks to "coordinate and accelerate a comprehensive national strategy to stop fraud, waste, and abuse within federal benefits programs," especially through enhanced collaboration across member agencies.
As part of its work on the Task Force, the SBA is focused on addressing and recouping pandemic-era fraud that the Biden Administration forgave, ignored, or shielded from collections. As Vice President Vance outlined in his Day One memo to the Task Force, "research findings show over 1,000,000 suspicious Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans." Indeed, the SBA approved approximately $1.2 trillion in PPP and COVID-EIDL loans from 2020-2021, of which at least $200 billion is estimated to be fraudulent, according to the SBA Office of the Inspector General.
Since taking office last year, SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler has moved aggressively to crack down on pandemic era fraud. In addition to installing common sense guardrails to keep fraudsters out of all SBA loan programs, including new citizenship and birth date verification checks, the agency has launched a state by state investigation to identify fraudsters and recoup stolen tax dollars. Earlier this year, SBA suspended 111,620 California borrowers tied to suspected PPP and EIDL fraud totaling over $8.6 billion, as well as an additional 6,900 Minnesota borrowers associated with roughly $430 million in potentially fraudulent loans.
* * *
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.sba.gov/article/2026/04/24/sba-sends-562000-suspected-fraudulent-loans-treasury-collections-totaling-22-billion
Postal Service IG: New York 3 District: Delivery Operations in the New York, NY, Area
WASHINGTON, April 25 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit rpeort (25-153-R26) on April 21, 2026, entitled "New York 3 District: Delivery Operations in the New York, NY, Area."
Here are excerpts:
* * *
During the week of December 8, 2025, we performed a self-initiated audit at the Westchester Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) and four delivery units serviced by the plant. The delivery units included the Mount Vernon, New Rouchelle, White Plains, and Yonkers Main Post Offices in the New York, NY, area.
We issued individual reports for the four
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 25 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit rpeort (25-153-R26) on April 21, 2026, entitled "New York 3 District: Delivery Operations in the New York, NY, Area."
Here are excerpts:
* * *
During the week of December 8, 2025, we performed a self-initiated audit at the Westchester Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) and four delivery units serviced by the plant. The delivery units included the Mount Vernon, New Rouchelle, White Plains, and Yonkers Main Post Offices in the New York, NY, area.
We issued individual reports for the fourdelivery units and the P&DC. We also issued another report summarizing the results of our audits at all four delivery units with specific recommendations for management to address.
The audit team identified deficiencies in six areas we reviewed affecting mail delivery and property conditions at the delivery units.
* * *
View the original text at: https://www.uspsoig.gov/sites/default/files/reports/2026-04/25-153-r26_0.pdf
NIH: Clinical Trial Finds No Difference in Fluid Treatment Options for Pediatric Sepsis
WASHINGTON, April 25 (TNSxrep) -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Institutes of Health issued the following news release:
* * *
Clinical trial finds no difference in fluid treatment options for pediatric sepsis
NIH-supported study is largest ever to compare fluid interventions to prevent major kidney damage in children treated for septic shock.
*
A large clinical trial supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) compared two commonly used treatments for pediatric patients treated for septic shock and found no difference in meaningful outcomes. The trial,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 25 (TNSxrep) -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Institutes of Health issued the following news release:
* * *
Clinical trial finds no difference in fluid treatment options for pediatric sepsis
NIH-supported study is largest ever to compare fluid interventions to prevent major kidney damage in children treated for septic shock.
*
A large clinical trial supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) compared two commonly used treatments for pediatric patients treated for septic shock and found no difference in meaningful outcomes. The trial,which enrolled over 9,000 participants across five countries, sought to answer a longstanding question about which intravenous crystalloid fluid type was the superior option for children who were in septic shock, a life-threatening condition triggered by severe infection which requires immediate medical treatment.
"For decades, pediatricians have debated which is the best intravenous resuscitation treatment for children with severe infections who have suspected septic shock," said Rohan Hazra, M.D., acting director of NIH's Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, which funded the study. "This largest-ever clinical trial for children treated for septic shock has immediate clinical application and allows physicians caring for these vulnerable patients to know they can confidently choose either intervention as a standard of care."
For the study, scientists sought to compare balanced crystalloid fluid, an IV solution designed to closely mimic the electrolyte composition of human plasma, to a 0.9% saline IV solution. They assigned over 4,200 participants between the ages of 2 months and 17 years into each arm of the trial and found no significant differences between the groups for incidences of death, persistent kidney disfunction, or new renal-replacement therapy (a type of dialysis treatment to temporarily replace kidney function).
Participants in both groups received their assigned IV fluid type for 24-48 hours and achieved a median of 23 hospital-free days during the 28 days following enrollment. Children receiving the 0.9% saline solution had significantly higher incidences of abnormally high levels of chloride and sodium in their blood, while those receiving the balanced fluid had slightly higher incidence of abnormally high lactate in their blood. These were expected biochemical differences caused by the different fluid types, but, notably, this study found that these fluid-induced differences in blood profiles did not translate into meaningful differences in patient outcomes. There were also no other differences in safety outcomes between the treatments.
Researchers acknowledge that while their trial's large sample size allowed them to identify small differences in patient outcomes, there were still some limitations for broader application of treatments. Because the study targeted children with community-acquired sepsis who presented to an emergency department in high-resource locations, the authors are uncertain if these results can be generalized to low-resource settings or when a patient has hospital-acquired sepsis. Additionally, because treatment was initiated when septic shock was suspected using immediate clinical observations rather than waiting for abnormal laboratory results, which are often not available when symptoms appear, the authors cannot exclude the possibility that a specific fluid type could be preferred among the sickest subset of children or those who require treatment with very high fluid volumes. Despite these limitations, these results now confirm that emergency physicians can be reassured that either balanced fluid or 0.9% saline are safe and effective for children treated for septic shock.
This research was supported by NIH grants R01HD101528 and P50DK114786 and led by the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN), a network for research in pediatric emergency medicine funded through Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in collaboration with institutions in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Costa Rica.
* * *
About the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD): NICHD leads research and training to understand human development, improve reproductive health, enhance the lives of children and adolescents, and optimize abilities for all. For more information, visit https://www.nichd.nih.gov.
* * *
About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.
NIH...Turning Discovery Into Health(R)
* * *
Original text here: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/clinical-trial-finds-no-difference-fluid-treatment-options-pediatric-sepsis
Hanford Activity Report for the Week Ending March 27, 2026
WASHINGTON, April 25 -- The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board Resident Inspector in Hanford issued the following activity report for the week ending March 27, 2026:
* * *
TO: Technical Director
FROM: Hanford Site Resident Inspectors
SUBJECT: Hanford Activity Report for the Week Ending March 27, 2026
242-A Evaporator: The 242-A Evaporator pump room has a sump that collects liquids from leaks and work activities. The liquid in the sump is a facility worker hazard because it could contain radioactively contaminated tank waste, which is also highly caustic. The safety analysis currently
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 25 -- The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board Resident Inspector in Hanford issued the following activity report for the week ending March 27, 2026:
* * *
TO: Technical Director
FROM: Hanford Site Resident Inspectors
SUBJECT: Hanford Activity Report for the Week Ending March 27, 2026
242-A Evaporator: The 242-A Evaporator pump room has a sump that collects liquids from leaks and work activities. The liquid in the sump is a facility worker hazard because it could contain radioactively contaminated tank waste, which is also highly caustic. The safety analysis currentlyuses two specific administrative controls (SACs) to eliminate this hazard. One SAC precludes entry into the pump room unless workers complete the second SAC that specifies a sump rinse sequence to remove any collected tank waste from the sump prior to their entry. Facility workers accomplish the sump rinse SAC remotely using a jet and camera. This is a difficult and time-consuming task. To improve workflow and efficiency, facility personnel proposed a safety basis modification that replaces the SACs with a grating over the sump. They note that the grating is a passive engineered control, which is more reliable than SACs. Consequently, the grating will improve safety as well as improve workflow and efficiency. The plant review committee evaluated the change and recommended submitting the change to the Safety Basis Approval Authority for consideration.
Tank Farms: H2C implemented a watchbill tool to verify eligibility of watch standers required to meet minimum staffing requirements for their facilities. This was a corrective action after a failure to verify training caused a technical safety requirements violation (see 6/6/2025 report). H2C training personnel identified a vulnerability in the tool's use of data from the learning management system (LMS) instead of the Hanford Site Worker Eligibility Tool (HSWET) used across the site to verify training. Changes to eligibility requirements in HSWET are not captured in the LMS data and could lead to the tool failing to verify training. A resident inspector observed the event learning meeting to discuss the discovery. Participants noted that operations had requested the tool from the H2C's software developers but had not included input from the relevant training organization personnel who would have identified issues using LMS data, and operations personnel did not understand that the tool didn't correspond to HSWET. The resident inspector asked whether a new tool for general training verification using Power BI software also queried the LMS data and could have the same vulnerability. Following the event learning meeting, both the watchbill tool and Power BI tool were disabled, and the contractor has begun an extent of condition review on the use of LMS data in other software. HSWET is not affected by the results of this event learning meeting and will remain available to verify worker eligibility.
While verifying that an H2C lockout/tagout (LOTO) tag matched the corresponding tag placed by HMIS Electrical Utilities (EU) personnel, a discrepancy was observed between the tags. In the subsequent event learning meeting, participants discussed multiple errors in the development of the LOTO, including an incorrect description of the switch position, the number of the item locked out, and a failure to follow the interface agreement when H2C performs a LOTO on EU equipment. This interface agreement is necessary because EU maintains configuration management for its systems, and H2C is required to provide the isolation documents to EU when developing the LOTO to ensure their adequacy.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.dnfsb.gov/sites/default/files/2026-04/Hanford%20Week%20Ending%20March%2027%202026.pdf
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:
* * *
Tenth District Services Growth Eased in April
The Services Survey monitors services firms selected according to geographic distribution, employment mix and size.
*
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
... Show Full Article
KANSAS CITY, Missouri, April 25 (TNSrep) -- The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City issued the following news release on April 24, 2024:
* * *
Tenth District Services Growth Eased in April
The Services Survey monitors services firms selected according to geographic distribution, employment mix and size.
*
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.
* * *
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.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.kansascityfed.org/newsroom/2026-news-releases/tenth-district-services-growth-eased-in-april/
Ambassador Jamieson Greer Announces U.S.-European Union Action Plan for Critical Minerals Supply Chain Resilience
WASHINGTON, April 25 (TNSrpt) -- The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative issued the following news release on April 24, 2026:
* * *
Ambassador Jamieson Greer Announces United States-European Union Action Plan for Critical Minerals Supply Chain Resilience
Today, Ambassador Jamieson Greer announced agreement on the United States-European Union Action Plan for Critical Minerals Supply Chain Resilience. The Action Plan will serve as the primary U.S.-EU mechanism to coordinate trade policies and measures on critical minerals supply chains with a view to concluding a binding plurilateral agreement
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 25 (TNSrpt) -- The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative issued the following news release on April 24, 2026:
* * *
Ambassador Jamieson Greer Announces United States-European Union Action Plan for Critical Minerals Supply Chain Resilience
Today, Ambassador Jamieson Greer announced agreement on the United States-European Union Action Plan for Critical Minerals Supply Chain Resilience. The Action Plan will serve as the primary U.S.-EU mechanism to coordinate trade policies and measures on critical minerals supply chains with a view to concluding a binding plurilateral agreementon trade in critical minerals.
"The United States and the European Union share a commitment to addressing the non-market policies and practices that have distorted critical minerals supply chains," said Ambassador Greer. "We will explore how trade measures, such as border-adjusted price floors, can strengthen our domestic critical minerals industries and the downstream sectors critical to our industrial competitiveness. I thank EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic for his commitment to securing transatlantic trade in critical minerals."
* * *
REPORT: https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/files/Press/Releases/2026/U.S.-EU%20Critical%20Minerals%20Action%20Plan.pdf
* * *
Original text here: https://ustr.gov/about/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2026/april/ambassador-jamieson-greer-announces-united-states-european-union-action-plan-critical-minerals
