Federal - Executive Branch
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from the U.S. Executive Branch, covering all aspects of the Obama administration including cabinet departments, federal agencies, regulatory and independent agencies.
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USDA Invests $60,000 in Two of South Dakota's Rural Communities
HURON, South Dakota, April 3 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development - South Dakota office issued the following news release:
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for South Dakota Julie Gross announced that Reliance Fire Department and the town of Lesterville were awarded USDA funding to purchase equipment.
"Growth and prosperity are critical to rural communities," said Gross. "It is Rural Development's mission to assist small communities and we are excited to provide Reliance Fire Department and the town of Lesterville funding for equipment
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HURON, South Dakota, April 3 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development - South Dakota office issued the following news release:
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for South Dakota Julie Gross announced that Reliance Fire Department and the town of Lesterville were awarded USDA funding to purchase equipment.
"Growth and prosperity are critical to rural communities," said Gross. "It is Rural Development's mission to assist small communities and we are excited to provide Reliance Fire Department and the town of Lesterville funding for equipmentpurchases that will have a positive impact on these communities for many years. When rural America thrives, all of America thrives."
USDA is funding the projects through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. South Dakota projects:
* Reliance Fire Department will use a $10,000 loan to provide equipment to the volunteer fire department. The equipment purchased will include six sets of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units and a filling facility for the units.
* Town of Lesterville will use a $50,000 loan to purchase a payloader. The equipment will be used for snow removal, maintenance, repairs and town projects.
Today's announcement is part of a larger statement from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand who announced that USDA is investing $65 million to improve critical community facilities to benefit more than 600,000 rural residents in 14 states including in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.
Interested parties should contact their USDA Rural Development state office for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details. Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants (PDF, 669 KB), a detailed overview of the application process.
April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force's findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force. To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit http://www.rd.usda.gov.
If you'd like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page (https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDARD/subscriber/new?email=&commit=Sign+Up).
TVA Expands Recreation Closures During Evolving COVID-19 Response
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee, April 3 -- The Tennessee Valley Authority issued the following news release:
In response to enhanced public health guidance from federal and state authorities, the Tennessee Valley Authority is closing additional public recreation areas to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The closures will begin on Friday morning, April 3, and will continue indefinitely.
TVA recreation areas at Chatuge, Cherokee, Fort Loudoun, the south side of Guntersville, Normandy, Norris, Tellico and Watts Bar dams, as well as all recreation areas at Raccoon Mountain, will be closed. They
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KNOXVILLE, Tennessee, April 3 -- The Tennessee Valley Authority issued the following news release:
In response to enhanced public health guidance from federal and state authorities, the Tennessee Valley Authority is closing additional public recreation areas to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The closures will begin on Friday morning, April 3, and will continue indefinitely.
TVA recreation areas at Chatuge, Cherokee, Fort Loudoun, the south side of Guntersville, Normandy, Norris, Tellico and Watts Bar dams, as well as all recreation areas at Raccoon Mountain, will be closed. Theyjoin the previously closed recreation areas at Chickamauga and South Holston dams, and the Rockpile area near Muscle Shoals, Ala.
Boat ramps within the impacted areas will also be closed, as well as all picnic areas, restrooms, beaches and pavilions. The public is asked not to bypass gates, fences or barricades to access the closed areas. Law enforcement officers will be patrolling closed areas.
TVA river access points located at locations outside the affected recreation areas remain open at this time. Trails on the more than 200,000 acres of undeveloped public land TVA manages also remain open at this time.
TVA will continue to monitor the evolving COVID-19 outbreak and will take additional actions, as necessary, to help protect public health and safety.
For more information about TVA and its 86-year mission of service to the Tennessee Valley, click here (https://www.tva.com/About-TVA).
Rosenworcel Statement: FCC Proposes $6 Million Fine Against TracFone in Lifeline Case
WASHINGTON, April 3 -- The Federal Communications Commission issued the following statement by Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel:
Re: TracFone Wireless, Inc., File No.: EB-IHD-18-00027738.
When companies violate the rules of the Lifeline program, we need to make clear that there are consequences. With this Notice of Apparent Liability we do just that because we seek to hold accountable a company that appears to have violated our rules. As the enforcement process proceeds, it is imperative that we get to the bottom of what transpired here in order to make sure that it does not happen again.
But
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WASHINGTON, April 3 -- The Federal Communications Commission issued the following statement by Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel:
Re: TracFone Wireless, Inc., File No.: EB-IHD-18-00027738.
When companies violate the rules of the Lifeline program, we need to make clear that there are consequences. With this Notice of Apparent Liability we do just that because we seek to hold accountable a company that appears to have violated our rules. As the enforcement process proceeds, it is imperative that we get to the bottom of what transpired here in order to make sure that it does not happen again.
Butit is time to have a bigger conversation about Lifeline. There is a pandemic that is wreaking havoc on our health, our economy and our collective well-being. The news is dizzying.
Last week, it was announced that 3.3 million people filed unemployment claims. That's a record. As the coronavirus places new strains on our economy and households across the country, we need to make sure that no one is left behind when it comes to communications.
So we have an opportunity to lead with our humanity when it comes to Lifeline. We should seize it. We need to abandon the FCC's cruel policy proposals to cut off and restrict Lifeline and instead see how we can modernize the program and extend its reach. The FCC has done so before in the face of crisis. I hope that history will remember us for doing so again.
N.M. U.S. Attorney: Justice Department Makes $850 Million Available to Help Public Safety Agencies Address Covid-19 Pandemic
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico, April 3 -- The U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico, John C. Anderson, issued the following news release:
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- More than $9 Million In Formula Grant Funds Allocated for New Mexico
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U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson announced that over $9 million in grant funding has been allocated to New Mexico public safety agencies to help them address the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement was part of the Department of Justice making $850 million available to help public safety agencies respond to the challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19. The Coronavirus Emergency
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ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico, April 3 -- The U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico, John C. Anderson, issued the following news release:
* * *
- More than $9 Million In Formula Grant Funds Allocated for New Mexico
* * *
U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson announced that over $9 million in grant funding has been allocated to New Mexico public safety agencies to help them address the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement was part of the Department of Justice making $850 million available to help public safety agencies respond to the challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19. The Coronavirus EmergencySupplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump, will allow eligible state, local and tribal governments to apply immediately for these critical funds. The Department of Justice will move quickly to make awards once applications are submitted, with the goal of having funds available for drawdown within days of the award.
"The Department of Justice is fully committed to supporting our public servants who stand on the front-lines in our collective fight against COVID-19" said U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson. "This includes ensuring that they have the resources necessary both to protect themselves and to effectively aid the public. The Coronavirus Emergency Supplement funding will help our state and local public safety agencies to purchase essential equipment and hire the personnel they need to address this public health emergency."
"This is an unprecedented moment in our nation's history and an especially dangerous one for our front-line law enforcement officers, corrections officials, and public safety professionals," said Office of Justice Programs Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. "We are grateful to the Congress for making these resources available and for the show of support this program represents."
The solicitation, posted by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) in the Justice Department's Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will remain open for at least 60 days and be extended as necessary. OJP will fund successful applicants as a top priority on a rolling basis as applications are received.
Funds may be used to hire personnel, pay overtime costs, cover protective equipment and supplies, address correctional inmates' medical needs and defray expenses related to the distribution of resources to hard-hit areas, among other activities. Grant funds may be applied retroactively to Jan. 20, 2020, subject to federal supplanting rules.
The New Mexico Department of Public Safety will receive funds to respond to state needs. New Mexico's allocation as well as other state/territory allocations can be found at:
https://bja.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh186/files/media/document/fy20-cesf-state-allocations.pdf.
In addition to the state's allocation, New Mexico agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are also eligible to apply to BJA for additional emergency funding. A complete list of eligible jurisdictions in and the amount of money they can apply for can be found by going to:
https://bja.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh186/files/media/document/fy20-cesf-allocations-nm.pdf.
For more information about the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, please visit:
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-18553.
Questions for the New Mexico Department of Public Safety can be sent to DPS.GMS@state.nm.us or visit:
https://www.ojp.gov/funding/state-administering-agencies/new-mexico-state-administering-agencies
For more information about the Office of Justice Programs, please visit https://www.ojp.gov/.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at: http://www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
IDB to Finance Regional Projects to Support Coordinated COVID-19 Response
WASHINGTON, April 3 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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- New submission deadline is May 15, 2020
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In light of the recent developments and exceptional circumstances associated to the expansion of COVID-19 in the world, including Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) makes available more than US$7 million in non-reimbursable resources under the 2020 Call for Proposals of the Regional Public Goods (RPG) Initiative to finance proposals for regional cooperation and policy coordination in the framework of
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WASHINGTON, April 3 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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- New submission deadline is May 15, 2020
* * *
In light of the recent developments and exceptional circumstances associated to the expansion of COVID-19 in the world, including Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) makes available more than US$7 million in non-reimbursable resources under the 2020 Call for Proposals of the Regional Public Goods (RPG) Initiative to finance proposals for regional cooperation and policy coordination in the framework ofLAC's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 Call for Proposals under the RPG Initiative opened on February 14, 2020.
Flexibilization mechanisms to allow for the submission of proposals under the current exceptional circumstances include a new deadline for submitting proposals on May 15, 2020 at 05:00pm (US Eastern Standard Time). All Information regarding the 2020 Call for Proposals can be accessed in the RPG Initiative website.
As is the case for all RPG projects, these proposals must be presented following the RPG Initiative General Guidelines and involve a collective solution produced by at least three IDB borrowing member countries. Alignment with the Bank's operational priorities, and particularly with IDB's response to COVID-19 in all fields of action, including social, fiscal, infrastructure, environmental, trade, among others, is a selection criterion. The other criteria are the value-added of a regional (vs. national) approach to addressing a development challenge or opportunity and sustaining the benefits of regional collective action once the Initiative's support has concluded.
The RPG Initiative provides technical grants to finance solutions to shared challenges through regional cooperation among three or more IDB borrowing member countries. Since 2004, the RPG Initiative has financed more than US$130 million for 180 projects.
Defense Health Agency: Beware of COVID-19 Testing Scams Targeting TRICARE Beneficiaries
FALLS CHURCH, Virginia, April 3 -- Defense Health Agency issued the following news release:
While medical professionals in the U.S. and overseas are working hard to combat the coronavirus, some people are using this as an opportunity to take advantage of others. If you receive a call from someone offering to send you a COVID-19 testing kit, you could be the target of a scam. Below are facts about testing and ways you can prevent your TRICARE information from being stolen.
Know the testing process
COVID-19 testing isn't available for everyone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and
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FALLS CHURCH, Virginia, April 3 -- Defense Health Agency issued the following news release:
While medical professionals in the U.S. and overseas are working hard to combat the coronavirus, some people are using this as an opportunity to take advantage of others. If you receive a call from someone offering to send you a COVID-19 testing kit, you could be the target of a scam. Below are facts about testing and ways you can prevent your TRICARE information from being stolen.
Know the testing process
COVID-19 testing isn't available for everyone. According to the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention (CDC), your medical provider is the only one who can determine if you need testing. So be sure to talk to him or her if you're experiencing symptoms. The main symptoms of COVID-19 include:
* Fever
* Cough
* Shortness of breath
Other risk factors include:
* If you've come into contact with someone known to have COVID-19.
* If you recently traveled to a CDC-confirmed infected region.
"Scammers know COVID-19 testing kits are in high demand," says Dr. John Kugler, chief of the Clinical Support Division at the Defense Health Agency (DHA). "They're targeting beneficiaries who may be unaware of the testing process and looking to steal their personal information. Your health care provider will usually determine and order the test if you need it, so check with your doctor's office if someone else offers you testing."
What to do if someone calls
The people involved in the COVID-19 testing kit scam are looking to steal personal information from you. This could be your Social Security, credit card, or bank account numbers. Don't give them the opportunity to do it. If you receive a call about coronavirus testing, submit a fraud report online to the DHA Program Integrity Office. Also report it to your TRICARE regional contractor.
Look out for other scams
Testing kit calls aren't the only way scammers are taking advantage of the COVID-19 outbreak. They're on social media, too. The Securities and Exchange Commission recently put out a statement on avoiding coronavirus-related investment scams. When using social networks, like Twitter or Facebook, be wary of people you don't know who ask for money. If you use a mobile payment app, like Cash App or Venmo, don't give out your username or contact information to a person you don't know. If someone you know sends you a social media message about a COVID-19 fundraiser, call them before sending any money. It's better to be safe than sorry.
A helpful reminder
If you're experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, have been in close contact with someone sick from COVID-19, or traveled to an area where COVID-19 is widespread, don't make an appointment or walk into your local military hospital or clinic. Instead, you should remain at home and contact your medical provider. Your medical provider will assess your condition and determine if you need to be tested.
Call 911 and get medical attention immediately if you develop emergency warning signs:
* Trouble breathing
* Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
* New confusion or inability to arouse
* Bluish lips or face
For more information about TRICARE and COVID-19, you can visit the TRICARE coronavirus page. For the latest news on COVID-19, be sure to visit http://www.cdc.gov and http://www.fema.gov.
Air Force Reserve Assesses the Force to Support COVID-19 Response Efforts
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colorado, April 3 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Reserve Personnel Center issued the following news:
In order to preserve the nation's combat readiness, the Air Force is evaluating the status of currently serving Reservists and Individual Ready Reservists, as required, to support COVID-19 response efforts.
Air Force Reservists with specialized skills in the medical field, in logistics, and in command and control are being identified for possible mobilization to augment and assist as our nation continues to support all Americans in these challenging times.
On March 31, Headquarters
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BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colorado, April 3 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Reserve Personnel Center issued the following news:
In order to preserve the nation's combat readiness, the Air Force is evaluating the status of currently serving Reservists and Individual Ready Reservists, as required, to support COVID-19 response efforts.
Air Force Reservists with specialized skills in the medical field, in logistics, and in command and control are being identified for possible mobilization to augment and assist as our nation continues to support all Americans in these challenging times.
On March 31, HeadquartersAir Reserve Personnel Center, Buckley AFB Colo., sent a survey to members of the Individual Ready Reserve to allow individuals to express their interest in volunteering to serve in support of COVID-19 efforts.
In addition to polling the IRR, Headquarters Individual Reservist Readiness and Integration Organization (HQ RIO) provided the Air Force Reserve Command Surgeon's General office with a list of 491 Individual Mobilization Augmentees (IMAs) and 53 Participating Individual Ready Reserve (PIRR) members of all readiness statuses to assess their mobilization capability.
The Air Force Reserve's primary course of action is to identify Selected Reserve and PIRR members already serving to fill future mission requirements.
For more information, visit http://www.arpc.afrc.af.mil or the Questions and Answers tab at http://www.afrc.af.mil. As more information becomes available, it will be posted on these two websites.
