Federal Executive Branch
Here's a look at documents from the U.S. Executive Branch
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Surface Transportation Board Issues Decision Involving CSX Transportation
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation Surface Transportation Board issued the following decision (Docket No. AB 55; Sub-No. 819X) entitled "CSX Transportation, Inc. - Abandonment Exemption - In Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania":
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CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT), filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 C.F.R. part 1152 subpart F--Exempt Abandonments to abandon an approximately 0.69-mile rail line extending between milepost BCE 1.41 and milepost BCE 2.1, on its Northern Region, Philadelphia Subdivision, Delaware Industrial Track in Philadelphia County, Pa. (the
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation Surface Transportation Board issued the following decision (Docket No. AB 55; Sub-No. 819X) entitled "CSX Transportation, Inc. - Abandonment Exemption - In Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania":
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CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT), filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 C.F.R. part 1152 subpart F--Exempt Abandonments to abandon an approximately 0.69-mile rail line extending between milepost BCE 1.41 and milepost BCE 2.1, on its Northern Region, Philadelphia Subdivision, Delaware Industrial Track in Philadelphia County, Pa. (theLine). Notice of the exemption was served and published in the Federal Register on July 14, 2025 (90 Fed. Reg. 31,562).
By decision served on August 22, 2025, the proceeding was reopened, and the Board imposed a public use condition requested by the City of Philadelphia (the City). That condition is scheduled to expire on February 19, 2026. An environmental condition was also imposed in that decision.
On September 30, 2025, the Open Space Institute Land Trust, Inc. (OSILT), late-filed a request for a notice of interim trail use or abandonment (NITU) to negotiate with CSXT to establish interim trail use and rail banking for the Line, under the National Trails System Act, 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1247(d)./1 On the same date, CSXT filed a letter agreeing to negotiate with OSILT toward a possible interim trail use/rail banking arrangement for the Line.
OSILT's request for a NITU complies with the requirements of 49 C.F.R. Sec. 1152.29, and CSXT has notified the Board that it is willing to negotiate with OSILT toward an agreement for interim trail use. Therefore, a NITU will be issued for the Line. The parties may negotiate an agreement during the one-year period prescribed below. If an interim trail use/rail banking agreement is reached (and thus, interim trail use/rail banking is established), the parties shall jointly notify the Board within 10 days that an agreement has been reached. 49 C.F.R. Sec. 1152.29(d)(2) & (h). If no agreement is reached within one year, CSXT may fully abandon the Line, subject to any outstanding conditions. See 49 C.F.R. Sec. 1152.29(d)(1). Use of the right-ofway for trail purposes is subject to possible future reconstruction and reactivation of the right-ofway for rail service.
It is ordered:
1. This proceeding is reopened.
2. The notice served and published in the Federal Register on July 14, 2025, exempting the abandonment of the Line described above is modified to the extent necessary to implement interim trail use/rail banking as set forth below to permit OSILT to negotiate with CSXT for trail use for the Line for a period of one year from the service date of this decision and notice, until January 26, 2027.
3. If an interim trail use/rail banking agreement is reached, it must require the trail sponsor to assume, for the term of the agreement, full responsibility for: (i) managing the rightof-way; (ii) any legal liability arising out of the transfer or use of the right-of-way (unless the sponsor is immune from liability, in which case it need only indemnify the railroad against any potential liability); and (iii) the payment of any and all taxes that may be levied or assessed against the right-of-way.
4. Interim trail use/rail banking is subject to possible future reconstruction and reactivation of the right-of-way for rail service and to the trail sponsor's continuing to meet its responsibilities for the right-of-way described in paragraph 4 above.
5. If an interim trail use agreement is reached (and thus, interim trail use is established), the parties shall jointly notify the Board within 10 days that an agreement has been reached. See 49 C.F.R. Sec. 1152.29(d)(2) and (h).
6. If interim trail use is implemented, and subsequently the trail sponsor intends to terminate trail use on all or any portion of the right-of-way covered by the interim trail use agreement, it must send the Board a copy of this decision and notice and request that it be vacated on a specified date.
7. If an agreement for interim trail use/rail banking is reached for the Line by January 26, 2027, interim trail use may be implemented. If no agreement is reached, CSXT may fully abandon the Line, subject to any outstanding conditions.
8. This decision is effective on its date of service.
By the Board, Anika S. Cooper, Chief Counsel, Office of Chief Counsel.
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Footnote:
1/ OSILT also requested that the Board accept its late-filed NITU request. It notes that the City has been interested in railbanking the Line and that OSILT has recently been brought into discussions. (NITU Request 2.) OSILT's request will be granted. See 49 C.F.R. Sec. 1152.29(e)(1); Ala. & Fla. Ry.--Aban. Exemption--in Geneva, Coffee, & Covington Cntys., Ala., AB 1073 (Sub-No. 1X), slip op. at 2 n.2 (STB served Mar. 24, 2022) ("The Board routinely grants late-filed requests for the issuance of a notice of interim trail use if the abandonment has not been consummated and the railroad indicates a willingness to negotiate.").
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Original text here: https://dcms-external.s3.amazonaws.com/DCMS_External_PROD/1769459722883/52807.pdf
State Department Issues Public Schedule for Jan. 26, 2026
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The U.S. Department of State issued the daily public schedule for Jan. 26, 2026:
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SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO
Secretary Rubio attends meetings and briefings at the Department of State and White House.
DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER LANDAU
Deputy Secretary Landau is on travel to Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Djibouti from January 24-February 1, 2026.
DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE FOR MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCES MICHAEL J. RIGAS
Deputy Secretary Rigas is on travel to Thailand and Japan from January 20-27, 2026.
UNDER SECRETARY FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS ALLISON M. HOOKER
Under
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The U.S. Department of State issued the daily public schedule for Jan. 26, 2026:
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SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO
Secretary Rubio attends meetings and briefings at the Department of State and White House.
DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER LANDAU
Deputy Secretary Landau is on travel to Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Djibouti from January 24-February 1, 2026.
DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE FOR MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCES MICHAEL J. RIGAS
Deputy Secretary Rigas is on travel to Thailand and Japan from January 20-27, 2026.
UNDER SECRETARY FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS ALLISON M. HOOKER
UnderSecretary Hooker is on travel to Nigeria, Oman, Bahrain, and Italy from January 21-29, 2026.
BRIEFING SCHEDULE
No Department Press Briefing.
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Original text here: https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/01/public-schedule-january-26-2026/
Secretary of State Rubio Issues Statement on Australia National Day
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The U.S. State Department issued the following statement on Jan. 25, 2026, by Secretary Marco Rubio on Australia National Day:
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On behalf of the United States of America, I extend my best wishes to Australians everywhere as you celebrate Australia Day on January 26.
The United States and Australia are bound by a long-standing alliance, strengthened over the 75 years since the signing of the ANZUS Treaty. Over the past year, our defense, economic, and security cooperation has deepened, reflecting our shared commitment to democratic values, regional stability, and mutual
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The U.S. State Department issued the following statement on Jan. 25, 2026, by Secretary Marco Rubio on Australia National Day:
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On behalf of the United States of America, I extend my best wishes to Australians everywhere as you celebrate Australia Day on January 26.
The United States and Australia are bound by a long-standing alliance, strengthened over the 75 years since the signing of the ANZUS Treaty. Over the past year, our defense, economic, and security cooperation has deepened, reflecting our shared commitment to democratic values, regional stability, and mutualprosperity.
Through AUKUS and broader alliance activities, the United States and Australia are advancing deterrence, emerging technologies, and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific. Australia's leadership in developing secure and reliable supply chains, including those for critical minerals, remains central to these shared efforts.
Our economic relationship continues to shine, marked by strong trade and record levels of two-way investment. Together, we are well positioned to meet future challenges and opportunities.
Following last year's horrific terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, the United States continues to stand in solidarity with the loved ones of the fallen victims and Australia's Jewish community. We remain committed to confronting and defeating the evil of antisemitism.
The United States looks forward to continuing our close partnership with Australia in the years ahead. I wish you a safe and happy Australia Day.
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Original text here: https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/01/australia-national-day/
President Trump Delivers Largest Tax Refund Season in U.S. History
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The White House issued the following news on Jan. 26, 2026:
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President Trump Delivers Largest Tax Refund Season in U.S. History
As tax season kicks off, millions of Americans are poised to receive significantly larger tax refunds thanks to President Donald J. Trump's landmark Working Families Tax Cuts Act -- which every Democrat in Congress opposed. The historic legislation is delivering the biggest tax refund season ever, with average refunds projected to rise by $1,000 or more this year due to its transformative policies.
Economists and financial experts agree
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The White House issued the following news on Jan. 26, 2026:
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President Trump Delivers Largest Tax Refund Season in U.S. History
As tax season kicks off, millions of Americans are poised to receive significantly larger tax refunds thanks to President Donald J. Trump's landmark Working Families Tax Cuts Act -- which every Democrat in Congress opposed. The historic legislation is delivering the biggest tax refund season ever, with average refunds projected to rise by $1,000 or more this year due to its transformative policies.
Economists and financial experts agree-- 2026 will mark an unprecedented year for tax refunds:
* USA TODAY: "The average refund in 2025 was $2,939, IRS data showed. This year, refunds could be as much as 30% more due to new provisions from President Donald Trump's mega tax and spending bill, according to James Knightley, chief international economist at Dutch bank ING."
* CBS News: "Many Americans could see heftier tax refunds next year when they file their 2025 tax returns, largely due to new provisions enacted through the Republicans' 'one big, beautiful bill' act that are retroactive to the start of the current year, according to an analysis from Oxford Economics. Total taxpayer savings could amount to an additional $50 billion through bigger tax refunds or a cut in their 2026 taxes...A $50 billion boost in tax refunds would represent an 18% increase from the $275 billion in refunds the IRS sent this year to nearly 94 million taxpayers who overpaid on their 2024 federal tax returns."
* The Wall Street Journal: "Refunds on average are expected to come in $1,000 higher than usual this year, according to a study by investment firm Piper Sandler."
* Business Insider: "The Tax Foundation estimates that the average tax refund will grow from $3,052 in 2024 to $3,800 for tax year 2025. Depending on your income and circumstances, you might get even more back."
* CNBC: "Tax experts and analysts have agreed that many filers will see bigger refunds... 'Overall, we're expecting these changes to increase refunds by 15% to 20% on average,' Heather Berger, a U.S. economist with Morgan Stanley said..."
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President Trump's Working Families Tax Cuts Act provides broad-based tax relief for hardworking Americans, with the average taxpayer expected to see nearly $4,000 in total tax savings in 2026. Key provisions of the bill include No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, No Tax on Social Security, a deduction for auto loan interest on Made-in-America vehicles, and much more -- putting more money back in the pockets of families, workers, and seniors.
For more details from the IRS on the 2026 tax filing season, including helpful online tools and resources, click here (https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-announces-first-day-of-2026-filing-season-online-tools-and-resources-help-with-tax-filing).
To learn more about the new tax provisions made possible by President Trump's Working Families Tax Cuts Act, click here (https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/one-big-beautiful-bill-act-tax-deductions-for-working-americans-and-seniors).
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Original text here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2026/01/president-trump-delivers-largest-tax-refund-season-in-u-s-history/
Justice Department Files Case to Revoke the Naturalization of Former Peruvian Army Commander
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on Jan. 26, 2026:
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Justice Department Files Case to Revoke the Naturalization of Former Peruvian Army Commander
Today, the U.S. Department of Justice and the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida filed a civil denaturalization complaint in the United States District Court in Miami, Florida, against Luis Miguel Fernandez Gaviola, a native of Peru who was charged with eight extra-judicial killings in Peru.
Fernandez served as a Deputy in Charge of Infantry in the G-2 of the 31st
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on Jan. 26, 2026:
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Justice Department Files Case to Revoke the Naturalization of Former Peruvian Army Commander
Today, the U.S. Department of Justice and the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida filed a civil denaturalization complaint in the United States District Court in Miami, Florida, against Luis Miguel Fernandez Gaviola, a native of Peru who was charged with eight extra-judicial killings in Peru.
Fernandez served as a Deputy in Charge of Infantry in the G-2 of the 31stInfantry Division of the Peruvian military. In this role, he commanded a unit that killed eight residents of the District of Pucara, Peru, in November 1989 based on the victims' alleged membership in a certain political group, before coming to the United States in 1992 while hiding his horrific past actions.
"No one who commits atrocities like these is entitled to the precious gift of U.S. citizenship," said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department's Civil Division. "We owe it to the American people to protect them from human rights violators who abuse positions of power, wherever they engaged in their offensive acts."
"United States citizenship is a profound privilege, reserved for those who obtain it honestly and in accordance with the law," said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quinones for the Southern District of Florida. "This civil action alleges that the defendant concealed material facts about his past, including involvement in grave human rights abuses, in order to obtain that privilege. While these are allegations only, our responsibility is clear: when credible evidence shows that citizenship may have been procured through fraud or concealment, the Department of Justice will act to protect the integrity of our immigration system and the rule of law."
In 2003, when he applied for adjustment of status as a permanent resident of the United States, he falsely stated under penalty of perjury that he had no foreign military service and that he had never participated in the killing of anyone because of their political opinion. When he applied for naturalization as a U.S. citizen four years later, he falsely testified under oath that he was never involved in persecution based on political opinion and had never given false or misleading information to any U.S. government official while applying for any immigration benefit.
The case was investigated by the Human Rights Violator Law Division, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and will be litigated by the Affirmative Litigation Unit of the Civil Division's Office of Immigration Litigation and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida.
The claims made in the complaint are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-files-case-revoke-naturalization-former-peruvian-army-commander
IRS Opens 2026 Filing Season
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service issued the following news on Jan. 26, 2026:
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IRS opens 2026 filing season
The Internal Revenue Service today opened the 2026 tax filing season and began accepting and processing federal individual income tax returns for tax year 2025.
The IRS expects about 164 million individual tax returns for tax year 2025 to be filed ahead of the Wednesday, April 15, federal deadline. Taxpayers can find a range of tools and filing options on IRS.gov to help them prepare and file their returns.
"As America celebrates
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service issued the following news on Jan. 26, 2026:
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IRS opens 2026 filing season
The Internal Revenue Service today opened the 2026 tax filing season and began accepting and processing federal individual income tax returns for tax year 2025.
The IRS expects about 164 million individual tax returns for tax year 2025 to be filed ahead of the Wednesday, April 15, federal deadline. Taxpayers can find a range of tools and filing options on IRS.gov to help them prepare and file their returns.
"As America celebratesits 250th anniversary, the IRS and its employees are excited to once again serve American taxpayers in meeting their tax filing obligations during the 2026 filing season," said IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank J. Bisignano.
"Not only does 2026 commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, but it also coincides with the 40th anniversary of electronic filing," Bisignano said. "Just as we did back in 1986, today the IRS encourages taxpayers to speed the processing of their returns by using e-file, instead of paper. And to speed the processing of any refund due, we also encourage the use of direct deposit," he added.
Get help preparing and filing electronically
Filing electronically and choosing direct deposit remains the fastest way to receive a refund.
* IRS Free File offers eligible taxpayers brand-name tax preparation software at no cost.
* Free File Fillable Forms are available to taxpayers who are comfortable preparing and filing their own returns, regardless of income level.
* Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals.
More than half of taxpayers use a tax professional to prepare and file their tax returns. The IRS encourages taxpayers to review tips for choosing a tax preparer and learn how to avoid unethical "ghost" return preparers.
Most refunds are issued within 21 days
Direct deposit is the fastest way to receive a refund. Additionally, in accordance with Executive Order 14247, the IRS began phasing out paper tax refund checks on Sept. 30, 2025, meaning most taxpayers must provide their routing and account numbers to receive refunds directly deposited into their bank accounts.
Taxpayers can track refund status using Where's My Refund?, the IRS2Go app, or their IRS Individual Online Account.
While the IRS issues most refunds in fewer than 21 days, some returns require additional review and may take longer.
EITC and ACTC refunds available by March 2
The IRS expects most refunds for the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Additional Child Tax Credit to be available in bank accounts or on debit cards by March 2, 2026, for taxpayers who chose direct deposit and have no other issues with their returns. Some taxpayers may receive their refund earlier, depending on their financial institution. Where's My Refund? will provide projected deposit dates for most early EITC/ACTC refund filers by Feb. 21, 2026.
For more information and tools to help file a complete and accurate return and avoid errors that can delay refunds, visit IRS.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-opens-2026-filing-season
Former Brundidge Police Chief Ordered to Forfeit Three Properties Connected to Federal Rental Assistance Fraud
MONTGOMERY, Alabama, Jan. 27 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama posted the following news release on Jan. 26, 2026:
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Former Brundidge Police Chief Ordered to Forfeit Three Properties Connected to Federal Rental Assistance Fraud
A former Brundidge Police Chief has been ordered to forfeit three residential properties connected to a scheme to fraudulently obtain federal pandemic assistance funds.
On January 21, 2026, a federal judge entered a final order of forfeiture against Samuel Cornelius Green, 51, requiring him to forfeit his interest in three rental
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MONTGOMERY, Alabama, Jan. 27 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama posted the following news release on Jan. 26, 2026:
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Former Brundidge Police Chief Ordered to Forfeit Three Properties Connected to Federal Rental Assistance Fraud
A former Brundidge Police Chief has been ordered to forfeit three residential properties connected to a scheme to fraudulently obtain federal pandemic assistance funds.
On January 21, 2026, a federal judge entered a final order of forfeiture against Samuel Cornelius Green, 51, requiring him to forfeit his interest in three rentalproperties located in Troy, Alabama. The forfeiture follows Green's guilty plea to illegally receiving funds through the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).
The federal government implemented ERAP in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to provide financial assistance to households unable to pay rent or utilities, as well as to landlords seeking reimbursement for tenants' unpaid rent during the pandemic.
According to Green's plea agreement and other court records, beginning in March 2021, Green submitted multiple ERAP applications containing false and misleading information regarding tenants, rental arrangements, and payment histories in order to obtain funds to which he was not entitled. In some of the fraudulent applications, Green submitted counterfeit and altered utility bills. The scheme continued through November 2021.
In October 2025, Green pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. His co-conspirator, Schemillia Levera Fenn, of Troy, Alabama, pleaded guilty to wire fraud for her role in the scheme.
At sentencing hearings held on January 14, 2026, the court ordered Green and Fenn to pay $118,175 in restitution to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The court also imposed a $1,000 fine against Green.
The Department of the Treasury's Office of Inspector General investigated this case, with assistance from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Michelle R. Turner, Russell T. Duraski, and J. Patrick Lamb prosecuted the case.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdal/pr/former-brundidge-police-chief-ordered-forfeit-three-properties-connected-federal
