Targeted News Service

Federal - Executive Branch

Acting Fla. U.S. Attorney: National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action Results in Charges of Over $308 Million in Intended Loss Against 52 Defendants (9/18/21)

Acting Ga. U.S. Attorney: National Healthcare Fraud Enforcement Action Results in Charges Involving More Than $1.4 Billion in Alleged Losses (9/18/21)

Acting N.C. U.S. Attorney: Georgia Man Is Charged With Conspiracy to Defraud N.C. Medicaid Program (9/18/21)

Acting Ohio U.S. Attorney: Columbus Man Charged With Threatening Local Reproductive Health Services Facility (9/18/21)

Acting S.C. U.S. Attorney: Georgia Genetic Testing Laboratory to Pay Up to $200,000 to Resolve Anti-Kickback Statute Claims (9/18/21)

Acting Wash. U.S. Attorney: Pakistan Resident Sentenced to Prison for Long-Running Phone Unlocking Scheme to Defraud AT&T (9/18/21)

Administration for Children and Families: Tribal Home Visiting Awards $3.7 Million to Tribal Grantees Through the American Rescue Plan (9/18/21)

Air Force Civil Engineer Center Biologist Helps Rehab Hundreds of Sea Pups (9/18/21)

Air Force Civil Engineer Center, Army Corps of Engineers Partnership Essential to Delivering Installation of the Future (9/18/21)

Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Seeks Challenging I&MS Topics for I-WEPTAC (9/18/21)

Airmen Hone Expeditionary Skills at Rally in Rockies Exercise (9/18/21)

APHIS: USDA Issues Federal Order Suspending Interstate Movement of Swine From Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands to Mainland U.S. (9/18/21)

Army Recruiting Command Welcomes New Deputy Commanding General - Support (9/18/21)

Assisting Historically Black Colleges and Universities to Become GSA Multiple Award Schedule Program Contractors (9/18/21)

Austin Swears in Pentagon's New Special Operations Chief (9/18/21)

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.

Featured Stories

U.S. Postal Service Reports Continued Service Performance Improvements for All Mail Categories

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The U.S. Postal Service issued the following news release:

The U.S. Postal Service reported updated fiscal fourth quarter service delivery performance that showed ongoing improvements versus the third quarter ended June 30 for all First-Class, Marketing and Periodical mail categories.

Quarter-to-date service performance data for July 1 through Sept. 10 included:

* First-Class Mail: Delivered 88.5 percent of First-Class Mail on time against the USPS service standard, an improvement of 1 percentage point from the third quarter.

* Marketing Mail: Delivered 92.5 percent ... Show Full Article

President Biden Issues Proclamation Honoring National Farm Safety & Health Week

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- President Biden issued the following proclamation on Sept. 17, 2021, honoring National Farm Safety and Health Week:

* * *

In every generation, America's farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers have fed and fueled our Nation, nurturing the strength and health of our people, our communities, and our economy. Since 1944, we have celebrated these critical workers during National Farm Safety and Health Week -- a time for all of us to recommit ourselves to advancing the safety and well-being of all hardworking farm and ranch workers.

The contributions of farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- President Biden issued the following proclamation on Sept. 17, 2021, honoring National Farm Safety and Health Week: * * * In every generation, America's farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers have fed and fueled our Nation, nurturing the strength and health of our people, our communities, and our economy. Since 1944, we have celebrated these critical workers during National Farm Safety and Health Week -- a time for all of us to recommit ourselves to advancing the safety and well-being of all hardworking farm and ranch workers. The contributions of farmers, ranchers, and farmworkershave always been essential, but they have perhaps never been more evident than during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has taken an incalculable toll on our Nation's farms and farming communities, with high rates of infections and illnesses affecting nearly every facet of our agricultural system. Beyond the unique challenges posed by the pandemic, the agriculture sector has always been both physically and mentally demanding, and it remains one of the most dangerous industries in America.

Despite these challenges, our dedicated farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers have continued to work around the clock, putting their lives and the lives of their loved ones on the line to ensure that families across the country have food on the table. Their sacrifices are commendable, but they should not have to risk injury, illness, or death to do their jobs. Our Nation has a duty to protect agricultural workers and promote safety education for farmers and farm families. We must continue to reduce the risks of accidents, injuries, and fatalities -- including those on rural roadways involving tractors and other machinery -- as well as the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to fertilizers and chemical agents. We must continue to get Americans vaccinated, so that our brave farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers can go to work free from the deadly threat of COVID-19.

American farmworkers are the best in the world, and they have always faced the challenges of the job head-on. Their success is our Nation's success, and we must support them and their well-being as they feed the world, lift up their local communities, and contribute to the prosperity and possibilities of rural America and beyond. My Administration is committed to ensuring that every farmer, rancher, and farmworker can work in a safe and healthy environment. By having their backs, our Nation will continue to lead the world in agricultural production and innovation and ensure that our food supply is secure and our economy is strong.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 19 through September 25, 2021, as National Farm Safety and Health Week. I call upon the people of the United States, including America's farmers and ranchers and agriculture-related institutions, organizations, and businesses to reaffirm a dedication to farm safety and health. I also urge all Americans to honor the historic and ongoing contributions of our agricultural sector and express appreciation and gratitude to our farmers and ranchers for their vital contributions and tireless service to our Nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-sixth.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

Goat Herd Completes Their Season at Johnstown Flood National Memorial

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The Johnstown Flood National Memorial National Park Service Johnstown Flood National Memorial issued the following news release on Sept. 17, 2021:

The goats have departed from Johnstown Flood National Memorial, as they have completed their work here for the season as part of the Lakebed Rehabilitation Project.

The goal of this project is to restore the area to a low-lying meadow to allow the visitor to imagine the extent of the lake and to envision the historic flood.

Allegheny GoatScape, based out of Pittsburgh, PA, supplied the herd of goats to assist in clearing ... Show Full Article

First Responders, Fort Drum Community Members Gather for Annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

FORT DRUM, New York, Sept. 18 -- The U.S. Army's Fort Drum (10th Mountain Division) issued the following story:

By Mike Strasser

First responders placed a wreath at the "Lest We Forget" monument outside Clark Hall as Fort Drum community members joined fire and law enforcement personnel Sept. 10 for the annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony.

"We stand here today to pay tribute to the sacrifice, the heroism and the contributions made by so many on 9/11," said Maj. Gen. Milford H. Beagle Jr., 10th Mountain Division (LI) and Fort Drum commander. "In the last 20 years we have witnessed remarkable feats ... Show Full Article FORT DRUM, New York, Sept. 18 -- The U.S. Army's Fort Drum (10th Mountain Division) issued the following story: By Mike Strasser First responders placed a wreath at the "Lest We Forget" monument outside Clark Hall as Fort Drum community members joined fire and law enforcement personnel Sept. 10 for the annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony. "We stand here today to pay tribute to the sacrifice, the heroism and the contributions made by so many on 9/11," said Maj. Gen. Milford H. Beagle Jr., 10th Mountain Division (LI) and Fort Drum commander. "In the last 20 years we have witnessed remarkable featsof bravery, starting with the initial first responders fighting to save the lives of the innocent to the law enforcement and intelligence communities hunting down those intending to do continued harm."

Beagle also acknowledged members of the armed forces who put themselves in harm's way for a common cause.

"In contrast to earlier conflicts, the 9/11 generation is all volunteers who chose to serve during a time of war," he said. "Just as Pearl Harbor, in World War II, defined a generation destined for greatness, so has the events of Sept. 11 shaped our destiny. Since 2001, your Army has adapted to a changing and volatile world. Twenty years of continuous operations, that ended a week ago, has proven that the current generation of service members are cut from the same cloth as their forefathers."

Earlier in the morning, more than 500 Fort Drum Soldiers and family members gathered outside Magrath Sports Complex for a 9/11 Memorial 5K Run.

Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Tom McCort, Fort Drum garrison chaplain, spoke with runners at the starting line, and asked how many remember where they were and what they were doing on Sept. 11, 2001.

McCort was serving as a battalion chaplain at Fort Knox, Kentucky, when he heard on the radio that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. He thought it was some kind of show at first, like the radio broadcast of "War of the Worlds."

"I thought it wasn't real," he said. "I went into my boss's office and saw the planes hit the towers on TV, and there was silence in the room. We had no way to understand what was happening."

McCort said that emotions ran the gamut - shock, anger, fear and confusion - and there was a general feeling of not knowing what would happen next.

"I remember inside of the battalion that six of our Soldiers had family members who were directly impacted that day, whether in the towers or on the plane," he said. "It was shocking to hear that. But I do remember something good did come out of that. In that moment, we were unified - as an Army and as a country."

McCort said that people find many reasons to be divisive, but the events on 9/11 brought people together in a profound way.

"We were all going to come together, and you felt that across the nation," he said. "If there is something good we can take out of something bad, it is that. We are still one people, we are still one Army and we are still one nation. I have your back and you have my back. We look out for each other and take care of each other."

FDA: Federal Court Enters Consent Decree Against Florida Compounder, Prohibiting Manufacture and Distribution of Drugs Due to Insanitary Conditions

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Food and Drug Administration issued the following news release:

The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida has entered a consent decree of permanent injunction that prohibits a Florida-based company from producing or distributing any drugs until the company complies with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and other requirements.

According to the complaint, filed by the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Premier Pharmacy Labs Inc. and the ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Food and Drug Administration issued the following news release: The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida has entered a consent decree of permanent injunction that prohibits a Florida-based company from producing or distributing any drugs until the company complies with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and other requirements. According to the complaint, filed by the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Premier Pharmacy Labs Inc. and thecompany's owner, Vern A. Allen, manufactured and distributed drugs made under insanitary conditions at Premier Pharmacy's facility, despite multiple warnings from the FDA. Premier stopped manufacturing drugs following an FDA inspection in June 2019.

"Premier Pharmacy and its owner placed patients at significant risk. Outsourcing facilities must follow good manufacturing practice to ensure patients are not exposed to poor quality, potentially harmful drugs," said Donald D. Ashley, J.D., director of the Office of Compliance in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "We will continue to take appropriate enforcement actions to ensure that companies follow important safety requirements to avoid putting patients' health at risk."

The consent decree requires Premier Pharmacy to not engage in any compounding operations or distribution until it completes corrective actions, to ensure the company and its facility are in compliance with the FD&C Act. Under the consent decree, Premier Pharmacy may not resume compounding operations until it establishes and implements, among other things, a comprehensive quality control system and receives authorization from the FDA.

The complaint alleged that Premier Pharmacy manufactured and distributed drugs, including drugs that were intended to be sterile, that were adulterated because the drugs were made under insanitary conditions and in violation of good manufacturing practice requirements under the FD&C Act. Insanitary conditions can cause a compounded drug to become contaminated or otherwise cause patient harm. According to the complaint, Premier Pharmacy also manufactured and distributed drugs that were neither approved nor exempt from approval because the products did not meet all statutory requirements for outsourcing facilities.

In the spring of 2014, the FDA conducted an inspection of Premier Pharmacy that resulted in a warning letter (http://web.archive.org/web/20150801022522/http:/www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/2015/ucm448677.htm)for insanitary conditions and other violations of the FD&C Act. The FDA conducted a follow-up inspection in June 2016, leading to a regulatory meeting with the company in January 2018. In April 2018, Premier Pharmacy recalled affected sterile injectable products due to potential lack of sterility assurance. The FDA conducted another follow-up inspection which started in April 2019. In June 2019, following the April inspection and the FDA's recommendation to recall, Premier Pharmacy recalled all unexpired drugs intended to be sterile. Premier Pharmacy had been registered as an outsourcing facility for compounded drugs; however, the company deregistered in 2019 and has since stopped compounding drugs.

Compounded drugs can serve an important role for patients whose medical needs cannot be met by an FDA-approved drug product. Compounded drugs are not approved by the FDA and, therefore, have not been evaluated for safety or efficacy.

Census Bureau: Small Business Pulse Survey Phase 6 Weekly Data Release, Aug. 26 - Oct. 21

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The U.S. Census Bureau issued the following tip sheet on Sept. 16, 2021:

The U.S. Census Bureau today released new data from the sixth phase of the Small Business Pulse Survey (SBPS). Data collection began August 16. Results will be released weekly August 26 to October 21. New content in the SBPS Phase 6 covers difficulties hiring employees, new workplace norms, changes in demand for goods or services, and price changes from suppliers.

In addition, Phase 6 will include information consistent with previous phases regarding location closings and openings, changes in employment, ... Show Full Article

APHIS: USDA Issues Federal Order Suspending Interstate Movement of Swine From Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands to Mainland U.S.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued the following news release on Sept. 16, 2021:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is issuing a Federal Order suspending the interstate movement of all live swine, swine germplasm, swine products, and swine byproducts from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to the mainland United States until APHIS can establish sufficient mitigations to authorize such movement. This Federal Order, effective today, is the final action in a ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued the following news release on Sept. 16, 2021: The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is issuing a Federal Order suspending the interstate movement of all live swine, swine germplasm, swine products, and swine byproducts from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to the mainland United States until APHIS can establish sufficient mitigations to authorize such movement. This Federal Order, effective today, is the final action in aseries of safeguards needed to establish an African Swine Fever (ASF) protection zone in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

APHIS is taking this action out of an abundance of caution to further safeguard the U.S. swine herd and protect the interests and livelihoods of U.S. pork producers. ASF has not been detected in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, and we continue to coordinate with both territories to increase education and outreach and improve biosecurity.

On July 28, APHIS confirmed ASF in samples collected from pigs in the Dominican Republic through an existing cooperative surveillance program. After confirmation, APHIS quickly increased existing surveillance and mitigations within Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

On August 26, APHIS announced its intent to establish a World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)-recognized foreign animal disease protection zone around Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to prevent ASF from being introduced there or the mainland United States. The OIE provides for the establishment of a protection zone within an area free of disease, as a temporary measure in response to an increased risk from a neighboring country or zone of different animal health status.

When the protection zone is established, APHIS will have processes in place in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to:

* Prohibit movement of live swine and products out of the protection zone.

* Conduct appropriate surveillance within the protection zone to quickly detect introductions of disease.

* Conduct a public education campaign relating to biosecurity on farms and other establishments, prohibitions on movement of live swine and products outside the region, contacting authorities to report clinical cases, and similar actions.

In the coming weeks, APHIS will detail the actions taken to create the protection zone in a dossier, which will be submitted to the OIE. Once the dossier has been submitted to the OIE, APHIS will work to confirm that individual countries recognize and accept the zone(s). Their recognition will ensure the continued flow of U.S. pork and live swine exports.

Existing Customer Login