JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, March 22 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: Airmen and Guardians can now access "myLearning" via the Air Force Portal, with the first phase of the new system's initial operating capability being a modernized and interactive training platform that allows users to access training modules previously found on the Advanced Distributed Learning Service (ADLS). To reduce stress on the system and increase user exp  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, March 24 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: The Developmental Special Experience (DSE) Catalog is a consolidated list of available learning opportunities, outside the scope of formal training, available to all Airmen and Guardians who have the desire to take control of their career and professional development. The DSE Catalog simplifies research efforts for find training opportunities available to Tot  more

MCALLEN, Texas, March 23 -- The Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, Jennifer B. Lowery, issued the following news release on March 22, 2021: A 54-year-old man has entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to defraud the United States and aiding and abetting the failure to file a form 8300, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery. Jesus Juraidini admitted to paying over $2.5 million to Delfino Gaona in connection with the purchase and/or construction of at least six res  more

DALLAS, Texas, March 26 -- The Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Prerak Shah, issued the following news release on March 24, 2021: A Coppell businessman pleaded guilty today to orchestrating a fraudulent scheme to obtain approximately $24.8 million in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and laundering the proceeds. According to court documents, Dinesh Sah, 55, of Coppell, admitted that he submitted 15 fraudulent applications, filed under the names of vario  more

SHERMAN, Texas, March 26 -- The Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, Nicholas J. Ganjei, issued the following news release on March 25, 2021: A Denison, Texas, woman has pleaded guilty for her role in a conspiracy scheme in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei today. Lydia Henslee, 29, pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess and use means of identification in connection with various offenses today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Chris  more

DALLAS, Texas, March 26 -- The Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Prerak Shah, issued the following news release on March 25, 2021: Forty-six defendants, including two doctors, a nurse practitioner, and five pharmacists, have been convicted of operating an $18 million pill mill scheme, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Prerak Shah. They were arrested in 2020 by the DEA's Fort Worth Tactical Diversion Squad in "Operation Wasted Daze." The l  more

DALLAS, Texas, March 23 -- The Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Prerak Shah, issued the following news release on March 22, 2021: The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas has filed a False Claims Act lawsuit against a Texas dermatopathologist and his clinic, Cockerell Dermatopathology (CDP), for submitting nearly $4.2 million in fraudulent claims to TRICARE, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Prerak Shah. According to allegations in a civil com  more

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service issued the following news release: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entered into a stipulation agreement with Dustin Conley (Conley) of Cooper, Texas, on March 23, 2021, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act. Under the terms of the stipulation agreement, Conley waived his rights to a hearing and paid a civil penalty of $1,450. An investigation by USDA's Agricultural Mar  more

ELLSWORTH AFB, South Dakota, March 23 -- The U.S. Air Force Ellsworth Air Force Base (28th Bomb Wing) issued the following news: The Air Force is publishing a Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register that announces the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the B-21 Main Operating Base 1 Beddown at Dyess AFB, Texas or Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota. The publication of the NOA on March 19, 2021 begins a 30-day waiting period before the Record of Decision for  more

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio, March 25 -- The U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center issued the following news: Several years ago, 39 T-1 Jayhawks assigned to the 47th Flying Training Wing, were severely damaged when a hail storm swept through Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. Unable to fly, the aircraft - used for advanced pilot training - were grounded for repairs. The Air Education and Training Command reached out to the Mobility and Training Aircraft Directorate, which developed a plan t  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, March 23 -- The U.S. Air Force Reserve Command issued the following news: As Air Force Recruiting Service continues to innovate and find ways to enhance the recruiting enterprise, it released the Total Force Marketing Management Tool March 16 with the purpose of synchronizing each partner with upcoming events and enhancing communication and work processes with all the Total Force partners. "This is a huge milestone and win for AFRS," said Chad Tanner, AF  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, March 23 -- The U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer Center issued the following news: The Air Force's Personnel Center launched a new website giving Exceptional Family Member Program families direct access to decision-making information and resources. Airmen, Guardians and their families can now access EFMP information without using a Common Access Card at the Department of the Air Force Family Vector website: https://daffamilyvector.us.af.mil. Users should lo  more

DALLAS, Texas, March 24 -- The Army and Air Force Exchange Service issued the following news release: March 29 is National Vietnam War Veteran Day, and Army & Air Force Exchange Service stores around the world are hosting contactless pinning ceremonies to honor Vietnam Veterans' service, valor and sacrifice. Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, can receive a Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin at the ceremony.   more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas, March 26 -- The U.S. Army Medicine issued the following news: U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence (MEDCoE) Soldiers are assisting the Brooke Army Medical Center in administering COVID-19 vaccines. BAMC has begun booking appointments for high-risk beneficiaries ages 16 to 64. BAMC is now administering the vaccine to high-risk beneficiaries ages 16-64 and beneficiaries 65 and older, Phase 1a and 1b military and civilian personnel (DoD healthcare, national securit  more

FORT HOOD, Texas, March 24 -- The U.S. Army Medicine issued the following news: Donating blood through the Armed Forces Blood Donor Program is a true Soldier to Soldier program, with Soldiers donating blood or plasma and other Soldiers receiving the life-saving blood or plasma donation. Every single week, the Robertson Blood Center should be receiving more than 500 blood donations, but the harsh reality is they only receive between five to 15 donations weekly. Instead of helping to save 1,500   more

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The U.S. Army News Service issued the following news: Daniels has also taken command during one of the Army Reserve's most challenging chapters, she said. Besides overseeing the component's massive COVID-19 response, Daniels has managed other ongoing lines of effort, she said. For example, the Army Reserve has over 12,000 Soldiers in overseas locations, she said, and recently responded to record-breaking power outages in Texas caused by freezing weather. "There were a   more

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany, March 27 -- The U.S. Air Forces in Europe issued the following news: B-2 Spirit aircraft from the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, flew the final mission of the most recent Bomber Task Force deployment, March 25, 2021. This iteration of the BTF consisted of B-2s and B-1B Lancers from the 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. The B-1s accomplished a number of historic firsts during this deployment. They were the first bomber to deploy to Nor  more

SHEPPARD AFB, Texas, March 23 -- The U.S. Air Force's 82nd Training Wing issued the following news: After roughly a year of command directed restrictions based on public health safety recommendations, some limitations have been lifted for permanent party members - with a few caveats. Brig. Gen. Kenyon Bell, installation and 82nd Training Wing commander, on March 19, 2021, notified Team Sheppard that they can now eat inside restaurants and use gyms off base, something that hasn't been authorize  more

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany, March 23 -- The U.S. Air Forces in Europe issued the following news: A U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit aircraft from the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, and a U.S. B-1B Lancer from the 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, flew a Bomber Task Force mission off the coast of Iceland, March 19, 2021. The bombers integrated with four Norwegian F-35 Lightning aircraft that are currently fulfilling NATO's Icelandic Air Policing mission. The aircraft car  more

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Nebraska, March 23 -- The U.S. Strategic Command issued the following news: A U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit aircraft from the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, and a U.S. B-1B Lancer from the 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, flew a Bomber Task Force mission off the coast of Iceland, March 19, 2021. The bombers integrated with four Norwegian F-35 Lightning aircraft that are currently fulfilling NATO's Icelandic Air Policing mission. The aircraft c  more

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas, March 27 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has now introduced Simplified Arrival at all of the pedestrian border crossings in the Rio Grande Valley ports of entry. Simplified Arrival is an enhanced international arrival process that uses biometric facial comparison technology to automate the manual document checks that are already required for admissio  more

WASHINGTON, March 25 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following statement on March 24, 2021 by Press Secretary John Kirby on approved request for assistance to house unaccompanied migrant children: * * * "The Department of Defense approved a request for assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to temporarily house unaccompanied migrant children at a vacant dormitory at Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland, Texas and an area of land on Fort Bliss, Texas to cons  more

DYESS AFB, Texas, March 27 -- The U.S. Air Force Dyess Air Force Base (7th Bomb Wing) issued the following news: Technology is constantly advancing and improving. As for those in the 7th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal shop at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, they have received a new set of eyes for their ANDROS F6 Robot. The ANDROS F6 Robot is a heavy-duty unmanned ground vehicle designed for EOD members. The new C360 camera from the company gives the EOD shop 3D capabilities.  more

DALLAS, Texas, March 25 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that five Texas manufacturing plants were among 95 facilities nationwide to earn ENERGY STAR certification in 2020 for being among the most energy-efficient in their industries. Texas facilities earning certification are (* indicates first-time certification): AbbVie, Waco--pharmaceutical CITGO Petroleum Corp., Corpus Christi--pet  more

DALLAS, Texas, March 27 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced Flowers Baking Co. in Batesville, Arkansas, is among 95 facilities nationwide to earn ENERGY STAR certification in 2020 for being among the most energy-efficient in their industries. By strategically managing their energy use while our country dealt with challenges of the pandemic, the 95 ENERGY STAR certified plants saved nearly $4  more

DALLAS, Texas, March 27 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced four manufacturing plants in Louisiana are among 95 facilities nationwide to earn ENERGY STAR certification in 2020 for being among the most energy-efficient in their industries. Facilities in Louisiana: Flowers Baking Co. of Baton Rouge, LLC--commercial bread and roll baking Flowers Baking Co. of Lafayette, LLC--commercial bread   more

DALLAS, Texas, March 25 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced Koch Fertilizer in Enid, Oklahoma, is among 95 facilities nationwide to earn ENERGY STAR certification in 2020 for being among the most energy-efficient in their industries. By strategically managing their energy use while our country dealt with challenges of the pandemic, the 95 ENERGY STAR certified plants saved nearly $400 millio  more

DENVER, Colorado, March 25 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed settlement with Merit Energy Company (Merit) of Dallas, Texas, resolving alleged violations of the Clean Water Act, and its implementing regulations meant to prevent oil pollution. These violations include failure to comply with Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) requirements at a tank battery facility operate  more

EL PASO, Texas, March 25 -- The U.S. Department of Justice's Federal Bureau of Investigation El Paso Field Office issued the following news release: The FBI has seen a recent increase in phone calls that spoof the Bureau's phone number as part of various scams, but most recently in trying to obtain personal banking information or gift card/wire transfer payments from unsuspecting citizens in the El Paso and West Texas communities. The callers will often "spoof," or fake, the FBI El Paso's main   more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued the following statement (Docket No. RP21-153-000) by Commissioner James Danly on Texas Eastern Transmission: * * * I agree with the order's finding that no further action is required. I write separately to express my concern that the order issued November 30, 2020, improvidently suspended the revised tariff records filed by Texas Eastern Transmission, LP "subject to refund, conditions, further r  more

WASHINGTON, March 24 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued the following news release on March 23, 2021: The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) today convened a virtual FinCEN Exchange event to discuss Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) filing statistics for low-dollar, voluntarily-filed suspicious activity reports (SARs) that contain a transaction nexus to Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. During today's event, representatives f  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, March 25 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: It was a day of historical significance as 10 new Air Force pilots received their wings after graduating from the first Undergraduate Pilot Training 2.5 program March 19, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. Instructors from the 559th Flying Training Squadron implemented training for Air Education and Training Command's first UPT 2.5 class, which began in July 2020. Using the T-6A Texan II as the p  more

FORT HOOD, Texas, March 27 -- The U.S. Army Cadet Command issued the following news: During a ceremony at Bronco Youth Center here, March 18, Fort Hood recognized the 2021 Military Youth of the Year, who will represent the Great Place as she advances to the Texas State Military Youth of the Year competition from March 29-30. Iyana Moses was chosen to represent Fort Hood at the state competition. A sophomore at Shoemaker High School in Killeen, Texas, Moses is the dependent of retired Sgt. 1st   more

SAN ANGELO, Texas, March 27 -- The U.S. Air Force Goodfellow Air Force Base (17th Training Wing) issued the following news: Angelo State University hosted a ceremony for Goodfellow members transferring their service from the United States Air Force to the United States Space Force at the ASU planetarium in San Angelo, Texas, March 26. "Space is now considered the warfighting domain," said Col. Andres Nazario, 17th Training Wing commander. "Our adversaries are continuously looking for ways to e  more

WASHINGTON, March 22 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued the following news release: On Friday, March 19, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas led a bipartisan Senate delegation to El Paso, Texas to view operations on the southwest border and receive a briefing on the processing, shelter, and transfer of unaccompanied children. The delegation visited the Paso del Norte International Crossing where they were provided with an overview of Port of Entry enforcement ac  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, March 24 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: In the latest episode of "The Air Force Starts Here," Chief Master Sergeant Erik Thompson, AETC command chief, discusses the importance of force generators, which are voluntary developmental special duty positions filled by Airmen who help build, teach, and aid Airmen to lead. These positions ensure the Air Force has fully trained and qualified Airmen to maint  more

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on March 25, 2021: A Texas man was sentenced to 20 months in prison for trafficking protected species and ordered to pay a $2,000 fine and be placed on supervised release for a period of two years after completing his prison term. Alejandro Carrillo, 62, of El Paso, pleaded guilty on July 9, 2020, to a two-count information charging him with one count of conspiracy to traffic wildlife and one count of smug  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, March 25 -- The U.S. Army Contracting Command issued the following news: Mission and Installation Contracting Command officials are conducting an Advance Planning Briefing for Industry March 22-26 with more than 1,800 American business representatives from across the nation registered for the event. This is the first command-wide virtual APBI event to reach small business and large industry representatives to forecast 2021, 2022 and 2023 contract  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, March 25 -- The U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command issued the following news: Mission and Installation Contracting Command officials are conducting an Advance Planning Briefing for Industry March 22-26 with more than 1,800 American business representatives from across the nation registered for the event. This is the first command-wide virtual APBI event to reach small business and large industry representatives to forecast 202  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, March 26 -- The U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command issued the following news: The Mission and Installation Contracting Command Headquarters is the recipient of its first Army Safety Excellence Streamer Award recognizing the command's commitment to safety during a consecutive 12-month period. The headquarters received the streamer recently for completing 12 consecutive months without having any Army unit Class A or B accidents,  more

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, March 27 -- The National Credit Union Administration issued the following news release on March 26, 2021: The Texas Credit Union Department today took possession of Edinburg Teachers Credit Union, located in Edinburg, Texas, and appointed the National Credit Union Administration as conservator. Member deposits at Edinburg Teachers Credit Union remain protected by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. Administered by the NCUA, the Share Insurance Fund insures ind  more

WASHINGTON, March 25 -- The Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture issued the following news: The Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) announced a partnership with five Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to enhance their ability to care for and share archives that tell the story of African Americans and their essential role in American culture and history. The consortium includes Clark Atlanta University,  more

DALLAS-FORT WORTH, Texas, March 23 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service Texas office issued the following news release on March 22, 2021: In celebration of World Water Day, a coalition of industry, nonprofit, and governmental organizations today announced the launch of the Texas Water Action Collaborative (TxWAC). The group will work to invest in efforts along the Upper Trinity River that yield positive return for water quality and quantity. "Texas' po  more

WASHINGTON, March 25 -- The U.S. Navy issued the following news release: On March 24 at approximately 2 p.m. CDT, a Navy T-45C Goshawk jet trainer aircraft crashed approximately 3 miles northeast of Naval Outlying Field Orange Grove, Texas. The two occupants, an instructor, and a student, safely ejected from the aircraft and reported minor injuries. They were transported to a local medical treatment facility for evaluation. Navy and local emergency services responded to the scene and extingu  more

SHEPPARD AFB, Texas, March 26 -- The U.S. Air Force's 82nd Training Wing issued the following news: In the midst of swirling change at the 82nd Medical Group - a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility under construction and a transition to the Defense Health Agency - the DHA's top doc delivered a clear message to Sheppard AFB's combat medics during an all-call meeting March 22, 2021 - everything they do is in support of the National Defense Strategy. Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Ronald Place, DHA director and  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, March 22 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: The 330th Recruiting Squadron gained a new commander this year and he just happens to be the winner of the 2020 Lance P. Sijan U.S. Air Force Leadership Award in the senior officer category. Lt. Col. Steven Cooper earned the award while assigned as the commander of the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida. Cooper was deployed last year and much of his award package is based on hi  more

SHEPPARD AFB, Texas, March 27 -- The U.S. Air Force's 82nd Training Wing issued the following news: The Air Force stays ahead by always seeking to improve, upgrade or innovate the way we do things. Stagnation is the killer of excellence and members from the 366th Training Squadron's electrical power production apprentice course are working on a new innovation to modernize training. "We realized students in this day and age learn differently," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Bagley, electrical power pr  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, March 27 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, commander of Air Education and Training Command, will host the sixth episode of "AETC Real Talk: Race and Diversity in the Air Force" April 22 at 3 p.m. (CDT) on AETC's Facebook page. With Webb, for this episode, will be Maj. Carl Chen, AETC budget analyst. The discussion will be on Asian American and Pacific Islander disparity in the military and current country climate. "In   more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, March 26 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, commander of Air Education and Training Command, hosts the sixth episode of AETC Real Talk: Race and Diversity in the Air Force April 22 at 3 p.m. on AETC's Facebook page. With Webb, for this episode, will be Maj. Carl Chen, AETC budget analyst. The discussion will be on Asian American and Pacific Islander disparity in the military and cur  more

WASHINGTON, March 24 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release: The Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) announced a partnership with five Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to enhance their ability to care for and share archives that tell the story of African Americans and their essential role in American culture and history. The consortium includes Clark Atlanta University, Florida A&M University, Jackson State  more

DALLAS, Texas, March 27 -- The U.S. Department of Justice's Federal Bureau of Investigation Dallas Field Office issued the following statement on March 26, 2021: * * * The FBI has worked around the clock, throughout the country, to identify and investigate suspects in the January 6, 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol and assault on law enforcement officers. Today, the FBI's Dallas Division made its 20th arrest related to the assault on the U.S. Capitol. The Division's territory spans the top hal  more

WASHINGTON, March 24 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation's Surface Transportation Board issued the following decision (Docket No. AB 1272X) entitled "Central Texas & Colorado River Railway -- Discontinuance Exemption -- In Mcculloch, San Saba, Mills, and Lampasas Counties, Texas": On August 9, 2019, Central Texas & Colorado River Railway, LLC (CTXR), a Class III rail carrier, filed with the Board a petition under 49 U.S.C. Sec. 10502 for exemption from the prior approval requirements of 49  more

LAREDO, Texas, March 26 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: Laredo Sector Border Patrol and Laredo Police Department (LPD) halted a human smuggling attempt in west Laredo near the downtown area. The incident occurred during the evening of March 23, when agents assigned to the Laredo South Station, working with LPD, acted on two separate reports of a possible human smuggling attempt occurring at a residence on Santa Cleo  more

HOUSTON, Texas, March 27 -- The U.S. Department of Labor issued the following news release: In January 2019, a worker at a Holiday Inn Express & Suites hotel in Waller alerted their employer that exposure to carbon monoxide made them ill and asked the employer to call an ambulance. In addition to refusing the worker's request, the employer allegedly threatened to terminate the employee. After going to the hospital, the worker was terminated. Following an investigation on the employee's behalf,  more